Definition
Surah Ibrahim is the 14th surah of the Quran, a Makki surah with seven ruku and 52 verses, opening with the disjointed letters "Alif-Lam-Ra".
It is named after Prophet Ibrahim (AS) because his well-known prayers are recorded in it.
Its central theme is presenting the signs of Allah's power and establishing the truth of the Quran and its bearer, the noble Prophet ﷺ — the Book was revealed so the Prophet ﷺ could bring people out of darkness into light, onto the path of the Almighty, the Praiseworthy.
Definition
Musa (AS) reminded his people of Allah's favours and urged gratitude, warning that Allah is Self-Sufficient and Praiseworthy regardless of their gratitude.
Earlier nations (Nuh, 'Aad and Thamud) denied their messengers and were consequently destroyed.
In a dialogue between messengers and deniers, the messengers affirmed they were mere humans like their people, but that Allah favours whomever He wills among His servants, and they were commanded to bear patiently the harm inflicted on them.
Definition
The "good word" (Tawheed and prophethood) is likened to a good tree, firmly rooted, while the "evil word" (disbelief) is likened to a rootless tree easily uprooted. Allah keeps the believers firm upon the steadfast word in this life and the Hereafter. On the Day of Judgment, Satan will disown his followers, declaring he had no real power over them — the deeds of the disbelievers are likened to ashes scattered by a fierce wind, gaining them nothing.
- Allah created the heavens and the earth and sent down rain, producing various fruits as sustenance.
- He subjected ships to sail the sea by His command, and made the rivers of service to mankind.
- He subjected the sun and moon, both running fixed courses, and made night and day subservient for human benefit.
- For Makkah to be made a secure city.
- For himself and his offspring to be kept away from idol-worship.
- For his descendants to remain devoted to establishing prayer.
- For forgiveness for himself, his parents, and all believers, on the Day the reckoning is established.
Rule
Ibrahim 14:35 (prayer for security and protection from shirk) — رَبِّ اجْعَلْ هٰذَا الْبَلَدَ اٰمِنًا وَّاجْنُبْنِيْ وَبَنِيَّ اَنْ نَّعْبُدَ الْاَصْنَامَ — Translation: My Lord, make this city secure, and keep me and my children away from worshipping idols.
Ibrahim 14:40-41 (prayer for children's steadfastness in prayer and parents' forgiveness) — رَبِّ اجْعَلْنِيْ مُقِيْمَ الصَّلٰوةِ وَمِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِيْ ۚ رَبَّنَا وَتَقَبَّلْ دُعَآءِ ۩ رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لِيْ وَلِوَالِدَيَّ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ يَوْمَ يَقُوْمُ الْحِسَابُ — Translation: My Lord, make me one who establishes prayer, and also from among my offspring; our Lord, accept my supplication. Our Lord, forgive me and my parents and the believers on the Day when the reckoning will be established.
Definition
Those who reject the true call will, in the Hereafter, be dressed in garments of copper (tar), with fire covering their faces, so that Allah may recompense every soul for what it has earned. The surah closes declaring the Quran a message and warning to mankind, so that they may know He is the only God, and people of understanding may take heed.
Quick Recap
- ●Surah Ibrahim: 14th surah, Makki, 7 ruku, 52 verses; named for Ibrahim (AS)'s prayers recorded in it
- ●Central theme: signs of Allah's power, truth of the Quran and the Prophet ﷺ
- ●Nuh, 'Aad, Thamud denied their messengers and were destroyed; messengers are human but chosen by Allah
- ●Good word (Tawheed) = firmly rooted tree; evil word (disbelief) = rootless tree; disbelievers' deeds = scattered ashes
- ●Signs of power: creation, rain, ships, rivers, sun/moon, night/day
- ●Ibrahim's (AS) prayers: secure Makkah, protection from idol-worship, children's prayer, forgiveness for parents/believers
- ●Key verses: 14:35 and 14:40-41; wrongdoers dressed in copper garments in the Hereafter
