سُوْرَةُ البَقَرَةِ
Surah Al-Baqara (2) — Ayah 124
۞ وَإِذِ ٱبْتَلَىٰٓ إِبْرَٰهِـۧمَ رَبُّهُۥ بِكَلِمَـٰتٍ فَأَتَمَّهُنَّ ۖ قَالَ إِنِّى جَاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِمَامًا ۖ قَالَ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِى ۖ قَالَ لَا يَنَالُ عَهْدِى ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ ﴿124﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And (remember) when the Lord of Ibrâhîm (Abraham) [i.e., Allâh] tried him with (certain) Commands, which he fulfilled. He (Allâh) said (to him), "Verily, I am going to make you an Imâm (a leader) for mankind (to follow you)." [Ibrâhîm (Abraham)] said, "And of my offspring (to make leaders)." (Allâh) said, "My Covenant (Prophethood) includes not Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrong-doers)."
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
۞ وَإِذِ
wa-idhi
And when
ٱبْتَلَىٰٓ
ib'talā
tried
إِبْرَٰهِـۧمَ
ib'rāhīma
Ibrahim
رَبُّهُۥ
rabbuhu
his Lord
بِكَلِمَـٰتٍۢ
bikalimātin
with words
فَأَتَمَّهُنَّ ۖ
fa-atammahunna
and he fulfilled them
قَالَ
qāla
He said
إِنِّى
innī
Indeed I
جَاعِلُكَ
jāʿiluka
(am) the One to make you
لِلنَّاسِ
lilnnāsi
for the mankind
إِمَامًۭا ۖ
imāman
a leader
قَالَ
qāla
He said
وَمِن
wamin
And from
ذُرِّيَّتِى ۖ
dhurriyyatī
my offspring
قَالَ
qāla
He said
لَا
lā
(Does) not
يَنَالُ
yanālu
reach
عَهْدِى
ʿahdī
My Covenant
ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
l-ẓālimīna
(to) the wrongdoers
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
(Ayah 124) ➊ {بِكَلِمٰتٍ:} Some commentators have taken these matters to mean inviting the father, the people, and the king to monotheism, refuting idol worship, star worship, and king worship, patience upon being thrown into the fire, then migration, steadfastness despite the oppression of the tyrant king of Egypt, leaving wife and child in a barren valley, and complete readiness to sacrifice the only son. Some have taken it to mean the construction and purification of the House of Allah mentioned in the following verses, the rites of Hajj, and the acceptance of Allah’s command {”اَسْلِمْ“} (Submit!) and then practically proving that submission. [ ابن أبی شیبۃ عن مجاہد ] In Tafsir ‘Abd al-Razzaq, it is mentioned with an authentic chain from Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) that Allah tested Ibrahim (peace be upon him) with the commands of purification, five of which were related to the head and five to the rest of the body. Those related to the head were trimming the mustache, rinsing the mouth, cleaning the nose with water, using the miswak, and parting the hair. Those related to the body were cutting the nails, shaving the pubic hair, circumcision, plucking the armpit hair, and washing the traces of urine and feces with water. In Sahih Bukhari (5889), Muslim (257), and Abu Dawud (4198), etc., the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) counted these acts among the natural practices (fitrah).
The reality is that all these things are included in the trials of Ibrahim (peace be upon him), and whatever command Allah gave him, he fulfilled it. When he was commanded to sacrifice his son in old age, he fulfilled it; when he was commanded to circumcise himself at the age of eighty (80), he did that as well. [ بخاری، الاستئذان، باب الختان بعد الکبر … : ۶۲۹۷ ]
➋ { قَالَ وَ مِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِيْ......: } When Allah made Ibrahim (peace be upon him) the leader of all people, he prayed for leadership for some of his descendants, not for all, because he knew that it could not be for everyone, so why pray for it? Thus, Allah accepted his prayer, but at the same time informed him that the wrongdoers among his descendants would not be honored with this blessing. This is meant to warn the misguided among the Children of Israel and the polytheists among the Children of Isma‘il that their beliefs and actions have become corrupt; merely being descendants of Ibrahim (peace be upon him) is not enough.
The reality is that all these things are included in the trials of Ibrahim (peace be upon him), and whatever command Allah gave him, he fulfilled it. When he was commanded to sacrifice his son in old age, he fulfilled it; when he was commanded to circumcise himself at the age of eighty (80), he did that as well. [ بخاری، الاستئذان، باب الختان بعد الکبر … : ۶۲۹۷ ]
➋ { قَالَ وَ مِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِيْ......: } When Allah made Ibrahim (peace be upon him) the leader of all people, he prayed for leadership for some of his descendants, not for all, because he knew that it could not be for everyone, so why pray for it? Thus, Allah accepted his prayer, but at the same time informed him that the wrongdoers among his descendants would not be honored with this blessing. This is meant to warn the misguided among the Children of Israel and the polytheists among the Children of Isma‘il that their beliefs and actions have become corrupt; merely being descendants of Ibrahim (peace be upon him) is not enough.
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
124. 1. By "words" are meant the commands of Shariah, the rites of Hajj, the sacrifice of the son, the migration from the fire of Nimrod, and all those trials through which Ibrahim (peace be upon him) was made to pass, and in every trial he remained successful and triumphant. As a reward for this, he was appointed to the position of Imam of mankind. Thus, not only Muslims, but Jews, Christians, and even the polytheists of Arabia all regard his personality as respected and as a leader.
24. 2. Allah Almighty fulfilled this wish of Ibrahim (peace be upon him), which is mentioned in the Noble Quran: We made prophethood and the Book among his descendants. Thus, every prophet whom Allah sent and every book that was revealed after Ibrahim (peace be upon him), this chain remained within the descendants of Ibrahim (Ibn Kathir). Along with this, by saying that "My promise does not include the wrongdoers," it was clarified that despite the high status and position of Ibrahim (peace be upon him) with Allah, among his descendants, those who are disobedient, wrongdoers, and polytheists, there will be no one to remove their wretchedness and deprivation. Here, Allah Almighty has cut off the root of being a prophet's descendant. If there is no faith and righteous deeds, then what status will being a descendant of a saint or a nobleman have in the court of Allah? The Prophet ﷺ said: (من بطا بہ عملہ لم یسرع بہ نسبہ) Sahih Muslim. (Whoever is held back by his deeds, his lineage will not make him advance.)
24. 2. Allah Almighty fulfilled this wish of Ibrahim (peace be upon him), which is mentioned in the Noble Quran: We made prophethood and the Book among his descendants. Thus, every prophet whom Allah sent and every book that was revealed after Ibrahim (peace be upon him), this chain remained within the descendants of Ibrahim (Ibn Kathir). Along with this, by saying that "My promise does not include the wrongdoers," it was clarified that despite the high status and position of Ibrahim (peace be upon him) with Allah, among his descendants, those who are disobedient, wrongdoers, and polytheists, there will be no one to remove their wretchedness and deprivation. Here, Allah Almighty has cut off the root of being a prophet's descendant. If there is no faith and righteous deeds, then what status will being a descendant of a saint or a nobleman have in the court of Allah? The Prophet ﷺ said: (من بطا بہ عملہ لم یسرع بہ نسبہ) Sahih Muslim. (Whoever is held back by his deeds, his lineage will not make him advance.)
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
124. And when Abraham ؑ was tested by his Lord with certain commands [149], and he fulfilled them, Allah said, "Indeed, I will make you a leader for the people." Abraham ؑ asked, "And from my descendants as well?" Allah replied, "My covenant does not include the wrongdoers." [150]
[149]
In What Matters Was Sayyiduna Ibrahimؑ Tested:
Sayyiduna Ibrahimؑ did not attain the leadership of the entire world just like that; rather, from the age of understanding until his death, his whole life was nothing but sacrifice upon sacrifice. Among the things that people love in this world, there was nothing that Sayyiduna Ibrahimؑ did not sacrifice for the sake of truth, nor did he refrain from enduring hardships for its sake. Some of these are as follows:
1. He was born in the house of an idol-maker and idol-seller. The father wanted the son to assist him in this work. But instead, heؑ began to explain to him in the best manner. When the father lost hope in him, he threatened to expel him from the house. Heؑ accepted the hardships of exile for the sake of truth.
2. On the occasion of the national festival, he smashed the idols, as a result of which it was decided to burn himؑ in the fire. Heؑ willingly agreed to jump into it.
3. Heؑ left his wife Hajarah علیہا السلام and his suckling child, according to Allah’s command, in a barren and desolate land where there was no arrangement for food or drink, nor were there any signs of habitation as far as the eye could see.
4. When the son Ismailؑ, who was granted in old age, grew up a little, he was commanded to sacrifice him. He was ready for this without hesitation or delay. In short, the list of his sacrifices and trials is quite long. Finally, Allah Himself granted this certificate that We tested Ibrahimؑ in many matters, and he fulfilled every test. Therefore, as a result of these trials, Allah made him the leader of the whole world, and for all times until the Day of Judgment, attached the chain of prophethood to his progeny alone, and most of the religions of the world consider it an honor and pride to attribute their religion to himؑ.
[150]
Leader of All People:
That is, the promise of leadership is only related to those of your descendants who are righteous. There is no such promise for the wrongdoers and sinners. From here, the false belief of the Jews is refuted, who thought that since we are the descendants of the prophets, we will not face any punishment in the Hereafter.
[149]
In What Matters Was Sayyiduna Ibrahimؑ Tested:
Sayyiduna Ibrahimؑ did not attain the leadership of the entire world just like that; rather, from the age of understanding until his death, his whole life was nothing but sacrifice upon sacrifice. Among the things that people love in this world, there was nothing that Sayyiduna Ibrahimؑ did not sacrifice for the sake of truth, nor did he refrain from enduring hardships for its sake. Some of these are as follows:
1. He was born in the house of an idol-maker and idol-seller. The father wanted the son to assist him in this work. But instead, heؑ began to explain to him in the best manner. When the father lost hope in him, he threatened to expel him from the house. Heؑ accepted the hardships of exile for the sake of truth.
2. On the occasion of the national festival, he smashed the idols, as a result of which it was decided to burn himؑ in the fire. Heؑ willingly agreed to jump into it.
3. Heؑ left his wife Hajarah علیہا السلام and his suckling child, according to Allah’s command, in a barren and desolate land where there was no arrangement for food or drink, nor were there any signs of habitation as far as the eye could see.
4. When the son Ismailؑ, who was granted in old age, grew up a little, he was commanded to sacrifice him. He was ready for this without hesitation or delay. In short, the list of his sacrifices and trials is quite long. Finally, Allah Himself granted this certificate that We tested Ibrahimؑ in many matters, and he fulfilled every test. Therefore, as a result of these trials, Allah made him the leader of the whole world, and for all times until the Day of Judgment, attached the chain of prophethood to his progeny alone, and most of the religions of the world consider it an honor and pride to attribute their religion to himؑ.
[150]
Leader of All People:
That is, the promise of leadership is only related to those of your descendants who are righteous. There is no such promise for the wrongdoers and sinners. From here, the false belief of the Jews is refuted, who thought that since we are the descendants of the prophets, we will not face any punishment in the Hereafter.
