Written by: Ataullah Salafi
(وَإِذِ ابْتَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ رَبُّهُ بِكَلِمَاتٍ فَأَتَمَّهُنَّ قَالَ إِنِّي جَاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِمَامًا قَالَ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِي قَالَ لَا يَنَالُ عَهْدِي الظَّالِمِينَ)
And when Ibrahim (A.S.) was tested by his Lord with certain words (commands), and he fulfilled them completely, Allah said:
“Indeed, I will make you a leader for the people.” Ibrahim (A.S.) asked:
“And from my descendants as well?” Allah replied:
“My covenant does not include the wrongdoers.”
(Al-Baqarah: 124)
❶ This verse proves that Allah tested Ibrahim (A.S.) with certain commands and prohibitions in order to establish his leadership before the people. He remained steadfast and succeeded in all these trials. As a result, Allah made him a leader and guide for all people until the Day of Judgment.
❷ According to a narration from Abdullah ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما): The words (kalimāt) with which Allah tested Ibrahim (A.S.) are mentioned in Surah Al-Ahzab (Verse: 35), Surah At-Tawbah (112), Surah Al-Mu’minun (Verses 1–9), and Surah Al-Ma’arij (Verses 22–34).
See: Tafsir Ibn Jarir al-Tabari (1/414, with authentic chain), Tafsir al-Qurtubi (2/97)
❸ Another narration from Abdullah ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) states:
Allah tested Ibrahim (A.S.) with commandments related to purification, such as: using the miswak, rinsing the nose with water, gargling, trimming the moustache, parting the hair from the middle, cutting the nails, shaving pubic hair, performing circumcision, cleaning oneself with water after urination and defecation, and plucking underarm hair.
Reference: Tafsir Abdul Razzaq (1/11676, authentic chain), Tafsir al-Tabari (1/414, 415)
Saeed bin al-Musayyib (رحمه الله) said:
Ibrahim (A.S.) was the first to perform circumcision.
Reference: Muwatta Imam Malik (2/922, Hadith 775, authentic chain)
Imam Sha‘bi (رحمه الله), a Tabi‘i, also mentions trials in explaining the word kalimāt.
Reference: Tafsir al-Tabari (1/416, with a sound chain)
❹ Hasan al-Basri (رحمه الله), another Tabi‘i, explains these words as referring to the trial of being thrown into the fire, migration from homeland, and circumcision.
Reference: Tafsir Ibn Jarir al-Tabari (1/416, with authentic chain)
Likewise, there were other tests that Ibrahim (A.S.) endured—such as the displeasure of his father, the command to sacrifice his only son Ismail (A.S.), and more. Ibrahim (A.S.) successfully passed all these trials.
❺ This verse clearly indicates that the wrongdoers (ẓālimīn), including the polytheists, cannot be leaders (imams).
Imam al-Farra’ (al-Khuwai) said:
“لا يكون للناس إمام مشرک”
A polytheist cannot be a leader for the people.
Reference: Al-Wasit by al-Wahidi, Vol. 1, p. 203; Ma‘ani al-Qur’an by al-Farra’, 1/76
Ibrahim (A.S.) and His Trials
(وَإِذِ ابْتَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ رَبُّهُ بِكَلِمَاتٍ فَأَتَمَّهُنَّ قَالَ إِنِّي جَاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِمَامًا قَالَ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِي قَالَ لَا يَنَالُ عَهْدِي الظَّالِمِينَ)
And when Ibrahim (A.S.) was tested by his Lord with certain words (commands), and he fulfilled them completely, Allah said:
“Indeed, I will make you a leader for the people.” Ibrahim (A.S.) asked:
“And from my descendants as well?” Allah replied:
“My covenant does not include the wrongdoers.”
(Al-Baqarah: 124)
Fiqh al-Qur'an (Understanding Derived from the Qur’an)
❶ This verse proves that Allah tested Ibrahim (A.S.) with certain commands and prohibitions in order to establish his leadership before the people. He remained steadfast and succeeded in all these trials. As a result, Allah made him a leader and guide for all people until the Day of Judgment.
❷ According to a narration from Abdullah ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما): The words (kalimāt) with which Allah tested Ibrahim (A.S.) are mentioned in Surah Al-Ahzab (Verse: 35), Surah At-Tawbah (112), Surah Al-Mu’minun (Verses 1–9), and Surah Al-Ma’arij (Verses 22–34).
See: Tafsir Ibn Jarir al-Tabari (1/414, with authentic chain), Tafsir al-Qurtubi (2/97)
❸ Another narration from Abdullah ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) states:
Allah tested Ibrahim (A.S.) with commandments related to purification, such as: using the miswak, rinsing the nose with water, gargling, trimming the moustache, parting the hair from the middle, cutting the nails, shaving pubic hair, performing circumcision, cleaning oneself with water after urination and defecation, and plucking underarm hair.
Reference: Tafsir Abdul Razzaq (1/11676, authentic chain), Tafsir al-Tabari (1/414, 415)
Saeed bin al-Musayyib (رحمه الله) said:
Ibrahim (A.S.) was the first to perform circumcision.
Reference: Muwatta Imam Malik (2/922, Hadith 775, authentic chain)
Imam Sha‘bi (رحمه الله), a Tabi‘i, also mentions trials in explaining the word kalimāt.
Reference: Tafsir al-Tabari (1/416, with a sound chain)
❹ Hasan al-Basri (رحمه الله), another Tabi‘i, explains these words as referring to the trial of being thrown into the fire, migration from homeland, and circumcision.
Reference: Tafsir Ibn Jarir al-Tabari (1/416, with authentic chain)
Likewise, there were other tests that Ibrahim (A.S.) endured—such as the displeasure of his father, the command to sacrifice his only son Ismail (A.S.), and more. Ibrahim (A.S.) successfully passed all these trials.
❺ This verse clearly indicates that the wrongdoers (ẓālimīn), including the polytheists, cannot be leaders (imams).
Imam al-Farra’ (al-Khuwai) said:
“لا يكون للناس إمام مشرک”
A polytheist cannot be a leader for the people.
Reference: Al-Wasit by al-Wahidi, Vol. 1, p. 203; Ma‘ani al-Qur’an by al-Farra’, 1/76
