The Truth About the Father of Prophet Ibrāhīm (علیہ السلام): 4 Evidences from Qur’an and Sunnah
Derived from: Fatawa Arkan-e-Islam
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
Some claim that the father of Ibrāhīm عليه السلام was not a disbeliever, citing the Prophet’s duʿāʾ for his “parents”:
"رَبِّ اجْعَلْنِي... وَاغْفِرْ لِوَالِدَيَّ"
as evidence.
However, based on authentic Qur’anic and Hadith sources, the following truths emerge.
The name of Ibrāhīm’s father is clearly mentioned as Āzar:
"وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ لِأَبِيهِ آزَرَ..."
(Surah al-Anʿām: 74)
It is widely accepted among the scholars that Āzar was his biological father, and remained a disbeliever until death.
Narrated from Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه, the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Ibrāhīm عليه السلام will meet his father Āzar on the Day of Judgment. Āzar’s face will be dark and covered in dust. Ibrāhīm will say to him: ‘Did I not tell you not to disobey me?’”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 3350)
✔ This clearly proves that Āzar died upon kufr and will be among the people of Hellfire.
Some cite the following duʿāʾ from Surah Ibrāhīm:
"رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لِي وَلِوَالِدَيَّ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ..."
(Surah Ibrāhīm: 41)
However, this was only a fulfillment of a previous promise, as clarified by the Qur’an in:
"وَمَا كَانَ اسْتِغْفَارُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ لِأَبِيهِ إِلَّا عَن مَّوْعِدَةٍ وَعَدَهَا إِيَّاهُ..."
(Surah al-Tawbah: 114)
Translation:
“The seeking of forgiveness by Ibrāhīm for his father was only because of a promise he had made to him. But when it became clear to him that he was an enemy to Allah, he disassociated himself from him...”
✔ This verse removes all ambiguity:
✔ The father of Ibrāhīm عليه السلام, Āzar, was a disbeliever, as confirmed by both Qur’an and authentic Hadith.
✔ The duʿāʾ for forgiveness was based on a prior commitment, not on ignorance of his disbelief.
✔ When the reality of his kufr became evident, Ibrāhīm عليه السلام disassociated himself from him — fulfilling the command of Allah.
والله أعلم بالصواب
Derived from: Fatawa Arkan-e-Islam
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
❖ Background
Some claim that the father of Ibrāhīm عليه السلام was not a disbeliever, citing the Prophet’s duʿāʾ for his “parents”:
"رَبِّ اجْعَلْنِي... وَاغْفِرْ لِوَالِدَيَّ"
as evidence.
However, based on authentic Qur’anic and Hadith sources, the following truths emerge.
① Qur’anic Identification of His Father
The name of Ibrāhīm’s father is clearly mentioned as Āzar:
"وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ لِأَبِيهِ آزَرَ..."
(Surah al-Anʿām: 74)
It is widely accepted among the scholars that Āzar was his biological father, and remained a disbeliever until death.
② Hadith Evidence – From Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī
Narrated from Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه, the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Ibrāhīm عليه السلام will meet his father Āzar on the Day of Judgment. Āzar’s face will be dark and covered in dust. Ibrāhīm will say to him: ‘Did I not tell you not to disobey me?’”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 3350)
✔ This clearly proves that Āzar died upon kufr and will be among the people of Hellfire.
③ Explanation of the Duʿāʾ for His Parents
Some cite the following duʿāʾ from Surah Ibrāhīm:
"رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لِي وَلِوَالِدَيَّ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ..."
(Surah Ibrāhīm: 41)
However, this was only a fulfillment of a previous promise, as clarified by the Qur’an in:
④ Qur’anic Clarification in Surah al-Tawbah
"وَمَا كَانَ اسْتِغْفَارُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ لِأَبِيهِ إِلَّا عَن مَّوْعِدَةٍ وَعَدَهَا إِيَّاهُ..."
(Surah al-Tawbah: 114)
Translation:
“The seeking of forgiveness by Ibrāhīm for his father was only because of a promise he had made to him. But when it became clear to him that he was an enemy to Allah, he disassociated himself from him...”
✔ This verse removes all ambiguity:
- The duʿāʾ was temporary, based on a promise,
- Once Āzar’s enmity to Allah became clear, Ibrāhīm عليه السلام declared barāʾah from him.
✿ Conclusion:
✔ The father of Ibrāhīm عليه السلام, Āzar, was a disbeliever, as confirmed by both Qur’an and authentic Hadith.
✔ The duʿāʾ for forgiveness was based on a prior commitment, not on ignorance of his disbelief.
✔ When the reality of his kufr became evident, Ibrāhīm عليه السلام disassociated himself from him — fulfilling the command of Allah.
والله أعلم بالصواب
