Surah Al Anaam – Chapter VI – Verse 74:
And when Ibrahim said to his sire, Azar : Do you take idols for gods ? Surely I see you and your people in manifest error.
and Surah Al Tauba – Chapter IX – Verse 114:
And Ibrahim asking forgiveness for his sire was only owing to a promise that he made to him; but when it became clear to him that he was an enemy of Allah, he declared himself to be clear of him; most surely Ibrahim was very tenderhearted and forbearing.
In the above verses, the word ‘ Ab ‘ has been used for Azar. However, ‘Ab’ has different meanings and does not necessarily mean ‘Waalid’ (biological father).
The Holy Prophet (PBUH&HF) has said that the essence of his existence had been transmitted and ultimately conveyed to his immediate parents through a pure, a holy and sanctified progeny.
Now the word ‘ Ab ‘ in Arabic language may mean father as well as ancestor or even uncle as Ishmael ( Ismail ) the uncle of Jacob ( Yaqoub ) has been addressed as ‘ Ab ‘ in the following Quranic verse:
Nay ! were you witnesses when death visited Yaqoub, when he said to his sons : What will you serve after me ? They said : We will serve your God and the God of your fathers, Ibrahim and Ismail and Ishaq, one God only, and to Him do we submit. [ 2 : 133 ]
Since Ishmael was not the father of Jacob, and yet Quran uses the word ‘Ab’ for him as uncle, then the usage of this word for other than biological father is established.
Besides Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) prays for his biological father (Waalid) along with the other believers, which clearly indicates that his biological father was not a polytheist. This is evident from the following Quranic verse:
O our Lord ! grant me protection and my parents and the believers on the day when the reckoning shall come to pass. [14:41]
Ibn Katheer in his work on history writes:
Ibrahim ( as ) was the son of Tarakh. When Tarakh was 75 years of age, Ibrahim ( as ) was born to him.
Reference: Al-Bidaya Wan Nahaya, by Ibn Katheer, v 1 p 139
This is also confirmed by Tabari, as he gives the lineage of Ibrahim’s (AS) family in his history collection, but then also in his Commentary of the Quran he states that ‘Azar’ was NOT the father of Ibrahim (AS).
References :
- History of al-Tabari, v 1 p 119
- Tafsir Tabari, by Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, v 7 p 158
This article is a modified copy paste from a website. I take no credit for authoring it.
Related Stuff
Good research
and yeah when will I get the chance to read ur protected posts :’(
Password has been emailed to you at the address you use for commenting.
You don’t take the credit, fine and honest. But do you take responsibility for the contents?
Depends on what comes my way.
Assalam u ALaikum
Janab,
Sorry if i have any mistake…………(May Allah forgive me)
Mr Ali,
Firstly the ayah mentioned are from The Holy Quran translated by Abdullah Yusuf Ali
________________________________________________________________________________________
reference about the Ayah 2:113 is is 2:113 its 2:134 which states like:
Were ye witnesses when death appeared before Jacob? Behold, he said to his sons: “What will ye worship after me?” They said: “We shall worship Thy god and the god of thy fathers, of Abraham, Isma’il and Isaac,- the one (True) Allah: To Him we bow (in Islam).” (2:134———-Surah Al- Baqarah: Ayah# 134)
Others are:
Lo! Abraham said to his father Azar: “Takest thou idols for gods? For I see thee and thy people in manifest error.”
(6:74———-Surah Al- Anaam: Ayah# 74)
And Abraham prayed for his father’s forgiveness 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 dissociated himself from him: for Abraham was most tender-hearted, forbearing.
(9:114———-Surah Al- Tauba: Ayah# 114)
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Now for your information, the “Ab” is not used in either of these ayahs, rather “Le-Abeehe”(refered to father)
and as far as Ayah from Surah Al- Baqarah is concerned the word is “A-Ba-Ika” (refered to thy father or your father) which includes Uncles.grand uncles as well as direct ascendants.
“O our Lord! cover (us) with Thy Forgiveness – me, my parents, and (all) Believers, on the Day that the Reckoning will be established!
(14:41———-Surah Ibrahim: Ayah# 41)
And as far as refered ayah [14:41], the explaination you are giving is totally worng and negaties the other Ayah referance you just gave i.e. {9:114} in which He( Hazrat Ibrahim) asked forgiveness for His father later on finding that his father is against the Allah and His( Hazrat Ibrahim) preaching of worshiping the only one then he dissociated from Him
Now the details Commentary(Tafseer) from The Holy Quran translated by Abdullah Yusuf Ali for the said ayah is as follows:
My Parents, Abraham’s father was an idolater (Ref Ayah 43:26, 6:74). Not only that, but he persecuted the Faith of Unity and threatened Hazrat Ibrahim with stoning and exile (Ref Ayah 19:46); and he and his people cast him into the fire to be burned (Ref Ayah 21:52, 21:68). Yet Hazrat Ibrahim’s heart was tender. and he prayed for forgiveness for his father because of a promise which he made (Ref Ayah 9:114), though he renounced the land of his fathers (Chaldea)
As far as other references are
Tafsir Ibn Kathir are as follows:
no where it has mention that Azar wasn’t Hazrat Ibrahim Father neither he was non-idolator
http://www.tafsir.com/default.asp?sid=6&tid=15793 (6:74———-Surah Al- Anaam: Ayah# 74)
http://www.tafsir.com/default.asp?sid=9&tid=22089 (9:114———-Surah Al- Tauba: Ayah# 114)
http://www.tafsir.com/default.asp?sid=14&tid=26600 (14:41———-Surah Ibrahim: Ayah# 41)
And sorry Ali i never thought, you too copy paste thing from website without proper finding the facts:
http://www.al-islam.org/encyclopedia/chapter5a/8.html
Okay, the cig wore off quick.
reference about the Ayah 2:113 is is 2:113 its 2:134 which states like:
It’s not even 2:134, it’s actually 2:133.
http://www.multimediaquran.com/quran/002/002-133.htm
For 6:74:
http://www.multimediaquran.com/quran/002/002-133.htm
For 9:114:
http://www.multimediaquran.com/quran/009/009-114.htm
Now for your information, the “Ab” is not used in either of these ayahs, rather “Le-Abeehe”(refered to father)
and as far as Ayah from Surah Al- Baqarah is concerned the word is “A-Ba-Ika” (refered to thy father or your father) which includes Uncles.grand uncles as well as direct ascendants.
For your information, Ab is the root of Abaika and Abeehe. Both stem from Ab. Plus the Quran mentions which “fathers” it’s talking about. Notice the use of “Wa” between Ibrahim, Isaac, Ismael but no “Wa” between Abaika and Ibrahim. Ismael is referred to as an Ab, when in fact he was the uncle of Yaqoub.
And as far as refered ayah [14:41], the explaination you are giving is totally worng and negaties the other Ayah referance you just gave i.e. {9:114} in which He( Hazrat Ibrahim) asked forgiveness for His father later on finding that his father is against the Allah and His( Hazrat Ibrahim) preaching of worshiping the only one then he dissociated from Him
I believe this portion of your comment is based on the confusion created by Abeehe and Abaika, isn’t it? No need to address this now. Plus the word used here is Walidayya (Walidain).
My Parents, Abraham’s father was an idolater (Ref Ayah 43:26, 6:74). Not only that, but he persecuted the Faith of Unity and threatened Hazrat Ibrahim with stoning and exile (Ref Ayah 19:46); and he and his people cast him into the fire to be burned (Ref Ayah 21:52, 21:68). Yet Hazrat Ibrahim’s heart was tender. and he prayed for forgiveness for his father because of a promise which he made (Ref Ayah 9:114), though he renounced the land of his fathers (Chaldea)
More confusion of Abeehe and Abaika, hmmm?
Tafsir Ibn Kathir are as follows:
no where it has mention that Azar wasn’t Hazrat Ibrahim Father neither he was non-idolator
http://www.tafsir.com/default.asp?sid=6&tid=15793 (6:74———-Surah Al- Anaam: Ayah# 74)
http://www.tafsir.com/default.asp?sid=9&tid=22089 (9:114———-Surah Al- Tauba: Ayah# 114)
http://www.tafsir.com/default.asp?sid=14&tid=26600 (14:41———-Surah Ibrahim: Ayah# 41)
I believe the reference given above is Al Bidaya Wan Nihaya, no? It’s not Tafseer Ibne Kathir, is it? Let’s check again, shall we?
And sorry Ali i never thought, you too copy paste thing from website without proper finding the facts:
Er…what facts?
And I have included the URL as per your wish, from your comment. Happy?
One thing: Do read the three translations by the three men of the verses at the links provided above.
And forgot to say Waalaikum Assalam. Sorry!
Depends on what comes your way? We are playing safe these days, aren’t we? : )
Oh yes!
Salam.
May I ask the ‘results’ for this post? apart from whether he was the father of Abraham or not.
Thanks.
Well Mr Postman……….i would rather suggest that you go on research a little …….before comind to conclusion…..that what i am doin………before again replying to sawj reply to my post
@PostMan: Waalaikum Assalam. The purpose is to clarify that Azar was not the father of Ibrahim.
Thanks SAWJ. What I meant was whether by this post you wanted to clarify:
1 – Historical narratives in Quran. OR
2 – Establish something as ‘lineage’.
You’re welcome. I wanted to clarify that the Quraan is not so simple after all.
ofcourse Quran isnt simple to understand warna all the translators would have agreed on one tarjuma n its tafseer. how can 1 knw which tarjuma n tafseer is the most correct? after all Quran se hi hidayat leni hai!! kun SAWJ:-)
Exactly!
Help me out here. Why introduce this factor of ‘Guess who is the daddy’ in Quran? Is it giving any problems? If I don’t consider this aspect.. the Quranic verses still seem very ‘normal’. No?
Afrin: “how can 1 knw which tarjuma n tafseer is the most correct?”
bhaijan.. at least take the responsibility and start reading Quran. Leave it to God ok?
Help me out here. Why introduce this factor of ‘Guess who is the daddy’ in Quran? Is it giving any problems?
Yes it is. Find in the comments of my previous posts. And yes, this does remove the factor of a kaafir being in the lineage of the Prophet.
at least take the responsibility and start reading Quran. Leave it to God ok?
Why leave it to God? Why has God given us brains? To think, to research, to find out. And this, takes time so no one is willing to do it.
BTW, Afrin is a girl.
SAWJ – “Yes it is. Find in the comments of my previous posts.”
Is it just me or you tell others too to ‘read my other comments”, “go read books”.
SAWJ – “And yes, this does remove the factor of a kaafir being in the lineage of the Prophet.”
Actually this is the ONLY issue why Azar is not considered Abrahams father. Prophethood does not depend upon lineage.
SAWJ – “Why leave it to God? Why has God given us brains? To think, to research, to find out. And this, takes time so no one is willing to do it.”
Not of putting in the efforts
I was referring to ‘hidaya’
SAWJ – “BTW, Afrin is a girl.”
O! maaray gaye.. apologies.
Is it just me or you tell others too to ‘read my other comments”, “go read books”.
Whenever it is relevant, I do it to everyone.
Actually this is the ONLY issue why Azar is not considered Abrahams father. Prophethood does not depend upon lineage.
Not the only reason. Historical texts, scriptures and dicoveries at Babylon have all lead to the finding that Tarukh was the father of Abraham, not Azar. Plus, I do agree Prophethood is nor hereditary, Ismat is.
I was referring to ‘hidaya’
Not of putting in the efforts
In the Quraan, Allah has referred to “aqal” as a “haadi” more times than all the Prophets combined.
SAWJ – “BTW, Afrin is a girl.”
O! maaray gaye.. apologies.
SAWJ – “Not the only reason. Historical texts, scriptures and discoveries at Babylon have all lead to the finding that Tarukh was the father of Abraham, not Azar.”
Do they suggest anything about Azar?
SAWJ – “Plus, I do agree Prophethood is nor hereditary, Ismat is.”
Ye Ismat kaun hay? larrki hay ya larrka?
Do they suggest anything about Azar?
Idolator.
Ye Ismat kaun hay? larrki hay ya larrka?
عصمت
SAWJ – “Idolator.”
No I mean is there a character separate to abrahams father named ‘Azar’? Do historical evidences suggest that?
SAWJ – “عصمت”
Now explain it.
by the way.. do read 19:42-45. “O my father..” Azar is Abrahams father.
for Postman: if by only reading Quran n leaving it to Allah se sab samajh mei aney lgta musalmano ko tu aj itne firqe na hote. y Allah have sent messengers to teach n xplain Quran…!!??n our alims, muftis etc dey have fully taken responsibility so y Allah isnt helping dem to provide ummah a single translation!
@PostMan: No I mean is there a character separate to abrahams father named ‘Azar’? Do historical evidences suggest that?
Tarukh.
SAWJ – “عصمت”
Now explain it.
The word Masoom is derived from Ismat. One who cannot commit sins.
by the way.. do read 19:42-45. “O my father..” Azar is Abrahams father.
Include “Ab’ate” to “Abeehe” and “Abaika”. The root is still “Ab”. No?
Read all three translations here:
http://www.multimediaquran.com/quran/019/019-042.htm
@Afrin: I’ll let God do the talking.
42:14 – They became divided only after Knowledge reached them,- through selfish envy as between themselves. Had it not been for a Word that went forth before from thy Lord, (tending) to a Term appointed, the matter would have been settled between them: But truly those who have inherited the Book after them are in suspicious doubt concerning it.
Even God says they’ll be sects and doubts. Jeez, you and God think alike. Now you’ll ask me ’so what should one do?’. Keep reading Quran I’d say
77:50 – Then what Message, after that, will they believe in?
SAWJ – “tarukh’
phir wohi. tell me is there anything to suggest that there were 2 characters.. one Abrahim’s Abba G and the other his Phuppha G ‘Azar’.
SAWJ – “Include “Ab’ate” to “Abeehe” and “Abaika”. The root is still “Ab”. No?”
Of course the roots will end up there. Why would Abrahim be calling him his father? That too a very ‘close term’ of ab’ate…
SAWJ – “The word Masoom is derived from Ismat. One who cannot commit sins.”
Ok. I can live with that. Just the difference of one thing though. Its not that the prophet ‘cannot’ commit sin – its just that they are so blessed that they are ‘prevented’ from doing so. Take for example Josephs case… when the wife of that influential person wanted to eat Joseph instead of apple.. the following happened.
12:24 – She verily desired him, and he would have desired her if it had not been that he saw the argument of his Lord. Thus it was, that We might ward off from him evil and lewdness. Lo! he was of Our chosen slaves.
SAWJ – “tarukh’
phir wohi. tell me is there anything to suggest that there were 2 characters.. one Abrahim’s Abba G and the other his Phuppha G ‘Azar’.
Not Phuppa G. Chacha G. And my answer is ‘history’. Previous ’scriptures’. Muslim ‘texts’.
“Include “Ab’ate” to “Abeehe” and “Abaika”. The root is still “Ab”. No?”
Of course the roots will end up there. Why would Abrahim be calling him his father? That too a very ‘close term’ of ab’ate…
Not Ibrahim calling him his father. The Quraan using the term Ab for both Abba and Chacha and Muslims getting confused because of it.
“The word Masoom is derived from Ismat. One who cannot commit sins.”
Ok. I can live with that. Just the difference of one thing though. Its not that the prophet ‘cannot’ commit sin – its just that they are so blessed that they are ‘prevented’ from doing so. Take for example Josephs case… when the wife of that influential person wanted to eat Joseph instead of apple.. the following happened.
12:24 – She verily desired him, and he would have desired her if it had not been that he saw the argument of his Lord. Thus it was, that We might ward off from him evil and lewdness. Lo! he was of Our chosen slaves.
So you agree here that Prophet’s have divine prevention from committing sins?
SAWJ – “So you agree here that Prophet’s have divine prevention from committing sins?”
Look. I know what you will put in next. I could not find anything else but ‘prevent’. Here is my statement. To err is human. God ensures that His command does the final talking. Joseph was prevented from doing so. Jonah committed mistake and was forgiven later. Prophet Muhammad was told to be careful.
SAWJ – “Not Ibrahim calling him his father. The Quraan using the term Ab for both Abba and Chacha and Muslims getting confused because of it.”
Muslims getting confused or muslim trying to ’set the record straight’ just to prevent a ‘kafir’ from being a father of a prophet? The Quran uses the word for abba and forefathers (everything included). I asked for a historical reference wherein both personalities are discussed.
Look. I know what you will put in next. I could not find anything else but ‘prevent’. Here is my statement. To err is human. God ensures that His command does the final talking. Joseph was prevented from doing so. Jonah committed mistake and was forgiven later. Prophet Muhammad was told to be careful.
To err is human. But being a Masoom prevents errors. Plus the Quraan does say that the Holy Prophet never did anything apart from Allah’s will. Now him committing mistakes puts the blame on Allah Mian.
Muslims getting confused or muslim trying to ’set the record straight’ just to prevent a ‘kafir’ from being a father of a prophet? The Quran uses the word for abba and forefathers (everything included). I asked for a historical reference wherein both personalities are discussed.
The Quraan also uses Ab for father, forefathers and uncles. So insisting that Azar was the father of Ibrahim, when all the verses referring to him use Ab does not prove he was the father of Ibrahim.
I only shared what I found. I can’t help it if Ibne Kathir and Tabari wanted to set the record straight.
SAWJ – “Plus the Quraan does say that the Holy Prophet never did anything apart from Allah’s will. Now him committing mistakes puts the blame on Allah Mian.”
Where does Quran say that
Do tell me please.
SAWJ – “The Quraan also uses Ab for father, forefathers and uncles. So insisting that Azar was the father of Ibrahim, when all the verses referring to him use Ab does not prove he was the father of Ibrahim.”
Why was Abrahim calling him ‘O my father’? Who goes around calling other people ‘O my father’?
SAWJ – “Ibn e Kathir wants it set straight”
Oh yeah Ibne Kathir. He is quite ‘creative’. Its his gift of ‘72 hoors’ to Islam which in fact is no where mentioned in Quran.
SAWJ – “Plus the Quraan does say that the Holy Prophet never did anything apart from Allah’s will. Now him committing mistakes puts the blame on Allah Mian.”
Where does Quran say that
Do tell me please.
I was about to refer you to the first Zakir Naik post, but I thought I’ll do you a favor and post it here. In fact, this is from one of my replies to you. Here brother:
“Your Companion is neither astray nor being misled. And he does not say anything by his own desire. It is but a divine revelation, which is revealed to him. He has been taught by the Extremely Powerful.” (53:2-6)
Why was Abrahim calling him ‘O my father’? Who goes around calling other people ‘O my father’?
That’s what Muslims translated it to be. It should’ve been “O my Uncle!” Still stuck with translations, are we?
SAWJ – “Ibn e Kathir wants it set straight”
Oh yeah Ibne Kathir. He is quite ‘creative’. Its his gift of ‘72 hoors’ to Islam which in fact is no where mentioned in Quran.
Shed more light brother, this is interesting. I want to know.
Waise, there’s still Tabari.
SAWJ – “That’s what Muslims translated it to be. It should’ve been “O my Uncle!” Still stuck with translations, are we? ;)”
Oh come on. Seriously brother. This is not an issue at all. Quranic verses are extremely straight forward in this regard. Dont create/ promote a total non-issue. Azar/ Terah was Abrahams father. Read it in wikipedia for heavens sake. No wonder no on reads Quran cuz its been rendered that difficult by people.
SAWJ – “I was about to refer you to the first Zakir Naik post, but I thought I’ll do you a favor and post it here. In fact, this is from one of my replies to you. Here brother: “Your Companion is neither astray nor being misled. And he does not say anything by his own desire. It is but a divine revelation, which is revealed to him. He has been taught by the Extremely Powerful.” (53:2-6)”
Thanks a lot really! This verse is talking about Quran. Tell me where God states that prophets action are ordained from God?
Oh come on. Seriously brother. This is not an issue at all. Quranic verses are extremely straight forward in this regard. Dont create/ promote a total non-issue. Azar/ Terah was Abrahams father. Read it in wikipedia for heavens sake. No wonder no on reads Quran cuz its been rendered that difficult by people.
You base your religion on Wikipedia that is editable by all? The point of the whole post was that Quraanic verses are not so straightforward at all. If they are, explain the verse with Ismail in it. Why does Allah use Ab for Ismail?
Thanks a lot really! This verse is talking about Quran. Tell me where God states that prophets action are ordained from God?
Talking about the Quraan? Read again:
“Your Companion is neither astray nor being misled. And he does not say anything by his own desire. It is but a divine revelation, which is revealed to him. He has been taught by the Extremely Powerful.” (53:2-6)”
SAWJ – “You base your religion on Wikipedia that is editable by all?”
Did you raise the issue of Terah, supported by ‘historical evidences’ or me? Or Quran for that matter? Is your history not ‘editable’ but ‘divine revelation’?
Regarding your explanation of 53:2-6.. it IS about Quran! ‘it is but a divine revelation’! How on earth does it relate to Prophets acts?!
And ab is used as ‘forefathers’ in the verse.
Did you raise the issue of Terah, supported by ‘historical evidences’ or me? Or Quran for that matter? Is your history not ‘editable’ but ‘divine revelation’?
My history is not Wikipedia.
Regarding your explanation of 53:2-6.. it IS about Quran! ‘it is but a divine revelation’! How on earth does it relate to Prophets acts?!
The Quraan is being referred to as “It” and the Prophet as “He”.
And ab is used as ‘forefathers’ in the verse.
So Ab does mean something different than father. Now why are you so sure that Ab means father in the other verses?
i dnt have time 2 read all d coments, just wanna say its us who dnt use their brains thatsy we still r unable to understand Quran. Rasool have shown us the path ye hum hain jo apni aqal ka use nahi karte!!! will read d coments agr time mila… u ppl carry on!
Afrin – “just wanna say its us who dnt use their brains thatsy we still r unable to understand Quran.”
You dont know it but its an amazing reply
SAWJ – “My history is not Wikipedia.”
Yeah I know. Its Ibne Kathir.
SAWJ – “The Quraan is being referred to as “It” and the Prophet as “He”"
Exactly. The verse is saying that Prophet is not insane but what he is ’saying’ is a divine revelation called Quran.
SAWJ – “So Ab does mean something different than father. Now why are you so sure that Ab means father in the other verses?”
Because Abraham is calling him his father?
Wishing you peace brother. wsassalam and take care.
SAWJ – “My history is not Wikipedia.”
Yeah I know. Its Ibne Kathir.
Nope. Not even that!
Exactly. The verse is saying that Prophet is not insane but what he is ’saying’ is a divine revelation called Quran.
Indeed. Everything he says is a Divine Revelation!
Because Abraham is calling him his father?
What makes you think Ibrahim is calling Azar his father? He could be calling him Uncle.
Wishing you peace brother. wsassalam and take care.
You too.
SAWJ – “Indeed. Everything he says is a Divine Revelation! :D”
Just one reply.
66:01 – O Prophet! Why holdest thou to be forbidden that which Allah has made lawful to thee? Thou seekest to please thy consorts. But Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful
If what you are saying is true then the above should not have happened. God is taking responsibility for him in 53:2-6 when he is reciting Quran.
i knw whtever i say, m afraid k na-ahel log iska ghalat matlab na le len!
@PostMan: Allah is only telling the Prophet that he needs not ban certain things on himself to please his wives. In this case, it was honey. Do read the background of this verse and post it here if you do.
No matter you like to take credit ot not but i’m giving you credit coz of the research to did plus I follow ur blog not many of them(then for more info i take a look to others also
). So, GOOD WORK dude.
Thanks a lot man. Welcome!
SAWJ – “In this case, it was honey. Do read the background of this verse and post it here if you do. ;)”
Yeah I know the background of this verse.. it was due to Nintendo Wii. Who cares what was the reason? Prophet was being cautioned for something. Remember what I said? I said Prophet Muhammad was told to be careful. Now if you say that ‘whatever’ he does is divine then surely God would not have cautioned him right? After all according to you prophet was ‘incapable’ of committing a human error.
What about Prophet Jonah? Being a prophet he did commit a mistake. Right?
Nintendo Wii? Haha, good one.
I see no point in us discussing this anymore brother. I’m not going to delve into explaining all the ‘levels of Ismat’ and stuff now. I’m too bored with my life already. Sorry.