Bismillāh.
إِنَّ إِبْراهِيمَ لَحَلِيمٌ أَوَّاهٌ مُنِيبٌ
Surely Ibrāhīm was forbearing, compassionate and repentant to Allāh.
Sūrat Hūd, No. 11, Āyat 75
We remember the spirit and character of Prophet Ibrāhīm ‘alayhis-salām annually during the days of Dhul Hijjah. Through his sincerity, humility, and complete devotion to Allah ‘azza wajall, he became known as Khalīlullāh — the friend of Allah. The above verse is one example of his qualities mentioned in the Qur’ān.
The angels encountered Prophet Ibrāhīm (a) during their mission to bring the punishment of the Almighty to the people of Prophet Lūṭ. They brought him the glad tidings of a righteous son and also a righteous grandson who would succeed him and become prophets for their people (Q11:71). This news seemed astonishing to Prophet Ibrāhīm, as both he and his wife were advanced in age.
Although Prophet Ibrāhīm had just received this extraordinary news, his concern quickly turned to the people of Prophet Lūt. He began pleading and disputing (jidāl) with the angels with the hope of preventing the punishment. He was hopeful that the people could be guided to the right path. He continued disputing with the angels until they informed him that the decree of Allah (swt) had been finalized.
This could raise the question of why Prophet Ibrāhīm would intercede on behalf of a sinful people who had rejected the teachings of Prophet Lūt. Hence, Allah (swt) describes the character and the affection of Prophet Ibrāhīm in the next verse, stating: “Indeed, Ibrāhīm was forbearing, compassionate and repentant to Allāh.”
The verse points out three important qualities of Prophet Ibrāhīm:
- Forebearing (Ḥalīmun): This refers to one who is dignified, slow to anger and does not hasten punishment for his enemy or seek revenge.
Although the actions of the people of Prophet Lūt were indecent and immoral, Prophet Ibrāhīm still considered it possible that a window of hope remained for their salvation, and that they might awaken and repent. He therefore sought a delay in the punishment and retribution. - Compassionate (Awwāhun): This refers to one who sighs frequently due to the evil that afflicts him or the evil he witnesses.
There is a group of people who are forbearing because of social or personal circumstances, like a worker who is forbearing with the behaviour of his employer. There is a group of people who are forbearing because they care about the success of the other person, like a parent who is patient with the behaviour of his child. The Qur’an points out that Prophet Ibrāhīm genuinely cared for the people of Lūt (a) and their salvation. He was awwāh, meaning that when he heard about them, he began to sigh and lament. - Repentant (Munīb): This is derived from inābah, meaning to return. Munīb is one who turns back to Allah, the Exalted, in all his affairs and places his trust in Him.
This is an indication that the disputation of Ibrāhīm was not an improper act, because Allah praised him for his forbearance and patience. It also shows that this disputation arose from mercy, gentleness of heart, and compassion.
As Muslims celebrate the day of Eid, it is important to remind ourselves to build within us the qualities of Prophet Ibrahim to foster stronger bonds within the Muslim communities and unity within the ummah. We continue to pray for the safety and victory of the Muslim Ummah through the hastening of Imam al-Hujjah ‘ajjallāhu farajah.
Sources: Āyatullāh Nāsir Makārim Shirāzī (Ed.), Tafsīr-e Namūneh, ‘Allāmah Muhammad Husayn Tabātabā’ī, Tafsīr al-Mīzān, Shaykh Tabarsī, Tafsīr Majma‘ al-Bayān; Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī, Tafsīr al-Kabīr.