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Fiqh Variants
Surah: Al-Baqarah (126)
"Fa-umatti'uhu" in Al-Baqarah 126 — Supplication or Coercion in the Two Readings
قَالَ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَأُمَتِّعُهُۥ قَلِيلٗا ثُمَّ أَضۡطَرُّهُۥ إِلَىٰ عَذَابِ ٱلنَّارِ
— البقرة الآية 126
The verse:
"He said: And whoever disbelieves — I will grant him enjoyment for a little, then I will compel him to the torment of Fire." (Al-Baqarah: 126)
Context:
Ibrahim's supplication for the people of Mecca — he asked for their provision but the verse addresses the disbelievers separately.
The two readings:
Al-Tabari: "The apparent meaning is that this is Allah's speech, not Ibrahim's supplication." Allah does not withhold worldly provision from the disbeliever — but it is fleeting enjoyment followed by punishment.
"He said: And whoever disbelieves — I will grant him enjoyment for a little, then I will compel him to the torment of Fire." (Al-Baqarah: 126)
Context:
Ibrahim's supplication for the people of Mecca — he asked for their provision but the verse addresses the disbelievers separately.
The two readings:
- "Fa-umatti'uhu" (indicative, raised): the majority reading — this is Allah's response to Ibrahim: Allah will grant enjoyment to the disbeliever briefly then compel him to Fire.
- "Fa-umatti'ahu" (subjunctive): read in one narration of Ibn Kathir — answer to a conditional: "whoever disbelieves, I will grant them enjoyment."
Al-Tabari: "The apparent meaning is that this is Allah's speech, not Ibrahim's supplication." Allah does not withhold worldly provision from the disbeliever — but it is fleeting enjoyment followed by punishment.
Source: Al-Tabari Tafseer (2/556); Al-Nashr (2/224); Ibn Mujahid, Al-Sab'a (p.170)
Test Yourself
Who is the speaker of "I will grant enjoyment briefly" in Al-Baqarah 126 — Ibrahim or Allah?
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