Intermediate
Ibrahim
Surah: As-Saffat (103)
The Great Sacrifice — Ibrahim Sees a Dream and Acts
فَلَمَّآ أَسۡلَمَا وَتَلَّهُۥ لِلۡجَبِينِ
— الصافات الآية 103
Verse: "When he reached working age, he said: 'O my son, I see in a dream that I am sacrificing you — see what you think.'" (37:102)
The scene: Ibrahim does not command — he consults his son! A prophetic teaching in family communication.
Ismail's answer — the other miracle:
"Father, do what you are commanded — you will find me, if Allah wills, among the patient." Not "among the pleased" but "among the patient" — prophetic humility, acknowledging that patience requires Allah's will.
The moment of sacrifice:
"When they had both submitted and he laid him down" — both surrendered to Allah. Then the call: "You have fulfilled the vision — thus We reward the doers of good." The ransom was a great slaughter.
Lesson: The greatest trials are those that conflict with what you love most — in them it becomes clear who comes first: Allah or what you love.
The scene: Ibrahim does not command — he consults his son! A prophetic teaching in family communication.
Ismail's answer — the other miracle:
"Father, do what you are commanded — you will find me, if Allah wills, among the patient." Not "among the pleased" but "among the patient" — prophetic humility, acknowledging that patience requires Allah's will.
The moment of sacrifice:
"When they had both submitted and he laid him down" — both surrendered to Allah. Then the call: "You have fulfilled the vision — thus We reward the doers of good." The ransom was a great slaughter.
Lesson: The greatest trials are those that conflict with what you love most — in them it becomes clear who comes first: Allah or what you love.
Source: Ibn Kathir (7/26); Al-Sadi; Al-Tabari
Test Yourself
Why did Ismail say "among the patient" rather than "among the pleased"?
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