He said: “Do you see those which you have been worshipping — you and your forefathers of old? They are my enemies, except for the Lord of all the worlds.
“It is He who has created me, and is the One who guides me. He is the One who gives me to eat and to drink. When I fall ill, He is the One who restores me to health, and will cause me to die and then will bring me back to life. It is He also who, I hope, will forgive me my faults on the Day of Judgment.
“My Lord! Grant me sound judgment, and join me with the righteous; and grant me the advocacy of the truth in later generations; place me among those who will inherit the garden of bliss! Forgive my father; for he is among the ones who have gone astray. Let me not suffer disgrace on the Day when all shall be raised from the dead; the Day when neither wealth nor children will be of any benefit; but only the one who comes to God with a sound heart (will be happy).” (The Poets: Al-Shu’ara: 26: 75-89)
As we discussed the present episode of Abraham’s story, we mentioned last week his description of God, the only one he acknowledged as his Lord and the Lord of all the worlds. Any other deity worshipped by anyone is an enemy to him.
Abraham outlines the attributes of his Lord and the bond that exists between them at all times and in all situations. As we listen to his description we feel the close, inspirational relationship that acknowledges God’s hand in everything that happens in life: “It is He who has created me, and is the One who guides me. He is the One who gives me to eat and to drink. When I fall ill, He is the One who restores me to health, and will cause me to die and then will bring me back to life. It is He also who, I hope, will forgive me my faults on the Day of Judgment.”
Abraham’s description of his Lord and the bond between them imparts a feeling that every part of his constitution feels this bond. Hence, all his aspirations look up to God with love and trust. It is as if Abraham actually sees his Lord and feels his grace with all his heart. As the Qur’an quotes Abraham’s description, it gives it a melodious tone that enhances a very relaxed atmosphere and spreads a soothing, tranquil ambience.
“It is He who has created me, and is the One who guides me.” He has originated me from where He knows but I do not know. This means that He knows everything about me: My constitution, nature, functions, feelings, and ultimate destiny. He is the One to guide me and provide me with the line I should follow in life. It is as if Abraham feels himself like an elastic material which God shapes the way He likes, giving it whatever form He chooses. He submits himself to God with full trust, perfectly assured that he is on the right course.
“He is the One who gives me to eat and to drink. When I fall ill, He is the One who restores me to health.” These are aspects of the direct, compassionate and loving care Abraham feels his Lord takes of him in all situations of health and sickness. Abraham demonstrates the utmost standard of politeness with his Lord by not attributing his illness to Him, although he knows well that both sickness and health occur by God’s will. He only attributes to him the blessings he enjoys and the care he receives: His food and drink as well as his health. When he is afflicted with illness, he does not attribute this to God.
Again it is God who “will cause me to die and then will bring me back to life.” This signifies complete faith that it is God who deals death, and that He is certain to bring the dead back to life.
“It is He also who, I hope, will forgive me my faults on the Day of Judgment.” Abraham, a Prophet and a messenger of God, who knows his Lord and feels his presence and care in such a way, acknowledging such a close relationship with Him, expresses his dearest hope that on the Day of Judgment, God will forgive him his faults. He does not entertain any thought that he is without fault. Indeed he acknowledges that he has, but hopes to receive more of God’s grace. He does not feel that his deeds, good as they may be, deserve any credit, but hopes for God’s mercy and forgiveness. This is the best to hope for.
This statement combines feelings of God-consciousness, politeness and self-effacing, which is the right combination to truly appreciate the grace God bestows on us, which is great indeed, and the value of our actions, which is definitely petty.
In his description of his Lord, Abraham combines all the elements of the true faith: God’s oneness, acknowledgement that He conducts all affairs of human life on earth including its minute details, resurrection after death, reckoning, God’s grace and man’s failings. His people denied these, as do all those who associate partners with God.
Now Abraham addresses a long, comprehensive and humble prayer to his Lord: “My Lord! Grant me sound judgment, and join me with the righteous; and grant me the advocacy of the truth in later generations; place me among those who will inherit the garden of bliss! Forgive my father; for he is among the ones who have gone astray. Let me not suffer disgrace on the Day when all shall be raised from the dead; the Day when neither wealth nor children will be of any benefit; but only the one who comes to God with a sound heart (will be happy).”
Nothing in Abraham’s prayer concerns any aspect of the comforts and pleasures of this world, not even physical health. It looks to higher aspects, motivated by pure feelings. It is a prayer made by a heart which has true knowledge of God and, as a result, gives little value to everything else. He has known God’s grace and prays for more of it, and he entertains hopes and fears in accordance with his experience. We will discuss Abraham’s prayer in more detail next week, God willing.
