قَالُوا۟ سَمِعْنَا فَتًى يَذْكُرُهُمْ يُقَالُ لَهُۥٓ إِبْرَٰهِيمُ 60
Translations
They said, "We heard a young man mention them who is called Abraham."
Transliteration
Qaaluu sami'naa fatan yadhkuruhum yuqaalu lahu Ibrahim
Tafsir (Explanation)
The people reported hearing about a young man who speaks against their idols, called Ibrahim (Abraham). This verse depicts the moment when the people of Abraham's community become aware of his monotheistic call and his rejection of their idolatrous practices. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this statement reflects their acknowledgment of Abraham's influence and the threat his message posed to their polytheistic beliefs, setting the stage for the confrontation that follows.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Prophet Abraham's struggle against idolatry in his community. The surah Al-Anbiya is Meccan and recounts stories of various prophets. This particular verse is part of the account where Abraham's people discover his opposition to their idol worship, leading to the famous incident where he destroyed the idols (as mentioned in the following verses). The context emphasizes the courage required of prophets in facing societal resistance.
Related Hadiths
The incident of Abraham breaking the idols is referenced in various hadiths. Sahih Bukhari (3:39:562) contains accounts of Prophet Muhammad discussing Abraham's actions against idolatry. Additionally, thematic hadiths about standing firm against falsehood relate to this passage, such as those in Sunan Ibn Majah regarding the virtue of commanding good and forbidding evil.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that speaking truth against widespread falsehood, even when young and facing opposition, is a noble calling blessed by Allah. Believers should find inspiration in Abraham's example—that righteous conviction and clear communication of divine truth will always be noticed and ultimately will influence hearts, regardless of initial mockery or resistance from society.
Related Ayahs
حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا فُتِحَتْ يَأْجُوجُ وَمَأْجُوجُ وَهُم مِّن كُلِّ حَدَبٍ يَنسِلُونَ
Until when [the dam of] Gog and Magog has been opened and they, from every elevation, descend
فَٱسْتَجَبْنَا لَهُۥ وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُۥ يَحْيَىٰ وَأَصْلَحْنَا لَهُۥ زَوْجَهُۥٓ ۚ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا۟ يُسَـٰرِعُونَ فِى ٱلْخَيْرَٰتِ وَيَدْعُونَنَا رَغَبًا وَرَهَبًا ۖ وَكَانُوا۟ لَنَا خَـٰشِعِينَ
So We responded to him, and We gave to him John, and amended for him his wife. Indeed, they used to hasten to good deeds and supplicate Us in hope and fear, and they were to Us humbly submissive.
فَرَجَعُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ فَقَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّكُمْ أَنتُمُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ
So they returned to [blaming] themselves and said [to each other], "Indeed, you are the wrongdoers."
وَجَعَلْنَا ٱلسَّمَآءَ سَقْفًا مَّحْفُوظًا ۖ وَهُمْ عَنْ ءَايَـٰتِهَا مُعْرِضُونَ
And We made the sky a protected ceiling, but they, from its signs, are turning away.