وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُۥٓ إِسْحَـٰقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ نَافِلَةً ۖ وَكُلًّا جَعَلْنَا صَـٰلِحِينَ 72
Translations
And We gave him Isaac and Jacob in addition, and all [of them] We made righteous.
Transliteration
Wa wahabna lahu Ishaq wa Ya'quba nafilah wa kullan ja'alna saliheen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how Allah granted Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) the gift of his son Ishaq (Isaac) and grandson Ya'qub (Jacob) as an additional blessing (nafilah) beyond what he had asked for. The phrase 'nafilah' (extra gift/surplus) emphasizes Allah's generosity, as Ibrahim initially prayed only for a righteous heir. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note that Allah made all three prophets righteous and just, highlighting the spiritual legacy passed through generations. This demonstrates Allah's reward for Ibrahim's unwavering faith and obedience, and the continuation of prophethood through his lineage.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan surah Al-Anbiya, which enumerates the stories of various prophets sent by Allah. The context discusses Ibrahim's prayer for righteous offspring (as mentioned in 37:100) and Allah's response. The surah emphasizes the theme of divine favors bestowed upon the prophets and their steadfastness in faith.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (3371) narrates that the Prophet Muhammad mentioned Ibrahim's invocation for righteous progeny and how Allah answered his du'a. Additionally, in various hadith collections, the excellence and righteousness of the line of prophets—Ibrahim, Ishaq, and Ya'qub—is affirmed as part of the honored prophetic lineage.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that genuine faith and obedience bring not only the fulfillment of our requests but often exceed our expectations through Allah's boundless grace. For believers today, it reminds us to make sincere du'a, trust in Allah's wisdom, and work to establish righteousness and piety as a lasting legacy for future generations.
Related Ayahs
وَقَالُوا۟ ٱتَّخَذَ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ وَلَدًا ۗ سُبْحَـٰنَهُۥ ۚ بَلْ عِبَادٌ مُّكْرَمُونَ
And they say, "The Most Merciful has taken a son." Exalted is He! Rather, they are [but] honored servants.
لَاهِيَةً قُلُوبُهُمْ ۗ وَأَسَرُّوا۟ ٱلنَّجْوَى ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ هَلْ هَـٰذَآ إِلَّا بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُكُمْ ۖ أَفَتَأْتُونَ ٱلسِّحْرَ وَأَنتُمْ تُبْصِرُونَ
With their hearts distracted. And those who do wrong conceal their private conversation, [saying], "Is this [Prophet] except a human being like you? So would you approach magic while you are aware [of it]?"
لَهُمْ فِيهَا زَفِيرٌ وَهُمْ فِيهَا لَا يَسْمَعُونَ
For them therein is heavy sighing, and they therein will not hear.
يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ وَلَا يَشْفَعُونَ إِلَّا لِمَنِ ٱرْتَضَىٰ وَهُم مِّنْ خَشْيَتِهِۦ مُشْفِقُونَ
He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they cannot intercede except on behalf of one whom He approves. And they, from fear of Him, are apprehensive.