وَقَالَ إِنِّى ذَاهِبٌ إِلَىٰ رَبِّى سَيَهْدِينِ 99
Translations
And [then] he said, "Indeed, I will go to [where I am ordered by] my Lord; He will guide me.
Transliteration
Wa qāla innī dhāhibun ilā rabbī sayahdīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) declares his intention to depart toward his Lord, expressing complete trust that Allah will guide him on his journey. This statement reflects Ibrahim's unwavering faith and submission during trials, as mentioned in the preceding context where he leaves his family in the valley of Mecca. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir interpret this as Ibrahim's acknowledgment that despite physical separation from his loved ones, his spiritual reliance and guidance come from Allah alone, demonstrating the ultimate principle of tawhid (monotheism).
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan surah As-Saffat within the narrative of Ibrahim's sacrifice and trust in Allah. It follows the account of Ibrahim leaving his wife Hajar and son Ismail in an empty valley, establishing the Haram (sacred sanctuary). The context emphasizes Ibrahim's complete reliance on divine guidance rather than worldly security, illustrating the test of faith that characterized his life.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari (#3364) discusses Ibrahim's profound trust: 'The best of people is Ibrahim' - highlighting his unwavering submission. Additionally, Surah Al-Ankabut (29:26) contains Ibrahim's statement: 'And he [Ibrahim] said, 'I have turned my face toward the One who created the heavens and the earth, inclining toward truth, and I am not of those who associate others with Allah.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that true security and guidance come from turning toward Allah with complete trust, regardless of external circumstances or worldly concerns. In modern life, it reminds us to prioritize our spiritual direction and divine reliance over material anxieties, knowing that Allah's guidance is sufficient for those who sincerely seek it.
Related Ayahs
قَالَ إِنَّمَآ أَشْكُوا۟ بَثِّى وَحُزْنِىٓ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَأَعْلَمُ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
He said, "I only complain of my suffering and my grief to Allāh, and I know from Allāh that which you do not know.
۞ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُدَٰفِعُ عَنِ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ خَوَّانٍ كَفُورٍ
Indeed, Allāh defends those who have believed. Indeed, Allāh does not like everyone treacherous and ungrateful.
وَلَا تَحْزَنْ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا تَكُن فِى ضَيْقٍ مِّمَّا يَمْكُرُونَ
And grieve not over them or be in distress from what they conspire.
أَنِ ٱقْذِفِيهِ فِى ٱلتَّابُوتِ فَٱقْذِفِيهِ فِى ٱلْيَمِّ فَلْيُلْقِهِ ٱلْيَمُّ بِٱلسَّاحِلِ يَأْخُذْهُ عَدُوٌّ لِّى وَعَدُوٌّ لَّهُۥ ۚ وَأَلْقَيْتُ عَلَيْكَ مَحَبَّةً مِّنِّى وَلِتُصْنَعَ عَلَىٰ عَيْنِىٓ
[Saying], 'Cast him into the chest and cast it into the river, and the river will throw it onto the bank; there will take him an enemy to Me and an enemy to him.' And I bestowed upon you love from Me that you would be brought up under My eye [i.e., observation and care].