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
فَعَسَىٰ رَبِّىٓ أَن يُؤْتِيَنِ خَيْرًا مِّن جَنَّتِكَ وَيُرْسِلَ عَلَيْهَا حُسْبَانًا مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ فَتُصْبِحَ صَعِيدًا زَلَقًا
It may be that my Lord will give me [something] better than your garden and will send upon it a [disastrous] penalty from the sky, and it will become a smooth, dusty ground,
إِنَّمَا ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ ٱللَّهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَإِذَا تُلِيَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَـٰتُهُۥ زَادَتْهُمْ إِيمَـٰنًا وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ
The believers are only those who, when Allāh is mentioned, their hearts become fearful, and when His verses are recited to them, it increases them in faith; and upon their Lord they rely -
وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ رَضُوا۟ مَآ ءَاتَىٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُۥ وَقَالُوا۟ حَسْبُنَا ٱللَّهُ سَيُؤْتِينَا ٱللَّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِۦ وَرَسُولُهُۥٓ إِنَّآ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ رَٰغِبُونَ
If only they had been satisfied with what Allāh and His Messenger gave them and said, "Sufficient for us is Allāh; Allāh will give us of His bounty, and [so will] His Messenger; indeed, we are desirous toward Allāh," [it would have been better for them].
قَالَ رَبِّ ٱشْرَحْ لِى صَدْرِى
[Moses] said, "My Lord, expand [i.e., relax] for me my breast [with assurance]