فَلَمَّا ٱعْتَزَلَهُمْ وَمَا يَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَهَبْنَا لَهُۥٓ إِسْحَـٰقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ ۖ وَكُلًّا جَعَلْنَا نَبِيًّا 49
Translations
So when he had left them and those they worshipped other than Allāh, We gave him Isaac and Jacob, and each [of them] We made a prophet.
Transliteration
Fa-lammā i'tazala-hum wa-mā ya'budūna min dūni-llāhi wa-wahabnā la-hu Isḥāqa wa-Ya'qūba wa-kullan ja'alnā nabiyyā
Tafsir (Explanation)
When Prophet Ibrahim separated himself from his people and their idolatry, Allah blessed him with righteous sons—Ishaq (Isaac) and Ya'qub (Jacob)—and made all of them prophets. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that Ibrahim's steadfast rejection of polytheism and his complete reliance on Allah resulted in this tremendous reward: not only was he granted noble offspring, but they were all guided to prophethood. This ayah demonstrates the principle that sincere adherence to tawhid (monotheism) and abandonment of falsehood brings divine blessing and honor.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within Surah Maryam's narrative of Ibrahim's call to monotheism and rejection of idolatry. The context follows Ibrahim's confrontation with his father and people over their worship of idols. The ayah illustrates the immediate consequences of Ibrahim's courageous stand: Allah's reward came in the form of blessed progeny and prophetic guidance passed through his lineage, which became the foundation of three major world religions.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: 'The best of you are those of the best character' (Sahih Bukhari 3559), and regarding Ibrahim's steadfastness: 'Ibrahim was truly dutiful and a prophet, the father of prophets' (Sahih Bukhari 3189). These hadiths reinforce the honor given to Ibrahim and his descendants for their righteousness.
Themes
Key Lesson
True separation from falsehood and commitment to authentic faith brings not only personal honor but generational blessing. For modern believers, this ayah teaches that the courageous rejection of societal falsehoods and wholehearted devotion to Allah's path leads to spiritual legacy and divine favor that extends beyond oneself.