ABRAHAM
the Holy Qur'an

And remember that Abraham was tried by his Lord with certain commands, which he fulfilled: He said: "I will make thee an Imam to the Nations." He pleaded: "And also (Imams) from my offspring!" He answered: "But My Promise is not within the reach of evil-doers." (2:124)

Remember We made the House a place of assembly for men and a place of safety; and take ye the station of Abraham as a place of prayer; and We covenanted with Abraham and Isma'il, that they should sanctify My House for those who compass it round, or use it as a retreat, or bow, or prostrate themselves (therein in prayer). (2:125)

And remember Abraham said: "My Lord, make this a City of Peace, and feed its people with fruits,-such of them as believe in God and the Last Day." He said: "(Yea), and such as reject Faith,-for a while will I grant them their pleasure, but will soon drive them to the torment of Fire,- an evil destination (indeed)!" (2:126)

And remember Abraham and Isma'il raised the foundations of the House (With this prayer): "Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us: For Thou art the All-Hearing, the All-knowing. (2:127)

"Our Lord! make of us Muslims, bowing to Thy (Will), and of our progeny a people Muslim, bowing to Thy (will); and show us our place for the celebration of (due) rites; and turn unto us (in Mercy); for Thou art the Oft-Returning, Most Merciful. (2:128)

"Our Lord! send amongst them an Apostle of their own, who shall rehearse Thy Signs to them and instruct them in scripture and wisdom, and sanctify them: For Thou art the Exalted in Might, the Wise." (2:129)

And who turns away from the religion of Abraham but such as debase their souls with folly? Him We chose and rendered pure in this world: And he will be in the Hereafter in the ranks of the Righteous. (2:130)

Behold! his Lord said to him: "Bow (thy will to Me):" He said: "I bow (my will) to the Lord and Cherisher of the Universe." (2:131)

And this was the legacy that Abraham left to his sons, and so did Jacob; "Oh my sons! God hath chosen the Faith for you; then die not except in the Faith of Islam." (2:132)

They say: "Become Jews or Christians if ye would be guided (To salvation)." Say thou: "Nay! (I would rather) the Religion of Abraham the True, and he joined not gods with God." (2:135)

Say ye: "We believe in God, and the revelation given to us, and to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) prophets from their Lord: We make no difference between one and another of them: And we bow to God (in Islam)." (2:136)

Or do ye say that Abraham, Isma'il Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes were Jews or Christians? Say: Do ye know better than God? Ah! who is more unjust than those who conceal the testimony they have from God? but God is not unmindful of what ye do! (2:140)

Hast thou not Turned thy vision to one who disputed with Abraham About his Lord, because God had granted him power? Abraham said: "My Lord is He Who Giveth life and death." He said: "I give life and death". Said Abraham: "But it is God that causeth the sun to rise from the east: Do thou then cause him to rise from the West." Thus was he confounded who (in arrogance) rejected faith. Nor doth God Give guidance to a people unjust. (2:258)

Behold! Abraham said: "My Lord! Show me how Thou givest life to the dead." He said: "Dost thou not then believe?" He said: "Yea! but to satisfy My own undertaking." He said: "Take four birds; Tame them to turn to thee; put a portion of them on every hill and call to them: They will come to thee (Flying) with speed. Then know that God is Exalted in Power, Wise." (2:260)

Ye People of the Book! Why dispute ye about Abraham, when the Law and the Gospel Were not revealed Till after him? Have ye no understanding? (3:65)

Abraham was not a Jew nor yet a Christian; but he was true in Faith, and bowed his will to God's (Which is Islam), and he joined not gods with God. (3:67)

Without doubt, among men, the nearest of kin to Abraham, are those who follow him, as are also this Apostle and those who believe: And God is the Protector of those who have faith. (3:68)

Say: "We believe in God, and in what has been revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and in (the Books) given to Moses, Jesus, and the prophets, from their Lord: We make no distinction between one and another among them, and to God do we bow our will (in Islam)." (3:84)

Say: "God speaketh the Truth: follow the religion of Abraham, the sane in faith; he was not of the Pagans." (3:95)

In it are Signs Manifest; (for example), the Station of Abraham; whoever enters it attains security; Pilgrimage thereto is a duty men owe to God,- those who can afford the journey; but if any deny faith, God stands not in need of any of His creatures. (3:97)

Or do they envy mankind for what God hath given them of his bounty? but We had already given the people of Abraham the Book and Wisdom, and conferred upon them a great kingdom. (4:54)

Some of them believed, and some of them averted their faces from him: And enough is Hell for a burning fire. (4:55)

Who can be better in religion than one who submits his whole self to God, does good, and follows the way of Abraham the true in Faith? For God did take Abraham for a friend. (4:125)

We have sent thee inspiration, as We sent it to Noah and the Messengers after him: we sent inspiration to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes, to Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron, and solomon, and to David We gave the Psalms. (4:163)

Lo! Abraham said to his father Azar: "Takest thou idols for gods? For I see thee and thy people in manifest error." (6:74)

So also did We show Abraham the power and the laws of the heavens and the earth, that he might (with understanding) have certitude. (6:75)

When the night covered him over, He saw a star: He said: "This is my Lord." But when it set, He said: "I love not those that set." (6:76)

When he saw the moon rising in splendour, he said: "This is my Lord." But when the moon set, He said: "unless my Lord guide me, I shall surely be among those who go astray." (6:77)

When he saw the sun rising in splendour, he said: "This is my Lord; this is the greatest (of all)." But when the sun set, he said: "O my people! I am indeed free from your (guilt) of giving partners to God. (6:78)

"For me, I have set my face, firmly and truly, towards Him Who created the heavens and the earth, and never shall I give partners to God." (6:79)

His people disputed with him. He said: "(Come) ye to dispute with me, about God, when He (Himself) hath guided me? I fear not (the beings) ye associate with God: Unless my Lord willeth, (nothing can happen). My Lord comprehendeth in His knowledge all things. Will ye not (yourselves) be admonished? (6:80)

"How should I fear (the beings) ye associate with God, when ye fear not to give partners to God without any warrant having been given to you? Which of (us) two parties hath more right to security? (tell me) if ye know. (6:81)

"It is those who believe and confuse not their beliefs with wrong - that are (truly) in security, for they are on (right) guidance." (6:82)

That was the reasoning about Us, which We gave to Abraham (to use) against his people: We raise whom We will, degree after degree: for thy Lord is full of wisdom and knowledge. (6:83)

Say: "Verily, my Lord hath guided me to a way that is straight,- a religion of right,- the path (trod) by Abraham the true in Faith, and he (certainly) joined not gods with God." (6:161)

Hath not the story reached them of those before them?- the People of Noah, and 'Ad, and Thamud; the People of Abraham, the men of Midian, and the cities overthrown. To them came their apostles with clear signs. It is not God Who wrongs them, but they wrong their own souls. (9:70)

And Abraham prayed for his father's forgiveness only because of a promise he had made to him. But when it became clear to him that he was an enemy to God, he dissociated himself from him: for Abraham was most tender-hearted, forbearing. (9:114)

There came Our messengers to Abraham with glad tidings. They said, "Peace!" He answered, "Peace!" and hastened to entertain them with a roasted calf. (11:69)

But when he saw their hands went not towards the (meal), he felt some mistrust of them, and conceived a fear of them. They said: "Fear not: We have been sent against the people of Lut." (11:70)

And his wife was standing (there), and she laughed: But we gave her glad tidings of Isaac, and after him, of Jacob. (11:71)

She said: "Alas for me! shall I bear a child, seeing I am an old woman, and my husband here is an old man? That would indeed be a wonderful thing!" (11:72)

They said: "Dost thou wonder at God's decree? The grace of God and His blessings on you, o ye people of the house! for He is indeed worthy of all praise, full of all glory!" (11:73)

When fear had passed from (the mind of) Abraham and the glad tidings had reached him, he began to plead with us for Lut's people. (11:74)

For Abraham was, without doubt, forbearing (of faults), compassionate, and given to look to God. (11:75)

O Abraham! Seek not this. The decree of thy Lord hath gone forth: for them there cometh a penalty that cannot be turned back! (11:76)

"Thus will thy Lord choose thee and teach thee the interpretation of stories (and events) and perfect His favour to thee and to the posterity of Jacob - even as He perfected it to thy fathers Abraham and Isaac aforetime! for God is full of knowledge and wisdom." (12:6)

"And I follow the ways of my fathers,- Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and never could we attribute any partners whatever to God: that (comes) of the grace of God to us and to mankind: yet most men are not grateful. (12:38)

Remember Abraham said: "O my Lord! make this city one of peace and security: and preserve me and my sons from worshipping idols. (14:35)

Tell them about the guests of Abraham. (15:51)

When they entered his presence and said, "Peace!" He said, "We feel afraid of you!" (15:52)

They said: "Fear not! We give thee glad tidings of a son endowed with wisdom." (15:53)

He said: "Do ye give me glad tidings that old age has seized me? Of what, then, is your good news?" (15:54)

They said: "We give thee glad tidings in truth: be not then in despair!" (15:55)

He said: "And who despairs of the mercy of his Lord, but such as go astray?" (15:56)

Abraham was indeed a model, devoutly obedient to God, (and) true in Faith, and he joined not gods with God: (16:120)

So We have taught thee the inspired (Message), "Follow the ways of Abraham the True in Faith, and he joined not gods with God." (16:123)

(Also mention in the Book (the story of) Abraham: He was a man of Truth, a prophet. (19:41)

Behold, he said to his father: "O my father! why worship that which heareth not and seeth not, and can profit thee nothing? (19:42)

"O my father! to me hath come knowledge which hath not reached thee: so follow me: I will guide thee to a way that is even and straight. (19:43)

"O my father! serve not Satan: for Satan is a rebel against (God) Most Gracious. (19:44)

"O my father! I fear lest a Penalty afflict thee from (God) Most Gracious, so that thou become to Satan a friend." (19:45)

(The father) replied: "Dost thou hate my gods, O Abraham? If thou forbear not, I will indeed stone thee: Now get away from me for a good long while!" (19:46)

Abraham said: "Peace be on thee: I will pray to my Lord for thy forgiveness: for He is to me Most Gracious. (19:47)

"And I will turn away from you (all) and from those whom ye invoke besides God: I will call on my Lord: perhaps, by my prayer to my Lord, I shall be not unblest." (19:48)

When he had turned away from them and from those whom they worshipped besides God, We bestowed on him Isaac and Jacob, and each one of them We made a prophet. (19:49)

Those were some of the prophets on whom God did bestow His Grace,- of the posterity of Adam, and of those who We carried (in the Ark) with Noah, and of the posterity of Abraham and Israel of those whom We guided and chose. Whenever the Signs of (God) Most Gracious were rehearsed to them, they would fall down in prostrate adoration and in tears. (19:58)

We bestowed aforetime on Abraham his rectitude of conduct, and well were We acquainted with him. (21:51)

Behold! he said to his father and his people, "What are these images, to which ye are (so assiduously) devoted?" (21:52)

They said, "We found our fathers worshipping them." (21:53)

He said, "Indeed ye have been in manifest error - ye and your fathers." (21:54)

They said, "Have you brought us the Truth, or are you one of those who jest?" (21:55)

He said, "Nay, your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, He Who created them (from nothing): and I am a witness to this (Truth). (21:56)

"And by God, I have a plan for your idols - after ye go away and turn your backs".. (21:57)

So he broke them to pieces, (all) but the biggest of them, that they might turn (and address themselves) to it. (21:58)

They said, "Who has done this to our gods? He must indeed be some man of impiety!" (21:59)

They said, "We heard a youth talk of them: He is called Abraham." (21:60)

They said, "Then bring him before the eyes of the people, that they may bear witness." (21:61)

They said, "Art thou the one that did this with our gods, O Abraham?" (21:62)

He said: "Nay, this was done by - this is their biggest one! ask them, if they can speak intelligently!" (21:63)

So they turned to themselves and said, "Surely ye are the ones in the wrong!" (21:64)

Then were they confounded with shame: (they said), "Thou knowest full well that these (idols) do not speak!" (21:65)

(Abraham) said, "Do ye then worship, besides God, things that can neither be of any good to you nor do you harm? (21:66)

"Fie upon you, and upon the things that ye worship besides God! Have ye no sense?".. (21:67)

They said, "Burn him and protect your gods, If ye do (anything at all)!" (21:68)

We said, "O Fire! be thou cool, and (a means of) safety for Abraham!" (21:69)

Then they sought a stratagem against him: but We made them the ones that lost most! (21:70)

But We delivered him and (his nephew) Lut (and directed them) to the land which We have blessed for the nations. (21:71)

And We bestowed on him Isaac and, as an additional gift, (a grandson), Jacob, and We made righteous men of every one (of them). (21:72)

And We made them leaders, guiding (men) by Our Command, and We sent them inspiration to do good deeds, to establish regular prayers, and to practise regular charity; and they constantly served Us (and Us only). (21:73)

Behold! We gave the site, to Abraham, of the (Sacred) House, (saying): "Associate not anything (in worship) with Me; and sanctify My House for those who compass it round, or stand up, or bow, or prostrate themselves (therein in prayer). (22:26)

Those of Abraham and Lut; (22:43)

And strive in His cause as ye ought to strive, (with sincerity and under discipline). He has chosen you, and has imposed no difficulties on you in religion; it is the cult of your father Abraham. It is He Who has named you Muslims, both before and in this (Revelation); that the Apostle may be a witness for you, and ye be witnesses for mankind! So establish regular Prayer, give regular Charity, and hold fast to God! He is your Protector - the Best to protect and the Best to help! (22:78)

And verily thy Lord is He, the Exalted in Might, Most Merciful. (26:69)

And (We also saved) Abraham: behold, he said to his people, "Serve God and fear Him: that will be best for you- If ye understand! (29:16)

And he said: "For you, ye have taken (for worship) idols besides God, out of mutual love and regard between yourselves in this life; but on the Day of Judgment ye shall disown each other and curse each other: and your abode will be the Fire, and ye shall have none to help." (29:25)

When Our Messengers came to Abraham with the good news, they said: "We are indeed going to destroy the people of this township: for truly they are (addicted to) crime." (29:31)

And remember We took from the prophets their covenant: As (We did) from thee: from Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus the son of Mary: We took from them a solemn covenant: (33:7)

Verily among those who followed his Way was Abraham. (37:83)

Behold! he approached his Lord with a sound heart. (37:84)

Behold! he said to his father and to his people, "What is that which ye worship? (37:85)

"Is it a falsehood- gods other than God- that ye desire? (37:86)

"Then what is your idea about the Lord of the worlds?" (37:87)

Then did he cast a glance at the Stars. (37:88)

And he said, "I am indeed sick (at heart)!" (37:89)

So they turned away from him, and departed. (37:90)

Then did he turn to their gods and said, "will ye not eat (of the offerings before you)?... (37:91)

"What is the matter with you that ye speak not (intelligently)?" (37:92)

Then did he turn upon them, striking (them) with the right hand. (37:93)

Then came (the worshippers) with hurried steps, and faced (him). (37:94)

He said: "Worship ye that which ye have (yourselves) carved? (37:95)

"But God has created you and your handwork!" (37:96)

They said, "Build him a furnace, and throw him into the blazing fire!" (37:97)

(This failing), they then sought a stratagem against him, but We made them the ones most humiliated! (37:98)

He said: "I will go to my Lord! He will surely guide me! (37:99)

"O my Lord! Grant me a righteous (son)!" (37:100)

So We gave him the good news of a boy ready to suffer and forbear. (37:101)

Then, when (the son) reached (the age of) (serious) work with him, he said: "O my son! I see in vision that I offer thee in sacrifice: Now see what is thy view!" (The son) said: "O my father! Do as thou art commanded: thou will find me, if God so wills one practising Patience and Constancy!" (37:102)

So when they had both submitted their wills (to God), and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead (for sacrifice), (37:103)

We called out to him "O Abraham! (37:104)

"Thou hast already fulfilled the vision!" - thus indeed do We reward those who do right. (37:105)

For this was obviously a trial- (37:106)

And We ransomed him with a momentous sacrifice: (37:107)

And We left (this blessing) for him among generations (to come) in later times: (37:108)

"Peace and salutation to Abraham!" (37:109)

And commemorate Our Servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, possessors of Power and Vision. (38:45)

The same religion has He established for you as that which He enjoined on Noah - the which We have sent by inspiration to thee - and that which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: Namely, that ye should remain steadfast in religion, and make no divisions therein: to those who worship other things than God, hard is the (way) to which thou callest them. God chooses to Himself those whom He pleases, and guides to Himself those who turn (to Him). (42:13)

Behold! Abraham said to his father and his people: "I do indeed clear myself of what ye worship: (43:26)

Has the story reached thee, of the honoured guests of Abraham? (51:24)

Behold, they entered his presence, and said: "Peace!" He said, "Peace!" (and thought, "These seem) unusual people." (51:25)

Then he turned quickly to his household, brought out a fatted calf, (51:26)

And placed it before them.. he said, "Will ye not eat?" (51:27)

(When they did not eat), He conceived a fear of them. They said, "Fear not," and they gave him glad tidings of a son endowed with knowledge. (51:28)

But his wife came forward (laughing) aloud: she smote her forehead and said: "A barren old woman!" (51:29)

They said, "Even so has thy Lord spoken: and He is full of Wisdom and Knowledge." (51:30)

(Abraham) said: "And what, O ye Messengers, is your errand (now)?" (51:31)

They said, "We have been sent to a people (deep) in sin;- (51:32)

"To bring on, on them, (a shower of) stones of clay (brimstone), (51:33)

"Marked as from thy Lord for those who trespass beyond bounds." (51:34)

And of Abraham who fulfilled his engagements?- (53:37)

And We sent Noah and Abraham, and established in their line Prophethood and Revelation: and some of them were on right guidance. But many of them became rebellious transgressors. (57:26)

There is for you an excellent example (to follow) in Abraham and those with him, when they said to their people: "We are clear of you and of whatever ye worship besides God: we have rejected you, and there has arisen, between us and you, enmity and hatred for ever,- unless ye believe in God and Him alone": But not when Abraham said to his father: "I will pray for forgiveness for thee, though I have no power (to get) aught on thy behalf from God." (They prayed): "Our Lord! in Thee do we trust, and to Thee do we turn in repentance: to Thee is (our) Final Goal. (60:4)

"Our Lord! Make us not a (test and) trial for the Unbelievers, but forgive us, our Lord! for Thou art the Exalted in Might, the Wise." (60:5)

The Books of Abraham and Moses. (87:19)

End of Quotes