And [mention, O Muḥammad], when Abraham was tried by his Lord with words [i.e., commands] and he fulfilled them. [Allāh] said, "Indeed, I will make you a leader for the people." [Abraham] said, "And of my descendants?" [Allāh] said, "My covenant does not include the wrongdoers."
Verse 124 of Surah Al-Baqarah (2:124), a Medinan surah, is in juz 1, on page 19 of the mushaf. Read it in Arabic with its transliteration, translations and tafsir, and listen to it recited by 69 reciters.
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Tafsir of verse 124
Al-Mukhtasar
The Qur’ān tells us that Allah tested Abraham (peace be upon him) by instructing him to fulfil commandments and obligations. Abraham obeyed, fulfilling the orders completely. Allah told His prophet Abraham that He would make his manners and behaviour an example for people to follow. Abraham asked Allah to make also his descendants leaders who people would be guided by. Allah replied by saying that His promise to him of sacred leadership would not extend to the wrongdoers among his descendants.
And [remember] when Abraham was tested by his Lord with certain words, which he fulfilled51. Allah said, “I will make you a leader for mankind.” He said, “And from among my descendants?” Allah said, “My covenant does not include the wrongdoers.”
Notes
[51] Allah assigned some tasks and commandments for Abraham (عليه السلام) to carry out, which he fulfilled dutifully.
And (remember) when the Lord of Ibrâhîm (Abraham) [i.e., Allâh] tried him with (certain) Commands,24 which he fulfilled. He (Allâh) said (to him), "Verily, I am going to make you an Imâm (a leader) for mankind (to follow you)." [Ibrâhîm (Abraham)] said, "And of my offspring (to make leaders)." (Allâh) said, "My Covenant (Prophethood) includes not Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrong-doers)."
Notes
[24] (V.2:124) It is said that those commands were many. Some of them are as follows:
(A) To invite mankind to the Tauhîd (Islamic Monotheism).
(B) To show mankind the Manâsik (See V.2:128).
(C) To practise the characteristics of Al-Fitrah:
Narrated Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه: I heard the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم saying:
Five practices are characteristic of Al-Fitrah:
(1) Circumcision.
(2) Shaving the pubic hair.
(3) Cutting the moustaches short.
(4) Clipping the nails.
(5) and depilating the hair of the armpits.
(Sahih Al-Bukhari, Hadith No.779, Vol.7)
Narrated Ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما Allâh’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said: "Cut the moustaches short and leave the beard (as it is)." (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Hadith No.781, Vol.7)
(D) It is also mentioned that Ibrâhîm عليه السلام was put to test: (1) When he عليه السلام was thrown in the Fire. (2) When he عليه السلام was ordered to slaughter his son. (Tafsir Ibn Kathir)
And (remember) when his Lord tried Abraham with (His) commands, and he fulfilled them, He said: Lo! I have appointed thee a leader for mankind. (Abraham) said: And of my offspring (will there be leaders)? He said: My covenant includeth not wrong-doers.
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."
And when his Lord tried Ibrahim with certain words, he fulfilled them. He said: Surely I will make you an Imam of men. Ibrahim said: And of my offspring? My covenant does not include the unjust, said He.
And as his Lord tried Ibrahim (Abraham) with (certain) Words; so, he fully carried them out. (Literally: perfected them) He said, "Surely I am going to make you a leader for mankind." Said he, Ibrahim" Abraham") "And of my offspring?" He said, "My Covenant will not pertain (i.e. is not attainable) to the unjust."
Indeed, Abraham was a [comprehensive] leader, devoutly obedient to Allāh, inclining toward truth, and he was not of those who associate others with Allāh. …
Say, "Indeed, my Lord has guided me to a straight path - a correct religion - the way of Abraham, inclining toward truth. And he was not among those who associated others with Allāh."
And [the example of] Mary, the daughter of ʿImrān, who guarded her chastity, so We blew into [her garment] through Our angel [i.e., Gabriel], and she believed in the words of her Lord and His scriptures and was of the devoutly obedient.
