Ibraheem debates with the angels

As-salaamu ‘alaykum warahmatullaahi wabarakaatuh,

When Jibreel (alayhi salaam) and those with him came to Ibraheem (alayhi salaam) they said:

إِنَّا مُهْلِكُو أَهْلِ هَـذِهِ الْقَرْيَةِ

Verily, we are going to destroy the people of this town…

[Al-Ankaboot:31]

 

He said to them: “Would you destroy a town that has 300 believers in it?”

 

They said: “No.”

He then said: “Will you destroy a town that has 200 believers in it?”

They said: “No.”

He said: “Will you destroy a town that has 40 believers in it?”

They said: “No.”

He then said: “30”

They still replied: “No.”

This continued until he said: “5”

They said: “No.

Then he said: “What do you think if there is 1 believer in the town, would you destroy it?”

They said, “No.”

With this, Ibraheem said: Indeed Luut is in it (the town).

They said: “We know better who is there. We will verily, save him and his family except his wife.”

Therefore, Ibraheem remained silent and his soul was at rest. And Allaah exalted be he said:

إِنَّ إِبْرَهِيمَ لَحَلِيمٌ أَوَّاهٌ مُّنِيبٌ

…Verily, Ibraheem was without a doubt, Haleem, Awwah, Muneeb.

[Hood:74]

 

 And concerning this, Imaam Sa’dee states in his tafseer; Haleem, meaning he had beautiful manners and did not anger when the ignorant behaved ignorantly. Awwah, meaning he always humbled himself to Allaah and Muneeb, meaning he always returned to Allaah with his knowledge and love for Him. And this is why he debated (with the angels) on behalf of those whom Allaah decreed to be destroyed.

Indeed this is why Ibraheem (alayhi salaam) is the most noble of all creation after the prophet (sallaallaahu ‘alayhi wa salam), for he was outstanding in character and in worship.

Advertisement