The Divine Education Model in the Family of the Prophets (Part 39)
The position of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) regarding this good news
When the angels gave Ibrahim (peace be upon him) the good news of the birth of Isaac, the wise son, Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) asked them in surprise: «قَالَ أَبَشَّرْتُمُونِی عَلَى أَن مَّسَّنِی الْكِبَرُ فَبِمَ تُبَشِّرُونَ.» Translation: “He said: Do you give me such good news when old age has reached me? So how (and according to what rule do you give me good news at such an age)?!” [1]
In this statement, Ibrahim (peace be upon him) has placed the strange and known in the place of the unknown, because its occurrence seemed almost impossible; But Ibrahim (peace be upon him) knew that the angels were truthful in their glad tidings, so his question was out of surprise.
The angels’ answer was that they were giving him true and certain good tidings that were beyond doubt. This answer was to refute Ibrahim (peace be upon him) notion that the good tidings were almost impossible. Their words were not in fact an answer to his question; rather, they were a refutation of his rejection, because his question was not genuine.
Then the angels prevented him from rejecting them, because this, after he knew that the bearers of good tidings had been sent to him by Allah, meant despairing of Allah’s mercy. So they said to him: «قَالُواْ بَشَّرْنَاكَ بِالْحَقِّ فَلاَ تَكُن مِّنَ الْقَانِطِینَ.» Translation: “They said: We have given you the good news of the truth, and do not be among those who despair.” [2] Since he, out of surprise, considered such an event unlikely, this indicated the ingrained nature of ordinary and common things in his mind, such that even certain news could not destroy this belief; therefore, a little doubt remained in his heart, which brought his condition closer to that of those who despair of Allah’s command; but since the position of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) was far from despair, the angels admonished him with appropriate courtesy and prevented him from being among those who despair. They did not assume that he was in despair, but rather warned him not to join this group. His position in this case was similar to his position in the following incident that Allah narrated from him: «وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِیمُ رَبِّ أَرِنِی كَیفَ تُحْیِی الْمَوْتَى قَالَ أَوَلَمْ تُؤْمِن قَالَ بَلَى وَلَكِن لِّیطْمَئِنَّ قَلْبِی.» Translation: “And (remember) when Ibrahim said, ‘My Lord! Show me how You give life to the dead.’ He said, ‘Have you not believed?’ He said, ‘Yes! But that my heart may be assured”. [3]
After this see sermon, Ibrahim (peace be upon him) remembered and said: «قَالَ وَمَن یَقْنَطُ مِن رَّحْمَةِ رَبِّهِ إِلاَّ الضَّآلُّونَ.» Translation: “He said: Who despairs of the mercy of his Lord except those who are astray (ignorant of the power and greatness of Allah?!)” [4]
This is a negative question, which is why he has excluded “except those who are astray.” That is, he had not despaired of the mercy of Allah; rather, ordinary affairs had overcome him, and that is why he was surprised. This state was like neglecting a known truth, and when the angels reminded him with the slightest hint, he remembered. [5]
In this speech, the word«رَّحْمَةِ» stands out in the words of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him), which is in harmony with the introduction of this text, and along with it, the general truth is highlighted that «إِلاَّ الضَّآلُّونَ» [6] misguided are those who have deviated from the path of Allah, do not smell His Spirit, do not feel His mercy, and do not understand His kindness, goodness, and care; but a heart that is joyful with faith and connection with Allah the Most Gracious never despairs, even though hardships surround it and difficulties come upon it, and the atmosphere of hope becomes dark and gloomy, and the face of hope disappears in the darkness of the present, and reality seems heavy and difficult; because Allah’s mercy is close to the hearts of the believers and the guided, and Allah’s power creates both reasons and results, and changes reality, just as He fulfills what He has promised.
Sarah’s reaction to the good news
Sarah (may Allah be pleased with her) was also very surprised by the good news of the angels, she cried out and, as women do in such circumstances, she slapped her face. Allah Almighty narrates her reaction as follows: «فَأَقْبَلَتِ امْرَأَتُهُ فِی صَرَّةٍ فَصَكَّتْ وَجْهَهَا وَقَالَتْ عَجُوزٌ عَقِیمٌ.» Translation: “His wife came forward, crying out (in surprise) and slapping her face, saying: I am an old woman, barren (can I bear a child at this age?!)”. [7]
He also said: «قَالَتْ یا وَیلَتَى أَأَلِدُ وَأَنَاْ عَجُوزٌ وَهَذَا بَعْلِی شَیخاً إِنَّ هَذَا لَشَیءٌ عَجِیبٌ.» Translation: “She said: ‘Woe to me! Will I bear a child when I am an old woman and my husband an old man?’ This is a wonder (and impossibility) (Is it possible that a child will be born from us, two old and worn-out humans?!)” [8]
His wonder, as mentioned in another verse, was due to two things: the news of the birth of Isaac, and after him, the birth of Jacob (peace be upon them). The Holy Quran narrates as follows: «فَبَشَّرْنَاهَا بِإِسْحَاقَ وَمِن وَرَاء إِسْحَاقَ یعْقُوبَ.» Translation: “We gave her the good news of Isaac, and after Isaac, Jacob”. [9]
When the angels saw his surprise, they said to him: «قَالُواْ أَتَعْجَبِینَ مِنْ أَمْرِ اللّهِ رَحْمَتُ اللّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ عَلَیكُمْ أَهْلَ الْبَیتِ إِنَّهُ حَمِیدٌ مَّجِیدٌ.» Translation: “They said: Do you wonder at the work of Allah? O people of the House of Prophet hood! The mercy and blessings of Allah are upon you (so there is no need to be surprised if He grants you something that He has not granted to others). Indeed, Allah is Praiseworthy (in all actions and) Exalted in Might (in all circumstances)”. [10]
That is, it is not appropriate for you to wonder at a work that is from Allah, the Almighty, and nothing makes Him weak. In the words of the angels, Sarah’s denial of surprise is evident, and the reason for this denial was that she lived in a house where signs, miracles, and extraordinary things were revealed. Therefore, it was appropriate for her to be dignified and not to be surprised like women who grew up in houses other than the House of Prophet hood. Instead of being surprised, she should have glorified and praised Allah. The angels pointed to this point and said: “May the mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you, O people of the House of Prophet hood!.” What they meant was that such things and similar things are among the things that Allah honors you, O people of the House of Prophet hood! and dedicates you to them; therefore, there is no room for surprise. It is as if they were telling her: Avoid being surprised; because there are many examples of such mercy and blessings from Allah upon you. [11]
Important Reminder
Here, an important point should be mentioned: The surprise of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and his wife Sarah (may Allah be pleased with her) at the news of the birth of Isaac (peace be upon him) does not mean that they underestimated the power and absolute will of Allah. Rather, this surprise was due to the dominance of habits and traditions in nature. The reason for this claim is that Ibrahim (peace be upon him) came to his senses with the slightest reminder and said: «قَالَ وَمَن یقْنَطُ مِن رَّحْمَةِ رَبِّهِ إِلاَّ الضَّآلُّونَ.» Translation: “He said: Who despairs of the mercy of his Lord except those who are astray (unaware of the power and greatness of Allah?!” [12]
Likewise, the power of Allah Almighty knows no limits and is not limited by any law of laws or tradition of His traditions; because He is the Creator of all these traditions and laws.
The scholar Sayyed Qutb (may Allah bless him) also said in his commentary on the verse: «قَالُواْ أَتَعْجَبِینَ مِنْ أَمْرِ اللّهِ» Translation: “They said, “Do you wonder at the command of Allah?; One should not be surprised by Allah’s work, because the fact that a matter is carried out according to tradition does not mean that tradition is unchangeable. When Allah wills something (with the wisdom He has in mind, such as the mercy and blessings promised to this believing family), something happens that is contrary to tradition, while this event is completely in accordance with the divine tradition, the limits of which we do not know. We should not limit Allah to customs that occur in a limited period, because we do not know all the events of existence”. [14]
He continues: Those who limit Allah’s will to what they know of His laws do not know the truth of Allah’s divinity as Allah has stated it in His Book; For the word of Allah is the decisive statement, and human reason has nothing to say in it. Even those who limit the will of Allah to the laws that He Himself has ordained do not understand the truth of divinity. The will of Allah is free and beyond the laws that He Himself has ordained, and His will is never bound by these laws. Yes, Allah makes this world revolve according to the laws that He Himself has ordained. But this is one thing, and to say that His will is bound by these laws after they have come into existence is another. The law is executed according to the will of Allah each time it is executed, and it does not operate automatically; therefore, if Allah in a particular case decrees that a law be executed differently from the previous times, what happens is what Allah decreed. The law of existence does not stand in the way of this new decree; Because the main law under which all other laws are subject is the absolute freedom of Allah’s will without any conditions, and every time a law is fulfilled, this fulfillment takes place with a special and free destiny. [15]
Prophethood of Prophet Isaac (peace be upon him)
Prophet Isaac (peace be upon him) was a prophet, as the Holy Quran has indicated in various verses. Among these verses: «وَبَشَّرْنَاهُ بِإِسْحَاقَ نَبِیاً مِّنَ الصَّالِحِینَ* وَبَارَكْنَا عَلَیهِ وَعَلَى إِسْحَاقَ وَمِن ذُرِّیتِهِمَا مُحْسِنٌ وَظَالِمٌ لِّنَفْسِهِ مُبِینٌ.» Translation: “And We gave him the good news of (the birth of) Isaac, a prophet and one of the righteous. And We bestowed blessings on Ibrahim and Isaac. And from their descendants came some who did good, and some who were clearly unjust to themselves.” [16]
Thus, the good news that the angels had given to Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and his wife Sarah (may Allah be pleased with her) was fulfilled.
