{"_id":"668d9feb0b76658b4c23290f","title":"Was Prophet Ibrahim's (RA) father an idolater?","question":"Can you please elaborate on Prophet Ibrahim’s (peace be upon him) father? The Quran mentions a man named Azar as the “ab” (father) of Prophet Ibrahim. Isn't it common in Arabic, the term “ab” can signify both father and paternal uncle or even grandfather? Isn't Prophet Muhammad’s (ﷺ)  lineage a pure one and it isn't possible that Prophet Ibrahim’s biological father isn't an idolater (which ruins the purity of the lineage)? The same way Ismail AS wasn't Prophet Yacoub;s father, rather he was his paternal uncle. There was a lengthy narration in which the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ refers to his ancestors, identifying Prophet Ibrahim’s father as Tarukh… is this true?","answer":"{\"ops\":[{\"insert\":\"All the points you've raised are accurate. In Arabic, the term \\\"ab\\\" can denote the paternal father, grandfather, or paternal uncles, who typically fulfill the role of caretaker and father figure in Arab society.\\n\\nIndeed, the lineage of our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is untainted by idolatry, fornication, or major sins. He has been selected from the finest ancestry, as he himself attested in various hadiths, such as the one found in Bukhari [#\"},{\"attributes\":{\"link\":\"https://sunnah.com/bukhari:3557\"},\"insert\":\"3557\"},{\"insert\":\"].\\n\\\"\"},{\"attributes\":{\"italic\":true},\"insert\":\"I was sent from the best of generations of Adam’s progeny, generation after generation, until I reached my generation\"},{\"insert\":\".\\\" \\n\\nRegarding Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him)'s father, it is indeed widely recognized that his name is Taruh/Tarukh/Tarakh, as you mentioned. However, apart from the fact that the term \\\"ab\\\" can also refer to an uncle and that the prophet Muhammad ﷺ has been chosen from the best ancestry, there is evidence in the Quran that Azar was not Ibrahim's father. \\n\\nThe name Azar appears only once in the Quran, whereas Ibrahim's \\\"father\\\" is mentioned in multiple verses. Some scholars argue that Allah ﷻ specifically mentioned the name Azar to clarify that the reference is not to Ibrahim's biological father but rather to his uncle. Had the verses intended to denote Ibrahim's biological father, the term \\\"walid\\\" would have been used, or the name Azar would have been omitted. However, because the term \\\"ab\\\" can encompass father, grandfather, and uncle, Allah ﷻ explicitly mentioned Azar to eliminate any ambiguity. This practice reflects the norms of Arabs and everyday language conventions. For example, when asking about a friend's father, it's common to inquire, \\\"How's your father doing?\\\" without specifying the father's name. Conversely, when inquiring about a friend's uncle, one might ask, \\\"How's your uncle Zaid doing?\\\" considering that a person typically has multiple uncles. However, when referring to someone's father, ambiguity is unnecessary because the reference is inherently singular. Thus, there's no need to remove any ambiguity since the context naturally implies a single individual. Therefore, Allah ﷻ informed us in verse \"},{\"attributes\":{\"link\":\"https://quran.com/en/al-anam/74\"},\"insert\":\"6:74\"},{\"insert\":\", which is the first instance, that when Ibrahim's \\\"father\\\" is mentioned in the Quran, it actually refers to his uncle. \\n\\nAdditionally, in verse \"},{\"attributes\":{\"link\":\"https://quran.com/en/at-tawbah/114\"},\"insert\":\"9:114\"},{\"insert\":\", we observe Ibrahim disavowing his \\\"father\\\" and refraining from praying to Allah for his forgiveness. \\n\"},{\"attributes\":{\"bold\":true},\"insert\":\"وَمَا كَانَ ٱسْتِغْفَارُ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ لِأَبِيهِ إِلَّا عَن مَّوْعِدَةٍۢ وَعَدَهَآ إِيَّاهُ فَلَمَّا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُۥٓ أَنَّهُۥ عَدُوٌّۭ لِّلَّهِ تَبَرَّأَ مِنْهُ ۚ إِنَّ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ لَأَوَّٰهٌ حَلِيمٌۭ \"},{\"attributes\":{\"align\":\"right\"},\"insert\":\"\\n\"},{\"insert\":\"\\\"\"},{\"attributes\":{\"bold\":true},\"insert\":\"Nor was Abraham's asking forgiveness for his father except from a sworn promise he had made to him. But as soon as it was plain to him that he was a pitted foe against Allah, he renounced him. Verily, Abraham was soft in heart, long forbearing.\"},{\"insert\":\"\\\" \\nTake note that Ibrahim's \\\"father\\\" is characterized as an enemy of Allah. How can this assertion hold true when the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, out of gratitude and humility, conveyed to us that he was selected from the finest of Adam's descendants, generation after generation? How can this assertion be reconciled when one of his forebears is characterized in the Quran as pitted foe against Allah? \\n\\nFurthermore, in verses [\"},{\"attributes\":{\"link\":\"https://quran.com/en/ibrahim/39-41\"},\"insert\":\"14:39-41\"},{\"insert\":\"], towards the conclusion of Ibrahim's narrative, later in his life following the birth of Ismael and Ishaq, he supplicates for his parents. However, the term used is the dual form of \\\"walid\\\". In these verses, there is no ambiguity that Ibrahim is referring to his biological parents because the term \\\"walid\\\" is used, and \\\"walid\\\" is derived from the root \\\"al-wilada,\\\" which pertains to giving birth, begetting, and procreating. How is it conceivable that Ibrahim, after disowning his \\\"father,\\\" would implore Allah for his forgiveness and include him among the believers?\\n\"},{\"attributes\":{\"bold\":true},\"insert\":\" ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِى وَهَبَ لِى عَلَى ٱلْكِبَرِ إِسْمَـٰعِيلَ وَإِسْحَـٰقَ ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّى لَسَمِيعُ ٱلدُّعَآءِ رَبِّ ٱجْعَلْنِى مُقِيمَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِى ۚ رَبَّنَا وَتَقَبَّلْ دُعَآءِ رَبَّنَا ٱغْفِرْ لِى وَلِوَٰلِدَىَّ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَوْمَ يَقُومُ ٱلْحِسَابُ \"},{\"attributes\":{\"align\":\"right\"},\"insert\":\"\\n\"},{\"insert\":\"\\\"\"},{\"attributes\":{\"bold\":true},\"insert\":\"All praise to Allah who has bestowed me for all my years Ishmael and Isaac. Verily my Lord is the Hearer of prayers. My Lord, make me keep well the prayer, and of my offspring, our Lord; And graciously accept my plea. Our Lord, forgive me and my parents, and all believers, on the day the Reckoning shall stand.\"},{\"insert\":\"\\\"\\n\\nThis is the stance with which I aspire to meet Allah, and Allah knows best.\\n\"}]}","tags":[{"_id":"668d9fe70b76658b4c2328a0","tag":"Quran: Tafseer","count":34},{"_id":"668d9fe90b76658b4c2328ce","tag":"Aqeedah: The Prophets","count":28},{"_id":"668d9fea0b76658b4c232905","tag":"Aqeedah: Muhammad ﷺ","count":20},{"_id":"668d9feb0b76658b4c23290a","tag":"Seerah: Lineage of the Prophet","count":4},{"_id":"668d9feb0b76658b4c23290d","tag":"Ibrahim","count":1}],"createdOn":"2024-07-09T20:39:07.293Z"}