The first mention of Abraham in the Quran is unique and challenging the Pre-Islamic Arabs, the Jews, the Christians, the Scientists of Archeology and the Religious Study Scholars of in order to encourage them to look for the truth.
————————————–
The Noble Quran is not a human book; it is the book revealed by Allah.
If an author or editor tries to mention the great Prophet Abraham, he will begin saying Abraham was born in … and his father was …, he married …, he begat two sons, whose names are …, he travelled to …etc.
Nevertheless, Allah is not like us to say that!
The Almighty Creator knew that the Quran would revealed on an Arabic man (Muhammad)
The Almighty Creator knew that the surrounding media, culture and people’s belief around his last Prophet Muhammad classified into three major groups:
1) The Arabs
2) The Jews
3) The Christians
Allah knew that all of them know, respect and love the great Prophet Abraham.
The Arabs believed that they are Abraham’s descendants through his first son Ishmael.
The Jews and Christians believed that they are Abraham’s descendants through his second son Isaac.
All of them present the great respect and love of Abraham.
Now look how Allah mentions Abraham for the first time in the Quran.
The meanings of the verses 87:14-19:
Indeed, the successful is the one who Purifies himself and cleanses his heart by means of his adherence to faith; and mentions the Name of his Lord, saying “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is Greatest) and then prays
Listen to how the Muslims mentions the Name of Allah before they pray.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_LN0hznp-A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oolV-slw_AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZ3kktD5gvk
Back to the verses that say:
However, you (man) prefer the life of this world to the Hereafter while the hereafter is better and more lasting and the Paradise it entails is the best and everlasting.
Nevertheless, what about Abraham?
The verses say:
Truly this, the success of those who purify themselves and the hereafter being better, is in the former scrolls, the books revealed before the Quran.
Strictly, this is in the book of Abraham and Moses.
This is how the Quran first mentions the great Prophet Abraham.
This first mention is unique in its style and purpose.
In addition, this first mention is challenging.
- It is challenging to the Pre-Islamic Arabs who were idolaters and denying the Afterlife; they thought that they were following Abraham’s religion.
- It is challenging to the Jews and Christians who believed in the Book of Moses (the Genuine Torah); the Quran says to them where the above meanings in your present Torah are?
- It is challenging to the Scientists of Archeology and the Scholars of Religions; the Quran says to them where the Book of Abraham is? Where the Book revealed unto the great Prophet Abraham is?
The verse 87:19 is the first verse of the Quran that mentions Abraham.
It follows that the unique first mention of Abraham in the Quran is challenging to: the Pre-Islamic Arabs,
- The Jews,
- The Christians,
- The Scientists of Archeology and
- The Scholars of Religions
In order to encourage them to look for the truth.
————————————–
The verses 87:14-19 in different translations:
QARIB:
Prosperous is he who purifies himself, and remembers the name of his lord, so he prays.
But you prefer the present life, but the everlasting life is better, and more enduring.
Surely, this is in the ancient scrolls, the scrolls of Abraham and Moses.
SHAKIR:
He indeed shall be successful who purifies himself, and magnifies the name of his lord and prays
Nay! You prefer the life of this world, while the hereafter is better and more lasting
Most surely, this is in the earlier scriptures, the scriptures of Ibrahim and Musa
PICKTHAL:
He is successful who groweth, and remembereth the name of his lord, so prayeth,
But ye prefer the life of the world although the hereafter is better and more lasting.
Lo! This is in the former scrolls. The books of Abraham and Moses.
YUSUFALI:
But those will prosper who purify themselves, and glorify the name of their guardian-lord, and (lift their hearts) in prayer.
Day (behold), ye prefer the life of this world; but the hereafter is better and more enduring.
And this is in the books of the earliest (revelation), – the books of Abraham and Moses.
Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Khalil wrote this article.
Safaafromcaeg's Blog 