English Translation of Al-Quran
[37].Surah As-Saffat (Those Ranged in Ranks)
Ayat 103. Then, when they had both submitted themselves (to the Will of Allah), and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead (or on the side of his forehead for slaughtering);
Ayat 104. And Allah called out to him: “O Abraham!
Ayat 105. You have fulfilled the dream (vision)!” Verily! Thus do Allah reward the Muhsinun (good-doers – see V.2:112).
Ayat 106. Verily, that indeed was a manifest trial.
Ayat 107. And Allah ransomed him with a great sacrifice (i.e. a ram);
Ayat 108. And Allah left for him (a goodly remembrance) among generations (to come) in later times.
Ayat 109. Salamun (peace) be upon Ibrahim (Abraham)!”
Ayat 110. Thus, indeed do Allah reward the Muhsinun (good-doers).
Ayat 111. Verily, he was one of Allah’s believing servants.
Tafseer of Surah As-Saffat (Those Ranged in Ranks) Ayat 103. So, when they had both submitted their wills (to Allah. and he had laid prostrate on his forehead (for sacrifice), Note that the sacrifice was demanded of both Abraham and Ismail. It was a trial of the will of the father and the son. By way of trial the father had the command conveyed to him in a vision. He consulted the son. The son readily consented, and offered to stand true to his promise if his self-sacrifice was really required. The whole thing is symbolic. Allah does not require the flesh and blood of animals (22:37), much less of human beings. But he does require the giving of our whole being to Allah, the symbol of which is that we should give up something very dear to us, if Duty requires that sacrifice, our version may be compared with the Jewish-Christian version of the present Old Testament. The Jewish tradition, in order to glorify the younger branch of the family, descended from Isaac, ancestor of the Jews, as against the elder branch, descended from Ismail, ancestor of the Arabs, refers this sacrifice to Isaac (Gen. 22:1-18). Now Isaac was born when Abraham was 100 years old, while Ismail was born to Abraham when Abraham was 86 years old. Ismail was therefore 14 years older than Isaac. During his first 14 years Ismail was the only son of Abraham; at no time was Isaac the only son of Abraham. Yet, in speaking of the sacrifice, the Old Testament says: ‘And He said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah : and offer him there for a burnt offering…” This slip shows at any rate which was the older version, and how it was overlaid, like the present Jewish records, in the interests of a tribal religion. The “land of Moriah” is not clear: it was a three day journey from Abraham’s place (Gen. 22:4). There is less warrant for identifying it with the hill of Moriah on which Jerusalem was afterwards built than with the hill of Marwah which is identified with the Arab tradition about Ismail. 104. We called out to him, “O Abraham! In the Biblical version Isaac’s consent is not taken: in fact Isaac asks, ‘where is the lamb for sacrifice?’ and is told that ‘God would provide it’. It is a complete human sacrifice like those to Moloch. In our version it is as much a sacrifice by the will of Ismail as by that of Abraham. And in any case it is symbolic: “this was obviously a trial”; “thou hast already fulfilled thy vision”: etc. 105. “Thou hast already fulfilled the vision!” – Thus indeed do Allah reward those who do right. 106. For this was obviously a trial- 107. And Allah ransomed him with a momentous sacrifice: The adjective qualifying “sacrifice” here, ‘Azim, (great, momentous) may be understood both in a literal and a figurative sense. In a literal sense it implies that a fine sheep or ram was substituted symbolically. The figurative sense is even more important. It was indeed a great and momentous occasion, when two men, with concerted will, “ranged themselves in the ranks” of those to whom self-sacrifice in the service of Allah was the supreme thing in life. In this sense, said Jesus, “he that loses his life for my sake shall find it”, (Matt. 10:39). 108. And We left (this blessing) for him among generations (to come) in later times: Cf. above, 37:78-81, also 43:28. 109. “Peace and salutation to Abraham!” 110. Thus indeed do Allah reward those who do right. 111. For he was one of our believing Servants.
English Translation of Hadith
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ [SAWW](PBUH) said, “When a man dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things: Sadaqah Jariyah (ceaseless charity); a knowledge which is beneficial, or a virtuous descendant (pious son) who prays for him (for the deceased).”
[Muslim Book 13,Chapter 04, Hadith # 4005].
Lesson : as mentioned above in Surah Maryam Ayat 14.”And dutiful towards his parents, and he was neither an arrogant nor disobedient (to Allah or to his parents)” “His deeds come to an end” means that he does not any longer receive the return and reward on his actions. But there are three categories of actions on which he receives reward even after his death. First, Sadaqah Jariyah such as building a mosque, or a hospital, or digging a well. As long as people will benefit from these, he will receive a reward for them. Second, “knowledge which is beneficial” means to impart knowledge to others or to propagate knowledge by means of one’s books. As long as this medium of teaching will continue and his books will be studied and people will benefit from them, he will receive a reward for it. Third, virtuous descendants. Training of children on the right lines is essential so that after a person’s death they continue to pray for him. The prayer of children in favour of parents is highly useful.
