Surah 14: The Prophet Abraham

Surah 14: The Prophet Abraham - Overview

Verses	Description
14:1-27	Revelation leads from darkness to light; Messengers must prevail: Truth is as a goodly tree, with firm roots, spreading branches, and perennial fruit
14:28-52	Evil tries to mislead: the godly should be on their guard: Abraham's Prayer

Introduction

For the chronology and the general arguments of this Surah in the series Surahs 10 to 15, see Introduction to Surah 10.

The special subject matter of this Surah is a continuation of the concluding portion of the last Surah, which explained how God's revelation gains ground in spite of selfish men's opposition. Here illustrations are given from the story of Moses and Abraham, and Abraham's Prayer for Makkah forms the core of the Surah.

Summary

The Sure Trust [14:1-27] Revelation leads mankind from the depths of darkness into light. It comes to every age and nation in its own language. So was it before; so it is always. The Prophets were doubted, insulted, threatened, and persecuted. But their trust was sure in God. It is Evil that will be wiped out. God's Truth is a goodly tree, firmly established on its roots, stretching its branches high and wide, and bearing good fruit at all times.

2- Why will men receive God's grace? Why will they choose to go astray? Abraham prayed to be saved from infidelity, himself and his posterity, and he prayed for Makkah, the city of the new revelation through Arabia. Good and Evil will find their proper retribution, and God's Plan of Unity will prevail. (14:28-52)

Guarding Against Falsehood [14:28-52] But the evil not only choose evil for themselves but mislead others to perdition. The godly should learn from the Signs of God all around them, and be on their guard against all that is false. So Abraham prayed not only for his posterity, but for all: for he foresaw the universality of God's Message in Islam, that leads to the sublime doctrine of Oneness, which will be seen in its fullness on the Great Day when a new Earth and a new Heaven will proclaim the end of Evil an the adjustment of all this life's accounts.