Tafsir In Ibrahim Kana Umma li-Ibn Tulun
- Author died
- 953 AH
- Editions
- Dār Ibn Ḥazm
Tafsir In Ibrahim Kana Umma li-Ibn Tulun (Arabic: Risālah fī Tafsīr Qawlihi Ta‘ālā: Inna Ibrāhīma Kāna Ummah) is a specialized Quranic commentary treatise by the Damascene scholar Ibn Tulun (d. 953 AH / 1546 CE), dedicated to the exegesis of verses 120–123 of Surah al-Nahl concerning Prophet Ibrahim.
Scope and Exegetical Method
The treatise focuses on the passage beginning with the divine statement: إِنَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ كَانَ أُمَّةً قَانِتًا لِلَّهِ حَنِيفًا وَلَمْ يَكُ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ ("Indeed, Abraham was a nation, obedient to God, upright, and he was not of the polytheists") up to the command: ثُمَّ أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ أَنِ اتَّبِعْ مِلَّةَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ حَنِيفًا وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ ("Then We revealed to you to follow the religion of Abraham, upright, and he was not of the polytheists"). In his commentary, the author provides detailed linguistic, theological, and hadith-based explanations for each attribute ascribed to Ibrahim in these verses.
For the descriptor ummah (nation/leader), the work cites authorities such as al-Raghib al-Isfahani and al-Zamakhshari, explaining that Ibrahim stood in place of an entire community in his worship of God, encompassed all qualities of goodness, stood as a solitary believer when mankind was immersed in disbelief, and functioned as an imām and teacher of righteousness—paralleling Abdullah ibn Mas'ud's remark regarding Mu'adh ibn Jabal. The term qānit is defined as one constantly obedient and submissive to God, while ḥanīf is explained as inclining firmly toward Islam and turning away from error toward uprightness.
The treatise emphasizes that the negation of polytheism ( وَلَمْ يَكُ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ ) served to refute both the polytheists of Quraysh, who falsely claimed adherence to Ibrahim's religion while practicing idolatry, and the claims of the Jews and Christians. In discussing Ibrahim's gratitude ( شَاكِرًا لِأَنْعُمِهِ ), the author defines shukr as recognizing and demonstrating divine favor through the heart, tongue, and limbs, and highlights Ibrahim's famous practice of hospitality as the first human to host guests. Explaining the phrase وَآتَيْنَاهُ فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً ("And We gave him good in this world"), the work notes interpretations such as blessings in lineage, exalted mention across all religions, and the invocation of blessings upon him in daily prayers. Regarding the command to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to follow the creed of Ibrahim, the author argues for a general application across all aspects of Islamic monotheism and practice.
Traditions and Virtues of Ibrahim
Beyond verse-by-verse commentary, the treatise compiles transmitted hadiths and reports regarding Ibrahim's life, physical traits, and eschatological virtues:
- Physical description and status: Reports recounting the Prophet's ﷺ vision of Ibrahim during the Night Journey, noting his close physical resemblance to Muhammad ﷺ. The author reconciles the narration where the Prophet ﷺ calls Ibrahim ذاك إبراهيم ("That is Ibrahim") in response to being addressed as "the best of creation" with the narration أنا سيد ولد آدم ولا فخر ("I am the master of the children of Adam, without boast") by attributing the former to humility and reverence for Ibrahim's paternity and intimate friendship with God.
- Circumcision and hygiene practices: Narrations stating that Ibrahim was circumcised at age eighty using an adze tool (al-qadūm)—or according to an alternative report, at age one hundred and twenty—and that he was the first to experience gray hair, trim his mustache, pare his nails, and establish the innate hygienic customs (sunan al-fiṭrah).
- Theological clarification on revival of the dead: An analysis of the prophetic tradition نحن أحق بالشك من إبراهيم ("We have more right to doubt than Ibrahim"), quoting al-Muzani and others to affirm that doubt was impossible for Ibrahim; his request ( رَبِّ أَرِنِي كَيْفَ تُحْيِ الْمَوْتَى ) sought advancement from inferential knowledge (‘ilm al-yaqīn) to direct visual certainty (‘ayn al-yaqīn).
- Scrolls of Ibrahim: The long report from Abu Dharr through Ibn Hibban describing the ten divine scrolls revealed to Ibrahim and their moral parables on governing justly, safeguarding speech, and dividing one's time between worship, self-accounting, reflection, and worldly needs.
- Eschatology and trials: Traditions establishing that Ibrahim will be the first creature clothed on the Day of Resurrection, his encounter with his father Azar who will be transformed into a hyena before being cast into the Fire, the command to kill geckos because they blew into the fire prepared for Ibrahim, and Ibrahim's invocation of حسبنا الله ونعم الوكيل ("Sufficient for us is God, and He is the best Disposer of affairs") when cast into the blaze.
Publication
The treatise was edited by Muhammad Khayr Ramadan Yusuf and published in Beirut by Dar Ibn Hazm in 1417 AH / 1997 CE.
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