Tafsir of Hud 11:75

"Indeed, Abraham was forbearing" (not hasty in taking revenge against those who did him wrong), "compassionate" (frequently sighing out of fear of sins, and expressing sorrow for the people), "penitent" (returning to Allah, the Exalted).

The intent behind describing him—peace be upon him—with these attributes, which signify compassion and a tender heart, is to clarify what motivated the argumentation that proceeded from him. To interpret "forbearance" as the absence of haste and as deliberation in matters absolutely, and to make the purpose of this description an explanation of what compelled him to argue, and why he did so only after the fear had departed and the glad tidings had arrived, is a matter whose state [of weakness] is not hidden.