Tafsir of Maryam 19:49-50

Surah Maryam (19): Verses 49-50

[49] So when he withdrew from them and that which they worshipped besides Allah, We gave him Isaac and Jacob, and We made each of them a prophet.

Know that no one has suffered a loss by turning to Allah. When Abraham (peace be upon him) withdrew from his people in their religion and their land, and chose to emigrate to his Lord as commanded, this did not harm him in his religion or his worldly life. Rather, it benefited him. Allah compensated him with prophetic offspring. There is no higher status for a human being in religion or in this world than for Allah to appoint him as a Messenger to His creation, obligating humanity to obey and submit to him, in addition to the immense station he achieves in the Hereafter. Thus, Allah making them prophets was one of the greatest blessings in this world and the next.

[50] And We bestowed upon him of Our Mercy: Isaac and Jacob, and We made each of them a prophet.

Then, the Exalted explained that, in addition to what He bestowed upon him (prophethood), He also granted him from His Mercy: meaning, He granted him the prophethood that He granted, and this includes wealth, prestige, followers, pure lineage, and good progeny.

Then He said: {And We granted him a legacy of truth, exalted.} (This refers to the phrase in verse 50: wa ja'alnā lahu lisāna ṣidqin 'aliyyā - though the excerpt seems to conflate the narrative flow slightly, referencing the request from Surah Ash-Shu'ara).

The "legacy of truth" (lisān al-ṣidq) is the good reputation and praise. The term lisān (tongue) is used metaphorically for what is expressed by the tongue, just as the hand is used metaphorically for the gift given by the hand (i.e., the giving itself). Allah answered his supplication: {And grant me a legacy of truth among those who come after me} (Ash-Shu'ara: 84). He made him a role model, such that all adherents of religions claim him, and Allah the Almighty said: {The religion of your father Abraham} (Al-Hajj: 78), and {Then We revealed to you: "Follow the religion of Abraham, inclining to truth} (An-Nahl: 123).

Some scholars stated that when the Intimate Friend (Abraham) withdrew from the people, as stated in {And I will withdraw from you and that which you invoke besides Allah} (Maryam: 48), consequently Allah blessed his offspring, saying: {And We bestowed upon him Isaac and Jacob, and We made each of them a prophet.}

Secondly, when he disavowed his father for the sake of Allah, as stated in {But when it became clear to him that he was an enemy to Allah, he disassociated himself from him. Indeed, Abraham was compassionate, forbearing} (At-Tawbah: 114), consequently Allah named him the father of the Muslims, saying: {The religion of your father Abraham}.

Thirdly, when he laid his son upon his forehead for slaughter, as stated in {So when they had both submitted and he had laid him down upon his forehead} (As-Saffat: 103), consequently Allah redeemed him with a great sacrifice, as stated in {And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice} (As-Saffat: 107).

Fourthly, when he submitted his own self, saying: {I have submitted myself to the Lord of the worlds} (Al-Baqarah: 131), Allah made the fire cool and safe for him, saying: {We said, "O fire, be cool and safe for Abraham"} (Al-Anbiya: 69).

Fifthly, when he felt compassion for this Ummah and said: {Our Lord, and send among them a Messenger from themselves} (Al-Baqarah: 129), consequently Allah associated him with the five daily prayers, just as blessings are sent upon Abraham and the family of Abraham.

Sixthly, concerning Sarah, due to His statement: {And Abraham, who fulfilled [his covenant]} (An-Najm: 37), consequently Allah made the place where his feet trod blessed: {And take, from the standing place of Abraham, a place of prayer} (Al-Baqarah: 125).

Seventhly, when he declared enmity towards all creation for the sake of Allah, saying: {Indeed, they are an enemy to me except the Lord of the worlds} (Ash-Shu'ara: 77), consequently Allah took him as a close friend (Khalil), as stated in {And Allah took Abraham as a close friend} (An-Nisa: 125). This confirms the truth of our assertion that no one suffers a loss by turning to Allah.

(The Fourth Story: The Story of Moses, peace be upon him)

**[7] {And mention in the Book Moses. Indeed, he was chosen, and he was a messenger, a prophet. And We called him from the right side of the Mount, and brought him near for a private conference. And We granted him from Our Mercy his brother Aaron, as a prophet.}**