Tafsir of As-Saffat 37:102

"And when he reached..." means when he reached the age to strive alongside his father in his tasks and needs.

If you ask: To what does "with him" relate? I say: It must relate to either "reached," "striving," or an implied word. It cannot relate to "reached," as that would imply they both reached the age of striving together. It cannot relate to "striving," because the complement of a verbal noun cannot precede it. Thus, it remains as an explanatory phrase; as if, having said "when he reached the striving"—meaning the age at which he is capable of striving—it was asked, "With whom?" He replied, "With his father."

The father is specified because he is the most compassionate and tender toward him. Others might have been harsh in demanding his labor, which he could not have endured, as his strength had not yet matured nor his constitution hardened. He was thirteen years old at the time.

The intent is that despite his tender age and the instability of childhood, he possessed such firmness of intellect and breadth of heart that it emboldened him to endure that great trial and respond with that wise answer.

"He said, 'O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I am slaughtering you.'" He mentioned the interpretation of the dream. Just as one who is tested might say, having dreamt he was on a ship, "I saw in a dream that I am saved from this ordeal."

It is said: On the night of Tarwiyah, he saw someone saying to him, "God commands you to slaughter this son of yours." When morning came, he pondered this from morning until evening—was this dream from God or from Satan? Hence, it was called the Day of Tarwiyah (Pondering). When evening came, he saw the same; he knew it was from God, hence it was called the Day of Arafah (Knowing). Then he saw it a third time, and he resolved to slaughter him, so the day was called the Day of Nahr (Slaughter).

It is also said that when the angels gave him glad tidings of a forbearing boy, he said, "He is then the sacrifice of God." When he was born and reached the age of striving with him, it was said to him, "Fulfill your vow."

"So look, what do you see?" This is a consultation. It is read as mādhā tarā (what do you see/perceive of your opinion) and mādhā turā (what does your soul show you).

"Do what you are commanded." Meaning, what you are commanded to do. The preposition is omitted, just as it is in the verse: "I commanded you the good, so do what you are commanded [to do]." Or, it is an addition of the verbal noun to the object, naming the commanded thing as a "command."

If you ask: Why did he consult him regarding a matter that was a divine decree? I say: He did not consult him to defer to his opinion, but to see his state regarding the trial God had sent, to steady his footing, to comfort him if he were anxious, and to ensure he would not falter if he were patient and submissive. He informed him so that he might prepare his soul, ease the burden upon it, meet the trial as one familiar with it, and earn the reward of submission to God’s command before it descended. Furthermore, taking him by surprise would have been unseemly, and it established a precedent for consultation. It has been said: If Adam had consulted the angels regarding eating from the tree, he would not have erred.

If you ask: Why was this in a dream rather than in wakefulness? I say: Just as Joseph (peace be upon him) saw his parents and brothers prostrating to him in a dream without a revelation to his father, and as the Messenger of God (peace be upon him) was promised entry into the Sacred Mosque in a dream. This is to strengthen the evidence of their truthfulness and being confirmed by God; for the state is either wakefulness or sleep. When both states confirm the truth, the evidence is stronger than if only one did.

"And when they had both submitted, and he put him down upon his forehead. And We called to him, 'O Abraham, you have fulfilled the vision.' Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good. Indeed, this was the clear trial. And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice. And We left for him [favorable mention] among later generations: 'Peace upon Abraham.' Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good. Indeed, he was of Our believing servants."