Muslim Fathers in the Quran: Muhammad

MUHAMMAD peace be upon him

This post is part 8 of the series about Muslim Fathers mentioned in the Quran. Translation is by T. B. Irving (http://isgkc.org/translat.htm)

(Al-Ahzab) 33:40
Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but [he is] God's messenger and the Seal of the Prophets. God is Aware of everything!

(Al-Kauther) 108
[Muhammad bin Ishaq says: "Whenever the Prophet (peace be upon him) was mentioned before As bin Wa'il as-Sehmi, the chief of Makkah, he used to say: Let him alone for he is only a childless man (abtar) with no male offspring. When he dies, there will be no one to remember him." God just in one sentence of this brief Surah gave Prophet (peace be upon him) the good news, besides the decision that it will be his opponents who will be cut off from their root and not he!]

We have given you plenty [Al-Kauther],
so pray to your Lord and sacrifice
since your opponent is the one
who will be lopped off [abtar]

Muslim Fathers in the Quran: David and Solomon

DAVID (Dawood) and SOLOMON (Sulaiman) peace be upon them

This post is part 7 of the series about Muslim Fathers mentioned in the Quran. Translation is by T. B. Irving (http://isgkc.org/translat.htm)

(Sad) 38:30-33
We bestowed Solomon on David. How favored was such a servant; he was so attentive! When the thoroughbreds were led out to prance before him in the evening, he said: "I have loved good things instead of remembering God," until the [sun] was concealed behind the veil [of night again]. Bring them back to me!" [he said], and he started to stroke their legs and necks.

Muslim Fathers in the Quran: Luqman

LUQMAN peace be upon him

This post is part 6 of the series about Muslim Fathers mentioned in the Quran. Translation is by T. B. Irving (http://isgkc.org/translat.htm)

(Luqman) 31: 13
Thus Luqman told his son as he was instructing him: "My dear son, do not associate anything [in your worship] of God [Alone]. Association is such a serious wrong!"

(Luqman) 31: 16-19
"My dear son, if there existed the weight of a mustard seed, and it lay in some boulder in either Heaven or Earth, God would still bring it forth. God is so Gracious, Informed.
"My dear son, keep up prayer, command what is proper and forbid dishonor. Endure patiently whatever may afflict you; for that shows determination in [handling] matters. Do not sneer down your cheek at other men nor walk brashly around the earth: God does not love every swaggering boaster. Act modestly in the way you walk, and lower your voice:
The ugliest sound is a donkey's voice!

Muslim Fathers in the Quran: Zacharia and John

ZACHARIA (Zakaria) and John (Yahya) peace be upon them

This post is part 5 of the series about Muslim Fathers mentioned in the Quran. Translation is by T. B. Irving (http://isgkc.org/translat.htm)

(Maryam) 19:2-15
[This is] a Reminder of your Lord's mercy towards his servant Zachariah when he appealed to his Lord with a suppressed cry. He said: "My Lord, my bones are tottering for me and my head is glistening with white hair, while I have never been grumbling in my appeal to You, my Lord! Yet I fear for my heirs after me from Your presence who may inherit from me, and inherit from Jacob's house. Make him someone we can approve of, my Lord!"
"Zachariah, We bring you news about a boy whose name will be John. We have not given such a name to anyone before." He said: "My Lord, how will I have a boy while my wife is barren and I have reached such extreme old age?" He said: "Just as your Lord has said: 'It is a trifling thing for me [to do]. I created you before while you were still nothing!"' He said: "My Lord, grant me a sign!" He said: "Your sign will be that you will not speak to any people for three nights in a row." He came forth to his folk from the sanctuary and revealed to them how they should glorify [God] both morning and evening.
"John, hold firmly to the Book." We gave him discretion as a young boy plus compassion from Our presence and innocence. He was conscientious and considerate towards his parents, and was not demanding, rebellious. Peace be upon him the day he was born, and the day he will die, and the day he is raised to life again!

Muslim Fathers in the Quran: Jacob and Joseph

This post is part 4 of the series about Muslim Fathers mentioned in the Quran. Specifically, those verses are selected where interaction of Muslim Fathers with their kids is mentioned. Translation is by T. B. Irving (http://isgkc.org/translat.htm)

JACOB (Yaqub) and JOSEPH (Yusuf) peace be upon them

(Al-Baqara) 43:133
Or were you present as death appeared for Jacob, when he said to his sons: "What will you serve after I am gone?" They said: 'We shall worship your God and the God of your forefathers Abraham, Ishmael and Isaac: God Alone! We are committed peacefully to Him."

(Joseph) 12: misc verses

So Joseph told his father: "My father, I saw eleven stars, and the sun and moon; I saw them bowing down before me!" He said: "My dear son, do not relate your vision to your brothers lest they may lay some trap for you; Satan is an open enemy to man. Thus your Lord is choosing you and teaching you how to interpret events, and completing His favor towards you and Jacob's house, just as He has already completed it towards both your forefathers Abraham and Isaac. Your Lord is Aware, Wise!"

... They [Joseph’s brothers] said: "Our father, what's wrong with you that you do not trust us with Joseph? We are quite sincere about him. Send him along with us tomorrow to relax and play. We'll look after him." He [Jacob] said: "It would worry me for you to go off with him. I fear a wolf will eat him up while you are careless about him."

... They came back weeping to their father in the evening. They said: "Our father, we went off racing and left Joseph with our belongings, and the wolf ate him up! You will not believe us even though we are telling the truth." They even came with false blood on his shirt. He said: "Rather you yourselves have been fooled in the matter. Patience is beautiful! God is the One to seek help from against what you describe."

... When they [Joseph’s brothers] returned to their father, they said: "Our father [further] measure has been denied us, so send our brother [Benjamin] along with us so we may be treated as customers. We'll look after him." He [Jacob] said: "How dare I trust you with him except as I entrusted you with his brother long ago? God is the best Guardian and the most Merciful of Mercy-granters." When they opened their baggage, they found their trading goods had been returned to them. They said: "Our father, what more do we desire than this? This merchandise of ours has been returned to us! We shall supply our family, look after our brother, and add a camel's load [to it] besides: that should be such an easy load!" He said: 'I will never send him with you until you give me some assurance before God that you will bring him back to me, unless you have been ambushed." When they had given him their pledge, he said: "God is a Trustee for what we say." He said: "My sons, do not enter by a single gate; enter rather by separate gates. I cannot help you in any way against God; discretion rests only with God. On Him have I relied, and on Him should reliant persons rely."

... Return to your father and say: 'Our father, your son has stolen something! Yet we testify only about what we know and are not guardians of the Unseen. Ask the town[sfolk] where we have been and the caravan which we came back in; we are telling the truth!"' He [Jacob] said: 'Rather you have fooled yourselves in the matter. Patience is a virtue! Perhaps God will bring them all back to me; He is the Aware, the Wise." He turned away from them and said: "How upset I feel over Joseph!" Both his eyes clouded over from sadness, so he choked back his grief. They said: 'By God, you keep on remembering Joseph until you will be exhausted or will be ready to die!" He said: "I complain only to God about my sorrow and my sadness. Through God I know something you do not know. My sons, go and search for Joseph and his brother; do not despair of [finding] God's comfort; only disbelieving folk despair of God's comfort."

... He [Joseph] said: "There is no [way for me to] find fault with you today. God will forgive you; He is the most Merciful of the Mercy-granting. Take this shirt of mine and throw it over my father's face; he will become sighted [again], Bring me all your family." As the caravan set out, their father said: "I smell a breath from Joseph, even though you may think I am doting." They said: "By God, you are still in your old error!" When an advance rider came, he threw it over his [Jacob’s] face, and his sight was restored. He [Jacob] said: "Did I not tell you that through God I know something that you do not know?" They said: "Our father, seek us forgiveness for our offences! We have been mistaken." He said: "I shall seek forgiveness for you from my Lord; He is the Forgiving, the Merciful."

... When they entered Joseph's office, he took both his parents aside and said: "Enter Egypt safely, if God wishes." He helped his parents up on to the platform, and they fell down on their knees before him. He said: "My father, this is the interpretation of my earlier vision. My Lord has made it come true! He was Kind to me when He let me out of jail, and brought you in from wandering on the desert after Satan had stirred up trouble between me and my brothers. My Lord is Gracious in whatever way He wishes; He is the Aware, the Wise.

Muslim Fathers in the Quran: Abraham [as a son]

This post is part 3 of the series about Muslim Fathers mentioned in the Quran. Specifically, those verses are selected where interaction of Muslim Fathers with their kids is mentioned. Translation is by T. B. Irving (http://isgkc.org/translat.htm)

Abraham (Ibrahim) peace be upon him [as a son]

(Al-Anaam) 6:74
Thus Abraham said to his father Azar: "Do you accept idols as gods? I see you and your folk are in obvious error."

(Maryam) 19:42-49
Mention Abraham in the Book. He was a truthful prophet when he told his father: "My father, why do you worship something that neither hears nor perceives [anything], and does not benefit you in anyway"? My father, I have been given some knowledge which has not come to you, so follow me: I'll guide you along a Level Road. My father, do not serve Satan! Satan was defiant towards the Mercy-giving. My father, I fear lest some torment from the Mercy-giving should afflict you, and you become a partisan of Satan."
He said: "Do you dislike my gods, Abraham? If you do not stop, I'll cast you out. Leave me alone as soon as you can!"
He said: "Peace be upon you! I'll seek forgiveness for you from my Lord; He has been so Gracious towards me. I'll move away from you (all) and from anything you appeal to instead of God. I shall appeal to my Lord; perhaps I'll not feel quite so miserable with my Lord's appeal."
When he moved away from them and what they worshipped instead of God, We bestowed Isaac and Jacob on him. Each We made a prophet. We bestowed some of Our mercy on them and granted them a sublime tongue for telling truth.

(Al-Anbiya) 21:51-57
We gave Abraham his integrity long ago, and We were (fully) Conscious of him when he told his father and his folk: "What are these images which you are so devoted to?" They said: "We found our forefathers serving them." He said: "You and your forefathers have been in such obvious error." They said: "Have you brought us the Truth, or are you just a trifler?" He said: "Rather your Lord is the Lord of Heaven and Earth, and the One Who originated them, while I am another witness for that. By God, I am planning to confound your idols once you have turned your backs!"

(As-Shuara) 26:69-89
Recite Abraham's news to them when he said to his father and his folk: "What are you worshipping?" They said; "We worship idols, and are utterly devoted to them." He said; "Do they hear you when you call, or benefit you or harm [you]?" They said: "Rather we found our fathers doing so."
He said: "Have you ever seen what you have been worshipping, you and your forefathers, the oldtimers? They are enemies of mine, except for the Lord of the Universe Who created me. He guides me and is the One Who feeds me and gives me something to drink. Whenever I fall ill, He heals me; [He is] the One Who will cause me to die, then bring me back to life [again]; the One Who I expect will forgive me my mistakes on the Day for Repayment.
"My Lord, bestow discretion on me and acquaint me with honorable men! Grant me a truthful reputation among later men, Grant me an inheritance in the Garden of Bliss. Forgive my father even though he may be [considered] lost. Do not disgrace me on the day they are raised up again, the day when neither wealth nor children will benefit anyone except for someone who comes to God with a sound heart."

(At-Tawba) 9:114
Abraham pleaded for forgiveness on behalf of his father only because of a promise he had made to him. When it became clear to him that he was God's enemy, he declared his innocence of him. Abraham was concerned, lenient.

(As-Saaffat) 37:83-101
To his sect belonged Abraham when he came to his Lord with a sound heart as he said to his father and his people: "What are you worshipping? Is it some sham; do you want (other) gods instead of God [Himself]. What is your opinion concerning the Lord of the Universe?"
So he took a glance at the stars and said: "I feel heartsick!" They turned their backs on him: so he shifted [his attention] to their (false) gods, and said: "Don’t you eat? What is wrong with you that you don’t utter a word?" He aimed a blow at them with his right hand. They quickly pounced on him. He said: "Do you worship something you have been carving, while God created you and whatever you make?" They said: "Build him a pyre and cast him into Hades!" They wanted to plot against him, so We made them come out on the shorter end of things. He said; "I am going away to [meet] my Lord; He will guide me! My Lord, bestow some honorable men on me!" So We gave him news about an even-tempered boy.

(Az-Zukhruf) 43:26-28
Thus Abraham told his father and his folk: "I am innocent of what you are serving. Only the One Who originated me will guide me!" He left it as an enduring word with his posterity so they might return (to it).

Muslim Fathers in the Quran: Abraham

This post is part 2 of the series about Muslim Fathers mentioned in the Quran. Specifically, those verses are selected where interaction of Muslim Fathers with their kids is mentioned. Translation is by T. B. Irving (http://isgkc.org/translat.htm)

Abraham (Ibrahim) peace be upon him [as a Father]

(Al-Baqara) 2:124
When his Lord tested Abraham by means of [certain] words, and he fulfilled them, He said: "I am going to make you into a leader for mankind." He said: "What about my offspring?"; He said: "My pledge not apply to evildoers."

(Al-Baqara) 2:127-132
Thus Abraham along with Ishmael laid the foundations for the House: "Our Lord, accept this from us! Indeed You are the Alert, the Aware! Our Lord, leave us peacefully committed to You, and make our offspring into a nation which is at peace with you. Show us our ceremonies and turn towards us. You are so Relenting, the Merciful! Our Lord, send a messenger in among them from among themselves who will recite Your verses to them and teach them the Book and wisdom! He will purify them, for You are the Powerful, the Wise!" Who would shrink from [joining] Abraham's sect except someone who fools himself? We selected him during worldly life, while in the Hereafter he will be among the honorable ones. So when his Lord told him: "Commit yourself to [live in] peace"; he said: "I have already committed myself peacefully to the Lord of the Universe!" Abraham commissioned his sons with it [as a legacy], and [so did] Jacob: "My sons, God has selected your religion for you. Do not die unless you are Muslims."

(Hud) 11:69-75
Our messengers came to Abraham with good news. They said: "Peace!"; he said: 'Peace!", and immediately set about bringing in a roast calf. When he saw their hands did not reach out towards it, he felt uneasy with them and started to be afraid of them. They said: "Do not act afraid; we have been sent to Lot's folk."
His wife was standing by and she laughed, so We informed her about Isaac, and following Isaac, Jacob. She said: "It's too bad for me! Shall I bear a child while I am an old woman and this husband of mine is elderly? That would be an amazing thing!" They said: "Do you marvel at God's command? God's mercy and blessings are on all you people in [this] house. He is Praiseworthy, Glorious!"
So when his dismay left Abraham and the news came (home) to him, he pleaded with Us about Lot's folk; Abraham was so lenient, worried, concerned.

(Ibrahim) 14:35-41
So Abraham said:
"My Lord, make this countryside safe and keep me and my sons away from worshipping idols. My Lord, they have led so many men astray! Anyone who follows me belongs to me, just as anyone who disobeys me [will still find] You are Forgiving, Merciful.
"Our Lord, I have had some of my offspring reside in a valley without any crops alongside Your Hallowed House, our Lord, so that they may keep up prayer. Make men's vitals feel fond of them, and provide them with fruit so they may act grateful.
"Our Lord, You know whatever we hide and whatever We display, nothing on earth nor in the sky is hidden from God. Praise be to God Who has bestowed Ishmael and Isaac on me in my old age. My Lord is so Alert to anyone's appeal!
"My Lord, make me keep up prayer, and have my offspring [do so too]. "Our Lord, accept my appeal! Our Lord, forgive me, both my parents, and believers on the Day when the Reckoning will be set up!"

(Al-Anbiya) 21:69-73
We said: "Fire, be cool, and safe for Abraham!" They wanted to outwit him, so We made them lose the most. We rescued him and Lot, [bringing them] to a land which We had blessed for [everyone in] the Universe. We bestowed Isaac and (then) Jacob on him as an additional boon; each We made into honorable men. We made them leaders who guided (others) by Our command and We inspired them to perform good deeds, keep up prayer, and pay the welfare tax. They have been serving Us.

(As-Saaffat) 37:102-106
When [the son] reached the stage of working alongside him, he said: "My son, I saw in my sleep that I must sacrifice you. Look for whatever you may see [in it]." He said: "My father, do anything you are ordered to; you will find me to be patient, if God so wishes."
When they both had committed themselves peacefully [to God] and he had placed him face down, We called out to him: "Abraham, you have already confirmed the dream!" Thus We reward those who act kindly. This was an obvious test.

(Adh-Dhariyat) 51:24-30
Has the report of Abraham's honored guests ever come to you, when they entered his home and said: "Peace [be upon you]!"? He said: "[On you be] peace!" [even though] they were people he did not know. So he slipped off to his family and fetched a fattened calf, and brought it up to them. He said: "Will you not eat?"
He felt a fear concerning them. They said: "Dont be afraid," and gave him the news of a clever lad. His wife came up sighing, and struck her face and said: "[I'm] a barren old hag!" They said: "Even so did your Lord say. He is the Wise, the Aware!

Muslim Fathers in the Quran: Noah

This post is part I of the series about Muslim Fathers mentioned in the Quran. Specifically, those verses are selected where interaction of Muslim Fathers with their kids is mentioned. Translation is by T. B. Irving (http://isgkc.org/translat.htm)

Noah (Nuh) peace be upon him

(Hud) 11:41-43
He said: "Board her [the Ark]: "in the name of God is her sailing and her mooring; my Lord is so Forgiving, Merciful!" She sailed on with them through waves that were like mountains. Noah called out to, his son who stood aloof by himself: "My dear son, sail away with us, and do not stay with the disbelievers." He said: "I'll take refuge on a mountain which will protect me from the water." He said: "Nothing is safe today from God's command except for someone who has been shown mercy." A wave swept in between them so he was one of those who were drowned.

(Hud) 11:45-47
Noah called upon his Lord and said: 'My Lord, my son belonged to my own family, while Your promise is true, and You are the wisest Judge!" He said: "Noah, he no longer belongs to your family: his behavior was dishonorable. Do not ask Me about something you have no knowledge about; I so caution you lest you become ignorant." He said: "My Lord, I take refuge with You from asking You something I have no knowledge about. If You do not forgive me and show me mercy, I may become a loser."

(As-Saaffat) 37:75-79
Noah called out to Us, and how favored are those [like him] who respond! We saved him and his family from serious grief, and set his offspring up as survivors. We left [mention] of him among later men: "Peace be upon Noah throughout the Universe!"

Series about “Muslim” Fathers in the Quran

I am inshaAllah starting a series about “Muslim” Fathers mentioned in the Quran. Specifically, those verses are selected where interaction of Muslim Fathers with their kids is mentioned.

Notes:
- All translations are by T. B. Irving (http://isgkc.org/translat.htm)
- Convention -- 11:41-43 means Surah (Chapter) 11, verse 41 through 43.
- A “Muslim” is one who submits (to the will of God), hence by definition all prophets of God are Muslims.

Is he an angel?

Since last few months my son is with his grand parents. Recently, we have a video chat and I watched him sleeping. He was looking very cute and innocent! My love for him poured out and I thought that he is a little angel. But then on a second thought I realized that he is not an angel! … He is better than that!! He is a human --- an innocent human!!

Muslim Fathers: What and Why!

The day I realized that I miss my 1+ year old son so much that I can cry and sob for him, I decided to start writing about my bonds with him. Since he was born, slowly and over time, our bonds grew stronger and stronger. Before being a father, I remember one of my very dear friend mentioning me how it feels to be a father. At that time though I understood his point, it was hard for me to 'feel' his point --- now I do!

I still remember my 1-hour old son's closed eyes, black hairs, and soft skin. A nurse wrapped him up in a neat sheet and handed him over to me! I thought, "Oh! so thats my boy!!; well what I have to do now!!". Then I recalled that my task is to call out Adhan and Iqamah in his ears. Yes, folks, I have waited for this time since he hasn't even started kicking his mom's tummy. I took him to the side of the room and softly announced that "God is great! I witness that there is no god but God; I witness that Muhammad is the messenger of God; Come to the prayers; Come to the success; God is great!", and I was thinking that this will definitely save him from Satan, and he will not call me names when he will grow up :) I then presented this little most precious gift to my wife. We both were running high with emotions and were a little bewildered on how to handle this new experience.

And then after a day or so when the nurse waved us good bye, she commented "Your life will never be same again". How right was she!! So how is life different since then? I will share this on these pages. But let me tell you it is a worth while experience. Just one year of sharing life with my son has created a new dimension in my personality and helped me improve some old dimensions! Now I can understand my father better and love him even more! Luqman's advice to his son now moves me! I am able to better connect with some of the stories preserved in hadith literature. I have experienced a new flavor of love! My heart melts away when I see kids, especially if I can somehow able to map them onto my son.

Now I can appreciate the efforts made by the fathers to take care of their kids. I feel the exertion they go through to feed, cloth and upbring them. I share their struggle to capture the attention and love of their kids in the strong presence of their ever-loving moms. I can find them rowing upstream and living with a far less acknowledgment for this. To make things worse, Muslim fathers are in general portrait as some emotion-less creatures concerned only about the material needs of their kids. They are singled out for the "advice" by the enlightened people about the need to share the quality time with their kids. In making judgments about them, no regard is given to their efforts, feelings, and aspirations. On one hand a set of social expectations is imposed on them and on the other hand they are blamed for not being able to get rid of those social expectations! There may be many Muslim fathers who are setting up a wrong example, but by using a big broad brush all Muslim fathers are painted negative, not only by some of the non-Muslims rather sometimes by their own co-religionists!

When I realized my feelings about being a father, I looked around and I found so many Muslim fathers, who are caring, loving, concerned, responsible, and playful --- indeed fatherly! So I decided to write - to write for myself - to write for Muslim fathers!! I hope you too will join me.

So let us talk positive, let us share our stories ...

... stories about good fathers, and may be some stories about bad fathers!!
... and stories about good kids and stories about bad kids!!
... our love for kids, our love for girls and our love for boys
... our quality time with them and non-quality time with them :)
... our concerns for them, and our expectations from them

simply, let us talk ... let us talk about being a Muslim father!!

Raza