Surah ash-Shu`ara' (The Poets ) 26 : 82

Explanatory Note

Abraham, a prophet and a messenger of God, who knows his Lord and feels his presence and care in such a way, acknowledging such a close relationship with Him, expresses his dearest hope that on the Day of Judgement, God will forgive him his faults. He does not entertain any thought that he is without fault. Indeed he acknowledges that he has these, but hopes to receive more of God’s grace. He does not feel that his deeds, good as they may be, deserve any credit, but hopes for God’s mercy and forgiveness. This is the best to hope for. This statement combines feelings of God-consciousness, politeness and self-effacement. This is the right combination to truly appreciate the grace God bestows on us, which is great indeed, and the value of our actions, which is definitely petty. In his description of his Lord, Abraham combines all the elements of true faith: God’s oneness, acknowledgement that He conducts all the affairs of human life on earth including every minute detail, resurrection after death, reckoning, God’s grace and man’s failings. His people denied these, as do all those who associate partners with God.