Document Type : Academicm and Research

Authors

• Meysam Kohantorabi ¹
• Fariba Chedani ²

¹ Assistant Professor, Department of Islamic Jurisprudence and Law, Faculty of Humanities, Buzurgmehr Qainat University, South Khorasan, Iran

² 2 Master’s Student of Quran and Hadith Sciences, Department of Quran and Hadith Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Tarbiat Modarres University, Tehran

Abstract

Highlights

The Study and Critique of the Approach of Exegetes regarding Abraham’s Argument in Verse 74 of the Chapter of Hud *

Meisam Kohantorabi¹ and Fariba Chedany²

¹ Assistant Professor, Department of Islamic Jurisprudence and Law, Faculty of Humanities, Buzurgmehr Qainat University, South Khorasan, Iran (corresponding author). Email: kohantorabi@buqaen.ac.ir

² Master’s Student of Quran and Hadith Sciences, Department of Quran and Hadith Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Tarbiat Modarres University, Tehran, Iran. Email:  fchedany@gmail.com

Abstract

Verse 74 of the Chapter of Hud reports Abraham’s argument with God regarding the People of Lot. There are detailed dialogues among Sunni and Shiite exegetes and even their theologians relating to this topic and questions have also been raised in this regard; questions that have challenged the infallibility of Abraham (peace be upon him) specifically and prophets in general. Some have considered the subject of argument to be the person of Lot (peace be upon him) and others the People of Lot. A group believes that Abraham’s argument was an inquiry and probe and some believe that it was an argument meant to be an intercession. After enumerating the different views regarding Abraham’s argument with God, the present paper describes and critiques the views of Shiite and Sunni exegetes regarding this subject through a critical analytic method based on Quranic teachings. Considering the compassionate character of Abraham reflected in the Quran, it seems that the concept of argument is precatory and supplicatory out of compassion and with the intent of finding a way to guide a people who were on the threshold of divine punishment. However, because, based on divine knowledge, this return was not possible, Abraham’s request was denied. Since this argument was before the announcement of God’s final decision, it does not negate infallibility.

Keywords: verse 74 of the Chapter of Hud, Abraham in the Quran, argument in the Quran, the People of Lot, infallibility

Introduction

Verse 74 of the Chapter of Hud talks about God’s argument with Abraham. The word jidāl in this verse at first glance indicates a hostile argument and needs to be examined more closely, such as why Abraham, who is one of the closest prophets to God, should argue with God while he is expected to be completely obedient to Him. What goal is he pursuing? Or for whom did he do such a thing? And what reaction did God have to this argument? These are questions that the present paper seeks to answer. In this vein, it initially explains the views of Shiite and Sunni exegetes separately and then examines and critiques their approaches in more detail. In the study before you, the subject of argument is examined from various aspects to determine whether the reason for Abraham’s seemingly hostile argument was due to Lot or his transgressive people, following that the purpose of argumentation and the views of the exegetes are analyzed and finally, the last question of the study is also answered by addressing God’s reciprocal reaction to Abraham’s argument.

The subject matter of the argument

In reply to the first question of the research, if we accept that Abraham had a discussion with God for the person of Lot (peace be upon him) then we are wrong because Lot is a prophet of God and God always protects and supports His prophets and it is not consistent with His justice that He would allow His prophet to be punished for the sin of his people. Thus, it is evident that Abraham’s argument was because of the People of Lot not Lot himself because they were engaged in sins and corruption for a long time and paid no heed to the preachings of their prophet and when the time for their punishment arrived, Abraham sought to ward off this punishment from them.

The purpose of the argument

There are different views among the exegetes regarding the reason for the argument with God because of the sinful People of Lot: some believe that Abraham possessed a questioning spirit and tried to gain knowledge of the details of the matter and his goal was not to oppose God’s command. This view would only be right if another word that was suitable for questioning was used and if the intent was an inquiry, the use of the word yojādelona (he argued with us) seems to be purposeless. According to some other exegetes, Abraham’s goal from this argument was merely to pray and request God, although this type of request is different from the subject of the intercession of intercessors and should not be confused with that because intercession is done with God’s desire and will, not by opposing Him. Therefore, it can be said that this argument was simply a request from Abraham that was not granted which seems to be a normal matter among the prophets, just as sometimes the requests of the last Prophet (peace be upon him and his household) were also not granted.

God’s reaction to Abraham’s argument

Apart from this reaction of God, the following verses show that this argument was not only not hostile and reprehensible; rather, it was praised by God. Abraham’s compassionate character that originated in his human dimension led him to have an argumentative dialogue with God over the event of the destruction of the People of Lot and to strive to the best of his ability for their deliverance. This matter is noticeable in the views of the exegetes of both denominations. The following verses negate probable illusions regarding the fall of his prophetic position by portraying certain characteristics for Abraham. Thus, Abraham’s argument with God not only did not lead to the fall of his position; rather, due to his sincere intention in this matter he was also praised and commended by God. According to Sunni exegetes, if God’s command is applied to something, it will definitely take place. Shiite exegetes have also explained that the repulsive and reprehensible actions of Lot’s people had left no room for forgiveness and a second chance and sealed the coming down of punishment. Because he stopped arguing after God’s announcement about the certainty of punishment and the unrepentance of Lot’s people and the request from Abraham to withdraw from the argument, there is absolutely no challenge to Abraham’s infallibility.

Conclusion

According to the views of most Shiite exegetes, the topic of Abraham’s argument was the sinful nation of Lot, and Abraham’s goal, based on the view of Sunni exegetes, was merely to request God to lift the punishment from them which was not accepted. And this does not imply a defect on the part of the prophet or a flaw in the high prophetic position; rather, sometimes the addressees of a prayer do not deserve to have their prayer granted or the request is not in line with divine wisdom.

References

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* Received: 2023 Aug 06 | Received in revised from: 2023 Oct 02 | Accepted: 2023 Oct 22 | published online: 2023 Dec 21

• Kohantorabi, M., & Chedany. F. (2023). The Study and Critique of the Approach of Exegetes regarding Abraham’s Argument in Verse 74 of the Chapter of Hud. Comparative Interpretation Research, 9 (2), 150-172. https://doi.org/10.22091/PTT.2023.9058.2199

Keywords

• verse 74 of the Chapter of Hud
• Abraham in the Quran
• argument in the Quran
• the People of Lot
• infallibility 

Main Subjects

• Islamic