Surah Ibrahim — Verse 39

Word Meanings:

• وَهَبَ لِي: Granted me, bestowed upon me as a free gift.
• عَلَى الْكِبَرِ: In old age, at an advanced stage of life.
• إِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِسْحَاقَ: Ishmael (from Hagar) and Isaac (from Sarah), peace be upon them both.
• لَسَمِيعُ الدُّعَاءِ: Certainly All-Hearing of supplication; He hears and answers the calls of those who invoke Him.

Tafsir (Explanation):

Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), peace be upon him, turns to his Lord with a heart overflowing with gratitude and praise. He declares: "All praise and thanks belong to Allah alone, who granted me—despite my old age and the weakness that comes with it—two righteous sons: Ishmael and Isaac." This was not a matter of chance or human effort; it was a divine response to his sincere supplication, when he had prayed: "My Lord, grant me from among the righteous" (As-Saffat 37:100). Allah answered him in the most beautiful way, giving him not one but two sons from two different mothers, both of whom became prophets and leaders of nations.

Ibrahim then affirms a profound truth about his Lord: "Indeed, my Lord is the All-Hearing of supplication." He knows from personal experience that Allah does not let the call of His servant go unanswered. Ibrahim had called upon his Lord in his youth, in his middle age, and in his old age—and every time, Allah responded with generosity and wisdom. This statement is not merely an intellectual acknowledgment; it is a testimony born from a lifetime of witnessing Allah's faithfulness to His promise.

A Da'wah Reflection:

This verse teaches us that Allah's timing is perfect, and His gifts often arrive when we least expect them—after years of patience, through trials, and at moments when hope may seem faint. Ibrahim was advanced in years, yet Allah granted him what seemed impossible by human standards. So never underestimate the power of sincere du'a (supplication). Your Lord hears every whisper of your heart, every tear shed in the night, every quiet plea uttered in solitude. He is *Samee'ud-Du'a*—the One who not only hears but responds in the way that is best for you, whether sooner or later, in this world or the next.

Let this verse fill your heart with hope and trust in Allah. If He granted Ibrahim sons in his old age after years of waiting, then He can grant you relief from your distress, provision from unexpected sources, guidance for your loved ones, and answers to your deepest prayers. Keep calling upon Him with sincerity, for He loves the voice of His servant raised in supplication. And when the answer comes—as it surely will, in one form or another—let your tongue be quick to say: *"Alhamdulillah"* (All praise is due to Allah), just as your father Ibrahim did.