Surah Baqarah ayat 260 Tafsir Quran 2:260

﴿وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ رَبِّ أَرِنِي كَيْفَ تُحْيِي الْمَوْتَىٰ ۖ قَالَ أَوَلَمْ تُؤْمِن ۖ قَالَ بَلَىٰ وَلَٰكِن لِّيَطْمَئِنَّ قَلْبِي ۖ قَالَ فَخُذْ أَرْبَعَةً مِّنَ الطَّيْرِ فَصُرْهُنَّ إِلَيْكَ ثُمَّ اجْعَلْ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ جَبَلٍ مِّنْهُنَّ جُزْءًا ثُمَّ ادْعُهُنَّ يَأْتِينَكَ سَعْيًا ۚ وَاعْلَمْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ﴾
[ البقرة: 260]

2:260 And [mention] when Abraham said, "My Lord, show me how You give life to the dead." [Allah] said, "Have you not believed?" He said, "Yes, but [I ask] only that my heart may be satisfied." [Allah] said, "Take four birds and commit them to yourself. Then [after slaughtering them] put on each hill a portion of them; then call them - they will come [flying] to you in haste. And know that Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise."

And mention when Abraham said ‘My Lord show me how You give life to the dead’ He God exalted be He said to him ‘Why do you not believe?’ in My power to revive; God asks him this even though He knows of his belief in this power as a response to his request and so that the ones listening will know the purpose of the request; ‘Yes’ I do believe he said ‘but I ask You so that my heart may be re-assured’ so that it may be at peace through direct vision in addition to that certainty which is sought through logical reasoning. Said He ‘Take four birds and twist them to you sirhunna or surhunna turn them towards you cut them up and mix together their flesh and feathers then set a part of them on every hill in the land around you then summon them to you and they will come to you in haste. And know that God is Mighty that nothing is beyond Him Wise’ in His actions. Abraham took a peacock an eagle a raven and a cock and did with them as has been mentioned but kept their heads with him. He called them and all the parts began to fly back together combining until they were whole and returning to their heads.

And Ibrahim spoke to Allah and said: O Allah, my Creator, show me how you bring the dead back to life! Allah said: Do you not assent to the truth of Resurrection? Indeed I do, said Ibrahim, this is not to satisfy doubts but to satisfy my reason and heart and become a better man. Then, said Allah, take four birds and train them to get accustomed to you. Then, Tie them, kill them, cut them into pieces, then place each piece on a different hill, and call them to you and they shall swiftly take wing, and this should cause you to realise that Allah is indeed Azizun and Hakimun

The Khalil Supplicates to Allah to Show Him How He Resurrects the Dead The scholars said that there are reasons behind this request by Ibrahim.
For instance, when Ibrahim said to Nimrod, رَبِّيَ الَّذِى يُحْىِ وَيُمِيتُ e( My Lord (Allah ) is He Who gives life and causes death,) he wanted to solidify his knowledge about resurrection by actually witnessing it with his eyes.
Prophet Ibrahim said, رَبِّ أَرِنِى كَيْفَ تُحْىِ الْمَوْتَى قَالَ أَوَلَمْ تُؤْمِن قَالَ بَلَى وَلَـكِن لِّيَطْمَئِنَّ قَلْبِى ( "My Lord! Show me how You give life to the dead." He (Allah ) said: "Do you not believe" He ( Ibrahim ) said: "Yes ( I believe ), but to be stronger in faith.") Al-Bukhari recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, «نَحْنُ أَحَقُّ بِالشَّكِّ مِنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِذْ قَالَ رَبِّ أَرِنِى كَيْفَ تُحْىِ الْمَوْتَى قَالَ أَوَلَمْ تُؤْمِن قَالَ بَلَى وَلَـكِن لِّيَطْمَئِنَّ قَلْبِى ( We are more liable to be in doubt than Ibrahim when he said, "My Lord! Show me how You give life to the dead." Allah said, "Don't you believe" Ibrahim said, "Yes (I believe ), but ( I ask ) in order to be stronger in faith.") The Prophet's statement in the Hadith means, "We are more liable to seek certainty." The Answer to Al-Khalil's Request Allah said, قَالَ فَخُذْ أَرْبَعَةً مِّنَ الطَّيْرِ فَصُرْهُنَّ إِلَيْكَ ( He said: "Take four birds, then cause them to incline towards you." ) Scholars of Tafsir disagreed over the type of birds mentioned here, although this matter in not relevant due to the fact that the Qur'an did not mention it.
Allah's statement, فَصُرْهُنَّ إِلَيْكَ ( cause them to incline towards you ) means, cut them to pieces.
This is the explanation of Ibn `Abbas, `Ikrimah, Sa`id bin Jubayr, Abu Malik, Abu Al-Aswad Ad-Dili, Wahb bin Munabbih, Al-Hasan and As-Suddi.
Therefore, Ibrahim caught four birds, slaughtered them, removed the feathers, tore the birds to pieces and mixed the pieces together.
He then placed parts of these mixed pieces on four or seven hills.
Ibn `Abbas said, "Ibrahim kept the heads of these birds in his hand.
Next, Allah commanded Ibrahim to call the birds to him, and he did as Allah commanded him.
Ibrahim witnessed the feathers, blood and flesh of these birds fly to each other, and the parts flew each to their bodies, until every bird came back to life and came walking at a fast pace towards Ibrahim, so that the example that Ibrahim was witnessing would become more impressive.
Each bird came to collect its head from Ibrahim's hand, and if he gave the bird another head the bird refused to accept it.
When Ibrahim gave each bird its own head, the head was placed on its body by Allah's leave and power.
" This is why Allah said, وَاعْلَمْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ ( And know that Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise ) and no one can overwhelm or resist Him.
Whatever Allah wills, occurs without hindrance, because He is the All-Mighty, Supreme above all things, and He is Wise in His statements, actions, legislation and decrees. `Abdur-Razzaq recorded that Ma`mar said that Ayyub said that Ibn `Abbas commented on what Ibrahim said, وَلَـكِن لِّيَطْمَئِنَّ قَلْبِى ( but to be stronger in Faith ), "To me, there is no Ayah in the Qur'an that brings more hope than this Ayah." Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Muhammad bin Al-Munkadir said that `Abdullah bin `Abbas met `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`As and said to him, "Which Ayah in the Qur'an carries more hope for you" Ibn `Amr said, قُلْ يعِبَادِىَ الَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُواْ عَلَى أَنفُسِهِمْ لاَ تَقْنَطُواْ ( Say: "O `Ibadi (My servants ) who have transgressed against themselves ( by committing evil deeds and sins )! Despair not.) 39:53. Ibn `Abbas said, "But I say that it is Allah's statement, وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَهِيمُ رَبِّ أَرِنِى كَيْفَ تُحْىِ الْمَوْتَى قَالَ أَوَلَمْ تُؤْمِن قَالَ بَلَى ( And (remember ) when Ibrahim said, "My Lord! Show me how You give life to the dead." He ( Allah ) said: "Do you not believe" He ( Ibrahim ) said: "Yes ( I believe )...) Allah accepted Ibrahim's affirmation when he merely said, `Yes.' This Ayah refers to the doubts that attack the heart and the thoughts that Shaytan inspires." Al-Hakim also recorded this in Al-Mustadrak and said; "Its chain is Sahih but they did not record it."

(2:260) Call to mind the other event also, when Abraham said, "My Lord, show me how Thou bringest the dead back to life?" He said "Have you no faith in this?" Abraham humbly replied, "I do believe but I ask this to reassure my heart." *296 Allah said, "Well, take four birds and tame them with yourself and then (cut them into pieces) and place a piece of each of them on each hill. Then call them and they will come running to you; know this for certain that Allah is All-Powerful, All-Wise." *297

And [mention] when Abraham said, "My Lord, meaning

*296).
That is, the rest and inner peace that one attains as a result of direct personal observation.

*297).
People have subjected this incident and the one above to very strange interpretations.
If one bears in mind, however, God's dealings with the Prophets, one will not feel any need to strain one's energies in hammering out such artificially-contrived interpretations.
The truth of the matter is that the kind of function that ordinary believers are required to perform requires of them no more than believing in certain truths without perceiving them through their senses.
The function entrusted by God to the Prophets is such that they ought to have direct knowledge of the truths, the acceptance of which they are required to invite others to.

Thanks to the nature of their mission, the Prophets had to tell the world that while others resorted to conjecture and fancy, they spoke from personal direct observation and experience; that while others could claim to possess only imagination, they possessed reliable knowledge; that while others were blind, they alone had the God-given capacity to perceive the Truth.
It is for this reason that the angels come to the Prophets and they see them with their own eyes.
It is for the same reason that the Prophets were allowed a glimpse of the system of governance of the heavens and the earth.
It is for the same reason, again, that they were enabled to observe Heaven and Hell and witness scenes of resurrection.

The Prophets are in possession of faith in the Unseen at the time they are invested with prophethood.
After being designated to prophethood, they are further honoured by special favours and privileges, and initiated into what may be termed as 'faith in the seen' ( for the 'Unseen' is changed for them to the 'seen' ).
This favour is a special prerogative of the Prophets.
( For a further explanation see Suah 9, nn.
17, 18, 19 and 34. )
 

The Khalil Supplicates to Allah to Show Him How He Resurrects the Dead The scholars said that there are reasons behind this request by Ibrahim.
For instance, when Ibrahim said to Nimrod, رَبِّيَ الَّذِى يُحْىِ وَيُمِيتُ e( My Lord (Allah ) is He Who gives life and causes death,) he wanted to solidify his knowledge about resurrection by actually witnessing it with his eyes.
Prophet Ibrahim said, رَبِّ أَرِنِى كَيْفَ تُحْىِ الْمَوْتَى قَالَ أَوَلَمْ تُؤْمِن قَالَ بَلَى وَلَـكِن لِّيَطْمَئِنَّ قَلْبِى ( "My Lord! Show me how You give life to the dead." He (Allah ) said: "Do you not believe" He ( Ibrahim ) said: "Yes ( I believe ), but to be stronger in faith.") Al-Bukhari recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, «نَحْنُ أَحَقُّ بِالشَّكِّ مِنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِذْ قَالَ رَبِّ أَرِنِى كَيْفَ تُحْىِ الْمَوْتَى قَالَ أَوَلَمْ تُؤْمِن قَالَ بَلَى وَلَـكِن لِّيَطْمَئِنَّ قَلْبِى ( We are more liable to be in doubt than Ibrahim when he said, "My Lord! Show me how You give life to the dead." Allah said, "Don't you believe" Ibrahim said, "Yes (I believe ), but ( I ask ) in order to be stronger in faith.") The Prophet's statement in the Hadith means, "We are more liable to seek certainty." The Answer to Al-Khalil's Request Allah said, قَالَ فَخُذْ أَرْبَعَةً مِّنَ الطَّيْرِ فَصُرْهُنَّ إِلَيْكَ ( He said: "Take four birds, then cause them to incline towards you." ) Scholars of Tafsir disagreed over the type of birds mentioned here, although this matter in not relevant due to the fact that the Qur'an did not mention it.
Allah's statement, فَصُرْهُنَّ إِلَيْكَ ( cause them to incline towards you ) means, cut them to pieces.
This is the explanation of Ibn `Abbas, `Ikrimah, Sa`id bin Jubayr, Abu Malik, Abu Al-Aswad Ad-Dili, Wahb bin Munabbih, Al-Hasan and As-Suddi.
Therefore, Ibrahim caught four birds, slaughtered them, removed the feathers, tore the birds to pieces and mixed the pieces together.
He then placed parts of these mixed pieces on four or seven hills.
Ibn `Abbas said, "Ibrahim kept the heads of these birds in his hand.
Next, Allah commanded Ibrahim to call the birds to him, and he did as Allah commanded him.
Ibrahim witnessed the feathers, blood and flesh of these birds fly to each other, and the parts flew each to their bodies, until every bird came back to life and came walking at a fast pace towards Ibrahim, so that the example that Ibrahim was witnessing would become more impressive.
Each bird came to collect its head from Ibrahim's hand, and if he gave the bird another head the bird refused to accept it.
When Ibrahim gave each bird its own head, the head was placed on its body by Allah's leave and power.
" This is why Allah said, وَاعْلَمْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ ( And know that Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise ) and no one can overwhelm or resist Him.
Whatever Allah wills, occurs without hindrance, because He is the All-Mighty, Supreme above all things, and He is Wise in His statements, actions, legislation and decrees. `Abdur-Razzaq recorded that Ma`mar said that Ayyub said that Ibn `Abbas commented on what Ibrahim said, وَلَـكِن لِّيَطْمَئِنَّ قَلْبِى ( but to be stronger in Faith ), "To me, there is no Ayah in the Qur'an that brings more hope than this Ayah." Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Muhammad bin Al-Munkadir said that `Abdullah bin `Abbas met `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`As and said to him, "Which Ayah in the Qur'an carries more hope for you" Ibn `Amr said, قُلْ يعِبَادِىَ الَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُواْ عَلَى أَنفُسِهِمْ لاَ تَقْنَطُواْ ( Say: "O `Ibadi (My servants ) who have transgressed against themselves ( by committing evil deeds and sins )! Despair not.) 39:53. Ibn `Abbas said, "But I say that it is Allah's statement, وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَهِيمُ رَبِّ أَرِنِى كَيْفَ تُحْىِ الْمَوْتَى قَالَ أَوَلَمْ تُؤْمِن قَالَ بَلَى ( And (remember ) when Ibrahim said, "My Lord! Show me how You give life to the dead." He ( Allah ) said: "Do you not believe" He ( Ibrahim ) said: "Yes ( I believe )...) Allah accepted Ibrahim's affirmation when he merely said, `Yes.' This Ayah refers to the doubts that attack the heart and the thoughts that Shaytan inspires." Al-Hakim also recorded this in Al-Mustadrak and said; "Its chain is Sahih but they did not record it."

( And when Abraham ) also ( said: My Lord! Show me how Thou givest life to the dead ) how you gather the bones of the dead again, ( He said: Dost thou not believe? ) are you not convinced? ( Abraham said: Yea ) I am convinced, ( but (I ask ) in order that my heart may be at ease) in order that the heat of my heart abates and so that I know that I am your friend and that my prayers are answered. ( (His Lord ) said: Take four of the birds) of different kinds: a cockerel, a raven, a duck and a peacock ( and cause them to incline unto you ) cut them into pieces, ( then place a part of them on each hill ) four different hills, ( then call them ) by their names, ( they will come to thee ) walking ( in haste ). ( And know ) O Abraham! ( that Allah is Mighty ) for He is vengeful against those who do not believe in bringing the dead back to life, ( Wise ) He gathers the bones of the dead and bring them back to life, just as He gathered these birds and brought them back to life.

And (remember) when Ibrahim (Abraham) said, "My Lord! Show me how You give life to the dead." He (Allah) said: "Do you not believe?" He [Ibrahim (Abraham)] said: "Yes (I believe), but to be stronger in Faith." He said: "Take four birds, then cause them to incline towards you (then slaughter them, cut them into pieces), and then put a portion of them on every hill, and call them, they will come to you in haste. And know that Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise."

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