Al-Qur'an Surah Al-'Ankabut Verse 24

Mufti Taqi Usmani

So, the response of his (Ibrāhīm) people was none but that they said, “Kill him” or “Burn him”. So Allah saved him from the fire. Surely in this there are signs for a people who believe.

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

But the only response of Abraham’s people was to say: “Kill him or burn him!” But Allah saved him from the fire.[[ The idolaters tried to burn Abraham because he smashed their idols. See {21:51}-71 for the full story.]] Surely in this are signs for people who believe.

Ruwwad Translation Center

His people’s only response was to say, “Kill him or burn him!” But Allah saved him from the fire. Indeed, there are signs in this for people who believe.

A. J. Arberry

But the only answer of his people was that they said, 'Slay him, or burn him!' Then God delivered him from the fire; surely in that are signs for a people who believe.

Abdul Haleem

The only answer Abraham’s people gave was, ‘Kill him or burn him!’ but God saved him from the Fire: there truly are signs in this for people who believe.

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

Then the answer of his people was naught but that they said: slay him, or burn him. Then Allah delivered him from the fire; verily herein are signs for a people who believe.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

So naught was the answer of (Abraham's) people except that they said; "Slay him or burn him." But Allah did save him from the Fire. Verily in this are Signs for people who believe.

Abul Ala Maududi

The people (of Abraham) had no other answer than to say: “Kill him or burn him.” But Allah delivered him from the fire. There are many Signs in this for those who believe.

Ahmed Ali

The people (of Abraham) had no answer except: "Kill him or burn him;" but God saved him from the fire. There are lessons in this for those who believe.

Ahmed Raza Khan

So his people could not answer him except to say, “Kill him or burn him” – so Allah rescued him from the fire; indeed in this are signs for people who believe.

Ali Quli Qarai

But the only answer of his people was that they said, ‘Kill him, or burn him.’ Then Allah delivered him from the fire. There are indeed signs in that for a people who have faith.

Ali Ünal

But the response of his (Abraham’s) people was only to say: "Kill him, or burn him," but God saved him from the fire (that they kindled to burn him). Surely in this are signs (important lessons) for people who will believe and who will deepen in faith.

Amatul Rahman Omar

His people had no response to make (to Abraham) but they said, `Kill him (- Abraham) or rather burn him.´ (At last they decided upon burning him) but Allâh delivered him from the fire. There are sure signs in this (episode) for the people who would believe.

English Literal

So his nation`s answer/reply was not except that they said: "Kill him, or burn him." so God saved/rescued him from the fire, that in that (are) evidences/signs/verses (E), to a nation believing.

Faridul Haque

So his people could not answer him except to say, “Kill him or burn him” – so Allah rescued him from the fire; indeed in this are signs for people who believe.

Hamid S. Aziz

"And those who disbelieve in the revelations of Allah and in their meeting with Him, these shall despair of My mercy; and for these is grievous woe."

Hilali & Khan

So nothing was the answer of [Ibrahim's (Abraham)] people except that they said: "Kill him or burn him." Then Allah saved him from the fire. Verily, in this are indeed signs for a people who believe.

Maulana Mohammad Ali

And you cannot escape in the earth nor in the heaven, and you have no protector or helper besides Allah.

Mohammad Habib Shakir

So naught was the answer of his people except that they said: Slay him or burn him; then Allah delivered him from the fire; most surely there are signs in this for a people who believe.

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall

But the answer of his folk was only that they said: "Kill him" or "Burn him." Then Allah saved him from the Fire. Lo! herein verily are portents for folk who believe.

Muhammad Sarwar

(Abraham's) people had no answer except suggesting, "Kill him or burn him." But God saved him from the fire. In this there is evidence (of truth) for the believing people.

Qaribullah & Darwish

The only answer his nation gave was that they said: 'Kill him, or burn him! 'But Allah saved him from the fire. Surely, in this there are signs for a nation who believe.

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

So nothing was the answer of people except that they said: "Kill him or burn him." Then Allah saved him from the fire. Verily, in this are indeed signs for a people who believe.

Wahiduddin Khan

The only response of Abraham's people was, "Kill him or burn him!" But God saved him from the fire. Surely in this there are signs for people who believe.

Talal Itani

But the only response from his people was their saying, “Kill him, or burn him.” But God saved him from the fire. Surely in that are signs for people who believe.

Tafsir jalalayn

God, exalted be He, says with regard to the tale of Abraham, peace be upon him; But the only answer of his people was that they said, `Slay him, or burn him!' Then God delivered him from the fire, into which they threw him, by making it cool and harmless for him. Surely in that, namely, [in that] deliverance of him from it, there are signs -- namely, the fact that it did not have any affect on him despite its greatness, and the fact that it was extinguished and that within a brief period meadows sprung up in its place -- for a people who believe, [a people who] affirm the truth of God's Oneness and His power, for they are the ones to benefit from these [signs].

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

The Response of Ibrahim's People -- and how Allah controlled the Fire

Allah says;

فَمَا كَانَ جَوَابَ قَوْمِهِ

So nothing was the answer of people,

Allah tells us how Ibrahim's people stubbornly and arrogantly disbelieved, and how they resisted the truth with falsehood. After Ibrahim addressed them with his words of clear guidance,

إِلاَّ أَن قَالُوا اقْتُلُوهُ أَوْ حَرِّقُوهُ

except that they said;"Kill him or burn him."

This was because proof had clearly been established against them, so they resorted to using their power and strength.

قَالُواْ ابْنُواْ لَهُ بُنْيَـناً فَأَلْقُوهُ فِى الْجَحِيمِ

فَأَرَادُواْ بِهِ كَيْداً فَجَعَلْنَـهُمُ الاٌّسْفَلِينَ

They said;"Build for him a building and throw him into the blazing fire!" So they plotted a plot against him, but We made them the lowest. (37;97-98)

They spent a long time gathering a huge amount of firewood, they built a fence around it, then they set it ablaze until its flames reached up to the sky. No greater fire had ever been lit. Then they went to Ibrahim, seized him and put him into a catapult, then they threw him into the fire. But Allah made it cool and safe for him, and after spending several days in it, he emerged unscathed. For this reason and others, Allah made him an Imam for mankind, for he offered himself to the Most Merciful, he offered his body to the flames, he offered his son as a sacrifice, and he gave his wealth to care for his guests. For all of these reasons he is beloved by the followers of all religions.

فَأَنجَاهُ اللَّهُ مِنَ النَّارِ

Then Allah saved him from the fire.

means, He rescued him from it by making it cool and safe for him.

إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَايَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يُوْمِنُونَ



Verily, in this are indeed signs for a people who believe.

Ibrahim, peace be upon him, explains to his people that idols are incapable of doing anything