Surah Al-Baqarah 2:127
سُورَةُ البَقَرَةِ · Medinan · Verse 127 of 286
وَإِذْ يَرْفَعُ إِبْرَٰهِۦمُ ٱلْقَوَاعِدَ مِنَ ٱلْبَيْتِ وَإِسْمَٰعِيلُ رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّآ ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ
Translation
As Abraham and Ishmael built up the foundations of the House [they prayed], ‘Our Lord, accept [this] from us. You are the All Hearing, the All Knowing.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
The Quran invites us to pause and reflect on the very construction of its words, revealing layers of meaning. Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 127, offers a poignant glimpse into the building of the Ka'bah by Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismail, peace be upon them. Allah asks us, "And remember when Ibrahim was raising the foundations of the House, and Ismail (was with him), (both praying): 'Our Lord, accept from us. Indeed, You are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.'"
Bringing the Past to Life
The verse begins by asking us to "remember" (`وَإِذْ`), which is a call to reflect on a past event. What is striking, as scholars like Ibn Ashur point out, is the use of the present tense verb `يَرْفَعُ` (meaning "he raises" or "is raising") instead of the expected past tense "he raised." This isn't a grammatical error; it's a powerful rhetorical choice. It makes the distant past feel immediate, as if we are eyewitnesses to Ibrahim and Ismail diligently building the Ka'bah. This "bringing the situation to life" (*istihdar al-halah*) invites us to emotionally connect with this sacred moment.
The Honored Foundations
The verse speaks of `الْقَوَاعِدَ مِنَ الْبَيْتِ` (the foundations from the House). Ibn Ashur notes that `القواعد` (al-qawa'id) refers to the solid base of the structure. The word `رفع` (raising) here implies not just physically lifting, but also exalting and honoring. By "raising the foundations," they were not merely constructing a building; they were elevating something sacred, giving it prominence and permanence. The choice of `مِنَ الْبَيْتِ` (from the House) rather than "the foundations *of* the House" is also significant. Scholars like al-Razi suggest this phrasing, by first leaving the "foundations" slightly ambiguous and then clarifying their origin "from the House," actually magnifies the importance and unique status of this sacred structure.
A Father and Son's Partnership
We then read, `وَإِسْمَاعِيلُ` (and Ismail). Notice how Ismail is mentioned after the action of "raising the foundations" has been attributed to Ibrahim, and after the object of the action (the foundations) and its relation to the House. Ibn Ashur explains that this specific word order suggests a difference in their roles. Ibrahim was the primary builder and architect, while Ismail was his assistant, perhaps handing him stones or mixing mortar. If they were meant to be seen as perfectly equal in the primary act, their names would likely appear together before the action. This subtle grammatical arrangement beautifully illustrates their loving father-son collaboration in a monumental task.
A Humble Prayer
As they worked, their words were `رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا` (Our Lord, accept from us). This direct quote, without an explicit "they said," again makes their prayer feel immediate and heartfelt. The choice of `تَقَبَّلْ` (taqabbal), which implies *seeking acceptance* rather than just `اقبل` (iqbal, simple acceptance), is profound. Al-Razi explains that `تقبل` carries a nuance of acknowledging one's own shortcomings or the possibility that the action might be imperfect, despite their best efforts. Even after performing such a great act of worship, they approached Allah with utmost humility, knowing that true acceptance comes only from His grace.
The Perfect Attributes
They conclude their prayer: `إِنَّكَ أَنتَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ` (Indeed, You are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing). Ibn Ashur highlights the use of the emphasizing pronoun `أَنتَ` (You) and the definite articles (al-) before the Divine Names `السميع` (the All-Hearing) and `العليم` (the All-Knowing). This linguistic emphasis underscores Allah's absolute perfection in these attributes. It's as if to say, "You, and You alone, are truly the One who hears our every prayer and knows our deepest intentions and struggles." This declaration provides both comfort and profound reassurance that their humble request is heard and understood by the One whose hearing and knowledge are boundless.
Sources: Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), al-Jalalayn
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-Baqarah 2:127 is discussed in 11 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
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