what was Abraham's (Pbuh) response?

WHAT WAS ABRAHAM’S (Pbuh) RESPONSE?

Recently I came across a Facebook post written by a Christian Nigerian Apologist by the name of Korede. I normally don’t pay attention to his post as it makes no sense at all, and all he does is seek attention to build an audience so he can get many likes. What grasped my attention was, when korede posted 3 verses from the Quran thinking he found inconsistency demanding an answer. Let’s read what out Christian friend posted, before we refute it. Just for the record he also made a meme, which I shall add to my blog along side this article In Shaa Allah.

This is what Korede posted :

What EXACTLY was Abraham's RESPONSE?

Just about two weeks ago, I showed an example of how Allah when intends to narrate an incident, ending up presenting a CONFLICTING stories altogether, I gave an example with Lot and his people according to the Qur'an.

Here is another example, we ask, what exactly did Abraham say in response to this Angels? and is this a single event or three different scenary?

---------------------
ONE
And certainly did Our messengers come to Abraham with good tidings; they said, "Peace." He said, "PEACE," and did not delay in bringing [them] a roasted calf.

Quran 11:69

TWO
When they entered upon him and said, "Peace." [Abraham] said, "INDEED, WE ARE FEARFUL OF YOU."

Quran 15:52

THREE
When they entered upon him and said, "[We greet you with] peace." He answered, "[And upon you] peace, [you are] A PEOPLE UNKNOWN.

Quran 51:25
---------------------------

What exactly was his response?

Now, I can understand the Gospel account narrating event from different point of views of the authors, but SINCE Allah is the ONLY AUTHOR of the Qur'an, why are these conflicting issues away? or could it that I need to understand Arabic in order to COMPREHEND this?

Now I know Christian have a problem with the Oneness of God Almighty. They normally try to make silly posts here and there, twisting scriptures making seem like they found an error or discrepancy, which always backfires on them after they get refuted. However on this occasion, im very baffled why a Christian would even try to make such a post, when this type of language and phrases are found throughout the Quran in many places. I’m glad Korede admitted that the Gospels have narrated DIFFERENT POINT OF VIEWS? Note korede said DIFFERENT POINT VIEWS, i.e. their own opinions, views nothing inspirational.  Let’s stick to the topic and refute such a weak claim made by Korede.

korede used 3 verses from the Quran of the same event. He claims if the story are the same why are there differences in other chapters? Why cant the same story be repeated throughout. AND WHAT WAS ABRAHAM (Pbuh)  ACTUAL RESPONSE?.

And certainly did Our messengers come to Abraham with good tidings; they said, "Peace." He said, "PEACE," and did not delay in bringing [them] a roasted calf. (Quran 11:69_

When they entered upon him and said, "Peace." [Abraham] said, "INDEED, WE ARE FEARFUL OF YOU." (Quran 15:52)

When they entered upon him and said, "[We greet you with] peace." He answered, "[And upon you] peace, [you are] A PEOPLE UNKNOWN. (Quran 51:25)

Lets analyse these verse’s and see if there is any such problem like Korede claims, and address what was the actual response of Abraham Pbuh to the angels. Quran 11:69 tells us the angels came Abraham Pbuh and greeted Peace, and so did Abraham Pbuh greet peace, he did not delay in bringing them a roasted calf. Lets move on to Quran 15:52 The angels entered and greeted him with Peace, ' He said: "Indeed we are frightened of you.' And in Quran 51:52 when the angels entered and greeted him Abraham Pbuh he also greeted them with Peace  and said: "You are a people unknown to me.''.

Now when you read all those verses individually, then it’s natural for a non Muslim who is not familiar with the language of the Quran to question it. But one has to understand each of those verses are summarising the actual event which happened. They are small snippets of information being told to different audience’s during the time of revelation. 

The diversity of the words of the stories in the Quran does not require that all those very words were said exactly the same, and no one says this; rather, narrating stories and sayings in many cases is with the meaning, it is for this reason that the words of the stories in the Quran differ from one place to another.

There is no problem with this at all, because what is important about the accuracy of reporting statements and narrating them is to render the content of the statement and its meaning, and it is not a condition that this be with the same exact words as were said by the speaker. It is for this reason that the style of the Quran varies and that its words vary about the narration of one single story and one single incident.

Indeed, Imaam Ibn Jamaa’ah elaborated on this issue in his book Kashf Al-Ma’aani, as he said:

"Issue: What is the reason for the difference of words and providing more or less meanings about some stories about Aadam (Adam) but not in some other stories, as well as in other stories like the story of Moosa (Moses) with Pharaoh, the story of Nooh (Noah), Hood (Hud) and Saalih with their people and the like? Answer: The difference in the terms (wording) is because what is intended is the meanings, because the words that signify this meaning, firstly, were not from the Arabic language but in the language of the speakers when that meaning took place; and when that meaning was conveyed to this nation, it was conveyed with Arabic words that mean that meaning while the wordings are different but the meaning is the same, so there is no difference between {…he refused to be with those who prostrated…} [Quran 15:31], and {He was not of those who prostrated.} [Quran 7:11] in conveying the same meaning which is the lack of prostration [i.e. he did not prostrate]. Also, there is no difference in meaning between {O Iblees, why do you not prostrate...} [Quran 38:75] and {What prevented you from prostrating...} [Quran 7:12] As regards providing more meaning in some stories while not providing it in some other stories then this is because the meaning mentioned in some stories is different so some of it is mentioned at a particular place and some other is mentioned at another place for several benefits.”

Ar-Raazi  said:

"If it was asked: How did Allaah say when narrating about the magicians who believed and about Pharaoh: {They said, We have believed in the Lord of the worlds.} [Quran 7:121] until the saying of Allaah in the same Chapter {…and let us die as Muslims [in submission to You].} [Quran 7:126]; then Allaah reported this meaning about them in Soorahs Taaha and Ash-Shu’araa with some increase (more details) and decrease (less details) in the words attributed to them; and this incident took place only once, so how is it that its wording varied? We say: The answer is: they spoke about that in their own language and not in the Arabic language, and Allaah told that about them repeatedly in the Arabic language, for a wisdom that required repetition, so at a time Allaah narrated it identical to their wording in translation as a way of keeping the same wording, and then Allaah narrated it with the meaning as a way of being in conformity with the speech of the Arabs in diversity in speech and style so that the listener would not be bored when he listens to the same thing repeated.” [Excerpted from his book: Unmoothaj Jaleel fi As’ilah wa Ajwibah ‘an Gharaa’ib Aay At-Tanzeel]

Now that we’ve cleared, how different chapters have different sayings. Lets clear koredes query on WHAT WAS THE RESPONSE OF ABRAHAM PBUH TO THE ANGELS?. It’s disappointing to see why korede would play hide and seek with his followers on facebook, and other media streams. Why didn’t korede post each and every chapter, which speaks of the story of Abraham Pbuh and the angels? Is it because he knew he would get exposed there and then?. I would like to ask my friend Korede why didn’t you not add Surah Hud verse 69-76?

Indeed Our messengers came to Abraham, bearing glad tidings. They greeted him with 'peace', and Abraham answered back to them 'peace', and hurriedly brought to them a roasted calf.  When he perceived that their hands could not reach it, he mistrusted them, and felt afraid of them. They said: 'Do not be afraid. We have been sent to the people of Lot. And Abraham's wife was standing by and on hearing this she laughed. And We gave her the good news of (the birth of) Isaac, and after Isaac, of Jacob. She said: 'Woe is me! Shall I bear a child now that I am an old woman and my husband is well advanced in years.⁸This is indeed strange!' They said: 'Do you wonder at Allah's decree?  Allah's mercy and His blessings be upon you, O people of the house. Surely, He is Praiseworthy, Glorious.' Thus when fear had left Abraham and the good news had been conveyed to him, he began to dispute with Us concerning the people of Lot.   Surely Abraham was forbearing, tender hearted and oft-turning to Allah. Thereupon (Our angels) said to him: 'O Abraham! Desist from this, for indeed your Lord's command has come; and a chastisement which cannot be averted⁸⁴ is about to befall them.' (Surah 11:69-76)

SubhanAllah the entire story of the angels are told in this one chapter, which our friend korede kept hidden. Notice how the angels greeted Abraham pbuh he greeted back, he hurried and brought them roasted calf. He was afraid because they did not eat the food. In surah 15:52 Abraham Pbuh told the angels is he afraid, in surah 11 the angels tell him not to be afraid. Now coming Surah 51:52, which would have been said after the initial greetings took place by both sides. Here’s a commentary behind it. In view of the context in which this sentence has occurred, it can have two meanings:

(1) That the Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) himself said to the guests: I have never had the chance to see you before, you are perhaps new-comers in this land.

(2) That after responding to their salutation, the Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) said these words to himself, or to his servants, while going inside the house for arranging the feast: They appear to be strangers, people of their noble nature and appearance have not been seen before in this land.

This again falls directly in line with the events, which were being made mention of in other chapters. so the response by Abraham Pbuh cannot be taken by as one statement, rather it was an ongoing conversation which is told to use in different chapters making up the entire story.

Let me elaborate more

If I narrate to you one story in 4 different ways, I may say 1 narration in its entirety and the rest of the three narration in a summarised way. E.g

Narration 1

An old man took his Dog out for a walk, he bumped into his neighbour said hello how are you spoke for a while, then soon after he went to the local shop tied his dog outside, brought milk and newspaper. On his way back sat on the bench whist his dog was playing in the park. Read his paper and went back home.

Narrarion 2

An old man took his dog out for a walk met his neighbour went to the shop, went home.

Narration 3

An old man took his dog out whilst on his way to the shop, met his neighbour shook hands had a chat. They both went to the shop he bought a couple of items and left.

Narration 4

An old man took his dog out for a walk, went to his neighbours house, they both went to the shop together, he bought milk and newspaper, they both went to the park sat had a chat then they set off home

Now can korede tell me if there is any problem with my narrations? It seems like they contradict right. But taking a closer look which korede fails on doing shows no discrepancies. Lets add all narration together and see if they contradict.

Notice how narration 2 hardly gives an explanation of the full event, yet reading all the accounts gives a broader and much clear picture of what happened. Narration 3 says they shook hands which could be done even if narration 1, 2, 4 makes no mention of. An event could take place without it being made mention of.

For the sake of korede let’s dwell deeper in the verse.

Tell them about the guests of Abraham. When they entered his presence and said, "Peace!" He said, "We feel afraid of you!" They said: "Fear not! We give thee glad tidings of a son endowed with wisdom." (Surah 15:51-53)

Has the story reached thee, of the honoured guests of Abraham? Behold, they entered his presence, and said: "Peace!" He said, "Peace!" (and thought, "These seem) unusual people." Then he turned quickly to his household, brought out a fatted calf, And placed it before them.. he said, "Will ye not eat?" (When they did not eat), He conceived a fear of them. They said, "Fear not," and they gave him glad tidings of a son endowed with knowledge. (Surah51:24-28)

As if they had never dwelt and flourished there. Ah! Behold! for the Thamud rejected their Lord and Cherisher! Ah! Behold! removed (from sight) were the Thamud! There came Our messengers to Abraham with glad tidings. They said, "Peace!" He answered, "Peace!" and hastened to entertain them with a roasted calf. But when he saw their hands went not towards the (meal), he felt some mistrust of them, and conceived a fear of them. They said: "Fear not: We have been sent against the people of Lut." And his wife was standing (there), and she laughed: But we gave her glad tidings of Isaac, and after him, of Jacob. (Surah 11:68-71)

Surah 15:52 is addressing the later part of what Abraham Pbuh said to the angels, which they replied in response do no be afraid. You can see from the aboves passages, the story was a snippet in Surah 15:52, as the roasted calf is not mentioned. According to commentary we read for Surah 51:25 When they came to him, they said: “Peace”; he said: “Peace also be to you; (you seem to be) a group of strangers.”
In view of the context in which this sentence has occurred, it can have two meanings:

(1) That the Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) himself said to the guests: I have never had the chance to see you before, you are perhaps new-comers in this land.

(2) That after responding to their salutation, the Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) said these words to himself, or to his servants, while going inside the house for arranging the feast: They appear to be strangers, people of their noble nature and appearance have not been seen before in this land. (Islamic studies Tafheem)

Korede did you read Tafsir Al Jalayn? You favorite tafsir scholar what did he say regrading surah 15:52

[how] when they entered unto him, and said, ‘Peace!’, that is, [they said] this very word (salām). He, Abraham, said, after having offered them food which they did not eat: ‘Lo! we are afraid of you’.

AFTER HAVING OFFERED THEM FOOD WHICH THEY DID NOT EAT: LO WE ARE FRAID OF YOU.

Again this was after the food was brought them and the Tafsir from Islamic studies tafheem says “That after responding to their salutation, the Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) said these words to himself, or to his servants, while going inside the house for arranging the feast: They appear to be strangers, people of their noble nature and appearance have not been seen before in this land.” Which explains the we are afraid speakin a plural sense including his family and households.

Why would you not share Tafis Al Jalayn? Why hide is like you did Surah 11?

The story of Abraham Pbuh and the angels, were summarized in different chapters to different audiences. Surah 11 tells us completes the entire story. There is no inconsistency it’s only the ones with perversity in their hearts make up lies, but get refuted. Allah Swt has made mention of those people :

It is He Who has revealed the Book to you. Some of its verses are absolutely clear and lucid, and these are the core of the Book. Others are ambiguous.⁶ Those in whose hearts there is perversity, always go about the part which is ambiguous, seeking mischief and seeking to arrive at its meaning arbitrarily, although none knows their true meaning except Allah. On the contrary, those firmly rooted in knowledge say: 'We believe in it; it is all from our Lord alone.' No one derives true admonition from anything except the men of understanding. (Surah 3:7)

Allah Swt knows Best.