The Correlation in Sura 14 and the Relation of Abraham’s Story to the Sura’s Thematic Context and Surrounding Suras

Abstract

Exegetes have shown the main theme of Sura Ibrahim (Q 14) which is monotheism and the unity of God’s message. They also have indicated the link between mentioning Abraham in the context with the previous verses such as stating the proofs of monotheism, graces casted upon Quraish specially, or a reminder of Abraham’s religion. However, most studies focus on the correlations of the verses and themes verse-by-verse. However, they do not show the relation between the sura’s parts and the order of its themes since the story of Abraham occurs near the end. This study analyzes the sura’s parts and its thematic arrangement to show the coherence of the verses, the reason of mentioning Abraham’s supplication and its relation to the theme of grace. The study shows that the main theme relates to Abraham’s monotheism and God’s blessing upon him. Also, it applies the symmetrical division to the sura and demonstrates the relationship between mentioning Abraham in Q 14 and the surrounding suras in which the themes of punishment and blessing occur too. The article concludes that Abraham himself was a blessing for the people of Mecca when he had his offspring settled there by God’s willing as Muhammad was sent to invite them to the light by God’s willing. And that was a blessing from God upon the Meccans.