Commentary
And when he was given a child in his old age and the impotence of his wife, despite her being barren, this was an indication of the ability to resurrect, which the entire context is about. He said: "And We granted him" indicating that with the pronoun of greatness, "Isaac" meaning from a state of near non-existence. He left the explanation of his condition to its precedence, meaning that this was an indication of Our ability to do what We will, especially regarding the resurrection of creation on the Day of Judgment. And when it might be thought that he - due to being born to an old man and a woman who had despaired of having children - was in a state of weakness, and that one like him would not be born with her, he negated that by saying: "And Jacob as an additional gift," meaning that Isaac had a son as an increase to what Ibrahim, blessings and peace be upon him, had prayed for. Then, glorified is He, He multiplied the children of Jacob - who is Israel - and their descendants until they reached a number like the stars and matched the mountains in strength. "And all" of these four; and He magnified their rank by saying: "We made them righteous," meaning prepared - for their obedience to Allah - for everything they desire or that is desired for them or that is desired from them. And this is an indication that the disobedient is doomed, not suitable for anything even if his life is long and his condition is severe, because the lesson is in the outcome.
Explore Other Scholars on This Verse
Compare different scholarly perspectives on Surah Al-Anbya verse 72