In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Allah, The Most High, said:

أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِي حَاجَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ فِي رَبِّهِ أَنْ آتَاهُ اللَّهُ الْمُلْكَ إِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ رَبِّيَ الَّذِي يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ قَالَ أَنَا أُحْيِي وَأُمِيتُ ۖ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْتِي بِالشَّمْسِ مِنَ الْمَشْرِقِ فَأْتِ بِهَا مِنَ الْمَغْرِبِ فَبُهِتَ الَّذِي كَفَرَ ۗ وَاللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ

Have you not seen (contemplated with your heart) him who disputed with Ibrahim (Abraham) about his Lord (Allah), because Allah had given him the kingdom? When Ibrahim (Abraham) said (to him): “My Lord (Allah) is He Who gives life and causes death.” He said, “I give life and cause death.” Ibrahim (Abraham) said, “Verily! Allah causes the sun to rise from the east; then cause it you to rise from the west.” So the disbeliever was utterly defeated. And Allah guides not the people, who are Zalimun (wrong-doers, etc.). [Al-Baqarah. 258]

Imam Al-Baghawi, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated that there is a difference of opinion among Qur’an commentators regarding the timing of this debate.

Muqatil, may Allah have mercy upon him, mentioned that when Ibrahim, peace be upon him, destroyed the idols, Namrud imprisoned and later attempted to burn him with fire. Namrud asked Ibrahim, peace be upon him: “Who is your Lord that you call us to worship?” Ibrahim, peace be upon him, replied, “My Lord is the one who gives life and causes death.”

Other commentators suggested that this incident occurred after Ibrahim, peace be upon him, was thrown into the fire. Thereafter, people suffered from drought and would seek food from Namrud. Whenever a man approached Namrud for food, he would inquire, “Who is your Lord?” If the man responded, “You are my Lord,” Namrud would agree to sell him food. [1]

أَلَمۡ تَرَ إِلَى ٱلَّذِى حَآجَّ إِبۡرَٲهِـۧمَ فِى رَبِّهِۦۤ

Have you seen (contemplated with your heart and eyes) him who disputed with Ibrahim (Abraham) about his Lord (Allah)..

Meaning: his impudence, ignorance, and obstinacy, along with his incessant arguments on matters that are unquestionable?! His behaviour can only be attributed to the fact that “Allah had bestowed upon him the kingdom,” thus he exceeded his limits, rebelled, and even went as far as challenging Prophet Ibrahim regarding Allah’s sovereignty, arrogantly claiming that he possessed the same power as Allah.

Prophet Ibrahim said to him: “My Lord is He Who gives life and death” – Meaning, Allah is the sole authority over everything, then Ibrahim specifically mentioned two significant matters – life and death – as they hold the utmost importance in Allah’s complete control. This is because the bestowal of life marks the commencement of worldly existence, while death signifies the beginning of what awaits in the afterlife. So, the individual who attempted to dispute Ibrahim’s statement said, “I possess the ability to grant life and cause death,” but never proclaimed, “I am The One Who grants life and death.” This is because he could not say that he did not require any external intervention in these matters. Instead, he merely claimed that he could replicate what Allah does by taking someone’s life or sparing it.

Prophet Ibrahim recognised the flaw in his opponent’s argument and the statement he uttered, which is not even worthy of being a doubt let alone proof. Ibrahim then responded by stating:

“Indeed, Allah causes the sun to rise from the east.”

This statement was something that could be observed and confirmed by everyone, including the disbeliever. Ibrahim further challenged him by saying:

“Then cause it to rise from the west.” This compelled the disbeliever to provide evidence if he truly believed in his claim. However, the disbeliever was unable to present any ambiguity to undermine Ibrahim’s proof or find any fault with it. As a result, he was completely defeated, unable to respond, and his argument crumbled. [2]

The One who has power over life and death (Allah) possesses complete authority over all creation, bringing forth everything within it, including full control over the planets and their orbits. As the sun consistently rises in the east each day, if you truly were a deity who grants life and administers death, then command the sun to rise from the west. [3]

This describes a stubborn liar who seeks to challenge the truth and emerge victorious, as he will ultimately be vanquished and humbled. This is why Allah said:

وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَہۡدِى ٱلۡقَوۡمَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ

And Allah guides not the people, who are Zalimun (wrong-doers, etc.); rather He abandons them to their disbelief and misguidance. [4]

[1] An Excerpt from “Tafseer Al-Baghawi”

[2] An Excerpt from “Tafseer As-Sadi”

[3] An Excerpt from “Tafseer Ibn Katheer”

[4] An Excerpt from “Tafseer As-Sadi”