We will find that the lives of the apostles contained great mishaps and trials but they had the moral character to forbear them and succeeded in the trials that God set for them. Noah suffered 950 years from the trouble that his people gave him. Moses worked for Shoaeb and suffered the hardships set by the Pharaoh. The Bani Israel denied monotheism and the one ness of God and reneged. In the same way all the prophets like Job, Jesus, Lot, Shoaeb and Huod suffered and especially Abraham who underwent all kinds of hardships.

The verse says that God offered Abraham the Imamate together with prophethood and this was only after he succeeded in his trials. It is said:

“And remember that Abraham was tried by his Lord with certain commands, which he fulfilled: He said, “I will make you an Imam for the people.” He pleaded,” And also from my offspring!” God answered,” But my promise is not within the reach of evil doers.”

The verse briefly speaks about the tribulations that Abraham suffered but the commentators say that the term “ Al Kalimaat” ( the deeds through which god tested Abraham) means the capacity by which he agreed to slay his son and took his son Ismail and wife Hajira to the deserted area of Makkah. He asked them to stay there because of God’s command. He stayed steadfast against the idol worshippers and then migrated.

Some commentators opine that Abraham underwent 30 trials (1) but the last was the most important of all. This was the trial of migration with his wife, and son to another land and it was a great trial.

The commentators have discussed the word “Kalimaat” at length. Some say it is determination against those who worshipped the moon, sun and stars and also the other commands of God. The greatest was the one he succeeded in.

Conclusion

It is Possible that we may conclude that the apostles of God were endowed with special features and attributes according even to the Qura’n. No particular attributed was limited to any one of them for we can say that all the attributes were necessary for each one of them and through them only can we can understand them correctly.

One of the ways of knowing them (the details of which will come later) is the accumulation of all attributes specifically for them.

1. The late Tabrisi in Majmaul Bayan, Tusi in Ruhul Ma’ani and Qartabi have said in their commentaries that these 30 attributes are from the religious tenets and have been mentioned in four Surahs of the Qura’n. Twelve among them are Surah Taubah 13, Surah Ahzab 35, ten in Surah Muminun and in Surah Maarij. It should be noted that 30 attributes are not there in any one of them but only when all are gathered together.