(1) This refers to Allah’s words: “So We gave him good news of a forbearing son. When the boy reached an age when he could work with him, he said, ‘My son, I see in my sleep that I am slaughtering you; consider, then, what you think.’ He replied, ‘My father, do what you are commanded; you will find me, if Allah wills, among the steadfast.’ When they had both submitted and he had laid him face-down upon his brow, We called out, ‘O Ibrahim! You have fulfilled the vision. Thus do We reward the doers of good. And We ransomed him with a magnificent sacrifice.’” (Surah al-Saffat, 101-107). (2) Note: The author states, “The sound view is that, whenever a command is issued purely as a test and without any intrinsic benefit in the act itself, the intended purpose is achieved as soon as the servant believes in it and resolves to comply, even if he never carries it out. This is exemplified by Ibrahim when he was ordered to sacrifice his son, and by the hadith of the bald, the leper, and the blind man: when the wayfarer asked them for charity, the leper and the bald man refused and were stripped of the blessing, whereas the blind man gave what was requested and was told, ‘Keep your wealth; you were only being tested. Allah is pleased with you and angry with your two companions.’ Here, the wisdom lies in the very fact of the command and prohibition, not in the physical performance of the deed. A servant may be commanded or forbidden so that the wisdom consists in his obedience, his submission, and his willingness to offer what is asked—just as Ibrahim was required to put Allah’s love above his love for his son, thereby perfecting his intimate friendship with Allah before the actual slaughter. Once he stepped forward and firmly resolved to obey, it became clear that Allah was dearer to him than his child or anything else, and no other love remained in his heart to rival the love of Allah.” (Majmu‘ al-Fatawa, 14/145).