“Then, when they had both submitted themselves, and he laid him down upon his forehead” (103).

“They had both submitted themselves” means that they yielded and humbled themselves to the command of Allah Most High. Qatadah said: “Abraham surrendered his son, and the son surrendered himself.” “And he laid him down upon his forehead” means that he threw him down upon the ground. Ibn Abbas said: “He laid him face down upon the earth, with his forehead down; the forehead lies between the two temples.”

They said: The son whom he intended to sacrifice said to him, “My dear father, bind me tightly so that I do not struggle. Keep your garments away from me, lest some of my blood should spatter upon them, diminishing my reward, and lest my mother see it and grieve. Sharpen your blade, and pass the knife swiftly over my throat, so that it may be easier for me, for death is indeed severe. When you come to my mother, convey my greetings of peace to her. And if you think fit to return my shirt to my mother, then do so, for perhaps it will bring her some consolation for my loss.”

Abraham, peace be upon him, said to him, “What an excellent help you are, my dear son, in fulfilling the command of Allah!” So Abraham did as his son had instructed him. Then, after binding him, he turned to him and kissed him, weeping—96/b—and [the son was weeping as well] (1). He then placed the knife upon his throat, but the knife did not cut.