Azar (Terah)

Azar is mentioned by name in the Quran (Surah al-Anam 6:74) as the father — or in some scholarly opinions, the paternal uncle — of Prophet Ibrahim AS. He was a maker and worshipper of idols in Babylon during the reign of Namrud. Ibrahim's call to his father is one of the most tender scenes in the Quran: the young prophet addresses Azar with compassion, reasoning, and concern — 'O my father, why do you worship that which does not hear and does not see and does not benefit you at all?' (Surah Maryam 19:42). Despite years of Ibrahim's patient, loving invitation, Azar rejected the call and even threatened to stone his son if he did not stop. He told Ibrahim: 'If you do not desist, I will surely stone you. So avoid me for a prolonged time.' Ibrahim responded with dignity: 'Peace be upon you. I will ask forgiveness of my Lord for you' (Surah Maryam 19:47). Ibrahim continued to seek forgiveness for his father during his lifetime, but when it became clear that Azar had died upon disbelief, Ibrahim disavowed him — as the Quran says, a prophet may not seek forgiveness for confirmed disbelievers (Surah al-Tawbah 9:113-114). Scholars differ on whether Azar was Ibrahim's biological father or uncle, with some narrating that Ibrahim's true father was Tarih (Terah) and that Azar was his uncle. The majority position accepts Azar as his father. His story is a lesson on the limits of a believer's love for family when that family chooses disbelief.