فَقَالَ إِنِّي سَقِيمٌ (89)
(37:89) and said: 'I am sick.' *49
*49) This is one of those three things concerning which it is said that the Prophet Abraham had told three lies in his life, whereas it should be ascertained before declaring it a lie, or anything contrary to fact, whether the Prophet Abraham at that time was not suffering from any illness, and therefore, he had trade this excuse only as a pretence. If there is no proof, there is no reason why it should be regarded as a lie. For a detailed discussion, please refer to E.N. 60 of Surah Al-Anbiya` and Rasa 'il-o-Masa'il, vol. II, pp. 35 to 39.