The Founder of Monotheism
Ibrahim (peace be upon him) is admired as the ancestor of many esteemed prophets, who are highly regarded in the major revealed religions. Among these prophets are Suliman, Musa, Dawud, Yahya, Isa, and Muhammad, Peace be upon them all. All of them trace their lineage back to Ibrahim (pbuh).
The Birth of a Great Prophet
Ibrahim (pbuh) was born in the ancient city of Babylon currently located in Iraq. He lived in an era long before Prophet Muhammad (SAW). During his childhood, he observed his father making strange statues. He was a famous idol sculptor; he would sell the idols in the markets as deities for people to worship. Ibrahim (pbuh) thought it was absurd that individuals would regard these idols, composed of stone and wood, as their gods. He questioned how people could pray to these idols and seek favors from them, as well as offer them food and other offerings.
Ibrahim (pbuh) observed the idols while a fly landed on one of them. The idol was completely powerless to shoo away the fly, which made Ibrahim realize that it had no ability to do anything at all. Deep down, Ibrahim understood that the people in his community were severely misguided, but he was also unaware of the truth himself.
Ibrahim’s Resentment for the Idols
People had a big temple with full of idols of all sizes. The temple’s largest statues were positioned in the center. Each time Ibrahim (pbuh) visited the temple with his father, he notices people’s behavior inside the temple, as they displayed submission and reverence towards the statues. They would weep and plead for various things, as if the statues could hear their sorrows and respond. Initially, Ibrahim (pbuh) found this amusing, but as time went on, his anger grew for these wooden and stone idols.
Rising Against Polygamous Practices
One day, there was a festival was taking place in the temple. During the festival, a priest spoke about the greatness of the idol gods and asked them to provide for the people. Ibrahim (pbuh) couldn’t hold himself back. He interrupted the priest, stating that the gods would never hear him. The people searched where the voice was coming from and discovered it was Ibrahim (pbuh). This made the priest anxious and angry. Ibrahim’s father tried to diffuse the situation by explaining that his son was sick and unaware of his words. His father desired for Ibrahim (pbuh) to become a priest, solely to show respect towards these statues. Despite his father’s wishes, Ibrahim (pbuh) never ceased to express his hatred towards them.
After leaving the temple, they went home and the father escorted Ibrahim (pbuh) to his bed to sleep. However, Ibrahim (pbuh) could not sleep. He eventually rose from the bed, departed from his home, and ventured towards a mountain. In the darkness, he walked alone until he discovered a cave, where he settled and leaned against its wall for rest.
In Search for the Truth
In the cave from where view of the sky was clear, Ibrahim (pbuh) spend some time looking at the sky. As he gazed at the stars, he couldn’t help but be captivated by their beauty and brightness. He told himself, I will worship these stars as my god. Then the moon came out and he admired the beauty of the moon. The moon was shining brighter than the stars so he thought to himself, why don’t I make the moon my god instead of the stars. Then, in the morning the sun came out and the moon and stars all disappeared. He told himself, why don’t I make the sun my god and worship the sun instead? It is beautiful and much brighter than the moon and stars.
After much reflection Ibrahim (pbuh) considered what was beyond the moon, stars and planets (i.e. Allah). He decided he would worship the Maker of all these things. Ibrahim (pbuh) acknowledged that there was one divine being who brought him and everything around him into existence. Through this realization, Ibrahim (pbuh) was guided to the right path.
After the Revelation
Ibrahim (pbuh) went back home to his father. He asked his father, “Do you take idols as God? Verily, I see you and your people in manifest error.” He tells his people, “Indeed, I have turned my face toward He who created the heavens and the earth, inclining toward truth, and I am not of those who associate others with Allah.” His people argued with him and refused to believe him. During the debate, Ibrahim (pbuh) made it clear to his people that these celestial bodies are not gods and should not be worshipped alongside Allah. These bodies are created, controlled, and made to serve. They appear and disappear, but Allah never loses sight of anything and nothing can be hidden from Him. Allah is eternal and there is no deity other than Him.
Confrontation with His Father
Ibrahim’s (pbuh) logical thinking led to the discovering of the truth, sparking a conflict between him and his community. Among those who strongly opposed him was his own father and uncle, who had raised him. His father expressed his disappointment, accusing Ibrahim (pbuh) of betrayal and dishonor.
Ibrahim (pbuh) responded to his father by questioning the worship of idols that cannot hear, see, or provide any benefit. He informed his father that he had received knowledge that his father did not possess and urged him to follow him on the right path. Ibrahim (pbuh) warned his father against worshipping Satan, as Satan has always been disobedient to the Most Merciful. He expressed his fear that his father might face punishment from the Most Merciful and become a companion of Satan in Hellfire. Following this conversation, Ibrahim’s father stood up and vented his rage towards him. The father questions Ibrahim (pbuh), “Do you reject my gods?” He warned that if Ibrahim (pbuh) did not stop this, he would stone him. The father then told Ibrahim to leave before facing punishment.
Ibrahim (pbuh), known for his wisdom and nobility as a son and a Prophet, handled the situation with his father differently. Instead of making his father feel foolish or engaging in disrespectful arguments, he chose to have a dialogue with him, demonstrating the ethics of a prophet. Even when faced with harsh words and threats of murder, Ibrahim (pbuh) responded gently. He said to his father, “May peace be upon you, I will ask forgiveness for my Lord, surely He is very good to me, and I will distance myself from you and from what you worship besides Allah, and I will pray to my Lord, hopefully I will not be disappointed with pray to my Lord.” Then, he leaves his father’s house.
Breaking the Idols
Ibrahim (pbuh) continued to persuade his people by highlighting the magnificence of Allah’s creations, His immense power, profound wisdom, and tawhid (oneness of Allah). However, people still continued to worship idols so he decided to do something that would show that these idols are powerless.
Ibrahim (pbuh) knew about the upcoming grand celebration on the opposite side of the river, where everyone will be going. He patiently waited until the city was deserted, and then he cautiously walked towards the temple. The streets leading to the temple were empty, and even the priests had left for the festival outside the city. Carrying a sharp axe, Ibrahim (pbuh) arrived at the temple and observed the statues made of stone and wood, along with the food offerings placed in front of them. He questions all the statues, “Will you not eat the offering before you? What is the matter with you that you do not speak?”
Ibrahim (pbuh) lifted the axe and proceeded to behead all the idols that were worshipped by the people. All the false gods were destroyed, except for the largest one. He placed the axe on its shoulder, symbolizing how this statue had brought about the destruction of the others. With a sense of tranquility, Ibrahim (pbuh) left from the temple, having fulfilled his promise to demonstrate to his people the pointless of worshipping anything other than Allah.
Idolators Questions Ibrahim
Ibrahim (pbuh) was called by the community to inquire about the damaged idols. He suggested that the big idol, with an axe around its neck, might be responsible. This statement angered the people, as they knew the big idol couldn’t move or speak. Ibrahim then questions the people that “if these idols are defenseless and can’t do anything, then why do you pray to them? Why do you ask help from them when they can’t even help themselves?” Deep down, the people acknowledged Ibrahim is correct and that they are wrong for worshiping these stone idols. However, their arrogance would not allow them to admit their foolishness.
The Miracle- Allah Saves Ibrahim (pbuh)
The idolators kept him in chain and planned to take revenge. Idolaters were determined to prevent anyone from worshiping anything other than idols. So they devised a plan to throw Ibrahim (pbuh) into a massive fire in order to burn him alive. All the disbelievers were instructed to gather wood for the fire as an act of devotion to their gods. After several days of collecting firewood, they dug a deep pit, filled it with the wood, and set it ablaze. They also prepared a catapult to launch Ibrahim (pbuh) into the fire. They bound his hands and feet with ropes and placed him on the catapult.
As the flames reached the sky, the people kept their distance due to the intense heat. The chief priest then gave the order to launch Ibrahim (pbuh) into the fire. At that moment, the angel Jibreel (Gabriel) approached Ibrahim’s (pbuh) head and asked if he desired anything. Ibrahim (pbuh) responded, “I do not need anything from you.” The catapult was released, and Ibrahim (pbuh) was thrown into the fire. Amidst the raging fire, he remained calm, as if he were sitting in a garden. He expressed his gratitude for Allah. He did not feel any fear, regret, or sorrow; his heart was solely filled with love for Allah.
Undoubtedly, those who truly love Allah will never experience fear. His drop into the flames resembled descending steps in a cool garden. Although the fire remained, it did not harm Ibrahim (pbuh) as Allah had commanded. When it did burn out, the people were greatly amazed to find Ibrahim (pbuh) coming out of the pit untouched by the fire. Their faces were black from the smoke, but Ibrahim (pbuh) face was bright with the light and grace of Allah. The raging fire had become cool for Ibrahim (pbuh) and had only charred the ropes which held him. He walked out of the fire as if he was walking out of a garden. The disbelievers shouted in astonishment as they felt defeated by Ibrahim (pbuh). Allah says in Al-Quran: “And they intended for him harm, but We made them the greatest losers.”
Following the incident, a significant number of individuals accepted Ibrahim’s (pbuh) teachings on the unity of Allah. However, due to fear of harm or even death from the tyrants, they chose to keep it secret, their newfound faith.
Ibrahim’s Debate with King Namrud
Namrud, was a ruler of Babylon. His excessive wealth and power led to his arrogance, causing him to claim that he has the ability to create and even declare himself as God. Therefore, his subjects worshipped him as a living god, further feeding his ego. However, Namrud grew increasingly worried about the danger of his throne and his diminishing power. This was mainly due to the fact that a significant number of his people began to embrace the belief in Allah and recognize Ibrahim (pbuh) as a genuine prophet of Allah, after witnessing his miraculous return from the fire unharmed.
So he wanted to have a debate with Ibrahim (pbuh) in order to prove to his subjects that he, as the king, possessed divine qualities, while proving Ibrahim (pbuh) as a dishonest individual. He challenged Ibrahim (pbuh) and asked, “What does your god do I cannot do?” Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) calmly asked if Namrud could make the sun rise from the west. The King simply did not know what to say and what to do. Ibrahim (pbuh) once again demonstrated that the king was merely a mortal, similar to the rest of humanity. After Namrud was silenced by Ibrahim (pbuh), then Ibrahim left the royal palace. The truth of Prophet Ibrahim’s (pbuh) quickly spread across the entire land, catching the attention of people. They were amazed by his miraculous escape from the fire and his compelling arguments that left the king utterly speechless.
Ibrahim Emigrates
Only a woman named Sarah and his nephew Lut believed in Allah, and followed Ibrahim (pbuh). He decided to migrate from his hometown when he realized his people were still worshiping idols. He decided to travel to spread his messages elsewhere. Before leaving, he made one final attempt to persuade his father to embrace Islam, but his efforts were in vain. Ibrahim (pbuh) boldly declared to his father and those around him, “We have severed all ties with you and your idols. We have rejected you and there has arisen between us and you enmity and hatred forever unless you believe in Allah and Him alone.”
Lesson Learned Here
Relationship with Allah is more important than the blood relationship. Ibrahim (pbuh) tried and tried but could not convince his father to embrace Islam and believe in the Oneness of Allah. He realized that his father was the enemy of Allah so, he left his father and rejected his relationship with him. This serves as a crucial message for the people of Islam.
New Chapter Begins
Afterwards, Ibrahim (pbuh) marries Sarah and along with Lut, they begin their journey. They crossed Babylon, went through Syria, and Palestine, embarking on a mission to spread the word of Allah, helping the less fortunate and doing good deeds. Ibrahim (pbuh) was praying to have children who would carry forward the Message of Allah even after their death.
As the days went by, the couple faced the unfortunate reality of not being able to have a child. Sarah was aware of her husband’s desire for a son and she noticed Ibrahim (pbuh) had aged, and his hair was gray after many years spent in calling people to Allah. When Ibrahim (pbuh) and Sarah moved to Egypt, the king gave Sarah a woman to be her servant. The woman’s name was Hajarah. Once Sarah realized that she may not be able to provide Ibrahim (pbuh) with a child. She accepted her fate and submitted to the will of Allah. In a desperate attempt, she suggested to her husband that he marry their servant, Hajarah, in the hopes that Allah would bless them with a child through her. Ibrahim (pbuh) listened to the advice of his beloved wife Sarah and married Hajarah.
Birth of Ismail
And soon enough Hajar and Ibrahim (pbuh) were blessed with a son, whom they named Ismail (Ishmael). Ibrahim (pbuh) felt immense joy and gratitude upon the arrival of his first son, expressing his appreciation to Allah for this precious gift. According to certain scholars, Ibrahim (pbuh) was 86 years old when Ismail was born.
Fourteen years later, Allah rewarded Sarah with a son, Ishaq (Issac) in spite of her old age. On the day that Ishaq transitioned from drinking milk to solid food, Ibrahim (pbuh) hosted a grand feast. However, Sarah noticed that Hajarah’s son, whom she had given birth to, was happy and laughing. Sarah felt envious, she then approached Ibrahim (pbuh) and said to him, ‘Cast out this slave woman with her son, for the son of this slave woman shall not be heir with my son Ishaq”.
Ibrahim (pbuh) cared for his wife Sarah but did not agree with her view. Then God spoke to Ibrahim on this issue. And upon God’s command, Ibrahim woke up one day and asked Hajarah to prepare herself and baby Ismail for a long travel. They walked through cultivated fields, deserts, and mountains until he arrived at the barren desert of the Arabian Peninsula. Eventually, he reached a valley with no signs of life, lacking fruits, trees, food, and water. After assisting his wife and child in dismounting, Ibrahim (pbuh) left them with a small supply of food and water that would barely sustain them for two days. Then, without looking back, he proceeded to walk away. His wife hastened to catch up with him, questioning, “Ibrahim, why are you abandoning us in this deserted valley?” She repeated her question many times but he continued walking. Then she asked, “Did Allah commanded you to do this?” He nodded yes.
Hajarah stated, “then He would not abandon us.” Ibrahim (pbuh) continued to walk away until he was no longer in sight. He then lifted his hands and requested Allah. He said, “O our Lord! I have made some of my offspring to dwell in a valley with no cultivation, by Your Sacred House (the Kaba at Mecca); in order, O our Lord, that they may offer prayers perfectly (Iqamat-as-Salat), so fill some hearts among men with love towards them, and provide them with fruits so that they may give thanks.”
Lesson Learned Here
The act of sending his wife and son away may appear harsh to us, but the Quran documents Ibrahim’s (pbuh) empathy and Allah’s instruction. Ibrahim (pbuh) showed care for his son, while also displaying obedience to God’s will, even when it conflicted with his own wishes. This showcases Ibrahim’s (pbuh) humility, which remains relevant in present times. God calls us to obedience, and that requires us to be willing to give up personal desires in order to follow Him.
What happens in the desert?
Hajarah continued to care for Ismail and drink from the water until it was completely used up. As a result, she became extremely thirsty and the child began to cry. In order to find help, she left him on the hill of al-Marwa and quickly made her way to the nearest hill, as-Safa. Standing there, she searched the valley, hoping to spot someone, but unfortunately, she couldn’t see anyone. Descending from as-Safa, she ran across the valley and reached the hill of al-Marwa. Once again, she stood and searched, but still couldn’t find anyone. She repeated this process of running between as-Safa and al-Marwa seven times.
Miracle of Zamzam
Upon her final arrival at al-Marwa, Hajarah was overcome with fatigue and she sat beside her child. Suddenly, she was startled by a voice. Getting up on her feet, she uttered, “Whoever you are, do you have anything that could aid me?” She saw Angel Jibreel, she observed as he was digging the ground, causing a stream of water to emerge. She built a little basin around it. She scooped water with her hand, quenching her thirst, replenishing her water container, and nourishing baby Ismail. The angel said to Hajarah, “Don’t be afraid of being neglected, for this is the House of Allah (Kaaba) which will be built by this boy and his father, and Allah never neglects His people.”
This remarkable site where the water flowed became known as Zamzam. To commemorate this event, Muslims still drink from the holy Zamzam water and perform the ritual of walking between as-Safa and al-Marwa seven times during Hajj (pilgrimage).
Their Settlement in Mecca
The barren desert of the Arabian Peninsula (present day Mecca) where Hajarah and Ismael was dropped off by Ibrahim (pbuh) by the command of God, was now starting to captivate attention of other people. A group of Arab travelers passing through Makkah observed birds soaring around al-Marwa and thought that the birds were attracted to water. Following the birds, they found the water source and they saw Hajarah. They politely asked if they could seek shelter and utilize the water from her well. She replied, “Yes, but you will have no right to possess the water.” They agreed to that.
Their company brought her joy, and she willingly accepted their invitation. As a result, they sent for their families and settled down as permanent residents in the area. The entire valley flourished with activity and life. Ismail, as he grew older, he learned Arabic and eventually married an Arab woman.
Wife of Ismail
Ibrahim (pbuh) did not see his son ever since he dropped him off when he was a baby. Ibrahim (pbuh) returned to Mecca to meet his son whom he loved and missed so dearly. Ismail was not home but he met his wife. When he asked about Ismail, his wife said, “He has gone in search of our livelihood.” Then, Ibrahim (pbuh) inquired about their lifestyle and situation, to which she responded, “We are enduring a life of misery, hardship, and poverty,” expressing her sorrows. In response, Ibrahim (pbuh) told her to pass on his greetings to her husband and request him to change the gate entrance of their home.
“When Ismail came home, he felt something unusual. So, he asked his wife if anyone visited her. She responded, “Yes, an old man came and asked me about you, and he asked about our living situation, and I told him that we were living in a hardship and poverty.” Then Ismail asked if the old man gave any advice. She said, “yes he gave his greetings and told you to change the gate entrance of your home.” Ismail understood and he responded, “It was my father, and he has ordered me to divorce you. Go back to your family.” So, Ismail divorced her and married another woman from among them.
Then, after a period of time, Ibrahim (pbuh) came to meet his son again but did not get to meet him this time either. He met his wife and asked about Ismail, his wife said, “He has gone in search of our livelihood.” Then, Ibrahim (pbuh) inquired about their lifestyle and situation, to which she responded, “‘We are prosperous and living comfortably.” Then she thanked Allah. Ibrahim (pbuh) asked, “What kind of food and drink do you consume?” She responded with, “meat and water.” He said, “O Allah! Bless their meat and water.” Ibrahim (pbuh) told her to pass on his greetings to her husband and he should keep firm the gate entrance of their home.
When Ismail came home, his wife informed him about this incident with this good-looking old man who inquired about their living situation. And she told Ismail about their conversation. After hearing this, Ismael said, “It was my father, and you are the threshold (of the gate). He has ordered me to keep you with me.”
Ibrahim’s Meeting with Ismail
Once again, Ibrahim (pbuh) decided to return to Mecca in attempt of meeting with his son Ismail. This time he was successful as Allah wished. He found Ismail behind the Zamzam well, repairing his arrows. He approached his son; Ismail rose up and hugged his father. It was a very happy moment for both father and son. Ibrahim (pbuh) informed Ismail that God had commanded him to construct a house for Him and God had also instructed Ismail to assist him in this task.
At that time there was no place built for the worship of Allah. Ismail agreed to help, and together they began building the Ka’ba. They raised the foundations of the house (Ka’ba). Ismail brought the stones and Ibrahim (pbuh) built the walls, and when the walls became high, Ismail brought a large stone and put it in front of his father who stood over it and carried on building, while Ismail was handing him the stones. This large stone which Ibrahim (pbuh) stepped on is still there to this day near the Ka’ba. It is called Maqam Ibrahim. Ibrahim (pbuh) and Ismail (pbuh) devoted a great deal of energy in building the Ka’ba that thousands men could not match.
Hajar al-Aswad (The Black Stone)
Hajar al-Aswad is a black stone that is engraved in the southeast wall of the Ka’ba. Ibrahim (pbuh) and his son were short of one stone when building the walls of the Ka’ba. Ibrahim (pbuh) then instructed Ismail to find a suitable stone to complete the construction. However, Ismail returned empty-handed and found that a stone had already been placed in the gap. When he asked his father about it, Ibrahim (pbuh) explained that the stone had been delivered by Angel Jibreel. The Black stone descended from Jannah (paradise), and it was more white than milk, then it started turning black by the sins of the children of Adam (Tirmidhi: 877) Throughout the process of building the Ka’ba, Ibrahim (pbuh) and Ismail both prayed to Allah, asking Him to accept their service, acknowledging His omniscience and ability to hear their prayers.
The Sacrifice
Ibrahim (pbuh) experienced a profound dream one night, which led him to approach his son, Ismail, with a significant revelation. In his dream, Ibrahim (pbuh) saw himself sacrificing Ismail as an offering to Allah. Recognizing the divine nature of this vision, both Ibrahim (pbuh) and Ismail understood that it was a command from Allah. Without any hesitation, Ismail assured his father that he should carry out the command. With unwavering determination, both father and son headed to Mount Arafat, carrying a knife and rope. Ismail immediately asked that his hands and legs be tied so that he may not struggle and that his father blindfold himself so that he won’t have to witness him suffer.
With their complete submission to Allah’s will, Ibrahim (pbuh) proceeded to lay his son down, placing his forehead on the ground in prostration, and poised a sharp knife towards Ismail’s neck. In that very moment, Allah called out to Ibrahim, “O Ibrahim! You have fulfilled the dream! Thus do We reward the good doers!” acknowledging his fulfillment of the dream and promising to reward the righteous. As a testament, a magnificent sheep descended from the heavens, replacing Ismail as the sacrificial offering. Ibrahim (pbuh) dutifully carried out the sacrifice, and together, they joyously celebrated this momentous occasion. This event, known as Eid al-Adha, is celebrated annually by Muslims worldwide, symbolizing the act of sacrificing a sheep in remembrance of Ibrahim and Ismail’s unwavering faith and obedience to Allah.
Lessons Learned from Ibrahim’s (pbuh) life
Ibrahim (pbuh) holds a significant place in Islamic history, for his unwavering faith and loyalty to Allah. Throughout his life as a prophet, he encountered countless challenges and hardships, yet his steadfastness and resilience continue to serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration for Muslims worldwide, reminding them of the importance of remaining steadfast in their own faith.
