The Story of Ibrahim – (alaihis salaam)

Extract from Islamic Newsletter ‘As-Sunnah’ Issue no: 10, Compiled by Sister Shawana A. Aziz

The childhood of Ibrahim (AS)

Prophet Ibrahim (AS) was born in a family of idolaters but from early childhood, he (AS) was endowed with spiritual understanding. Allah enlightened his heart and mind and gave him wisdom:

“We bestowed aforetime on Ibrahim his rectitude of conduct, and well were We acquainted with him. (as to his belief in the Oneness of Allah)” [Surah Al Anbiya 21:51]

One day, Ibrahim (AS) looked at the sky and the Quran:

“So also did We show Ibrahim the power and the laws of the heavens and the earth, that he might (with understanding) have certitude. When the night covered him over, He saw a star: He said: “This is my Lord.” But when it set, He said: “I love not those that set.” When he saw the moon rising in splendour, he said: “This is my Lord.” But when the moon set, He said: “Unless my Lord guide me, I shall surely be among those who go astray.”

When he saw the sun rising in splendour, he said: “This is my Lord; this is the greatest (of all).” But when the sun set, he said: “O my people! I am indeed free from your (guilt) of giving partners to Allah. “For me, I have set my face, firmly and truly, towards Him Who created the heavens and the earth, and never shall I give partners to Allah.”” [Surah Al An'am 6:75-79]

Thus, Ibrahim (AS) rejected the worship of all celestial bodies, which people venerated and worshiped and therefore:

“His people disputed with him. He said: “(Come) ye to dispute with me, about Allah, when He (Himself) hath guided me? I fear not (the beings) ye associate with Allah: Unless my Lord willeth, (nothing can happen). My Lord comprehendeth in His knowledge all things. Will ye not (yourselves) be admonished? “How should I fear (the beings) ye associate with God, when ye fear not to give partners to God without any warrant having been given to you? Which of (us) two parties hath more right to security? (tell me) if ye know.” [Surah Al An'am 6:80-81]

It was in his childhood that Ibrahim (AS) argued with his father, who was not only an ordinary idolater, but he totally rejected the existence of Allah. He used to make idols with his own hands. Ibrahim (AS) realized the fallacy of the idol; he (AS) noticed that these idols did not eat, drink, or talk, and that they could not even turn themselves right-side if someone turned them upside-down. How could then people believe that such statues could harm or benefit them?

“Lo! Ibrahim said to his father Azar: “Takest thou idols for gods? For I see thee and thy people in manifest error.”” [Surah Al An'am 6:74]

“Behold, he said to his father: “O my father! why worship that which heareth not and seeth not, and can profit thee nothing? “O my father! to me hath come knowledge which hath not reached thee: so follow me: I will guide thee to a way that is even and straight. “O my father! serve not Satan: for Satan is a rebel against (Allah) Most Gracious. “O my father! I fear lest a Penalty afflict thee from (Allah) Most Gracious, so that thou become to Satan a friend.”

(The father) replied: “Dost thou hate my gods, O Ibrahim? If thou forbear not, I will indeed stone thee: Now get away from me for a good long while!”

Ibrahim said: “Peace be on thee: I will pray to my Lord for thy forgiveness: for He is to me Most Gracious. “And I will turn away from you (all) and from those whom ye invoke besides Allah: I will call on my Lord: perhaps, by my prayer to my Lord, I shall be not unblest.”” [Surah Maryam 19:42-48]

He also argued with a skeptic, who claimed to be god (according to what the commentators said, he was Namrud, the King of Babylon):

Allah says in the Quran:

“Hast thou not turned thy vision to one who disputed with Ibrahim about his Lord, because Allah had granted him power? Ibrahim said: “My Lord is He Who Giveth life and death.” He said: “I give life and death”. Said Ibrahim: “But it is Allah that causeth the sun to rise from the East: Do thou then cause him to rise from the West.” Thus was he confounded who (in arrogance) rejected faith. Nor doth Allah Give guidance to a people unjust.” [Surah Al Baqarah 2:258]

Dawah Lessons:

In the above discussion, we see an excellent example of moral behavior of a religious son towards his deviated father. This calls us to undertake the obligation of Dawah and Islah of one’s family, as Allah says:

“O ye who believe! save yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is Men and Stones…” [Surah Al Tahrim 66:6]

The spiritual lessons found in the short conversation between Ibrahim (AS) and his father can be stated in four proportions:

1. A pious son is dutiful to his father and wishes him well in everything; material and spiritual.

2. If the father refuses the guidance of Allah, the son does his utmost to bring his father nearer to Allah.

3. Having received the guidance, the son does not renounce it, even if he had to forfeit his father’s love and renounce his home.

4. Even if the father repels him and turns him out, he replies in politeness, full of love and forgiveness, but he is firm on behalf of Truth.

The story of Ibrahim (AS) also explain the correct conduct and behavior of a Da’i (caller to Islam), which we will enumerate in the following discussion, with examples from the life of Ibrahim (AS):

1. A Da’i should be polite and humble and he must avoid all forms of harshness and force. Allah says:

“Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knoweth best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance.” [Surah Al Nahl 16:125]

In this wonderful passage are laid down principles of religious preaching, which are good for all times. Invitation to Islam should be in a humble and courteous manner, with wisdom and discretion, meeting people on their own ground and convincing them with illustrations from their own knowledge and experience, which may be very narrow, or very wide. Our preaching must not be dogmatic, self-regarding or offensive but gentle, considerate and such as would attract their attention. Such is evident from the actions of Ibrahim (AS).

In his debate with those who worshiped the celestial bodies, Prophet Ibrahim (AS) first clarified to his people the reality of celestial bodies. They do not serve as deities, these bodies are created, fashionable, controlled, managed and made to serve. They are not worthy to be worshiped as partners with Allah. Then secondly he described unto them that they are among the signs of Allah:

“Among His Signs are the Night and the Day, and the Sun and the Moon. Adore not the sun and the moon, but adore Allah, Who created them, if it is Him ye wish to serve.” [Surah Fussilat 41:37]

The next incident, when he argued with the idolaters, he used reasoning:

“That was the reasoning about Us, which We gave to Ibrahim (to use) against his people: We raise whom We will, degree after degree: for thy Lord is full of wisdom and knowledge.” [Surah Al An'am 6:83]

Being a wise son, he did not make his father feel foolish; nor did he openly laugh at his conduct. He told him that he loved him, thereby hoping to generate fatherly love.

Then he gently asked him:

“Behold, he said to his father: “O my father! why worship that which heareth not and seeth not, and can profit thee nothing?” [Surah Maryam 19:42]

And before his father could become angry, he hastily said:

“”O my father! to me hath come knowledge which hath not reached thee: so follow me: I will guide thee to a way that is even and straight. “O my father! serve not Satan: for Satan is a rebel against (Allah) Most Gracious. “O my father! I fear lest a Penalty afflict thee from (Allah) Most Gracious, so that thou become to Satan a friend.”” [Surah Maryam 19:43-45]

In the same way, he again used reasoning with the idol-worshipers and said:

“Behold, he said to his father and his people: “What worship ye?” They said: “We worship idols, and we remain constantly in attendance on them.” He said: “Do they listen to you when ye call (on them), or do you good or harm?” They said: “Nay, but we found our fathers doing thus (what we do).” He said: “Do ye then see whom ye have been worshipping,-” [Surah Al Shu'ara' 26:71-75]

However, they (the idolaters) did not give up but clung fast to idolatry, then he (AS) said:

“And by God, I have a plan for your idols – after ye go away and turn your backs.” [Surah Al Anbiya 21:57]

Ibrahim (AS) knew that there was going to be a celebration on the other side of the river, which would be attended by all people. They invited Ibrahim (AS) to join them in the celebrations but:

“Then did he cast a glance at the Stars. And he said, “I am indeed sick (at heart)!” So they turned away from him, and departed.” [Surah Al Saffat 37:88]

He did this trick to remain in their temple and to destroy the idols. Ibrahim waited until the city was empty:

“Then did he turn to their aliha (gods) and said, “will ye not eat (of the offerings before you)? “What is the matter with you that ye speak not (intelligently)?” Then did he turn upon them, striking (them) with the right hand.” [Surah Al Saffat 37:91-93]

“So he broke them to pieces, (all) but the biggest of them, that they might turn (and address themselves) to it.” [Surah Al Anbiya 21:58]

He enacted this scene, to make the people ashamed of worshiping powerless and senseless stocks and stones. He broke all the idols except the biggest, so as to show that a fight had taken place between the idols, and the biggest idol had smashed the others. So, when they came back:

“They said, “Who has done this to our aliha (gods)? He must indeed be some man of impiety!” They said, “We heard a youth talk of them: He is called Ibrahim.” They said, “Then bring him before the eyes of the people, that they may bear witness.” They said, “Art thou the one that did this with our gods, O Ibrahim?” He said: “Nay, this was done by – this is their biggest one! ask them, if they can speak intelligently!”

So they turned to themselves and said, “Surely ye are the ones in the wrong!” Then were they confounded with shame: (they said), “Thou knowest full well that these (idols) do not speak!” (Ibrahim) said, “Do ye then worship, besides Allah, things that can neither be of any good to you nor do you harm? “Fie upon you, and upon the things that ye worship besides Allah! Have ye no sense?”.. They said, “Burn him and protect your gods, If ye do (anything at all)!” We said, “O Fire! be thou cool, and (a means of) safety for Ibrahim!” Then they sought a stratagem against him: but We made them the ones that lost most!” [Surah Al Anbiya 21:59-70]

In Surah Maryam, the challenge was how a righteous Muslim deals with his father when his duty to his father conflicts with his duty to Allah? And here the challenge was how a righteous man deals with evil and overcomes it? And how his firmness on his belief draws Allah’s Mercy and troubles become his comfort and joy?

1) The spiritual lesson of this passage can be summarized as that a righteous man makes no compromise with evil. If the followers of evil mock him, he pays them in their own coin, but stands firm by his principles. Even if they harm him or try to kill him, he declares his faith in Allah.

2) Another rule of Dawah is that the invitation to Islam should not imply compulsion, since compulsion is incompatible with the religion for two reasons:

(a) Religion depends upon one’s faith and will, and these would be meaningless if induced by force.

(b) Truth is clearly distinguished from error. Allah says:

“Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out Clear from Error: whoever rejects Evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah heareth and knoweth all things.” [Surah Al Baqarah 2:256]