The Story of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham)

Summary

BAHAGIAN 1

Did you know?

1) Prophet Ibrahim came from Babylon which is now known as Iraq.

2) The father of the prophet Abraham was an idol maker. He tried to train Prophet Ibrahim to take over the idol-selling business since childhood. But Prophet Ibrahim was a smart child. Since the age of 7, he has started asking various questions about god. He saw his father carving an idol then saw people buying and worshiping the statue. He asked his father, why do people worship his father’s handmade statues? His father just replied, do not question the tradition of our ancestors.

3) One day the father of the Prophet Ibrahim told him to bring some idols for sale to the public. On the way, he passed a river. Prophet Ibrahim threw the statue into the river and said, “Swim! If you are a great god, save yourself and swim! ” But the statues continue to sink to the bottom of the river.

4) One day a year, the people of the Prophet Ibrahim will celebrate a festival where they will gather in the middle of the city to worship idols. While the people were busy feasting, Prophet Ibrahim had destroyed the idols in the place of worship with an ax. He left the largest statue and then placed the ax in the hands of the statue.

5) When people are aware of what happened, many people think that the Prophet Ibrahim did it because he was famous for asking about their gods. In fact, Allah bestowed on Prophet Ibrahim the greatness of debating so he was famous for his debate on religion. The polytheists came face to face with him to question whether it was true that he did it.

6) Prophet Ibrahim replied, “Why ask me? Ask the big man because the ax is in his hand, he must be the one who destroyed his other friends. ” They replied again, “Are you stupid? That is a statue, it is impossible for it to talk or move! ” Prophet Ibrahim said, “Now I or you are stupid? You know the statue can’t move, talk, eat or drink, can’t protect itself when someone tries to destroy it, so why do you worship him? ” In their hearts there is a truth as well as what is said. But due to the ego to defend the ancestral tradition, they agreed to kill the prophet Ibrahim.

7) They lit a very large and hot bonfire to burn the prophet Ibrahim. They tied the prophet Ibrahim to the top of a tree to be thrown into the fire. Terrible isn’t it? Then Gabriel came to the prophet Ibrahim to extend help. Prophet Ibrahim surrendered to Allah by saying, no one can give help except Allah. Then Allah commanded the fire to be cool and comfortable for the prophet Ibrahim. Refer to the Quran (21:69).

8) Prophet Ibrahim walked out of the fire without burning at all, the only thing that burned was the rope that bound his body earlier. Everyone was shocked and stunned, afraid to do anything to the Prophet Ibrahim and from there began many of them who became his followers. The first person to become his follower was the prophet Lut, his nephew who was still young at the time.

9) King Namrud, a king from another country had heard of Prophet Ibrahim and sent his soldiers to bring Prophet Ibrahim to come face to face. King Namrud was a cruel king who claimed to be a god. He debated with the prophet Abraham. “You said god can cause life and death, I can do it too.” He called 2 prisoners who had been sentenced to death. He freed one and another was killed. “Nah! I have caused life and death. I am God!”

10) Prophet Ibrahim replied, “My Lord made the sun rise from the east and set it west. If you can raise the sun from the west I will worship you. ” King Namrud felt his ego was scratched. If Prophet Ibrahim was an ordinary person, he would have been killed a long time ago. Since everyone knew he could not be harmed, the burn alone did not die, so King Namrud was quite afraid of him and had driven him out of the country.

11) Prophet Lut, Prophet Ibrahim and his wife Siti Sarah migrated to As-Sham. On the way there, they passed a place called Harran. Here the people worship the stars.

12) Prophet Ibrahim pretended to worship the stars and when the sun rose, the stars disappeared. Prophet Ibrahim pretended to be angry by saying, “Where can God be for a moment and then for a moment disappear!” Then he pretended to worship the moon and then the sun. All the same, everything will disappear when day turns night and night turns day. Prophet Ibrahim preached, worship the god who created all the worlds, who created day and night, who is eternal.

13) They continue their journey to the state of Sham. Arriving in Sham, Siti Sarah was captured by the king of Sham’s spies to be made concubines. The king could not see the beautiful woman, he must have arrested her and made her a palace concubine. Siti Sarah is the most beautiful woman the king has ever met, so she is very excited. Siti Sarah prays to God for protection. When the king saw Siti Sarah sad, he was sad too. So he released Siti Sarah and gifted a female slave named Siti Hajar.

14) Prophet Ibrahim and Siti Sarah lived in Sham City for many years until old age. Their business is thriving and they are living happily ever after.

 

 

BAHAGIAN 2

Summary

1) Prophet Ibrahim and Siti Sarah lived happily, they had everything but he still did not have children. Siti Sarah was a woman who could not give birth and at that time Siti Sarah was old. Prophet Ibrahim is also 85 years old. However, because of Siti Sarah’s love for her husband, Siti Sarah presented her servant named Siti Hajar to the prophet Ibrahim and allowed them to get married. Soon, with God’s permission, Siti Hajar became pregnant.

2) The long-awaited day has arrived and Siti Hajar gave birth to a son named Ismail. Prophet Ibrahim was very excited about the birth of his son.

3) The first dream: Allah commanded Prophet Ibrahim to take Siti Hajar and her newborn child to a barren land in As-Sham, leave them there and continue to return to Siti Sarah, his first wife. Because this was God’s command, Prophet Ibrahim continued to do it without complaining or asking many questions. This is God’s test for Abraham. He was able to do it on the basis of God’s command.

4) Siti Hajar and the prophet Ismail were left in the middle of a desert whose location is unknown. When the food has run out, his body milk is dry. Prophet Ismail began to cry and Siti Hajar felt he needed to do something. Siti Hajar ran her child up a hill named Safa to see from above if anyone passed by so she could ask for help. Then the child ran to another hill named Marwa and looked from the top of the hill as well. Repeated several times from the two hills. Suddenly Siti Hajar heard a sound from below. Siti Hajar ran down the hill towards her son. The sound is the sound of water squirting out of the ground. God has sent down help to them.

5) Siti Hajar takes a little wet soil and shapes it into a bowl and then pours water using the bowl. When it was full, he said “Zam! Zam! Zam! Zam! ” which means, “Stop! Stop! Stop! Stop! ” because the water does not stop squirting. That is the zam zam water that until now has not stopped coming out of the ground. From that water, Siti Hajar was able to drink and produce milk for the prophet Ismail.

6) In the desert, nomadic travelers will usually look for birds because where there are birds there is water. The Jurhum people are a people who are traveling there and from a distance they saw a group of birds flying over the zam zam water earlier. As they approached, they saw a woman and a baby. They also asked Siti Hajar, “Can we stay here? Because here is water, a miracle in the middle of the barren wilderness! ” Siti Hajar saw that they looked like good people, so they were allowed to stay there and drink from zam zam water, provided that the zam zam water well became the right of her and her son. Thus began the human settlement in the area which is now known as Mecca. The Jurhum were very fond of the Prophet Ishmael. They defended him well, taught him Arabic and raised him as a believer.

7) Prophet Ibrahim always came to see his son Prophet Ishmael. Prophet Ishmael had grown up perfectly, was very faithful to Allah and Prophet Ibrahim was very fond of his son.

8) The second dream: Prophet Ibrahim said to the prophet Ishmael, “I have had a dream. God has commanded me to slaughter you. ” Without thinking long the Prophet Ismail continued to say, “Father must do. This is God’s command. ” That is how the prophet Ishmael obeyed God. Then they headed to a place not far from there. Prophet Ishmael was convinced that Allah would not hurt him. While on the way, the devil appeared to cause doubt in the heart of the prophet Ibrahim. The devil said, “Is it true that you want to kill your son?” Abraham threw a stone at the devil. The devil went to Ismail and tried to incite, “Are you willing to die killed by your own father?” Ismail threw a stone at Satan. Satan went towards both of them and tried to incite for the third time to stop them from carrying out God’s command. Abraham and Ishmael threw stones at Satan again. This is the origin of Jamratul Ula, Wusta & Aqabah where pilgrims throw stones.

9) Arriving at the destination, the prophet Ishmael was ready to lie down to be slaughtered. Earlier, he instructed his father, “Wait a minute, turn me over so that when my face is facing the ground my father can not see my face and sharpen the knife so that my father can do it quickly.” Prophet Ismail did not want his father to see his face because he was worried that sympathy and hesitation would arise to carry out God’s command.

10) When he slaughtered the prophet Ishmael, his knife did not sink. Tried and tried again. Apparently every time Prophet Ibrahim tried to slaughter, the sharp knife blade was upside down. Even the knife turned to do something if God did not allow it. Then Allah replaced the place of the prophet Ishmael with a goat. This is the next test of Allah on the prophet Ibrahim.

11) The third dream: God commanded the prophets Abraham and Ishmael to build the Temple. Abraham and Ishmael collected stones and began to build a box-shaped building. Prophet Ibrahim stood on a rock and Prophet Ishmael handed the bricks to his father.

12) For the last stone, Prophet Ibrahim asked Prophet Ishmael to find the most beautiful stone to complete the Temple but no suitable stone was found. Suddenly the prophet Ibrahim came to his son carrying a very beautiful and sacred stone. Prophet Ibrahim said that the stone Allah had sent down to him from Jannah. That is the stone of Hajar Al-Aswad.

13) After the completion of the Temple, the stone under the soles of the Prophet Ibrahim became soft for a while causing the footprints of the Prophet Ibrahim to be left behind. The stone artifact is a reminder to humans of this historic event. Refer to the Quran (2:12).

14) Then Allah commanded Prophet Ibrahim to shout the call to all mankind to come to perform the pilgrimage. Abraham looked around, there was no one. There is a desert area. Who will hear his call? Prophet Ibrahim said to Allah, “O Allah, my voice did not reach.” Allah told Prophet Ibrahim to just carry out the order and the rest surrendered to Allah. So the Prophet Ibrahim shouted, “O people! Indeed, Allah has commanded you all to perform Hajj to this house of Allah, so that you may be rewarded to heaven and save you from the torment of Hell ”. Until now, relentless people from all over the world came to Mecca to perform Hajj.

15) After some tests and commands of God on the prophet Ibrahim, good news came. At the age of the prophet Ibrahim 120 years and his wife Siti Sarah 90s, three angels met the prophet Ibrahim carrying the good news that Siti Sarah was pregnant with a son, the prophet Ishak. Siti Sarah is shocked because they are very old and Siti Sarah is a woman who can not give birth.

16) The good news continues, not only that, they will live long enough to see the son of the prophet Isaac that is Jacob. Allah narrates in the Quran, Prophet Ibrahim gave birth to the descendants of the prophets namely Ishak, Yaakub, Ayub, Yusuf, Musa, Harun, Zakaria, Yahya, Isa, Ilyas, Ismail, Ilyasa, Yunus and Luth. Prophet Muhammad is also from this lineage. God promised two things that will remain in the family of the prophet Abraham, namely the prophethood and the revelation of God.

17) Prophet Ibrahim was praised as a prophet by various religions – Islam, Christianity, Judaism. All respect the teachings of the Prophet Abraham and his name is mentioned in all the books. Prophet Ibrahim had the greatest degree of greatness among the prophets, after the death of the prophet Muhammad. The impact exists until now.

Detailed Story

Description of Abraham and His Family

Some of the People of the Book stated that his name was Abraham Ibn Tarikh, Ibn Nahur, Ibn Sarough, Ibn Raghu, Ibn Phaligh, Ibn Aher, Ibn Shalih, Ibn Arfghshand, Ibn Sam, Ibn Noah.

They said that when Tarikh was seventy five years old, he had Abraham, Nahor (Nohour) and Haran. Haran had a son named Lot (Lut). They also said that Abraham was the middle child and that Haran died in the lifetime of his father in the land where he was born, the land of the Chaldeans (Al-Kaldanieen), also known as Babylonia. At that time some people worshipped idols of stone and wood; others worshipped the planets, stars, sun and moon; still others worshipped their kings and rulers.

Abraham was born into that atmosphere, into a typical family of that ancient time. The head of the family was not even an ordinary idolater, but was one who totally rejected Allah and who used to make the idols with his own hands. Some traditions claimed that Abraham’s father died before his birth and that he was raised by an uncle whom Abraham called father. Other traditions said that his father was alive and was named Azer.

Into that family Abraham was born, destined to stand against his own family, against the entire system of his community. In brief, he stood against all kinds of polytheism.

Abraham’s Childhood

He was endowed with spiritual understanding from an early age. Allah enlightened his heart and mind and gave him wisdom from childhood.

Allah the Almighty stated:

Indeed We bestowed aforetime on Abraham his (portion of) guidance, and We were Well-Acquainted with him (as to his Belief in the Oneness of Allah, etc.). Al-Quran [21: 51]

During his early childhood Abraham realized that his father made strange statues. One day, he asked him about what it was he made. His father replied that he made statues of gods. Abraham was astonished and he spontaneously rejected the idea. Being a child, he played with such statues, sitting on their backs as people sit on the backs of donkeys and mules.

One day, his father saw him riding the statue of Mardukh and he became furious. He ordered his son not to play with it again.

Abraham asked: “What is this statue, father? It has big ears, bigger than ours.”

His father answered: “It is Mardukh, the god of gods, son! These big ears show his deep knowledge.”

This made Abraham laugh. He was only seven years old at that time.

Abraham’s Hatred for Idols

Years passed and Abraham grew. Since his childhood his heart had been full of hatred for these idols. He could not understand how a sane person could make a statue and then worship what he had made. He noticed that these idols did not eat, drink, or talk, and that they could not even turn themselves right-side-up if someone turned them up-side down. How, then, could people believe that such statues could harm or benefit them?

Abraham’s people had a big temple full of idols, in the middle of which was a niche accommodating the biggest gods which were of different kinds, qualities, and shapes. Abraham, who used to go to the temple with his father when he was a child, greatly despised all that wood and stone. What surprised him was the way his people behaved when they entered the temple: they bowed and started to cry, begging and imploring their gods for help as if the idols could hear or understand these requests!

At first, such a sight seemed funny to Abraham, but later he began to feel angry. Was it not astonishing that all those people could be deceived? What added to the problem was that his father wanted him to be a priest when he was grown. He wanted nothing more from his son than that he revere those statues, yet Abraham never stopped displaying his hatred and disdain of them.

Abraham discovers Allah

One night Abraham left his house to go to a mountain. He walked alone in the dark until he chose a cave in the mountain, where he sat resting his back against its wall. He looked at the sky. He had hardly seen it when he remembered that he was looking at planets and stars which were worshipped by some people on earth. His young heart was filled with tremendous pain. He considered what was beyond the moon, the stars and the planets (i.e. Allah) and was astonished that these celestial bodies were worshipped by men when they had been created to worship and obey their Creator, appearing and disappearing at His command.

Abraham Reasons with Celestial Worshippers

Abraham addressed his people who worshipped celestial bodies, as Almighty Allah revealed:

Thus did We show Abraham the kingdom of the heavens and the earth that he be one of those who have Faith with certainty. When the night covered him over with darkness he saw a star. He said: “This is my lord.” But when it set, he said: “I like not those that set.” When he saw the moon rising up he said: “This is my lord.” But when it set he said: “Unless my Lord guides me, I shall surely be among the erring people.” When he saw the sun rising up, he said: “This is my lord. This is greater.” But when it set, he said: “0 my people! I am indeed free from all that you join as partners in worship with Allah. Verily, I have turned my face towards Him Who has created the heavens and the earth Hanifan (Islamic Monotheism, i.e., worshipping none but Allah Alone) and I am not of Al-Mushrikeen (those who worship others besides Allah).” Al-Quran [6: 75-79]

His people disputed with him. He said: “Do you dispute with me concerning Allah while He has guided me and I fear not those whom you associate with Allah in worship. (Nothing can happen to me) except when my Lord (Allah) wills something. My Lord comprehends in His Knowledge all things. Will you not then remember?”

“And how should I fear those whom you associate in worship with Allah (though they can neither benefit nor harm), while you fear not that you have joined in worship with Allah things for which He has not sent down to you any authority. (So) which of the two parties has more right to be in security? If you but know.”

It is those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah and worship none but Him Alone) and confuse not their belief with Zulm (wrong, i.e., by worshipping others besides Allah), for them (only) there is security and they are the guided. And that was Our Proof which We gave Abraham against his people. We raise whom We will in degrees. Certainly your Lord is All-Wise, All-Knowing. Al-Quran [6: 75-83]

In that debate, Abraham clarified to his people that these celestial bodies do not serve as deities and cannot be worshipped as partners with Allah the Almighty. Indeed, these bodies are created things, fashioned, controlled, managed and made to serve. They appear sometimes and disappear at others, going out of sight from our world. However, Allah the Almighty does not lose sight of anything, and nothing can be hidden from Him. He is without end, everlasting without disappearance. There is no other deity but Allah.

Abraham made clear to them, first, that the celestial bodies are unworthy of worship and, second, that they are among the signs of Allah.

Almighty Allah commanded:

And from among His Signs are the night and the day, and the sun and the moon. Prostrate not to the sun nor to the moon, but prostrate to Allah Who created them, if you (really) worship Him. Al-Quran [41: 37]

The Celestial Worshippers’ Arguments

Abraham’s reasoning helped to reveal the truth, and then the conflict between him and his people began, for the worshipers of the stars and planets did not stand mute. They began arguing and threatening Abraham.

Abraham replied:

“Do you dispute with me concerning Allah while He has guided me, and I fear not those whom you associate with Allah in worship. (Nothing can happen to me) except when my Lord (Allah) wills something. My Lord comprehends in His Knowledge all things. Will you not then remember? And how should I fear those whom you associate in worship with Allah (though they can neither benefit nor harm), while you fear not that you have joined in worship with Allah things for which He has not sent down to you any authority. (So) which of the two parties has more right to be in security? . . . if you but know! It is those who believe (in the oneness of Allah and worship none but Him Alone) and confuse not their belief with Zulm (wrong i.e. by worshipping others besides Allah), for them (only) there is security and they are the guided.” Al-Quran [6: 80-82]

Abraham Reasons with the Idolaters 

The curtains are drawn on the first category of people, those who were worshipping celestial bodies. The next situation reveals the second group, those who were practicing idolatry.

Allah gave Abraham the reasoning he needed the first time and every time he argued with his people.

Almighty Allah declared:

And that was Our Proof which We gave Abraham against his people. We raise whom We will in degrees. Certainly your Lord is All-Wise, All-Knowing. Al-Quran [6: 83]

Abraham did his best to make his people heedful to the belief in the oneness of Almighty Allah and to the worship of Him alone. He bade them to firmly renounce the worship of idols. He said to his father and his people:

“What are these images, to which you are devoted?” They said “We found our fathers worshipping them.” He said: “Indeed you and your fathers have been in manifest error.” They said: “Have you brought us the truth, or are you one of those who play about?” He said: “Nay, your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, Who created them and of that I am one of the witnesses.” Al-Quran [21: 52-56]

Abraham Reasons with his Father

All was finished between Abraham and his people and the struggle began. The most amazed and furious was his father (or his uncle who had raised him), for, as it is well known, he not only worshipped idols but sculptured and sold them as well. Abraham felt that it was his duty as a good son to advise his father against this evil so that he could be saved from Allah’s punishment.

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 why he worshipped lifeless idols who could not hear, see, or protect him. Before his father could become angry he hastily added:

“O my father! Verily! There has come to me of knowledge that which came not unto you. So follow me. I will guide you to a Straight Path. 0 my father! Worship not Satan. Verily! Satan has been a rebel against the Most Beneficent (Allah). 0 my father! Verily! I fear lest a torment from the Most Beneficent (Allah) overtake you, so that you become a companion of Satan (in the Hell-Fire).”

He (the father) said: “Do you reject my gods, 0 Abraham? If you stop not (this), I will indeed stone you. So get away from me safely before I punish you.” Abraham said: “Peace be on you! I will ask Forgiveness of my Lord for you. Verily! He is unto me, Ever Most Gracious. And I shall turn away from you and from those whom you invoke besides Allah. Al-Quran [19: 43-48]

Abraham Debates with the Idolaters

His father’s harsh treatment did not stop Abraham from delivering the message of truth. Angry and sad to see people prostrate before idols, he was determined to stamp out these practices and went to the town to debate with the people, knowing full well that he might suffer harm.

Like a wise doctor searching for the cause of a sickness so as to prescribe the proper cure, or like a judge who questions the accused sharply so that he might detect the truth, Abraham asked them: “Do the idols see you when you prostrate before them? Do they benefit you in any way?” They quickly tried to defend their beliefs. They argued that they knew their idols were lifeless but that their forefathers had worshipped them; to them this was proof enough for their belief.

Abraham explained that their forefathers had been wrong. This angered them and they retorted:

“Are you condemning our gods and our forefathers? Or are you just joking?”

Abraham showed no fear as he replied: “I am serious. I come to you with a true religion. I have been sent with guidance from our Lord Who alone is worthy of worship, Who is the Creator of the heavens and the earth, and Who regulates all affairs of life, unlike the dumb idols which are just stone and wood.”

To convince them that the idols could not harm him, he challenged: “I have already condemned them; if they had any power they would have harmed me by now!”

Abraham Reasons with the Idolaters, Second Time

Almighty Allah recounted:

And recite to them the story of Abraham. When he said to his father and his people: “What do you worship?” They said: “We worship idols, and to them we are ever devoted.” He said: “Do they hear you, when you call (on them)? Or do they benefit you or do they harm (you)?” They said: “Nay, but we found our fathers doing so.”

He said: “Do you observe that which you been worshipping, – You and your ancient fathers? – Verily! They are enemies to me, save the Lord of the Alamin (mankind, jinn, and all that exists); Who has created me, and it is He Who guides me; and it is He Who feeds me and gives me to drink. And when I am ill, it is He who cures me; and Who will cause me to die and then will bring me to life (again); and Who, I hope will forgive me my faults on the Day of Recompense, (the Day of Resurrection).” Al-Quran [26: 69-82]

In another surah The Almighty revealed:

And (remember) Abraham when he said to his people: “Worship Allah (Alone), and fear Him, that is better for you if you did but know. You worship besides Allah only idols, and you only invent falsehood. Verily, those whom you worship besides Allah have no power to give you provision, so seek your provision from Allah (Alone), and worship Him (Alone), and be grateful to Him. To Him (Alone) you will be brought back. And if you deny, then nations before you have denied (their Messengers). And the duty of the Messenger is only to convey (the Message) plainly.”

See they not how Allah originates creation, then will repent it. Verily, that is easy for Allah. Say: “Travel in the land and see how (Allah) originated creation, and then Allah will bring forth (resurrect) the creation of the Hereafter (i.e., resurrection after death). Verily, Allah is Able to do all things.”

He punishes whom He wills, and shows mercy to whom He wills, and to Him you will be returned. And you cannot escape in the earth or in the heaven. And besides Allah you have neither any Wali (Protector or Guardian) nor any Helper. And those who disbelieve in the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah and the Meeting with Him, – it is they who have no hope of My Mercy, and it is they who will have a painful torment. Al-Quran [22: 16-23]

Abraham Breaks the Idols

He explained to them the beauty of Allah’s creation, His power and wisdom. Idol worship is detested by Allah, for Allah is the Lord of the universe Who created mankind, guided him, provided him with food and drink, and cured him when he was sick, and Who will cause him to die and be raised up again. It was He to Whom Abraham prayed and Who would forgive his sins on the Day of Judgment. However, they would not give up but clung fast to idolatry.

Abraham left his father’s house and abandoned his people and what they worshipped. He decided to do something about their state of disbelief, but did not reveal it. He knew that there was going to be a great celebration on the other bank of the river which would be attended by all the people. Abraham waited until the city was empty, then came out cautiously, directing his steps towards the temple. The streets leading to it were empty and the temple itself was deserted, for the priests had also gone to the festival outside the city.

Abraham went there carrying a sharp ax. He looked at the stone and wood statues of the gods and at the food laid in front of them as offerings. He approached one of the statues and asked: The food in front of you is getting cold. Why don’t you eat?” The statue kept silent and rigid. Abraham asked the other statues around him:

“Will you not eat (of the offering before you)?” Al-Quran [37: 91]

He was mocking them for he knew they would not eat. He once again asked then:

“What is the matter with you that you do speak not?” Al-Quran [37: 92]

He then raised his ax and started smashing the false gods worshipped by the people. He destroyed them all except one, on whose neck he hung the ax. After this his anger subsided and he felt at peace. He left the temple. He had fulfilled his vow to show his people a practical proof of their foolishness in worshipping something other than Allah.

The Idolaters Question Abraham

When the people returned, they were shocked to see their gods smashed to pieces, lying scattered all over the temple. They began to guess who had done that to their idols, and Abraham’s name came to their minds.

Allah the Almighty said:

They said: “Who has done this to our aliah (gods)? He must indeed be one of the wrongdoers.” They said: “We heard a young man talking (against) them who is called Abraham.” They said: “Then bring him before the eyes of the people, that they may testify.” They said: “Are you the one who has done this to our gods, 0 Abraham?” (Abraham) said: “Nay, this one, the biggest of them (idols) did it. Ask them, if they can speak!”

So they turned to themselves and said: “Verily, you are the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers).” Then they turned to themselves (their first thought and said). “Indeed you (Abraham) know well that these (idols) speak not!” (Abraham) said: “Do you then worship besides Allah, things that can neither profit you, nor harm you? Fie upon you, and upon that which you worship besides Allah! Have you then no sense?” Al-Quran [21: 59-67]

Furious, they demanded that Abraham be arrested and tried. Abraham did not resist. This was precisely what he had been aiming for, so that he could show them up in public for their foolish beliefs.

At the trial they asked him if he was responsible for breaking the idols. Smiling, he told them to ask the biggest idol, which was still whole. He told them that he must be the culprit! They replied that he knew well that the idol could not speak or move, which gave Abraham the chance to prove the foolishness of worshipping these lifeless objects.

They then realized the senselessness of their beliefs; however, their arrogance would not allow them to admit their foolishness. All they could do was use their power of authority – as tyrants usually do – to punish Abraham. They kept him in chains and planned their revenge.

The Idolaters Try to Burn Abraham

Anger was burning in their hearts. They decided to throw Abraham into the biggest fire they could build. All the citizens were ordered to gather wood as a service to their gods. Ignorant, sick women vowed that if they were cured they would donate so much wood to burn Abraham. For several days they collected fuel.

They dug a deep pit, filled it with firewood and ignited it. They brought a catapult with which to cast Abraham into the fire. Abraham was put on the catapult, his hands and feet tied. The fire was ready with its flames reaching the sky. The people stood away from the pit because of the great heat. Then the chief priest gave his order to cast Abraham into the fire.

The angel Gabriel came near Abraham’s head and asked him: “0 Abraham, do you wish for anything?” Abraham replied: “Nothing from you.”

The catapult was shot, and Abraham was cast into the fire, but his descent into the blaze was as a descent on steps in a cool garden. The flames were still there, but they did not burn, for Allah the Almighty had issued His command:

“O fire! Be you coolness and safety for Abraham.” Al-Quran [21: 69]

The fire submitted to the will of Allah, becoming cool and safe for Abraham. It only burned his bonds, and he sat in the midst of the fire as if he were sitting in a garden. He glorified and praised Allah the Almighty, with a heart that contained only his love for Allah. There was not any vacant space therein for fear, awe, or worry. It was filled with love only.

Fear and awe were dead, and the fire was turned into coolness, making the air pleasant.Those who love Allah as Abraham did do not fear.

The Faith of the Believers

Almighty Allah declared:

Those (i.e., believers) unto whom the people (hypocrites) said: “Verily, the people (pagans) have gathered against you (a great army), therefore, fear them.” But it (only) increased them in Faith, and they said: ‘Allah (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us).”

So they returned with Grace and Bounty from Allah. No harm touched them; and they followed the good Pleasure of Allah. And Allah is the Owner of Great Bounty. It is only Satan that suggests to you the fear of his Auliya supporters and friends (polytheists, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah and in His Messenger Muhammad), so fear them not, but fear Me, if you are (true) believers.” Al-Quran [3: 173-175]

The People’s Reaction to the Fire

The throng, the chiefs, and the priests sat watching the fire from a distance. It was burning their faces and nearly suffocating them. It kept burning for such a long time that the disbelievers thought it would never be extinguished.

When it did burn out, they were greatly amazed to find Abraham coming out of the pit untouched by the fire. Their faces were black from the smoke, but his was bright with the light and grace of Allah. The raging fire had become cool for Abraham and had only charred the ropes which held him. He walked out of the fire as if he were walking out of a garden. Cries of astonishment were heard from the heathens.

They wanted to harm him, but We made them the worst losers. Al-Quran [21:70]

This miracle shamed the tyrants, but it did not cool the flame of anger in their hearts. However, after this event many of the people followed Abraham, although some kept their belief a secret for fear of harm or death at the hands of the rulers.

Abraham’s challenges those who proclaim themselves as gods, King Namrud

Abraham had established a definite reasoning against idolators. Nothing was left for him except to reason against the people who proclaimed themselves gods.

When the king, Namrud, heard of Abraham’s safe exit from the fire he became very angry. He feared that the status of godhead he had proclaimed for himself was now challenged by an ordinary human being. He summoned Abraham to the palace and held a dialogue with him, which Allah the Almighty recounted:

Have you not thought about him who disputed with Abraham about his Lord (Allah), because Allah had given him the kingdom? When Abraham said (to him). ‘My Lord (Allah) is He Who gives life and causes death.” He said: “I give life and cause death.” Abraham said: “Verily! Allah causes the sun to rise from the east; then cause it you to rise from the west.” So the disbeliever was utterly defeated. And Allah guides not the people who are Zalimeen (wrongdoers, etc.). Al-Quran [2: 258]

Abraham Emigrates

Abraham’s fame spread throughout the entire kingdom. People talked about how he had been saved from the blazing fire and how he had debated with the king and left him speechless. In the meantime, Abraham continued calling people to believe in Allah, exerting a great effort to guide his people to the right path.

He tried every means to convince them. However, in spite of his love and care for his people, they felt angry and deserted him. Only one woman and one man of his people shared his belief in Allah. The woman’s name was Sarah and she became his wife. The man’s name was Lot (Lut), and he became a prophet.

When Abraham realized that no one else was going to believe in his call, he decided to emigrate. He left his people and traveled with his wife and Lot to a city called Ur, then to another called Haran, and then to Palestine.

Allah the Almighty told us:

So Lot believed in him (Abraham’s message of Islamic Monotheism). He (Abraham) said: “I will emigrate for the sake of my Lord. Verily. He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise. Al-Quran [29: 26]

After Palestine, Abraham traveled to Egypt, calling people to believe in Allah wherever he traveled, judging fairly between people, and guiding them to truth and righteousness.

Hadith about Abraham, Sarah and Hajar

Abu Hurairah narrated that Abraham did not tell a lie except on three occasions, twice for the sake of Allah (Exalted and Almighty) when he said: “I am sick,” (when his people were holding a festival in honor of their gods, Abraham excused himself by saying he was sick; Al-Quran [37: 89], and when he said: “(I have not done this but) the big idol has done it.” The (third was) that while Abraham and Sarah (his wife) were going (on a journey), they passed by (the territory of) a tyrant. Someone said to the tyrant: ‘This man (i.e., Abraham ) is accompanied by a very charming lady.” So, he sent for Abraham and asked him about Sarah saying: “Who is this lady?” Abraham said: “She is my sister.”

Abraham went to Sarah and said: “0 Sarah! There are no believers on the surface of the earth except you and me. This man asked me about you and I have told him that you are my sister, do not contradict my statement.” The tyrant then called Sarah, and when she went to him, he tried to take hold of her with his hand, but (his hand got stiff and) he was confounded. He asked Sarah: “Pray to Allah for me, and I shall not harm you.” So Sarah asked Allah to cure him and he got cured. He tried to take hold of her for the second time, but (his hand got as stiff as or stiffer than before and) he was more confounded. He again requested Sarah:

“Pray to Allah for me, and I will not harm you.” Sarah asked Allah again, and he became all right. He then called one of his guards (who had brought her) and said: ‘You have not brought me a human being but have brought me a devil.”

The tyrant then gave Hajar as a maid servant to Sarah. Sarah came back (to Abraham) while he was praying. Abraham, gesturing with his hand, asked: “What has happened?” She replied: “Allah has spoiled the evil plot of the infidel (or immoral person) and gave me Hajar for service .” Abu Hurairah then addressed his listeners saying:’That (Hajar) was your mother, 0 Bani Ma-is-Sama (i.e., the Arab, the descendants of Ishmael, Hajar’s son).”

Hajar and Sarah

Abraham’s wife Sarah was sterile. She had been given an Egyptian woman, Hajar, as a servant. Abraham had aged, and his hair was gray after many years spent in calling people to Allah. Sarah thought that she and Abraham were lonely because she could not have a child. Therefore, she offered her husband her servant Hajar in marriage. Hajar gave birth to her first son Ishmael (Ismail) when Abraham was an old man.

Abraham Questions Resurrection

Abraham lived on earth worshipping Allah and calling people to monotheism, but he was journeying to Allah, knowing that his days on earth were limited and that they would be followed by death, and finally, resurrection. The knowledge of life after death filled Abraham with peace, love, and certitude.

One day, he begged Allah to show him how He brought the dead back to life. Allah commanded Abraham to take four birds, cut them up, mingle their body parts, divide them into four portions, and place them on top of four different hills, then call back the birds in Allah’s name. Abraham did as he was told. Immediately the mingled parts of the birds separated to join their original bodies in different places, and the birds flew back to Abraham.

Almighty Allah revealed:

And (remember) when Abraham said: ‘My Lord! Show me how You give life to the dead.” Allah said: “Do you not believe?” Abraham said: “Yes (I believe), but to be stronger in Faith.” He said: “Take four birds, then cause them to incline towards you (then slaughter them, cut them into pieces), and then put a portion of them on every hill, and call them, they will come to you in haste. And know that Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.” Al-Quran [2: 260]