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Ibrahim (Arabic: ÇÈÑÇåíã), the biblical patriarch Abraham is an important prophet in Islam. Ibrahim is the father of the Prophet Ismail (Ishmael), his firstborn son who is considered the Father of the Arabs.
Prophet Abraham's (pbuh) Religion
Who could have a better religion than someone who submits himself completely to God, is a good-doer, and follows the religion of Abraham, a man of pure natural belief?... (Qur'an, 4:125)
People continue to argue over which religion Prophet Abraham (pbuh) followed. Jews regard him as a Jewish prophet and claim to follow his path. Christians also consider him a Jewish prophet, but claim that he followed by Prophet Jesus (pbuh), who came after him.
In the Qur'an, however, God reveals the truth of this matter by providing certain information:
Or do they say that Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Descendents were Jews or Christians? Say: "Do you know better, or does God?" Who could do greater wrong than someone who hides the evidence he has been given by God? God is not unaware of what you do. (Qur'an, 2:140)
Moreover, other verses expose just how irrational this debate really is:
O People of the Book. Why do you argue about Abraham when the Torah and Gospel were only sent down after him? Why don't you use your intellect? You are the ones who argued about that of which you had knowledge. But why do you argue about something of which you have no knowledge? God knows; you do not know. (Qur'an, 3:65-66)
The Qur'an provides the most accurate information about Prophet Abraham (pbuh).
Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but a man of pure natural belief-a Muslim. He was not one of the idolaters. (Qur'an, 3:67)
The Qur'an calls Prophet Abraham (pbuh) a hanif, instead of a Jew or a Christian. Hanif means a devout, upright, and righteous person who submits to God's command and never moves away from His religion. The most hanif characteristics of Prophet Abraham (pbuh) were his belief in the One and Only God and his submission to Him.
In another verse, our Lord commands Prophet Muhammad (may God bless him and grant him peace) to abide by Prophet Abraham's (pbuh) religion:
Then We revealed to you: "Follow the religion of Abraham, a man of pure natural belief. He was not one of the idolaters." (Qur'an, 16:123)
God wishes people to turn to religion in a hanif manner, as pure believers. God clearly emphasizes that hanif people do not ascribe partners to Him:
So set your face firmly towards the Religion, as a pure natural believer, God's natural pattern on which He made humanity. There is no changing in God's creation. That is the true Religion-but most people do not know it. (Qur'an, 30:30)
As can be understood from several verses above, Prophet Abraham's (pbuh) religion was essentially the same as Islam. In any case, all divinely revealed religions are, in their original and uncorrupted forms, essentially built on earning God's good pleasure, compassion, and Paradise. Prophet Abraham's (pbuh) children and grandchildren, as well as other devout individuals from his line, adhered to this religion after his death. For example, the Qur'an emphasizes Prophet Joseph's (pbuh) address to his fellow prisoners:
I hold fast to the creed of my forebears Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We don't associate anything with God. And that is how God has favored us and all humanity, but most do not give thanks. (Qur'an, 12:38)
In one verse, God reveals that Islam is as easy as Prophet Abraham's (pbuh) religion:
... He [God] has selected you and not placed any constraint upon you in the religion-the religion of your forefather Abraham. He named you Muslims before, and also in this, so that the messenger could be witness against you and you could be witnesses against all of humanity. So perform the prescribed prayers, give alms, and hold fast to God. He is your Protector-the Best Protector, the Best Helper. (Qur'an, 22:78)
According to the Qur'an, the people who turn to God and live by His religion in its true sense are Muslim. The word Muslim comes from the Arabic word salam (peace) and means one who has achieved well-being or who has submitted (to God). The essence of being Muslim lies in submitting to God and living in the ensuing peace and security. The prophets, all of whom guided their people to the true path, submitted totally to our Lord and were sincerely devoted to Him, are role models for us. By turning to and then submitting to our Lord, seeking refuge in Him, taking Him as their only friend, and asking for help only from Him, they are all called Muslim in the Qur'an.
Prophet Abraham's (pbuh) joyful faith in God, his deep love for Him, his submission to all of His commands, as well as his obedience and superior morality, are emphasized in the Qur'an. Some of these verses read:
Our Lord, make us both Muslims submitted to You and our descendents a Muslim community submitted to You. Show us our rites of worship and turn toward us. You are the Ever-Returning, the Most Merciful. (Qur'an, 2:128)
When his Lord said to him: "Become a Muslim," he [Abraham] said: "I am a Muslim who has submitted to the Lord of all the worlds." (Qur'an, 2:131)
Every Muslim must take Prophet Abraham's (pbuh) pleasing morality, sincere faith, and total submission and obedience to God as role models. In fact, his discernment and determination in presenting God's message are among the important traits that all people who call themselves Muslims should adopt.
The love and respect felt by both present-day Christians and Jews for Prophet Abraham (pbuh) unites them in a common foundation with Muslims. Members of these three divinely revealed religions therefore share a common belief in God, which they have inherited from Prophet Abraham (pbuh), and seek to serve Him. The Qur'an informs us that Muslims have invited both Christians and Jews to this common word:
Say: "O People of the Book [Christians and Jews], come to a proposition that is the same for us and you-that we should worship none but God, associate no partners with Him, and take no one of us as lords besides God." If they turn away, say: "Bear witness that we are Muslims." (Qur'an, 3:64)
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Prophet Abraham (pbuh) Calls His Father and Tribe
Prophet Abraham (pbuh), whom God praised as being "a community in himself" (Qur'an, 16:120), stood alone against his disbeliever father and his entire pagan tribe. He patiently explained why their idols could never attain any divine quality and that the only true deity was God. His opposition to his tribe's paganism, as well as his method of challenging their superstitions and working to guide them to the true path despite their hostility, clearly revealed his powerful faith, submission, sincerity, and superior character. All of these characteristics made him a courageous and determined individual. The Qur'an relates some of his words, as follows:
His tribe argued with him. He said: "Are you arguing with me about God, when He has guided me? I have no fear of any partner you ascribe to Him, unless my Lord should will such a thing to happen. My Lord encompasses all things in His knowledge, so will you not pay heed? Why should I fear what you have associated with Him, when you yourselves apparently have no fear of associating partners with God, for which He has sent down no authority to you? Which of the two parties is more entitled to feel safe, if you have any knowledge?" (Qur'an, 6:80-81)
Prophet Abraham's (pbuh) Conversations with His Father
Prophet Abraham's (pbuh) words to his father are exemplary in this respect. He explained to his father, in a most wise manner, that worshipping idols was equivalent to ascribing partners to God and that a person should serve God alone. The Qur'an records some of these words:
Remember when Abraham said to his father, Azar: "Do you take idols as gods? I see that you and your tribe are clearly misguided." (Qur'an, 6:74)
Remember when he [Abraham] said to his father: "Father, why do you worship that which can neither hear nor see, and is of no use to you at all? Father, knowledge that never reached you has come to me. So follow me, and I will guide you to the right path." (Qur'an, 19:42-43)
God reveals the message that Prophet Abraham (pbuh) gave to his father, as well as his father's reaction:
[Abraham said:] "O my father, do not worship Satan. Satan was disobedient to the All-Merciful. Father, I am afraid that a punishment from the All-Merciful will afflict you, and turn you into a comrade of Satan." He [his father] replied: "Do you forsake my deities, Abraham? If you do not stop, I will stone you. Keep away from me for a good long time." He [Abraham] said: "Peace be upon you. I will ask my Lord to forgive you. He has always honored me. I will separate myself from you and all that you call upon besides God, and I will call upon my Lord. It may well be that, in calling upon my Lord, I will not be disappointed." (Qur'an, 19:44-46)
Prophet Abraham (pbuh) Entraps the Idols
According to the Qur'an, God gives those who fear and hold Him in awe the ability to distinguish between right and wrong. This great kindness and superior blessing is restricted to the believers. The methods Prophet Abraham (pbuh) used to call his tribe to belief, as well as his decisions and styles of presentation, are all important examples of this great blessing.
One example is the trap he laid for his tribe's idols. Given that he was all alone and operating in a dangerous environment, he took certain precautions to prevent bodily harm and to make sure that God's message would be heard. For example, he told the unbelievers around him that he was ill so that they would go away:
And [Abraham] asked his father and his tribe: "What are you worshipping? Is it falsehood-deities besides God-that you desire? So what are your thoughts about the Lord of all the worlds?" He looked at the stars and said: "I am sick." So they turned their backs on him. (Qur'an, 37:85-90)
After sending the unbelievers away, he went up to the idols and smashed them:
He turned surreptitiously to their deities and asked: "Don't you eat? What is the matter with you that you don't speak?" He turned on them, striking out with his right hand. (Qur'an, 37:91-93)
He broke them in pieces, except for the largest one, so that they would have it to consult! (Qur'an, 21:58)
Leaving the largest idol untouched shows great wisdom. When his tribe saw what had happened and that only the largest idol remained, they immediately began looking for the person who had done this. Since they were aware of Prophet Abraham's (pbuh) opposition to their idols and paganism, they quickly realized that he was responsible and so sought him out to take their revenge:
They exclaimed: "Who has done this to our deities? He is definitely one of the wrongdoers!" They said: "We heard a young man mentioning them. They call him Abraham." They ordered: "Bring him before the people's eyes so they can be witnesses!" They asked: "Did you do this to our deities, Abraham?" (Qur'an, 21:59-62)
That question revealed why Prophet Abraham (pbuh) did not destroy the largest idol:
He said: "No, this one, the largest of them, did it. Ask them, if they are able to speak!" (Qur'an, 21:63)
Hearing this response, the unbelievers inevitably began thinking and understanding that their idols would never have the power of speech. And so his plan succeeded, for it caused them to question their pagan belief system. The Qur'an states:
They consulted among themselves and said: "It is you yourselves who are wrongdoers." (Qur'an, 21:64)
However, their regret did not last long. Despite having understood the truth, they again decided to oppose Prophet Abraham (pbuh) in order to maintain their traditional pagan belief system, which was in line with their own transitory worldly interests:
But then they relapsed back into their disbelief: "You know full well these idols cannot talk." He said: "Do you then worship, instead of God, that which cannot help or harm you in any way? Shame on you and what you worship besides God! Will you not use your intellect?" They said: "Burn him and support your deities, if you are resolved to do something." (Qur'an, 21:65-68)
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Building the Ka`bah
The Qur'an reveals that Prophet Abraham (pbuh) and Prophet Ishmael (pbuh) built the Ka`bah. Located in Makkah, the Ka`bah was the first structure built solely to worship God, for:
The first House established for humanity was that at Bakka*, a place of blessing and a guidance for all beings. In it are Clear Signs-the place where Abraham stood [to pray]. All who enter it are safe. Pilgrimage to the House is a duty owed to God by all humanity-those who can find a way to do it. But if anyone does not believe, God is Rich Beyond Need of any being. (Qur'an, 3:96-97)
These two prophets built the Ka`bah, a task that God had entrusted to Prophet Abraham (pbuh), as the following verses reveal:
And We located the position of the House for Abraham: "Do not associate anything with Me, and purify My House for those who circle it and for those who stand and bow and prostrate. Announce the Pilgrimage to humanity. They will come to you on foot and on every sort of lean animal, coming by every distant road so that they can be present at what will profit them, and invoke God's name on specific days over livestock He has provided for them. Eat of them and feed those who are poor and in need." (Qur'an, 22:26-28)
God told Prophet Abraham (pbuh) to cleanse the Ka`bah. This may represent a physical cleaning or may have a spiritual meaning. Thus, God commanded that the Ka`bah be cleansed both physically and spiritually (from pagan practices). In another verse, God reveals the tasks He assigned to these two prophets:
And when Abraham built the foundations of the House with Ishmael: "Our Lord, accept this from us. You are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing." (Qur'an, 2:127)
Prophet Abraham's (pbuh) and Prophet Ishmael's (pbuh) sincere obedience, submission, and devotion to God can be seen clearly from these verses and commentaries. Their superior behavior is an excellent example and a matchless guide for all believers. Therefore, all believers must follow this path and become known for their scrupulous implementation of God's commands, and for showing strong resolution when facing troubles or difficulties and maintaining their patient and humble natures. In the following verses, God further reveals that:
And left the later people saying of him: "Peace be upon Abraham." That is how We recompense good-doers. He truly was one of Our believing servants. (Qur'an, 37:108-11)
Source (edited):
http://www.harunyahya.com/books/faith/abraham_lot/abraham_lot_01.php
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