Description

LINEAGE

Prophet Ibrahim (AS) was a prophet and messenger of Allah and an ancestor to the Ishmaelite Arabs and Israelites. Ibrahim (AS) was born in a house of idolaters in the ancient city of Ur of the Chaldees, likely the place called ‘Ur’ in present-day Iraq, in which case, the idolaters would have been practitioners of the hypothesized Ancient Mesopotamian religion. His father Azar was a well-known idol sculptor whom his people worshiped.

LIFE

Ibrahim (AS) plays a prominent role as an example of faith in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.  Ibrahim (AS) fulfilled all the commandments and trials wherein Allah nurtured him throughout his lifetime. As a result of his unwavering faith in Allah, Ibrahim (AS) was promised by Allah to be a leader to all the nations of the world. The Quran extols Ibrahim (AS) as a model, an exemplar, obedient, and not an idolater. In this sense, Ibrahim (AS) has been described as representing “primordial man in universal surrender to the Divine Reality before its fragmentation into religions separated from each other by differences in the form”. The Kaaba in Mecca was built by Ibrahim (AS) and his son Ismail (AS) as the first house of worship on earth.

In a dream, the Prophet Ibrahim (AS) was instructed to sacrifice his son Ismail (AS) to Allah. Ibrahim (AS) told Ismail (AS) about the dream, and both agreed to submit to the will of Allah. Ismail (AS) lay prostrate with his forehead touching the ground, while his father laid a sharp knife upon his neck.

At this moment, Allah called down: “O Ibrahim! You have done my bidding and now you will be rewarded!” A large ram appeared as an alternative sacrifice, and instead of killing his son, Ibrahim (AS) slaughtered the sheep to the glory of Allah. The holy day ‘Eid ul-Adha is celebrated in commemoration of Ibrahim (AS)’s willingness to sacrifice his son on Allah’s command, as well as the end of the Hajj pilgrimage to the Kaaba.

Ibrahim (AS), also known as Khalilullah (friend of God), became the leader of the righteous in his time, and it was through him that Adnanite-Arabs and Israelites came. Ibrahim (AS), in the belief of Islam, was instrumental in cleansing the world of idolatry at the time. Paganism was cleared out by Ibrahim (AS) in both the Arabian Peninsula and Canaan. He spiritually purified both places as well as physically sanctified the houses of worship. Ibrahim (AS) and Isma’il further established the rites of pilgrimage or Ḥajj which are still followed by Muslims today. Ibrahim (AS) further asked Allah to bless both the lines of his progeny, of Isma’il and Isḥaq, and to keep all of his descendants in the protection of Allah.

Scholars regarding the age of Prophet Ibrahim (AS). Some say that he lived for 195 years, and some say it was 175 years. According to a renowned group of Islamic scholars, Prophet Ibrahim (AS) lived on earth for 169 years.

MIRACLES

Some of the miracles recorded in the Quran are Ibrahim (AS) was shown the kingdom of the Heavens and the Earth. Ibrahim (AS) was thrown into a fire, which became “cool” and “peaceful” for him.

LEGACY

A significant lesson that Ibrahim (AS) teaches us is to remain steadfast on the path of truth even when we are the only ones doing so. Due to his rejection of idol worship, his people including his father vehemently opposed him, but Ibrahim (AS) kept his faith in Allah even when they tried to burn him alive.