Prophet Ibrahim a.s (Abraham) Description of Ibrahim a.s and his Family *************************************** Some of the People of the Book stated that his name was Abraham Ibn Tarikh. 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. Ibrahim a.s was born into that atmosphere, into a typical family of that ancient time. The head of the family used to make the idols with his own hands. (Some traditions claimed that Ibrahims father died before his birth and he was raised by an uncle whom Ibrahim a.s called father. Other traditions said that his father was alive and was named Azer). Ibrahims Childhood ********************** Allah the Almighty stated: Indeed We bestowed aforetime on Ibrahim his (portion of) guidance, and We were Well Acquainted with him( as to his Belief in the Oneness of Allah etc). (Ch 21:51) Ibrahims Hatred for Idols **************************** Years passed and Ibrahim a.s 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. Ibrahim a.s discovers Allah *************************** One night Ibrahim a.s left his house to go to a mountain. He sat in a cave and 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 that those who 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: O 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 the Al Mushrikeen (those who worship others besides Allah). 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. Ibrahim a.s reasons with Celestial worshippers (Quran, chp 6: 75-83) (Quran, chp 41:37) ************************************ Ibrahim a.s reasons with idolaters twice (Quran, Chp 21: 52-56) (Quran, chp 26: 69-82) ************************************* Ibrahim a.s breaks the idol ***************************** 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. Ibrahim a.s waited until the city was empty, then came out cautiously, directing his steps towards the temple. He went there carrying a sharp axe. He approached the statues and asked questions mocking at them (Refer Quran Ch 37:91-92) He then raised his axe and started smashing the false gods worshipped by the people. He destroyed them all except one on whose neck he hung the axe. After this his anger subsides and he felt at peace The Idolaters Question Ibraham a.s *********************************** When the idolaters came back they were shocked to see their gods smashed and lying scattered. They knew it was Ibrahim a.s, they called him and questioned him regarding it. (Refer Quran, chapter 21: 59-67) The Idolaters Try to burn Ibrahim a.s ************************************* They decided to throw Ibrahim a.s into the biggest fire they could build. They dug a deep pit, filled it with firewood and ignited it.Then the chief priest gave his order to cast Ibrahim a.s into the fire. The angel Gabriel came near Ibrahims head and asked him: O Ibrahim do you wish for anything? Ibrahim a.s replied: Nothing from you. The catapult was shot and Ibrahim a.s was cast into the fire. But his descent into the blaze was as 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 Ibrahim. (Ch 21:69 Quran) Ibrahim a.s came out of the pit untouched by the fire. They wanted to harm him, but We made them the worst losers. (Ch 21:70) This miracle shamed the tyrants, but it did not cool the flame of anger in their hearts. However after his event many of the people followed Ibrahim a.s, although some kept their belief a secret for fear of harm or death at the hands of the rulers. Ibrahim a.s challenges those who proclaim themselves as gods, King Namrud ***************************************** When the king, Namrud, heard of Ibrahim a.s s safe exit from the fire he became very angry. He feared that the status of godhead he had proclaimed for himself was not challenged by an ordinary human being. He summoned Ibrahim a.s to the palace and held a dialogue with him which Allah Almighty recounted: Have you not thought about ... him who disputed with Ibrahim a.s about his Lord (Allah) because Allah had given him the kingdom? When Ibrahim a.s said to him: My Lord (Allah) is He Who gives life and causes death. He said: I give life and cause death. Ibrahim a.s 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. Allah guides not the people who are Zalimeen (wrongdoers etc). (Ch 2:258 Quran) ★★★ Ibrahims a.s fame spread throughout the entire kingdom. meantime, Ibrahim a.s continued calling people to believe in Allah. However, only one woman and one man of his people shared his belief in Allah. The womans name was Sarah and she became his wife. The mans name was Lot and he became a prophet. When Ibrahim a.s 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 another called Haran, and then to Palestine. Allah the Almighty told us: So Lut believed in him. He (Ibrahim) said: I will emigrate for the sake of my Lord. Verily, He is the All Mighty, the All Wise. (Ch 29:26) After Palestine, Ibrahim a.s traveled to Egypt, calling people to believe in Allah. Hadith about Ibrahim a.s, Sarah and Hajar (radiyallahu anhum) **************************************** Abu Hurairah narrated that Ibrahim a.s (pbuh) 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, Ibrahim a.s excused himself by saying he was sick. (Ch 37:89 Quran) and when he said: (I have not done this but) the big idol has done it. The (third was) that while Ibrahim a.s and Sarah rda(his wife) were going (on a journey), they passed by (the territory of) a tyrant. Someone said to the tyrant: This man (Ibrahim a.s is accompanied by a very charming lady. SO, he sent for Ibrahim a.s and asked him about Sarah r.d.a saying Who is this lady? Ibrahim a.s said: She is my sister. Ibrahim a.s went to Sarah r.d.a and said O 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 r.d.a, and when she went to him, he tried to take a 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 comfounded. He again requested Sarah: Pray to Allah for me, and I will not harm you. Sarah asked Allah to 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. Ibrahim a.s, 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, O Bani Ma is Sama (Arab, the descendants of Ishmael, Hajars son). Hajar and Sarah ***************** Ibrahims a.s wife Sarah r.d.a was sterile. She had been given an Egyptian woman Hajar r.d.a, as a servant. Abraham had aged and his hair was gray and after many years spent in calling people to Allah. Sarah thought she and Ibrahim a.s were lonely because she could not have a child. Therefore, she offered her husband her servant Hajar r.d.a in marriage. Hajar gave birth to her first son Ishmael a.s (ismail) when Ibrahim a.s was an old man.
Posted on: Thu, 03 Jul 2014 10:12:24 +0000
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