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Some of the People of the Book
stated that his name was Ibrahim 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
Ibrahim, Nahor (Nohour) and Haran. Haran had a son named Lot. They also said
that Ibrahim 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.
Ibrahim 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 Ibrahim's father died before his birth and
he was raised by an uncle whom Ibrahim called father. Other traditions said that
his father was alive and was named Azer.
Into that family Ibrahim 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.
He was endowed with spiritual understanding from an early age.
Allah enlightened his heart and mind gave him wisdom from 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). ( 21:51)
During his early childhood Ibrahim 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. Ibrahim 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.
Ibrahim 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 Ibrahim laugh, he was only seven years old at that
time.
Years passed and Ibrahim 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 they could not even turn themselves right
side up if someone turned them upside down. How, then could people believe that
such statues could harm or benefit them?
Ibrahim 's people had a big temple
full of idols, in the middle of which was a niche accommodating the biggest gods
which was of different kinds, qualities and shapes. Ibrahim, 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
Ibrahim, 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 that that he revere those
statues, yet Ibrahim never stopped displaying his hatred and disdain of them.
One night Ibrahim 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.
Therefore
Ibrahim, addressed his people who worshipped celestial
bodies as Almighty Allah revealed: Thus did We show
Ibrahim the kingdom of
the heavens and the earth that he be one of those who have Faith and 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 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. 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 Ibrahim against his people. We
raise whom We will in degrees. Certainly your Lord is All Wise, All Knowing.
(6:75-83 Quran).
In that debate, Ibrahim 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.
Ibrahim 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. ( 41:37)
Ibrahim's reasoning helped to reveal
the truth, and then the conflict between him and his people began for the
worshippers of the stars and planets did not stand mute. they began arguing and
threatening Ibrahim.
Ibrahim 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? How should
I fear those whom you associate in worship with Allah (though they can neither
benefit or 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 rights to be in security? .....if you but know! It is those who
believe (in the oneness of Allah and worship none but HiAlone) and confuse not
their belief with Zulm (wrong by worshipping others besides Allah), for them
only there is security and they are the guided." (6:80-82)
The curtains are drawn on the first category of the people, those
who were worshipping celestial bodies. the next situation reveals the second
group, those who were practicing idolatry. Allah gave Ibrahim (pbuh) 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
Ibrahim against
his people. We raised whom We will in degrees. Certainly your Lord is All Wise,
All Knowing. (6:83)
Ibrahim 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 of the witnesses." (21:52-56)
All was finished between Ibrahim 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 sculpted and
sold them as well. Ibrahim 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. O my father! Worship not Satan. Verily! Stan has been a rebel
against the Most Beneficent (Allah). O my father! Verily! I fear lest a torment
from the Most Beneficent (Allah) overtake you as that you become a companion of
Satan (in the Hellfire)."
He (the father) said: "Do you reject my gods, O
Ibrahim? If you
stop not this, I will indeed stone you. So get away from me safely before I
punish you." Ibrahim 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." (19:43-48)
His father's harsh treatment did not stop
Ibrahim from delivering
the message of truth. Angry and sad to see people prostate 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 questioned the accused sharply so
that he mighty detect the truth. Ibrahim 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 the idols were lifeless but
that their forefathers had worshipped them; to them this was proof enough for
their belief.
Ibrahim 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?"
Ibrahim 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; of they had any power they would have harmed me
by now!"
Almighty Allah recounted: Recite to them the story of
Ibrahim.
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 father 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 Resurrection." (26:69-82 Quran).
In another surah The Almighty revealed: And remember
Ibrahim
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 beside Allah have no power to
give you provision, so seek your provision from Allah Alone, you will be brought
back. And if you deny then nations before you have denied their Messengers. 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, lessons, signs, evidences,
verses, 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. (22:16-23 Quran)
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 and 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 Ibrahim prayed and Who would forgive his sins on the Day of
Judgment. However, they would not give up but clung fast to idolatry.
Ibrahim left his father's house and
abandoned his people and what they worshipped. He decide 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. Ibrahim 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.
Ibrahim went there carrying a sharp axe. 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. Ibrahim asked all
the other statues around him:
"Will you not eat of the offering before you?" (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 not speak?" (37:92)
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. He left the temple.
He had fulfilled his vow to show his people a practical proof of their
foolishness in worshipping something other than All.
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 Ibrahim'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 Ibrahim." 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, O Ibrahim?" Ibrahim 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 wrongdoers)." Then they turned to themselves (their first
thought and said): "Indeed you (Ibrahim) know well that these idols speak not?"
Ibrahim said: "DO you then worship besides Allah, things that can neither profit
you nor harm you? If upon you, and upon that which you worship besides Allah!
Have you then no sense?" (21:59-67 Quran)
Furious, they demanded that Ibrahim be arrested and tried.
Ibrahim
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 Ibrahim 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 to use their power of authority as tyrants usually do to punish Ibrahim.
They kept him in chains and planned their revenge.
Anger was burning in their hearts. They decided to throw
Ibrahim
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 Ibrahim. 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 Ibrahim into the fire. Ibrahim was put on
the catapult, his hands and feet were tied. The fire was ready with its flame
reaching the sky. The people stood away from the pit because of the great heat.
Then the chief priest gave his order to cast Ibrahim into the fire.
The angel Gabriel came near Ibrahim's head and asked him: "O
Ibrahim do you wish for anything?" Ibrahim replied: "Nothing from you."
The catapult was shot and Ibrahim 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."
(21:69 Quran)
The fire submitted to the will of Allah, becoming cool and safe
for Ibrahim. 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 Ibrahim do did not fear.
Allah declared: Those (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. Allah is the Owner of Great
bounty. It is only Satan that suggests to you the fear of his Auliya (supporters
and friends, polytheists, disbeliveers in the Oneness of Allah and in His
Messenger Muhammad) so fear them not but fear Me if you are true believers." (3:173-175 Quran)
The throng, the chiefs, and the priests sad 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 disbeliveers thought it would never be
extinguished. When it did burn out, they were greatly amazed to find Ibrahim
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 Ibrahim 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. (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, although some kept their belief a secret for fear of harm or death at
the hands of the rulers.
Ibrahim had established a definite
reasoning against idolaters. Nothing was left for him except to reason against
the people who proclaimed themselves gods.
When the king, Namrud, heard of
Ibrahim'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 to
the palace and held a dialogue with him which Allah Almighty recounted:
Have
you not thought about him who disputed with Ibrahim about his Lord (Allah)
because Allah had given him the kingdom? When Ibrahim said to him: "My Lord
(Allah) is He Who gives life and causes death." He said: "I give life and cause
death." Ibrahim 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). (2:258 Quran)
Ibrahim'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,
Ibrahim 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 and he became a prophet.
When Ibrahim 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 (Ibrahim's
message of Islamic Monotheism). He (Ibrahim) said: "I will emigrate for the sake
of my Lord. Verily, He is the All Mighty, the All Wise." (29:26)
After Palestine, Ibrahim traveled to Egypt, calling people to
believe in Allah wherever he traveled, judging fairly between people, and
guiding them to truth and righteousness.
Abu Hurairah narrated that Ibrahim (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 excused himself by saying he was sick. (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 and Sarah (his wife) were going (on a
journey), they passed by (the territory of) a tyrant. Someone said to the
tyrant: "This man (Ibrahim is accompanied by a very charming lady." SO, he sent
for Ibrahim and asked him about Sarah saying "Who is this lady?" Ibrahim said:
"She is my sister." Ibrahim went to Sarah 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, 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,
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 Isma'il, Hajar's son)."
Ibrahim's wife Sarah was sterile. She had been given an Egyptian
woman Hajar, as a servant. Ibrahim had aged and his hair was gray and after many
years spent in calling people to Allah. Sarah thought she and Ibrahim 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
(Isma'il) when Ibrahim was an old man.
Ibrahim 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 Ibrahim with
peace and love and certitude.
One day he begged Allah to show him how He brought the dead back
to life. Allah commanded Ibrahim to take four birds, cut them up and 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. Ibrahim 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 Ibrahim.
Almighty Allah revealed: Remember when
Ibrhaim said: "My Lord
Show me how You give life to the dead." Allah said: "Do you not believe?"
Ibrahim said: "Yes I believe, but to be stronger in Faith." HE said: "Take four
birds, the 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 and All Wise."(2:260 Quran)
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