Many people live and die and, amongst them, only a few are remembered for having lived a remarkable life. Then there are others who are remembered forever, not because they owned luxury items, but because of how they carried themselves with humility, trusting and walking upon the path of Allah (SWT).
In Islam, we hold in high esteem a man of such exemplary character and nobility that he is revered not only in Islam, but across all Abrahamic faiths. His name is Prophet Ibrahim (AS).
His life is detailed in The Quran and, when we read it, we find something in ourselves that connects us to his story. In our hardest moments, in the decisions we are too afraid to make, and in the things which we struggle to let go, Prophet Ibrahim (AS)’s story is something that anchors us. Every believer, in some unique way, sees his or herself relating to Prophet Ibrahim (AS)’s story.
Imagine you are a youth surrounded by people who bow in prostration to stone. Your father builds idols with his own hands. Everyone you know – family, tribe, and society – are all committed to a lie, and you’re the only one who sees past it all. Most of us would stay quiet to avoid confrontation and keep the peace, but not Prophet Ibrahim (AS).
He stood up, not with a sense of pride or arrogance, but with courage. He spoke to his father with gentleness, but made sure that he didn’t remain silent on something he knew was horribly wrong. He asked his father why he worships something that neither benefits nor harms him? Quickly, his father, family, and society rejected him and, when his father threatened to cast him out, Prophet Ibrahim (AS) walked away, heartbroken but firm.
This laudable step of calling out wrongdoing and accepting exile for something he knew was wrong earned him praise from Allah (SWT). He (SWT) said in Surah An-Nahl, “Indeed, Abraham was a model of excellence: devoted to Allah, perfectly upright—not a polytheist…” (The Clear Quran®, 16:120)
Allah (SWT) called him a nation not because of his followers, but because of the faith he upheld. Sometimes, doing the right thing means you will have to stand alone, but when you stand for Allah (SWT), you’re never truly alone.
However, after years of calling people to the truth, they had enough. They built a massive fire, tied him down and, without any hesitation, they tossed him into the flames. Can you imagine that moment? The sky above him darkened with clouds of smoke, flames all around him, and no one was there to help him except His Lord.
Allah (SWT) says again in The Quran, “We ordered, ‘O fire! Be cool and safe for Ibrahim!’” (The Clear Quran®, 21:69) Not a single burn scarred his body because Allah (SWT) never abandons those who trust Him. You might feel like you’re falling into something painful but, when you rely on Allah (SWT), even fire can’t harm you, in shaa Allah.
However, the tests for Prophet Ibrahim (AS) didn’t stop there. Soon came a test that would crush the hearts of anyone. For years, Prophet Ibrahim (AS) had yearned and prayed for a child and Allah (SWT) blessed him with Prophet Ismail (AS), the son born to his wife Hajar in the heat of the desert. Every parent knows the feeling of joy and enthusiasm to settle in with their child and enjoy parenthood when having a child after much patience and prayer.
But Allah (SWT) commanded something else. He told Prophet Ibrahim (AS) to leave them in the valley with no water, no people, and to just keep trust in his Lord. And he did. He left Hajar and Prophet Ismail (AS) in what would one day become Makkah. How must it have felt – walking away from your peace and comfort? From your only child? No phone calls, no news, just dua and deafening silence.
In Surah Ibrahim the Prophet (AS) has said, “Our Lord! I have settled some of my offspring in a barren valley, near Your Sacred House, our Lord, so that they may establish prayer. So make the hearts of believing people incline towards them and provide them with fruits so, perhaps, they will be thankful.” (The Clear Quran®, 14:37)
Years later, that barren land would be home to the Ka’bah, to Zamzam, and to the final Prophet (SAW). Sometimes the hardest goodbyes lead to the greatest blessings. When you give something up for Allah (SWT), He gives back more than you can imagine.
But there was one more test that Allah (SWT) gave to Prophet Ibrahim (AS). When Prophet Ismail (AS) grew into a young boy – strong, kind, and obedient – Allah (SWT) told his Prophet to sacrifice his son. No explanation was given. The command was given to Prophet Ibrahim (AS) in a dream, which are also revelations.
He went to his son and described the dream to him. His beloved child rose with tawakkul and advised his father to do as he was commanded. He didn’t hesitate or complain; he immediately submitted. Both father and son went. Prophet Ismail (AS) laid his head onto a piece of stone, ready to be sacrificed for his Creator. But Prophet Ibrahim (AS) still had the heart of a father. Unable to witness such a sight, he tied a piece of cloth around his eyes and raised his arms. Just as the blade was about to come down on the neck of Prophet Ismail (AS), Allah (SWT) replaced Prophet Ismail (AS) with a ram instead. Just by gathering his son and even lifting the knife to perform the sacrifice, that was enough to fulfill the command of Allah (SWT).
There will come times when Allah (SWT) will ask you to let go of something that you love most. But, when you choose Him, He (SWT) will ensure that you are never left empty-handed.
The story of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) applies to everyone. It applies if you are:
- a youth who is the only one who prays in your household or a new Muslim who practices Islam in a household of non-Muslims
- a woman who makes long journeys and sacrifices with no support
- a father who is unsure of how to provide
- a mother who feels as if she isn’t being appreciated for her sacrifices
- one who’s been asked to walk away from something one loves for the sake of Allah (SWT)
As a Muslim, you will be tested and asked to trust when nothing makes sense. Yet Prophet Ibrahim (AS)’s story tells us that every step taken for Allah (SWT) is seen, and every sacrifice weighs heavy on the scales with Him when borne with patience.