Prophet Ibrahim (AS) was a great prophet of Allah who was given the title of “Khalil-ul-Allah” which means “the friend of Allah.” Muslims respect Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) a lot and must know about the life story of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS).
Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) was born in the home of idolaters. The father of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) was a known idol sculptor. These idols were worshipped by the people. However, Hazrat Ibrahim’s mind refused the idea of worshipping these idols rather he used these idols as toys. Allah (SWT) enlightened the heart and mind of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) so he never accepted to worship the idols.
“And We had certainly given Abraham his sound judgement before, and We were of him well-Knowing.” (Quran 21:51)
Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) never accepted the idea of worshipping statues. He laughed at his people and their subordination to the idols made him angry as well. Thus, Ibrahim (AS) started to look deeper in things like shining star, sun and moon that could any of these be the God? But all these things are subjected to set at one time. So, Ibrahim (AS) came to the conclusion that these things can’t be God but God made all these things. After this reflection, he realised that God is One Who created heavens and the earth. Thus, in this way with Allah’s help, Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) found the truth.
“And thus did We show Abraham the realm of the heavens and the earth that he would be among the certain [in faith]. So when the night covered him [with darkness], he saw a star. He said, “This is my lord.” But when it set, he said, “I like not those that disappear.” And when he saw the moon rising, he said, “This is my lord.” But when it set, he said, “Unless my Lord guides me, I will surely be among the people gone astray.” And when he saw the sun rising, he said, “This is my lord; this is greater.” But when it set, he said, “O my people, indeed I am free from what you associate with Allah. Indeed, I have turned my face toward He who created the heavens and the earth, inclining toward truth, and I am not of those who associate others with Allah .”” (Quran 6:75-79)
Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) firstly, invited his father to the right path whom he loved a lot but his father rejected to accept what Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) was preaching. His father threatened to punish him if he didn’t stop. Thus, Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) left his father’s home.
“[Mention] when he said to his father, “O my father, why do you worship that which does not hear and does not see and will not benefit you at all? O my father, indeed there has come to me of knowledge that which has not come to you, so follow me; I will guide you to an even path. O my father, do not worship Satan. Indeed Satan has ever been, to the Most Merciful, disobedient. O my father, indeed I fear that there will touch you a punishment from the Most Merciful so you would be to Satan a companion [in Hellfire].” [His father] said, “Have you no desire for my gods, O Abraham? If you do not desist, I will surely stone you, so avoid me a prolonged time.” [Abraham] said, “Peace will be upon you. I will ask forgiveness for you of my Lord. Indeed, He is ever gracious to me.”” (Quran 19:42-47)
He then went to his people so that he could guide them but they also rejected what Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) was preaching.
For an event, the people of the town of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) had to leave the town to celebrate the event on the riverbank. Thus, when everybody left for the event, Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) went to the temple with an axe and destroyed all the statues except the biggest one. He hung the axe around that idol’s neck and left the temple.
When people came back to the town and saw their idols broken into pieces, they were shocked. At first they do wondered that who could have done this but after a while they remembered about Ibrahim (AS) who talked against their idols. Thus, they asked Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) that if he had done this? To this he said that the biggest idol had done this and they could ask from them if they could speak. Knowing that their idols couldn’t speak, they realized deep inside that Ibrahim (AS) is truthful but refused to accept it and thus, demanded to burn Ibrahim (AS).
“They said, “Have you done this to our gods, O Abraham?” He said, “Rather, this – the largest of them – did it, so ask them, if they should [be able to] speak.” So they returned to [blaming] themselves and said [to each other], “Indeed, you are the wrongdoers.” Then they reversed themselves, [saying], “You have already known that these do not speak!” He said, “Then do you worship instead of Allah that which does not benefit you at all or harm you? Uff to you and to what you worship instead of Allah. Then will you not use reason?” They said, “Burn him and support your gods – if you are to act.”” (Quran 21:62-68)
People of the town decided to burn Prophet Ibrahim (AS) in fire. The biggest fire was lit by the people and even birds didn’t fly near it due to the fear of getting burned. When Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) was thrown into the fire, he was saved by Allah and wasn’t burnt at all.
“Allah said, “O fire, be coolness and safety upon Abraham.”” (Quran 21:69)
Thus, Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) was saved due to Allah’s miracle Who ordered fire to be cooled down and be safe for Ibrahim (AS). Surely, Ibrahim (AS) believed in Allah and always remained on the side of truth and Allah saved him from the fire and caused the disbelievers to lose.
“And they intended for him harm, but We made them the greatest losers.” (Quran 21:70)
Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) was born in the Babylon Kingdom and when the Babylonian king, Namrud came to know about Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) and the event of his not getting burnt even in the fire, he felt a danger to his powers. Namrud was pretending to be god and thus, he felt a threat to his throne. Therefore, Namrud called Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) so that he could have a debate with him and prove his nation that he himself is god and Ibrahim (AS) is not speaking the truth.
Thus, in a debate, Namrud asked Hazrat Ibrahim (AS), “What your God can do which I cannot?” On this Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) said, “My Lord is the one Who gives life and causes death.”
Upon this Namrud said that he can give life and death as well. He can execute a person and saves a life by granting pardon to the one who was given the death sentence.
To this Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) said that his Lord brings up the sun from the east, so you bring sun up from the west. At this, Namrud became speechless and was beaten badly in an argument by Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) in front of his people. Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) left Namrud speechless over there and went to his mission of inviting people to the right path.
“Have you not considered the one who argued with Abraham about his Lord [merely] because Allah had given him kingship? When Abraham said, “My Lord is the one Who gives life and causes death,” he said, “I give life and cause death.” Abraham said, “Indeed, Allah brings up the sun from the east, so bring it up from the west.” So the disbeliever was overwhelmed [by astonishment], and Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.” (Quran 2:258)
In his preaching, only a woman, Hazrat Sarah (RA), and man, Hazrat Loot (لوط) (AS), believed in Allah. Realising that his people wouldn’t listen to him, Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) emigrated from that place to spread the message of Allah somewhere else. Before leaving, he tried to convert his father once again but it was useless.
Then three of them [Hazrat Ibrahim (AS), Hazrat Sarah (RA) and Hazrat Loot (لوط) (AS)] started their long journey and crossed Babylon, went through Syria and Palestine while inviting people to the right path. By that time Ibrahim (AS) married to Hazrat Sarah (RA). Both of them hoped to have children who could invite people to the right path after their death. But the time passed and they had no children. Hazrat Sarah (RA) realized that she was not fertile. Hazrat Sarah (RA) was given a woman servant, Hazrat Hajra (RA), by the king when she and Ibrahim (AS) moved to Egypt. She was worried that Ibrahim (AS) had no children so she offered Hazrat Hajra (RA) to her husband as a wife and prayed Allah to bless Hazrat Hajra (RA) and Ibrahim (AS) with a child. Thus, Hazrat Ismail (AS) was born to Hazrat Hajra (RA). After about fourteen years, Allah also blessed Hazrat Sarah (RA) with a son, Hazrat Ishaq (AS) despite her old age.
The foundation of zamzam well, sacrifice of Hazrat Ismail (AS) as test and then appearing of sheep, building of Kaaba and start of pilgrimage are important events of the life of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS).
Prophet Ibrahim (AS) preached the message of Allah to the people of this world and his life is full of lessons for the Muslims who must study his life and most importantly, we should learn and understand Quran to know about the life of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS).
