The Story of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, AS) Part 2

The continuation of the story of Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be upon him), also known as Abraham in the Judeo-Christian tradition, is a captivating tale of faith, sacrifice, and divine guidance. As one of the most esteemed prophets in Islam, his life serves as a beacon of inspiration for believers around the world. Let’s delve into the fascinating narrative of Prophet Ibrahim and glean valuable lessons from his extraordinary journey.

Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Peace be upon him) confronted the Idolaters, the Second Time

Almighty Allah revealed:

“Recite to them the story of Abraham. 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 fathers 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.” (Ch 26:69-82 Quran).

Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Peace be upon him) Breaks the Idols

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 Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Peace be upon him) prayed and Who would forgive his
sins on the Day of Judgment. However, they would not give up but clung fast to idolatry. Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Peace be upon him) left his father’s house and abandoned his people and what they worshipped. He decided 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.

Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Peace be upon him) waited until the city was empty, then came out cautiously, directing his steps toward 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. Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Peace be upon him)  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. Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Peace be upon him) asked all the other statues around him:

“Will you not eat of the offering before you?” (Ch 37:91)

He was mocking them for he knew they would not eat. He once again asked them:

“What is the matter with you that you do not speak?” (Ch 37:92)

He then raised his axe and started smashing the false gods worshipped by the people. He destroyed them all except the big one on whose neck he hung the axe. After this his anger subsided and he felt at peace. He left the temple. He had fulfilled his vow to show his people practical proof of their foolishness in worshipping something other than Allah.

The Idolaters Questioned Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Peace be upon him)

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 Prophet Ibrahim’s (Abraham, Peace be upon him) name came to their minds. Allah the Almighty said in the Quran: they (idolaters) 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 Abraham.” 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 Abraham?”

Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Peace be upon him) 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 (Abraham) know well that these idols speak not?”

Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Peace be upon him) 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?” (Ch 21:59-67 Quran)

Furious, they demanded that Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Peace be upon him) be arrested and tried. Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Peace be upon him) did not resist. This was precisely what he had been aiming for so that he could show them up in public 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 Abraham 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 Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Peace be upon him). They kept him in chains and planned their revenge.

The Idolaters Try to burn Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Peace be upon him)

Anger was burning in their hearts. They decided to throw Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Peace be upon him) into the biggest fire they could build. All the citizens were ordered to gather wood as a service to their gods. For several days they collected fuel. They dug a deep pit, filled it with firewood, and ignited it.

The fire was so hot that they couldn’t move close to it to throw Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Peace be upon him) into the fire until it came to their mind to use a catapult. They brought a catapult with which to cast Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Peace be upon him) into the fire. Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Peace be upon him) was put on the catapult, and 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 Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Peace be upon him) into the fire.

The angel Gabriel came near Abraham’s head and asked him: “O Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Peace be upon him) do you wish for anything?” He replied: “Nothing from you.”

The catapult was shot and Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Peace be upon him) was cast into the fire. But upon entering the blaze, the flames were still there, and they did not burn for Allah the Almighty had issued His command:

                    “O fire! Be you coolness and safety for Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Peace be upon him).” (Ch 21:69 Quran)

The fire submitted to the will of Allah, becoming cool and safe for Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Peace be upon him), 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. 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, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah and in His Messenger Muhammad) so fear them not but fear Me if you are true believers.” (Ch 3:173-175 Quran)

The chiefs and the priests sat 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 disbelievers thought it would never be extinguished. When it did burn out, they were greatly amazed to find Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Peace be upon him) coming out of the pit untouched by the fire.

Their faces were black from the smoke, but he was bright with the light and grace of Allah. The raging fire had become cool for Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Peace be upon him) and had only removed the ropes that 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. (Ch 21:70)

This miracle shamed the tyrants, but it did not cool the flame of anger in their hearts.

Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Peace be upon him) challenges King Namrud who proclaims himself a gods

Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Peace be upon him) had established a definite reason against idolaters. Nothing was left for him except to reason against the people who proclaimed themselves gods. When the king, Namrud, heard of Abraham’s safe exit from the fire he became very angry.

He feared that the status of godhead he had proclaimed for himself was challenged and couldn’t be by an ordinary human being. He summoned Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Peace be upon him) to the palace and held a dialogue with him which Allah Almighty says:

“Have you not thought about him (Namrud) who disputed with Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Peace be upon him) about his Lord (Allah) because Allah had given him the kingdom? When Abraham said to him: “My Lord (Allah) is He Who  gives life and causes death.”

He said: “I give life and cause death.” Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Peace be upon him) 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) (Quran 2:258)

He couldn’t do this i.e. cause the sun to rise from the west and left him speechless. Prophet Ibrahim’s (Abraham, Peace be upon him) 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, Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Peace be upon him) 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 due to his love and care for his people. However, they didn’t believe in his message 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 Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Peace be upon him) 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 to another called Haran, and then to Palestine. Allah the Almighty told us:

“So Lut believed in him (Abraham’s message of Islamic Monotheism). He (Abraham) said: “I will emigrate for the sake of my Lord. Verily, He is the All Mighty, the All Wise.” (Ch 29:26)

After Palestine, Abraham traveled to Egypt, calling people to believe in Allah wherever he traveled, judging fairly between people, and guiding them to truth and righteousness.

Hadith that explained about Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Peace be upon him), Sarah, and Hajar

Narrated/Authority of Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, “The Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Peace be upon him) emigrated with Sarah and entered a village where there was a king or a tyrant. (The Tyrant King) was told that Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Peace be upon him) had entered (the village) accompanied by a woman who was one of the most charming women.

So, the king sent for Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Peace be upon him) and asked, ‘O Ibraham! Who is this lady accompanying you?’ He replied, ‘She is my sister (i.e. in religion).’ Then Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Peace be upon him) returned to her wife and said, ‘Do not contradict my statement, for I have informed them that you are my sister.

By Allah, there are no true believers on this land except you and I.’ Then Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Peace be upon him) sent her to the tyrant king. When the king got to her, she got up and performed ablution, prayed, and said, ‘O Allah! If I have believed in You and Your Apostle (Ibrahim, Abraham), and have saved my private parts from everybody except my husband, then please do not let this disbeliever overpower me.’

On that, the king fell into a mood of tremor and started moving and shaking his legs. Seeing the condition of the king, Sarah said, ‘O Allah! If he should die, the people will say that I have killed him.’ The king regained his power and proceeded towards her but she got up again and performed ablution, prayed, and said,

‘O Allah! If I have believed in You and Your Apostle and have kept my private parts safe from all except my husband, then please do not let this disbeliever overpower me.’ The king again fell into a mood of tremor and started moving and shaking his legs. On seeing that state of the king, Sarah said, ‘O Allah! If he should die, the people will say that I have killed him.’

The king got either two or three attacks, and after recovering from the last attack he said to his servants, ‘By Allah! You have sent a satan to me. Take her to Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Peace be upon him) and give her Ajar (Hajar) as a maid.’ So she came back to Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Peace be upon him) and said, ‘Allah humiliated the disbeliever and gave us a slavegirl for service’.” (Sahih Bukhari 420)

Hajar and Sarah

Prophet Ibrahim’s (Abraham, Peace be upon him) wife Sarah was sterile. She had been given an Egyptian woman Hajar, as a servant. Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Peace be upon him) had aged and his hair was gray after many years spent calling people to Allah.

Sarah thought she and Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Peace be upon him) were lonely because she could not have a child. Therefore, she offered her husband her servant Hajar in marriage and Hajar gave birth to her first son Ishmael (Isma’il) when Abraham was an old man.

Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Peace be upon him) questions Allah about Resurrection

Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Peace be upon him) 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 Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Peace be upon him) with peace and love, and certitude.

One day he begged Allah to show him how He brought the dead back to life.  Allah commanded Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Peace be upon him) 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. Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, Peace be upon him) 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 Abraham.

Almighty Allah revealed: “Remember when Abraham said: ‘My Lord Show me how You give life to the dead.” Allah said: “Do you not believe?” Abraham said: “Yes I believe, but to be stronger in Faith.”

He said: “Take four birds, then 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.”(Ch 2:260 Quran)