The Story of Ibraheem - (alaihi as- salaam)

The story of Ibraheem (alaihi as-
salaam) is greatly associated with
Hajj because the origin of Hajj is old
as the Kaa'ba, which was built by
Ibraheem (alaihi as-salaam) and his
son, Isma’eel (alaihi as-salaam).
[Soorah al-Hajj (22): 26-27] Every act
of Hajj reminds us of the noble
family of Ibraheem (alaihi as-salaam)
since every act of Hajj refers back to
the righteous actions and struggle of
either Ibraheem (alaihi as-salaam),
his wife Hajrah or his son Isma’eel
(alaihi as-salaam). The history of this
family teaches spiritual lessons of
complete devotion to Allah and
sincerity to Him. It holds enlightening
message for everybody, a father, a
mother, a son and a wife.
The childhood of Ibraheem (alaihi
as-salaam):
Prophet Ibraheem (alaihi as-salaam)
was born in a family of idolaters but
from early childhood, he (alaihi as-
salaam) was endowed with spiritual
understanding. Allah enlightened his
heart and mind and gave him
wisdom: “And indeed We bestowed
afore time on Ibraheem his
(portion of) guidance, and We were
well-acquainted with him (as to
his belief in the Oneness of Allah,
etc.).” [Soorah al-Ambiya (21): 51]
One day, Ibraheem (alaihi as-salaam)
looked at the sky and: “Thus did We
showed Ibraheem the kingdom of
the Heavens and the Earth so that
he be one of those who have
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
those that 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. Hanifa
(Islamic Monotheism, i.e.
worshiping none but Allah Alone)
and I am not of the Mushrikeen.”
[Soorah al-An'aam (6): 75-79]
Thus, Ibraheem (alaihi as-salaam)
rejected the worship of all celestial
bodies, which people venerated and
worshiped and therefore: “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 worship with Allah things
for which He has not send down to
you any authority. (So) which of
the two parties has more right to
be in security? If you but know.”
[Soorah al-An'aam (6): 80]
It was in his childhood that Ibraheem
(alaihi as-salaam) argued with his
father, Azar, who was not only an
ordinary idolater, but he totally
rejected the existence of Allah. He
used to make idols with his own
hands. Ibraheem (alaihi as-salaam)
realized the fallacy of the idol; he
(alaihi as-salaam) noticed that these
idols did not eat, drink, or talk, and
that they could not even turn
themselves right-side if someone
turned them upside-down. How
could then people believe that such
statues could harm or benefit them?
“And (remember) when Ibraheem
said to his father, Azar: “Do you
take idols as aliha (gods)? Verily, I
see you and your people in
manifest error.” [Soorah al-An'aam
(6): 74]
“He (the father) said: “Do you
reject my gods, O Ibraheem? If you
stop not, I will indeed stone you.
So get away from me safely before
I punish you.” Ibraheem 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. And I
shall call on my Lord, and I hope
that I shall not be rejected in my
invocation to my Lord.” [Soorah
Maryam (19): 41]
He also argued with a skeptic, who
claimed to be god (according to what
the commentators said, he was
Namrud, the King of Babylon):
“When Ibraheem said (to the
disbeliever, who disputed with
him): “My Lord (Allah) is He, who
gives life and causes death.” He
(the disbeliever) said: “I give life
and cause death.” Ibraheem said:
“Verily, Allah causes the sun to
rise from the East, then you cause
it to rise from the West.” So, the
disbeliever was utterly defeated.
And Allah guides not the people,
who are Zalimun (wrong-doers,
etc.).” [Soorah al-Baqarah (2): 258]
Dawah Lessons:
In the above discussion, we see an
excellent example of moral behavior
of a religious son towards his
deviated father. This calls us to
undertake the obligation of Dawah
and Islaah of one's family, as Allah
says: “O you who believe! Save
yourselves and your families from
a Fire whose fuels are men and
stones.” [Soorah Tahreem (66): 6]
The spiritual lessons found in the
short conversation between Ibraheem
(alaihi as-salaam) and his father can
be stated in four proportions:
1. A pious son is dutiful to his father
and wishes him well in everything;
material and spiritual.
2. If the father refuses the guidance
of Allah, the son does his utmost to
bring his father nearer to Allah.
3. Having received the guidance, the
son does not renounce it, even if he
had to forfeit his father's love and
renounce his home.
4. Even if the father repels him and
turns him out, he replies in
politeness, full of love and
forgiveness, but he is firm on behalf
of Truth.
The story of Ibraheem (alaihi as-
salaam) also explain the correct
conduct and behavior of a Da'ee
(caller to Islam), which we will
enumerate in the following
discussion, with examples from the
life of Ibraheem (alaihis-salaam):
1. A Da'ee should be polite and
humble and he must avoid all forms
of harshness and force. Allah says:
“Call to the way of your Lord with
wisdom and beautiful preaching,
and argue with them in the way
that is best. Truly, your Lord
knows best who has gone astray
from His Path, and He is the Best
Aware of those who are guided.”
[Soorah an-Nahl (16): 125]
In this wonderful passage are laid
down principles of religious
preaching, which are good for all
times. Invitation to Islam should be
in a humble and courteous manner,
with wisdom and discretion, meeting
people on their own ground and
convincing them with illustrations
from their own knowledge and
experience, which may be very
narrow, or very wide. Our preaching
must not be dogmatic, self-regarding
or offensive but gentle, considerate
and such as would attract their
attention. Such is evident from the
actions of Ibraheem (alaihi as-
salaam).
In his debate with those who
worshiped the celestial bodies,
Prophet Ibraheem (alaihi as-salaam)
first clarified to his people the reality
of celestial bodies. They do not serve
as deities, these bodies are created,
fashionable, controlled, managed and
made to serve. They are not worthy
to be worshiped as partners with
Allah. Then secondly he described
unto them that they are among the
signs of Allah: “And from 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.”
[Soorah (41): 37]
The next incident, when he argued
with the idolaters, he used reasoning:
“And that was Our Proof which We
gave Ibraheem against his people.
We raise whom We will in degrees.
Certainly, your Lord is all-Wise, All-
Knowing.” [Soorah (6): 83] 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: “O my
father! Why do you worship that
which hears not, sees not and
cannot avail you in anything?”
[Soorah Maryam (19): 41] and before
his father could become angry, he
hastily said: “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 the Straight Path. O my
father! Worship not Shaytaan.
Verily, Shaytaan has been a rebel
against the Most Beneficent
(Allah). O my father! I fear lest a
torment from the Most Beneficent
overtake you, so that you become
a companion of Shaytaan (in the
Hell fire).” [Soorah Maryam (19): 42]
In the same way, he again used
reasoning with the idol-worshipers
and said: “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 have been
worshiping?” [Soorah ash-Shoorah
(26): 70-75]
However, they (the idolaters) did not
give up but clung fast to idolatry,
then he (alaihi as-salaam) said: “And
by Allah, I shall plot a plan (to
destroy) your idols after you have
gone away and turned your backs.”
[Soorah al-Ambiya (21): 57] Ibraheem
(alaihi as-salaam) knew that there
was going to be a celebration on the
other side of the river, which would
be attended by all people. They
invited Ibraheem (alaihi as-salaam)
to join them in the celebrations but:
“Then he cast a glance at the stars
(to deceive them), and he said:
“Verily, I am sick (with plague). So
they turned away from him, and
departed (for fear of
disease).” [Soorah as-Saffat (37): 88]
He did this trick to remain in their
temple and to destroy the idols.
Ibraheem waited until the city was
empty: “Then he turned to their aliha
(gods) and said: “Will you not eat
(of the offering before you). What
is the matter with you that you
don't speak? Then he turned upon
them, striking (them) with (his)
right hand.” [Soorah as-Saffat (37):
90-93] “So, he broke them (the
idols) to pieces, (all) except the
biggest of them, that they might
turn to it.” [Soorah al-Ambiya (21):
58]
He enacted this scene, to make the
people ashamed of worshiping
powerless and senseless stocks and
stones. He broke all the idols except
the biggest, so as to show that a
fight had taken place between the
idols, and the biggest idol had
smashed the others. So, when they
came back: “They said: “Who has
done this to our aliha (gods)? He
must indeed be one of the
wrongdoers. They said: “We heard
a young man talking (against)
them who is called Ibraheem.”
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 Ibraheem?” (Ibraheem
(alaihis-salaam)) 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 wrong-doers).
Then they turned to themselves
(their first thought and said):
“Indeed you (Ibraheem) know well
that these (idols) speak
not!” (Ibraheem (alaihis-salaam))
said: “Do you then worship besides
Allah things that can neither profit
you, nor harm you?” Fie upon you,
and upon that which you worship
besides Allah! Have you then no
sense?” They said: “Burn him and
help your aliha (gods), if you will
be doing.” We (Allah) said: “O Fire!
Be you coolness and safety for
Ibraheem.” And they wanted to
harm him but We made them the
worst losers.” [Soorah al-Ambiya
(21): 59-70]
In Soorah Maryam, the challenge was
how a righteous Muslim deals with
his father when his duty to his father
conflicts with his duty to Allah? And
here the challenge was how a
righteous man deals with evil and
overcomes it? And how his firmness
on his belief draws Allah's Mercy and
troubles become his comfort and
joy?
The spiritual lesson of this passage
can be summarized as that a
righteous man makes no compromise
with evil. If the followers of evil
mock him, he pays them in their own
coin, but stands firm by his
principles. Even if they harm him or
try to kill him, he declares his faith
in Allah.
2. Another rule of Dawah is that the
invitation to Islam should not imply
compulsion, since compulsion is
incompatible with the religion for two
reasons:
(a) Religion depends upon one's faith
and will, and these would be
meaningless if induced by force.
(b) Truth is clearly distinguished from
error. Allah says: “Let there be no
compulsion in the religion. Verily
the Right Path has become distinct
from the wrong path. Whosoever
disbelieves in Taghoot and believes
in Allah then he has grasped the
most trustworthy handhold that
will never break. And Allah is all-
Hearer and All-Knower.” [Soorah al-
Baqarah (2): 256]
The Migration of Ibraheem (alaihis-
salaam):
Prophet Ibraheem (alaihi as-salaam)
did his best to make his people
heedful of the Oneness of Allah, and
to worship Him alone. He bade them
to firmly renounce the worship of
idols. He tried every means possible
to convince them. However, their
arrogance would not allow them to
admit their foolishness. Ibraheem
(alaihi as-salaam) realized the
senselessness of their beliefs, when:
“He (the father) said: “Do you
reject my gods, O Ibraheem? If you
stop not, I will indeed stone you.
So get away from me safely before
I punish you.' Ibraheem 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. And I
shall call on my Lord, and I hope
that I shall not be rejected in my
invocation to my Lord.” [Soorah
Maryam (19): 41-49] “And he said
(after his rescue from the fire):
“Verily, I am going to my Lord. He
will guide me!” [Soorah as-Saffat
(37): 99]
And he (alaihi as-salaam) left his
father's house and abandoned his
people and what they worshiped!! He
(alaihi as-salaam) migrated with his
wife, Sarah, to a city called Ur, then
to another called Haran, Palestine
and then to Egypt calling people to
believe in Allah.
The Three Lies:
Abu Hurayrah (radhi allahu anhu)said
narrated that Ibraheem (alaihi as-
salaam) did not lie except on three
occasions, twice for the sake of Allah
when he said: “I am sick.” (when his
people were holding a festival in
honor of their gods, Ibraheem (alaihi
as-salaam) excused himself by saying
he was sick) and when he said: “(I
have not done this but) the big
idol has done it.” The (third was)
that while Ibraheem (alaihi as-
salaam) and Sarah were going (on
a journey), they passed by (the
territory of) a tyrant. Some said to
the tyrant: “This man (i.e.
Ibraheem (alaihi as-salaam) is
accompanied by a very charming
lady.” So, he sent for Ibraheem
(alaihi as-salaam) and asked him
about Sarah saying: “Who is this
lady?” Ibraheem said: “She is my
sister.” Ibraheem (alaihi as-
salaam) went to Sarah and said: “O
Sarah! There are no believers on
the face 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 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 stiff or stiffer than
before and) he was more
confounded. He again requested
Sarah: “Pray to Allah for me, and I
shall not harm you.” Sarah asked
Allah 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
you have brought me a devil.” The
tyrant then gave Hajrah (an Egyptian
woman), as a maidservant to Sarah.
Sarah came back (to Ibraheem (alaihi
as-salaam) while he was praying.
Ibraheem gestured with his hand and
asked: “What happened?” She
replied: “Allah has spoiled the evil
plot of the infidel and gave me
Hajrah for service.” Abu Hurayrah
(radhi allahu anhu)then addressed
his listeners saying: “That (Hajrah)
was your mother, O Bani Ma-is-Sama
(i.e. the Arabs, the descendants of
Isma'eel, Hajrah's son).” [Saheeh al-
Bukharee]
Ibraheem (alaihi as-salaam) then left
Egypt with his wife, Sarah, lots of
gifts, money and also Hajrah, the
Egyptian women.
The Birth of Isma’eel (alaihi as-
salaam)
Sarah, the (first) wife of Ibraheem
(alaihi as-salaam) was sterile.
Ibraheem (alaihi as-salaam) invoked
Allah for a child saying: “My Lord!
Grant me (offspring) from the
righteous.” [Soorah as-Saffat (37):
100]
It happened that Sarah offered her
husband to Hajrah in marriage. “So,
We gave him the glad tiding of a
Haleem (fore bearing boy).”
[Soorah as-Saffat (37): 101] Hajrah
gave birth to his first son, Isma'eel
(alaihi as-salaam), when Ibraheem
(alaihi as-salaam) was at the age of
eighty-six. The name, ‘Isma'eel’ itself
comes from the root word ‘Samia’
meaning ‘to hear’, because Allah
heard and answered the invocation of
Ibraheem (alaihi as-salaam).
The Migration of Ibraheem (alaihi
as-salaam) with Hajrah and
Isma’eel (alaihi as- salam):
Allah commanded Prophet Ibraheem
(alaihi as-salaam) to leave his second
wife, Hajrah and their newly born
son, Isma'eel, alone in an un-
inhabited, barren valley. So,
Ibraheem (alaihi as-salaam) asked
his wife, Hajrah to prepare for a long
journey. They (alaihi as-salaam)
walked through cultivated land,
deserts and mountains, until they
reached the desert of the Arabian
peninsula and came to a valley
having no fruit, no trees, no food
and no water; the valley had no sign
of life.
Ibn Abbas (radhi allahu anhu)
narrated: “...Ibraheem (alaihi as-
salaam) brought her (Hajrah) and her
son, Isma'eel while she was suckling
him, to a place near the Kaa'ba
under a tree on the spot of Zam-
Zam, at the highest place in the
mosque. During those days there was
nobody in Makkah, nor was there any
water. So he made them sit over
there and placed near them a leather
bag containing some dates, and a
small water-skin containing some
water, and set out homeward.
Isma'eel's mother followed him
saying: “O Ibraheem! Where are you
going, leaving us in this valley where
there is no person whose company
we may enjoy, nor is there
anything?” She repeated that to him
many times, but he did not look back
at her. Then she asked him: “Has
Allah ordered you to do so?” He said:
“Yes.” She said: “Then He will not
neglect us.” and she returned (to her
child) while Ibraheem proceeded on
his way.
On reaching the Thaniya (mountain)
where they could not see him,
Ibraheem (alaihi as-salaam) faced
the Kaa'ba, and raising both hands,
invoked Allah saying: “O our Lord! I
have made some of my offspring
dwell in a valley without
cultivation, by Your Sacred House
(Kaa’ba at Mekkah) in order, O our
Lord, that they may offer prayer
perfectly. So fill some hearts
among men with love towards
them, and (O Allah) provide them
with fruits, so that they may give
thanks.” [Soorah Ibraheem (14): 37]
[Saheeh al-Bukharee vol: 4, no: 583]
The Spring of Zam-Zam and the
course of Safa wal-Marwa
Ibn Abbas (radhi allahu anhu) further
continued the story saying:
“Isma'eel's mother went on suckling
Isma'eel and drinking from the water
(she had). When the water in the
water-skin had all been used up, she
became thirsty and her child also
became thirsty. She started looking at
him (i.e. Isma'eel) tossing in agony.
She left him, for she could not
endure looking at him, and found
that the mountain of Safa was the
nearest mountain to her on that
land. She stood on it and started
looking at the valley keenly so that
she might see somebody, but she
found nobody. Then she descended
from Safa and when she reached the
valley, she tucked up her robe and
ran in the valley like a person in
distress and trouble, till she crossed
the valley and reached the Marwa
mountain where she stood and
started looking, expecting to see
somebody, but she could not see
anybody. She repeated that (running
between Safa and Marwa) seven
times.
The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-
sallam) said: “This is the source of
the tradition of the walking of
people between them (i.e. Safa
and Marwa). When she reached the
Marwa (for the last time), she
heard a voice and she asked
herself to be quiet and listened
attentively. She heard the voice
again and said: “O (whoever you
may be)! You have made me hear
your voice; have you got something
to help me?” And behold! She saw
an Angel at the place of Zam-Zam,
digging the earth with his heel (or
his wing), till water flowed from
that place. She started to make
something like a basin around it,
using her hand in this way, and
started filling her water-skin with
water with her hands, and the
water was flowing out after she
had scooped some of it.”
The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-
sallam) added: “May Allah bestow
Mercy on Isma'eel's mother! Had
she let the Zam-Zam (flow without
trying to control it) (or had she not
scooped from that water) (to fill
her water-skin), Zam-Zam would
have been a stream flowing on the
surface of the Earth.” The Prophet
(sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam)
further added: “Then she drank
(water) and suckled her child. The
Angel said to her: “Don't be afraid
of being neglected, for this is the
House of Allah which will be built
by this boy and his father, and
Allah never neglects His people.”
The House (i.e. Kaa'ba) at that
time was on a high place
resembling a hillock... She lived in
that way till some people from the
tribe of Jurhum or a family from
Jurhum passed by her and her
child, as they (i.e. the Jurhum
people) were coming through the
way of Kada'. They landed in the
lower part of Makkah where they
saw a bird that had the habit of
flying around water and not
leaving it. They said: “This bird
must be flying around water,
though we know that there is no
water in this valley.” They sent
one or two messengers who
discovered the source of water,
and returned to inform them of the
water. So, they all came (towards
the water).”
He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam)
further related: “Isma'eel's mother
was sitting near the water. They
asked her: “Do you allow us to stay
with you?” She replied: “'Yes, but
you will have no right to possess
the water.” They agreed to that.”
The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-
sallam) further said: “Isma'eel's
mother was pleased with the
whole situation as she loved the
company of people. So, they
settled there, and later on they
sent for their families who came
and settled with them so that
some families became permanent
residents there. The child (i.e.
Isma'eel) grew up and learnt
Arabic from them and (his virtues)
caused them to love and admire
him as he grew up….” [Saheeh al-
Bukharee]
The Order to Sacrifice Isma'eel:
“And when he (Isma'eel) was old
enough to walk with him
(Ibraheem (alaihi as-salaam), he
said: “O my son! I have seen in a
dream (a Prophet's dream is a
revelation from Allah and His
Command) that I am slaughtering
you (i.e. offering you in sacrifice to
Allah), so what do you think?” He
said: “O my father! Do that which
you are Commanded, Insha'Allah
(if Allah wills), you shall find me of
as-Saabireen (the patient ones).
Then, when they had both
submitted themselves (to the Will
of Allah), he had laid him prostrate
on his forehead (or on the side of
his forehead for slaughtering); and
We called out to him: “O
Ibraheem! You have fulfilled the
dream (vision)! Verily, Thus, do We
reward the Muhsinun (good-doers).
Verily, that indeed was a manifest
trial. And We ransomed him with a
great sacrifice (a ram). And We left
for him (a goodly remembrance)
among generations (to come) in
later times. Salaam (peace) be
upon Ibraheem. Thus indeed We
reward the Muhsineen.” [Soorah as-
Saffat (37): 102-105]
The sacrifice was a trial for both
Ibraheem (alaihi as-salaam) and
Isma'eel (alaihi as-salaam) and they
both readily agreed to submit their
will to Allah. Today, Muslims lack this
spirit and fortitude to sacrifice in the
Way of Allah and submit to His Will.
And this is why they are depressed
and underestimated by the Kuffar. If
today, Muslims arouse and generate
the courage and determination to put
forwards one's own self in the Path
of Allah and sacrifice their wealth
and possession for the sake of Allah,
then Allah does not renounce His
true worshipers.” And this is what
sacrifice teaches us because “It is
not their flesh or blood which
reaches Allah, but it is piety from
you that reaches Allah.” [Soorah al-
Hajj (22): 37]
The Building of Kaa'ba
“And (remember) when We showed
Ibraheem (alaihi as-salaam) the
site of the House (saying):
'Associate not anything with Me,
and sanctify My House...” [Soorah
al-Hajj (22): 26] Allah tells us that He
(Bawwana) showed Ibraheem (alaihi
as-salaam) the site of the House, i.e.
guided him to it, entrusted it to him
and granted him permission to build
the Kaa'ba.
“…for those who circumambulate
it, and those who stand up (for
prayer), and those who bow and
make prostration (in
prayer).” [Soorah al-Hajj (22): 26]
Meaning make it purely for those
who worship Allah alone, without any
partners. In this verse, Allah
mentioned the Tawaaf
(circumambulation) and Salaat
together because they are not
prescribed together anywhere, except
the Kaa'ba; Tawaaf is only performed
around the Kaa'ba and the Salaat
facing it.
The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu
alaihi wa-sallam) said: “… Then
Ibraheem stayed away from them
(Hajrah and Isma’eel) for a period
as long as Allah wished, and called
on them afterwards. He saw
Isma'eel under a tree near Zam-
zam, sharpening his arrows. When
he saw Ibraheem, he rose up to
welcome him (and they greeted
each other as a father does with
his son or a son does with his
father). Ibraheem said: ‘O
Isma'eel! Allah has given me an
order.’ Isma'eel said: ‘Do what
your Lord has ordered you to do.’
Ibraheem asked: 'Will you help
me?’ Isma'eel said: ‘I will help
you.’ Ibraheem said: ‘Allah has
ordered me to build a house here,’
pointing to a hillock higher than
the land surrounding it.” The
Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-
sallam) added: “Then they raised
the foundations of the House (i.e.
the Kaa'ba). Isma'eel brought the
stones and Ibraheem was building,
and when the walls became high,
Isma'eel brought this stone and
put it for Ibraheem who stood
over it and carried on building
(this is the stone which we now
know as Maqaam-e-Ibraheem),
while Isma'eel was handing him
the stones, and both of them were
saying, 'O our Lord! Accept (this
service) from us, Verily, You are
the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.”
[Soorah al-Baqarah (2): 127] [Saheeh
al-Bukharee vol: 4, no: 583]
He (alaihi as-salaam) completed the
building of Kaa'ba on the Command
of Allah. In his (alaihi as-salaam)
time, the building of Kaa'ba was
rectangular in shape and reached the
height of four and a half meters. It
contained two doors at the ground
level but had no roof. Ibraheem
(alaihi as-salaam) placed Hajar al-
Aswad (the Black Stone) at one of the
corners of Kaa'ba to mark the
starting point of Tawaaf
(circumambulation).
The building of Kaa'ba remained the
same up till when the Quraysh
rebuild the Kaa'ba. Narrated Aa’ishah
(radhi allahu anha), once Allah's
Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-
sallam) said to me: “Don't you see
that when your folk built the
Kaa'ba, they did not build it on all
the foundations built by
Abraham?" I said: "O Allah's
Apostle! Why don't we rebuild it
on the foundations of Abraham?"
He said. "But for the fact that your
folk have recently given up
infidelity (I would have done so).”
[Saheeh al-Bukharee, vol: 4, no: 587]
After Ibraheem (alaihi as-salaam)
built the Kaa’ba, Allah ordered him
to: “ And proclaim to mankind the
Hajj (pilgrimage).” [Soorah al-Hajj
(22): 26] Meaning announce the
pilgrimage to mankind and call them
to perform pilgrimage to this House,
which We have commanded you to
built.
It is reported in at-Tabaree (18: 605,
607) from Ibn Abbas and others that
Ibraheem (alaihi as-salaam) said: 'O
Lord, how can I convey this to
people when my voice will not reach
them?' It was said: 'Call them and
We will convey it.' So Ibraheem
(alaihi as-salaam) stood up and said:
'O Mankind! Your Lord has
established a House so come on
pilgrimage to it.' The mountains
lowered themselves so that his voice
would reach all regions of the Earth,
and those who were still in their
mother's wombs and their father's
loins would hear the call. The
response came from everyone in the
cities, deserts and countryside, and
those whom Allah decreed will make
the pilgrimage until the Day of
Judgment, as Allah said: “They will
come to you on foot and on every
lean camel, they will come from
every Fajj (route) Amiq
(distant).” [Soorah al-Hajj (22): 26]
Supplications of Ibraheem (alaihi
as-salaam)
After the construction of Kaa'ba,
Ibraheem (alaihi as-salaam) invoked
Allah to bless the city of Makkah and
those who live therein and provide
them with provisions: “My Lord!
Make this city (Makkah) a place of
security and provide its people
with fruits….” [Soorah al-Baqarah
(2): 126] And thus Allah responded to
the call of Ibraheem (alaihi as-
salaam): “And (remember) when He
made the House (the Kaa'ba at
Makkah) a place of resort for
mankind and a place of
safety.” [Soorah al-Baqarah (2): 125]
and: “Have We not established for
them a secure sanctuary
(Makkah), to which are brought
fruits of all kinds, a provision from
Ourselves, but most of them know
not.” [Soorah al-Qasas (28): 57] Ibn
Abbas (radhi allahu anhu)said: “On
the day of the conquest of Makkah,
Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi
wa-sallam) said: “Allah has made
this town a sanctuary. Its thorny
bushes should not be cut, its game
should not be chased, and its
fallen things should not be picked
up except by one who would
announce it publicly.” [Saheeh al-
Bukharee, vol: 2, no: 657]
Ibraheem (alaihi as-salaam) also
invoked Allah to: “Send amongst
them (the people of Makkah) a
Messenger of their own, who shall
recite unto them Your verses and
instruct them in the Booko(
(Qur'aan) and al-Hikmah (full
knowledge of the Islamic laws, and
jurisprudence or wisdom, or
Prophethood, etc.) and sanctify
them. Verily, You are the All-
Mighty, the All-Wise.” [Soorah al-
Baqarah (2): 129] and indeed Allah
answered his invocation and sent
Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi
wa-sallam), who was born in Makkah
and from where Islam spread
throughout the world.
The Glad tidings of Ishaque and
Yaqu'ob
One day Ibraheem was sitting outside
his tent, three Angels in human
shape descended to the earth; Jibreel
(alaihi as-salaam), Israfeel (alaihi as-
salaam), and Mika'eel (alaihi as-
salaam). Ibraheem arose and
welcomed them: “They said:
“Salaam (greetings or peace).” He
answered Salam and he hastened
to entertain them with a roasted
calf. But when he saw their hands
went not toward it (the meal), he
felt some mistrust of them, and
conceived feat of them. They said:
“Fear not, we have been sent
against the people of Lut. And his
wife was standing (there), she
laughed. But We gave her glad
tidings of Ishaque and Yaqu'ob.
She said (in astonishment): “Woe
unto me! Shall I bear a child while
I am an old woman, and here is
my husband, an old man? Verily!
This is a strange thing!” They said:
“Do you wonder at the Decree of
Allah? The Mercy of Allah and His
Blessings be on you, O family (of
Ibraheem). Surely, He (Allah) is
All-Praiseworthy, All-
Glorious.” [Soorah al-Hud (11):
69-73]. “And We bestowed on him
(Ibraheem), Ishaque and
Yaqu'ob...” [Soorah (29): 27]
Ibraheem (alaihi as-salaam), an
Imaam (leader) to the people
After Ibraheem (alaihi as-salaam)
qualified in all the trials of Allah, He,
the Exalted, decided to make him
(alaihi as-salaam) an Imaam meaning
a Prophet and leader and an example
for the people to come: “and
(remember) when the Lord of
Ibraheem (alaihi as-salaam) tried
him with (certain) Commands,
which he fulfilled. He Allah said
(to him): “Verily, I am going to
make you a leader (Prophet) of
mankind.” [Soorah al-Baqarah (2):
124] “and We granted him reward
in this world and verily, in the
Hereafter he is indeed among the
righteous.” [Soorah al-Ankabut (29):
27]
Allah granted Prophethood and Divine
Books to his progeny: “And We
bestowed upon him Ishaque and
Yaqu'ob, each of them we guided,
and before him, We guided Nuh
and amongst his progeny Dawood,
Sulaiman, Ayyub, Yusuf, Moosa and
Haroon. Thus, do We reward the
good-doers. And Zakariyyah and
Yahya and Eesa and Ilyas each one
of them was of the righteous. And
Isma'eel and al-Yas'a and Yunus
and Lut and each one of them We
preferred above the Alamin. And
also some of their fathers and
their progeny and their brethren,
We chose them and We guided
them to a Straight Path. This is the
Guidance of Allah with which He
guides whomsoever He wills of His
slaves. But if they had joined in
worship others with Allah, all they
used to do would have been of no
benefit to them.” [Soorah al-An'aam
(6): 84-88] Thus, every Book
(Scripture) was given to the Prophets
from the progeny of Ibraheem (alaihi
as-salaam). From Ishaque (alaihi as-
salaam), the second son of Ibraheem
(alaihi as-salaam) came the Prophets
of Isra'eel and their progeny finished
on Eesa (alaihi as-salaam). From
Isma'eel (alaihi as-salaam), the first
son of Ibraheem (alaihi as-salaam)
came only one Prophet, the superior
among them and the seal of them,
which is Prophet Muhammad
(sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam).
Thus, Ibraheem (alaihi as-salaam)
acquires great respect and honor in
the hearts of Muslims. He is the
most superior of the Prophets after
Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi
wa-sallam). Therefore, when we send
prayers and blessings on our Prophet
(sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam), we are
also ordered to mention his name:
“O Allah! Send prayers on
Muhammad, and on the family of
Muhammad as you sent prayers on
Ibraheem and on the family of
Ibraheem. You are indeed worthy
of Praise, full of Glory. O Allah!
Send blessings on Muhammad and
on the family of Muhammad, as
you sent blessings on Ibraheem
and on the family of Ibraheem. You
are indeed worthy of Praise, full of
Glory.” [(Saheeh) Saheeh al-Bukharee
and Saheeh Muslim]