The Prophet Ibrahim: The Friend of Allah

The Prophet Ibrahim, may Allah send His Peace upon him, is the “Friend of Allah” (خليل الله). He is the father of monotheism and one of the 25 prophets mentioned in the Holy Quran. Allah praised the Prophet Ibrahim and said in His Holy Book, in Surah An-Nahl, Ayah 120: “Indeed, Abraham was a [comprehensive] leader, devoutly obedient to Allah, inclining toward truth, and he was not of those who associate others with Allah” (إِنَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ كَانَ أُمَّةً قَانِتًا لِّلَّهِ حَنِيفًا وَلَمْ يَكُ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ). The story of the Prophet Ibrahim and His Son Ismael reflects pure submission to Allah’s Commands, regardless of the results or consequences.

    He challenged his people and their legacy of worshipping idols. He did not give up when they threw him into the fire simply because he called people to worship one God. He was ready to sacrifice his life for the sake of Allah and be burnt to death. Throughout all his life’s tests and challenges, Allah always saves him and makes a way out for him.

The Journey of Ibrahim, Hajar and Ismael

     The Prophet Ibrahim was married to Sarah, and she was infertile. So, she suggested that her husband marry her servant, Hajar. He prayed to Allah to give him a son, and Allah accepted his Du’a and granted him a baby boy who was named Ismael.

The Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) woke up and asked his wife Hajar to take Ismael (peace be upon him), who was still an infant, and prepare for a long journey. They travelled until they reached the Arabian Peninsula. The place where they stopped was an uncultivated valley, with no food, trees, or water, and no signs of life. Allah commanded him to leave his wife and his long-awaited son with a small amount of food.

She hurried after him and asked him, “Where are you leaving us? Did Allah command you to do so?” He said, “Yes.” Then she gave him a strong response full of faith and trust. She said, “We are not going to be lost since Allah, Who has commanded you, is with us.”

A few days later, she ran out of food and drink and started looking for any signs of human help. After a long struggle between the two mountains, Al-Safa and Al-Marwa, she suddenly saw an angel at the place of Zamzam beneath her son. It was water! Allah accepted her sacrifice and gave her the well of Zamzam.

The Great Test of Prophet Ibrahim and Ismael

If it were not for Lady Hajar’s sacrifice, Allah would not have answered her supplications. She trusted that Allah would help her. Sayyidna Ibrahim also had faith in Allah that He would take care of his family. He obeyed Allah without any hesitation, and later, his faith would be tested again.

One night, the Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) experienced a dream in which he was commanded to sacrifice Ismael (peace be upon him), his beloved son. At first, Ibrahim (peace be upon him) believed that this might be the devil playing tricks on him and disregarded it. However, the following night, the same dream occurred again, commanding him to do the same. Then, he realised that it was a command from Allah.

The Prophet Ibrahim did not complain about all these tests, nor did he seem angry with Allah. He told the Prophet Ismael about his dream, and Ismael also had an equally unwavering faith in Allah and submitted himself to His Will. He told his father, the Prophet Ibrahim, to do as Allah had commanded and sacrifice him for the sake of Allah.

The story of Prophet Ibrahim and his family teaches us that true faith means trusting Allah and submitting to His Will, even when the path seems difficult or uncertain. Ibrahim, Hajar, and Ismael all showed remarkable patience, faith, and obedience to Allah.

But the story does not end here. In the second part, we will discover the greatest test faced by Prophet Ibrahim and Ismael and how Allah rewarded their complete submission.