Some of the People of the Book stated
that his name was Abraham Ibn Tarikh, Ibn Nahur, Ibn Sarough, Ibn Raghu, Ibn Phaligh,
Ibn Aher, Ibn Shalih, Ibn Arfghshand, Ibn Sam, Ibn Noah.
They said that when Tarikh was seventy
five years old, he had Abraham, Nahor (Nohour) and Haran. Haran had a son named
Lot. They also said that Abraham was the middle child and that Haran died in the
lifetime of his father in the land where he was born, the land of the Chaldeans
(Al Kaldanieen), also known as Babylonia. At that time some people worshipped idols
of stone and wood; others worshipped the planets, stars, sun and moon; still others
worshipped their kings and rulers.
Abraham was born into that atmosphere,
into a typical family of that ancient time. The head of the family was not even
an ordinary idolater, but was one who totally rejected Allâh and who used to make
the idols with his own hands. Some traditions claimed that Abraham's father died
before his birth and he was raised by an uncle whom Abraham called father. Other
traditions said that his father was alive and was named Azer.
Into that family Abraham was born,
destined to stand against his own family, against the entire system of his community.
In brief, he stood against all kinds of polytheism.
He was endowed with spiritual understanding
from an early age. Allâh enlightened his heart and mind gave him wisdom from childhood.
Allâh the Almighty stated: Indeed We bestowed aforetime on
Abraham his (portion of) guidance, and We were Well Acquainted with him( as to his
Belief in the Oneness of Allâh etc). (Ch 21:51)
During his early childhood Abraham
realized that his father made strange statues. One day, he asked him about what
it was he made. His father replied that he made statues of gods. Abraham was astonished
and he spontaneously rejected the idea. Being a child he played with such statues
sitting on their backs as people sit on the backs of donkeys and mules.
One day his father saw him riding
the statue of Mardukh and he became furious. He ordered his son not to play with
it again.
Abraham asked: "What is this statue,
father? It has big ears, bigger than ours."
His father answered: "It is Mardukh,
the god of gods, son! These big ears show his deep knowledge."
This made Abraham laugh, he was
only seven years old at that time.
Years passed and Abraham grew. Since
his childhood his heart had been full of hatred for these idols. He could not understand
how a sane person could make a statue and then worship what he had made. He noticed
that these idols did not eat, drink or talk and they could not even turn themselves
right side up if someone turned them upside down. How, then could people believe
that such statues could harm or benefit them?
Abraham 's people had a big temple
full of idols, in the middle of which was a niche accommodating the biggest gods
which was of different kinds, qualities and shapes. Abraham, who used to go to the
temple with his father when he was a child, greatly despised all that wood and stone.
What surprised him was the way his people behaved when they entered the temple;
they bowed and started to cry, begging and imploring their gods for help as if the
idols could hear or understand these requests!
At first, such a sight seemed funny
to Abraham, but later he began to feel angry. Was it not astonishing that all those
people could be deceived? What added to the problem was that his father wanted him
to be a priest when he was grown. He wanted nothing more from his son that that
he revere those statues, yet Abraham never stopped displaying his hatred and disdain
of them.
One night Abraham left his house
to go to a mountain. He walked alone in the dark until he chose a cave in the mountain
where he sat resting his back against its wall. He looked at the sky. He had hardly
seen it when he remembered that he was looking at planets and stars which were worshipped
by some people on earth. His young heart was filled with tremendous pain. He considered
what was beyond the moon, the stars and the planets (i.e. Allâh) and was astonished
that these celestial bodies were worshipped by men when they had been created to
worship and obey their Creator, appearing and disappearing at His command.
Therefore Abraham, addressed his
people who worshipped celestial bodies as Almighty Allâh revealed: Thus did We show
Abraham the kingdom of the heavens and the earth that he be one of those who have
Faith and 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 that those who
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 Allâh. Verily, I have turned my face towards Him Who has created
the heavens and the earth Hanifan (Islamic Monotheism, i.e. worshipping none but
Allâh Alone) and I am not of the Al Mushrikeen (those who worship others besides
Allâh)."
His people disputed with him. He
said: "Do you dispute with me concerning Allâh while HE has guided me and I fear
not those whom you associate with Allâh in worship. (Nothing can happen to me) except
when my Lord (Allâh) 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 Allâh (though they can neither benefit nor harm),
while you fear not that you have joined in worship with Allâh things for which HE
has not sent down to you any authority. So which of the two parties has more right
to be in security? If you but know."
It is those
who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh and worship none but Him Alone) and confuse
not their belief with Zulm (wrong, i.e. by worshipping others besides Allâh), for
them only there is security and they are the guided. And that was Our proof which
We gave Abraham against his people. We raise whom We will in degrees. Certainly
your Lord is All Wise, All Knowing. (Ch 6:75-83 Qur'ân).
In that debate, Abraham clarified
to his people that these celestial bodies do not serve as deities and cannot be
worshipped as partners with Allâh the Almighty. Indeed these bodies are created
things, fashioned, controlled, managed and made to serve. They appear sometimes
and disappear at others, going out of sight from our world. However, Allâh the Almighty
does not lose sight of anything, and nothing can be hidden from Him. He is without
end, everlasting without disappearance. There is no other deity but Allâh.
Abraham made clear to them, first
that the celestial bodies are unworthy of worship and second that they are among
the signs of Allâh. Almighty Allâh commanded: And from among
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 Allâh Who created them if you really worship
Him. (Ch 41:37)
Abraham's reasoning helped to reveal
the truth, and then the conflict between him and his people began for the worshippers
of the stars and planets did not stand mute. they began arguing and threatening
Abraham.
Abraham
replied: "Do you dispute with me concerning Allâh while HE has guided me, and I
fear not those whom you associate with Allâh in worship. (Nothing can happen to
me except when my Lord (Allâh) wills something. My Lord comprehends in His Knowledge
all things. Will you not then remember? How should I fear those whom you associate
in worship with Allâh (though they can neither benefit or harm), while you fear
not that you have joined in worship with Allâh things for which He has not sent
down to you any authority. SO which of the two parties has more rights to be in
security? .....if you but know! It is those who believe (in the oneness of Allâh
and worship none but Him Alone) and confuse not their belief with Zulm (wrong by
worshipping others besides Allâh), for them only there is security and they are
the guided." (Ch 6:80-82)
The curtains are drawn on the first
category of the people, those who were worshipping celestial bodies. the next situation
reveals the second group, those who were practicing idolatry. Allâh gave Abraham
(pbuh) the reasoning he needed the first time and every time he argued with his
people. Almighty Allâh declared: And that was Our Proof which
We gave Abraham against his people. We raised whom We will in degrees. Certainly
your Lord is All Wise, All Knowing. (Ch 6:83)
Abraham did his best to make his
people heedful to the belief in the oneness of Almighty Allâh and to the worship
of Him alone. He bade them to firmly renounce the worship of idols. HE said to his
father and his people: "What are these images, to which you
are devoted?" they said: "We found our fathers worshipping them." He said: "Indeed
you and your fathers have been in manifest error." They said: "Have you brought
us the truth, or are you one of those who play about?" He said: "Nay, your Lord
is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, Who created them and of that I am of the
witnesses." (Ch 21:52-56)
All was finished between Abraham
and his people and the struggle began. the most amazed and furious was his father
(or his uncle who had raised him), for as it is well known, he not only worshipped
idols but sculpted and sold them as well. Abraham felt that it was his duty as a
good son to advise his father against this evil so that he could be saved from Allâh's
punishment.
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
why he worshipped lifeless idols who could not hear, see or protect him. before
his father could become angry he hastily added: "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 a Straight Path. O my father! Worship not Satan. Verily! Stan has been a
rebel against the Most Beneficent (Allâh). O my father! Verily! I fear lest a torment
from the Most Beneficent (Allâh) overtake you as that you become a companion of
Satan (in the Hellfire)."
He (the
father) said: "Do you reject my gods, O Abraham? If you stop not this, I will indeed
stone you. So get away from me safely before I punish you." Abraham 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
Allâh." (Ch 19:43-48)
His father's harsh treatment did
not stop Abraham from delivering the message of truth. Angry and sad to see people
prostate before idols, he was determined to stamp out these practices and went to
the town to debate with the people knowing full well that he might suffer harm.
Like a wise doctor searching for
the cause of a sickness so as to prescribe the proper cure, or like a judge who
questioned the accused sharply so that he mighty detect the truth. Abraham asked
them: "Do the idols see you when you prostrate before them? Do they benefit you
in any way." They quickly tried to defend their beliefs. They argued that they knew
the idols were lifeless but that their forefathers had worshipped them; to them
this was proof enough for their belief.
Abraham explained that their forefathers
had been wrong. This angered them and they retorted: "Are you condemning our gods
and our forefathers? Or are you just joking?"
Abraham showed no fear as he replied:
"I am serious. I come to you with a true religion. I have been sent with guidance
from our Lord Who alone is worthy of worship, Who is the Creator of the heavens
and the earth, and Who regulates all affairs of life, unlike the dumb idols which
are just stone and wood."
TO convince them that the idols
could not harm him, he challenged: "I have already condemned them; of they had any
power they would have harmed me by now!"
Almighty Allâh recounted: 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 father 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 Qur'ân).
In another surah The Almighty revealed:
And remember Abraham when he said to his people: "Worship Allâh Alone and fear Him
that is better for you if you did but know. You worship besides Allâh only idols
and you only invent falsehood. Verily, those whom you worship beside Allâh have
no power to give you provision, so seek your provision from Allâh Alone, you will
be brought back. And if you deny then nations before you have denied their Messengers.
the duty of the Messenger is only to convey the Message plainly."
See they not how Allâh originates
creation, then will repent it. Verily, that is easy for Allâh.
Say: "Travel
in the land and see how Allâh originated creation and then Allâh will bring forth
(resurrect) the creation of the Hereafter (i.e. resurrection after death) verily,
Allâh is Able to do all things."
He punishes
whom HE wills and shows mercy to whom He wills, and to Him you will be returned.
And you cannot escape in the earth or in the heaven. And besides Allâh you have
neither any Wali (Protector, or guardian) nor any Helper. And those who disbelieve
in the Ayat (proofs, lessons, signs, evidences, verses, revelations etc) of Allâh
and the Meeting with Him, it is they who have no hope of My Mercy, and it is they
who will have a painful torment. (CH 22:16-23 Qur'ân)
He explained to them the beauty
of Allâh's creation, His power and wisdom. Idol worship is detested by Allâh for
Allâh 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 Abraham prayed and Who would forgive his
sins on the Day of Judgment. However, they would not give up but clung fast to idolatry.
Abraham left his father's house
and abandoned his people and what they worshipped. He decide 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. Abraham waited until the city was empty, then came out cautiously,
directing his steps towards 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.
Abraham
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. Abraham 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 then: "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 one
on whose neck he hung the axe. After this his anger subsides and he felt at peace.
He left the temple. He had fulfilled his vow to show his people a practical proof
of their foolishness in worshipping something other than All.
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 Abraham's name came to
their minds.
Allâh the Almighty said: they 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?" Abraham 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?" Abraham said: "DO you then worship besides
Allâh, things that can neither profit you nor harm you? If upon you, and upon that
which you worship besides Allâh! Have you then no sense?" (Ch 21:59-67
Qur'ân)
Furious, they demanded that Abraham
be arrested and tried. Abraham did not resist. this was precisely what he had been
aiming for, so that he could show them up in public for 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
Abraham. They kept him in chains and planned their revenge.
Anger was burning in their hearts.
They decided to throw Abraham into the biggest fire they could build. All the citizens
were ordered to gather wood as a service to their gods. Ignorant, sick women vowed
that if they were cured they would donate so much wood to burn Abraham. For several
days they collected fuel.
They dug a deep pit, filled it with
firewood and ignited it. They brought a catapult with which to cast Abraham into
the fire. Abraham was put on the catapult, 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 Abraham into the
fire.
The angel Gabriel came near Abraham's
head and asked him: "O Abraham do you wish for anything?" Abraham replied: "Nothing
from you."
The catapult was shot and Abraham
was cast into the fire. But his descent into the blaze was as descent on steps in
a cool garden. The flames were still there, but they did not burn for Allâh the
Almighty had issued His command: "O fire! Be you coolness and safety for Abraham."
(Ch 21:69 Qur'ân)
The fire submitted to the will of
Allâh, becoming cool and safe for Abraham. It only burned his bonds, and he sat
in the midst of the fire as if he were sitting in a garden. He glorified and praised
Allâh the Almighty, with a heart that contained only his love for Allâh. 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. Those who love Allâh as
Abraham do did not fear.
Allâh 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: Allâh Alone is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer
of affairs for us."
So they
returned with Grace and Bounty from Allâh. No harm touched them; and they followed
the good Pleasure of Allâh. Allâh is the Owner of Great bounty. It is only Satan
that suggests to you the fear of his Auliya (supporters and friends, polytheists,
disbeliveers in the Oneness of Allâh and in His Messenger Muhammad) so fear them
not but fear Me if you are true believers." (Ch 3:173-175 Qur'ân)
The throng, the chiefs, and the
priests sad 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 disbeliveers thought
it would never be extinguished. When it did burn out, they were greatly amazed to
find Abraham coming out of the pit untouched by the fire. Their faces were black
from the smoke, but his was bright with the light and grace of Allâh. The raging
fire had become cool for Abraham and had only charred the ropes which 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. However after his event
many of the people followed Abraham, although some kept their belief a secret for
fear of harm or death at the hands of the rulers.
Abraham had established a definite
reasoning 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 not challenged by an ordinary human
being. He summoned Abraham to the palace and held a dialogue with him which Allâh
Almighty recounted: Have you not thought about him who disputed
with Abraham about his Lord (Allâh) because Allâh had given him the kingdom? When
Abraham said to him: "My Lord (Allâh) is He Who gives life and causes death." He
said: "I give life and cause death." Abraham said: "Verily, Allâh causes the sun
to rise from the east; then cause it you to rise from the west." So the disbeliever
was utterly defeated. Allâh guides not the people who are Zalimeen (wrongdoers etc).
(Ch 2:258 Qur'ân)
Abraham's 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, Abraham
continued calling people to believe in Allâh, exerting a great effort to guide his
people to the right path. He tried every means to convince them. However in spite
of his love and care for his people, they felt angry and deserted him. Only one
woman and one man of his people shared his belief in Allâh. The woman's name was
Sarah and she became his wife. The man's name was Lot and he became a prophet.
When Abraham 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 another called Haran,
and then to Palestine.
Allâh 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 Allâh wherever he traveled, judging fairly
between people, and guiding them to truth and righteousness.
Abu Hurairah narrated that Abraham
peace be upon him did not tell a lie except on three occasions, twice for the sake
of Allâh (Exalted and Almighty) when he said: "I am sick," (when his people were
holding a festival in honor of their gods, Abraham excused himself by saying he
was sick. (Ch 37:89 Qur'ân) and when he said: "(I have not done this but) the big
idol has done it." The (third was) that while Abraham and Sarah (his wife) were
going (on a journey), they passed by (the territory of) a tyrant. Someone said to
the tyrant: "This man (Abraham is accompanied by a very charming lady." So, he sent
for Abraham and asked him about Sarah saying "Who is this lady?" Abraham said: "She
is my sister." Abraham went to Sarah said "O Sarah! There are no believers on the
surface 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 a hold of her with his hand, but
his hand got stiff and he was confounded. He asked Sarah: "Pray to Allâh for me
and I shall not harm you." So Sarah asked Allâh to cure him and he got cured. He
tried to take hold of her for the second time, but his hand got as stiff as or stiffer
than before and he was more comfounded. He again requested Sarah: "Pray to Allâh
for me, and I will not harm you." Sarah asked Allâh to again, 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 have brought me a devil." The tyrant then gave
Hajar as a maid servant to Sarah. Abraham, gesturing with his hand, asked: "What
has happened?" She replied: "Allâh has spoiled the evil plot of the infidel or immoral
person and gave me Hajar for service." Abu Hurairah then addressed his listeners
saying: "That Hajar was your mother, O Bani Ma is Sama (Arab,
the descendants of Ishmael, Hajar's son)."
Abraham's wife Sarah was sterile.
She had been given an Egyptian woman Hajar, as a servant. Abraham had aged and his
hair was gray and after many years spent in calling people to Allâh. Sarah thought
she and Abraham were lonely because she could not have a child. Therefore, she offered
her husband her servant Hajar in marriage. Hajar gave birth to her first son Ishmael
(isma'il) when Abraham was an old man.
Abraham lived on earth worshipping
Allâh and calling people to monotheism, but he was journeying to Allâh, 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 Abraham with peace
and love and certitude.
One day he begged Allâh to show
him how He brought the dead back to life. Allâh commanded Abraham 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 Allâh's name. Abraham
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 Allâh revealed: Remember when Abraham said: "My Lord Show me how You give life to
the dead." Allâh said: "Do you not believe?" Abraham said: "Yes I believe, but to
be stronger in Faith." HE said: "Take four birds, the 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 Allâh is
All Mighty and All Wise." (Ch 2:260 Qur'ân)
Translated by Muhammad Gemeiah