Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) is a messenger of Allah in Islam. He is revered and cherished by Muslims as one of the esteemed Prophets predating the era of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Beyond mere acknowledgment, it is a religious obligation for Muslims to invoke peace and blessings from Allah on Prophet Abraham (PBUH) whenever they take his name. This is also enshrined in the Durood Shareef.
Verses of the Holy Quran hail Prophet Abraham (as) as Khalilullah or the intimate friend of Allah.
It says that he was an upright man and a Prophet who surrendered himself to God and preached monotheism.
The Holy Quran, a guiding light for humanity, frequently underscores his commitment to monotheism, steering mankind toward the path of righteousness.
In this article, we delve into the illustrious story of Prophet Abraham as it unfolds within the Islamic tradition.
He was a Righteous Man and a Prophet – Holy Quran
Al-Quran 3:67-68 Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian. He was an upright man, one who had surrendered himself to God. He was not one of those who associate partners with God.
Al-Quran 6.74-75 And [mention, O Muhammad], when Abraham said to his father Azar, “Do you take idols as deities? Indeed, I see you and your people be in manifest error.” And thus did We show Abraham the realm of the heavens and the earth that he would be among the certain in faith. (See also, Al-Quran 26:69-93)
Al-Quran 19:41-42 He was a man of truth and a prophet. He said to his father, Why do you worship something that can neither hear nor see nor benefit you in any way?
Al-Quran 21:52-54 When he said to his father and his people, “What are these statues to which you are devoted?” They said, “We found our fathers worshippers of them.” Abraham said, ‘Indeed, you and your fathers have been clearly misguided.’
And recite to them the news of Abraham, When he said to his father and his people, "What do you worship?” They said, "We worship idols and remain to them devoted.” He said, "Do they hear you when you supplicate? Or do they benefit you, or do they harm?” They said, "But we found our fathers doing this.” He said, "Then do you see what you have been worshipping, You and your ancient forefathers? Indeed, they are enemies to me, except the Lord of the worlds, ˹He is˺ the One Who created me, and He ˹alone˺ guides me.And it is He who feeds me and gives me a drink. And when I am ill, it is He who cures me. And who will cause me to die and then bring me to life? And who I aspire that He will forgive me my sin on the Day of Recompense.” [And he said], "My Lord, grant me authority and join me with the righteous. And grant me a reputation of honor among later generations. And place me among the inheritors of the Garden of Pleasure. And forgive my father. Indeed, he has been of those astray. And do not disgrace me on the Day they are [all] resurrected. The Day when there will not benefit [anyone] wealth or children. But only one who comes to Allah with a sound heart.” ˹On that Day˺ Paradise will be brought near to the God-fearing,And Hellfire will be brought forth for the deviators, And it will be said to them, "Where are those you used to worship Other than Allah? Can they help you or help themselves?” Then the idols will be hurled headlong into Hell, along with the deviant.
Al-Quran 26:69-94
Prophet Abraham broke the Idols of Falsehood
Once the polytheist tribe of Abraham (as) found their idols smashed to pieces. They doubted Abraham and asked him if he broke the idols.
The Prophet told them to ask the idols to which they replied that they don’t speak. He then scolded them for worshipping something that could neither benefit them nor harm them. Holy Quran has beautifully recorded this incident.
He broke them all into pieces, except for the biggest one of them, so that they might return to it [for inquiry]. Who has done this to our deities? He must be a wrongdoer.’ Some said, ‘We heard a young man, called Abraham, talking about them.’ They said, ‘Then bring him here in the sight of all the people, so that they may act as witnesses.’ They said, ‘Abraham, was it you who did this to our deities?’
He answered, ‘Rather this biggest one of them did it. Ask them, if they can speak.’ Then they turned to one another and said, ‘It is you yourselves who are in the wrong,’ then they hung their heads, and said,’ O Abraham! You know they cannot speak. Abraham said, ‘So, do you worship something instead of God that can neither benefit you nor harm you? Shame on you and on whatever you worship instead of God. Can you not understand?
Al-Quran 21.58-70
His tribesmen later tried to inflict severe harm on him for his utter defiance to his ancestral norms and even tried to burn him to death but Allah saved the Prophet (as) and made them the greatest losers. Allah later advised him to migrate to a new land which he did.
Religion of Abraham (AS) and Muhammad (PBUH) is the Same
Many people think that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) found a new religion of Islam but this is not true. The true religion is one and it is the same for all times and for all people.
In the Holy Quran, Allah reminds Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that he has prescribed to him the same religion as was enjoined on previous Prophets including Noah, Moses, Abraham, and Jesus, peace be upon them all.
Al-Quran 42:13 The same religion has He established for you [O Muhammad] as that which He enjoined on Noah – the which We have sent by inspiration to thee – and that which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: Namely, that ye should remain steadfast in religion, and make no divisions therein: to those who worship other things than Allah, hard is the way to which thou callest them. Allah chooses to Himself those whom He pleases, and guides to Himself those who turn to Him.
Al-Quran 4:125 And who is better in religion than one who submits himself to Allah while being a doer of good and follows the religion of Abraham, inclining toward truth. And Allah took Abraham as an intimate friend.
Al-Quran 2:135 They say, “Be Jews or Christians [so] you will be guided.” Say, “Rather, [we follow] the religion of Abraham, inclining toward truth, and he was not of the polytheists.”
Al-Quran 2:136 Say, [O believers], “We have believed in Allah and what has been revealed to us and what has been revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the Descendants and what was given to Moses and Jesus and what was given to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are Muslims [in submission] to Him.”
Also Read| The Seal of Prophethood and the Last Revelation
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on Prophet Abraham (AS)
Anas said: A man said to the Messenger of Allah (May peace be upon him): O best of all creatures! The Messenger of Allah (May peace be upon him) said: That was Abraham (peace be upon him).
Sunan Abi Dawud 4672
Anas bin Malik narrated that: A man said to the Prophet: “O best of creatures!” So he said: “That is Ibrahim.”
Jami` at-Tirmidhi Vol. 5, Book 44, Hadith 3352
It was narrated that Jabir said: “When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) finished Tawaf around the House (the Kaaba), he came to Maqam of Ibrahim (the Station of Ibrahim). ‘Umar said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, this is the Station of our father Ibrahim about which Allah said: “And take you (people) the Maqam of Ibrahim as a place of prayer.’” [2:125]
Sunan Ibn Majah 1008
Abu Hurayra reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “If anyone says, ‘O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. Shower blessings on Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You showered blessings on Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. Show mercy to Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You showed mercy to Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim,’ I will testify for him on the Day of Rising and I will intercede for him.”
Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 641
Some Fundamental Pillars of Islam and Prophet Abraham (AS)
The five fundamental pillars or articles of faith in Islam are Shahada (the testimony of faith), Namaz (compulsory prayers), Zakat (mandatory charity), Roza (fasting during the month of Ramadan), and Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca). Many of them are based on the traditions of Prophet Abraham, peace be upon him.
Prophet Abraham laid the foundations of Kaba
Prophet Abraham (as) laid the foundations of Kaba in Mecca. Kaba is now located in the Masjid-al haram or the Harmain shareefain is also known as the Baitullah or the symbolic house of God on earth.
This cubical building also acts as a qibla (direction) for prayers in Islam. All Muslims face in the direction of Kaba whenever they offer compulsory prayers either alone or in congregations. They also circumambulate this building during the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
We assigned to Abraham the site of the House, saying, ‘Do not associate with Me anything and purify My House for those who circumambulate [the Kabah] and those who stand upright, and those who bow and prostrate themselves’.
Al-Quran 22:26
It was narrated that Jabir said: “When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) finished Tawaf around the House (the Ka’bah), he came to Maqam of Ibrahim (the Station of Ibrahim). ‘Umar said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, this is the Station of our father Ibrahim about which Allah said: “And take you (people) the Maqam of Ibrahim as a place of prayer.’” [2:125]
Sunan Ibn Majah 1008
Narrated `Abdullah bin Zaid: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “The Prophet (ﷺ) Abraham made Mecca a sanctuary, and asked for Allah’s blessing in it. I made Medina a sanctuary as Abraham made Mecca a sanctuary and I asked for Allah’s Blessing in its measures the Mudd and the Sa as Abraham did for Mecca.
Sahih al-Bukhari 2129
Eid al Adha is also associated with Prophet Abraham (AS)
Eid-ul-Adha, one of two major festivals sanctioned in Islam is also based on Prophet Abraham (as). It is a festival that commemorates the great sacrifices made by him in the way of Allah.
Islam Continues the Legacy of Abrahamic Monotheism
The fact that some of the fundamental pillars of Islam are based on previous Prophets shows that Islam is not a new religion founded by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) but has historical continuity with the spiritual traditions of the past. It only confirms and supplements them with the mandate of the Almighty in the form of the Holy Quran.
Al-Quran 2:135 They say, “Be Jews or Christians [so] you will be guided.” Say, “Rather, [we follow] the religion of Abraham, inclining toward truth, and he was not of the polytheists.”
Al-Quran 2:136 Say, [O believers], “We have believed in Allah and what has been revealed to us and what has been revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the Descendants and what was given to Moses and Jesus and what was given to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are Muslims [in submission] to Him.”
Al-Quran 2:137 So if they believe in the same as you believe in, then they have been [rightly] guided; but if they turn away, they are only in dissension, and Allah will be sufficient for you against them. And He is the Hearing, the Knowing.
And who is better in religion than one who submits himself to Allah while being a doer of good and follows the religion of Abraham, inclining toward truth. And Allah took Abraham as an intimate friend. Al-Quran 4:125
Al-Quran 10:37 This Qur’an is not such as can be produced by other than Allah; on the contrary, it is a confirmation of revelations that went before it, and a fuller explanation of the Book – wherein there is no doubt – from the Lord of the worlds.
Indeed, Islam confirms and continues the true legacy of Abrahamic monotheism.
Also Read| Allah: The Greatest and Supreme Sovereign
Prophet Abraham: The Common Patriarch of Arabs and Judeo-Christians
Prophet Abraham, peace be upon him, is also considered the father of all Arab and Judeo-Christian tribes.
According to Islamic traditions, Jews and Arabs are the progenies of Abraham through his two sons, Isaac and Ismail (peace be upon them all).
Unfortunately, their generations took to different routes. However, Quran aptly mentions and forecasts this aspect.
We gave Abraham the good news of Isaac a prophet and a righteous man and blessed him and Isaac too: some of their offspring were good, but some clearly sinned against their souls.
Al-Quran 37: 112-113
It was narrated that Jabir said: “When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) finished Tawaf around the House (the Ka’bah), he came to Maqam of Ibrahim (the Station of Ibrahim). ‘Umar said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, this is the Station of our father Ibrahim about which Allah said: “And take you (people) the Maqam of Ibrahim as a place of prayer.’” [2:125]
Sunan Ibn Majah 1008
Prophet Abraham in Islam: An Inspiring Story of Equality and Social Mobility
The story of Prophet Abraham, peace be upon him, is also an empowering story of human equality and social mobility.
In the previous paragraph, we discussed that Prophet Abraham (as) is the common patriarch of Arab and Judeo-Christian tribes through his two sons Ismail and Isaac (peace be upon them).
His first son Ismail was born to his second wife Bibi Hajar/Hajira (may Allah bless her) who used to be a slave of his first wife Sarah (may Allah bless her). When Sarah did not have children for a long time, she advised the Prophet to marry her servant girl Hajar.
Thus, a slave girl became the wife of a Prophet and also the mother of a Prophet after the birth of Ismail, peace be upon him. Muslims hold her in high regard. And note, that they were all shepherds and farmers.
It is because of these glorious Prophetic traditions having humble origins and firmly rooted in the notions of non-discrimination amongst human beings on any arbitrary marker like race, ethnicity, background, or position, that we see a robust framework of justice, equity, and fraternity amongst Muslims that enabled even slaves to become scholars, rulers, and governors. It is hard to find similar examples in any other civilization in the world.
Conclusion
In closing, the story of Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) resonates as a cornerstone of faith in Islam, revered and cherished by Muslims as one of the esteemed Prophets whose legacy predates the era of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
It’s not merely a historical account but a living testament of the enduring commitment to monotheism and righteousness. Muslims, as part of their religious duty, invoke peace and blessings upon Prophet Abraham whenever his name graces their lips, in accordance with the sacred Durood Shareef.
The Holy Quran, the guiding light for humanity, exalts Prophet Abraham as Khalilullah, the intimate friend of Allah. His unwavering dedication to God’s will, his steadfastness in preaching monotheism, and his pivotal role in laying the foundations of Kaba in Mecca, serve as a source of inspiration for Muslims.
They find in his story an example of humility, equality, and the potential for social mobility, as he and his descendants emerged from various backgrounds to fulfill their destinies as Prophets.
Furthermore, the Quran underscores the continuity of Abrahamic monotheism, emphasizing that Islam is not a novel religion but a continuation of the same faith that guided earlier Prophets, including Noah, Moses, and Jesus (peace be upon them all).
This legacy unites diverse communities under the banner of truth and submission to Allah. The enduring story of Prophet Abraham remains a unifying force, a beacon of faith, and an embodiment of monotheism’s timeless message.
Read more| Equality in Islam: Revolutionary Doctrines
