Prophet Ibrahim is one of the five greatest messengers of Allah; the Noble Quran (Alahzab: 7) refers to them as ” Ulul ‘Azm”, which means possessors of strong will and perseverance. Our master Ibrahim has dialogues with Allah, the angels, his father, his son, his people, and with the dictator of his age (Nimrod)). These dialogues reflect the unwavering belief of Prophet Ibrahim and his rejection to idols and idolatry. As a result of his strong belief and perpetual obedience to Allah (SWT), Ibrahim was endowed the title of ‘Khalilul Rahman’, the beloved slave of Allah. To cite http: //www.iqra.net:  “Because of his tireless act of obedience to God, He gave him the special title of “Khalil”, or beloved servant, not given to any other Prophet before.” 

Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) was exposed to sever tests in his belief; yet he passed them all overcoming his personal interests and familial affairs. He called his father to abandon idolatry and worship Allah (SWT) alone; however, Ibrahim’s father was so harsh with him that he ordered him to go away and leave the town. Moreover, when Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) argued with his people in the hope of convincing them to believe in the Creator of the heavens and the earth and to stop worshiping the idols, they disputed with him and did not listen to his sensible appeal. To confute the polytheists and overcome evil, Ibrahim (PBUH), uncaring of his soul, broke their idols except the big one and told them to inquire the idols if they could tell who broke them; so, they felt they were false.

However, instead of following him, they resorted to power. Thus, Ibrahim was sentenced to death and he was actually thrown into a big raging fire but Allah saved his Messenger when He (SWT) ordered the fire to be coolness and safety for Abraham.’  (Al-Anbiya: 69). Ibn Kathir ( ii : 930) said, “how his firmness draws Allah’s mercy, and the very troubles he is placed in become his comfort and joy.” Then, Allah let Ibrahim and Prophet Lut (PBUH) leave Iraq for the blessed land of ‘Bilad Al-Sham.’

Not only this, Ibrahim (PBUH) was exposed to a critical test, so he had to choose either his Lord’s love and obedience or keeping his own beloved son. When he was commanded to slaughter Ismael, Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) did not hesitate nor listened to the Satan

which endeavored to mislead him and went on against the emotional current to slaughter Ismael in the hope of pleasing his Lord (SWT) who was most merciful with both Ibrahim and Ismael (father and son), and sent down a fat ram from heaven to

sacrifice Ismael, a tradition ‘Sunnah’ which has been followed by Prophet Muhammad (ASW), and his nation up till now.

Prophet Ibrahim’s name is mentioned in no fewer than twenty chapters as stated in islamreligion.com. In these chapters many aspects of his personality and life are discussed.  He was a Muslim as stated in (Al Imran: 67),

Abraham was not a Jew nor yet a Christian; but he was true in Faith, and bowed his will to Allah´s (Which is Islam), and he joined not gods with Allah.

It is a part of every Muslim’s prayer to mention Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) side by side with Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and the pilgrims are still tracing his footsteps in their pilgrimage to Makkah as instructed by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). To quote (Al-Imran:68),

Without doubt, among men, the nearest of kin to Abraham, are those who follow him, as are also this Prophet and those who believe:  And Allah is the Protector of those who have faith.

Ibrahim (PBUH) addresses his father with good-mannered words

Ibrahim (PBUH) was sent to his people who were idol worshippers to guide them to (Tawhid) monotheism. Since charity begins at home, Ibrahim started with his father to call him to worship Allah alone and leave the other gods.  However, the problem was how a righteous man should deal with his father, when his duty to his father conflicts to his duty to Allah.

Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) was keen to guide his father; so he addressed him with gentle and courteous words saying to him several times “O my father” (Mariam: 42,43,44,45), “I fear that the punishment of the Merciful will fall upon you” (Mariam: 45), “Peace be on you”, “I shall call to my Lord to forgive you” (Mariam: 47). Yet, his father was so tough with him that he replied saying ” Do you shrink away from my gods, Abraham? Surely if you do not cease, I will stone you.” (Mariam: 46) “leave me for a long time”. (Mariam: 46).  However, when Ibrahim realized that his father had not repented before he died, he freed himself from him. This is the actual dialogue that occurred between Ibrahim the Prophet (PBUH) and his father the idol worshipper. (Mariam: 41-48). Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) was beloved by Allah due to his strong belief and constant obedience.

[19.41] Mention in the Book Abraham; He was truthful and a Prophet.

Ibrahim (PBUH) criticizes the false doctrine to foster the right one

Ibrahim is polite and respectful to his father; that is why he addresses him gently. At the same time, he is careful about his father’s welfare; he enquires his father frankly why he worships what he has no senses of hearing and seeing nor can it be helpful to him. He (PBUH) asks his father about the reason of worshipping what is not beneficial nor harmful and that does not worth worshipping.

[19.42] He said to his father:  ‘O father, why worship that which can neither see nor hear, nor helps you in anything?

Ibrahim (PBUH) is granted divine knowledge

To convince his father, Ibrahim (PBUH) says modestly to his father that he has been endowed a part of divine knowledge that he (his father) does not know; hence he asks his father to follow him so as to guide him to the right path. Zidan (1998: ii: 195) clarifies this point with this allegory “Suppose you and I are going on a road that you do not know; so, your welfare necessitates to follow me so that you can avoid leading astray.” 

)19.43( Father, knowledge has come to me which has not come you, therefore, follow me. I will guide you to a Level Path.

Ibrahim (PBUH) warns his father against following the Satan

Ibrahim pleads his father not to worship the Satan (the cursed) as it is always disobedient to Allah, and it is the Satan that persuades Ibrahim’s father to worship the idols; so, he should not worship it and only worship Allah Who bestows blessings upon him.

 [19.44] Father, do not worship  satan; for satan has rebelled against the Merciful.

Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) expresses his great care for his father, that is why he continues beseeching him decently to follow him lest he should be punished by Allah and then become a companion to the Satan in torture. Zidan (1998) says that Ibrahim frightens his father from Allah’s torture using courteous language; so, he does not tell his father that he is surely going to be tortured but he warns him if he follows the Satan, he will be touched by torment. Ibrahim was so decent with his father that he repetitively addresses him with the dearest word a son can utter to his father:

 ‘O my father’.

[19.45] Father, I fear that the punishment of the Merciful will fall upon you and you will become a guide of Satan. ‘

Ibrahim’s father’s insistence on shirk

However, Ibrahim’s father was severe with his son ‘the Prophet of Allah’ and protested saying to him, ‘Do you shrink away from my gods, Abraham?‘ And went on saying that if he (Ibrahim) did not stop attacking the idols and calling him to stop worshiping them, he would be stoned and he had to go away for a long time.

 [19.46] But he replied:  ‘Do you shrink away from my gods, Abraham? Surely, if you do not cease, I will stone you, so leave me for a while. ‘

Son’s mercy versus father’s cruelty

In spite of his father’s tough words, humiliating threats and open enmity, Ibrahim did not continue disputing with him but said, ”Peace be on you” and promised his father to ask Allah forgiveness for him as “for to me He has been gracious.”

 [19.47] ‘Peace be on you, ‘ he (Abraham) said, ‘I shall call upon my Lord to forgive you, for to me He has been gracious.

Insistence of Ibrahim (PBUH) on the doctrine of monotheism

Our master Ibrahim (PBUH) went on saying that he would go away and leave his father and quit the idols that his father and his folk were worshipping. He also told his father that he would worship Allah, the exalted, and call for his Lord in the hope that he would not be “unblessed” in calling his Lord.

[Mariam.48] Now I will go away from you and that you call upon, other than Allah. I will call on my Lord. Perhaps I shall not be unblessed in calling my Lord. ‘

Messenger Ibrahim’s dialogues with his father and his folk

Prophet Ibrahim was charged to guide people to monotheism as stated in Baz (2007); he was inspired the truth and evidence since he was young as mentioned by Sa’di (1998), and donated prophethood and guidance to the ways of righteousness in both religion and life as reported in Zidan (1998). Besides, Allah (SWT) was aware of Ibrahim’s qualities that qualified him to obtain what he was granted. Baz added that Allah, the exalted, knows our master Ibrahim’s willingness to bear the responsibility that Messengers of strong will always endure.

  [21.51] Before this We gave Abraham his virtue, for We knew him.

Ibrahim (PBUH) objected to idol worshiping

Our master Ibrahim disapproved both his father and his people who were keen on worshipping statues. Al Saboni (200) says that Ibrahim scorned and belittled the statues his father and his folk used to worship though he knew that they were exalting them.

[21.52] He said to his father and to his nation:  ‘What, are these the statues to which you cling? 

Foolish imitation

The idol worshippers told Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) that they have just imitated their fathers who were worshipping the statues. Their answer denotes their stone minded personalities that denounces freedom of faith.

[21.53] They replied:  ‘We found our fathers worshipping them.

Prophet Ibrahim told them that they and their fathers were in clear astray from the right path.

[21.54] He said:  ‘Truly, you and your fathers are in clear error.,

When Ibrahim clarified the situation for his folk, they enquired if he was serious or just joking.

[21.55] They said:  ‘Is it the truth you have brought us, or are you one of those that play? ‘  

Ibrahim proclaims the evidence on the Oneness of Allah  

Our master Ibrahim is sure and confident of his Lord; he says that his Lord is the Creator of the heavens and the earth and he is one of the witnesses on that by means of proof and evidence while the polytheists cannot prove their claim of their right in worshipping the statues and that they have not any evidence except that they have found their fathers worshipping them.

[21.56] ‘No, ‘ he answered, ‘your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, the Originator of them, and I am among those bearing witness to it.

Ibrahim (PBUH) swears by Allah that he shall break their idols after they leave to their festival. 

[21.57] By Allah, I will certainly outwit your idols as soon as you have turned your backs and gone. ‘

Actually, our master Ibrahim broke the idols into pieces but the big one. Zidan (2007) added that he hanged the ax on the big idol so that he could confute them with evidence in the hope of referring to him and believing in his call.

[21.58] He broke them all into pieces, except their great one so that they might return to it.

Seeing what happened to their idols, the polytheists wanted to know who broke the idols and objected saying that he was a wrong doer.

[21.59] ‘Who has done this to our gods? ‘ they exclaimed. ‘He must surely be a harm doer. ‘

Those who heard Ibrahim’s threatening replied saying that they heard a young man swearing to do wrong to them and his name was Ibrahim.

[21.60] ‘We have heard a young man called Abraham mention them’ they replied.

Assembly is a convenient occasion for proving the truth and refuting falsehood

The idol worshippers decided to bring Ibrahim in front of the assembly of their festival in order to see what might happen to him. And this exactly what Ibrahim wanted with the aim of refuting their empty claims in front of the same assembly so that people might realize how ignorant and narrow minded the idol worshippers were.

 [21.61] They said:  ‘Then bring him here so that the people may see, so that they may bear witness.’

The polytheists enquired Ibrahim if he broke their stone gods.

[21.62] ‘Abraham, ‘ they said, ‘was it you who did this to our gods?’

Our master Ibrahim said that it was the big idol that did it (destroyed the small idols) and they could ask the idols if they might speak. Ibrahim wants to rebuke the idol worshippers if they say that the idols cannot speak, and then find out that it is Ibrahim who broke them. Actually, this what happened and it was the right chance for Ibrahim to reproach them and call them to the truth of (Tawhid) that it is Allah alone who deserves worshipping and He (SWT) is their Lord and the Creator of the heavens and earth.

[21.63] ‘No, ‘ he replied. ‘It was their great one amongst them that did it. Ask them, if they are able to speak. ‘

Shocked by the clear truth, the idol worshippers made up their minds and accused themselves that it was they who were wrong doers as they worship what can neither do them good nor evil.

[21.64] So they returned one to another saying, ‘Surely, it is you who are the harm doers! ‘

Arrogant people use power when they are faced with the truth

Then they returned to their ignorance and strong heads, and told Ibrahim he knew that the idols could not speak.

[21.65] But then they reversed their minds:  ‘You know they do not speak. ‘

Our master Ibrahim enquired the idol worshippers if the idols could not speak nor cause any harm or bring any benefit, how then they worship them and do not worship the Creator of the heavens and earth.

 [21.66] He said:  ‘Would you then worship that, instead of Allah, which can neither help nor harm you?

Ibrahim (PBUH) was annoyed with their insistence on worshipping the idols after being refuted and after the brightness of the right and disappearance of falsehood; that is why he expressed his denial to both idols and idol worshippers.

[21.67] Shame on you and on that you worship other than Allah! Have you no understanding? ‘

When their fallacy was quite clear, they resorted to power and decided to burn Ibrahim and take revenge to their gods.

[21.68] They said:  ‘Burn him and help your gods, if you are going to do anything! ‘

Allah saved his Messenger Ibrahim from fire

Al-Bukhari narrated on the authority of Ibn Abbas (MABPWH) that Ibrahim said ” ‘hasbiya Allah wa nim al wakil’ which means ‘For me Allah suffices, and He is the best disposer of affairs.’ Ibrahim said it when he was thrown into fire.” So, Allah, the Exalted, did not leave his (Khalil) friend. He soon responded to the heart that always glorified Him and turned heat and fire into coolness and peace on Ibrahim. Ibn Abbas  said, (Ibn Kathir vol. .iii:  184) “unless Allah said to fire be peace, Ibrahim would be hurt by its coldness.”

[21.69] ‘O Fire, ‘ We said, ‘be coolness and safety for Abraham. ‘

Thus, the polytheists did their best to burn Ibrahim with fire; but Allah saved him and disappointed them.

 [21.70] They sought to outwit him, but We made them the worst of losers.

Al Tawashi (2006: 153) comments on this situation, “What is paradoxical in this very dramatic situation is the determination of Abraham’s father and his folk to remain pagans and not believe in Allah even after seeing with their own eyes the great power (signs) of Allah.”

Educational lessons:

• It is a part of Islam to obey parents and care for them and their relatives.
• If it is noticed that any of the parents is disloyal to Allah and His Messenger, YMs should not follow their parents’ religion in this case; yet they have to keep beneficent to them.
• He who lives in idol-worshipping communities should be aware of the influence of such communities upon his pure doctrine of monotheism.
• YMs can resort to dialogue, debate and even to rational dispute to defend their Islamic doctrine or to introduce Islam to non- Muslims.
• Through interaction, YMs can demonstrate practical proofs, relevant data and scientific evidence so that they can affect the opponents of Islam.
• Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) was exposed to severe treatment from his fellowmen even from his own father; yet he kept constant on right.
• He (PBUH) was thrown into fire, yet he never compromised on his belief.
• He (PBUH) enjoyed the virtue of forgiveness that is why he did not bear hatred against others.