Some of the People of the Book stated that his name was Ibrahim 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 Ibrahim, Nahor (Nohour) and Haran. Haran had a son named Lot. They also said that Ibrahim 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.<\/p>\n
Ibrahim AS 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 Allah and who used to make the idols with his own hands. Some traditions claimed that Ibrahim\u2019s father died before his birth and he was raised by an uncle whom Ibrahim called father. Other traditions said that his father was alive and was named Azer.<\/p>\n
Into that family Ibrahim As 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.<\/p>\n
He was endowed with spiritual understanding from an early age. Allah enlightened his heart and mind gave him wisdom from childhood. Allah the Almighty stated:<\/p>\n
\u201cIndeed We bestowed aforetime on Ibrahim his (portion of) guidance, and We were Well Acquainted with him( as to his Belief in the Oneness of Allah etc). (Ch 21:51)<\/em><\/p>\n During his early childhood Ibrahim 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. Ibrahim 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. Ibrahim asked: \u201cWhat is this statue, father? It has big ears, bigger than ours.\u201d This made Ibrahim laugh, he was only seven years old at that time.<\/p>\n Years passed and Ibrahim 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? Ibrahim \u2018s 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. Ibrahim, 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!<\/p>\n At first, such a sight seemed funny to Ibrahim, 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 Ibrahim never stopped displaying his hatred and disdain of them.<\/p>\n One night Ibrahim 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. Allah) 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.<\/p>\n Ibrahim, addressed his people who worshipped celestial bodies as Almighty Allah revealed:<\/strong> In that debate, Ibrahim clarified to his people that these celestial bodies do not serve as deities and cannot be worshipped as partners with Allah 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, Allah 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 Allah.<\/p>\n Ibrahim made clear to them, first that the celestial bodies are unworthy of worship and second that they are among the signs of Allah.<\/p>\n Almighty Allah commanded:<\/strong> Ibrahim\u2019s 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 Ibrahim.<\/p>\n Ibrahim replied:<\/strong> 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. Allah gave Ibrahim (pbuh) the reasoning he needed the first time and every time he argued with his people.\u00a0Almighty Allah declared:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cAnd that was Our Proof which We gave Ibrahim against his people. We raised whom We will in degrees. Certainly your Lord is All Wise, All Knowing. (Ch 6:83)<\/em><\/p>\n Ibrahim did his best to make his people heedful to the belief in the oneness of Almighty Allah 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:<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are these images, to which you are devoted?\u201d they said: \u201cWe found our fathers worshipping them.\u201d He said: \u201cIndeed you and your fathers have been in manifest error.\u201d They said: \u201cHave you brought us the truth, or are you one of those who play about?\u201d He said: \u201cNay, your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, Who created them and of that I am of the witnesses.\u201d (Ch 21:52-56)<\/em><\/p>\n All was finished between Ibrahim 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. Ibrahim felt that it was his duty as a good son to advise his father against this evil so that he could be saved from Allah\u2019s 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:<\/p>\n \u201cO 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 (Allah). O my father! Verily! I fear lest a torment from the Most Beneficent (Allah) overtake you as that you become a companion of Satan (in the Hellfire).\u201d He (the father) said: \u201cDo you reject my gods, O Ibrahim? If you stop not this, I will indeed stone you. So get away from me safely before I punish you.\u201d Ibrahim said: \u201cPeace 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.\u201d (Ch 19:43-48)<\/em><\/p>\n His father\u2019s harsh treatment did not stop Ibrahim 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. To convince them that the idols could not harm him, he challenged: \u201cI have already condemned them; of they had any power they would have harmed me by now!\u201d<\/p>\n Almighty Allah recounted:<\/strong> In another surah The Almighty revealed:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cAnd remember Ibrahim when he said to his people: \u201cWorship Allah Alone and fear Him that is better for you if you did but know. You worship besides Allah only idols and you only invent falsehood. Verily, those whom you worship beside Allah have no power to give you provision, so seek your provision from Allah 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.\u201d See they not how Allah originates creation, then will repent it. Verily, that is easy for Allah. Say: \u201cTravel in the land and see how Allah originated creation and then Allah will bring forth (resurrect) the creation of the Hereafter (i.e. resurrection after death) verily, Allah is Able to do all things.\u201d 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 Allah 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 Allah 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 Quran)<\/em><\/p>\n He explained to them the beauty of Allah\u2019s creation, His power and wisdom. Idol worship is detested by Allah for Allah 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 Ibrahim prayed and Who would forgive his sins on the Day of Judgment. However, they would not give up but clung fast to idolatry. Ibrahim left his father\u2019s 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. Ibrahim 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. Ibrahim 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: \u201cThe food in front of you is getting cold. Why don\u2019t you eat?\u201d the statue kept silent and rigid. Ibrahim asked all the other statues around him:<\/p>\n \u201cWill you not eat of the offering before you?\u201d (Ch 37:91)<\/em><\/p>\n He was mocking them for he knew they would not eat. He once again asked then:<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is the matter with you that you do not speak?\u201d (Ch 37:92)<\/em><\/p>\n 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 Allah.<\/p>\n 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 Ibrahim\u2019s name came to their minds.<\/p>\n Allah the Almighty said: they said:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cWho has done this to our aliah (gods)? He must indeed be one of the wrongdoers.\u201d They said: \u201cWe heard a young man talking against them who is called Ibrahim.\u201d They said: \u201cThen bring him before the eyes of the people, that they may testify.\u201d they said: \u201cAre you the one who has done this to our gods, O Ibrahim?\u201d Ibrahim said: \u201cnay, this one, the biggest of them (idols) Furious, they demanded that Ibrahim be arrested and tried. Ibrahim 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 Ibrahim the chance to prove the foolishness of worshipping these lifeless objects.<\/p>\n 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 Ibrahim. They kept him in chains and planned their revenge.<\/p>\n Anger was burning in their hearts. They decided to throw Ibrahim 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 Ibrahim. 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 Ibrahim into the fire. Ibrahim 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 Ibrahim into the fire. \u201cO fire! Be you coolness and safety for Ibrahim.\u201d (Ch 21:69 Quran)<\/em><\/p>\n The fire submitted to the will of Allah, becoming cool and safe for Ibrahim. 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 Allah the Almighty, with a heart that contained only his love for Allah. There was not any vacant space therein for fear, awe, or worry. It was filled with love only. Allah declared:<\/strong> 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 disbelievers thought it would never be extinguished. When it did burn out, they were greatly amazed to find Ibrahim 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 Allah. The raging fire had become cool for Ibrahim 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThey wanted to harm him, but We made them the worst losers. (Ch 21:70)<\/em><\/p>\n 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 Ibrahim, although some kept their belief a secret for fear of harm or death at the hands of the rulers.<\/p>\n Ibrahim had established a definite reasoning against idolaters. Nothing was left for him except to reason against the people who proclaimed themselves gods.<\/p>\n When the king, Namrud, heard of Ibrahim\u2019s 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 Ibrahim to the palace and held a dialogue with him which Allah Almighty recounted:<\/p>\n \u201cHave you not thought about him who disputed with Ibrahim about his Lord (Allah) because Allah had given him the kingdom? When Ibrahim said to him: \u201cMy Lord (Allah) is He Who gives life and causes death.\u201d He said: \u201cI give life and cause death.\u201d Ibrahim said: \u201cVerily, Allah causes the sun to rise from the east; then cause it you to rise from the west.\u201d So the disbeliever was utterly defeated. Allah guides not the people who are Zalimeen (wrongdoers etc). (Ch 2:258 Quran)<\/em><\/p>\n Ibrahim\u2019s 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, Ibrahim continued calling people to believe in Allah, 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 Allah. The woman\u2019s name was Sarah and she became his wife. The man\u2019s name was Lot and he became a prophet.<\/p>\n When Ibrahim 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. Allah the Almighty told us:<\/p>\n \u201d So Lut believed in him (Ibrahim\u2019s message of Islamic Monotheism). He (Ibrahim) said: \u201cI will emigrate for the sake of my Lord. Verily, He is the All Mighty, the All Wise.\u201d (Ch 29:26)<\/em><\/p>\n After Palestine, Ibrahim traveled to Egypt, calling people to believe in Allah wherever he traveled, judging fairly between people, and guiding them to truth and righteousness.<\/p>\n Hadith about Ibrahim, Sarah and Hajar<\/strong> This man asked me about you and I have told him that you are my sister do not contradict my statement.\u201d 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: \u201cPray to Allah for me and I shall not harm you.\u201d 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 as stiff as or stiffer than before and he was more comfounded. He again requested Sarah: \u201cPray to Allah for me, and I will not harm you.\u201d Sarah asked Allah to again, and he became all right. He then called one of his guards who had brought her and said: \u201cYou have not brought me a human being but have brought me a devil.\u201d The tyrant then gave Hajar as a maid servant to Sarah. Ibrahim, gesturing with his hand, asked: \u201cWhat has happened?\u201d She replied: \u201cAllah has spoiled the evil plot of the infidel or immoral person and gave me Hajar for service.\u201d Abu Hurairah then addressed his listeners saying: \u201cThat Hajar was your mother, O Bani Ma is Sama (Arab, the descendants of Ishmael, Hajar\u2019s son).\u201d<\/p>\n Ibrahim\u2019s wife Sarah was sterile. She had been given an Egyptian woman Hajar, as a servant. Ibrahim had aged and his hair was gray and after many years spent in calling people to Allah. Sarah thought she and Ibrahim were lonely because she could not have a child. Therefore, she Ibrahim lived on earth worshipping Allah and calling people to monotheism, but he was journeying to Allah, 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 Ibrahim with peace and love and certitude. One day he begged Allah to show him how He brought the dead back to life. Allah commanded Ibrahim 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 Allah\u2019s name. Ibrahim 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 Ibrahim. Almighty Allah revealed:<\/p>\n \u201cRemember when Ibrahim said: \u2018My Lord Show me how You give life to the dead.\u201d Allah said: \u201cDo you not believe?\u201d Ibrahim said: \u201cYes I believe, but to be stronger in Faith.\u201d HE said: \u201cTake 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 Allah is All Mighty and All Wise.\u201d(Ch 2:260 Quran)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Description of Ibrahim AS and his Family Some of the People of the Book stated that his name<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[59],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14558","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-story"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jislam.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14558","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jislam.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jislam.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jislam.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jislam.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14558"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.jislam.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14558\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14559,"href":"https:\/\/www.jislam.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14558\/revisions\/14559"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jislam.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14558"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jislam.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14558"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jislam.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14558"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nOne day his father saw him riding the statue of Mardukh and he became furious. He ordered his son not to play with it again.<\/p>\n
\nHis father answered: \u201cIt is Mardukh, the god of gods, son! These big ears show his deep knowledge.\u201d<\/p>\nIbrahim\u2019s Hatred for Idols<\/h2>\n
Ibrahim Discovers Allah<\/h2>\n
Ibrahim Reasons with Celestial Worshippers<\/h2>\n
\n\u201cThus did We show Ibrahim 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: \u201cThis is my lord.\u201d But when it set, he said: \u201cI like not that those who set.\u201d When he saw the moon rising up he said: \u201cThis is my lord.\u201d but when it set he said: \u201cUnless my Lord guides me, I shall surely be among the erring people.\u201d When he saw the sun rising up he said: \u201cThis is my lord, This is greater.\u201d But when it set, he said: \u201cO 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 Hanifan (Islamic Monotheism, i.e. worshipping none but Allah
\nAlone) and I am not of the Al Mushrikeen (those who worship others besides Allah).\u201d His people disputed with him. He said: \u201cDo 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? \u201cAnd 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 in worship with Allah 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.\u201d It is those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah and worship none but Him Alone) and confuse not their belief with Zulm (wrong, i.e. by worshipping others besides Allah), for them only there is security and they are the guided. And that was Our proof which We gave Ibrahim against his people. We raise whom We will in degrees. Certainly your Lord is All Wise, All Knowing. (Ch 6:75-83 Quran).<\/em><\/p>\n
\n\u201cAnd 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 Allah Who created them if you really worship Him. (Ch 41:37)<\/em><\/p>\n
\n\u201cDo 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? How should I fear those whom you associate in worship with Allah (though they can neither benefit or harm), while you fear not that you have joined in worship with Allah 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? \u2026..if you but know! It is those who believe (in the oneness of Allah and worship none but HiAlone) and confuse not their belief with Zulm (wrong by worshipping others besides Allah), for them only there is security and they are the guided.\u201d (Ch 6:80-82)<\/em><\/p>\nIbrahim Reasons with Idolators<\/h2>\n
Ibrahim reasons with his Father<\/h2>\n
Ibrahim debates with the Idolaters<\/h2>\n
\nLike 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. Ibrahim asked them: \u201cDo the idols see you when you prostrate before them? Do they benefit you in any way.\u201d 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.
\nIbrahim explained that their forefathers had been wrong. This angered them and they retorted: \u201cAre you condemning our gods and our forefathers? Or are you just joking?\u201d Ibrahim showed no fear as he replied: \u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\nIbrahim reasons with the Idolaters, Second Time<\/h2>\n
\n\u201cRecite to them the story of Ibrahim. When he said to his father and his people. \u201cWhat do you worship?\u201d They said: \u201cWe worship idols, and to them we are ever devoted.\u201d He said: \u201cDo they hear you when you call on them? OR do they benefit you or do they harm you?\u201d They said: \u201cNay but we found our father doing so.\u201d He said: \u201cDo 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.\u201d (Ch 26:69-82 Quran).<\/em><\/p>\nIbrahim Breaks the Idols<\/h2>\n
The Idolaters Question Ibrahim<\/h2>\n
\ndid it, Ask them, if they can speak!\u201dSo they turned to themselves and said: \u201cVerily you are the Zalimun (polytheists, and wrongdoers).\u201d Then they turned to themselves (their first thought and said): \u201cIndeed you (Ibrahim) know well that these idols speak not?\u201d Ibrahim said: \u201cDO you then worship besides Allah, things that can neither profit you nor harm you? If upon you, and upon that which you worship besides Allah! Have you then no sense?\u201d (Ch 21:59-67 Quran)<\/em><\/p>\nThe Idolaters Try to burn Ibrahim<\/h2>\n
\nThe angel Gabriel came near Ibrahim\u2019s head and asked him: \u201cO Ibrahim do you wish for anything?\u201d Ibrahim replied: \u201cNothing from you.\u201d
\nThe catapult was shot and Ibrahim 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 Allah the Almighty had issued His command:<\/p>\n
\nFear and awe were dead, and the fire was turned into coolness, making the air pleasant. Those who love Allah as Ibrahim do did not fear.<\/p>\nThe Faith of the Believers<\/h2>\n
\n\u201cThose (believers) unto whom the people (hypocrites) said: \u201cVerily! the people (pagans) have gathered against you (a great army), therefore, fear them.\u201d but it only increased them in Faith, and they said: Allah Alone is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs for us.\u201d So they returned with Grace and Bounty from Allah. No harm touched them; and they followed the good Pleasure of Allah. Allah 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 Allah and in His Messenger Muhammad) so fear them not but fear Me if you are true believers.\u201d (Ch 3:173-175 Quran)<\/em><\/p>\nIbrahim challenges those who proclaim themselves as gods, King Namrud<\/h2>\n
\nAbu Hurairah narrated that Ibrahim (pbuh) did not tell a lie except on three occasions, twice for the sake of Allah (Exalted and Almighty) when he said: \u201cI am sick,\u201d (when his people were holding a festival in honor of their gods, Ibrahim excused himself by saying he was sick. (Ch 37:89 Quran) and when he said: \u201c(I have not done this but) the big idol has done it.\u201d The (third was) that while Ibrahim and Sarah (his wife) were going (on a journey), they passed by (the territory of) a tyrant. Someone said to the tyrant: \u201cThis man (Ibrahim is accompanied by a very charming lady.\u201d SO, he sent for Ibrahim and asked him about Sarah saying \u201cWho is this lady?\u201d Ibrahim said: \u201cShe is my sister.\u201d Ibrahim went to Sarah said \u201cO Sarah! There are no believers on the surface of the earth except you and me.<\/p>\nHajar and Sarah<\/h2>\n
\noffered her husband her servant Hajar in marriage. Hajar gave birth to her first son Ishmael (isma\u2019il) when Ibrahim was an old man.<\/p>\nIbrahim Questions Resurrection<\/h2>\n