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The Moral Excellence of the Prophet Ibrahim (as) and His Chosen Nature in the Sight of Allah

Recite to them the story of Ibrahim. (Surat ash-Shu'ara', 69)
Ibrahim was neither a Jew nor a Christian. but a man of pure natural belief – a Muslim. He was not one of the idolaters. (Surah Al 'Imran, 67)

Ibrahim was a community in himself, exemplary, obedient to Allah, a man of pure natural belief. He was not one of the idolaters. He was thankful for His blessings. Allah chose him and guided him to a straight path. (Surat an-Nahl, 120-121)

One of his followers in faith was Ibrahim when he came to his Lord with an unblemished heart. (Surat as-Saffat, 83-84)

Mention Ibrahim in the Book. He was a true man and a Prophet. (Surah Maryam, 41)

Ibrahim would not have asked forgiveness for his father but for a promise he made to him, and when it became clear to him that he was an enemy of Allah, he renounced him. Ibrahim was tender-hearted and forbearing. (Surat at-Tawba, 114)

Most surely Ibrahim was forbearing, tender-hearted, oft-returning (to Allah). (Surah Hud, 75)

And We perpetuated (praise) to him among the later generations. Peace be on Ibrahim. Thus do We reward the doers of good. Surely he was one of Our believing servants. (Surat as-Saffat, 108-111)

Who could have a better religion than someone who submits himself completely to Allah and is a good-doer, and follows the religion of Ibrahim, a man of pure natural belief? Allah took Ibrahim as an intimate friend. (Surat an-Nisa', 125)

Who would deliberately renounce the religion of Ibrahim except someone who reveals himself to be a fool? We chose him in this world and in the hereafter he will be one of the righteous. (Surat al-Baqara, 130)

We gave Ibrahim his right guidance early on, and We had complete knowledge of him. (Surat al-Anbiya', 51)

The Prophet Ibrahim's (as) Certain Faith in Allah

Because of that We showed Ibrahim the dominions of the heavens and the earth so that he might be one of the people of certainty. When night covered him he saw a star and said, 'This is my Lord!' Then when it set he said, 'I do not love what sets.' Then when he saw the moon come up he said, 'This is my Lord!' Then when it set he said, 'If my Lord does not guide me, I will be one of the misguided people.' Then when he saw the sun come up he said, 'This is my Lord! This is greater!' Then when it set he said, 'My people, I am free of what you associate with Allah! (Surat al-An'am, 75-78)
When Ibrahim said, 'My Lord, show me how You bring the dead to life.' He asked, 'Do you not then believe?' He replied, 'Indeed I do! But so that my heart may be at peace.' He said, 'Take four birds and train them to yourself. Then put a part of them on each mountain and call to them; they will come rushing to you. Know that Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.' (Surat al-Baqara, 260)

The Prophet Ibrahim (as) Calls His Father and His People to Religion

Remember when Ibrahim said to his father, Azar, 'Do you take idols as gods? I see that you and your people are clearly misguided.' (Surat al-An'am, 74)

Remember when he said to his father, 'Father, why do you worship what can neither hear nor see and is not of any use to you at all? Father, knowledge which never reached you has come to me, so follow me and I will guide you to the right path. Father, do not worship Satan. Satan was disobedient to the All-Merciful. Father, I am afraid that a punishment from the All-Merciful will afflict you, and turn you into a comrade of Satan.' He said, 'Do you forsake my gods, Ibrahim? If you do not stop, I will stone you. Keep away from me for a good long time.' He said, 'Peace be upon you. I will ask my Lord to forgive you. He has always honoured me. I will separate myself from you and all you call upon besides Allah and I will call upon my Lord. It may well be that, in calling on my Lord, I will not be disappointed.' (Surah Maryam, 42-48)

He Warns His People

When he said to his father and his people, 'What do you worship?' They said, 'We worship idols and will continue to cling to them.' He said, 'Do they hear you when you call or do they help you or do you harm?' They said, 'No, but this is what we found our fathers doing.' He said, 'Have you really thought about what you worship, you and your fathers who came before? They are all my enemies – except for the Lord of all the worlds: He Who created me and guides me; He Who gives me food and gives me drink; and when I am ill, it is He Who heals me; He Who will cause my death, then give me life; He Who I sincerely hope will forgive my mistakes on the Day of Reckoning. (Surat ash-Shu'ara', 70-82)

and said to his father and his people, 'What are you worshipping? Is it falsehood – gods besides Allah – that you desire? So what are your thoughts about the Lord of all the worlds?' (Surat as-Saffat, 85-87)

Instead of Allah you worship only idols. You are inventing a lie. Those you worship besides Allah have no power to provide for you. So seek your provision from Allah and worship Him and give thanks to Him. It is to Him you will be returned.' (Surat al-'Ankabut, 17)

When he said to his father and his people, 'What are these statues you are clinging to?' they said, 'We found our fathers worshipping them.' He said, 'You and your fathers are clearly misguided.' They said, 'Have you brought us the truth or are you playing games?' He said, 'Far from it! Your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, He Who brought them into being. I am one of those Who bear witness to that. By Allah, I will devise some scheme against your idols when your backs are turned.' (Surat al-Anbiya', 52-57)

The Prophet Ibrahim's (as) Prayer

My Lord, give me right judgement and unite me with the righteous; and make me highly esteemed among the later peoples; and make me one of the inheritors of the Garden of Delight; and forgive my father – he was one of the misguided; and do not disgrace me on the Day they are raised up, the Day when neither wealth nor sons will be of any use. (Surat ash-Shu'ara', 83-88)

It is not right for the Prophet and those who believe to ask forgiveness for the idolaters – even if they are close relatives – after it has become clear to them that they are the Companions of the Blazing Fire. Ibrahim would not have asked forgiveness for his father but for a promise he made to him, and when it became clear to him that he was an enemy of Allah, he renounced him. Ibrahim was tender-hearted and forbearing. (Surat at-Tawba, 113-114)

The Prophet Ibrahim (as) Breaks the Idols in Pieces

He took a look at the stars and said, 'I am sick.' So they turned their backs on him. He turned surreptitiously to their gods and said, 'Do you not eat? What is the matter with you that you do not speak?' He turned on them, striking out with his right hand. (Surat as-Saffat, 88-93)

He broke them in pieces, except for the biggest one, so that they would have it to consult! They said, 'Who has done this to our gods? He is definitely one of the wrongdoers!' They said, 'We heard a young man mentioning them. They call him Ibrahim.' They said, 'Bring him before the people's eyes so they can be witnesses.' They said, 'Did you do this to our gods, Ibrahim?' He said, 'No, this one, the biggest of them, did it. Ask them if they are able to speak!' They consulted among themselves and said, 'It is you yourselves who are wrongdoers.' But then they relapsed back into their disbelief: 'You know full well these idols cannot talk.' He said, 'Do you then worship, instead of Allah, what cannot help or harm you in any way? Shame on you and what you worship besides Allah! Will you not use your intellect?' (Surat al-Anbiya', 58-67)

He said, 'Do you worship something you have carved when Allah created both you and what you do?' (Surat as-Saffat, 95-96)


The Prophet Ibrahim (as) and Nimrod

What about the one who argued with Ibrahim about his Lord, on the basis that Allah had given him sovereignty? Ibrahim said, 'My Lord is He Who gives life and causes to die.' He said, 'I too give life and cause to die.' Ibrahim said, 'Allah makes the sun come from the East. Make it come from the West.' And the one who was a disbeliever was dumbfounded. Allah does not guide wrongdoing people. (Surat al-Baqara, 258)

His People Try to Burn the Prophet Ibrahim (as)

They said, 'Burn him and support your gods if you are resolved to do something.' (Surat al-Anbiya', 68)

They said, 'Build a pyre for him and fling him into the blaze!' (Surat as-Saffat, 97)

We said, 'Fire, be coolness and peace for Ibrahim!' They desired to trap him but We made them the losers. (Surat al-Anbiya', 69-70)

They tried to outwit him but We made them the lowest. (Surat as-Saffat, 98)

The Prophet Ibrahim (as) and the Prophet Isma'il (as)

We delivered both him and Lut to the land which We had blessed for all beings. (Surat al-Anbiya', 71)

When he had separated himself from them, and what they worshipped besides Allah, We gave him Ishaq and Ya'qub, making each of them a Prophet. (Surah Maryam, 49)

He said, 'I am going towards my Lord; He will be my guide. My Lord, bestow on me a right-acting child!' and We gave him the good news of a forbearing boy. When he was of an age to work with him, he said, 'My son, I saw in a dream that I must sacrifice you. What do you think about this?' He said, 'Do as you are ordered, father. Allah willing, you will find me resolute.' Then when they had both submitted and he had lain him face down on the ground, We called out to him, 'Ibrahim! You have discharged your vision.' That is how We recompense good-doers. This was indeed a most manifest trial. We ransomed him with a mighty sacrifice. And We perpetuated (praise) to him among the later generations. Peace be on Ibrahim. That is how We recompense good-doers. He truly was one of Our believing servants. (Surat as-Saffat, 99-111)

When his Lord said unto him: Surrender! He said: I have surrendered to the Lord of the Worlds. (Surat al-Baqara, 131)
The Prophet Ibrahim (as) and the Prophet Isma'il's (as)
Arrival at Mecca

And when Ibrahim said, 'My Lord, make this a place of safety and provide its inhabitants with fruits – all of them who believe in Allah and the Last Day,' He said, 'I will let anyone who becomes a disbeliever enjoy himself a little but then I will drive him to the punishment of the Fire. What an evil destination!' (Surat al-Baqara, 126)

When Ibrahim said, 'My Lord! Make this land a place of safety and keep me and my sons from worshipping idols. My Lord! They have misguided many of mankind. If anyone follows me, he is with me but if anyone disobeys me, You are Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful. Our Lord! I have settled some of my offspring by Your Sacred House in an uncultivated valley. Our Lord! Let them perform prayer! Make the hearts of mankind incline towards them and provide them with fruits, so that hopefully they will be thankful. Our Lord! You know what we keep hidden and what we divulge. Nothing is hidden from Allah either on the earth or in heaven. Praise be to Allah Who, despite my old age, has given me Isma'il and Ishaq. My Lord is the Hearer of Prayer. My Lord! Make me and my descendants people who perform prayer. My Lord! Accept my prayer. Our Lord! Forgive me and my parents and the believers on the Day the Reckoning takes place.' (Surah Ibrahim, 35-41)