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Story of Prophet Ibrahim (A.S) – Abraham

Prophet Ibrahim (A.S) is one of the Prophets mentioned most often in the Qur’an. Out of the many Prophets and Messengers that Allah sent, the Qur’an mentions 25 by name. Ibrahim (A.S) is mentioned 69 times, and there is a whole surah named after him.

He is one of the five greatest Prophets who were given special books and laws: Nuh (A.S), Ibrahim (A.S), Musa (A.S), Isa (A.S), and our Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.).

The three main religions—Islam, Christianity and Judaism—respect Ibrahim/Abraham as a great leader and forefather. Different narrations mention different ages for him, such as 150, 169, 175 or 195 years, but scholars agree that he lived a very long life, more than 150 years.

Family Background and Childhood

Prophet Ibrahim (A.S) was from the family of Prophet Nuh (A.S). Allah made his sons Ismail (A.S) and Ishaq (A.S) Prophets, and his nephew Lut (A.S) was also a Prophet. This is why Ibrahim (A.S) is called the forefather of many Prophets.

But his own family and people worshipped idols. His father, Azar, was famous for making idols from stone and wood. From a young age, Ibrahim (A.S) did not like idol worship. He often argued with his father about it. He would ask questions like: Why do you worship these statues? They cannot move, eat, drink, help, or harm anyone.

His father would become angry and scold him. Even so, he sent Ibrahim (A.S) to the market to sell the idols. There, Ibrahim (A.S) would joke about the idols and warn people not to worship them. This made his father and his people even more upset, but Ibrahim (A.S) stayed firm and never accepted shirk (associating partners with Allah).

This strong faith was a special gift from Allah. In Surah Al-Anbiya, verse 51, Allah says:

Translation:

We had granted Abraham his guidance before, and We knew him well.

Ibrahim (A.S) as a Young Man

When Ibrahim (A.S) grew older, he still refused to believe that man‑made statues could be gods. His father wanted him to become a priest who serves the idols in the big temple of the town. The temple was full of idols, and people would bow and pray to them.

Ibrahim (A.S) strongly disliked this. He could not understand how people could worship things that cannot eat, drink or do anything. This deep dislike of idol worship made him search even more for the truth.

Searching for the Truth

Ibrahim (A.S) wanted to know and worship the true Creator. One night, he went to the mountains and sat at the entrance of a cave. He looked at the sky and thought deeply.

He noticed that some people worshipped the stars, the moon and the sun. He saw that they all rise and set and do not control themselves. So they cannot be gods. They are created and controlled by the One true God.

Allah describes this in Surah Al-An’am, verses 74–79:

Translation (summary):

Ibrahim (A.S) asked his father Azar why he took idols as gods and said that he and his people were in error. Allah showed Ibrahim (A.S) the kingdom of the heavens and the earth so his faith would become firm.

First, he saw a star and said, “This is my Lord,” but when it disappeared, he said he does not love things that set. Then he saw the moon and said, “This is my Lord,” but when it set, he said that without Allah’s guidance he would be misguided. Then he saw the sun and said, “This is my Lord; this is greater,” but when it set, he said, “O my people, I am free of what you associate with Allah.”

Finally, he declared:

“Indeed, I have turned my face towards Him who created the heavens and the earth, and I am not of those who associate others with Allah.”

Arguments with His People

When Ibrahim (A.S) openly called his people to worship only Allah, they argued with him and held strongly to their false gods.

Surah Al-An’am, verses 80–83, tells us that his people argued with him, but he said that Allah had guided him and that he did not fear their idols. He explained that real security and guidance belong to those who believe in Allah and do not mix their faith with wrongdoing.

Ibrahim (A.S) told them that the sun, moon, stars, day and night are only signs of Allah, not gods. In Surah Fussilat, verse 37, Allah says:

Translation:

And of His signs are the night and day and the sun and moon. Do not prostrate to the sun or to the moon, but prostrate to Allah, who created them, if it is truly Him that you worship.

Ibrahim (A.S) also questioned his people about simply copying their forefathers. In Surah Al-Anbiya, verses 52–56, he asked them what the statues were that they were devoted to. They said they were only following their ancestors. Ibrahim (A.S) told them that they and their forefathers were clearly wrong, and he testified that only the Lord of the heavens and the earth is worthy of worship.

Arguments with His Father

Ibrahim (A.S) continued to invite his father to the truth with wisdom and respect. He wanted to save him from idol worship and bring him to pure tawhid (worship of Allah alone). Even though his father was harsh, Ibrahim (A.S) spoke gently.

In Surah Maryam, verses 43–48, Ibrahim (A.S) says to his father:

“O my father, follow me; I will guide you to a straight path.”

“O my father, do not worship Satan.”

“O my father, I fear a punishment may touch you from the Most Merciful.”

His father replied angrily that if Ibrahim (A.S) did not stop, he would stone him, and he told him to stay away.

Ibrahim (A.S) replied, “Peace be upon you. I will ask my Lord to forgive you,” and he said that he would leave his father and his people and worship Allah alone.

He also continued speaking to his people, asking them what they worshipped and whether their idols could hear, benefit, or harm them. They admitted that they only followed their forefathers. Ibrahim (A.S) told them that these idols were his enemies, and only the Lord of the worlds—who creates, guides, feeds, cures, gives life and death, and forgives on the Day of Judgement—is worthy of worship.

Sadly, most of his people still refused to believe.

Deciding to Destroy the Idols

When Ibrahim (A.S) realised that his father and people would not accept the truth, he decided to show them clearly that their idols were false.

The people had a festival outside the city, and when they all left, the temple was empty. Ibrahim (A.S) stayed behind, went into the temple with an axe, and spoke to the idols, asking why they did not eat the food placed in front of them and why they did not speak.

Then he broke all the idols into pieces, except the biggest one. He left the large idol standing and hung the axe on it, then quietly left.

Thrown into the Fire

When the people returned and saw their idols destroyed, they were shocked and angry. They asked who had done it. Many suspected Ibrahim (A.S) because he always spoke against their idols.

They arrested him and decided to burn him alive. They built a huge fire, so hot that they could not go near it. They used a catapult to throw him into the blaze.

As he was about to be thrown, the angel Jibril (A.S) came and asked if he needed help. Ibrahim (A.S) replied that his help was only from Allah.

When he was thrown into the fire, Allah commanded:

“O fire, be coolness and safety for Abraham.” (Surah Al-Anbiya, 21:69)

The fire did not harm him. Only the ropes tying him were burned. For him, the fire became like a peaceful garden. His fear went away and his heart was full of love and trust in Allah.

When the fire died down, the people were amazed to see Ibrahim (A.S) safe and calm. Allah says in Surah Al-Anbiya, verse 70:

Translation:

They schemed against him, but We made them the greatest losers.

Even after this clear miracle, most of them still refused to believe, but a few secretly accepted the truth and followed Ibrahim (A.S).

Debate with King Namrud

After this, Ibrahim (A.S) was brought before King Namrud (Nimrod), who claimed to be a god. When he heard that Ibrahim (A.S) survived the fire, he wanted to challenge him.

Ibrahim (A.S) told him that Allah is the One who gives life and causes death. Namrud proudly said that he too could give life and death by sparing someone or killing someone.

So Ibrahim (A.S) gave him a clear proof: he said that Allah makes the sun rise from the east, so if Namrud was truly a god, he should make it rise from the west. Namrud could not answer and was left speechless.

This is mentioned in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 258.

Migration (Hijrah) of Ibrahim (A.S)

Even though Ibrahim (A.S) won the arguments against his people and their king, most people still did not leave their false beliefs.

Only a small number believed in him, including a woman named Sarah, who later became his wife, and his nephew Lut (A.S), who later became a Prophet.

When Ibrahim (A.S) saw that there was little hope that the rest of his people would accept the truth, he decided to leave his homeland for the sake of Allah. He migrated with Sarah and Lut (A.S), travelling from one land to another until they reached Egypt.

The Miracle of the Birds

One day, Ibrahim (A.S) asked Allah to show him how He brings the dead back to life. He did not ask because he doubted, but so that his heart could feel even more at peace.

Allah told him to take four birds, cut them into pieces, mix the parts, and place portions on different hills. Then he was told to call them. By Allah’s permission, the birds came back to life and flew to him.

This is mentioned in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 260.

Blessed with a Son in Old Age

Ibrahim (A.S) and his wife Sarah were happy together, but they had no children for many years because Sarah could not have children. Ibrahim (A.S) was already very old.

Out of love and sincerity, Sarah suggested that Ibrahim (A.S) marry her servant Hajar (Hajira). He married Hajar, and by Allah’s mercy, she gave birth to a son, Ismail (A.S), who later became a Prophet.

In Surah As-Saffat, verses 100–101, Allah tells us that Ibrahim (A.S) prayed for a righteous child, and Allah gave him good news of a patient, forbearing son.

The Great Sacrifice

The life of Ibrahim (A.S) is full of big tests. One of the hardest tests came when Ismail (A.S) was still young.

Ibrahim (A.S) saw in his dreams again and again that he was sacrificing his son for the sake of Allah. The dreams of the Prophets are a type of revelation, so he knew that this was a command from Allah.

He told Ismail (A.S) about the dream and asked his opinion. Ismail (A.S) replied that his father should do what Allah had commanded and that he, Insha’Allah, would be patient.

When Ibrahim (A.S) laid Ismail (A.S) down and was about to sacrifice him, Allah sent the angel Jibril (A.S) with a ram from Jannah to replace Ismail.

This story is in Surah As-Saffat, verses 102–108. Because of this, Muslims all over the world sacrifice animals every year on Eid al-Adha to remember the obedience and submission of Ibrahim and Ismail (A.S).

Building the Ka‘bah and the Story of Zamzam

Another honour given to Ibrahim (A.S) was building the Ka‘bah.

When Ismail (A.S) was a baby, Allah commanded Ibrahim (A.S) to leave him and his mother Hajar in a dry, empty valley with almost no water or people. This place is now the blessed city of Makkah.

Ibrahim (A.S) left them with some food and water, but it soon finished. Hajar ran between the hills of Safa and Marwa, searching for help or water. When she returned to her baby, she found water miraculously flowing from the place where baby Ismail was kicking his heel. This is the famous Zamzam water. Running between Safa and Marwa (sa‘i) is now an important part of Hajj and ‘Umrah.

Later, when Ismail (A.S) grew older, Allah commanded Ibrahim and Ismail (A.S) to build a house for His worship. Together, they built the Ka‘bah, the first House of Allah on earth, also called Baytullah (the House of Allah), in Makkah.

After the House was built, Allah told Ibrahim (A.S) to announce the pilgrimage (Hajj) to all people. Since then, people have been coming to this sacred House.

In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 125, Allah mentions that He made the Ka‘bah a place of return and safety for people, and that Ibrahim and Ismail (A.S) were told to keep it clean for those who perform tawaf, stay there in worship, and pray there.

Hajj existed before Islam was completed, but over time people mixed it with idol worship. The Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) restored Hajj to its pure form. Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and every year Muslims from all over the world travel to Makkah, answering the ancient call of Ibrahim (A.S).

The Special Title of Ibrahim (A.S)

Allah gave Ibrahim (A.S) a very special honour: He made him His close friend (Khalil). For this reason, Ibrahim (A.S) is called Khalilullah (the Friend of Allah).

In Surah An-Nisa, verse 125, Allah says:

Translation:

And whose religion is better than that of one who submits himself to Allah while doing good and follows the religion of Abraham, inclining toward truth? And Allah took Abraham as a (close) friend.

Key Lessons from the Life of Ibrahim (A.S)

From the life of Prophet Ibrahim (A.S), we learn to:

Trust Allah completely in every situation.

Respect and honour our parents and speak to them kindly.

Obey our parents, but never follow them in disobeying Allah.

Never lose hope in Allah’s help, no matter how hard the test.

Be ready to give up what we love for the sake of Allah.

His Importance in Islam

After Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.), Ibrahim (A.S) is one of the most honoured Prophets in Islam.

Even in our daily prayers, we remember him in the well-known Durood Ibrahim (the Abrahamic Salutation):

Arabic:

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ.

اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ.

Translation:

O Allah, send Your grace upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad as You sent Your grace upon Ibrahim and upon the family of Ibrahim. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy, Most Glorious. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy, Most Glorious.

Through his lifelong worship, sacrifices and strong faith, Prophet Ibrahim (A.S) is a role model for every believer who wants to live with pure tawhid, trust in Allah, and obedience to Him.