By Haruna Razaq

An example of the earlier prophets of Allah before Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) who obeyed the commandments of Allah with absolute submission and thus achieved the good of this life and the hereafter is Prophet Ibrahim (a.s). In fact, the place of Prophet Ibrahim (a.s) in Islam cannot be overemphasized.

There are copious injunctions of Allah in the Quran that emphasises the example and precepts of Prophet Ibrahim. (1) Allah directs Muslims to follow him in the Qur’an (Q 60: 4) (2) Allah distinguished Ibrahim first in the Qur’an with the title of Khalilu llah (an intimate friend of Allah). (Q 4:125) (3) Allah declared him as: an Ummah (a leader having all the good righteous qualities), or a nation, obedient to Allah, Hanifa (i.e. to worship none but Allah), not Al-Mushrikun; thankful for Allah’s Graces… (Q 16: 120-122) (4)

There is a special place in Ka‘abah at Makkah called “Maqam (Station) of Ibrahim” in which those who perform Hajj and Umrah are encouraged to perform two Nafilah after tawaf. (5) Prophet Ibrahim (A.S) is regarded as the father of the religion (Islam.) (6) A chapter in the Qur’an (i.e. Suratul Ibrahim) Chapter 14 was named after Ibrahim. (7) Prophet Muhammad (SAW) named one of his sons after Prophet Ibrahim (AS).

(8) The great acts of worship in Islam, such as Hajj, Umrah, Day of Arafah, ‘Iidul Adha, Al-Udhiyyah, and Ayyamut Tashriq, etc. emanated from Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his family. (9) One of the recommended Asalat is Asalat Ibrahimiyyah. (10) He was given righteous wives and children. (11) Allah accepted his prayers (e.g. concerning the blessings of Allah on his progeny) (Q 14: 37) etc.

But, most of us do not really understand what Ibrahim (AS) went through before he became prominent in the sight of Allah to the extent that he occupied the aforementioned position in Islam and was made Imam (leader) for mankind in line with the Qur’an (Q 2: 124).

It is on record that despite he was born in the land of Al-Kaldanieen (Chaldeans) or Babylonia into the environment of idol worship where the head of the family was not even an ordinary Idolator, but was one those who carved idols, he (Ibrahim) did not follow his people in error, rather he sought the guidance of Allah (Q 6: 76-78) and was guided (Q21:51) (2) He called his people to Islam (Q 26: 69-82) (3) He faced persecution from idol worshipers (Q21: 68) and did not surrender to their shirk, then, Allah saved him from their persecution (Q 21: 69-71 and Q 29: 24) (4) When his peoples were not ready to accept his dawah he migrated (Q29: 26) with his wife and lot to Ur, to Haran, to Palestine to Egypt etc.

More importantly, Allah tried him with certain commands, which he fulfilled according to (Q 2: 124) that says: And (remember) when the Lord of Ibrahim tried him with (certain) commands, which he fulfilled. He (Allah) said (to him), “Verily, I am going to make you an Imam (a leader) for mankind (to follow you)… (Q 2: 124). Some of these commands have been mentioned earlier.

(6) Above all, he is always ready to carry out all the commandments of Allah. As a result, commenting on verse (Q 2: 124) stated above Sheikh Ibn Kathir in his Tafsir says: Allah is informing us of the honour of Ibrahim Al-Khaleel, who He made an Imam for the people, and a model to be imitated, because of the way he conducted himself and adhered to Tauhid. This honour was given to Prophet Ibrahim when he adhered to Allah’s decisions and prohibitions.

Therefore, anyone who wants his/her name to remain in goodness as Prophet Ibrahim (a.s) should follow the commandments of Allah.