Faith of Abraham

Perhaps the most important legacies of Abraham are:

(1) Faith of Abraham

(2) Worship and Traditions of Abraham

As discussed earlier, the Israelites due to their long period of exile from Canaan and slavery in Egypt had lost all connections with Abrahamic faith and traditions, and everything about his faith and traditions had gone into oblivion. The Genesis was written, and compiled long after Abraham and the earliest versions thereof were repeatedly lost or destroyed by the conquerors of Israel. Subsequently, each new compilation of the Bible contained materials much different from the previous ones. The Bible in the extant form can be traced back to around 200 BC and perhaps taking its final shape in 900 AD. The aforesaid period of Israel aimed at restoration of the former wealth and power of Israel, and all efforts were directed to achieve material standards of life and elevation of Israel over other nations in the world. The Israeli writers had, therefore, lost the concept of anything higher than material desires and national ambitions of power and prestige. They could not have imagined anything about Abraham or their other ancestors, except as their leaders to promote material benefits of the tribe of Israel by adding to their wealth, power, and possessions to dominate other people in the world. The Israelites, therefore, have depicted Abraham only as a patriarch engaged in promoting his own power and riches and preparing a foundation for the ownership of entire land of Canaan for his innumerable descendants. The Israelites claim themselves to be the only genuine descendants of Abraham to establish their firm claim on the land of Canaan., as their inheritance from Abraham. It is a pity to note that even up to 1948, the position of Israelites occupying Palestine was described in the following words: “They possess a few Synagogues and Cemeteries like their father Abraham who started with a stone altar and his wife’s grave”. (Palestine and the Bible, Samuel Schor, London 1950, p. 121). Factually, Abraham never had any holdings in Canaan exceeding those mentioned above. As such, all the boastful claim, established by Israel on Palestine on the basis of inheritance from Abraham, is just a farce having nothing to substantiate the same from the actual history of the life and time of Abraham.

As against the above, there is an entirely different concept of inheritance and legacy of Abraham in the Arabs and thereafter in the Muslims. The entire history, the traditions, and all the narrations in the Qur’an do not refer to any riches or material inheritance of Abraham for his descendants. In Islam, therefore, Abraham is an entirely different personality than we find in the Bible. There is no inducement to Abraham to go to Canaan and the stress is only on the faith of Abraham, his moral achievements, his absolute submission and self sacrifice before the will of God. His legacy was the worship of one and the only Lord God of the universe wholeheartedly. The God of Abraham had no partners or any other gods besides Him. After Noah, he was perhaps the only prominent prophet to announce that the Lord God alone was the Omnipotent creator and Sustainer of the universe and only He must be worshiped by all His creatures. He believed that God made human beings supersede all His creatures and it was, therefore, unbecoming of human beings to degrade themselves by worshiping anyone except God, the Creator. Man was the vice regent of God, and it was below his dignity to bow before other men of his own species or to worship idols carved by men themselves. Abraham therefore, openly opposed and denounced the worship of all false deities who were not only deaf, dumb, and mute; but were also without any feelings, movement, life, or power in them.

(1) Islam: the Faith of Abraham

The Qur’an tells us that the Lord had given guidance to Abraham towards the straight path right from his early childhood, as we find in the following verse:

وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ رُشْدَهُ مِن قَبْلُ وَكُنَّا بِه عَالِمِينَ

And certainly We gave to Ibrahim his rectitude before, and We knew him fully well. (21:51)

The above verse shows that Abraham had the rectitude in his earliest life and could differentiate right from the wrong through applying his mind to the nature and reality of all the heavenly bodies and the idols being worshiped by others. The Lord has illustrated such an exercise of Abraham in the following:

وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ لأبِيهِ آزَرَ أَتَتَّخِذُ أَصْنَامًا آلِهَةً إِنِّي أَرَاكَ وَقَوْمَكَ فِي ضَلالٍ مُبِينٍ ۔ وَكَذَلِكَ نُرِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ مَلَكُوتَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأرْضِ وَلِيَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُوقِنِينَ ۔ فَلَمَّا جَنَّ عَلَيْهِ اللَّيْلُ رَأَى كَوْكَبًا قَالَ هَذَا رَبِّي فَلَمَّا أَفَلَ قَالَ لا أُحِبُّ الآفِلِينَ ۔ فَلَمَّا رَأَى الْقَمَرَ بَازِغًا قَالَ هَذَا رَبِّي فَلَمَّا أَفَلَ قَالَ لَئِنْ لَمْ يَهْدِنِي رَبِّي لأكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ الضَّالِّينَ ۔ فَلَمَّا رَأَى الشَّمْسَ بَازِغَةً قَالَ هَذَا رَبِّي هَذَا أَكْبَرُ فَلَمَّا أَفَلَتْ قَالَ يَا قَوْمِ إِنِّي بَرِيءٌ مِمَّا تُشْرِكُونَ ۔ إِنِّي وَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِيَ لِلَّذِي فَطَرَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأرْضَ حَنِيفًا وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ

006.074 Lo! Abraham said to his father Azar: “Takest thou idols for gods? For I see thee and thy people in manifest error.” 006.075 So also did We show Abraham the power and the laws of the heavens and the earth, that he might (with understanding) have certitude. 006.076 When the night covered him over, He saw a star: He said: “This is my Lord.” But when it set, He said: “I love not those that set.” 006.077 When he saw the moon rising in splendour, he said: “This is my Lord.” But when the moon set, He said: “unless my Lord guide me, I shall surely be among those who go astray.” 006.078 When he saw the sun rising in splendour, he said: “This is my Lord; this is the greatest (of all).” But when the sun set, he said: “O my people! I am indeed free from your (guilt) of giving partners to Allah. 006.079 “For me, I have set my face, firmly and truly, towards Him Who created the heavens and the earth, and never shall I give partners to Allah.” Al-Qur’an, 006.074-079 (Al-Anaam [Cattle, Livestock])

In response to Abraham’s prayer and for his entire satisfaction in belief, the Lord demonstrated to him how the dead ones will be resurrected to life:

وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ رَبِّ أَرِنِي كَيْفَ تُحْيِ الْمَوْتَى قَالَ أَوَلَمْ تُؤْمِنْ قَالَ بَلَى وَلَكِنْ لِيَطْمَئِنَّ قَلْبِي قَالَ فَخُذْ أَرْبَعَةً مِنَ الطَّيْرِ فَصُرْهُنَّ إِلَيْكَ ثُمَّ اجْعَلْ عَلَى كُلِّ جَبَلٍ مِنْهُنَّ جُزْءًا ثُمَّ ادْعُهُنَّ يَأْتِينَكَ سَعْيًا وَاعْلَمْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ

002.260 When Abraham said: “Show me, Lord, how You will raise the dead, ” He replied: “Have you no faith?” He said “Yes, but just to reassure my heart.” Allah said, “Take four birds, draw them to you, and cut their bodies to pieces. Scatter them over the mountain-tops, then call them back. They will come swiftly to you. Know that Allah is Mighty, Wise.” Al-Qur’an, 002.258-260 (Al-Baqara [The Cow])

Abraham had, therefore, set his face firmly and truly towards the Lord from his early childhood, and never associated any partners with Him. Even Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was advised by the Lord to follow the pattern of Abraham, to declare :

قل إِنَّ صَلاتِي وَنُسُكِي وَمَحْيَايَ وَمَمَاتِي لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ

Say “Truly, my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death, are (all) for Allah, the Cherisher of the Worlds: Al-Qur’an, 006.162 (Al-Anaam [Cattle, Livestock])

Abraham, therefore, was devoutly obedient to Allah:

إِنَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ كَانَ أُمَّةً قَانِتًا لِلَّهِ حَنِيفًا وَلَمْ يَكُ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ

016.120 Abraham was indeed a model, devoutly obedient to Allah, (and) true in Faith, and he joined not gods with Allah: Al-Qur’an, 016.120 (An-Nahl [The Bee])

The response of Abraham to the commandment of the Lord is shown by the Qur’an in the following verse:

إِذْ قَالَ لَهُ رَبُّهُ أَسْلِمْ قَالَ أَسْلَمْتُ لِرَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ

002.131 Behold! his Lord said to him: “Bow (thy will to Me):” He said: “I bow (my will) to the Lord and Cherisher of the Universe.” Al-Qur’an, 002.131 (Al-Baqara [The Cow])

We find that throughout his life, Abraham submitted all his comforts, wishes, and everything else in life to the will of the Lord. The sacrifice of Ishmael was only a part of the overall self sacrifice of Abraham before the Lord. He was extremely steadfast in his religion, as certified by the Qur’an:

شَرَعَ لَكُمْ مِنَ الدِّينِ مَا وَصَّى بِهِ نُوحًا وَالَّذِي أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ وَمَا وَصَّيْنَا بِهِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمُوسَى وَعِيسَى أَنْ أَقِيمُوا الدِّينَ وَلا تَتَفَرَّقُوا فِيهِ كَبُرَ عَلَى الْمُشْرِكِينَ مَا تَدْعُوهُمْ إِلَيْهِ اللَّهُ يَجْتَبِي إِلَيْهِ مَنْ يَشَاءُ وَيَهْدِي إِلَيْهِ مَنْ يُنِيبُ

042.013 The same religion has He established for you as that which He enjoined on Noah – the which We have sent by inspiration to thee – and that which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: Namely, that ye should remain steadfast in religion, and make no divisions therein: to those who worship other things than Allah, hard is the (way) to which thou callest them. Allah chooses to Himself those whom He pleases, and guides to Himself those who turn (to Him). Al-Qur’an, 042.013 (Ash-Shura [Council, Consultation])

Abraham declared that there were no partners with Allah, and He was a pure Muslim, as we find in the following:

The legacy of Abraham was, therefore, to be a staunch Muslim, as we find in the verse:

وَوَصَّى بِهَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بَنِيهِ وَيَعْقُوبُ يَا بَنِيَّ إِنَّ اللَّهَ اصْطَفَى لَكُمُ الدِّينَ فَلا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلا وَأَنْتُمْ مُسْلِمُونَ

002.132 And this was the legacy that Abraham left to his sons, and so did Jacob; “Oh my sons! Allah hath chosen the Faith for you; then die not except in the Faith of Islam.” Al-Qur’an, 002.132 (Al-Baqara [The Cow])

The faith of Abraham, therefore, culminates in Islam; and his main legacy was the religion of Islam i.e. the absolute submission to the will of the Lord for the mankind.

(2) Worship no one Except Allah (the God)

Abraham had absolute faith in the one and the only Lord of the universe, and he hated to worship anyone except Him. He, therefore, declared effectively:

لا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَبِذَلِكَ أُمِرْتُ وَأَنَا أَوَّلُ الْمُسْلِمِينَ

006.163 No partner hath He: this am I commanded, and I am the first of those who bow to His will. Al-Qur’an, 006.163 (Al-Anaam [Cattle, Livestock])

وَإِبْرَاهِيمَ إِذْ قَالَ لِقَوْمِهِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَاتَّقُوهُ ذَلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ ۔ إِنَّمَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ أَوْثَانًا وَتَخْلُقُونَ إِفْكًا إِنَّ الَّذِينَ تَعْبُدُونَ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ لا يَمْلِكُونَ لَكُمْ رِزْقًا فَابْتَغُوا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ الرِّزْقَ وَاعْبُدُوهُ وَاشْكُرُوا لَهُ إِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ

029.016 And (We also saved) Abraham: behold, he said to his people, “Serve Allah and fear Him: that will be best for you- If ye understand! 029.017 “For ye do worship idols besides Allah, and ye invent falsehood. The things that ye worship besides Allah have no power to give you sustenance: then seek ye sustenance from Allah, serve Him, and be grateful to Him: to Him will be your return. Al-Qur’an, 029.016-017 (Al-Ankaboot [The Spider])

To his father and people, he said:

قَالَ أَفَتَعْبُدُونَ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ مَا لا يَنْفَعُكُمْ شَيْئًا وَلا يَضُرُّكُمْ ۔ أُفٍّ لَكُمْ وَلِمَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ أَفَلا تَعْقِلُونَ

021.066 (Abraham) said, “Do ye then worship, besides Allah, things that can neither be of any good to you nor do you harm? 021.067 “Fie upon you, and upon the things that ye worship besides Allah! Have ye no sense?”..

Al-Qur’an, 021.066-067 (Al-Anbiya [The Prophets])

To his father, Abraham said:

إِذْ قَالَ لأبِيهِ يَا أَبَتِ لِمَ تَعْبُدُ مَا لا يَسْمَعُ وَلا يُبْصِرُ وَلا يُغْنِي عَنْكَ شَيْئًا

019.042 Behold, he said to his father: “O my father! why worship that which heareth not and seeth not, and can profit thee nothing? Al-Qur’an, 019.042 (Maryam [Mary])

The address is continued as under:

يَا أَبَتِ لا تَعْبُدِ الشَّيْطَانَ إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ كَانَ لِلرَّحْمَنِ عَصِيًّا ۔ يَا أَبَتِ إِنِّي أَخَافُ أَنْ يَمَسَّكَ عَذَابٌ مِنَ الرَّحْمَنِ فَتَكُونَ لِلشَّيْطَانِ وَلِيًّا

019.044 “O my father! serve not Satan: for Satan is a rebel against (Allah) Most Gracious. 019.045 “O my father! I fear lest a Penalty afflict thee from (Allah) Most Gracious, so that thou become to Satan a friend.”

وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ لأبِيهِ وَقَوْمِهِ إِنَّنِي بَرَاءٌ مِمَّا تَعْبُدُونَ ۔ إِلا الَّذِي فَطَرَنِي فَإِنَّهُ سَيَهْدِينِ

043.026 Behold! Abraham said to his father and his people: “I do indeed clear myself of what ye worship: 043.027 “(I worship) only Him Who made me, and He will certainly guide me.” Al-Qur’an, 043.026-027 (Az-Zukhruf [Ornaments of Gold, Luxury])

To save himself and his descendants from idolatry, Abraham while rebuilding Kaaba prayed to the Lord as under:

وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ رَبِّ اجْعَلْ هَذَا الْبَلَدَ آمِنًا وَاجْنُبْنِي وَبَنِيَّ أَنْ نَعْبُدَ الأصْنَامَ

014.035 Remember Abraham said: “O my Lord! make this city one of peace and security: and preserve me and my sons from worshipping idols.

Al-Qur’an, 014.035 (Ibrahim [Abraham])

(3) Allah: the Omnipotent, Creator of the Universe

It was the firm belief of Abraham that Allah alone was the creator of all the worlds. The Qur’an has quoted him saying to the idolaters as under:

وَاللَّهُ خَلَقَكُمْ وَمَا تَعْمَلُونَ

037.096 “But Allah has created you and your handwork!” Al-Qur’an, 037.096 (As-Saaffat)

He has further reported having said:

قَالَ بَل رَبُّكُمْ رَبُّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأرْضِ الَّذِي فَطَرَهُنَّ وَأَنَا عَلَى ذَلِكُمْ مِنَ الشَّاهِدِينَ

021.056 He said, “Nay, your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, He Who created them (from nothing): and I am a witness to this (Truth). Al-Qur’an, 021.056 (Al-Anbiya [The Prophets])

He believed that the Lord was All-powerful and Exalted in Might, so he prayed to Him:

رَبَّنَا لا تَجْعَلْنَا فِتْنَةً لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا رَبَّنَا إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ

060.005 “Our Lord! Make us not a (test and) trial for the Unbelievers, but forgive us, our Lord! for Thou art the Exalted in Might, the Wise.” Al-Qur’an, 060.005 (Al-Mumtahina [She that is to be Examined, Examining Her])

(4) Allah: the sole Sustainer, the Guide, and the Savior

He also had the following belief:

وَالَّذِي هُوَ يُطْعِمُنِي وَيَسْقِينِ ۔ وَإِذَا مَرِضْتُ فَهُوَ يَشْفِينِ ۔ وَالَّذِي يُمِيتُنِي ثُمَّ يُحْيِينِ ۔ وَالَّذِي أَطْمَعُ أَنْ يَغْفِرَ لِي خَطِيئَتِي يَوْمَ الدِّينِ ۔ رَبِّ هَبْ لِي حُكْمًا وَأَلْحِقْنِي بِالصَّالِحِينَ ۔ وَاجْعَلْ لِي لِسَانَ صِدْقٍ فِي الآخِرِينَ ۔ وَاجْعَلْنِي مِنْ وَرَثَةِ جَنَّةِ النَّعِيمِ ۔ وَاغْفِرْ لأبِي إِنَّهُ كَانَ مِنَ الضَّالِّينَ ۔ وَلا تُخْزِنِي يَوْمَ يُبْعَثُونَ ۔ يَوْمَ لا يَنْفَعُ مَالٌ وَلا بَنُونَ ۔ إِلا مَنْ أَتَى اللَّهَ بِقَلْبٍ سَلِيمٍ

026.079 “Who gives me food and drink, 026.080 “And when I am ill, it is He Who cures me; 026.081 “Who will cause me to die, and then to life (again); 026.082 “And who, I hope, will forgive me my faults on the day of Judgment. 026.083 “O my Lord! bestow wisdom on me, and join me with the righteous; 026.084 “Grant me honourable mention on the tongue of truth among the latest (generations); 026.085 “Make me one of the inheritors of the Garden of Bliss; 026.086 “Forgive my father, for that he is among those astray; 026.087 “And let me not be in disgrace on the Day when (men) will be raised up;- 026.088 “The Day whereon neither wealth nor sons will avail, 026.089 “But only he (will prosper) that brings to Allah a sound heart; Al-Qur’an, 026.079-089 (Ash-Shuara [The Poets])

He also believed that only those people will be saved who adopt the right path towards the Lord:

الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَلَمْ يَلْبِسُوا إِيمَانَهُمْ بِظُلْمٍ أُولَئِكَ لَهُمُ الأمْنُ وَهُمْ مُهْتَدُونَ

006.082 “It is those who believe and confuse not their beliefs with wrong – that are (truly) in security, for they are on (right) guidance.” Al-Qur’an, 006.082 (Al-Anaam [Cattle, Livestock])

(5) Allah is Full of Knowledge and Wisdom

He believed as under:

رَبَّنَا إِنَّكَ تَعْلَمُ مَا نُخْفِي وَمَا نُعْلِنُ وَمَا يَخْفَى عَلَى اللَّهِ مِنْ شَيْءٍ فِي الأرْضِ وَلا فِي السَّمَاءِ

014.038 “O our Lord! truly Thou dost know what we conceal and what we reveal: for nothing whatever is hidden from Allah, whether on earth or in heaven. Al-Qur’an, 014.038 (Ibrahim [Abraham])

(6) Allah Hears the Supplications of His Slaves

Abraham had a firm belief that the God accepts the prayers of his subjects, forgives their sins, and rewards the good deeds. When he and Ishmael were raising the foundations of Kaaba, he prayed to the Lord as under:

وَإِذْ يَرْفَعُ إِبْرَاهِيمُ الْقَوَاعِدَ مِنَ الْبَيْتِ وَإِسْمَاعِيلُ رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ

002.127 And remember Abraham and Isma’il raised the foundations of the House (With this prayer): “Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us: For Thou art the All-Hearing, the All-knowing. Al-Qur’an, 002.127 (Al-Baqara [The Cow])

God praised Abraham as under:

إِنَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ كَانَ أُمَّةً قَانِتًا لِلَّهِ حَنِيفًا وَلَمْ يَكُ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ ۔ شَاكِرًا لأنْعُمِهِ اجْتَبَاهُ وَهَدَاهُ إِلَى صِرَاطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ ۔ وَآتَيْنَاهُ فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَإِنَّهُ فِي الآخِرَةِ لَمِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ

016.120 Abraham was indeed a model, devoutly obedient to Allah, (and) true in Faith, and he joined not gods with Allah: 016.121 He showed his gratitude for the favours of Allah, who chose him, and guided him to a Straight Way. 016.122 And We gave him Good in this world, and he will be, in the Hereafter, in the ranks of the Righteous. Al-Qur’an, 016.120-122 (An-Nahl [The Bee])

He also thanked and praised the Lord as under:

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي وَهَبَ لِي عَلَى الْكِبَرِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِسْحَاقَ إِنَّ رَبِّي لَسَمِيعُ الدُّعَاءِ

014.039 “Praise be to Allah, Who hath granted unto me in old age Isma’il and Isaac: for truly my Lord is He, the Hearer of Prayer! Al-Qur’an, 014.039 (Ibrahim [Abraham])

(7) God is Most Gracious; No Despair from His Mercy

Abraham said to his father:

قَالَ سَلامٌ عَلَيْكَ سَأَسْتَغْفِرُ لَكَ رَبِّي إِنَّهُ كَانَ بِي حَفِيًّا

019.047 Abraham said: “Peace be on thee: I will pray to my Lord for thy forgiveness: for He is to me Most Gracious. Al-Qur’an, 019.047 (Maryam [Mary])

He also declared that:

قَالَ وَمَنْ يَقْنَطُ مِنْ رَحْمَةِ رَبِّهِ إِلا الضَّالُّونَ

015.056 He said: “And who despairs of the mercy of his Lord, but such as go astray?” Al-Qur’an, 015.056 (Al-Hijr [Al-Hijr, Stoneland, Rocky City])

(8) Believing Servant, Fulfilling His Commitment

Abraham was undoubtedly the believing servant of the Lord, as certified by God Himself:

إِنَّهُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا الْمُؤْمِنِينَ

037.111 For he was one of our believing Servants. Al-Qur’an, 037.111 (As-Saaffat [Those who set the Ranks, Drawn Up in Ranks])

God also said about Abraham in the following words:

وَإِبْرَاهِيمَ الَّذِي وَفَّى

053.037 And of Abraham who fulfilled his engagements?- Al-Qur’an, 053.037 (An-Najm [The Star])

(9) No One Will Bear the Burden of Another

Abraham had a firm belief that everyone would have to account for his own deeds, and no one else would bear the burden of another, as is evident from the following verses:

تِلْكَ أُمَّةٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ لَهَا مَا كَسَبَتْ وَلَكُمْ مَا كَسَبْتُمْ وَلا تُسْأَلُونَ عَمَّا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ

That was a people that hath passed away. They shall reap the fruit of what they did, and ye of what ye do! Of their merits there is no question in your case! Al-Qur’an, 002.134 (Al-Baqara [The Cow])

We also find the following verse:

أَلا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِزْرَ أُخْرَى

053.038 Namely, that no bearer of burdens can bear the burden of another;

Al-Qur’an, 053.038 (An-Najm [The Star])

(10) Lord is the Oft-Forgiving, and the Only Saviour

رَبَّنَا وَاجْعَلْنَا مُسْلِمَيْنِ لَكَ وَمِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِنَا أُمَّةً مُسْلِمَةً لَكَ وَأَرِنَا مَنَاسِكَنَا وَتُبْ عَلَيْنَا إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ

002.128 “Our Lord! make of us Muslims, bowing to Thy (Will), and of our progeny a people Muslim, bowing to Thy (will); and show us our place for the celebration of (due) rites; and turn unto us (in Mercy); for Thou art the Oft-Returning, Most Merciful. Al-Qur’an, 002.128 (Al-Baqara [The Cow])

We also find Abraham praying to the Lord in the following words:

وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ رَبِّ اجْعَلْ هَذَا الْبَلَدَ آمِنًا وَاجْنُبْنِي وَبَنِيَّ أَنْ نَعْبُدَ الأصْنَامَ ۔ رَبِّ إِنَّهُنَّ أَضْلَلْنَ كَثِيرًا مِنَ النَّاسِ فَمَنْ تَبِعَنِي فَإِنَّهُ مِنِّي وَمَنْ عَصَانِي فَإِنَّكَ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ

014.035 Remember Abraham said: “O my Lord! make this city one of peace and security: and preserve me and my sons from worshipping idols. 014.036 “O my Lord! they have indeed led astray many among mankind; He then who follows my (ways) is of me, and he that disobeys me,- but Thou art indeed Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. Al-Qur’an, 014.035-036 (Ibrahim [Abraham])

(11) Abraham; a Believing Servant, Steadfast in Religion

Almighty Allah tells us that Abraham was a truly believing servant:

إِنَّهُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا الْمُؤْمِنِينَ

037.111 For he was one of our believing Servants.

Al-Qur’an, 037.111 (As-Saaffat [Those who set the Ranks, Drawn Up in Ranks])

He also believed that the God’s word endures:

وَجَعَلَهَا كَلِمَةً بَاقِيَةً فِي عَقِبِهِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ

043.028 And he left it as a Word to endure among those who came after him, that they may turn back (to Allah). Al-Qur’an, 043.028 (Az-Zukhruf [Ornaments of Gold, Luxury])

We find that Abraham was a devout servant of the Lord, he fought against the idolatry of his family, his father, and the people at Ur. He boldly faced the king of Ur, and did not care even for his life. The king threw him into the fire, but the Lord saved him miraculously, as we find in the Qur’an:

قُلْنَا يَا نَارُ كُونِي بَرْدًا وَسَلامًا عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ

021.069 We said, “O Fire! be thou cool, and (a means of) safety for Abraham!”

Al-Qur’an, 021.069 (Al-Anbiya [The Prophets])

God tells us that He established for Prophet Muhammad (PBUH ) the same religion as that of Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, so that the Prophet should remain steadfast in religion following the way of the said prophets:

Abraham also advised the people to serve Allah and fear Him alone:

وَإِبْرَاهِيمَ إِذْ قَالَ لِقَوْمِهِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَاتَّقُوهُ ذَلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

029.016 And (We also saved) Abraham: behold, he said to his people, “Serve Allah and fear Him: that will be best for you- If ye understand! Al-Qur’an, 029.016 (Al-Ankaboot [The Spider])

Abraham proclaimed the message of hereafter:

إِنَّا أَخْلَصْنَاهُمْ بِخَالِصَةٍ ذِكْرَى الدَّارِ

038.046 Verily We did choose them for a special (purpose)- proclaiming the Message of the Hereafter. Al-Qur’an, 038.046 (Sad [The Letter Sad])

He also told the people that those who reject faith shall soon be driven to the torment of fire, as we find hereunder:

وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ رَبِّ اجْعَلْ هَذَا بَلَدًا آمِنًا وَارْزُقْ أَهْلَهُ مِنَ الثَّمَرَاتِ مَنْ آمَنَ مِنْهُمْ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ قَالَ وَمَنْ كَفَرَ فَأُمَتِّعُهُ قَلِيلا ثُمَّ أَضْطَرُّهُ إِلَى عَذَابِ النَّارِ وَبِئْسَ الْمَصِيرُ

002.126 And remember Abraham said: “My Lord, make this a City of Peace, and feed its people with fruits,-such of them as believe in Allah and the Last Day.” He said: “(Yea), and such as reject Faith,-for a while will I grant them their pleasure, but will soon drive them to the torment of Fire,- an evil destination (indeed)!” Al-Qur’an, 002.126 (Al-Baqara [The Cow])

God tells us that the faith of Abraham contained the following:

قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَنْ تَزَكَّى ۔ وَذَكَرَ اسْمَ رَبِّهِ فَصَلَّى ۔ بَلْ تُؤْثِرُونَ الْحَيَاةَ الدُّنْيَا ۔ وَالآخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَى

087.014 But those will prosper who purify themselves, 087.015 And glorify the name of their Guardian-Lord, and (lift their hearts) in prayer. 087.016 Nay (behold), ye prefer the life of this world; 087.017 But the Hereafter is better and more enduring. Al-Qur’an, 087.014-017 (Al-Ala [The Most High, Glory to your Lord in The Highest])

In the case of the people of Lut, we find the verdict of the Lord in the following words:

يَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ أَعْرِضْ عَنْ هَذَا إِنَّهُ قَدْ جَاءَ أَمْرُ رَبِّكَ وَإِنَّهُمْ آتِيهِمْ عَذَابٌ غَيْرُ مَرْدُودٍ

011.076 O Abraham! Seek not this. The decree of thy Lord hath gone forth: for them there cometh a penalty that cannot be turned back! Al-Qur’an, 011.076 (Hud [Hud])

In an earlier Sura, we also find the God’s word as reproduced hereunder:

أَلَمْ يَأْتِهِمْ نَبَأُ الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ قَوْمِ نُوحٍ وَعَادٍ وَثَمُودَ وَقَوْمِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَأَصْحَابِ مَدْيَنَ وَالْمُؤْتَفِكَاتِ أَتَتْهُمْ رُسُلُهُمْ بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ فَمَا كَانَ اللَّهُ لِيَظْلِمَهُمْ وَلَكِنْ كَانُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ

009.070 Hath not the story reached them of those before them?- the People of Noah, and ‘Ad, and Thamud; the People of Abraham, the men of Midian, and the cities overthrown. To them came their messengers with clear signs. It is not Allah Who wrongs them, but they wrong their own souls. Al-Qur’an, 009.070 (At-Tawba [Repentance, Dispensation])

(12) The Covenant and the Way of Abraham

God had taken covenant from all the prophets, as under:

وَإِذْ أَخَذْنَا مِنَ النَّبِيِّينَ مِيثَاقَهُمْ وَمِنْكَ وَمِنْ نُوحٍ وَإِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمُوسَى وَعِيسَى ابْنِ مَرْيَمَ وَأَخَذْنَا مِنْهُمْ مِيثَاقًا غَلِيظًا

033.007 And remember We took from the prophets their covenant: As (We did) from thee: from Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus the son of Mary: We took from them a solemn covenant: Al-Qur’an, 033.007 (Al-Ahzab [The Clans, the Coalition, the Combined Forces])

Before Prophet Muhamamd (), it was only Abraham about whom God said:

وَإِبْرَاهِيمَ الَّذِي وَفَّى

053.037 And of Abraham who fulfilled his engagements?- Al-Qur’an, 053.037 (An-Najm [The Star])

He was, therefore, made the امام الناس and خلیل اللہ and addressed with many other epithets. God eulogized him to the utmost and showed him saying ‘our Lord in thee do we trust and to thee we turn in repentance, to thee is our final goal’. God, therefore, said that there was an excellent example in Abraham to follow him, and all the prophets including Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his followers were advised to follow Abraham, as we find in the words of the Qur’an produced hereunder:

قَدْ كَانَتْ لَكُمْ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ فِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَالَّذِينَ مَعَهُ إِذْ قَالُوا لِقَوْمِهِمْ إِنَّا بُرَآءُ مِنْكُمْ وَمِمَّا تَعْبُدُونَ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ كَفَرْنَا بِكُمْ وَبَدَا بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمُ الْعَدَاوَةُ وَالْبَغْضَاءُ أَبَدًا حَتَّى تُؤْمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَحْدَهُ إِلا قَوْلَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ لأبِيهِ لأسْتَغْفِرَنَّ لَكَ وَمَا أَمْلِكُ لَكَ مِنَ اللَّهِ مِنْ شَيْءٍ رَبَّنَا عَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْنَا وَإِلَيْكَ أَنَبْنَا وَإِلَيْكَ الْمَصِيرُ

060.004 There is for you an excellent example (to follow) in Abraham and those with him, when they said to their people: “We are clear of you and of whatever ye worship besides Allah: we have rejected you, and there has arisen, between us and you, enmity and hatred for ever,- unless ye believe in Allah and Him alone”: But not when Abraham said to his father: “I will pray for forgiveness for thee, though I have no power (to get) aught on thy behalf from Allah.” (They prayed): “Our Lord! in Thee do we trust, and to Thee do we turn in repentance: to Thee is (our) Final Goal. Al-Qur’an, 060.004 (Al-Mumtahina [She that is to be Examined, Examining Her])

Although the references given above are not exhaustive from the point of view of the Qur’an nor from the traditions in Islam, yet they suffice to a great extent to provide the essence of belief of all the people of God at all the times in the world.