Prophet Ibrahim

2. In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful Prophet Ibrahim (May Peace be Upon Him) The father of the Prophets

3. The Possible Lineage of Prophet Ibrahim

4. The Birth of a Great Prophet • Ibrahim was born in a house of idolaters • He was born in the kingdom of Babylon in ancient Mesopotamia, which is now Iraq • His father, Azar was a well known idol sculptor • His people worshipped idols • As a young child, Ibrahim used to watch his father sculpting idols from stones or wood. When his father was done with them, Ibrahim would use them as toys, riding on their backs, and kicking them at times. Then after a while, he would see these same statues in the temple, and people prostrating in front of them! Ibrahim asked his father: "Why do you take these toys to the temple?" His father said: "They are statues that represent our gods. We worship them, we ask favors from them, and we offer them presents." Ibrahim's mind rejected this idea, and he felt a disgust towards the idols.

5. In search for the Truth • Time went by, and Ibrahim became a young man. • He still could not believe that his people were worshipping the statues. • He laughed whenever he saw them entering the temple, lowering their heads, silently offering the statues the best of their food, crying and asking forgiveness from them. • He even started feeling angry towards his people, because they could not realize that these are only stones that could neither benefit nor harm them. • He believed they could not be gods, they have no power. God is Greater than what his people were worshipping. God is the Most Powerful, Most Magnificent.

6. One night, Ibrahim went up to the mountain, leaned against a rock, and looked up to the sky. He saw a shining star, and told his people: "Could this be my Lord?" But when it set he said: "I don't like those that set." The star has disappeared, it could not be God. God is always present. • Then he saw the moon rising in splendor and told them: "Could this be my Lord?" But it also set. • At daybreak, he saw the sun rising and said: "Could this be my Lord, this is bigger?" But when the sun set he said: "O my people I am free from all that you join as partners with Allah! I have turned my face towards Him Who created the heavens and the earth, and never shall I give partners to Allah." Our Lord is the Creator of the heavens and the earth and everything. He has the power to make the stars rise and set. Ibrahim then heard Allah calling him: "O Ibrahim!" Ibrahim said trembling: "Here I am O my Lord!" "Submit to Me! Be a Muslim!" Ibrahim fell on the ground, prostrating and crying, he said: "I submit to the Lord of the universe!" Ibrahim kept prostrating until night came again. He got up and went back to his home, in peace, full of conviction that Allah has guided him to the Truth.

7. Ibrahim invites his father to Islam • A new life started for Ibrahim • His mission now was to call his people to the Truth • He would start with his father who was the closest person to him, and whom he loved so much • He said to him in the softest and kindest voice: "O father! Why do you worship that which doesn't hear, doesn't see, and cannot avail you in anything? O father, I have got knowledge which you have not, so follow me. I will guide you to a straight path.“ • His father replied angrily: "Do you reject my gods, O Ibrahim? If you don't stop I will stone you. Get away from me before I punish you." • Ibrahim said: "Peace be on you! I will ask forgiveness of my Lord for you."

8. This incident has been eloquently portrayed in Surah Maryam: "Also mention in the book (the story of) Ibrahim. He was a most truthful messenger. Behold, he said to his father, "O my father! Why do you worship that which does not hear, see nor can it profit you anything. O beloved father! Knowledge which has not reached you has come to me. Therefore follow me. I will guide you to the straight path. O my father! Do not worship satan. Indeed satan is a rebel against Allah the Most Gracious. O beloved father! I fear that a punishment from the Most Gracious may afflict you so that you will become a friend of Satan." He (the father) replied, "Do you turn away from my gods, O Ibrahim? If you do not refrain, I will undoubtedly stone you. Leave me alone for a long while."Ibrahim said, "Peace be upon you. I will seek forgiveness for you from my Sustainer. He is most gracious to me. I am leaving you and those who you invoke besides Allah. I supplicate to my Sustainer. Perhaps I will not be wretched by supplicating to Him." (19:41-48) In Surah 'Araaf, Ibrahim's advice to his father is mentioned thus: When Ibrahim said to his father Aazar, "Do you take idols as your gods? I regard you and your people in manifest misguidance." (6:74)

9. Ibrahim confronts his people and rejects their idols • Ibrahim lost hope to convert his father to the right path • He started to direct his efforts towards the people of the town, but • they rejected his call and threatened him. • The Quran says: "They had hearts but they do not understand by them. They possess eyes by which they do not see and ears wherewith they do not hear. They are like animals, nay more misguided. They are negligent." (7:179)

10. By Allah, he said “I shall plot a plan to destroy their idols.” • He knew that a big celebration was coming soon, where everybody would leave town for a big feast on the riverbank • To get out of going to the festival, he told his people that he was sick • In the Quran it says, Very shortly thereafter the people had an auspicious day of celebration. When they began departing, some of them invited Ibrahim (Alaihis salaam) to join them. At first he refused, but when they insisted, he gazed up at the stars and said: "I am not feeling too well." (37:89) • After making sure that nobody was left in town, Ibrahim went towards the temple armed with an ax. • Statues of all shapes and sizes were sitting there adorned with decorations. Plates of food were offered to them, but the food was untouched. "Well, why don't you eat? The food is getting cold." He said to the statues, joking • Then with his ax he destroyed all the statues except one, the biggest of them. He hung the ax around its neck and left.

11. How big was the shock when the people entered the temple! They gathered inside watching in awe their gods broken in pieces. They wondered who might have done this? Then they all remembered that the young Ibrahim was talking evil of their idols. They brought him to the temple and asked him: "Are you the one who has done this to our gods?" Ibrahim said: "No, this statue, the biggest of them has done it. Ask them if they can speak." "You know well that these idols don't speak!" They said impatiently. "Then how come you worship things that can neither speak nor see, nor even fend for themselves? Have you lost your minds?" They kept silent for a while, for he got a point there. Their minds and their senses were telling them that the Truth is with Ibrahim, but their pride prevented them to accept it, and reject the idols they were worshipping for generations. This they thought would be total defeat. They started yelling at him and shouting: "Burn him! Burn him! Take revenge for your gods !"

12. The Miracle: Allah saves Ibrahim from the fire. The decision to burn Ibrahim to death was affirmed by the and the king of Babylon, Nimrod. The news spread like a fire in the kingdom, and people were coming from all places to watch the execution. A huge pit was dug up and a large quantity of wood was piled up. Then the biggest fire people ever witnessed was lit. The fire flames were so high up in the sky that the birds could not fly over it for fear of being burned ! Ibrahim's hands and feet were chained, and he was put in a catapult to throw him into the fire. At that time, Angel Jibreel came to him and said: "O Ibrahim! Is there anything you wish for?" Ibrahim could have asked to be saved from the fire, to be taken away, but no, he said: "I only wish that Allah be pleased with me." The catapult was released, and Ibrahim was thrown in the heart of the fire. But Allah would not allow His Prophet to be killed, He ordered the fire: "O fire! Be coolness and safety for Ibrahim!" And the miracle happened. The fire obeyed and burned only his chains. Ibrahim came out from it as if he was coming out from a garden, peaceful, his face illuminated, and not a trace of smoke on his clothes. People watched in shock and said: "Amazing ! Ibrahim' s God has saved him from the fire!"

13. Invitation to the KingIn that era the kings of Iraq used to be known as Namrud. He not only used to be the king but called himself the Rabb (Sustainer) and Owner of the people. The subjects also regarded him as a god. They worshipped him as they worshipped the other idols. In fact they accorded him much more respect because he had intelligence and was on the throne. When Namrud was apprised of the situation, he became enraged. He realized that if Ibrahim (Alaihis salaam) continued propagating, it would make all the subjects rebel against his godhood and authority. Together with the demise of the religion of the forefathers, it could spell an end to his kingdom. Thus it was essential to terminate the matter from the very beginning. While pondering over it, he issued the command for Ibrahim (Alaihis salaam) to be brought before him.

14. When he was brought to the royal court, Namrud asked him why he was opposing the religion of the forefathers and why he did not accept him (Namrud) as a god. Ibrahim (Alaihis salaam) replied that he was the worshipper of one Almighty and he could not ascribe any partners to him. The entire universe was His creation and He was the creator and owner of everything. He told Namrud that he (Namrud) was an ordinary human being like all the others. How could he then be a god? How can these deaf and dumb wooden idols be god? Ibrahim (Alaihis salaam) reiterated that he was on the correct path while the others were astray. How could he then discard propagating the truth and accept the man-made religion of the predecessors? Namrud then asked Ibrahim (Alaihis salaam) that if there was a god besides him, he should describe some power of his which he (Namrud) does not have. Ibrahim (Alaihis salaam) replied: "My Sustainer is the one who controls life and death." Namrud retorted that he also had control over life and death. He immediately ordered an innocent person to be killed by the royal executioner. Then he freed a prisoner who was on death row. He turned his attention to Ibrahim (Alaihis salaam) and said: "Did you see how I can also give life and death?“ Ibrahim (Alaihis salaam) realised that Namrud either did not understand the reality of life and death or he was trying to mislead the masses. Giving life does not mean saving one from death but it means bringing a non-entity into existence. Similarly, to kill someone does not imply the giving of death. Granting death means removing the soul of a being and having control of that soul. Ibrahim (Alaihis salaam) realised that it was fruitless to dispute this point as Namrud would succeed in deceiving the people. Ibrahim's aim at this point was to explain the unity and power of Allah. He therefore chose another manner for explaining. He presented such a proof which a person observes daily. There was no need for any logical proofs to drive the point home. Ibrahim (Alaihis salaam) said: "Indeed Allah brings the sun from the east. You bring it from the west." Namrud was dumbfounded. He had no reply to this challenge.

15. The reason why he was left speechless was that Ibrahim (Alaihis salaam) explained his belief in the power of the Creator. He is the one that created the entire universe and its system. Everything functions according to His will to such an extent that nothing can move before its appointed time nor can anything be displaced. Examine the sun in this whole system and you will see how much the earth benefits from it. With all that, Allah has ordained a system of rising and setting for it. If the sun desires to go out of this system, it cannot do so because its reins lie in the control of the Almighty and He does only what His wisdom desires. Thus Namrud had only three possible ways of replying. He could have claimed to have full control over the sun and its entire system. However he did not proffer this answer because he himself did not believe that he controlled the sun. The second reply could have been that he did not regard the world to be the creation of anyone and he believed the sun to be a deity. Had he presented this belief, Ibrahim (Alaihis salaam) would have objected by explaining the fact that the sun undergoes more changes than the worshippers themselves. How can a deity undergo so many changes? Can the sun rise and set before its appointed time? The third possibility was that he accept Ibrahim's challenge and bring the sun from the west. However, because he had no possible answer to this challenge, he was left speechless. Allah has briefly mentioned this incident in Surah Baqarah. (2:258) Ibrahim (Alaihis salaam) firstly invited his father to Islam, gave him the true message and showed him the straight path. Thereafter he propagated the message to the masses. He clarified the truth to them in a clear and decisive manner. Finally he had a debate with Namrud in which he gave a detailed exposition of the unity and power of Allah. The greatest of kings do not have the right to claim godhood. In spite of Namrud, Aazar and the majority realising the truth of Ibrahim's message and in fact openly admitting it after the incident of the idols, none accepted the straight path. On the contrary, due to their remorse and disgrace, they became agitated and unanimously decided to punish Ibrahim (Alaihis salaam) by hurling him into the fire. The punishment for blasphemy and disgracing their idols could not be anything less than the fire. Retribution could only be taken for the deities in this manner.

16. Ibrahim's Uneasiness for the Guidance of his people Ibrahim's agitation for guiding his nation can be well estimated from the foregoing lines. Which proofs did he omit in trying to present the truth? Firstly he explained the matter to his father, Aazar. Then he presented the truth before the majority. Finally he debated Namrud, thereby fulfilling the manifestation of the truth in the best possible manner. He urged them every minute that none was worthy of worship besides the One Creator. The result of idol-worship and star-worship was nothing but destruction and disgrace. Thus it was essential to refrain from polytheism and revert to the straight path. The foundation of this path was unity of the Almighty. The wretched nation did not accept the message of guidance. Besides Sarah (Alaihas salaam) and Lut (Alaihis salaam), no one else embraced the faith. The entire nation agreed to burn him in the fire. When Allah saved him from the fire and disgraced his nation, he decided to migrate to another place to continue his mission of propagating the truth. He said: "I am going to my Sustainer. Soon he will guide me." (37:99)

17. Migration Ibrahim (Alaihis salaam) left his father and his nation and went to the village Kaldaniyeen, on the western bank of the Euphrates river. He lived here for a while. Hadrat Lut and Sarah were his companions. After some time he left for Harraan where he continued his propagation. During this entire period he continued seeking forgiveness for his father and supplicating for his guidance. He did this due to his extreme soft-heartedness and forbearance. Eventually Ibrahim (Alayhis salaam) was informed by revelation that his father was not going to embrace the faith. He was from among those who destroyed their virtuous capability. "Allah has sealed their hearts and their ears while their eyes are covered." (2:7) When Ibrahim (Alayhis salaam) realised this, he immediately distanced himself from his father. This incident has been mentioned in the following verses of Surah Taubah: "Ibrahim's seeking forgiveness for his father was only due to a promise which he made with him. Then, when he realised that he was an enemy of Allah, he distanced himself from him. Indeed he is most soft-hearted and tolerant". (9:114)

18. Migration to Palestine In this way he continued propagating until he reached Palestine. Sarah, Lut and Lut's wife accompanied him on this journey. Lut brought faith in him and said: "I am migrating to my Sustainer. Indeed He is powerful and wise." (29:26) They crossed Babylon, went through Syria and Palestine calling people to Allah, helping the poor and doing good deeds. By that time Ibrahim married Sarah. Their hope was to have children who would spread the Message of Allah after their death. As for Lut, he emigrated to the land of Sodom and settled there. Time went by and no children were born to Sarah. She realized she was sterile. She accepted her fate and submitted to the will of Allah.

19. When Uthman (Radiallahu anhu) migrated to Abysinnia with Ruqayyah (Radiallahu anha), Nabi (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: "Indeed Uthman is the first person after Lut (Alayhis salaam) to migrate with his family.“ Ibrahim (Alayhis salaam) settled in the western part of Palestine. This area was under the rule of the Kanaanites during that era. Shortly thereafter he left for Shakeem (Nablus). He continued to move westwards until he reached Egypt.

20. Migration to Egypt Ibrahim and Sarah moved to Egypt where the king gave Sarah a woman to be her servant. The woman's name was Hajar. Sarah was seeing Ibrahim' s hair getting white, and it grieved her to see his chance of having any child slipping away. She offered Hajara her servant as a wife to her husband, and prayed Allah to bless Hajara and Ibrahim with a child. And so came Ismail, a baby boy born to Hajara. How unselfish Sarah was! For her, the need to have an offspring who would carry the Message after Ibrahim was greater than her pride. Fourteen years later Allah rewarded Sarah with a son, Ishaq in spite of her old age.

21. Hadith of Ibrahim and the 3 lies Abu 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:"I am sick," (when his people were holding a festival in honor of their gods, Ibrahim excused himself by saying he was sick. (37:89 Quran) and when he said: "(I have not done this but) the big idol has done it." 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: "This man (Ibrahim is accompanied by a very charming lady." SO, he sent for Ibrahim and asked him about Sarah saying "Who is this lady?" Ibrahim said: "She is my sister." Ibrahim went to Sarah said "O Sarah! There are no believers on the surface of the earth except you and me. This man asked me about you and I have told him that you are my sister do not contradict my statement." 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: "Pray to Allah for me and I shall not harm you." 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: "Pray to Allah for me, and I will not harm you." Sarah asked Allah to again, and he became all right. He then called one of his guards who had brought her and said: "You have not brought me a human being but have brought me a devil." The tyrant then gave Hajar as a maid servant to Sarah. Ibrahim, gesturing with his hand, asked: "What has happened?" She replied: "Allah has spoiled the evil plot of the infidel or immoral person and gave me Hajar for service." Abu Hurairah then addressed his listeners saying: "That Hajar was your mother, O Bani Ma is Sama (Arab, the descendants of Isma'il, Hajar's son)."

22. Young Ismail and his mother alone in the desert of Makkah Soon after Ismail’s birth Allah ordered the Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) to take his wife Hajira and the Prophet Isma'il (peace be upon him) to the valley of Bakka (Mecca).  Ibrahim woke up one day and asked Hajara to prepare herself and baby Ismail for a long travel. Ibrahim and Hajara kept walking, crossed a fertile land followed by barren mountains till they arrived at the Arabian desert. They arrived at the spot after a long time.  It was hilly area without any trees and water.  Ibrahim brought Hajara to a high hill called al-Marwa. He made her and her baby sit under a tree, placed a bag of dates and some water near her, and set out homeward. Hajara ran after him and said: "Are you going to leave us in this desert where there is no one to keep us company?" She repeated this many times but he would not look back at her. She asked: "Has Allah ordered you to do so?" He said yes. "Then He will not neglect us." She said. Ibrahim walked away until he got out of their sight, he raised his hands and prayed Allah: "O our Lord! I have made some of my offspring dwell in a valley with no cultivation, by Your Sacred House, in order that they may offer prayers. So fill some hearts among men with love towards them, and provide them with fruits, so that they may givethanks

23. Zamzam Hajar went on nursing Ismail and drinking from the water until it was all used up. She became very thirsty and the child was crying. She left him on the al-Marwa hill and hurried to the nearest hill, as-Safa. She stood there and started looking at the valley keenly so that she might see somebody, but she could not see anybody. She descended from as-Safa, crossed the valley running and reached al-Marwa hill. She stood and started looking but could see nobody. She kept running between as-Safa and al-Marwa seven times. When she reached al-Marwa for the last time, she was exhausted, she sat next to the baby. Then she heard a voice. She stood up and said: "O whoever you might be! Have you got something to help me?' She saw an angel, Angel Jibreel, digging the earth until water flowed ! She built a little basin around it. She scooped water with her hands, drank, filled her water-skin, and nursed her baby. The place from which water flowed was Zamzam. The angel said to her: "Don't be afraid of being neglected, for this is the House of Allah which will be built by this boy and his father, and Allah never neglects His people." The House (Kaba) at that time was on a high place resembling a hillock, and when torrents came, they flowed to its right and left.

24. Muslims till this day drink from the holy water of Zamzam. The prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: "This is the source of the tradition of the Sa'y (rituals of the hajj, pilgrimage) the going of people between them (As-Safa and Al-Marwa). The Prophet (pbuh) added: "May Allah bestow mercy on Isma'il's mother! Had she let the zam-zam flow without trying to control it, or had she not scooped from that water to fill her water skin, Zam zam would have been a stream flowing on the surface of the earth."

25. Arab Tribes Settle Some Arabs of Jurhum traveling through Makkah saw birds flying around the valley of Makkah. "They must be flying around water." They said. They sent one or two messengers who discovered the source of water and returned to inform them of the water. When they arrived at the water, they found Hajara and asked her: "Would you allow us to stay with you, and use the water from your well?" She replied: "Yes, but you will have no right to possess the water." They agreed to that. She was pleased by their company. The people sent for their families, settled there and became permanent residents. The whole valley became alive. Ismail grew up, learned Arabic, and later married a woman from amongst the Arabs.

26. The Dream Meanwhile, Ibrahim who had not seen his son since he was a baby, came back to Makkah to visit him. Upon arriving, he heard that Hajar had died, but Ismail was still living there. Ibrahim was yearning to see his son whom he loved and missed a lot. He saw Ismail under a tree near Zamzam, sharpening his arrows. When he saw his father, Ismail rose up, hugged him and greeted him. It was the happiest moment for both father and son. But Allah wanted to put them to test, and it was a tough test indeed. During one night, Ibrahim had a dream. He came to Ismail and said: "O my son ! I have seen in a dream that I am slaughtering you as a sacrifice to Allah, so what do you think?" They both realized that this was an order from Allah. Ismail said without hesitation: "Do what you are commanded, you shall find me very patient insha Allah." They had both submitted to the will of Allah.

27. They had both submitted to the will of Allah. Shaytaan (the devil Satan) appeared before Ibrahim and Ismail to try and deceive them. Ibrahim and Ismail threw stones at Shaytaan as a response. This is commemorated during the jumrah, one of the rites undertaken by Muslims making the required pilgrimage to Mecca. Ibrahim laid his son prostrate, put his forehead on the ground and directed a sharp knife towards his neck. At this very moment, Allah called him: "O Ibrahim! You have fulfilled the dream! Thus do We reward the good doers !" A big sheep was sent down from heaven to be slaughtered instead of Ismail, which Ibrahim did, and they both had a big celebration that day. This event is celebrated every year by all Muslims. It is Eid al-Adha where we slaughter the sacrificial sheep.

28. The Story of the Doorstep According to an authentic Hadith, related by Al-Bukhari, Ibrahim visited his son, when Ismail was out on his business. He spoke to his daughter-in-law who did not know his relationship to her husband. He asked how they were and she started complaining, saying that they were going through hard times and went on complaining. Ibrahim then told her to give his greetings to her husband when he returned home and tell him to change his doorstep. Ismail understood his father's recommendation and divorced his wife. Later Ibrahim paid a second visit to Ismail and met his new wife when Ismail was away. When he asked her how they were, she praised God for His blessings and said that they were having plenty. Ibrahim asked her what they ate and drank, and she answered that they had meat to eat and water to drink. He prayed God to bless what they had and told her to greet her husband on his behalf and to tell him to retain his doorstep.

29. Place Of Worship Ibrahim and Ismail kept on calling people to worship Allah. At that time there was no place built for the worship of Allah. Ibrahim wished there could be such a place where people would be in peace, and concentrate solely for the worship of Allah. His wish was answered when Allah ordered him to build the Sacred House, the Ka'bah. Ibrahim said to Ismail: "O Ismail, Allah has given me an order, will you help me execute it?" "Yes I will." Ismail said. "Allah has ordered me to build a house here." He said, pointing to a hillock higher than the land surrounding it. They went towards the place and started building the foundations of the Ka'bah.

30. The Building of the Ka'bah "Then they raised the foundations of the House (the Ka’bah). Isma'il brought the stones while Ibrahim built and when the walls became high Isma'il brought this stone and put it for Ibrahim who stood over it and carried on building. While Isma'il was handing him the stones, and both of them were saying: "Our Lord! Accept this service from us, verily, You are the All Hearer, the All Knower." (2:127 Quran) When they finished the building, Angel Jibreel descended from heaven and showed Ibrahim the rituals of Hajj. Then Ibrahim stepped on the stone and called on people: "O people obey your Lord." This large stone which Ibrahim stepped on is still there to this day near the Ka'bah. It is called Makam Ibrahim.

31. The Story of the Birds 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's 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: Remember when Ibrhaim said: "My Lord Show me how You give life to the dead." Allah said: "Do you not believe?" Ibrahim said: "Yes I believe, but to be stronger in Faith." HE said: "Take 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."(2:260 Quran)

32. Glad Tidings of Ishaq Sarah was seeing Ibrahim' s hair getting white, and it grieved her to see his chance of having any child slipping away. Fourteen years after Ismaeal’s birth, three angels descended to the earth; Gabriel, Israfael, and Michael. They came in human shapes and saluted Ibrahim. Ibrahim arose and welcomed them. He took them inside his tent thinking they were strangers and guests. He seated them and made sure that they were comfortable, then excused himself to go to his people. His wife Sarah arose when he entered. Ibrahim said to her: "We have three strangers in the house." "Who are they?" she asked. "I do not know any of them," he answered. "What food have we got?" He asked. Half a sheep." she replied, "Half a sheep! Slaughter a fat calf for them; they are strangers and guests." he ordered while leaving. The servants roasted and served a calf. Ibrahim invited the angels to eat and he started eating so as to encourage them. He continued, but when he glanced at his guests to assure they were eating, he noticed that none of them had touched the food. He said to the them: "Are you not going to eat?" He resumed eating, but when he glanced at them again he found that they were still not eating. Their hands did not reach out for the food. He began to fear them.

33. Ibrahim's fears increased. The angels, however were reading his inner thoughts and one of them said: "Do not fear." Ibrahim raised his head and replied: "Indeed I am in fear. I have asked you to eat food but you do not stretch out your hands to eat. DO you intend me evil?" One of the angels smiled and said: "We do not eat. We are Allah's angels." One of them then turned towards his wife and conveyed the glad tidings about Isaac (Ishaaq). Almighty Allah revealed: Verily! There came Our Messengers to Ibrahim with glad tidings. They said: "Salaam (greetings or peace)!" he answered: "Salaam (greetings or peace)!" and he hastened to entertain them with a roasted calf. But, when he saw their hands went not towards it (the meal), he felt some mistrust of them, and conceived a fear of them. They said: "Fear not, we have been sent against the people of Lut." And his wife was standing there and she laughed (either, because the Messengers did not eat their food or for being glad for the destruction of the people of Lut). But We gave her glad tidings of Isaac, and after him of Jacob. She said (in astonishment): "Woe unto me! Shall I bear a child while I am an old woman, and here is my husband an old man? Verily! This is a strange thing!" They said: "Do you wonder at the Decree of Allah? The Mercy of Allah and His Blessings be on you, O the family (of Ibrahim). Surely, He (Allah) is All praiseworthy,All-Glorious."(11:69-73).

34. The faith of Ibrahim is called Millat-e-Ibrahim in the Qur'an. Muslims believe that Ibrahim is a prophet of God, in accordance with the narrative of his life in the Qur'an. Ibrahim and his son Ismail are said to have built the Ka’bah in Mecca. (Qur'an 2:125). Ibrahim also has an important role in one of the Pillars of Islam, the Hajj, which is a pilgrimage to the Holy Mosque. The principal aspect of the Hajj is remembering Ibrahim's sacrifice of Ismail (Ibrahim's firstborn son) and his path to the altar where Iblees (Satan) attempted to dissuade him three times. Those places where Satan appeared are marked with three symbolic stones where pilgrims throw stones. Moreover a part of the Hajj is a commemoration of the sacrifice and efforts of the wife of Ibrahim Hajre, Hagar, to find water for her son Ismail, when he was near dead with thirst. She ran between the two hills, Safa and Marwa, seven times and this ritual, Saaee (means effort/struggle in Arabic) is mandatory for all pilgrims to Mecca. During her quest for water she saw that a spring of fresh water had erupted near where her son Ismail lay. That spring became the basis of founding the city of Mecca, since fresh water was scarce in that barren land, and many tribes settled around there. This spring has been running for thousands of years. Ibrahim settled his wife and son in the valley of Mecca by God's order, to pioneer a civilization. It was from this civilization that the final prophet of Islam, Muhammad, was later born.

35. Muslims have a specific dua that they recite daily, (On next slide) asking God to bless both Ibrahim and Muhammad. Islamic prayer, Salat, that occurs five times a day, also includes many parts that ask God for his blessings upon Ibrahim; the most in the prayer. According to Islamic tradition, Ibrahim is buried in Hebron. In the Masjid al Haram in Mecca, there is an area known as the "station of Ibrahim" (Maqam Ibrahimمقام), which bears an impression of his footprints.

36. Duaa in Salah AL-LAHUM-MA SAL-LI`ALA MUHAMMAD-IN WA `ALA ALI MUHAMMADIN             O Allah, exalt Muhammad and the followers of Muhammad Ka-MA SALAITA `ALA IBRAHIMA WA`ALA ALI IBRAHIMAAs Though did exalt Ibrahim and his followers. IN-NAKA HAMIDUM MAJEED                  Thou art the praised, the Glorious. AL-LAHUM-MA BARIK MUHAMMAD-INO Allah, exalt Muhammad WA 'ALA ALI MUHAMMADIN           and his followers KAMABARAKTA 'ALA IBRAHIMA WA 'ALA Ali ibrahima                    as Thou has blest Ibrahim and his followers. IN-NAKA HAMIDUM-MAJEED            Thou art the Praised, the Glorious.

37. Thus ends the story of Ibrahim, the father of the prophets. From him descended all the prophets who came later, including Muhammad, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam. Ibrahim devoted all his life calling others to the True religion: Islam. Alone he stood against his people, his father, and even the mighty king of Babylon, and never flinched. Yet his method was always to gradually persuade them by bringing irrefutable proofs, that most often embarrassed those who refused to accept the Truth, but as Allah said: "Any whom Allah leaves to stray, there is none to guide!"

38. Suhuf-i-Ibrahim The Suhuf-i-Ibrahim (Scrolls of Abraham) صحف ابراهيم are part of the religious scriptures of Islam, and are now believed to be lost. In two suras, which are to be dated from the first Meccan period, there is a reference to the 'leaves, scrolls' (suhuf) of Abraham and Moses, by which presumably texts of revelation are meant (87:18-19; 53:36-37). The contents of this revelation is not known from the Qur'an.

39. Thank You for viewing my presentation. Inshallah I made no mistakes and if I did please forgive me. Please make Dua’a for me! By: Adam Ranginwala 14