Ramadan Reminder Day 18 – #Alhamdulillah for the Lesson learnt from Prophet Ibrahim  عليه سلم. Following my blog about Surah Maryam, I would like to look at the story of Ibrahim عليه سلم mentioned in this Surah.

41. “And mention in the Book (the Qur’an) Ibrahim (Abraham). Verily! He was a man of truth, a Prophet.

42. When he said to his father: “O my father! Why do you worship that which hears not, sees not and cannot avail you in anything?

43. “O my father! Verily! There has come to me of knowledge that which came not unto you. So follow me. I will guide you to a Straight Path.

44. “O my father! Worship not Shaitan (Satan). Verily! Shaitan (Satan) has been a rebel against the Most Beneficent (Allah).

45. “O my father! Verily! I fear lest a torment from the Most Beneficent (Allah) overtake you, so that you become a companion ofShaitan (Satan) (in the Hell-fire).” [Tafsir Al-Qurtubi]

46. He (the father) said: “Do you reject my gods, O Ibrahim (Abraham)? If you stop not (this), I will indeed stone you. So get away from me safely before I punish you.”

47. Ibrahim (Abraham) said: “Peace be on you! I will ask Forgiveness of my Lord for you. Verily! He is unto me, Ever Most Gracious.

48. “And I shall turn away from you and from those whom you invoke besides Allah. And I shall call on my Lord; and I hope that I shall not be unblest in my invocation to my Lord.”

49. So when he had turned away from them and from those whom they worshipped besides Allah, We gave him Ishaque (Isaac) and Ya’qub (Jacob), and each one of them We made a Prophet.

50. And We gave them of Our Mercy (a good provision in plenty), and We granted them honour on the tongues (of all the nations, i.e everybody remembers them with a good praise)“. (Surah Maryam)

Prophet Ibrahim عليه سلم had strong conviction and Imaan (faith) in the message he was spreading. He believed in Allah swt and the Oneness of Allah, putting aside the beliefs of his father and forefather – of Polytheism and Idol worship. He had such strong conviction in Islam, that he stood up to his own father and tried to make his father accept the truth too.  He had no fear to speak openly without fearing the reprisals from his father and people. His courage and sincerity shines through and we must follow his lead by also possessing conviction in our faith and to speak honestly and fearlessly about the truths of Islam. Why do we cower down in the fear that if we say something deemed sensitive, people may see us in a different light. Why do we act like ensnared animals, docile and tame -when in reality we should roar like lions and speak the truth of our beautiful religion. In the current climate we live in – we should boldy and categorically voice our opinions of what is being said about us in the media, in society and in the hearts and minds of people. If certain group/s and individuals are carrying out heinous acts in the name of our Islam – then as Muslims, we should tell the world that is not part of our religion. Instead, like Ibrahim عليه سلم with conviction and courage we should shout about our TRUE Islam – that is Oneness, Peace and Respect.

But the most beautiful aspect of how Ibrahim عليه سلم approached his father is after trying to guide his father and being harshly rebuked by him, Ibrahim a.s. wished him peace asked for forgiveness for his father from Allah.  Such was the peaceful and merciful nature of this beloved Prophet, just like his Lord – and that is why he is lovingly referred to as Khaleel-ullah (Friend of Allah).

“And Allah did take Ibrahim (Abraham) as a Khaleel (an intimate friend)” [an-Nisa’ 4:125]. 

I make Dua that the Muslims of today follow in Ibrahim عليه سلم footsteps and allow us to spread the pearls of truth and deny the thorns of falsehood. I make Dua that each and everyone of us stand firm in our faith,  but in doing so, we never forget that our Islam is a religion of Peace and Mercy.

#Alhamdulillah #LessonsFromOurProphets #OurProphetIbrahimKhaleelUllah #Conviction #Truth #Forgiveness #Peace #Mercy #PearlsOfTruth #ThornsOfFalsehood #RamadanReminder