النص المفهرس

good not harm) when you do not fear (the punishment that will afflict you because of the fact)
that you ascribe such partners to Allaah regarding whom He has not revealed any
permission to you (to worship them)? So which of the two groups (you or we) are more
worthy of safety (from punishment); if you have knowledge?" (If you have any knowledge, you
would know that we are safe from Allaah's punishment because of our beliefs. You should therefore
be following us.) Those who have Imaan and do not mix their Imaan with wrong-doing (all
types of Shirk), only such people will have safety (from punishment and from worries) and only
they are rightly guided. This is Our (forceful) argument (to prove Towheed) that We gave to
Ibraheem v (to use) against his nation. We raise the stages of whoever We wish (in respect
of their knowledge and wisdom). Verily your Rabb is the Wise, All Knowing.
Helplessness of the Idas
Since idol worship was the state religion at the time, Hadhrat Ibraheem u had a
very difficult task in trying to convince the people about the truth of Towheed.
Together with explaining and proving the concept of Towheed with intellectual
reasoning and deductions, Hadhrat Ibraheem v also pointed the attention of the
people to natural signs of Towheed. A description of one of his methods of
convincing them can be seen in the above verses.
After proving to the people that the celestial bodies cannot be regarded as gods,
he ventured to practically demonstrate to them that their idols were equally
helpless. This was after his tireless efforts at convincing them in any other way.
He even mentioned to some of them that he had a plan in mind for the idols.
However, no one did anything because he was not clear about what he had in
mind. It was not long afterwards that the people were all leaving for a cultural
festival. When they insisted that Hadhrat Ibraheem v join them, he looked up to
the sky, as people naturally do when they are deciding what to do. He then
declared that he was ill. Thinking that he saw some portents of illness from the
stars, they did not force him and left him behind.
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Now that everyone was gone, including the patrons and caretakers of the idols,
Hadhrat Ibraheem u saw his chance to do what he intended. He immediately
entered their temple that contained their idols, where he saw that the people
had placed offering of sweets, fruits and various other types of food before the
idols. Addressing the idols, he asked, "Why are you not eating this?" When no
answer came, he said, "Why do you not reply?" He then took up his axe and
broke the idols to pieces. When he was done, he hung the axe on the shoulders
of the largest idol.
Upon their return from the festival, the people were incensed to see what had
happened to their idols. Wondering who was responsible, some people recalled
that Hadhrat Ibraheem u had spoken of doing something to their idols. They
immediately realised that he was responsible for the act and summoned him
before a large audience. This was exactly what Hadhrat Ibraheem u wanted. He
intended to make the truth evident before a large audience of the people and
not only to the caretakers of the idols. They had played right into his hands just
as Fir'oun had done by amassing all the people when Hadhrat Moosa v
challenged the magicians. This was a perfect opportunity to reach the masses
and prove to them the error of their ways.
When he arrived, Hadhrat Ibraheem v was asked whether it was him who broke
the idols. This was the perfect time for the masses to hear directly from their
religious leaders that they had been duped for all these decades. Hadhrat
Ibraheem v's response was to remark, "It appears that this was the work of the
biggest one. Why not ask them if they are capable of speaking?"
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The leaders of the people were dumbstruck. They thought deeply and realised
that they were the fools. "But you know well that they cannot speak," they
eventually replied. It was this admission that Hadhrat Ibraheem v was seeking
from them to prove the point to them that since their idols were helpless in
defending even themselves, how could they be relied upon to help others? His
statement will therefore not be regarded as a lie because this admission was the
objective and it was the only way to get it out of them.
In the Words of the Qur' aan
Verses 51-68 of Surah Ambiyaa relate the incident as follows:
وَلَقَدْ أَنَّيْنَا اِبْرُبِيْمَ رُشْدَةً مِنْ قَبْلُ وَكُنَّابِمٍ عَلِمِيْنَ (٥١) إِذْ قَالَ لِأَبِيْهِ وَقَوْمِم مَا بُذِهِ التَّمَاثِيْلُ الَّتِىِ انْتُمْ لَّهَا
عُكِفُوْنَ (٥٢) قَالُوْا وَجَدْنَا أَبَآءَنَا لَهَا عُِدِيْنَ (٥٣) قَالَ لَقَدْ كُنْتُمْ أَنْتُمْ وَ أَبَاؤُكُمْ فِىْ ضَلْلٍ مُّبِيْنِ (٥٣) قَالُوا
آجِئْتَنَا بِالْحَقِّ أَمْ أَنْتَ مِنَ اللَّعِبِينَ (٥٥) قَالَ بَلْ رَّبُّكُمْ رَبُّ السَّمُوتِ وَ الْأَرْضِ الَّذِي فَطَرَبُّنَّ ثْ وَ أَنَا عَلَى
ذِلِكُمْ مِّنَ الشَّهِدِيْنَ (١٢) وَتَاللهِ لَأَكِتِدَنَّ أَصْنَامَكُمْ بَعْدَ أَنْ تُوَلُّوْا مُدْبِرِيْنَ (٥٧) فَجَعَلَّهُمْ جُدُّذًا إِلَّا كَبِيْرًا لَّهُمْ
لَعَلَّهُمْ إِلَيْهِ يَرْجِعُوْنَ (٥٨) قَالُوْا مَنْ فَعَلَ بُذَا بِأْلِهَتِنَا إِنَّهْ لَمِنَ الظَّلِمِيْنَ (٥٩) قَالُوا سَمِعْنَا فَتَّى يَّذْكُرُبُمْ يُقَالُ لَمَّ
إِبْرُبِيِمُ (٢.٤) قَالُوْا فَأَتُّوْا بِه عَلَى أَعْيُنِ النَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَشْهَدُوْنَ (٢١) قَالُوَاءَ أَنْتَ فَعَلْتَ بَذَا بِالِهَتِنَا يَاِبْرُ بِيْمُ
(٢٢٠) قَالَ بَلْ فَعَلَمْ كَبِيْرُبُمْ بُذَا فَسْلُوْبُمْ إِنْ كَانُوْا يَنْطِقُوْنَ (٢٣) فَرَجَعُوا إِلَى أَنْفُسِهِمْ فَقَالُوْا إِنَّكُمْ أَنْتُمُ
الظَّلِمُوْنَ (٢٣) ثُمَّ نُكِسُوْا عَلَى رُءُوْسِهِمْ وَّ لَقَدْ عَلِمْتَ مَا بُؤُلَاءِ يَنْطِقُوْنَ (٢٥) قَالَ أَفَتَعْبُدُوْنَ مِنْ دُوْنِ اللهِ مَا
لَا يَنْفَعُكُمْ شَيْئًا وَّلَا يَضُرُّكُمْ (٢٥) أُفٍّ لَّكُمْ وَلِمَا تَعْبُدُوْنَ مِنْ دُوْنِ اللهِ - ﴿ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُوْنَ (٢٧) قَالُوا حَرِّقُوْهُ وَ
انْصُرُوا أَلِهَتَكُمْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ فَعِلِيْنَ (٢٨)
TRANSLATION: Before this (period of Moosa v), We had granted Ibraheem v his correct
course (keen understanding and guidance) and We were always Aware of him (We knew that he
was worthy of being Our Rasool). (Worthy of mention is the time) When he told his father and his
people, "What are these statues that you are devoted to?" They replied, "We (worship them
because we) found our forefathers worshipping them." He (Ibraheem v) said, "Verily you
people and your forefathers are certainly in manifest error." They said, "Do you bring us
the truth or are you from the jesters (are you serious about what you are saying or are you
merely amusing us)?" He said, "Rather (than worship these idols, you should understand that)
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your Rabb is the Rabb of the heavens and the earth, Who has created you (It is He Whom
you should worship). I am of those who bear witness to this. By Allaah! I shall certainly
devise a scheme against your idols (to destroy them) after you have turned your backs (and
have left the town)." So (when the people left town to celebrate a festival one day,) he (used an axe
to break all the idols and) reduced them to fragments, except for the largest of them (which
he left intact with the axe hung around its neck) so that they may turn towards him (and, seeing
it intact with the axe, they may think that it could be responsible for the damage. However, they
would then immediately dispel this thought because they knew that the idols could do nothing. In this
manner, Ibraheem v wished to bring to their attention that they are wrong to worship such useless
things). (After returning to the town and seeing their idols destroyed,) They (the people) exclaimed,
"Who has done this to our gods? He is certainly from the wrong-doers!" They (some of
them) said, "We have heard a youth speak of them (saying that he intends to devise a scheme
against them). He is called Ibraheem." They said, "Bring him before the people so that (if he
admits to the act,) they may be witnesses (to his admission)." They asked, "Is it you who did
this to our gods, O Ibraheem?" He replied, "But (it seems as if) this large one has done it.
Ask them (who it was) if they (idols) have the ability to talk." They all searched their souls
(when they realised their foolishness in worshipping idols who cannot even talk) and said (to
themselves), "You are oppressors indeed." They then lowered their heads (in shame) saying,
"You know very well that these (idols) cannot speak." He said, "Do you then (still) worship
besides Allaah such things that can neither profit you, nor harm you? Shame on you and
those that you worship besides Allaah! Do you not understand (the error of your ways) ?"
They said, "Burn him and (thereby) assist (avenge) your gods if you will do so (if you want to
do something)." (So they made a large fire which was so hot that none could approach it. They were
therefore forced to catapult Ibraheem v into it.)
Verses 83-98 of Surah Saaffaat relate the incident in the following words:
وَ إِنَّ مِنْ شِيْعَتِهِ لَإِبْرُبِيْمَ (٨٣) إِذْ جَاءَ رَبَّهُ بِقَلْبٍ سَلِيْمٍ (٨٣) إِذْ قَالَ لِأَبِيْهِ وَ قَوْمِ مَاذَا تَعْبُدُوْنَ (٨٥٣) آَنِفْكًا
الِهَةَّ دُؤْنَ اللهِ تُرِيْدُوْنَ (٨٢) فَمَا ظَنُّكُمْ بِرَبِّ الْعُلَمِيْنَ (٨٧) فَنَظَرَ نَظْرَةً فِى النُّجُوْمِ (٨٨) فَقَالَ إِنِّئْ سَقِيمٌ
(٨٩) فَتَوَلَّوْا عَنْهُ مُدْبِرِيْنَ (٩٠) فَرَاغْ إِلَى أَلِهَتِهِمْ فَقَالَ آَلَا تَأْكُلُوْنَ (٩١٩) مَا لَكُمْ لَا تَنْطِقُوْنَ (٩٢) فَرَاغْ
عَلَيْهِمْ ضَرْبًّا بِالْيَمِيْنِ (٩٣) فَقْبَلُوْا إِلَيْهِ يَزِفُّوْنَ (٩٢) قَالَ آَتَعْبُدُوْنَ مَا تَنْحِتُوْنَ (٩٥) وَاللهُ خَلَقَكُمْ وَمَا تَعْمَلُوْنَ
(٩٢) قَالُوا ابْنُوْا لَمَّ بُنْيَانًا فَالْقُوْهُ فِى الْجَحِيْمِ (٩٧) فَآَرَادُوْا بِم كَيْدًا فَجَعَلْنُهُمُ الْأَسْفَلِنَ (٩٨)
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TRANSLATION: Verily, from his followers (those who upheld the same beliefs he upheld)
was Ibraheem v. (Remember the time) When he (Ibraheem v) came to his Rabb with a
sound heart (that was free from Shirk and sin). And (also remember the time) when he
said to his people and his father, "What do you worship? Do you desire (to worship)
make-believe (false) Aaliha instead of Allaah (Who is real and powerful)? What is your
opinion about the Rabb of the universe (do you think that He will leave you to worship
these idols without being punished)?" (Once, when the people of Ibraheem v prepared to
leave town for a celebration, they asked him to accompany them. In reply) He glanced
once at the stars (as they normally did) and then said, "I feel ill." (Because they believed
that the stars had an effect on people, they did not question his illness.) So they turned
their backs on him and left. He hurried to their gods (in the temple) and (seeing all the
food that the people had left as offering, he) said (to the idols), "Do you not eat? What is
the matter with you that you do not speak?" (With an axe in his hand,) He then turned to
them, striking them with force (breaking all of them except the largest one whom he left
untouched). The people came to him in haste (to question him about the incident).
(Seizing the opportunity to make them understand the folly of worshipping idols,) He
said, "Do you worship what you yourselves carve whereas Allaah has created you and
what you do?" (Why do you worship the creation instead of The Creator?) (Unable to
answer his questions,) They (eventually) said, "Construct a building for him and cast him
into a blazing fire." They devised a plot against him, but We made them the ones to look
down (in humility when their plan to kill him failed.).
Preaching to the King
The kings of Mesopotamia were referred to as Nimrood7. The Nimrood at the
time was not only the king of the people, but also regarded as their god, whom
they worshipped. When he heard what was happening, he realised that if
Hadhrat Ibraheem v was allowed to preach as he was doing, his teachings will
eventually undermine the kings sway over the people. He therefore made the
decision to have Hadhrat Ibraheem v killed.
Consequently, he summoned Hadhrat Ibraheem v to his court. When Hadhrat
Ibraheem v arrived, Nimrood asked him why he defied the beliefs of his
forefathers and rejected the divinity of the king. Hadhrat Ibraheem v replied that
he worshipped the One Allaah Who has no partners and Who created the
78 Nimrod in English. Nimrooz according to other scholars.
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universe. He explained further that Allaah was in control of everything, including
the king himself, who was a mere human. Nimrood asked Hadhrat Ibraheem v to
name any feat that Allaah could do, which makes him the Divine. Hadhrat
Ibraheem v said that it was only Allaah Who gave life and death. Failing to
perceive the true nature of bestowing life and death, Nimrood said that he could
also give life and death. He then promptly summoned an innocent person and
commanded his executioner to put the man to death. After this was done, he
summoned a criminal in custody who was condemned to be executed and set
him free. Thereafter, he boasted to Hadhrat Ibraheem v that he was also
capable of giving life and death.
Realising that the king was really not capable of understanding subtleties, he
decided to name a feat that was apparent and did not need an understanding of
the true nature of things. He therefore told the king that Allaah was the Being
Who made the sun rise every morning in the east and makes it set every evening
in the west. He challenged the king to make the sun rise in the west and set in
the east if he was indeed a god. This silenced Nimrood.
Nimrood remained silent because he could only make the following three
responses and none of them would have done him any good:
1. He could have said that he could make the sun rise from the west
2. He could have said that he did not have control over the sun
3. He could have said that he could immediately show his ability to make the
sun rise in the west
Since it would not have been wise to make any of these responses, it was best
for him to remain silent.
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Question: Some non-Muslims have asked what would have happened if Nimrood
had to ask Hadhrat Ibraheem v to demonstrate how Allaah was capable of
making the sun rise from the west?
Answer: This objection is a weak one indeed; because even Nimrood knew that
Hadhrat Ibraheem v was referring to a mighty being that definitely make such a
thing happen if he willed it. He had already heard many proofs from Hadhrat
Ibraheem v and he dared not ask for this to be demonstrated because it would
create a serious flaw in his argument. Furthermore, Nimrood knew well that he
could not be the Divine, so making such a challenge would be the final nail in the
coffin of his claim.
In the Words of the Qur'aan
The Qur'aan narrates this incident as follows:
اَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِى حَاجَّ ◌ِبْرُبِمَ فِيْ رَبِّمْ أَنْ أَتُهُ اللهُ الْمُلْكَ - إِذْ قَالَ اِبْرُبِمُ رَبِّىَ الَّذِى يُحْيِ وَيُمِيْتُ " قَالَ أَنَا أُحْى
وَأُمِيْتُ ﴿ قَالَ اِبْرُبِمُ فَإِنَّ اللهَ يَأْتِىْ بِالشَّمْسِ مِنَ الْمَشْرِقِ فَآتِ بِهَا مِنَ الْمَغْرِبِ فَبُهِتَ الَّذِىْ كَفَرَ * وَاللهُ لَا يَهْدِى
الْقَوْمَ الظَّلِمِيْنَ (٢٥٨°
TRANSLATION: Have you not seen him (King Nimrood) who argued with Ibraheem v
concerning his Rabb because Allaah had given him kingship (his pride drove him to argue)?
When Ibraheem v said, "My Rabb gives life and causes death," he (Nimrood) said, "I (can
also) give life and cause death!" (So he called for two persons, had the one killed and let the other
free.) (When) Ibraheem v (realised that the king was a fool, he made himself clearer and he) said,
"Verily Allaah causes the sun to rise from the East, so you bring it forth from the West!"
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Thus was the Kaafir silenced. Allaah does not guide oppressive people (such as Nimrood who
do not want to see the truth).79
"O fire ! Be cool and peaceful for Ibraheem "
Hadhrat Ibraheem v started to preach the message of Towheed first to his
father, followed by his family, the general masses and even the king. He
explained to them with proofs and signs and used all the means available to him.
Eventually, he even demonstrated to them in a practical manner that their idols
were useless. This was the culmination of a segment of his call.
Eventually, the king and the people decided that they ought to teach Hadhrat
Ibraheem v a lesson for insulting their gods, which was the worst crime they
could imagine. To punish him and to avenge the dignity of their gods, they
decided to burn him. They felt that this would be a physical manifestation of the
strength and wrath of their gods.
However, the threat did not deter Hadhrat Ibraheem v at all and he continued
with his call all the while. Preparations started to kindle an exceptionally large
fire, which took many days. They paid keen attention to the preparing of the fire
because they regarded this to be a very rewarding act. Eventually, when the
flames started to lick high into the sky, they placed Hadhrat Ibraheem v on a
catapult and flung him into the very centre of the fire.
It was then that the help of Allaah arrived as it always does for the chosen
servants of Allaah. Verse 69 of Surah Ambiyaa states that Allaah commanded the
79 Surah Baqarah, verse 258.
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fire with the words, "O fire! Be cool and peaceful for Ibraheem". A verse (98) of
Surah Saaffaat sums it up by stating, "They devised a plot against him, but We made
them the ones to look down (in humility when their plan to kill him failed)."
When Hadhrat Ibraheem v stepped out of the fire unscathed after a few days, it
was sufficient proof for the seekers of the truth and they immediately accepted
his message. However, the king and the majority of people remained adamant
upon the creed of their forefathers.
This incident makes it evidently clear that even the natural characteristics of
things are in the control of Allaah. Every characteristic and power found in
anything has been endowed with it by Allaah. Therefore, despite the fire having
the ability to incinerate, it was unable to do so without leave from Allaah. The
norms of life are dependent upon Allaah, but Allaah is not restricted to the
norms.
In the Words of the Qur'an
Verses 16-25 of Surah Ankaboot relate this incident in the following words:
وَ إِبْرُبِيْمَ إِذْ قَالَ لِقَوْمِهِ اعْبُدُوا اللهَ وَاتَّقُوْهُ * ذَلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُوْنَ (١٢) إِنَّمَا تَعْبُدُوْنَ مِنْ دُوْنِ اللهِ
أَوْثَانًا وَ تَخْلُقُوْنَ اِفْكًّا ﴿ إِنَّ الَّذِيْنَ تَعْبُدُوْنَ مِنْ دُوْنِ اللهِ لَا يَمْلِكُوْنَ لَكُمْ رِزْقًا فَابْتَغُوْا عِنْدَ اللهِ الرِّزْقَ وَاعْبُدُوْهُ
وَاشْكُرُوْا لَمْ ٥﴿ إِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُوْنَ (١٧) وَ إِنْ تُكَذِّبُوْا فَقَدْ كَذَّبَ أُمَمٌ مِّنْ قَبْلِكُمْ ٥* وَمَا عَلَى الرَّسُوْلِ إِلَّ الْبَلْغُ
الْمُبِيْنُ (١٨) أَوَ لَمْ يَرَوْا كَيْفَ يُبْدِيُ اللهُ الْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيْدُهَ ﴿ إِنَّ ذُلِكَ عَلَى اللهِ يَسِيْرٌ (١٩) قُلْ سِيْرُوا فِى
الْأَرْضِ فَانْظُرُوْا كَيْفَ بَدَاَ الْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ اللهُ يُنْشِئُ النَّشْأَةَ الْأَخِرَةَ ﴿ إِنَّ اللهَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيْرٌ (٢٠٢) يُعَذِّبُ مَنْ
يَّشَآءُ وَ يَرْحَمُ مَنْ يَّشَآءُ ﴿ وَ إِلَيْهِ تُقْلَبُوْنَ (٢١) وَمَا أَنْتُمْ بِمُعْجِزِيْنَ فِى الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِى السَّمَاءِ ، وَمَا لَكُمْ مِّنْ
دُوْنِ اللهِ مِنْ وَّلِيٍّ وَّلَا نَصِيْرٍ (٢٢) وَالَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْا بِأَيْتِ اللهِ وَ لِقَائِمْ أُولَئِكَ يَنَسُوْا مِنْ رَّحْمَتِىْ وَ أُولَئِكَ لَهُمْ
عَذَابٌ أَلِمٌ (٢٣) فَمَا كَانَ جَوَابَ قَوْمِمْ إِلَّ أَنْ قَالُوا اقْتُلُوْهُ أَوْ حَرِّقُوْهُ فَأَنْجُمُ اللهُ مِنَ النَّارِ * إِنَّ فِى ذَلِكَ
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لَأَيْتٍ لَّقَوْمٍ يُّؤْمِنُوْنَ (٢٣) وَ قَالَ إِنَّمَا اتَّخَذْتُمْ مِّنْ دُوْنِ اللهِ أَوْثَانًا ىٌ مَّوَدَّةَ بَيْتِكُمْ فِى الْحَيُوةِ الدُّنْيَا ةَّ ثُمَّ يَوْمَ
الْقِيْمَةِ يَكْفُرُ بَعْضُكُمْ بِبَعْضٍ وَّ يَلْعَنُ بَعْضُكُمْ بَعْضًا نْ وَّمَاوُكُمُ النَّارُ وَمَا لَكُمْ مِّنْ نَصِرِيْنَ (*٢٥)
TRANSLATION: (And We also sent) Ibraheem (as a Nabi to his community), (so remember the
time) when he said to his people, "Worship Allaah and fear (disobeying) him. This is best for
you if only you knew. Instead of Allaah, you merely worship idols and fabricate lies (about
Allaah by saying that your idols are His partners). Those (idols) that you worship instead of
Allaah do not have control of your sustenance, so seek your sustenance from Allaah,
worship Him and show gratitude to Him. To Him shall you be returned If you deny (me and
my message), then (this is nothing new because) many nations have denied before you.
(However, the choice is yours because) The duty of the Rasool is merely clear propagation (he
cannot force you to accept)." Do they (the Kuffaar) not see how Allaah originates creation
(creates them the first time) and then repeats (the feat of creating them after their deaths) ? This
is certainly easy for Allaah (so how can anyone deny that they will be resurrected?). Say, "Travel
in the lands and see how He (Allaah) creates (nations) the first time and then (after their
deaths) produces another creation (raises other nations to replace them). Indeed Allaah has
power over all things (and nothing is difficult for Him)." Allaah punishes whoever He wills and
has mercy on whoever He wills. To Him shall you be returned (after death). You can never
escape (Allaah's punishment) on earth, nor in the sky. Besides Allaah You have no protecting
friend nor any helper (who can save you from punishment). Those who reject Allaah's Aayaat
and meeting with Him will lose hope in My mercy (on the Day of Qiyaamah when they will see
the punishment for themselves) and they shall have a tortuous punishment. (When Ibraheem v
convincingly proved to this people that their idols were helpless) The only reply that his people
could give was to say, "Kill him or burn him!" Then Allaah saved him from the fire (by
commanding the fire to be cool and peaceful for him). Undoubtedly, there are certainly signs in
this for people who have Imaan. He (Ibraheem v) said, "You have merely taken to worship
idols because of your mutual love in this worldly life (because of your love for certain good
people, you made idols in their forms initially as a form of respect, but then Shaytaan fooled you into
worshipping them). (However, despite this love) Soon, on the Day of Qiyaamah, you will oppose
each other and curse each other (worshippers will curse their idols and vice versa). Your abode
shall be the Fire and you will have no helpers."
Verses 66-73 of Surah Ambiyaa relates the incident in these words:
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قَالَ أَفَتَعْبُدُوْنَ مِنْ دُوْنِ اللّهِ مَا لَا يَنْفَعُكُمْ شَيْئًا وَّلَا يَضُرُّكُمْ (٢٠) أُفٍّ لَّكُمْ وَلِمَا تَعْبُدُوْنَ مِنْ دُوْنِ اللهِ ﴾ ﴿ أَفَلا
تَعْقِلُوْنَ (٢٧) قَالُوا حَرِّقُوْهُ وَ انْصُرُوا أَلِهَتَّكُمْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ فَعِلِيْنَ (٢٨) قُلْنَا يُنَارُ كُوْنِى بَرْدًا وَّ سَلْمًا عَلَى إِبْرَبِيْمَ
(٢٩) وَ آَرَادُوْا بِ كَيْدًا فَجَعَلْنُهُمُ الْأَخْسَرِيْنَ (٧٠٩) وَ نَجَّيْتُهُ وَلَوْطًا إِلَى الْأَرْضِ الَّتِىِّ بُرَكْنَا فِيْهَا لِلْعُلَمِيْنَ
(٧١) وَوَبَيْنَا لَمَّ اِسْحُقَ * وَيَعْقُوْبَ نَافِلَةَّ ٥﴿ وَكُلَّا جَعَلْنَا صُلِحِيْنَ (٧٢) وَ جَعَلْنُهُمْ أَئِمَّةَّ يَّبْدُوْنَ بِأَمْرِنَا وَ
أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْهِمْ فِعْلَ الْخَيْرَتِ وَ لِقَامَ الصَّلُوَةِ وَ اِيْنَآءَ الزَّكُوةِ نَّ وَكَانُوْا لَنَا عُبِدِيْنَ (}(٧٣)
TRANSLATION: He said, "Do you then (still) worship besides Allaah such things that can
neither profit you, nor harm you? Shame on you and those that you worship besides
Allaah! Do you not understand (the error of your ways) ?" (Embarrassed and not knowing what to
do,) They said (to save face), "Burn him and (thereby) assist (avenge) your gods if you will do
so (if you want to do something)." (So they made a large fire which was so hot that none could
approach it. They were then forced to catapult Ibraheem v into it.) (However, when Ibraheem v
entered the fire) We said, "O fire! Be cool and peaceful for Ibraheem." (As a result of this
command, not even a hair of Ibraheem v was burnt and he lived peacefully in the fire for some time.)
While they (the Kuffaar) intended to plot against (to harm) Ibraheem v, We made them the
worst losers (because he remained unharmed, while they did not achieve their objective and will
suffer the consequences in the Aakhirah). We rescued him (Ibraheem v) and (his nephew) Loot v
to a land that We had blessed for all in the universe (the land of Shaam). We gifted
(rewarded) Ibraheem v with (a son) Is'haaq v and a grandson, Ya'qoob v. We made all of
them righteous. We made them guides (Ambiyaa) who guided (people) by Our orders, and
We commanded them to perform good deeds, to establish salaah, and to pay zakaah.
They were all Our (devoted) worshipers.
Verses 97-98 of Surah Saaffaat state:
قَالُوا ابْنُوْا لَمَّ بُنْيَانًا فَلْقُوْهُ فِى الْجَحِيْمِ (٩٧) فَآَرَادُوْا بِ كَيْدًا فَجَعَلْنُهُمُ الْأَسْفَلِيْنَ (٩٨)
TRANSLATION: They (eventually) said, "Construct a building for him and cast him into a
blazing fire." They devised a plot against him, but We made them the ones to look down
(in humility when their plan to kill him failed).
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Hadhrat Ibraheem U Emigrantes from Home
It has been learnt from the previous pages that Hadhrat Ibraheem u was
concerned about the guidance of his people and left no stone unturned to make
them believe in the Oneness of Allaah. He made it clear to them that worshiping
idols and the celestial bodies will bring them only regret and humiliation.
However, despite all his efforts, the people refused to accept his creed, which
was based on pure Towheed. Apart from his wife Hadhrat Sarah wie alot, and his
nephew Hadhrat Loot v, no one else accepted his message. The rest of them
were intent on killing him and contributed towards stoking the fire to burn him.
After he emerged from the fire unharmed, Hadhrat Ibraheem v decided to take
his message elsewhere. The Qur'aan quotes him as saying, "I am going to (a place
where) my Rabb (has commanded me to go), (it is only Allaah) Who will soon guide me".80 In
saying this, Hadhrat Ibraheem v was telling the people that if they did not want
to accept the message, the earth of Allaah was not so restrictive that he had to
remain there. His call had to continue, even if it meant preaching the message of
Towheed to others.
Hadhrat Ibraheem v then left Ur and proceeded westwards along the banks of
the Euphrates until he reached a place called Ur of the Chaldeans, where he
stayed for a while with his wife and nephew. From here, he left for a place called
Haraan, where he continued to preach the message of Towheed. All the while,
he continued to pray to Allaah to forgive and to guide his father Aazar, as he had
promised when he left. This was because of his kind and compassionate nature,
despite the fact that Aazar displayed such great animosity towards him.
80 Surah Saaffaat, verse 99.
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Allaah later revealed to Hadhrat Ibraheem v that Aazar was amongst those
people who would never accept Imaan since his natural inclination towards the
true Deen had been erased by his errant life. When Hadhrat Ibraheem v learnt
of this, he immediately desisted from praying for his father and declared that he
would have nothing further to do with his father. Allaah discusses this in verses
113/4 of Surah Taubah, where Allaah says:
مَا كَانَ لِلنَّبِىِّ وَالَّذِيْنَ أَمَنُوْا أَنْ يَّسْتَغْفِرُوا لِلْمُشْرِكِيْنَ وَلَوْ كَانُوْا أُولِيْ قُرْبَى مِنَّ بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُمْ أَنَّهُمْ أَصْحَبُ
الْجَحِيمِ (١١٣) وَ مَا كَانَ اسْتِغْفَارُ إِبْرُبِيْمَ لِأَبِيْهِ إِلَّا عَنْ مَّوْعِدَةٍ وَّعَدَبَا إِيَّاهُ نَّ فَلَمَّا تَبَيَّنَ لَمَّ أَنَّهُ عَدُوٌّ لَّهِ تَبَرَّأَ
مِنْهُ ٥﴿ إِنَّ اِبْرُبِيْمَ لَأَوَّاةٌ حَلِيمٌ (١١٣)
TRANSLATION: It is not (permissible) for the Nabi p, nor (is it permissible for) the Mu'mineen
to (ever) seek forgiveness for the Mushrikeen, even if they be their relatives, after it has
become clear to them (when these Mushrikeen died without Imaan) that they (the Mushrikeen)
are to be residents of the Blaze (Jahannam). Ibraheem v sought forgiveness for his father
only because of a promise that he (Ibraheem v) had made to him when he said to his father
that he would seek forgiveness for him, hoping that this would encourage his father to accept Imaan).
(However,) When it became clear to him (Ibraheem v) that his father was Allaah's enemy
(when his father died without Imaan), he absolved himself from him (from his obligation to seek
forgiveness for his father). Indeed Ibraheem v was extremely soft-hearted and tolerant.
Emigration to Palestine
After preaching in all the regions of Babylon, Hadhrat Ibraheem v eventually
immigrated to Palestine together with his wife Hadhrat Sarah wie alot.), his nephew
Hadhrat Loot v and his wife. Verse 26 of Surah Ankaboot says, " (From among
Ibraheem v's people, his nephew) Loot v believed him. (After trying in vain to convince his people
after many years,) Ibraheem v (eventually) said, "I shall migrate to (a place where) my Rabb
(has commanded me to go, to Shaam). He is certainly the Mighty, the Wise (and knows what is
best for me)."
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When Hadhrat Uthmaan t emigrated with his wife Hadhrat Ruqayya Que al data )
(Rasulullaah p's daughter) from Makkah to Abyssinia, Rasulullaah p said, "Verily
Uthmaan is the first to emigrate with his wife after Ibraheem v."
Hadhrat Ibraheem v settled in the west of Palestine, which was then ruled by
the people of Canaan. From here, he settled in Nablus, where he stayed for a
while. In this manner, he continued to travel from place to place until he
eventually reached Egypt.
Emigration to Egypt
It is mentioned in Ahadeeth of Bukhaaris1 and Muslim that while Hadhrat
Ibraheem v was travelling to Egypt, he told Hadhrat Sarah wal , that the king of
this place is a tyrant who captures any beautiful woman he sees. If he finds the
woman's husband with her, he kills the husband. However, if he finds that it is
some other friend or a brother, then he lets them go free. He therefore said to
her, "Besides you and I, there are no other Muslims in this place, so you are my
sister in Islaam. You must tell him that I am your brother." Another narration
states that Hadhrat Ibraheem u himself was asked and he replied that she was
his sister. All went according to plan and Hadhrat Ibraheem u was set free.
At night when the king tried his evil advances, his hands became paralysed. The
king told Hadhrat Sarah ( al ), "Pray to your Rabb that my hand heals and I will
leave you alone." Hadhrat Sarah wal prayed to Allaah and he was cured.
However, he once again he tried his evil advances and this time his hand became
paralysed. After this had happened thrice, he said, "It seems as though this is a
Jinn and not a human. Take her away!" He then sent her away with Hadhrat
Haajira kcal , as a gift. Some say that Hadhrat Haajirah wal, was his daughter,
81 Vol.2 Pg.301.
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but did not believe in his religion. Hadhrat Sarah weil , then took Hadhrat Haajira
Wie dl h) and returned to Hadhrat Ibraheem v, who enquired what had transpired.
Hadhrat Sarah ( al, congratulated him and said, "All praise be to Allaah Who has
saved us from that wicked person and granted you another servant." This
incident is narrated in many Ahadeeth.
After narrating this Hadith, Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah t said, "O Arabs of proud
lineage, this was your mother Haajirah."
A narration of the Torah states that the king of Egypt rebuked Hadhrat Ibraheem
v for not stating Hadhrat Sarah wie al gh, was his wife. He then sent them on their
way with respect and honour. There are no fundamental differences between
the narrations of the Ahadeeth and the Torah because the facts that shine
through each of them was that Hadhrat Ibraheem u did reach Egypt. Egypt
during those days was ruled by a nation that traced its lineage back to Saam, the
son of Hadhrat Nooh v. They were therefore distant relatives of Hadhrat
Ibraheem v, whose lineage also links with Saam (therefore Semitic).
When the king realised that the couple were pious people, he gave them many
gifts and much wealth. To cement their ties of kinship according to the custom of
the day, he then gave his daughter Hadhrat Haajirah tail , in marriage to
Hadhrat Ibraheem v. According to the customs of that era, the younger bride
had to serve the elder wife. According to the authentic Jewish traditions,
Hadhrat Haajira wal , is referred to as a princess of Egypt and not a slave girl. It
is stated by a commentator of the Torah that when the king saw the miracle of
Hadhrat Sarah we ala, he declared, "It is better for my daughter to live as a maid
in this household than to live as a princess in any other household."82 The only
82 Ardul Qur'aan (Vol2. Pg.41).
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reason why Hadhrat Haajirah wie algo, is referred to as a slave in some narrations
is that the king handed his daughter over to them so that she may serve them
(as the younger bride) and thereby acquire their noble traits. In fact, a
narration of Bukhaari describing the incident refers to Hadhrat Haajirah wie dl gente )
as the daughter who could serve best.
Witnessing the Return of Life after Death
As stated earlier, Hadhrat Ibraheem u was blessed with guidance from a very
early age. He was therefore filled with knowledge and intelligence and always
had an enquiring mind that searched for the truth. He was always interested in
knowing precisely how things happen. His conviction in Allaah, however, could
never be questioned and this was amply witnessed in his experiences with his
people.
Hadhrat Ibraheem v once enquired from Allaah about the manner in which
Allaah will raise the dead. Although Hadhrat Ibraheem v firmly believed that
everything was connected to and controlled by Allaah, he did not rest there. He
wished to find out the reality of each thing, to understand how it was connected
to Allaah. Although he had 'Ilmul Yaqeen', he wished to have 'Haqqul Yaqeen'. If
a person merely attains the knowledge of something it is called 'Ilmul Yaqeen'.
However, if he gets to see, touch, smell the object, etc. it is called 'Ainul Yageen'
and when he is thoroughly acquainted with all the intricacies of the subject, it is
called 'Haqqul Yaqeen'. For example, people hear of Zamzam water from others
and from books and know well that the water exists. At this stage, they have
'Ilmul Yaqeen'. Now, when a person goes to Makkah and actually sees the
Zamzam well, he has developed 'Ainul Yaqeen'. Eventually, when he drinks it, he
will have developed 'Haqqul Yaqeen'.
He therefore requested Allaah to show him how Allaah revived the dead. Allaah
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asked him whether he did not believe in life after death. Hadhrat Ibraheem v
immediately replied that he certainly believed, but wanted to see it for himself
so that he could know exactly how it happened.
Allaah the instructed Hadhrat Ibraheem v to take a few birds, cut them into
pieces, place their body parts on a nearby mountain and to then stand a little
distance away and call them. Hadhrat Ibraheem u did as he was commanded.
When he called them, all the organs at once assembled together and the birds
came running to him just as they had been.
In the Words of the Qur'aan
This incident is mentioned in verse 260 of Surah Baqarah in the following words:
وَ إِذْ قَالَ اِبْرُبِمُ رَبِّ آَرِنِيْ كَيْفَ تُحْيِ الْمَوْتُى - قَالَ أَوَلَمْ تُؤْمِنْ ﴿ قَالَ بَلَى وَلَكِنْ لَّيَطْمَئِنَّ قَلْبِىْ ، قَالَ فَخُذْ أَرْبَعَةً
مِّنَ الطَّيْرِ فَصُرْبُنَّ إِلَيْكَ ثُمَّ اجْعَلْ عَلَى كُلِّ حَبَلٍ مِّنْهُنَّ جُزْءًا ثُمَّ ادْعُهُنَّ يَأْتِيْنَكَ سَعْيًا * وَاعْلَمْ أَنَّ اللّهَ عَزِيزٌ
حَكِيمٌ (٢٩٠)٪
TRANSLATION: (Remember the time) When Ibraheem v said, "My Rabb show me how you
give life to the dead." He (Allaah) asked, "Do you not believe (that I have the power to do
this)?" (Although Allaah knew that the belief of Ibraheem v was very strong, Allaah asked this
question so that people may know the reason for his request.) He (Ibraheem v) replied, "I
certainly do, but (I am asking) to satisfy my heart (so that I may have first-hand knowledge, so
that my Imaan can be strengthened further and so that there remains no room for doubt in my
heart)." Allaah said, "Take four birds, draw them to you (domesticate them and then cut each
of them into many portions, mix their flesh, bones and feathers) and then place portions (of their
bodies) on each of these mountains. Then call them and they will come running to you.
Know that Allaah is Mighty (Able to do anything), Wise." (So Hadhrat Ibraheem u did as Allaah
told him. He cut the bodies of a pigeon, a crow, a peacock and a fowl and placed different parts of
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each bird on different mountains. When he called for them, the parts of each bird rejoined with the
other parts of its body and formed a complete bird which came to Ibraheem v.)
Conclusions and lessons
The Imaan of Hadhrat Ibraheem V
Many people have given various figurative interpretations for the above incident
of the birds. However, if one understands well the interaction between Allaah
and His Ambiyaa pull , one will have no need to subscribe to a figurative
interpretation. A Muslims has no problem with accepting the narratives of the
Qur'aan and Ahadeeth as they are. In fact, this is the demand of true Imaan.
It was necessary for the Ambiyaa Jul to receive a firm grounding in everything
that they preached to the people. They must be able to tell the people that
although the people have only their surmising to rely on to prove their beliefs,
the Ambiyaa w # have the true reality to speak about, which they have seen
first-hand. While people can see only up to the wall, the Ambiya pul had seen
beyond the wall. It is for this reason that the angels were also visible to the
Ambiyaa pull . Allaah had shown them how the universe operates, as well as
Jannah, Jahannam, the life in the grave and life after death.
While the Ambiyaa pul su believed in the unseen before announcing their
Nabuwaat-prophethood, they were later shown the unseen as a blessing from
Allaah. Only the Ambiyaa pull we were blessed with this because they needed to
convince the masses about it and could have no room for doubt within
themselves. They then fulfilled their duty to such a degree that we have been
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blessed in this Ummah with people who could say, "My Imaan will not be
increased if I have to see the unseen before me."
Another Incident Concerning life after Death
The Tafseer Ruhul Ma'aani reports from the likes of Hadhrat Abdullaah bin
Abbaas t, Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Mas'ood t and Hadhrat Ali t that Hadhrat Uzayr
v once passed by a town that was in utter ruins. The buildings had all collapsed
with their roofs caved in. On seeing this sight, he wondered in astonishment how
could Allaah restore this place to life? This was not due to any doubts with
regard to Allaah's ability to enact this feat, but it was merely an exclamation of
surprise that instinctively escapes a person's tongue.
He said, "How shall Allaah restore life to this after its death?" This question was also a
request to Allaah to show him how the feat is performed. Consequently, Allaah
caused him to die and remain in the state of death for a hundred years, after
which he was brought back to life. Allaah asked him for how long had he
remained in this state of death, whereupon he replied that it was for the
duration of a day or a part of it. Commentators mention that his death came to
him during mid morning, and it was just before sunset a hundred years later that
life was restored to him. For this reason, when the question was posed to him,
he glanced at the sun and guessed a day had passed. Upon reviewing that the
sun had not yet set, he added that perhaps it was only a part of the day wherein
he had remained dead.
Allaah corrected his misjudgement, informing him that a hundred years had
passed. Despite this long period, Allaah had preserved his body as if it had been
lying there for only a few hours. Then Allaah displayed His immense power by
drawing his attention to the food, which had also remained perfectly fresh like
his body.
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Thereafter Allaah demonstrated to him how He reconstructed the decomposed
body of his donkey. All its bones were scattered about, but Allaah collected them
together to arrange them properly. Then Allaah covered these bones in flesh, to
complete the reconstruction, after which it was brought back to life. When it was
all completed before his eyes, he burst out, "I know that Allaah is Able to do all
things." Since he was a Mu'min, this fact was always known to him. After this
eyewitness experience, his knowledge was refreshed, leading to this
exclamation.
The incident is related in verse 259 of Surah Baqarah, where Allaah says:
أَوْ كَالَّذِى مَرَّ عَلَى قَرْيَةٍ وَّبِىَ خَاوِيَةٌ عَلَى عُرُوْشِهَاٌ قَالَ أَنَّى يُحْىِ بُذِهِ اللهُ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَاءٌ فَآَمَاتَهُ اللهُ مِائَةَ عَامٍ ثُمَّ
بَعَثَّمَ - قَالَ كَمْ لَبِثْتَ - قَالَ لَبِثْتُ يَوْمًا أَوْ بَعْضَ يَوْمٍ ﴿ قَالَ بَلْ لَّبِثْتَ مِائَةَ عَامٍ فَانْظُرْ إِلَى طَعَامِكَ وَشَرَابِكَ لَمْ
يَتَسَنَّهْ وَانْظُرْ إِلَى حِمَارِكَ وَلِنَجْعَلَكَ أَيَّ لَّلنَّاسٍ وَانْظُرْ إِلَى الْعِظَامِ كَيْفَ نُنْشِزُبَا ثُمَّ نَكْسُوْبَا لَحْمًا - فَلَمَّا تَبَيَّنَ
لَمَّ قَالَ أَعْلَمُ أَنَّ اللهَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ (٢٥٩)
TRANSLATION: Or (did you not see) the like of him (Uzayr v) who, on passing by a locality
(Baytul Maqdas) that lay overturned on it roofs (had fallen to utter ruin), exclaimed (in a
lamenting tone), "How shall Allaah restore life to this after its death (after its destruction)"?
So Allaah (demonstrated His power to him and) caused him to die for a hundred years, then
brought him back to life asking him, "How long have you remained (dead)?" He replied, "I
remained (dead) for a day or a part of a day." (He said this because his soul was taken during
the morning and it was towards sunset a hundred years later that he was brought back to life.)
Allaah said, "No, you have remained (dead) for a hundred years. Just look at your food and
drink which have not rotted (despite the long period of time). And look at your donkey! (So he
looked at it and saw that its body had long decomposed and its bones lay scattered about.) And (We
have done this) so that We make you a sign (a lesson) to mankind (to prove the possibility of
resurrection). Look (also) at the bones, (and see) how We arrange them and cover them with
flesh." (So Allaah put all the donkey's bones together, covered them with flesh and skin and brought
the donkey back to life. ) When the matter became apparent to him he said, "I know (I now
have first-hand knowledge) that Allaah is Able to do all things."
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