Who could have a better religion than someone who submits himself completely to God, is a good-doer, and follows the religion of Abraham, a man of pure natural belief?... (Qur'an, 4:125)
People continue to argue over which religion Prophet Abraham (pbuh) followed. Jews regard him as a Jewish prophet and claim to follow his path. Christians also consider him a Jewish prophet, but claim that he followed Prophet Jesus (pbuh), who came after him.
In the Qur'an, however, God reveals the truth of this matter by providing certain information:
Or do they say that Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Descendents were Jews or Christians? Say: "Do you know better, or does God?" Who could do greater wrong than someone who hides the evidence he has been given by God? God is not unaware of what you do. (Qur'an, 2:140)
Moreover, other verses expose just how irrational this debate really is:
O People of the Book. Why do you argue about Abraham when the Torah and Gospel were only sent down after him? Why don't you use your intellect? You are the ones who argued about that of which you had knowledge. But why do you argue about something of which you have no knowledge? God knows; you do not know. (Qur'an, 3:65-66)
The Qur'an provides the most accurate information about Prophet Abraham (pbuh), for it is the only uncorrupted book of God. If people take other sources as guides, they fall into great error and interpret matters in the light of their own ideas and beliefs. As in all matters, however, believers take the Qur'an and the Sunnah of our Prophet (may God bless him and grant him peace) as the only true sources of information about the prophets and their lines, for teaching falsehoods and engaging in speculation and guesswork, particularly about the prophets, displeases God.
Only the Qur'an states the whole truth about Prophet Abraham (pbuh):
Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but a man of pure natural belief-a Muslim. He was not one of the idolaters. (Qur'an, 3:67)
The Qur'an calls Prophet Abraham (pbuh) a
hanif, instead of a Jew or a Christian. H
anif means a devout, upright, and righteous person who submits to God's command and never moves away from His religion. The most
hanif characteristics of Prophet Abraham (pbuh) were his belief in the One and Only God and his submission to Him.
In another verse, our Lord commands Prophet Muhammad (may God bless him and grant him peace) to abide by Prophet Abraham's (pbuh) religion:
Then We revealed to you: "Follow the religion of Abraham, a man of pure natural belief. He was not one of the idolaters." (Qur'an, 16:123)
God wishes people to turn to religion in a
hanif manner, as pure believers. God clearly emphasizes that
hanif people do not ascribe partners to Him:
So set your face firmly towards the Religion, as a pure natural believer, God's natural pattern on which He made humanity. There is no changing in God's creation. That is the true Religion-but most people do not know it. (Qur'an, 30:30)
As can be understood from several verses, Prophet Abraham's (pbuh) religion was essentially the same as Islam. In any case, all divinely revealed religions are, in their original and uncorrupted forms, essentially built on earning God's good pleasure, compassion, and Paradise. Prophet Abraham's (pbuh) children and grandchildren, as well as other devout individuals from his line, adhered to this religion after his death. For example, the Qur'an emphasizes Prophet Joseph's (pbuh) address to his fellow prisoners:
I hold fast to the creed of my forebears Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We don't associate anything with God. And that is how God has favored us and all humanity, but most do not give thanks. (Qur'an, 12:38)
This locket, from the eighth or ninth century BCE, symbolizes the Assyrians’ idolatrous worship. The main deity of Assyria, the strongest power in Mesopotamia between 1900 and 612 BCE, was known as Asshur. |
All
hanifs, regardless of when they live, are distinguished by their glorification of God without ascribing partners to Him. One of the prophets' main duties was to rescue people from their misguided belief systems and worldviews, as well as those practices and values that transgressed the limits set down by God for humanity, and to call their people to the true religion. One hadith informs us of the following:
Abu Bakrah (ra) relates that: "The Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, once asked: 'Shall I inform you of a great sin, one of the greatest sins? ...[It is] to ascribe a partner to God.'"2
In one verse, God reveals that Islam is as easy as Prophet Abraham's (pbuh) religion:
... He [God] has selected you and not placed any constraint upon you in the religion-the religion of your forefather Abraham. He named you Muslims before, and also in this, so that the messenger could be witness against you and you could be witnesses against all of humanity. So perform the prescribed prayers, give alms, and hold fast to God. He is your Protector-the Best Protector, the Best Helper. (Qur'an, 22:78)
According to the Qur'an, the people who turn to God and live by His religion in its true sense are
Muslim. The word Muslim comes from the Arabic word salam and means one
who has achieved well-being or who has submitted (to God). The essence of being Muslim lies in submitting to God and living in the ensuing peace and security. The prophets, all of whom guided their people to the true path, submitted totally to our Lord and were sincerely devoted to Him, are role models for us. By turning to and then submitting to our Lord, seeking refuge in Him, taking Him as their only friend, and asking for help only from Him, they are all called
Muslim in the Qur'an.
He (God) has selected you and not placed any constraint upon you in the religion –the religion of your forefather Abraham
(Qur’an, 22:78) |
For instance, God commanded Prophet Noah (pbuh) to tell his tribe "
My wage is the responsibility of God alone. I am commanded to be one of the Muslims" (Qur'an, 10:72); Prophet Moses (pbuh) told his tribe "
My people. If you believe in God, then put your trust in Him, if you are Muslims" (Qur'an, 10:84); and Prophet Solomon (pbuh) addressed his tribe in these terms: "
Do not rise up against me, but come to me in submission [as Muslims]" (Qur'an, 27:31). In the Qur'an, God reveals the following to His followers:
When I inspired the Disciples [of Jesus] to believe in Me and in My Messenger [Jesus], they said: "We believe. Bear witness that we are Muslims." (Qur'an, 5:111)
As can be seen from the above verses, sincere believers are those people who submit to God, live solely by religious moral values, and have pure faith. God honors such people with the name
Muslim.
Prophet Joseph's (pbuh) prayer is a fine example for us in several areas. God reveals it in the following verse:
... You have granted power to me in the land and taught me the true meaning of events. O, Originator of the heavens and Earth. You are my Friend in this world and the Hereafter, so take me as a Muslim at my death and join me to the people who are righteous. (Qur'an, 12:101)
Prophet Abraham's (pbuh) joyful faith in God, his deep love for Him, his submission to all of His commands, as well as his obedience and superior morality, are emphasized in the Qur'an. Some of these verses read:
Our Lord, make us both Muslims submitted to You and our descendents a Muslim community submitted to You. Show us our rites of worship and turn toward us. You are the Ever-Returning, the Most Merciful. (Qur'an, 2:128)
When his Lord said to him: "Become a Muslim," he [Abraham] said: "I am a Muslim who has submitted to the Lord of all the worlds." (Qur'an, 2:131)
Every Muslim must take Prophet Abraham's (pbuh) pleasing morality, sincere faith, and total submission and obedience to God as role models. In fact, his discernment and determination in presenting God's message are among the important traits that all people who call themselves Muslims should adopt.
Originally, all divine religions were based on Prophet Abraham's (pbuh) religion. However, Christianity and Judaism were corrupted over time and so moved away from their original nature: not ascribing partners to God (the greatest sin) and living solely to earn His good pleasure.
The love and respect felt by both present-day Christians and Jews for Prophet Abraham (pbuh) unites them in a common foundation with Muslims. Members of these three divinely revealed religions therefore share a common belief in God, which they have inherited from Prophet Abraham (pbuh), and seek to serve Him. However, Christians and Jews misinterpret some aspects of Prophet Abraham's (pbuh) religion. The Qur'an informs us that Muslims have invited them to this common word:
Say: "O People of the Book [Christians and Jews], come to a proposition that is the same for us and you-that we should worship none but God, associate no partners with Him, and take no one of us as lords besides God." If they turn away, say: "Bear witness that we are Muslims." (Qur'an, 3:64)
Prophet Abraham (pbuh) Spreads the Religion
Every prophet was charged with informing his tribe of God's commands and prohibitions. Prophet Noah (pbuh), Prophet Salih (pbuh) (of Thamud), Prophet Lot (pbuh), Prophet Shuayb (pbuh) (of Madyan), Prophet Moses (pbuh) (of the Children of Israel), Prophet Jesus (pbuh), and all other prophets informed their tribes of God's existence and called on them to live by the true religion's moral values. However, these prophets often found that the majority of their tribes denied God and rejected them and even initiated multifaceted struggles against them consisting of vile slanders, threats, and aggression. In some cases, they resorted to forced expulsion, arrest, or murder to prevent the prophets from performing their God-given tasks. God reveals how the traps set for Prophet Muhammad (may God bless him and grant him peace) will end in failure:
When those who do not believe were plotting against you to imprison you, kill you, or expel you: they were plotting and God was planning, but God is the Best Planner. (Qur'an, 8:30)
The majority of Mesopotamian societies worshipped the Sun and the Moon. It is believed that Naram Sin, king of Akkadia, was deified by the moon god and possessed extraordinary powers.
(Side) A victory inscription of King Naram Sin and his pagan people who prostrated to the Moon. |
As stated earlier, Prophet Abraham's (pbuh) tribe worshipped statues that their ancestors had made from stone and wood. Prophet Abraham (pbuh), who had the determination and the powerful faith to single-handedly tell them of God's existence and oneness, was sent to guide them from their blind devotion to their ancestors' paganism into the light of His religion. Throughout history,
the majority has often decided which ideas and beliefs are to be accepted as true. Given that it is difficult to stand up against the majority in societies that are far from religion, many people eventually agree, either willingly or unwillingly, to submit to ideas and beliefs that they know to be wrong. The prophets and the believers who followed them, however, always opposed the unbelieving majority and displayed enormous courage in the face of the ensuing pressure, threats, or attacks. They remained loyal to God's religion by scrupulously performing their religious observations and abiding by our Lord's commands out of their fear and awe of Him, as well as their complete trust in Him.
Prophet Abraham (pbuh), whom God praised as being "
a community in himself" (Qur'an, 16:120), stood alone against his father and his entire pagan tribe. He patiently explained why their idols could never attain any divine quality and that the only true deity was God. His opposition to his tribe's paganism, as well as his method of challenging their superstitions and working to guide them to the true path despite their hostility, clearly revealed his powerful faith, submission, sincerity, and superior character. All of these characteristics made him a courageous and determined individual. The Qur'an relates some of his words, as follows:
His tribe argued with him. He said: "Are you arguing with me about God, when He has guided me? I have no fear of any partner you ascribe to Him, unless my Lord should will such a thing to happen. My Lord encompasses all things in His knowledge, so will you not pay heed? Why should I fear what you have associated with Him, when you yourselves apparently have no fear of associating partners with God, for which He has sent down no authority to you? Which of the two parties is more entitled to feel safe, if you have any knowledge?" (Qur'an, 6:80-81)
Such conversations with his tribe reveal many pleasing examples of his deep and strong faith. Thanks to the superior wisdom and understanding imparted to him by our Lord, Prophet Abraham (pbuh) gave enormously effective addresses and the wisest of examples. Looked at with the eye of wisdom, present-day Muslims can use his means and methods to invite their own people to believe in God. Given this, we will now look at some of Prophet Abraham's (pbuh) wise explanations.
Prophet Abraham's (pbuh) Conversations with His Father
O Messenger! Transmit what has been sent down to you from your lord. If you do not do it you will not have transmitted His Message…
(Qur’an, 5:67) |
All Muslims are responsible for inviting people to believe in God. The Qur'an refers to this as
commanding what is right and forbidding what is wrong. This duty arises out of the fact that people must be
warned, in other words informed and reminded of certain important truths, such as that God created the universe from nothing, that every human being is responsible to our Lord and will have to account to Him in the Hereafter, and that they will be rewarded in the Hereafter for what they did in this world.
Those who shoulder this responsibility are devout Muslims who sincerely believe in God and who hold Him in awe out of a deep-rooted respect. God has given them the power, wisdom, and intelligence to distinguish between right and wrong. In exchange, they are to explain His religion in the light of the addressee's character, state of mind, and viewpoint on life in the most pleasant and appropriate manner possible. In addition, they must properly evaluate the addressee's reaction and response and adapt their methods in order to effectively communicate the divine message. As performing this obligation calls for considerable effort, warning whole societies and explaining the religion to
tribes whose fathers have not been warned, namely, communities that are far from religion's moral values, is a heavy responsibility. In fact, God tells believers to spread His religion
with wisdom and pleasant advice, as the following verse reveals:
Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and fair admonition, and argue with them in the kindest way. Your Lord knows best who is misguided from His way. And He knows best who are guided. (Qur'an, 16:125)
Each Muslim is entrusted with explaining and advising others about God's existence and the Qur'an's beauties. To enable them to carry out this responsibility, God has revealed in the Qur'an the most suitable and appropriate methods. For example, believers should invite their friends and family members first to believe in God and the Day of Judgment:
So do not call on any other deity along with God, or you will be among those who will be punished. Warn your near relatives. (Qur'an, 26:213-14)
… call your witnesses, besides god, if you are telling the truth. If you do not do that- and you will not do it-then fear the Fire whose fuel is people and stones, made ready for the unbelievers.
(Qur’an, 2:23-24)
|
Prophet Abraham's (pbuh) words to his father are exemplary in this respect. He explained to his father, in a most wise manner, that worshipping idols was equivalent to ascribing partners to God and that a person should serve God alone. The Qur'an records some of these words:
Remember when Abraham said to his father, Azar: "Do you take idols as gods? I see that you and your tribe are clearly misguided." (Qur'an, 6:74)
Remember when he [Abraham] said to his father: "Father, why do you worship that which can neither hear nor see, and is of no use to you at all? Father, knowledge that never reached you has come to me. So follow me, and I will guide you to the right path." (Qur'an, 19:42-43)
One of the most important elements of this conversation, which should be taken as a model, is that no matter how arrogant and difficult an unbeliever may be, a believer must remain patient while relaying the message and behave in the most pleasant manner possible.
Prophet Abraham's (pbuh) approach here is exactly the same as that of Prophet Moses (pbuh) toward Pharaoh. Prophet Moses (pbuh) also employed a temperate and gentle style when relaying God's message to Pharaoh, in compliance with God's command to "
speak to him with gentle words so that, hopefully, he will pay heed or show some fear" (Qur'an, 20:44).
God reveals the message that Prophet Abraham (pbuh) gave to his father, as well as his father's reaction:
[Abraham said:] "Omy father, do not worship Satan. Satan was disobedient to the All-Merciful. Father, I am afraid that a punishment from the All-Merciful will afflict you, and turn you into a comrade of Satan." He [his father] replied: "Do you forsake my deities, Abraham? If you do not stop, I will stone you. Keep away from me for a good long time." He [Abraham] said: "Peace be upon you. I will ask my Lord to forgive you. He has always honored me. I will separate myself from you and all that you call upon besides God, and I will call upon my Lord. It may well be that, in calling upon my Lord, I will not be disappointed." (Qur'an, 19:44-46)
Could they not see that it did not reply to them and that it possessed no power to either harm or benefit them?
(Qur’an, 20:89)
(Left) An idol from 2500-1100 BCE.
(Right) The Assyrians believed that idols made of stone and wood could protect them from disasters. This idol, known as Hadad, was regarded as a protective idol by King Esarhaddon (seventh century BCE). |
These conversations contain important wisdom. First and foremost, Prophet Abraham's (pbuh) courageous and humble attitude is most striking. He carried out God's order, even at the risk of his own life, and invited his father to the true path. He risked losing his father's love, help, and goods; refused to be intimidated by his father's threats, and displayed the greatest humility and patience when told to leave.
Knowing that God would help him and show him the right path, he behaved according to the comfort and security that such knowledge imparted. The way that he immediately prayed to God after being unjustly forced to leave the house in which he lived, and his faith that his prayer would be heard demonstrate the exemplary modesty and purity required of a Muslim. Moreover, he displayed a most pleasing moral attitude toward his father, who was quite hostile. He maintained his moderate style and continued to call him
my father. All Muslims should adopt this example of a very superior morality when calling people to the truth.
He approached his father with great affection and modesty, and humbly invited him to the true path. When his father persisted in his denial, Prophet Abraham (pbuh) immediately sought refuge in God and removed himself. This attitude shows that Muslims are to work only for God's good pleasure, and to love what He loves and hate what He hates. God reveals this quality, which every Muslim should possess, thus:
It is not right for the Prophet and those who believe to ask forgiveness for the idolater-even if they are close relatives-after it has become clear to them that they are the Companions of the Blazing Fire. Abraham would not have asked forgiveness for his father but for a promise he made to him. And when it became clear to him [Abraham] that he [his father] was an enemy of God, he renounced him. Abraham was tender-hearted and forbearing. (Qur'an, 9:113-14)
Another noteworthy feature of this conversation between Prophet Abraham (pbuh) and his father is the latter's devotion to paganism. So strong was his devotion that it led him to threaten his son with death by stoning, a son who was of his own blood, whom he had raised and kept by his side, and who treated his father so respectfully. The only reason for his father's wrath was that Prophet Abraham (pbuh) worshipped only God and rejected his tribe's paganism. This is an example of the unbelievers' cruel, uncompromising, and oppressive natures.
The Unbeliever Advised by Prophet Abraham (pbuh)
The Qur'an refers to an unbelieving ruler whom Prophet Abraham (pbuh) met when calling people to believe in God. Known as Nimrod in various historical sources, he and Prophet Abraham (pbuh) engaged in an important conversation:
What about the one who argued with Abraham about his Lord, on the basis that God had given him sovereignty? Abraham said: "My Lord is He Who gives life and causes to die." He [Nimrod] said: "I too give life and cause to die..." Qur'an, 2:258)
… Have done with the defilement of idols and have done with telling lies. Be people of pure natural belief in God, not associating anything else with Him. As for anyone who associates others with God it is as though he had fallen from the sky and the birds had seized him and carried him away or the wind had
dropped him in a distant place. (Qur’an, 22:30-31) |
As this verse makes clear, Nimrod had become very arrogant due to his goods, property, and rule. While talking with Prophet Abraham (pbuh), he made the enormous and irrational claim that he also possessed the power of creation. By proclaiming his own divinity, as he was so proud of his wealth and chattel, he was, in fact, denying God. Because of his pride, he rejected to see God's might and power over the universe.
After informing Nimrod of God's existence and oneness, Prophet Abraham (pbuh), replied to this ruler, who grew arrogant against God, with a most wise and rational statement:
"God makes the Sun come from the East. Make it come from the West." And the disbeliever [Nimrod] was dumbfounded. God does not guide wrongdoing people. (Qur'an, 2:258)
He has made night and day subservient to you, and the Sun and Moon and stars, all subject to His command. There are certainly Signs in that for people who
use their intellect.
(Qur’an, 16:12) |
All prophets have always employed wise and rational arguments, such as the example given above. God has enabled those believers who spread His message to do so most effectively, thus refuting the unbelievers' mistaken worldview. Such arguments always leave unbelievers, who believe themselves to be on the right path and who trust in their wealth, power, and idols, unable to mount a serious defense of their belief systems. Therefore, they are always condemned to be defeated and at a loss for words.
Another important aspect of Prophet Abraham's (pbuh) response is his honesty and naturalness. A sincere and honest explanation always influences peoples' hearts and consciences. God's existence is evident, and the believer's explanation of this manifest truth from the heart always touches other people. But even if they are so influenced, some unbelievers persist in their unbelief. Such people, who generally are far removed from religion, grow proud out of the belief that their wealth, attractiveness, or status are the results of their own efforts. They unjustly regard themselves as superior and forget about God. Satan encourages their pride and uses the power and position that they mistakenly consider their own, to prevent them from serving God.
Believers encounter many people as they spread God's message. Many people, due to their pride, cannot see God's might and power. In such situations, believers must give examples that show people just how helpless they really are in order to eliminate their pride. As a result, unbelievers will realize that their arrogance and pride in their possessions are of no significance. Gradually, they will realize that their strength and power are limited, that everything will end with death, and that God is the only absolute being.
The mode of explication used by Prophet Abraham (pbuh) to relay the truth to Nimrod shows just how important the use of rational, wise, and target-oriented speech is in spreading His message. Believers must never engage in pointless arguments; rather, they must always use effective and rational explanations to defeat the audience's superstitious beliefs and demonstrate God's existence by analyzing the audience members' psychological states and logical frameworks. Clearly, only people with deep faith, who scrupulously adhere to God's commands and who hold Him in awe, will be able to devise such an effective and wise mode of explication. This is true, because wisdom is a divine blessing that must be sought from God. God imparts this secret to us, as follows:
He gives wisdom to whoever He wills, and he who has been given wisdom has been given great good... (Qur'an, 2:269)
Prophet Abraham (pbuh) Calls His Tribe
Every self will taste death. You will be paid your wages in full on the Day of Resurrection. Anyone who is distanced from the Fire and admitted to the Garden has triumphed. The life of this world is just the enjoyment of delusion. (Qur’an, 3:185) |
How should believers behave with those who deny or reject the truth? The Qur'an tells believers to spread God's message in a well-considered style and method. There is more than one way of calling people to the truth. Naturally, the method changes according to the audience members' positions, conditions, ideas, and beliefs. For example, God refers to Prophet Noah (pbuh), who explained His existence both
publicly and
privately by using indirect methods to turn them toward His religion. (Qur'an, 71:9) Another one of Prophet Abraham's (pbuh) most noteworthy methods was to incite his tribe's consciences and to employ methods that would encourage them to think. He asked them questions, thereby exposing the irrational and confused nature of their beliefs. He showed them that their idols were nothing more than unconscious pieces of wood and stone, and used a clever plan to convince their hearts and minds of this. As he caused his tribe's traditional pagan worldview to collapse by spreading God's truth, he also explained God's existence and oneness. In the Qur'an, God describes Prophet Abraham's (pbuh) method in the following words:
When night covered him [Abraham], he saw a star and said: "This is my Lord!" Then when it set, he said: "I do not love that which sets." Then when he saw the Moon come up, he said: "This is my Lord!" Then when it set, he said: "If my Lord does not guide me, I will be one of the misguided people." Then when he saw the Sun come up, he said: "This is my Lord! This is greater!" Then when it set, he said: "My tribe, I am free of what you associate with God! I have turned my face to Him Who brought the heavens and Earth into being, a pure natural believer. I am not one of the idolaters." (Qur'an, 6:76-79)
Prophet Abraham's (pbuh) comments regarding the Moon, the Sun, and stars in these verses above are probably not his own thoughts, but rather a means of communicating God's message to his tribe. (God knows best.) Prophet Abraham (pbuh) knew that the Moon and stars would
disappear when the Sun rose, and that the Sun would sink again after it had risen. Since his pagan tribe were not reasoning and judging in the light of true faith, however, he may have chosen to employ the gradual explanation outlined above.
Obey God and obey the Messenger and beware! If you turn your backs, know that Our Messenger is only responsible for clear transmission. (Qur’an, 5:92) |
As we mentioned earlier, the pagan societies in the Middle East at that time worshipped celestial bodies, such as the Sun and the Moon, in addition to idols made by themselves and their ancestors. Therefore, Prophet Abraham (pbuh) may have wished to use the question-and-answer method to explain why these supposedly divine objects were not actually divine. And so he first portrayed the stars as divine in order to draw his tribe's attention to them, and then proved, as God inspired him, why these could not actually be deities. Prophet Abraham's (pbuh) expression "
I do not love what sets" (Qur'an, 6:76) is also an important message aimed at his tribe, for he indirectly explained that a divine entity was immortal and indestructible. (God knows best.) In fact, these are some of our Lord's names:
al-Baqi (He Who continues, the immortal one) and
al-Qa'im (He Who persists).
After this, Prophet Abraham (pbuh) may have employed the same method with regard to the Moon, another
so-called deity, to show his tribe that it was not divine. He may have used the same logic for the Sun, particularly by emphasizing that it was
the greatest. His explanation that it was not divine dealt a major blow to their pagan worldview, because beyond the Sun there was no greater physical being visible to the tribe.
With the words "
I am not one of the idolaters" (Qur'an, 6:79), Prophet Abraham (pbuh) explained that God created all of these things, that He was the true God, and that he ascribed no partners to Him. Given the above, we can see that Prophet Abraham (pbuh) knew a great deal about his tribe's pagan belief system. He put forward all of these examples to spread God's message and to expose their defective logic and misguided beliefs. In fact, it seems that his tribe sought to debate with him:
His tribe argued with him. He said: "Are you arguing with me about God, when He has guided me? I have no fear of any partner you ascribe to Him, unless my Lord should will such a thing to happen. My Lord encompasses all things in His knowledge, so will you not pay heed?" (Qur'an, 6:80)
In calling his tribe to the truth, Prophet Abraham (pbuh) acted upon what He inspired in him. This is clearly evident from the methods he employed and the examples he gave. In the verse "
This is the argument We gave to Abraham against his tribe. We raise in rank anyone We will. Your Lord is All-Wise, All-Knowing" (Qur'an, 6:83), God reveals that He gave Prophet Abraham (pbuh) various proofs to use against his tribe.
“ I found both her (Queen of Saba) and her people prostrating to the Sun instead of god. Satan has made their actions seem good to them and debarred them…”
(Qur’an, 27:24) |
This manner of communication sets an example for all Muslims. In other words, believers must demolish the other side's false and groundless beliefs and then present indisputable proof of God's existence and oneness. Following this, they must call on the other side to believe in God and serve only Him. If the other side cannot abandon its misguided belief system, it will be difficult for them to believe in God and become true Muslims. True faith can come about only when people abandon all of their idols and superstitious ideologies and philosophies.
Prophet Abraham's (pbuh) love of God, joyous faith, and scrupulous adherence to His commands can be clearly seen in how he conducted himself with others. The way in which he communicated with his father and tribe shows in the finest possible way that he was chosen by God, Who made him superior to all others. In the Qur'an, God reveals:
Recite to them the story of Abraham, when he asked his father and his tribe: "What do you worship?" They said: "We worship idols and will continue to cling to them." He asked: "Do they hear you when you call? Do they help you or harm you?" They said: "No, but this is what we found our fathers doing." He asked: "Have you really thought about what you worship, you and your fathers who came before?" (Qur'an, 26:69-76)
As can be seen in the above verses, Prophet Abraham (pbuh) used various methods and analogies to explain to his tribe how futile and irrational it was to worship idols. Their only response was that they would continue to follow their ancestors' path. This response is frequently encountered in societies that are far from religion and is often used to justify superstition, although it has no foundation in the face of divine religion. In the continuation of these verses, Prophet Abraham (pbuh) calls his tribe to faith and introduces them to our Lord:
"They are all my enemies-except for the Lord of all the worlds: He Who created me and guides me; He Who gives me food and drink; and when I am ill, He heals me; He Who will cause my death and then give me life; He Who I sincerely hope will forgive my mistakes on the Day of Reckoning." (Qur'an, 26:77-82)
As the Qur'an states, Prophet Abraham's (pbuh) tribe frequently stated their determination to persist in their paganism. He responded by praising our Lord with His finest names. Only God creates or destroys everything in the universe, animate or inanimate. Only He gives all blessings on Earth for the service of humanity and provides an infinite number of beauties. The way a human being is born, grows, eats, drinks, walks, moves, speaks, and laughs-in short, everything in life-happens by God's will. As Prophet Abraham (pbuh) reveals, our Lord God heals sick people, by restoring them to health. Unless God wills, no medicine or doctor can restore anyone to health.
This statue depicts Hammurabi (app. 1955-13 BCE) paying respect to Shamash, the Sumerian sun god. |
God creates humanity and, in the same way, will take each person's soul at the moment of his or her death. Even before a person is born, God has already established the length of his or her life, what will happen to them, and all that they will say and do. In other words, people do not control their destiny, for God has written it even before the person is born.
God created this world as a testing arena and then sent messengers to lead others to the true path by means of revelation. On the Day of Judgment, every human being will have to account for what he or she did while in this world. Believers who spend their lives doing good in the hope of earning His good pleasure and mercy will meet with countless blessings. God, Who is most merciful, forgiving, and loving toward His servants, has promised to cover the evil deeds of His servants on the Day of Judgment, to forgive their mistakes, and to reward them with the countless blessings of Paradise.
Remember that human beings have no power to bring others to the true path, for their only responsibility is to relay His message. In fact, this is a religious obligation for all believers. Whether or not an unbeliever turns to faith depends totally on God's guidance, for no one can believe unless God so wills. Indeed, despite the strength that Prophet Abraham (pbuh) acquired from his faith in God, his pagan tribe, who had no fear of God and ignored their consciences, persisted in their denial. In fact, they went so far as to threaten Prophet Abraham (pbuh) with death by fire. Thus, all believers must devoutly and determinedly call those around them to the true path and not despair if they are ignored and persecuted.
The unseen of the heavens and the Earth belongs to God and the whole affair will be returned to Him. So worship Him and put your trust in Him…
(Qur’an, 11:123) |
In one verse, our Lord states that "
... It is the truth from your Lord; so let whoever wishes believe and whoever wishes disbelieve" (Qur'an, 18:29). In another verse God reveals to our Prophet (may God bless him and grant him peace) that "
Perhaps you will destroy yourself with grief because they will not become believers" (Qur'an, 26:3). In Surah Yusuf, God reveals that "
But most people, for all your eagerness, are not believers. You do not ask them for any wage for it. It is only a reminder to all beings" (Qur'an, 12:103-04). One reason why Prophet Abraham's (pbuh) tribe persisted in their denial was their concern for their own interests. Their pagan belief system provided them with various worldly advantages, and any change to the established order would conflict with those interests, just as our Prophet's mission (may God bless him and grant him peace) upset the Makkan leaders, who enjoyed enormous commercial profits thanks to Arabia's paganism. This is actually a law that God has decreed for His prophets. As the Qur'an states, the prophets have always been opposed by their tribe. They have been threatened with death and subjected to slander, and sometimes have even been accused of sorcery, madness, and ascribing their own words to God. In sum, those who accused the prophets had no hesitation about resorting to such falsehoods as asserting that the prophets were on the wrong path while they were on the right path.
However, these people are laboring under a cloud of irrationality, for while trying to protect their own interests, they are actually condemning themselves to eternal suffering. God has revealed the fate of those who rebel against His prophets, those role models of pleasing moral values, godliness, and deep faith:
... They have brought down anger from God upon themselves, and they have been plunged into destitution. That was because they rejected God's signs and killed the prophets without any right to do so. That was because they disobeyed and went beyond the limits [that God has established for humanity]. (Qur'an, 3:112)
Prophet Abraham (pbuh) Entraps the Idols
According to the Qur'an, God gives those who fear and hold Him in awe
the ability to distinguish between right and wrong. This great kindness and superior blessing is restricted to the believers. The methods Prophet Abraham (pbuh) used to call his tribe to belief, as well as his decisions and styles of presentation, are all important examples of this great blessing.
One example is the trap he laid for his tribe's idols. Given that he was all alone and operating in a dangerous environment, he took certain precautions to prevent bodily harm and to make sure that God's message would be heard. For example, he told the unbelievers around him that he was ill so that they would go away:
And [Abraham] asked his father and his tribe: "What are you worshipping? Is it falsehood-deities besides God-that you desire? So what are your thoughts about the Lord of all the worlds?" He looked at the stars and said: "I am sick." So they turned their backs on him. (Qur'an, 37:85-90)
After sending the unbelievers away, he went up to the idols and smashed them:
He turned surreptitiously to their deities and asked: "Don't you eat? What is the matter with you that you don't speak?" He turned on them, striking out with his right hand. (Qur'an, 37:91-93)
He broke them in pieces, except for the largest one, so that they would have it to consult! (Qur'an, 21:58)
Leaving the largest idol untouched shows great wisdom. When his tribe saw what had happened and that only the largest idol remained, they immediately began looking for the person who had done this. Since they were aware of Prophet Abraham's (pbuh) opposition to their idols and paganism, they quickly realized that he was responsible and so sought him out to take their revenge:
They exclaimed: "Who has done this to our deities? He is definitely one of the wrongdoers!" They said: "We heard a young man mentioning them. They call him Abraham." They ordered: "Bring him before the people's eyes so they can be witnesses!" They asked: "Did you do this to our deities, Abraham?" (Qur'an, 21:59-62)
That question revealed why Prophet Abraham (pbuh) did not destroy the largest idol:
He said: "No, this one, the largest of them, did it. Ask them, if they are able to speak!" (Qur'an, 21:63)
Hearing this response, the unbelievers inevitably began thinking and understanding that their idols would never have the power of speech. And so his plan succeeded, for it caused them to question their pagan belief system. The Qur'an states:
They consulted among themselves and said: "It is you yourselves who are wrongdoers." (Qur'an, 21:64)
As for those who believe and those who are Jews and the Sabaeans and the Christians, Magians and idolaters, God will distinguish between them on the Day
of Resurrection…
(Qur’an, 22:17) |
However, their regret did not last long. Despite having understood the truth, they again decided to oppose Prophet Abraham (pbuh) in order to maintain their traditional pagan belief system, which was in line with their own transitory worldly interests:
But then they relapsed back into their disbelief: "You know full well these idols cannot talk." He said: "Do you then worship, instead of God, that which cannot help or harm you in any way? Shame on you and what you worship besides God! Will you not use your intellect?" They said: "Burn him and support your deities, if you are resolved to do something." (Qur'an, 21:65-68)
Prophet Abraham's (pbuh) approach reveals a finely calculated plan and wisdom. Sending the people away by telling them that he was ill, he then smashed all but the largest idol in the hope that they would respond as he expected. This trap shows that he acted under God's inspiration and had superior intelligence and foresight. Under divine inspiration, he devised a brilliant trap and, by God's will, achieved a most pleasing success. After smashing the idols, he tested his tribe's belief system by saying that the largest idol had destroyed the others.
One aim of this plan was to make his tribe realize just how irrational their belief system actually was. If they failed to comprehend the irrational and illogical nature of their deeds, he knew that they would just make new idols and persist in their paganism. The important thing, therefore, was to make them understand that such superstitious worship was contrary to faith in God and His revelation.
It is totally irrational to think that statues can eat, drink, move, or do any harm or good to any person. When those who believe in such fallacies encounter a problem or a difficulty, they seek their idols' help and refrain from displeasing them. They do so due to their fear of their idols and their belief that lifeless idols created the universe and all living things, direct everything within the universe, and bestow health and plenty, as well as daily bread, power, and understanding, upon humanity. God describes their great mistake in the following terms:
… who are not capable of helping them and cannot even help themselves? If you call them [unbelievers] to guidance, they will not follow you. It makes no difference if you call them or stay silent. (Qur'an, 7:192-93)
Do they have legs with which they can walk? Do they have hands with which they can grasp? Do they have eyes with which they can see? Do they have ears with which they can hear? Say: "Call on your deities, try all of your wiles against me, and grant me no reprieve." (Qur'an, 7:195)
Unfortunately, such a lack of understanding is not limited to Prophet Abraham's (pbuh) time alone. Paganism still thrives today under a wide variety of different names. The pagan beliefs of Prophet Abraham's (pbuh) time, for instance, bear a close resemblance to Darwinian claims.
hroughout history, prophets have called on their tribes to believe in the One and Only God and to serve only Him. They relayed the Divine religion to humanity and demonstrated how to live the ideal life. Thus, these chosen servants of God represent the very finest model of superior characteristics, proper moral values, and ideal behavior and reactions to events. Just as they served as role models for their societies, the Qur'an reveals that they also showed all future believers how to live in a manner that pleases God: 
In the verse, "Fire, be coolness and peace for Abraham" (Qur'an, 21:69), God reveals that the fire did not harm Prophet Abraham (pbuh). As a result, the pagans' snares were neutralized and they could not harm him. This verse also contains an important indication for the present day. (God knows best.)
Prophet Abraham (pbuh) and his wife were astonished, for both of them were quite old. In addition, his wife was barren. Prophet Abraham (pbuh) replied with the following words: 
Believers, who are aware of God's power, seek everything from Him and place their hope in Him. They do this because they know that only God creates causes and the ensuing effects, and only He controls the world through His laws. If He wills something to be, He merely says, Be! and it will immediately come about. Since everything is possible in God's sight, believers make their requests full of hope. The Qur'an reveals His infinite might in following terms: 
The angels then informed Prophet Abraham (pbuh) that Prophet Lot's (pbuh) tribe would soon be destroyed because of their homosexual lifestyle. (This will be discussed in greater detail later on.) The Qur'an states: 
The Qur'an reveals that Prophet Abraham (pbuh) and Prophet Ishmael (pbuh) built the Ka`bah. Located in Makkah, the Ka`bah was the first structure built solely to worship God, for: 
As they engaged in building the Ka`bah and thereby fulfilling their religious duty, these two prophets constantly prayed to our Lord. Following this pleasing practice, we can pray and seek God's help in any matter, and praise and call on His name. This is because God knows what is hidden in peoples' hearts, hears them at all times, and sees and knows what they do. Believers know that He will respond to their prayers, and so regard prayer as a means of drawing closer to Him. People sometimes think that prayer can only be performed at certain times or places, and therefore seek to mold it into a specific form. Yet the prophets' prayers show that believers can turn to God at any time (e.g., when working, going to bed, or sitting down). As there is no rule concerning this, believers may turn to God at all moments, recall Him in their hearts at all times, and praise our Lord with His most beautiful names. 
