REFLECTIONS FROM THE LIFE OF IBRĀHĪM (‘ALAYHI SALĀM)

 FAJR REMINDER: REFLECTIONS FROM THE LIFE OF IBRĀHĪM (‘ALAYHI SALĀM)

By: Umm Affān

Dhū al-Ḥijjah 2, 1447 (19-May-2026)

Trials are not always signs of Allāh’s Anger. In fact, the people most beloved to Him are often those who are tested the most, so long as they possess true Eemān and remain patient. Sa’d Ibn Abī Waqqās (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu) reported: I said, “O Messenger of Allāh, which people are tested most severely?” The Messenger of Allāh (ﷺ) said, “They are the prophets, then the next best, then the next best. A man is put to trial according to his religion. If he is firm in his religion, his trials will be more severe. If he is weak in his religion, he is put to trial according to his strength in religion. The servant will continue to be put to trial until he is left walking upon the earth without any sin.” [Sunan At-Tirmidhī 2398]

Among those who were greatly tested was Prophet Ibrāhīm (‘Alayhi Salām), whom Allāh honoured as His Khalīl (intimate friend). His trials began from childhood, as he was born into a deeply idolatrous family. His father was not only a devoted idol worshipper but also one who carved and sold idols. Growing up in such an environment, Prophet Ibrāhīm (‘Alayhi Salām) constantly witnessed people worshipping statues made from wood and stone, while others devoted themselves to celestial bodies such as the moon, sun, and stars.

Despite being surrounded by disbelief, Allāh guided him to the truth from an early age. No human being taught him Tawḥīd or directed him to the Straight Path; rather, it was Allāh Alone Who guided him and granted him clear evidence against falsehood. Allāh (ﷻ) says: “And indeed We bestowed aforetime on Ibrāhīm his (portion of) guidance, and We were Well-Acquainted with him (as to his Belief in the Oneness of Allāh, etc.).” [Sūrah Al-Anbiyā' (21): 51]

To further underscore the strength of his faith and his rejection of idolatry, Allāh (ﷻ) says: “And (remember) when Ibrāhīm said to his father Azar: ‘Do you take idols as ‘ālihah (gods)? Verily, I see you and your people in manifest error.’ Thus did we show Ibrāhīm the kingdom of the heavens and the earth that he be one of those who have Faith with certainty.” [Sūrah Al-An’ām (6): 74-75]

There are profound lessons for us in this story. Prophet Ibrāhīm (‘Alayhi Salām) possessed complete certainty that none has the right to be worshipped except Allāh. This certainty (يقين) is one of the essential conditions of Lā ilāha illā Allāh. A Muslim must firmly believe, without the slightest doubt, that worship belongs solely to Allāh. Such conviction protects a person from falling into Shirk and grants safety from the punishment of Hellfire. Allāh (ﷻ) says: “It is those who believe (in the Oneness of Allāh and worship none but Him Alone) and confuse not their belief with Ẓulm (wrong i.e. by worshipping others besides Allāh), for them (only) there is security and they are the guided ones.” [Sūrah Al-An'ām (6): 82]

Certainty in faith is also what separates the sincere believers from the hypocrites. Regarding the hypocrites, Allāh (ﷻ) says: “It is only those who believe not in Allāh and the Last Day and whose hearts are in doubt that ask your leave (to be exempted from Jihād). So in their doubts, they waver.” [Sūrah At-Tawbah (9): 45]

Sadly, many people claim Islām while engaging in practices that contradict true Tawḥīd. How can a person claim complete belief in Allāh while turning to the agents of Shayṭān—soothsayers, magicians, deceptive herbalists, and misguided individuals who falsely attribute themselves to Islāmic scholarship—for matters that only Allāh controls? If one truly rejects Shirk, then why seek help from those who promote it? Should we not instead emulate our noble forefather, Prophet Ibrāhīm (‘Alayhi Salām), who openly declared: “Verily, I have turned my face towards Him Who has created the heavens and the earth Ḥanīfa (Islāmic Monotheism, i.e. worshipping none but Allāh Alone) and I am not of Al-Mushrikūn (see V. 2:105).” [Sūrah Al-An'ām (6): 79]?

I beseech Allāh (ﷻ) to purify our hearts upon sincere Tawḥīd, strengthen our certainty in Him, and make us true Muslims in belief, speech, and action. Aameen.