Abraham was a prophet and saint (19:41), guided and given understanding by God from his youth (21:51). God sent him first to his own father, Ãzer, and to his people, who worshiped statues (6:74, 21:52). Dr. Khalifa calls him the original messenger of Submission: Islam was the only religion God recognized from Adam on, but the Quran names Abraham as the first to use the word "Islam" and the one who named us "Submitters" (22:78).
His story starts with his search for God. He watched a shining planet, then the moon, then the sun. Each one set, and he rejected each in turn: "I do not like (gods) that disappear." He gave himself to "the One who initiated the heavens and the earth" (6:76-79). He gently urged his father to stop worshiping what "can neither hear, nor see," and his father threatened to stone him (19:42-46). One day, while his people were away, he broke their idols into pieces and left only the big one. When they questioned him, he told them to ask that idol. They had to admit that "these cannot speak" (21:57-65). Their answer was to throw him into a fire, and God commanded, "O fire, be cool and safe for Abraham" (21:68-69). He also stumped a king who claimed to grant life and death by asking him to bring the sun up from the west (2:258). Lot believed with him, and God saved both of them to a blessed land (29:26, 21:71).
Abraham prayed for righteous children and was given Ismail (37:100-101). He settled part of his family in a "plantless valley" at God's Sacred House and prayed that they would keep the Contact Prayers (14:37). There, with Ismail, he raised the foundations of the Ka'aba and asked God to "teach us the rites of our religion" (2:127-128). When the boy was old enough to work with him, Abraham saw a dream of sacrificing him. Both submitted, but God called out, "You have believed the dream," and ransomed Ismail with an animal sacrifice (37:102-107). Dr. Khalifa explains that the dream came from Satan, not God, because "God never advocates sin" (7:28). As with Job, Satan was allowed to test whether Abraham loved his son more than God (37:102). Later, angels visited Abraham on their way to Lot's people. They brought the news that his elderly wife would give birth to Isaac, and after Isaac, Jacob. Abraham then pleaded for Lot's people until he was told the judgment was final (11:69-76). He once asked to see how God revives the dead, "to reassure my heart," and was shown with four birds (2:260).
The Quran draws several lessons from his life. Abraham passed the tests God put him through and was made an imam for the people (2:124). God took him as "a beloved friend" (4:125). Submission is called "the religion of Abraham," and Muhammad himself was told to follow it (2:130-135, 16:123). God taught Abraham and his descendants the Contact Prayers and the obligatory charity (21:73). Dr. Khalifa takes from this that every practice of Submission (Salat, Zakat, fasting and Hajj) was already established through Abraham before the Quran came (2:135).
Abraham is held up as "a good example" for disowning idol worship completely. The one exception is that he promised to pray for his father's forgiveness, and he disowned his father once he saw he was God's enemy (60:4, 9:114). The Quran's description of him sums up what it wants us to learn from him: "clement, extremely kind, and obedient" (11:75).
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Recall that Abraham was put to the test by his Lord, through certain commands, and he fulfilled them. (God) said, "I am appointing you an imam for the people." He said, "And also my descendants?" He said, "My covenant does not include the transgressors."
We have rendered the shrine (the Ka'aba) a focal point for the people, and a safe sanctuary. You may use Abraham's shrine as a prayer house. We commissioned Abraham and Ismail: "You shall purify My house for those who visit, those who live there, and those who bow and prostrate."
Abraham prayed: "My Lord, make this a peaceful land, and provide its people with fruits. Provide for those who believe in GOD and the Last Day." (God) said, "I will also provide for those who disbelieve. I will let them enjoy, temporarily, then commit them to the retribution of Hell, and a miserable destiny."
As Abraham raised the foundations of the shrine, together with Ismail (they prayed): "Our Lord, accept this from us. You are the Hearer, the Omniscient.
"Our Lord, make us submitters to You, and from our descendants let there be a community of submitters to You. Teach us the rites of our religion, and redeem us. You are the Redeemer, Most Merciful.
"Our Lord, and raise among them a messenger to recite to them Your revelations, teach them the scripture and wisdom, and purify them. You are the Almighty, Most Wise."
Who would forsake the religion of Abraham, except one who fools his own soul? We have chosen him in this world, and in the Hereafter he will be with the righteous.
When his Lord said to him, "Submit," he said, "I submit to the Lord of the universe."
Moreover, Abraham exhorted his children to do the same, and so did Jacob: "O my children, GOD has pointed out the religion for you; do not die except as submitters."
Had you witnessed Jacob on his death bed; he said to his children, "What will you worship after I die?" They said, "We will worship your god; the god of your fathers Abraham, Ismail, and Isaac; the one god. To Him we are submitters."
Such is a community from the past. They are responsible for what they earned, and you are responsible for what you earned. You are not answerable for anything they have done.
They said, "You have to be Jewish or Christian, to be guided." Say, "We follow the religion of Abraham—monotheism—he never was an idol worshiper."
*2:135 The Quran repeatedly informs us that Submission is the religion of Abraham (3:95, 4:125, 6:161, 22:78). Abraham received a practical "scripture," namely, all the duties and practices of Submission (the Contact Prayers (Salat), the obligatory charity (Zakat), the fasting of Ramadan, and the Hajj pilgrimage). Muhammad was a follower of Abraham's religion, as we see in 16:123; he delivered this Final Testament, the Quran. The third messenger of Submission delivered the religion's proof of authenticity (see 3:81 and Appendices 1, 2, 24, & 26).
Say, "We believe in GOD, and in what was sent down to us, and in what was sent down to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and the Patriarchs; and in what was given to Moses and Jesus, and all the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction among any of them. To Him alone we are submitters."
If they believe as you do, then they are guided. But if they turn away, then they are in opposition. GOD will spare you their opposition; He is the Hearer, the Omniscient.
Such is GOD's system, and whose system is better than GOD's? "Him alone we worship."
Say, "Do you argue with us about GOD, when He is our Lord and your Lord? We are responsible for our deeds, and you are responsible for your deeds. To Him alone we are devoted."
Do you say that Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and the Patriarchs were Jewish or Christian? Say, "Do you know better than GOD? Who is more evil than one who conceals a testimony he has learned from GOD? GOD is never unaware of anything you do."
That was a community from the past. They are responsible for what they earned, and you are responsible for what you earned. You are not answerable for anything they did.
Recall that Abraham said to his father Ãzer, "How could you worship statues as gods? I see that you and your people have gone far astray."
We showed Abraham the marvels of the heavens and the earth, and blessed him with certainty:
When the night fell, he saw a shining planet. "Maybe this is my Lord," he said. When it disappeared, he said, "I do not like (gods) that disappear."
When he saw the moon rising, he said, "Maybe this is my Lord!" When it disappeared, he said, "Unless my Lord guides me, I will be with the strayers."
When he saw the sun rising, he said, "This must be my Lord. This is the biggest." But when it set, he said, "O my people, I denounce your idolatry.
"I have devoted myself absolutely to the One who initiated the heavens and the earth; I will never be an idol worshiper."
His people argued with him. He said, "Do you argue with me about GOD, after He has guided me? I have no fear of the idols you set up. Nothing can happen to me, unless my Lord wills it. My Lord's knowledge encompasses all things. Would you not take heed?
"Why should I fear your idols? It is you who should be afraid, since you worship instead of GOD idols that are utterly powerless to help you. Which side is more deserving of security, if you know?"
Those who believe, and do not pollute their belief with idol worship, have deserved the perfect security, and they are truly guided.
Such was our argument, with which we supported Abraham against his people. We exalt whomever we will to higher ranks. Your Lord is Most Wise, Omniscient.
When our messengers went to Abraham with good news, they said, "Peace." He said, "Peace," and soon brought a roasted calf.
When he saw that their hands did not touch it, he became suspicious and fearful of them. They said, "Do not be afraid, we are being dispatched to the people of Lot."
His wife was standing, and she laughed when we gave her the good news about Isaac, and after Isaac, Jacob.
She said, "Woe to me, how could I bear a child at my age, and here is my husband; an old man? This is really strange!"
They said, "Do you find it strange for GOD? GOD has bestowed His mercy and blessings upon you, O inhabitants of the shrine. He is Praiseworthy, Glorious."
When Abraham's fear subsided, and the good news was delivered to him, he proceeded to argue with us on behalf of Lot's people.
Indeed, Abraham was clement, extremely kind, and obedient.
"O Abraham, refrain from this. Your Lord's judgment has been issued; they have incurred unavoidable retribution."
