Abraham in Islam

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Prophet ʾIbrāhīm al Khalillullah(Arabic: إِبْـرَاهِـيْـم‎) Abraham
The name ʾIbrāhīm written in Islamic calligraphy, followed by "Peace be upon him".
Born	c. 2510 BH (c. 1813 BCE)[citation needed] Ur, Chaldea
Died	c. 2335 BH (c. 1644 BCE) (aged approximately 169)[citation needed] Hebron, the West Bank, Shaam
Resting place	Ibrahimi Mosque, Hebron, the Levant
Other names	Khalîlullâh (Arabic: خَـلِـيْـلُ الله‎, "Friend of God") Avrāhām (Hebrew: אַבְרָהָם‎)
Spouse(s)	Hajar (Hagar), Sarah, Keturah
Children	Ismaʿil (Ishmael), Isḥaq (Isaac), others through Keturah
Parent(s)	Aazar or Terah,

Part of a series on Islam Islamic prophets
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Ibrahim (Arabic: إِبْـرَاهِـيْـم‎, translit. ʾIbrāhīm, pronounced [ʔɪbraːˈhiːm]), known as Abraham in the Hebrew Bible, is recognized as a prophet and messenger in Islam^[1][2] of God. Abraham plays a prominent role as an example of faith in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In Muslim belief, Abraham fulfilled all the commandments and trials wherein God nurtured him throughout his lifetime. As a result of his unwavering faith in God, Ibrahim was promised by God to be a leader to all the nations of the world.^[3] The Quran extols Ibrahim as a model, an exemplar, obedient and not an idolater.^[4] In this sense, Abraham has been described as representing "primordial man in universal surrender to the Divine Reality before its fragmentation into religions separated from each other by differences in form".^[5] The Islamic holy day Eid al-Adha is celebrated in memory of the sacrifice of Abraham, and each able bodied Muslim is supposed to perform the pilgrimage to pay homage at the Ka‘bah (Arabic: كَـعـبَـة‎) in the Hijazi city of Mecca, which was built by Abraham and his son Ishmael as the first house of worship on earth.^[6]

Muslims believe that the prophet Abraham became the leader of the righteous in his time, and that it was through him that Adnanite-Arabs, Romans and Israelites came. Abraham, in the belief of Islam, was instrumental in cleansing the world of idolatry at the time. Paganism was cleared out by Abraham in both the Arabian peninsula and Canaan. He spiritually purified both places as well as physically sanctifying the houses of worship. Abraham and Ismā‘īl (Arabic: إِسـمَـاعِـيـل‎, Ishmael) further established the rites of pilgrimage,^[7] or Ḥajj (Arabic: حَـجّ‎), which are still followed by Muslims today. Muslims maintain that Abraham further asked God to bless both the lines of his progeny, of Ismail and Isḥāq (Arabic: إِسـحَـاق‎, Isaac), and to keep all of his descendants in the protection of God.

Family[edit]

Muslims maintain that Abraham's father was Aazar (Arabic: آزر‎, translit. Āzar),^[8][9] which could be derived from the Syriac Athar,^[10] who is known in the Hebrew Bible as Terah. Alahazrat.net maintains that Azar was not literally his father, but his paternal uncle.^[11] Commentators and scholars believed that Abraham himself had many children, but Ismail (Ishmael) and Ishaq (Isaac) were the only two who became prophets. Abraham's two wives are believed to have been Sarah and Hājar, the latter of whom was originally Sarah's handmaiden.^[12] Abraham's nephew is said to have been the messenger Lut (Lot), who was one of the other people who migrated with Abraham out of their community. Abraham himself is said to have been a descendant of Nuh through his son Shem.^[13]

Personality and wisdom[edit]

Abraham's personality and character is one of the most in-depth in the whole Quran, and Abraham is specifically mentioned as being a kind and compassionate man.^[14] Abraham's father is understood by Muslims to have been a wicked, ignorant and idolatrous man who ignored all of his son's advice. The relationship between Abraham and his father, who in the Quran is named Azar, is central to Abraham's story as Muslims understand it to establish a large part of Abraham's personality. The Quran mentions that Abraham's father threatened to stone his son to death if he did not cease in preaching to the people.^[15] Despite this, the Qur'an states that Abraham in his later years prayed to God to forgive the sins of all his descendants and his parents. Muslims have frequently cited Abraham's character as an example of how kind one must be towards people, and especially one's own parents. A similar example of Abraham's compassionate nature is demonstrated when Abraham began to pray for the people of Sodom and Gomorrah after hearing of God's plan through the angel Gabriel for them. Although the angel Gabriel told Abraham that God's plan was the final word, and therefore Abraham's prayers would be of no effect, the Quran nonetheless reinforces Abraham's kind nature through this particular event.^[16]

Life according to the Quran and Islamic tradition[edit]

Youth[edit]

Ruins in the ancient Iraqi city of Ur, 2016

Ibrahim was born in a house of idolaters in the ancient city of Ur of the Chaldees, likely the place called 'Ur' in present-day Iraq, in which case, the idolaters would have been practitioners of the hypothesized Ancient Mesopotamian religion.^[17] His father Azar was a well-known idol-sculptor that his people worshiped. As a young child, Ibrahim used to watch his father sculpting these idols from stones or wood. When his father was done with them, Ibrahim would ask his father why they could not move or respond to any request and then would mock them; therefore, his father always ground him for not following his ancestors's rituals and mocking their idols.^[18]

Despite his opposition to idolatry, his father Azar would still send Ibrahim to sell his idols in the marketplace. Once there, Ibraham would call out to passersby, "Who will buy my idols? They will not help you and they cannot hurt you! Who will buy my idols?" Then Ibrahim would mock the idols. He would take them to the river, push their faces into the water and command them, "Drink! Drink!" Once again, Ibrahim asked his father, "How can you worship what does not see or hear or do you any good?" Azar replied, "Dare you deny the gods of our people? Get out of my sight!" Ibrahim replied, "May God forgive you. No more will I live with you and your idols." After this, Ibrahim left his father's home for good.

During one of the many festivals that would take place in the city, the people would gather in their temple and place offerings of food before their idols. Ur's most prominent temple is the Great Ziggurat, which can be seen today.^[19] Ibrahim would ask them, "What are you worshiping? Do these idols hear when you call them? Can they help you or hurt you?" The people would reply, "It is the way of our forefathers." Ibrahim declared "I am sick of your gods! Truly I am their enemy."^[20] After several years, Ibrahim became a young man. He still could not believe that his people were worshipping the statues. He laughed whenever he saw them entering the temple, lowering their heads, silently offering the statues the best of their food, crying and asking forgiveness from them. He started feeling angry towards his people, who could not realize that these are only stones that could neither benefit nor harm them.^[21]

Searching for the truth[edit]

One night, Ibrahim went up to the mountain, leaned against a rock, and looked up to the sky. He saw a shining star and said to himself, "Could this be my Lord?" But when it set he said: "I don't like those that set." The star had disappeared so it could not be God. God is always present. Then he saw the moon rising in splendor and said, "Could this be my Lord?" but the moon also set. At daybreak, he saw the sun rising and said, "Could this be my Lord? This is the biggest and brightest!" But when the sun also set he said, "O my people! I am free from all that you join as partners with Allah! I have turned my face towards Allah who created the heavens and the earth and never shall I associate partners with Allah. Our Lord is the creator of the heavens and the earth and everything in between. He has the power to make the stars rise and set." After this declaration, Ibrahim then heard Allah calling him, "O Ibrahim!" Ibrahim trembled and said, "Here I am O my Lord!" Allah replied, "Submit to Me! Be a Muslim!" Ibrahim fell to the ground, crying. He said: "I submit to the Lord of the universe!" Ibrahim kept prostrating himself until nightfall. He then got up and went back to his home, in peace and full of conviction that Allah has guided him to the truth.^[22]

A new life started for Ibrahim. His mission now was to call his people to monotheism. He started with his father, the closest person to him and whom he loved greatly. He said to him in the softest and kindest voice: "O father! Why do you worship that which doesn't hear, doesn't see, and cannot avail you in anything? O father, I have got knowledge which you have not, so follow me. I will guide you to a straight path." His father replied angrily: "Do you reject my gods, O Ibrahim? If you don't stop I will stone you to death! Get away from me before I punish you!" Ibrahim replied: "Peace be on you! I will ask forgiveness of my Lord for you."

The great fire[edit]

The decision to have Ibrahim burned at the stake was affirmed by the temple priests and the king of Babylon, Nimrod. The news spread like fire in the kingdom and people were coming from all places to watch the execution. A huge pit was dug up and a large quantity of wood was piled up. Then the biggest fire people ever witnessed was lit. The flames were so high up in the sky that even the birds could not fly over it for fear of being burnt themselves. Ibrahim's hands and feet were chained, and he was put in a catapult, ready to be thrown in. During this time, Angel Jibril came to him and said: "O Ibrahim! Is there anything you wish for?" Ibrahim could have asked to be saved from the fire or to be taken away, but Ibrahim replied, "Allah is sufficient for me, He is the best disposer of my affairs." The catapult was released and Ibrahim was thrown into the fire. Allah then gave an order to the fire, "O fire! Be coolness and safety for Ibrahim." A miracle occurred, the fire obeyed and burned only his chains. Ibrahim came out from it as if he was coming out from a garden, peaceful, his face illuminated and not a trace of smoke on his clothes. People watched in shock and exclaimed: "Amazing! Ibrahim's God has saved him from the fire!"

Confrontation with Nimrod[edit]

The Qur'an discusses a certain conversation between an unrighteous ruler and Abraham. Although identification for the unnamed king has been recognized as being least important in the narrative, many historical sources suggest that it was Nimrod,^[23] the king who had ordered the building of the Tower of Babel.

According to the narrative, Nimrod became extremely arrogant due to his wealth and power, to the point that he made the claim that he possessed the power of creation. Claiming divinity for himself, Nimrod quarreled with Ibrahim, but the Qur'an describes that he only deepened in confusion. According to Romano-Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, Nimrod was a man who set his will against that of God. Nimrod proclaimed himself as a living god and was worshipped as such by his subjects. Nimrod's consort Semiramis was also worshipped as a goddess at his side. (See also Ninus.) Before Abraham was born, a portent in the stars tells Nimrod and his astrologers of the impending birth of Abraham, who would put an end to idolatry. Nimrod therefore orders the killing of all newborn babies. However, Abraham's mother escapes into the fields and gives birth secretly.

Flavius Josephus mentions that Abraham confronts Nimrod and tells him face-to-face to cease his idolatry, whereupon Nimrod orders him burned at the stake. Nimrod has his subjects gather enough wood so as to burn Abraham in the biggest fire the world had ever seen. Yet when the fire is lit and Abraham is thrown into it, Abraham walks out unscathed. In Islam, it is debated whether the decision to have Ibrahim burned at the stake came from Nimrod and the temple priests or whether the people themselves became vigilantes and hatched the plan to have him burned at the stake.

According to Muslim commentators, after Ibrahim survived the great fire, notoriety in society grew bigger after this event. Nimrod, who was the King of Babylon felt that his throne was in danger, and that he was losing power because upon witnessing Ibrahim coming out of the fire unharmed, a large part of society started believing in Allah and Ibrahim being a prophet of Allah. Up until this point, Nimrod was pretending that he himself was a God. Nimrod wanted to debate with him and show his people that he, the king is indeed the god and that Ibrahim was a liar. Nimrod asked Ibrahim, "What can your God do that I cannot?" Ibrahim replied, "My Lord is He who gives life and death." Nimrod then shouted, "I give life and death! I can bring a person from the street and have him executed, and I can grant my pardon to a person who was sentenced to death and save his life." Ibrahim replied, "Well, my lord Allah makes the sun rise from the East. Can you make it rise from the West?" Nimrod was confounded. He was beaten at his own game, on his own territory and in front of his own people. Prophet Ibrahim left him there speechless and went back to his important mission, calling people to worship the one and only God, Allah.^[24][25]

This event has been noted as particularly important because, in the Muslim perspective, it almost foreshadowed the prophetic careers of future prophets, most significantly the career of Moses. Abraham's quarrel with the king has been interpreted by some to be a precursor to Moses's preaching to Pharaoh. Just as the ruler who argued against Abraham claimed divinity for himself, so did the Pharaoh of the Exodus, who refused to hear the call of Moses and perished in the Red Sea. In this particular incident, scholars have further commented on Abraham's wisdom in employing "rational, wise and target-oriented" speech, as opposed to pointless arguments.^[26]

Abraham, in the eyes of many Muslims, also symbolized the highest moral values essential to any person. The Qur'an details the account of the angels coming to Abraham to tell him of the birth of Isaac. It says that, as soon as Abraham saw the messengers, he "hastened to entertain them with a roasted calf."^[27] This action has been interpreted by all the scholars as exemplary; many scholars have commentated upon this one action, saying that it symbolizes Abraham's exceedingly high moral level and thus is a model for how men should act in a similar situation. This incident has only further heightened the "compassionate" character of Abraham in Muslim theology.^[28]

Sacrifice[edit]

Ibrahim's Sacrifice. Timurid Anthology, 1410-11.

In the mainstream narrative, it is assumed that Abraham's dream of sacrificing his son was a command by God. The verse in reference (i.e. 37:104-105) is in Surah As-Saffat and the quoted ayahs are translated by known Islamic scholar Abul A'la Maududi as "We cried out O' Ibraheem you have indeed fulfilled your dream. Thus do we award the good do-ers."

It is assumed that Abraham dreamt that God ordered him to sacrifice his son Ishmael, he agreed to follow God's command and perform the sacrifice, however, God intervened and informed him that his sacrifice had been accepted. Unlike the Bible, there is no mention in the Qur'an of an animal (ram) replacing the boy, rather he is replaced with a 'great sacrifice' (Zibhin azeem).^[29] Since the sacrifice of a ram cannot be greater than that of Abraham's son (and a prophet in Islam at that), this replacement seems to point to either the religious institutionalization of sacrifice itself, or to the future self-sacrifices of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and his companions (who were destined to emerge from the progeny of Ishmael) in the cause of their faith. From that day onwards, every Eid al-Adha once a year Muslims around the world slaughter an animal to commemorate Abraham's sacrifice and to remind themselves of self-abnegation in the way of Allah. This is called Qurbani ("sacrifice").^[30]

However, the words of the Qur'an never explicitly state that Abraham's dream was a Divine command. The Quran only states that Abraham had a dream, which he interpreted as a command from God, and Abraham was eventually stopped by God Himself from "sacrificing" his son. This is in stark contrast to the Jewish/Christian narratives, and also some non-mainstream Sunni/Shia narratives which assume the biblical narrative is true. According to these views, the problem with this interpretation is that it yields a logical contradiction, as it is clearly stated that no life can be taken without a just cause, and there was no just cause for Abraham to take the life of his son.

There are non-mainstream expositions of the Qur'an which harmonize the incident of Abraham's sacrifice and make the narrative of these verses consistent with the Quran's own laws, such as the one by Ghulam Ahmed Pervez, who translates the key verses as follows: 'We immediately removed this thought from Abraham’s mind and called out to him, O Abraham. You considered your dream as Allah's command and laid your son for the purpose of slaughtering him! This was not Our command, but merely a dream of yours. Therefore, We have saved you and your son from this. We have done so because We keep those who lead their lives according to Divine guidance safe from such mishaps.' (37: 104-105).^[31] As for the term "sacrifice", the meaning of this term as it relates to Ishmael in the following verses is explained as: "As far as the son is concerned, We saved him for a far greater and tremendous sacrifice. (This great sacrifice refers to the fact that instead of keeping his leadership confined to Syria, We wanted him to become the custodian of Our House the Ka'bah, which was located in the far off barren land of Arabia and which had to become the center and gathering place of all those the world over, who believed in the unity of God (internal reference 14:37))."^[31]

Miracles[edit]

Abraham encountered several miracles of God during his lifetime. The Qur'an records a few main miracles, although different interpretations have been attributed to the passages. Some of the miracles recorded in the Quran are:

• Abraham was shown the kingdom of the Heavens and the Earth.^[32]
• Abraham and the miracle of the birds.^[33]
• Abraham was thrown into a fire, which became "cool" and "peaceful" for him.^[34]

The first passage has been interpreted both literally, allegorically and otherwise. Although some commentators feel that this passage referred to a physical miracle, where Abraham was physically shown the entire kingdom of Heaven (Jannah),^[35] others have felt that it refers to the spiritual understanding of Abraham; these latter scholars maintain that the Chaldeans were skilled in the observance of the stars, but Abraham, who lived amongst them, saw beyond the physical world and into a higher spiritual realm. The second passage has one mainstream interpretation amongst the Qur'anic commentators, that Abraham took four birds and cut them up, placing pieces of each on nearby hills; when he called out to them, each piece joined and four birds flew back to Abraham.^[36] This miracle, as told by the Qur'anic passage, was a demonstration by God to show Abraham how God gave life to the dead. As the physical cutting of the birds is not implied in the passage, some commentators have offered alternative interpretations, but all maintain that the miracle was for the same demonstrative purpose to show Abraham the power God has to raise the dead to life.^[37] The third passage has also been interpreted both literally and metaphorically, or in some cases both. Commentators state that the 'fire' refers to main aspects. They maintained that, firstly, the fire referred to the physical flame, from which Abraham was saved unharmed. The commentators further stated that, secondly, the fire referred to the 'fire of persecution', from which Abraham was saved, as he left his people after this with his wife Sarah and his nephew Lot.^[38]

Title[edit]

Abraham is given the title Khalilullah (Arabic: خلیل‌ الله‎, translit. Ḫalīl Allāḥ, lit. 'Friend of Allah') in Islam.^[2][39] The Quran says:

Who can be better in religion than one who submits his whole self to Allah, does good, and follows the way of Abraham the true in Faith? For Allah did take Abraham for a friend.

— Qur’an, sura 4 (An-Nisa) ayat 125^[40]

This particular title of Abraham is so famous in Muslim culture and tradition that, in the areas in and around Mecca, Abraham is often referred to solely as The Friend.^[41] This title of Friend of God is not exclusive to Islamic theology. Although the other religious traditions do not stress upon it, Abraham is called a Friend of God in the second Book of Chronicles and the Book of Isaiah in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament)^[42] as well as in the New Testament.^[43]

Relationship with Islamic shrines[edit]

The most significant mosque in Islam, that is the Mosque of the Kaaba in the Hejazi city of Mecca, is believed to date to the time of Abraham and Ishmael^[44]

Al-Aqsa Mosque in the Temple Mount, Old City of Jerusalem in Shaam, is also believed to date to the lifetime of Abraham^[44]

One of Abraham's most important features in Islamic theology is his role as the constructor of the Kaaba. Although tradition recounts that Adam constructed the original Kaaba, which was demolished by the Great Flood at the time of Noah, Abraham is believed to have rebuilt it in its original form. The Qur'an, in the Muslim perspective, merely confirms or reinforces the laws of pilgrimage. The rites were instituted by Abraham and for all Muslims, as they perform the pilgrimage, the event is a way to return to the perfection of Abraham's faith.^[45] Just as Medina is referred to as the "City of the Prophet [Muhammad]" or simply the "City of Muhammad", Mecca is frequently cited as the "City of Abraham", because Abraham's reformation of the monotheistic faith is believed to have taken place in Mecca.^[46]

Likewise, Islamic belief links the original sanctuary of Al-Aqsa in the Old City of Jerusalem to Abraham.^[44]

Scrolls of Abraham[edit]

The Qur'an refers to certain Scrolls of Abraham, which have alternatively been translated as the Books of Abraham. All Muslim scholars have generally agreed that no scrolls of Abraham survive, and therefore this is a reference to a lost body of scripture.^[47] The Scrolls of Abraham are understood by Muslims to refer to certain revelations Abraham received, which he would have then transmitted to writing. The exact contents of the revelation are not described in the Qur'an.

The 87th chapter of the Qur'an, Surat Al-Ala, concludes saying the subject matter of the sura has been in the earlier scriptures of Abraham and Moses. It is slightly indicative of what were in the previous scriptures, according to Islam:

Therefore give admonition in case the admonition profits (the hearer).
The admonition will be received by those who fear (Allah):
But it will be avoided by those most unfortunate ones,
Who will enter the Great Fire,
In which they will then neither die nor live.
But those will prosper who purify themselves,
And glorify the name of their Guardian-Lord, and (lift their hearts) in prayer.
Nay (behold), ye prefer the life of this world;
But the Hereafter is better and more enduring.
And this is in the Books of the earliest (Revelation),-
The Books of Abraham and Moses.

— Quran, sura 87 (Al-Ala), ayah 9-19 ^[48]

Chapter 53 of the Qur'an, sura An-Najm, mentions some more subject matters of the earlier scriptures of Abraham and Moses.

Nay, is he not acquainted with what is in the Books of Moses-
And of Abraham who fulfilled his engagements?-
Namely, that no bearer of burdens can bear the burden of another;
That man can have nothing but what he strives for;
That (the fruit of) his striving will soon come in sight:
Then will he be rewarded with a reward complete;
That to thy Lord is the final Goal;
That it is He Who granteth Laughter and Tears;
That it is He Who granteth Death and Life;
That He did create in pairs,- male and female,
From a seed when lodged (in its place);
That He hath promised a Second Creation (Raising of the Dead);
That it is He Who giveth wealth and satisfaction;
That He is the Lord of Sirius (the Mighty Star);
And that it is He Who destroyed the (powerful) ancient 'Ad (people),
And the Thamud nor gave them a lease of perpetual life.
And before them, the people of Noah, for that they were (all) most unjust and most insolent transgressors,
And He destroyed the Overthrown Cities (of Sodom and Gomorrah).
So that (ruins unknown) have covered them up.
Then which of the gifts of thy Lord, (O man,) wilt thou dispute about?
This is a Warner, of the (series of) Warners of old!
The (Judgment) ever approaching draws nigh:
No (soul) but Allah can lay it bare.
Do ye then wonder at this recital?
And will ye laugh and not weep,-
Wasting your time in vanities?
But fall ye down in prostration to Allah, and adore (Him)!

— Quran 53 (An-Najm), ayat 36-62 ^[49]

Yet some scholars^{[by whom?]} suggested it to be a reference to Sefer Yetzirah, as Jewish tradition generally ascribed^{[citation needed]} its authorship to Abraham. Other scholars, however, wrote of a certain Testament of Abraham, which they explained was available at the time of Muhammad.^[50] Both of these views are disputed. And if those would have existed, according to clear instructions in the Quran and hadith, no verification should take place.

The Quran contains numerous references to Abraham, his life, prayers and traditions and has a dedicated chapter named Ibrahim. On a relevant note, sura Al-Kahf was revealed as an answer from God to the Jews who inquired of Muhammad about past events. Here God directly instructed Muhammad in sura Al-Kahf, not to consult the Jews for verifying the three stories about which they inquired.

Enter not, therefore, into controversies concerning them, except on a matter that is clear, nor consult any of them about (the affair of) the Sleepers.

— Quran, sura 18 (Al-Kahf), ayat 22 ^[51]

The reason being God declaring He Himself is relating what needs to be verified in another verse of sura Al-Kahf:

We relate to thee their story in truth: they were youths who believed in their Lord, and We advanced them in guidance:

— Quran, sura 18, (Al-Kahf), ayat 13^[52]

Regarding consultation with the People of the Book, it is also narrated by Abu Hurairah in Hadith literature:

Narrated Abu Huraira: The people of the Scripture (Jews) used to recite the Torah in Hebrew and they used to explain it in Arabic to the Muslims. On that Allah's Apostle said, "Do not believe the people of the Scripture or disbelieve them, but say:-- "We believe in Allah and what is revealed to us."

— Muhammad al-Bukhari, Sahih al-Bukhari ^[53]

Therefore, relating to any ascription of the Scrolls of Abraham by the people of the book is not required.

Significance as a patriarch[edit]

Abraham is also extremely important as a leader of Islam and as a patriarch of the Islamic faith. Muslims recognize Abraham as the ancestor through whom many other prophets and saints (Wali) came, including Moses, Jesus (Isa) and Muhammad. The Quran lists, in the sixth chapter, some of the greatest figures to have through Abraham's progeny:

That was the reasoning about Us, which We gave to Abraham (to use) against his people: We raise whom We will, degree after degree: for thy Lord is full of wisdom and knowledge.
We gave him Isaac and Jacob: all (three) guided: and before him, We guided Noah, and among his progeny, David and Solomon and Job and Joseph and Moses and Aaron: thus do We reward those who do good:
And Zakariya and John, and Jesus and Elias: all in the ranks of the righteous:
And Isma'il and Elisha, and Jonah, and Lot: and to all We gave favour above the nations:
(To them) and to their fathers, and progeny and brethren: We chose them, and we guided them to a straight way.

— Qur’an, sura 6 (Al-An'am), ayat 83-87^[54]

Abraham's narrative in the Quran indirectly refers to his role as one of the great patriarchs. The Qur'an says that God made Abraham "an Imam to the Nations.",^[3] Father of Muslims,^[55] and his narrative records him praying for his offspring.^[56] The Quran further states that Abraham's descendants were given "the Book and Wisdom,",^[57] and this fact is reinforced in a verse which states that Abraham's family was one of those in which the gift of prophecy was established as a generic trait.^[58] The Quran emphasizes upon Abraham's significance as it states that Abraham's family, Noah, Adam and the family of Amram were the four selected by God above all the worlds.^[59] As a result of his significance as a patriarch, Abraham is sometimes given the misleading title Father of the Prophets, which contradicts the teachings of the Quran, which establishes that many prophets, such as Noah, lived before Abraham. Of Abraham's immediate sons, the Quran repeatedly establishes the gifts God bestowed upon them. Ishmael, along with Elisha and Dhul-Kifl (possibly Ezekiel), is regarded as being "of the Company of the Good."^[60] and one of the men who was given "favour above the nations."^[61] In addition, Ishmael is described as being "true to what he promised, and he was a messenger (and) a prophet."^[62] Likewise, the Quran says of Isaac that he was "of the company of the Elect and the Good."^[63] and was "a prophet,- one of the Righteous."^[64] and further describes him as "of Power and Vision."^[65]

Commemoration[edit]

Abraham is commemorated by all Muslims. As is the case with every prophet and apostle, it is Islamic custom to say "Peace be upon him" after saying Abraham's name. Abraham's unique position as the constructor of the Ka‘bah, as well as the establisher of the pilgrimage rites, is indirectly commemorated when Muslims perform the pilgrimage, or Hajj, in Mecca. Muslims sacrifice (Qurban) a domestic animal on Eid al-Adha, which is done in part to remember Abraham's bravery during his trial of the near-sacrifice of his son. Muslims further mention Abraham in their canonical prayer everyday, in which they ask God to bless Muhammad's family as He blessed Abraham's family.

Burial place[edit]

Abraham's grave^{[citation needed]} in his Mosque in Hebron, the Holy Land

In the Mosque at the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron, this grate allows visitors to look down into a shaft measuring 40 feet (12 metres), which leads to the ground level of the cave where Abraham and Sarah are buried^{[citation needed]}

Some Muslims believe that Ibrahim was buried, along with his wife Sarah, at the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron. Known to Muslims as the Sanctuary of Abraham it is also thought to be the burial site of Isaac, his wife Rebecca and Jacob and his wife Leah.^{[citation needed]}

Narrative in the Quran[edit]

Quran
Text Chapter List Meccan Medinan Verse Section Muqatta'at
Content Animals Eschatology Female figures God Legends Miracles Parables Prophets Science
Reading Elocution Memorized Reciter School Speed Style
Translations List English translations by Ahmadis
History Samarkand Kufic Quran Sana'a manuscript Topkapi manuscript Birmingham manuscript
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References to Abraham[edit]

There are numerous references to Abraham in the Quran, including, twice, to the Scrolls of Abraham;^[66] in the latter passage, it is mentioned that Abraham "fulfilled his engagements?-",^[67] a reference to all the trials that Abraham had succeeded in. In a whole series of chapters, the Qur'an relates how Abraham preached to his community as a youth and how he specifically told his father, named Azar,^[68] to leave idol-worship and come to the worship of God.^[69] Some passages of the Quran, meanwhile, deal with the story of how God sent angels to Abraham with the announcement of the punishment to be imposed upon Lot's people in Sodom and Gomorrah.^[70] Other verses mention the near-sacrifice of Abraham's son,^[29] whose name is not given but is presumed to be Ishmael as the following verses mention the birth of Isaac.^[71] The Quran also repeatedly establishes Abraham's role as patriarch and mentions numerous important descendants who came through his lineage, including Isaac,^[72] Jacob^[73] and Ishmael.^[74] In the later chapters of the Quran, Abraham's role becomes yet more prominent. The Quran mentions that Abraham and Ishmael were the reformers who set up the Ka‘bah in Mecca as a center of pilgrimage for monotheism^[75] The Quran consistently refers to Islam as "the Religion of Abraham" (millat Ibrahim)^[76] and Abraham is given a title as Hanif (The Pure, "true in Faith" or "upright man").^[77] The Quran also mentions Abraham as one whom God took as a friend (Khalil),^[40] hence Abraham's title in Islam, Khalil-Allah (Friend of God). The term is considered by some to be a derivation of the patriarch's title, Qal El (Hebrew: קל-אל‎, "Voice of God").^[78][79] Other instances in the Quran which are described in a concise manner are the rescue of Abraham from the fire into which he was thrown by his people';^[80][81] his pleading for his father;^[82] his quarrel with an unrighteous and powerful king^[83] and the miracle of the dead birds.^[33]

All these events and more have been discussed with more details in Muslim tradition, and especially in the Stories of the Prophets and works of universal Islamic theology.^[84] Certain episodes from the life of Abraham have been more heavily detailed in Islamic text, such as the arguments between Abraham and the evil king, Nimrod, the near-sacrifice of his son, and the story of Hagar and Ishmael, which Muslims commemorate when performing pilgrimage in Mecca. An important Islamic religious holiday, Eid al-Adha, commemorates Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael as an act of obedience to God, before God intervened to provide him with a sheep to sacrifice instead.^[85] In some cases, some believe these legends in Islamic text may have influenced later Jewish tradition.^[86]

Verses[edit]

• Abraham's attributes: 2:124, 11:75–123, 16:120
• Abraham's religion: 2:130, 4:125, 6:83–84, 6:161, 9:114, 11:74, 12:6, 16:120, 19:41, 19:47, 21:51, 22:78, 26:83–85, 29:27, 37:84, 37:88, 37:104, 37:109–111, 37:113, 38:45–47, 43:28, 53:37, 57:26, 60:4
• God tried Abraham: 2:124, 37:102
• Abraham's preaching: 2:130–231, 2:135–136, 2:140, 3:67–68, 3:84, 3:95, 4:125, 4:163, 6:74, 6:76–81, 6:83, 6:161, 14:35–37, 14:40, 21:52, 21:54, 21:56–57, 21:67, 22:26, 26:69–73, 26:75, 26:78–80, 26:87, 29:16–17, 29:25, 37:83, 37:85–87,37:89, 37:91, 37:92, 37:93, 37:94–96, 43:26–28, 60:4
• Development of the Kaaba: 2:127
• Abraham's pilgrimage: 2:128, 22:27
• Abraham as God's friend: 4:125
• Punishment to Abraham's people: 9:70
• Moving to Syam: 21:71, 29:26
• Abraham, Hagar, and Ismael: 14:37, 37:101
• Dreaming of resurrecting a dead body: 2:260
• Arguing with Nimrod: 2:258
• Abraham and his father
  • Abraham preached to his father: 6:74, 19:42–45, 21:52, 26:70, 37:85, 43:26
  • His father's idolatry: 6:74, 26:71
  • Abraham asked forgiveness for his father: 14:41, 19:47, 60:4
  • Arguing with the people: 21:62–63, 21:65–66
  • Abraham moved away from the people: 19:48–49, 29:26, 37:99, 43:26, 60:4
  • Abraham's warnings for the idols: 21:57–58, 21:60, 37:93
  • Thrown into the fire: 21:68, 29:24, 37:97
  • Saved from the fire: 21:69–70, 29:24, 37:98
• Good news about Isaac and Jacob: 6:84, 11:69, 11:71–72, 14:39, 15:53, 15:54–55, 21:72, 29:27, 37:112, 51:28–30
• Dreaming of his son's sacrifice: 37:102–103

See also[edit]

• Abraham and Islamic architecture
• Biblical narratives and the Quran
• Legends and the Quran
• Muhammad in the Quran
• Zarathustra

Notes[edit]

References[edit]

• Saad Assel, Mary (2010). 25 Icons of Peace in the Qur'an: Lessons of Harmony. iUniverse. p. 244. ISBN 9781440169014.
• Mehar, Iftikhar Ahmed (2003). Al-Islam: Inception to Conclusion. AL-ISLAM. p. 240. ISBN 9781410732729.
• Islam Kotob. Stories Of The Prophets By Ibn Kathir. Islamic Books.
• Lalljee, compiled by Yousuf N. (1993). Know your Islam (3rd ed.). New York: Taknike Tarsile Quran. p. 255. ISBN 978-0-940368-02-6.

Further reading[edit]

General[edit]

• P.J. Bearman; Th. Bianquis; C.E. Bosworth; E. van Donzel; W.P. Heinrichs (eds.). Encyclopaedia of Islam Online. Brill Academic Publishers. ISSN 1573-3912.
• Cyril Glasse, Concise Encyclopedia of Islam, Pgs. 18–19 (Abraham), Suhail Academy

Abraham and the Kaaba[edit]

• Martin Lings, Mecca: From Before Genesis Until Now, Archetype
• Leila Azzam, Lives of the Prophets, Abraham and the Kaaba, Suhail Academy

Abraham's life[edit]

• Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari, History of the Prophets and Kings, Vol. II: Prophets and Patriarchs
• Ibn Kathir, Stories of the Prophets, Chapter VI: Story of Abraham

External links[edit]

• The Story of the Prophet Ibrahim & His Wife Hajar
• The Sacrifice Of Abraham: Isaac or Ishmael?