Difficulties of Ibrahim AS

Today is the final day of Haj but the days of Qurbani here at home, still continue.

Our theme for the Haj broadcast was “With Difficulty Comes Ease.” Hajj and Qubani is synonymous with the name of the great Prophet and Friend of Allah, Nabi Ibrahim AS.

So, over the next few days we will in sha Allah take a look at the difficulties which Ibrahim AS had to undergo for the sake of Allah.

It is important to firstly understand that in every process of learning, there is a specific and exclusive way of evaluating the learners. While a teacher tests his students with class work, project, exercise and eventually examination, a mother tests her child – especially females – with culinary skills, by leaving her to prepare the meal. Considering all these, Allah tests the believers who claim to believe in Him and had gathered some wealth of knowledge. This test differs based on one’s level of faith. History will be incomplete if the firm faith of Prophet Ibrahim AS is not recognized as the father of faith (monotheism), a firm and resolute believer in the Oneness of Allah and his complete submission to Him.

Ibrahim AS is the father of faith because he was able to maintain a firm belief in Allah even when no one stood by him in his community. All monotheistic religions traced their origin to him and he passed tests and survived great trials that would have shaken the faith out of many.

The first came during his early stage in life when he was contemplating on the existence of Allah.

These verses in Surah al An`am explain this better.

فَلَمَّا جَنَّ عَلَيْهِ ٱلَّيْلُ رَءَا كَوْكَبًا ۖ قَالَ هَـٰذَا رَبِّى ۖ فَلَمَّآ أَفَلَ قَالَ لَآ أُحِبُّ ٱلْـَٔافِلِينَ

When the night drew its shadow over him, he saw a star and said, “This is my Rabb.” But when it set, he said: “I do not love to worship such a god that fades away.”

فَلَمَّا رَءَا ٱلْقَمَرَ بَازِغًا قَالَ هَـٰذَا رَبِّى ۖ فَلَمَّآ أَفَلَ قَالَ لَئِن لَّمْ يَهْدِنِى رَبِّى لَأَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلضَّآلِّينَ

Afterwards he saw the moon shining, he said; “This is my Rabb.” But when it also set, he cried: “If my Rabb does not guide me, I shall certainly become one of those who go astray.”

فَلَمَّا رَءَا ٱلشَّمْسَ بَازِغَةً قَالَ هَـٰذَا رَبِّى هَـٰذَآ أَكْبَرُ ۖ فَلَمَّآ أَفَلَتْ قَالَ يَـٰقَوْمِ إِنِّى بَرِىٓءٌ مِّمَّا تُشْرِكُونَ

Then when he saw the sun with its brighter shine, and he said: “This must be my Rabb; it is larger than the other two.” But when it also set, he exclaimed: “O my people! I am done with your shirk (associating partners with Allah).

He was indeed tested with various choices of demigods. He knew quiet well that the multiplicity of gods being worshipped in Babylonia were false, therefore his quest for the One and Only Lord began. He had the option of concluding that Allah was any of His creations like the moon, stars, sun and many others but he remained firm and continued his enquiry until he eventually found Allah. This was also a sign of his high intellect and superior thinking.

Is your faith being tested with whisperings from Shaytaan to make you doubt the existence of Allah? Don’t ever fall for this plot of Iblees, remain firm and believe that Allah is the Lord of the universe Who controls what happens in every corner of this earth and any other part of the universe; those known to us and those oblivious to us.