Ibrahim عليه السلام Echo: Where Footsteps Become Footprints

His Father

Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) is renowned in the Holy Qur’an not only for his unwavering monotheism and profound submission to Allah but also for his deep sense of compassion and respect, even toward those who rejected the truth. One of the most significant and challenging relationships in his life was with his father, Āzar, a devout idolater and craftsman of idols, (there are some reports that claim Azar was actually his step-father, Allah knows Best). Despite his father’s staunch disbelief, Ibrahim’s interaction with him is a timeless example of balancing obedience to Allah with respect and kindness to parents, even when they oppose the truth.

A Father Steeped in Idol Worship

In the society where Ibrahim (AS) was raised, idol worship was the dominant religion, and Āzar, his father, played a central role in that system. The Qur’an describes Ibrahim AS’s early realization of the falsehood of idol worship and his gentle attempts to guide his father to the truth:

وَٱذْكُرْ فِى ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ صِدِّيقًا نَّبِيًّ إِذْ قَالَ لِأَبِيهِ يَـٰٓأَبَتِ لِمَ تَعْبُدُ مَا لَا يَسْمَعُ وَلَا يُبْصِرُ وَلَا يُغْنِى عَنكَ شَيْـًٔاا

“And mention in the Book [the story of] Ibrahim. Indeed, he was a man of truth and a prophet. [Mention] when he said to his father, ‘O my father, why do you worship that which does not hear and does not see and will not benefit you at all?'” Maryam (19: 41-42)

Despite being a Prophet with firm belief in the oneness of Allah, Ibrahim (AS) approached his father with compassion, reason, and respect, repeatedly using the phrase “Yā abati” (“O my dear father”)—a form of address filled with love and gentleness.

Persistent Daʿwah with Politeness

Ibrahim AS’s concern for his father’s guidance is evident in the Qur’anic record of their conversation. He did not argue harshly, insult, or ridicule his father’s beliefs. Instead, he appealed to reason and urged him to follow the path of truth:

يَـٰٓأَبَتِ إِنِّى قَدْ جَآءَنِى مِنَ ٱلْعِلْمِ مَا لَمْ يَأْتِكَ فَٱتَّبِعْنِىٓ أَهْدِكَ صِرَٰطًا سَوِيًّا

“O my father, indeed there has come to me of knowledge that which has not come to you. So follow me; I will guide you to an even path.” Maryam (19:43)

He also warned his father of the consequences of continuing in disbelief, not out of pride or condemnation, but from sincere concern:

يَـٰٓأَبَتِ لَا تَعْبُدِ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنَ ۖ إِنَّ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنَ كَانَ لِلرَّحْمَـٰنِ عَصِيًّا يَـٰٓأَبَتِ إِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ أَن يَمَسَّكَ عَذَابٌ مِّنَ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ فَتَكُونَ لِلشَّيْطَـٰنِ وَلِيًّا

“O my father, do not worship Satan. Indeed, Satan has ever been, to the Most Merciful, disobedient. O my father, indeed I fear that there will touch you a punishment from the Most Merciful…” Maryam (19: 44-45)

This exchange shows the remarkable balance Ibrahim AS struck: he was uncompromising in his belief in Allah, yet consistently gentle and kind in his approach to his disbelieving father.

His Father’s Harsh Response

Unfortunately, despite Ibrahim AS’s respectful and reasoned appeals, his father rejected the message and responded with hostility:

قَالَ أَرَاغِبٌ أَنتَ عَنْ ءَالِهَتِى يَـٰٓإِبْرَٰهِيمُ ۖ لَئِن لَّمْ تَنتَهِ لَأَرْجُمَنَّكَ ۖ وَٱهْجُرْنِى مَلِيًّا

“He said, ‘Are you turning away from my gods, O Ibrahim? If you do not desist, I will surely stone you, so avoid me for a prolonged time.'” Maryam (19: 46)

Even when threatened with violence and estrangement, Ibrahim (AS) responded with grace:

قَالَ سَلَـٰمٌ عَلَيْكَ ۖ سَأَسْتَغْفِرُ لَكَ رَبِّىٓ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ بِى حَفِيًّا

“Peace be upon you. I will ask forgiveness for you of my Lord. Indeed, He is ever gracious to me.” Maryam (19: 47)

Here, Ibrahim AS exemplifies forbearance, patience, and continued goodwill, even as his father rejected and threatened him. His respectful parting words reflect a heart free of hatred and filled with sincere concern.

Obedience to Allah Comes First

Despite his affection for his father, Ibrahim AS never compromised his obedience to Allah. His loyalty to the truth took precedence, and he distanced himself from the polytheistic practices of his family and community:

قَدْ كَانَتْ لَكُمْ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ فِىٓ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ وَٱلَّذِينَ مَعَهُۥٓ إِذْ قَالُوا۟ لِقَوْمِهِمْ إِنَّا بُرَءَٰٓؤُا۟ مِنكُمْ وَمِمَّا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ

“Indeed, there has been an excellent example for you in Ibrahim and those with him, when they said to their people, ‘Indeed, we are disassociated from you and from whatever you worship besides Allah…’” Al-Mumtahanah (60: 4)

While Ibrahim (AS) prayed for his father’s forgiveness, he later ceased this once he learned from Allah that it was not permitted to ask forgiveness for a disbeliever:

وَمَا كَانَ ٱسْتِغْفَارُ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ لِأَبِيهِ إِلَّا عَن مَّوْعِدَةٍ وَعَدَهَآ إِيَّاهُ فَلَمَّا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُۥٓ أَنَّهُۥ عَدُوٌّ لِّلَّهِ تَبَرَّأَ مِنْهُ ۚ إِنَّ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ لَأَوَّٰهٌ حَلِيمٌ

“And the request of forgiveness of Ibrahim for his father was only because of a promise he had made to him. But when it became clear to him that he was an enemy to Allah, he disassociated himself from him.” At-Tawbah (9: 114)

This further reinforces the Islamic principle that obedience to Allah outweighs even the strongest family bonds.