Abraham, the Father of Islam

By Shaykh Omar Subedar

Ibrähëm عليه السلام, the father of Islam

[Islam is] the religion of your father, Ibrähëm [22:78]

Childhood

Centuries ago, when the center of civilization was based in Iraq, the world had slipped into an ocean of darkness. Humanity had become ignorant of their true creator and had taken up the worship of idols, the sun, the moon, the stars and their king, Nimrod, the renowned Babylonian king. Nimrod was a ruthless ruler who oppressed people and showed them no mercy.

During his reign, one night a star had risen which lit the night sky. Its radiance even dimmed the moonlight. Upon witnessing this spectacle Nimrod became astonished and immediately summoned all the prominent soothsayers and fortune tellers in his kingdom demanding an explanation for this unusual occurrence. They replied, “This indicates that a child shall be born in your kingdom upon whose hands your kingdom will be destroyed!”

No sooner did the king hear these words that he ordered for the segregation of all men and women and the termination of all new-borns from that day onwards. It was in the midst of this unease that Allah blessed Aazar, an idol merchant who lived in Kutha (a neighbourhood of Babylon), with a son who he named Ibrähëm. Through Allah’s assistance he managed to save his son from the ruthless hands of the tyrant.

Divine Inspiration

As Ibrähëm عليه السلام grew up, Allah blessed him with guidance at a very tender age. Allah states, “And we had certainly given Ibrähëm his guidance from before and we were of him well-knowing.” [21:51]

It was through the light this guidance that Ibrähëm عليه السلام could see the fallacy in the beliefs and practices of his community and therefore decided to address them about it. He first approached his father and expressed the following words, “O my father, why do you worship that which does not hear and does not see and will not benefit you at all? O my father, indeed there has come to me knowledge that which has not come to you, so follow me; I will guide you to a straight path. O my father, do not worship Satan. Indeed Satan has ever been to Most Merciful, disobedient. O my father, indeed I fear that there will touch you a punishment from the Most Merciful so you would be to Satan a companion (in Hell).”

(His father) responded, “Have you no desire for my gods O Ibrähëm? If you do not desist, I will surely stone you, so avoid me for a prolonged time!”

Ibrähëm said, “Peace be upon you, I will ask forgiveness for you of my Lord. Indeed, he is ever gracious to me.” [19:42-47]

The response Ibrähëm عليه السلام received from his father did not discourage him from inviting people towards the worship Allah but rather it caused him to increase his efforts. Hence he approached his community with the message of truth. Allah relates, “When he said to his father and his people, “What are these statues to which you are devoted?”

They said, “We found our fathers worshipers of them.”

He said, “You were certainly, you and your fathers, in manifest error.”

They said, “Have you come to us with truth, or are you of those who jest?”

He said, “[No] rather your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth who created them and I to that am of those who testify. And [I swear] by Allah, I will surely plot against your idols after you have turned and gone away!” [21:52-57]

When the festive period came around some townsmen approached Ibrähëm عليه السلام and invited him to join the festivities. His response was, “And he cast a look at the stars. And said, “Indeed I am ill.” So they turned away from him departing.” [37:88-90]

Once the neighbourhood became deserted, Ibrähëm عليه السلام went to the sacred temple and approached the false gods, putting before them some offerings. The Quran states, “Then he turned to their gods and said,” Do you not eat? What is (wrong) with you that you do not speak?” And he turned upon them a blow with (his) right hand.” [37:91-93]

Ibrähëm عليه السلام then demolished the idols to the extent that, “…he made them into fragments, except a large one among them that they might return to it (and question).” [21:58]

Thereafter Ibrähëm عليه السلام exited the temple content and happy, for now he had exposed the helplessness of the idols and anticipated that his community would repent and revert upon witnessing this scene.

When the residents of his neighbourhood returned and visited the sacred temple, they were left dumbfounded over what they witnessed. They expressed in shock, “Who has done this to our gods? Indeed he is of the wrong-doers.”  

They said, “We heard a young man mention them who is called Ibrähëm.”

They said, “Then bring him before the eyes of the people that they may witness.” [21:59-61]

Then they came towards him, hastening. [37:94]

They said, “Have you done this to our gods O Ibrähëm?”

He said, “Rather this, the largest one of them, did it, so ask them if they speak.”

So they returned to (blaming) themselves and said (to each other), “Indeed, you are the wrong-doers!”

Then they reversed themselves (saying), “You have already known that these do not speak.”

He said, “Then do you worship other than Allah that which does not benefit you at all or harm you? Uff to you and to what you worship other than Allah. Will you then not use reason?”

They said, “Burn him and support your gods, if you are to act!” [21:62-68]

In the Fire

Once the townsmen decided to burn Ibrähëm عليه السلام alive as a punishment for his actions, they immediately began collecting wood from wherever it was accessible and gathered it in an enormous pit. This process took place for a number of days to the extent that if a woman in the city fell ill she would vow to put wood in the designated pit once her health was restored.

After a period of time the huge stack of wood was lit and an enormous bonfire erupted, the likes of which was never witnessed before. The townsmen then grabbed Ibrähëm عليه السلام, tied him up and put him in a catapult designed by a man named Hazan, which was the first of its kind. Throughout this whole ordeal the only words Ibrähëm عليه السلام uttered were, “Allah is sufficient for me and he is the best disposer of affairs.” Finally, Ibrähëm عليه السلام was flung into the blazing fire to which Allah ordered, “O fire, be cool and safe upon Ibrähëm عليه السلام!” [69:21]

It was due to this command that Ibrähëm عليه السلام was unscathed by the blaze; rather the only things that were burnt were the ropes that he was tied with. Once in the fire, Allah created a beautiful green garden in the centre of it where Ibrähëm عليه السلام rested for the next 40 to 50 days. Meanwhile the townsmen looked on in astonishment. Allah said, “And they intended for him a plan but we made them the greatest losers.” [21:70]

Inviting Nimrod

Approximately 50 days after Ibrähëm عليه السلام had been thrown in the fire, he walked out from it unscratched and headed straight to Nimrod. Once he was in the king’s court he began inviting him towards the worship of Allah alone. Allah mentions, “Have you not considered the one who argued with Ibrähëm عليه السلام about his Lord (merely) because Allah had given him kingship? When Ibrähëm عليه السلام said, “My Lord is the one who gives life and causes death.” He said, “I give life and cause death.” [2:258]

The senseless king then summoned two prisoners and upon their arrival he sentenced one to death and released the other. When Ibrähëm عليه السلام witnessed the king’s lack of understanding he simply asked, “Indeed Allah brings up the sun from the east so bring it up from the west!”

So the disbeliever was overwhelmed (by astonishment). [2:258]

The Ultimate Destruction

Ibrähëm عليه السلام invited Nimrod towards the true faith for a total of 3 times but on each occasion the king rejected the invitation. Finally, Allah’s Prophet instructed him, “Assemble your army and I shall assemble mine!”

The following morning Nimrod prepared his army and waited for the arrival of Ibrähëm’s عليه السلام troops. The sky suddenly became extremely black, to the extent that the sun was dimmed. Mosquitoes in the millions had filled the horizon. It was Allah’s army; an army that Nimrod and his soldiers did not expect. The mosquitoes then advanced and attacked the armed forces mercilessly. They consumed their flesh and blood and left nothing of them except their bones. One mosquito went up the king’s nostril and stayed there for a considerable amount of time. The king repeatedly beat his head to get the mosquito out but to no avail. Later he perished as well and thus his empire came to an abrupt end.

The Migration

Following this incident Ibrähëm عليه السلام informed his people, “Indeed I am going to migrate to (the service of) my lord. Indeed, he is the Exalted in Might, the Wise!” [29:26]

He then left his hometown accompanied by his wife, Sara and nephew, Lōt عليه السلام and began a migration. He first settled with them in Haran where he encountered a community who engaged in the worship of the sun, the moon and the stars. After observing their rituals for a number of days, Ibrähëm عليه السلام decided to direct their attention towards Allah, the true god who solely deserves to be worshiped. The Quran relates, “So when the night covered him (with darkness) he saw a star. He said, “This is my Lord (according to your assertions).”

But when it set he said, “I do not like those that set (i.e. disappear).”

And when he saw the moon rising he said, “This is my Lord!”

But when it set he said, “If my Lord will not guide me, I will surely be among the people gone astray.”

And when he saw the sun rising, he said, “This is my Lord this is greater!”

But when it set he said, “O my people, indeed I am free from what you associate with Allah. Indeed I have turned myself towards He who created the heavens and the earth and I am not of those who associate others (in worship) with Allah!”

And his people argued with him. He said, “Do you argue with me concerning Allah while He has guided me? And I fear not what you associate with him (and will not be harmed) unless my Lord should will something. My Lord encompasses all things in knowledge, so will you not remember? And how should I fear what you associate while you do not fear that you have associated with Allah that for which He has not sent down to you any authority? So which of the two parties has more right to security, if you should know?” [6:76-81]

To Egypt

Ibrähëm عليه السلام later decided to leave Haran and eventually travelled to Egypt. While he was there an interesting incident took place. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم related, “[Once] while Ibrähëm عليه السلام and Sara were travelling they passed (the territory of) a tyrant from among tyrants. Someone said to the tyrant, “This man is accompanied by an attractive woman.”

So he sent for Ibrähëm عليه السلام and asked him about Sara saying, “Who is this lady?”

Ibrähëm عليه السلام said, “She is my sister.”

Ibrähëm عليه السلام then went to Sara and said, “O Sara, there are no believers on the surface of the earth except for you and I. This man asked me about you and I have told him that you are my sister so do not refute me.”

The tyrant then called Sara. When she went to him he tried to seize her with his hand but his hand became paralyzed. This left him bewildered. He asked Sara, “Pray to Allah for me and I shall not harm you!”

So she asked Allah to cure him and consequently he was cured. He then tried grabbing her a second time but (his hand became paralyzed again) and he became more confounded. He again requested Sara, “Pray to Allah for me and I will not harm you.” Sara asked Allah again and he became stable. He then called one of his guards and said, “You have not brought a human being to me rather you have brought me a devil!”

The tyrant then gave Hajar, as a female-servant to Sara [to compensate for his inappropriate behaviour]. She then returned [to Ibrähëm عليه السلام] while he was praying. Ibrähëm عليه السلام gestured with his hand and asked, “What happened?”

She replied, “Allah spoiled the evil plot of the infidel and gave me Hajar to serve me.” [Bukhäri: 3358]

The First Child

Ibrähëm عليه السلام then left Egypt and went to Palestine with his wife and her female-servant and settled in Jerusalem. There he lived comfortably for a period of time, however, after being blessed with countless favours and bounties from Allah, there was one bounty he longed for; a child. His wife, Sara was sterile due to which she had not conceived throughout their marriage. Hence one day Ibrähëm عليه السلام turned to the Allah and prayed, “My Lord, grant me (a child) from among the righteous.” [37:100]

Allah immediately accepted his Messenger’s request, “So, we gave him glad tidings of a tolerant boy.” [37:101]

Ibrähëm عليه السلام was granted a boy through Hajar and named him Ismä’ël عليه السلام. He was 86 at the time. One could only imagine the joy he must have experienced upon the birth of his first child after all those years. The love he must have had in his heart for his newborn son was something that cannot be articulated. However, not too long after Ismä’ël’s عليه السلام birth Sara began feeling uncomfortable with Hajar’s presence and friction began developing between the two. Sara then one day requested her husband to relocate Hajar and her child. Hence Allah instructed his Messenger to take the two to the valley of Bakka and leave them there. Ibrähëm عليه السلام executed these instructions and travelled to the desert valley with mother and son. Upon reaching the destination he seated his female servant and his only infant child by a tree that was situated beside the then non-existent well of zamzam. He then placed a bag of dates and some water in a water-carrier beside them and began to walk away. Hajar became startled by this and immediately got up to follow her beloved master. She enquired, “O Ibrähëm عليه السلام where are you off to? Are you leaving us here in this valley where there is nobody and nothing at all?”

Ibrähëm عليه السلام paid no attention to her and continued to walk on. Hajar then frantically repeated her question several times but never received a reply. Finally she asked him, “Has Allah ordered you to do this?” Ibrähëm عليه السلام then simply nodded. Upon this Hajar proclaimed, “In that case he will not make us perish!”

She then returned to her place and sat by her suckling child.

Ibrähëm عليه السلام continued to walk away until once he was completely out of Hajar’s sight he turned towards the valley full of emotion, raised his hands and made the following supplication, “Our Lord, I have settled some of my descendants in an uncultivated valley near your sacred house. Our Lord, that they may establish prayer, so make hearts among the people incline toward them and provide for them from the fruits that they might be grateful.” [14:37]

He then returned to Jerusalem.

Zamzam

As days passed by Hajar resided all alone in the middle of the desert valley and continued to nurse her child. Her only source of nourishment was the dates and water her master had left behind and that too finished after several days. As the intense heat of the Makkan valley beat down upon her and her child, they became desperately thirsty. Ismä’ël عليه السلام began weeping bitterly while his mother did not have a clue as to what to do. She thus left her hungry child in his place, headed to the closest mountain i.e. Safä, and climbed to its peak. She then scouted the valley below, hoping to spot someone who could help her but had no luck. She then descended the mountain, dashed across the valley and ascended the mountain on the other side i.e. Marwa for the same reason but to no avail. She then went back and forth from Marwa to Safä and Safä to Marwa a total of seven times until finally while on top of Marwa she suddenly heard some noise. She stopped for a moment and listened carefully. Her attention was drawn towards the location of her unattended child where she saw a figure standing by him. She immediately sprinted back to her child only to discover that the figure was none other than an angel who, upon her arrival, struck his heel on the ground due to which water began to gush forth. Upon witnessing this, Hajar rushed to the water and began scooping it into her water carrier until it was filled. Thereafter she drank to her heart’s content and also fed her thirsty child. The angel then said to her, “Do be afraid of perishing for indeed the house of Allah will stand in this very place which this boy and his father will construct. Indeed Allah will not waste his (i.e. Ibrähëm’s عليه السلام) family!”

The Foundations of a New Community

Hajar and her son continued to remain in this state until one day a caravan from Jurhum, Yemen was travelling through the area and decided to set camp not too far off from where Hajar was situated. One of the group members noticed some birds in the sky and said, “These birds only fly around water! According to my knowledge of this valley there is no water around here!”

He then sent one or two people from the caravan to go and check the area where the birds were flying. They went to the location and discovered some water. They quickly returned and informed every one of their findings. The group then packed camp and went by the water only to find Hajar sitting by it. One of them requested, “Will you grant us permission to camp out here?”

Hajar replied, “Okay but you have no share of this water.”

The caravan agreed and then set camp. As Hajar got to know the group she became more courteous with them due to which they decided to settle there. They later called their families who came and joined them and thus a little village was formed in the midst of the desert valley.

The Grand Test

Ibrähëm عليه السلام would occasionally visit Hajar and Ismä’ël عليه السلام to check up on them and spend some time with them; after all Ismä’ël عليه السلام was his only son and he could not bear to live for long periods without seeing him. During one visit Ibrähëm عليه السلام witnessed a strange dream in which he saw himself slaughtering Ismä’ël عليه السلام. He then woke up in the state of bewilderment and began to ponder over whether this was a vision from Shaytän or a directive of Allah. This incident occurred on the 8^th of Dhul Hijja and was thus named ‘The day of deliberation’.

The next day the Prophet witnessed the same dream. When he woke up he at once realized that this is undoubtedly an order from Allah and thus this day was named ‘The day of recognition’.

The following day he witnessed the same dream again and upon rising he decided to execute the order without any further delay. It is for this reason that this specific day is known as ‘The day of slaughter.’ Upon making this decision Ibrähëm عليه السلام confronted his son, who was approximately 13 at that time and consulted him on this matter. Allah relates, “And when he (i.e. Ismä’ël عليه السلام) reached with him (the age of) exertion, he (Ibrähëm عليه السلام) said, “O my son indeed I have seen in a dream that I am slaughtering you so see what you think.”

He said, “O my father do as you have been commanded. Soon you will find me, if Allah wills, of the steadfast!” [37:102]

This response made Ibrähëm عليه السلام proud of his son, for it displayed how devoted he was to his creator. Ibrähëm عليه السلام then took a knife and some rope and the two proceeded to the valley of Mina. When reaching there the two encountered an uninvited guest who made all haste to reach there before the two arrived, i.e. Shaytän. Shaytän confronted Ibrähëm عليه السلام in the appearance of a man and inquired, “Where are you going O Sheikh?”

The Prophet replied, “I am going this valley for an errand!”

Shaytän remarked, “By Allah, it seems to me that Shaytän had come in your dream and instructed you to slaughter your son. Hence you now intend to slaughter him!”

At once Ibrähëm عليه السلام recognized who this man really was and shouted.” Get away from me O enemy of Allah! I swear by Allah I will certainly execute my Lords orders!”

He then pelted the devil with seven pebbles who then scattered away. After walking a short distance, Shaytän came face to face with Ibrähëm عليه السلام again and attempted to prevent him from fulfilling Allah’s command but Ibrähëm عليه السلام pelted with seven pebbles once more due to which Shaytän backed off.

Shaytän was still not ready to acknowledge defeat and yet for a third time he stopped Ibrähëm عليه السلام in his tracks after he had walked a short distance and again made every effort to misguide Allah’s best friend. However he was pelted with seven pebbles once again due to which he finally gave up.

Ibrähëm عليه السلام then proceeded to a boulder situated by the base of Mount Thabeer. There Ismä’ël عليه السلام expressed, “O my father, when you intend to slaughter me tie me up properly so that no part of me will be able to strike you. [If I strike you, my actions] will result in my reward being decreased, for indeed death is severe and I will be unable to control myself from becoming restless once I begin to experience it. Sharpen your knife until you strike me so that you put me to rest quickly and when you lay me down for slaughter, make me lie on my face upon my forehead and not my flank for I fear that if you will look at my face and mercy will overtake you. This will be an obstacle between you and the fulfillment of Allah’s command. If you feel it is appropriate to return my shirt to my mother and this will be a greater source of consolation for her regarding me, then please do so.”

Ibrähëm عليه السلام replied, “You are a great help in fulfilling Allah’s command, my son,.”

He then tied his son as instructed, sharpened his knife and lay him down upon his forehead on the boulder. He then drew his knife, placed it on his throat and began to cut, however Allah removed the power of cutting from the knife and Ismä’ël عليه السلام didn’t even get scratched. Suddenly a call came from the skies, “O Ibrähëm عليه السلام! You have fulfilled the vision.”

Indeed we thus reward the doers of good. Indeed this was the clear trial. And we ransomed him with a great sacrifice.” [37:104-107]

Ibrähëm’s عليه السلام attention was then drawn towards a mimosa tree on Mount Thabeer where he saw a big healthy ram tied to it. He then approached it and slaughtered it his son’s place.

Encounter with Strangers

Ibrähëm عليه السلام returned to Palestine not too long after this incident.  There another strange occurrence took place. Allah relates, “Has there reached you the story of the honoured guests of Ibrähëm? When they entered upon him and said, “Peace (be upon you).”

He replied, “(And upon you) peace. (You are) an unknown people.” [51:24-25]

Little did the Prophet know that these ‘honourable guests’ where the archangels Jibrël, Mëkaël and Isräfël. The only reason why Ibrähëm عليه السلام was unable to recognize them was because they had come in the appearance of handsome young men.

“Then he went to his family and came with a fat (roasted) calf and placed it near them. He said, “Will you not eat?” [51:26-27]

“So when he saw their hands not reaching for it, he distrusted them and felt from them apprehension.” [11:70]

The reason behind this was that traditionally if a guest refused to eat it meant that he harboured ill will towards the host or intended to harm him. Ibrähëm عليه السلام then expressed his feelings and said, “Indeed, we are fearful of you.”

They replied, “Fear not. Indeed we give you glad tidings of a learned boy.”

He said, “Have you given me glad tidings even though old age has come upon me? Then of what do you inform?”

They said, “We have given you glad tidings in truth so do not be of the despairing.”

He said, “And who despairs of the mercy of his Lord except for those who are astray?”

(Ibrähëm عليه السلام then) inquired, “So what is your business (here), O messengers?” [15:52-57]

They replied, “Indeed, we are going to destroy the dwellers of this city (i.e. Lōt’s عليه السلام city). Indeed, its people have been wrong doers.” [29:31]

The angels then further elaborated, “Indeed, we have been sent to a people of criminals to send down upon them stones of clay which are marked in the presence of your Lord for the transgressors.” [51:32-34]

Ibrähëm عليه السلام then protested, “Indeed within it is Lōt!”

They said, “We are more knowing of who is within it. We will surely save him and his family except his wife; she is to be of those who remain behind.” [29:32]

Good News

In the meantime Sara came and stood by to serve them. While there, she heard first hand from the angels what their mission was and thus reacted in the following manner;

And his wife was standing and she smiled (in pleasure of the news of the forthcoming punishment). Then we gave glad tidings to her of Is’häq and after Is’häq, Ya`qōb.

She said, “Woe to me! Shall I give birth while I am an old women and this, my husband, is an old man? Indeed this is an amazing thing!”

They said, “Are you amazed at the order of Allah? May the mercy of Allah and his blessings be upon you, O people of the house. Indeed he is praiseworthy and honourable.” [11:71-73]

Thus Sara was blessed with her first child at the age of 90, thirteen years after the birth of Ismä’ël عليه السلام. Ibrähëm عليه السلام was approximately 100 years old at the time.

Meanwhile in Makka Ismä’ël عليه السلام grew to be a handsome, young intelligent man. He learned Arabic from the Jurhumites and developed some outstanding talents. Unfortunately when Ismä’ël عليه السلام reached this stage in his life, his mother Hajar passed away. Shortly after his tragic loss Ismä’ël عليه السلام married a Jurhumite woman and began his own family. One day when Ismä’ël عليه السلام stepped out of his house to search for some food, Ibrähëm عليه السلام  had come to visit Makka only to learn that the mother of his first child was no more. Stricken with grief Ibrähëm عليه السلام went to his son’s residence where he found his daughter in-law. He inquired from her his son’s whereabouts and she informed him that he had stepped out in search of food. Thereafter he began to ask her about her family’s financial situation. She explained, “We are people who have been struck with poverty and are experiencing great difficulties.”

She went forth presenting a series of complaints regarding their hardship in front of a man who she did not realize was her father in-law. When she finished Ibrähëm عليه السلام instructed her, “When your husband comes, convey my saläm to him and tell him to change his doorsill.”

Thereafter Ibrähëm عليه السلام left. A short while later Ismä’ël عليه السلام returned home and upon entering the house he sensed his father’s scent. He immediately inquired from his wife, “Did anyone come to you?”

She replied, “Yes, an elderly man came and asked for you so I told him that you went out. He then asked about our financial situation and I informed him that we were in a difficult state.”

Ismä’ël عليه السلام then further asked, “Did he advise you to do anything?”

She answered, “Yes, he told me to convey his saläm to you and said that you should change your doorsill.” Upon hearing these words Ismä’ël عليه السلام turned to her and explained, “That was my father and he has ordered me to split from you! Therefore go to your parents.”

He later divorced her and married another Jurhumite woman.

After some time Ibrähëm عليه السلام re-visited Makka and went to Ismä’ël’s عليه السلام home only to discover his absence once again. When he encountered his new daughter in-law he asked, “Where’s your husband?”

She replied, “He stepped out in search for some food.”

He then inquired about their financial condition upon which she answered, “We are at ease and in a good state.”

Thereafter she praised Allah. Ibrähëm عليه السلام then asked, “What is your food?”

She replied, “Meat.”

He asked, “What is your drink?”

She answered, “Water.”

He then supplicated, “O Allah, bless them in their meat and water.”

He then turned to her, pleased and said, “When your husband comes [home] convey my saläm to him and tell him to keep his doorsill firm.”

Thereafter Ibrähëm عليه السلام left.

A short while later Ismä’ël عليه السلام arrived home and once again sensed his father’s scent. He asked his wife, “Did anyone come to you?”

She answered, “Yes a handsome elderly man came and asked about you so I told him [that you stepped out]. He then asked me about our standard of living. I told him that we were comfortable.”

Ismä’ël عليه السلام then asked, “Did he instruct you to do anything?”

She replied, “Yes he told me to convey his saläm to you and said that you should keep your doorsill firm.”

He then told her, “That was my father and he has ordered me to keep you [in my marriage].”

Constructing the First House of Allah

After some time Ibrähëm عليه السلام paid another visit to Makka and this time found Ismä’ël عليه السلام fixing an arrow beneath a tree that was situated by the Zamzam well. When Ismä’ël عليه السلام saw his father, he immediately got up and greeted him with joy. After all the usual formalities, Ibrähëm عليه السلام told his son, “O Ismä’ël, Allah has given me an order.”

Ismä’ël عليه السلام answered, “Then do as your Lord has commanded.”

Ibrähëm عليه السلام asked, “Will you assist me?”

Ismä’ël عليه السلام replied, “I will assist you.”

Ibrähëm عليه السلام then explained, “Allah has ordered me to construct a house in this area.”

He then pointed towards a mound a few yards away from the Zamzam well. Allah mentions, “And when we designated for Ibrahim the site of the house, (saying), “Do not associate anything with me and purify my house for those who will perform tawäf and stand in prayer and bow and prostate.” [22:26]

The construction then commenced. Both father and son began to work for days on end. Ismä’ël عليه السلام would hand over the stone bricks to his father while his father would set them in their place. Allah states,

“And when Ibrahim was raising the foundations of the house and Ismail (they were supplicating), “Our Lord, accept (this) from us, indeed you are the all-hearing, the all-knowing. Our Lord, make us submissive to you and from our descendant a nation submissive to you and show us our rites (of pilgrimage) and accept our repentance. Indeed you are the acceptor of repentance, the merciful. Our Lord, and send among them a messenger from themselves who will recite to them your verses and teach them the book and wisdom and purify them. Indeed you are the exalted in might, the wise.” [2:127-129]

The Black Stone and the Stepping Stone

Once the foundations of the structure were laid and the walls were being erected Ibrähëm عليه السلام asked his son, “O my son, find for me a nice stone to put it in this corner.”

Ismä’ël عليه السلام replied, “O father, I do not feel energetic [at the moment].”

Ibrähëm عليه السلام then ordered, “Bring it to me!”

Thereby Ismä’ël عليه السلام went on his way. During his absence Jibrël عليه السلام brought to the busy Prophet a white stone from the Indian sub-continent. This was the very stone that Adam عليه السلام brought with him to this world when he was expelled from the Gardens of Paradise. It was white in texture and approximately the size of an ostrich egg, however due to being handled and kissed by countless sinners throughout time the stone turned black and today it is known as ‘The Black Stone.’

Upon receiving this stone, Ibrähëm عليه السلام placed it in the intended place and Jibrël عليه السلام then left. After a short while Ismä’ël عليه السلام returned with a stone only to notice the white stone affixed in the designated place. He then inquired, “O my father, who brought this to you?”

Ibrähëm عليه السلام replied, “Someone who is far more active than you.”

As the construction progressed and the walls of the new building grew higher, Ibrähëm عليه السلام found it difficult to reach any higher than he already could, which made it difficult to set the bricks. Therefore Ismä’ël عليه السلام found a stone for his father, which he used as a stepping stone until the structure was completed. Within this stone Ibrähëm’s عليه السلام feet were imprinted and have been preserved until today. This stone is known as Maqäm Ibrähëm.

The Announcement

When the building was finally completed Allah ordered Ibrähëm عليه السلام, “And announce within the people the pilgrimage, they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel. They will come from every distant pass that they may witness benefits for themselves and mention the name of Allah on the designated days over what he has provided for them of (sacrificial) animals. So eat of them and feed the miserable and poor. Then let them end their untidiness and fulfill their vows and perform tawäf around the ancient House.” [22:27-29]

Ibrähëm عليه السلام then asked, “O my Lord, How will my voice reach [all of humanity]?”

Allah replied, “You make the announcement while it is upon me to [make your voice] reach.”

When receiving this reply the Prophet of Allah climbed Mount Abu Qubais and proclaimed, “O people, your Lord has made a house, therefore perform pilgrimage to it!”

Allah then made the voice of his friend reach the four corners of the globe making everyone hear it. Every person who was destined to be a believer and make pilgrimage, whether they were in the loins of their fathers or wombs of their mothers, heard the announcement and replied, “Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik!”

Allah later made arrangements for Ibrähëm عليه السلام to learn the rites of the pilgrimage. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم explained, “Jibrël عليه السلام visited Ibrähëm عليه السلام on ‘the day of deliberation’ (i.e. the 8^th of Dhul Hijja) and took him to Mina. There he led the Prophet in prayer for Zhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha and (the following morning’s) Fajr. He then took him to Arafat and seated him in (an area known as) Arak. There he led him in two prayers (which were observed together) i.e. Zuhr and Asr. He then waited there until when he became like the most haste person to observe Maghrib, he departed with him from that area and took him to Jam` (i.e. Muzdalifa) where he led him in two prayers, Maghrib and Isha. They then remained there until when Jibrël عليه السلام became like the most haste person who observes Fajr, he led Ibrähëm عليه السلام in the Fajr prayer. Afterwards they continued to stay there until when Jibrël عليه السلام became like the most relaxed Muslim who observes Fajr he departed with him (and headed back) to Mina. There Ibrähëm عليه السلام stoned the Jamra, slaughtered an animal and shaved his own head [according to the instructions of the Arch Angel]. He then went the house [of Allah]. Allah revealed to Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم, “Follow the religion of Ibrähëm عليه السلام, inclining towards the truth, and he was not of those who associate with Allah.” (Täreekh Al Umam wa Al Mulōk p.262 v.1)

Ibrähëm عليه السلام later returned to Palestine where, not too long after his arrival, his wife Sara passed away at the age of 127. This caused Ibrähëm عليه السلام immense grief. She was buried in Hebron. Later Ibrähëm عليه السلام married his son Isĥäq عليه السلام off and shortly afterwards remarried himself to a lady named Qantura who gave birth to six of his children.

As the years passed Ibrähëm عليه السلام grew older and weaker until he fell ill and passed away at the age of 200. He was laid to rest by his wife in Hebron where the renowned Masjid Al Khalil stands today. May Allah shower his infinite mercy upon his soul and bless him with the highest grades in the Gardens of Paradise. Ameen

References

1. Tafseer Al Qur’än Al Ażheem, Abu Al Fidä Ismä’ël ibn Kathër [d.774H]
2. Al Jäme’ li Ahkäm Al Qur’än, Muhammad ibn Ahmad Al Qurtubi [d.671H]
3. Ma`äriful Qur’än, Muhammad Shafë’
4. Al Jäme’ Al Sahëh, Muhammad ibn Ismä’ël Al Bukhäri [d.256H]
5. Täreekh Al Umam wa Al Mulōk, Muhammad ibn Jarër Al Tabri [d.310H]
6. Al Bidäya wa Al Nihäya, Abu Al Fidä Ismä’ël ibn Kathër [d.774H]