SUMMARY: The story of the family of Prophet Ibrahim carries timeless lessons for Muslims in faith, patience and perseverance, and sincerity towards Allah.
"Indeed, Allah chose Adam, Noah, the family of Abraham, and the family of ’Imrân above all people [of their time]." (Quran, 3:33)
Prophet Ibrahim, peace be upon him, is so significant that his name is mentioned in each prayer during the Salat Ibrahimiyya known as the Tashahud. We beg Allah to bless both Prophet Muhammad and his followers in the same manner in which blessings were bestowed upon Prophet Ibrahim and his followers, may Allah send peace and blessings upon them. (Oh Allah, Bless Muhammad and the followers of Muhammad as thou did bless Ibrahim and the followers of Ibrahim for Surely Thou art Praised and Majestic.)
Not only is Prophet Ibrahim mentioned in our daily prayers, we make this same dua upon the death of a Muslim as part of the overall janazah prayer. His story includes his family in the Hajj from Hajrah running between the hills of Safa and Marwa seven times searching for water for her son Ismail to the stoning of the jamarat with Prophet Ibrahim resisting the whispering of shaitain to the ritual sacrifice symbolic of Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah.
Thus, there is much we can learn and emulate with our own families when we reflect upon the family of Prophet Ibrahim, peace be upon them.
Unwavering Faith even under the most difficult of circumstances
"Indeed, Ibrahim was a model of excellence: devoted to Allah, upright—not a polytheist." (Quran, 16:121)
Prophet Ibrahim (AS) was an obedient servant of Allah. Through his story we find the lessons of questioning for clarity, obedience and acceptance, resisting the whispering of shaitan, strong faith and the establishment of a nation.
"Lo! Ibrahim was a nation obedient to Allah, by nature upright, and he was not of the idolaters." (Quran, 16:120)
The Quran tells how he questioned and sought clarification about Who to worship, rejecting the worship of creation, which is a sign that he was searching for the truth. He stood up against the disbelief of his father at his own peril and accepted the Qadr of Allah.
“…Ibrahim said to his father and his people: Surely I am clear of what you worship.” (Quran, 43:26)
However, his willingness to sacrifice his own son was a mighty test even as the whisperings of shaitan strove to create doubt and hesitation. The stoning of the jamarat during the rites of Hajj are a reenactment of Prophet Ibrahim driving away those influences that would make him disobey the will of Allah.
Prophet Ibrahim, peace be upon him, was a testament to obedience and unwavering faith when he sought to fulfill his duty, a lesson for all families.
"And then We called out to him, 'O Ibrahim! You have already fulfilled the vision.' Indeed, this is how We reward the good-doers. That was truly a revealing test. And We ransomed his son with a great sacrifice." (Quran, 37:104-107)
Importance of women in the family and society
In the story of Hajar, the wife of Prophet Ibrahim, again we find the lessons of questioning for clarity, obedience and acceptance, resisting the whisperings of shaitan, strong faith and the establishment of a nation. Peace be upon them.
When Allah commanded Prophet Ibrahim to take Hajrah to the desolate area of Bakkah, which would later be called Makkah, this was a great test for both of them, peace be upon them. When she realized that Ibrahim was about to leave her and her son, it is reported in the hadith that she questioned seeking clarity:
“O Ibrahim. Where are you going, leaving us in this valley where there is no one nor is there anything else around?’ She repeatedly asked, but he did not turn. She then asked him, ‘Did Allah command you to do so?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ She said, ‘Then He will not leave us.’" (Sahih Bukhari)
Hajar accepted that her husband was doing the will of Allah. We can only imagine the strong faith in the Decree of Allah it must have taken this woman to accept this. But her level of Tawakkul – trust and reliance on Allah – was the highest as she uttered a strong belief that even under these circumstances she knew, without doubt that Allah was Near and Merciful.
Like all mothers, Hajar began to attend to the needs of her child. So, in this desolate area she ran between the hills of Safa and Marwa which is reenacted in the Hajj and Umrah now, fifteen centuries later. The water found on the heels of her son would become the well of Zamzam from which pilgrims drink, and the city established would be Makkah. Her story celebrates the significance of women in the establishment of a society which includes the land and the symbolism of water to cultivate the moral life of the people. Prophet Muhammad, may Allah send peace and blessings upon him, reinforces her significance by reenacting her journey as one the principle rites of Hajj thus grounding the importance of women.
Listening and working with our Children
Indeed, even with Ismail, peace be upon him, we find the lessons of questioning for clarity, obedience and acceptance, resisting the whisperings of shaitan, strong faith and the establishment of a nation.
"Then when the boy reached the age to work with him, Ibrahim said, “O my dear son! I have seen in a dream that I ˹must˺ sacrifice you. So tell me what you think.” He replied, “O my dear father! Do as you are commanded. Allah willing, you will find me steadfast.” (Quran, 37:102)
Like his mother Hajar, Ismail questioned for understanding and then accepted the Decree of Allah with unwavering faith and trust. This is an excellent example for all children in every family. We can also reflect on the importance of parents and children working together for family and nation when we consider how Prophets Ismail and Ibrahim, peace be upon them, built the foundation for the house which Muslims make pilgrimage to each year.
"Peace be on Ibrahim."
Surah 37:109
Author bio: Mahasin D. Shamsid-Deen is the news curator and content manager for Muslim Network TV (MNTV) and contributing writer for Sound Vision. She holds a Master’s degree in English Writing and has worked as both a High School and College ESL Instructor and Writing Instructor for more than a decade. Mahasin has numerous published articles, books, essays and is a published playwright with three award winning stage plays. She currently has a screenplay script under consideration.
Related:
Lessons from the Family of Ibrahim in Respecting Leadership
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