Early life of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS)
Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) was born in Babylon to a famous idol sculptor by the name of Aazar. Since childhood, Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) wondered why people worshipped idols when they are created by man himself. Young Ibrahim would often ask his father about God and how was it possible to build God by your own hands. As he grew up his conscience evoked him to find the real God, the God whom nobody could create or destroy and the God who would not hide in the darkness of night such as the Sun or perish away in the light of dawn like the Moon. His quest for God made him find Allah. Allah revealed the truth about Oneness of Allah to him. He brought faith on Allah and believed that there is none worthy of worship other than Allah.
Allah’s miracles bestowed upon Hazrat Ibrahim (AS)
At the time of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) people were deeply engrossed in idol worshipping. When Hazrat Ibrahim came to know about Allah’s truth he tried to call people including his father to Islam. But they denied him and warned him of severe consequences if he did not give up his thoughts against idols which were the gods of their forefathers.
Saddened by the people’s reaction, Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) decided to destroy all the idols at one of the temples. He destroyed all of them except for the biggest one. He placed the axe in the hands f that idol. When people saw all the destruction, they summoned Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) as they thought nobody other than could do such a thing. When they confronted him, he denied and suggested maybe the biggest idol has caused all the demolition. The people were taken aback by his response. Though they worshipped the idols but they knew for a fact that these idols could not even move. Angered by Hazrat Ibrahim (AS), the people decided to throw him into blazing fire. However, before the fire could touch him, Allah ordered the fire to be cooled down. Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) came out of the fire absolutely safely. The people witnessed Allah’s miracle but they denied it.
Saddened by the people’s reaction, Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) decided to destroy all the idols at one of the temples. He destroyed all of them except for the biggest one. He placed the axe in the hands f that idol. When people saw all the destruction, they summoned Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) as they thought nobody other than could do such a thing. When they confronted him, he denied and suggested maybe the biggest idol has caused all the demolition. The people were taken aback by his response. Though they worshipped the idols but they knew for a fact that these idols could not even move. Angered by Hazrat Ibrahim (AS), the people decided to throw him into blazing fire. However, before the fire could touch him, Allah ordered the fire to be cooled down. Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) came out of the fire absolutely safely. The people witnessed Allah’s miracle but they denied it.
Family of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS)
Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) married Hazrat Sarah (AS). Hazrat Sarah (AS) and Hazrat Lut (AS) were the only people who believed Hazrat Ibrahim and confessed unity of Allah. Hazrat Ibrahim and Hazrat Sarah had a son Hazrat Ishaq(AS). Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) married Hazrat Hajra (AS) later in life. Allah blessed them with Hazrat Ismail (AS).
Hazrat Ibrahim’s (AS) sacrifice and Islam
Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) was tested many times in life by Allah. Upon Allah’s command, he left his wife Hazrat Hajra (AS) and infant Ismail (AS) in the scorching desert alone with barely any food supplies. When infant Ismail (AS) cried out incessantly out of hunger, desperate for help, Hazrat Hajra ran seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa. This act was so dear to Allah that he made it an obligatory step of Hajj for all Muslims to follow till this world lasts. From the feet of young Ismail (AS) sprang the Zamzam water. Allah relieved the mother and son and rewarded them for their steadfastness.
One day, Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) dreamt that he Allah had asked him to sacrifice his son Hazrat Ismail (AS) for him. When he told his dream to his son, he asked his father to fulfill Allah’s command. He was blindfolded so that he could not see himself sacrificing his son. Just when he was about to sacrifice his son, Allah sent a sheep from Heaven and he sacrificed the sheep instead. However, his great sacrifice was accepted by Allah and he made this act as obligatory upon all Muslims to sacrifice animals on the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Adha.
Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) lived for 175 years. He was buried in Hebron after he died.
One day, Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) dreamt that he Allah had asked him to sacrifice his son Hazrat Ismail (AS) for him. When he told his dream to his son, he asked his father to fulfill Allah’s command. He was blindfolded so that he could not see himself sacrificing his son. Just when he was about to sacrifice his son, Allah sent a sheep from Heaven and he sacrificed the sheep instead. However, his great sacrifice was accepted by Allah and he made this act as obligatory upon all Muslims to sacrifice animals on the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Adha.
Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) lived for 175 years. He was buried in Hebron after he died.