Abraham has been tested and made him leader of the people
[2:124] And when his Lord had tested Abraham with His words, then he fulfilled them. He said, “Indeed, I am the One to make you leader for the people.” He said, “And from my descendants?” He said, “My covenant does not reach the wrongdoers.”
[21:51] And certainly, we have given Abraham his guidance before, and we have been Knower of him.
Abraham has been made a father of the Muslims
[22:78] And you all shall strive in God of His true striving. He has chosen you and has made no difficulty upon you in the religion, a religion of your father Abraham. He (God) has named you submitters before and in this that the messenger would be a witness over you, and you would be witnesses over the people. So, you shall establish the salat prayer and shall give the zakat, and shall hold fast to God; He is your Protector, so has been the excellent Protector and has been the excellent Supporter.
[4:125] And who has better religion than one who has submitted himself to God, and he is a good-doer (muh’sinun) and has followed a religion of Abraham, monotheism? And God has chosen Abraham as a friend.
[2:130] And who turns away from a religion of Abraham except whoever has fooled himself? And certainly, we have chosen him in the world, and indeed, he is in the Hereafter surely, will be with the righteous.
[41:33] And who is better in utterance than whoever has invited to God, and has done as righteous, and has said: “Indeed, I am one of the submitters.”
Abraham raised the foundations of the House
[2:125] And when we have made the House a place of return for the people and a security; and you shall take a standing place of Abraham as a place of prayer. And we have made a covenant with Abraham and Ismail that you shall purify My House for those who circumambulate, and those who devote themselves, and those who bow and prostrate.
[2:126] And when Abraham said: “My Lord, make this city secure and provide its people with fruits to whoever has believed in God and the Last Day.” He said, “And whoever has disbelieved, then I will grant him a little enjoyment, then I will force him to a punishment of the Fire, and it has been evil the destination.”
[2:127] And when Abraham raise the foundations of the House and Ismail: “Our Lord, accept this from us. Indeed, You are the Hearer, the Knower.
Note: When Abraham raised the foundations of the Ka’ba, he along with Ismail prayed to God to make this a secure city as God has made the House a place of return for the people and a security and to take it as a place of prayer.
Abraham was a Submitter to God
[2:130] And whoever will turn away from a religion of Abraham, except whoever has fooled himself? And certainly, we have chosen him in the world and indeed, in the Hereafter surely, he will be with the righteous.
[2:131] When his Lord said to him, “Submit,” he said, “I have submitted to Lord of the worlds.”
[2:132] And Abraham had enjoined his children with it, and Jacob: “O my children, indeed, God has chosen the religion for you; so you do not die except, while you are submitters.”.
[2:133] Or had you been witnesses when the death had come to Jacob; when he said to his children, “What will you worship after me?” They said, “We will worship your god; god of your forefathers Abraham, Ismail, and Isaac – one god. And to Him we are submitters.”
[2:134] That was a community certainly has passed; for it what it had earned and for you what you have earned. And you will not asked about what they had done to accomplish.
Note: Our religion is monotheism and its complete set of practices were first given to Abraham, which has come down to us from the past, while they were responsible for their deeds and we are responsible for our deeds.
Abraham explored to find God to be worshiper for him and for the people
[6:74] When Abraham said to his father Azar, “Do you take idols as gods? I see you and your people are in far astray.”.
[6:75] Thus that we showed Abraham the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, and that he would be of the ascertainers.
[6:76] So when the night had covered him, he saw a star. He said, “This is my Lord.” Then when it had set, he said, “I do not like the ones that set.”
[6:77] Then when he had seen the moon rising, he said, “This is my Lord.” Then when it had set, he said, “If my Lord does not guide me, surely, I will be with the people of the strayers.”
[6:78] Then when he had seen the sun rising, he said, “This is my Lord, this is bigger.” Then when it had set, he said, “O my people, I am free of what you associate.
[6:79] “Indeed me, I have turned myself to the One who has created the heavens and the earth for monotheism, and I am not with the idol worshipers.”
[6:80] His people had argued with him. He said, “Do you argue with me about God, and certainly, He has guided me? I do not fear what you associate with Him except that my Lord wills anything. My Lord has encompassed everything with knowledge, then will you not take heed?
[6:81] And how could I fear what you have associated, while you do not fear that you have associated with God what He does not send down any authority with it for you? So, which of the two parties is worthy of the security, if you have done to know?”
[6:82] Those who have believed and do not mix their faith with wrong, those – for them is the security and they are the guided ones.
[37:88] Then he had looked a glance at the stars.
[37:89] Then he said, “Indeed, I am sick.”
[37:90] So they had turned away from him being departed ones.
[37:91] Then he had turned towards their gods, then said, “Do you not eat?
[37:92] What is for you that you do not speak?”
[37:93] Then he had turned upon them striking with the right hand.
[37:94] Then they had advanced towards him to hasten.
[37:95] He said, “Do you worship what you carve?
[37:96] While God has created you and what you make!”
[37:97] They said, “Build for him a furnace, then throw him into the blazing fire.”
[37:98] So they had intended a plot with him, but we made them the lowliest.
[37:99] And he said, “Indeed, I am turning to my Lord; He will guide me.
Note: Abraham tried to convince his father and his people with a logic why they worship what they carve instead of God who has created them and what they make, but they turned away from him. Then he broke those statutes with his hand when they had a plot to build a fire to throw him into it but God made them the lowliest.
The Fire became cool and safe for Abraham
[21:52] When he said to his father and his people, “What are these statues to which you are devoted?”
[21:53] They said, “We found our forefathers worshipers of them.”
[21:54] He said, “Certainly, you have been and your forefathers in clear astray.”
[21:55] They said, “Have you come to us with the truth, or are you of the mockers?”
[21:56] He said, “Nay, your Lord is Lord of the heavens and the earth, Who has created them, and I am on that is one of the witnesses.
[21:57] And by God, I have a plan to deal with your statues after you go away, turning back.”
[21:58] He broke them into pieces, except for the largest of them so that they may refer to it on their return.
[21:59] They said, “Who has done this to our gods? He is really one of the wicked.”
[2:60] They said, “We heard a youth mentioning of them; he is called Abraham.”
[21:61] And they said, “So, bring him before the eyes of the people so that they may bear witness.”
(21:62). They said, “Have you done this to our gods, O Abraham?”
[21:63] He said, ” No, someone has done it. Here is the largest one of them, so ask them, if they can speak.”
[21:64] Then they were taken back and said to themselves, “Indeed, you yourselves are the wicked.”
[21:65] Then they were returned with their ideas: “You know full well that they do not speak.”
[21:66] He said, “Do you then worship besides God what does not benefit you any how nor harm you?
[21:67] Fie on you and on what you worship beside God! Do you not understand?”
[21:68] They said, “Burn him and support your gods, if you have been doers.”
[21:69] We said, “O fire, be cool and safe for Abraham.”
[21:70] Thus, they schemed against him, but we made them the worst losers .
[21:71] And we saved him, and we saved Lot, to the land that we blessed for the people therein.
Note: When Abraham broke all their statues except the biggest one, then his father and his people placed him in the fire to burn him, but God saved him from the Fire.
Abraham’s argument to the king about sovereignty of God
[2:258] Did you not see to the one who had argued with Abraham about his Lord that God had given him the kingdom? When Abraham said, “My Lord is One who grants life and causes death.” He (the king) said, “I grant life and causes death.” Abraham said, “So, indeed, God brings the sun from the east, then bring it from the west.” So, the one who had disbelieved had been stumped. And God does not guide the wrongdoers.
Note: Abraham had won over the debate with the king as God supported him, while He does not guide the disbelievers.
Abraham had reassured his heart about the resurrection
[2:260] And when Abraham said, “My Lord, show me how You give life to the dead.” He said, “Do you not believe?” He said, “Yes, but I wish to reassure my heart.” He said, “So, take four of the birds, then train to incline them towards you, then place a piece from them on each hill, then call them, they will come to you in a hurry. And you shall know that God is Almighty, Wise.”
Note: Abraham has reassured his heart about the resurrection. So, we should reassure our hearts about what we believe and practice, and God has given us ways to do that as He has informed us that deaf, dumb and blind cannot return.
Abraham made an effort to sacrifice Ismail
[37:100] My Lord, grant me one of the righteous.”
[37:101] So we had given him good news of a forbearing child.
[37:102] Then when he had reached the working age with him, he said, “O my son, indeed, I see in the dream that I am sacrificing you. So, you shall look what you see?” He said, “O my father, you shall do what you are commanded; you will find me, God willing, one of the patient.”
[37:103] Then when both of them had submitted, and he put him down for the forehead.
[37:104] And we called him: “O Abraham.
[37:105] Certainly, you have fulfilled the vision.” Indeed, we thus that reward the good-doers.
[37:106] Indeed, this was the clear test.
[37:107] And we had ransomed him with a great sacrifice.
[37:108] And we had left for him in the later generations.
[37:109] Peace upon Abraham.
[37:110] Thus that we reward the good-doers.
Note: When Abraham was about to sacrifice his son for the sake of God, then God called Abraham that he had fulfilled the vision, which was a clear test. Then He had ransomed Ismail with an animal sacrifice and left it for the later generations, which is a practice for the pilgrims to fulfill during their pilgrimage to Makkah staying at Mina.
Islam being practices of Monotheism was first given to Abraham
[2:135] And they said, “You shall be Jews or Christians to guide.” Say, “Nay, (we follow) a religion of Abraham – Monotheism; and he has not been with the idol worshipers.
Note: The Jews and the Christians said to those who belong to a religion of Monotheism that they had to be Jews or Christians to be guided, while God has assured that those who belong to a religion of Abraham – Monotheism are the guided ones.
[3:67] Abraham has neither been a Jew, nor a Christian; but he has been a Submitter of Monotheism, and he has not been with the idol worshipers.
Note: God has made it clear that Abraham has been a Submitter to God belonging to a religion of Monotheism, instead of a religion of Judaism, or Christianity or Polytheism.
[3:95] Say (Muhammad), “God has declared truth that you shall follow a religion of Abraham of Monotheism, and he has not been with the idol worshipers.”
Note: Muhammad has been commanded to tell the believers to follow a religion of Abraham – Monotheism, and he has not been with the idol worshipers.
[4:125] And who has better religion than whoever has submitted himself to God, and he is a good doer and has followed a religion of Abraham – Monotheism? And God has taken Abraham as a friend.
Note: God has defined a religion of Islam for all of us, which is practices of Abraham of Monotheism being a submitter to Him.
[6:79] “Indeed me (Abraham), I have turned myself to the One who has created the heavens and the earth (striving) for Monotheism, and I am not with the idol worshipers.”
Note: Abraham was first who had explored, then he had established monotheism for himself submitting to Creator of the heavens and the earth, while he had declared that he was not with the idol worshipers.
[6:161] Say (Muhammad), “Indeed me, my Lord has guided me to a straight path, an established religion, a religion of Abraham – Monotheism. And he has not been with the idol worshipers.”
Note: Muhammad declared that God has guided him to a straight path, an established religion, a religion of Abraham – Monotheism, and he was not with the idol worshipers.
[10:105] And that you (Muhammad) shall establish yourself to the religion of Monotheism, and you do not be with the idol worshipers.
Note: God has commanded Muhammad to establish himself to the religion of Monotheism not to be with the idol worshipers.
[16:120] Indeed, Abraham has been a community of Monotheism being obedient to God, and he was not with the idol worshipers.
Note: Abraham and his people were obedient to God as they belonged to a community of monotheism.
[16:123] Then we have inspired to you (Muhammad) that you shall follow a religion of Abraham – Monotheism; and he has not been with the idol worshipers.
Note: God has inspired Muhammad to follow a religion of Abraham – monotheism, which is a clear indication that he has practiced the rites revealed to Abraham and has followed the Quran what has been revealed to him, confirming Islam being the practices of God’s religion of Monotheism.
[22:31] Monotheists belong to God, not being those who associate partners with Him; and whoever associates partner(s) with God, then it is like that he had fallen from the sky, then the bird snatches him, or the wind blows of him to a far-off place.
Note: Monotheism belongs to God but not polytheism. Thus, those who associate partners with God, they nullify their all deeds.
[30:30] So, you (Muhammad) shall establish yourself to the religion of Monotheism, an instinct of God which on it He has created mankind. There is no change of God’s creation. That is the established religion, but most of the people do not know.
Note: God has commanded every one of us to establish the religion, which is Monotheism being it of His instinct on which He has created mankind and that is the established religion. Thus, we are born with a religion of Monotheism, i.e., with a belief that there is one God whom we would worship, while God has warned us that most people will not be able to reflect that.
[98:5] And they have not been commanded except to worship God being sincere to Him in the religion as monotheists and to establish the salah and to give the zakah. And that is the established religion.
Note: The people of the previous scripture who have divided them had been commanded to worship God being sincere to Him in the religion of Monotheism as well as to establish the salat prayer and to give the Zakah being part of the established religion.
Abraham’s prayers that we can reflect to succeed in the Hereafter
[2:128] Our Lord, and make us submitters to You, and from our descendants a community of submitters to You, and show us our ways of worship and turn to us. Indeed, You are the Forgiving, the Merciful.
[2:129] Our Lord, and raise in them a messenger from them to recite Your revelations to them, and to teach them the scripture and the wisdom, and to purify them. Indeed, You are the Almighty, the Wise.”
Note: Abraham prayed to God to make him submitter and from his offspring and also to teach him the ways of the worshiping.
[14:35] And when Abraham said, “My Lord, make this, the city of secure, and keep me away and my children that we worship the idols.
[14:36] My Lord, they (idols) have led astray many from mankind. So, whoever has followed me, then indeed, he is from of me, and whoever has disobeyed me, then indeed, You are Forgiving, Merciful.
[14:137] Our Lord, indeed, I have settled part of my offspring in a valley not suitable for cultivation near Your House, the Sacred House. Our Lord, that they may establish the salat prayer. So make hearts of the people to incline towards them, and provide them with the fruits that they may appreciate.
[14:38] Our Lord, You know what we conceal and what we declare, while none can hide anything from God in the earth, nor in the heaven.
[14:39] All praise to God, the One who has granted to me in the old age Ismail and Isaac; indeed, my Lord is surely Hearer of the prayer.
[14:40] My Lord, make me an observer of the salat prayer, and of my offspring. Our Lord, and accept my prayer.
[14:41] Our Lord, forgive for me and for my parents, and for the believers on a day the reckoning will take place.”
Note: We can reflect to Abraham’s prayers and can make them as models for us so that we can succeed in the Hereafter being accepted our prayers by Him.
God has honored Abraham and made him a father of Muslims as He taught him all the religious rites that we practice today, to guide him to a straight path through the guidance revealed to him, while he made his utmost efforts to find God to be only worshiper of him as well as for the people to be Creator of the heavens and the earth. God had tested Abraham with His words and he fulfilled them. There are clear evidences in his efforts and prayers of asking God for showing him the ways of worship that he was given a set of practices of Islam, while he was chosen in the world, and in the Hereafter he will be with the righteous. God has made it very simple to order the prophets and messengers after him including their people to follow a religion of Abraham as his perfect practices of God’s religion establishing Monotheism in his heart was acceptable to Him. Thus, if we could practice what is acceptable to God avoiding misconceptions and unauthorized practices of Islam around us knowing the truth from God, we would see us with the righteous in the Hereafter.
Peaceful Friday, salaam and God bless.
Tafazzal (4/21/2023)