Dive into ‘An introduction to Syedna Ibrahim (PBUH)’ recorded on 6th October 2023 a comprehensive exploration by Dr. Maulana Sarfraz Awan, featuring audio, a YouTube video, and an English description, all aimed at discussing the profound significance of introducing Hazrat Ibrahim and what attributes are mentioned in Quran related to Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) and how it is related to us Muslims now.
Table of Contents
YouTube Video For An Introduction to Syedna Ibrahim (AS) 🎥
Audio Summary For An introduction to Syedna Ibrahim (AS) 🎥🔊
Title in English: An introduction to Syedna Ibrahim (AS) 📖🕊️ (Syedna Ibrahim Alaihi Salam Aik Taaruf)
Title: Syedna Ibrahim Alaihi Salam Aik Taaruf
Topic In Urdu: 📖🕊️ سیدنا ابراھیم علیہ السلام ایک تعارف
An introduction to Syedna Ibrahim (PBUH) – 6th October 2023
English Article 📰
Introduction to An introduction to Syedna Ibrahim (AS)
الحمد للہ الحمد للہ رب العالمين وعلى آلیه وصحبه ومن طبعهم باحسان الى يوم الدین
Surah Maryam – Ayat 41
اِنَّهٗ كَانَ صِدِّیْقًا نَّبِیًّا
(Surah Maryam – Ayat 41)
Unveiling Syedna Ibrahim – Sacred Salutation Tradition at the Holy Kaaba
Without any further delay, let us begin our discussion with a blessed instruction of the Holy Prophet (saw) in Sahih Bukhari and Muslim. Hazrat Abdul Rehman Ibn Abi Laila is a very famous and respected follower of the Holy Prophet (saw). He says that he met Hazrat Ka’b Ibn Ujrah. Hazrat Ka’b Ibn Ujrah is a very respected companion in the House of Rizwan.
Sahih Muslim – Hadith No 406
فَقَالَا ألَا أُهْدِي لكَ هَدِيَّةً
(Sahih Muslim – Hadith No 406)
Hazrat Ka’b Raziallahu Anhum said that he would like to give you a special gift. What I have heard from the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The Holy Prophet (PBUH) called it a special gift.
فقلت بلا
The narrator says that I requested him
That why not? You should certainly grant me that gift. And Imam Tabari where this tradition was quoted, it was also told that this conversation between the two happened during the circumambulation of the Holy Kaaba. During the circumambulation of the Holy Kaaba, Hazrat Ka’b Ibn Ujrah gave this gift to Hazrat Abdul Rehman Ibn Abi Laila. I said that I have given you a special gift.
فقالا
(He Said)
So Hazrat Ka’b said
سآلنا رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم
(We asked the Rasool Allah PBUH)
We asked a question in the service of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and the question was this
فقلنا یا رسول اللہ کیفا الصلاة علیکم آہل البیت
O Beloved of Allah, PBUH, for you and your family how to send/read salat to and to your family?
Initiating the Journey with Syedna Ibrahim – Divine Guidance on Greeting and Praying for the Prophet (PBUH)
And at the same time he said this, Hazrat Ka’b says: We asked
فئن اللہ قد علمنا کیفا نسلمو علیکم
We are asking about this because Allah has taught us the way to greet you(Hazrat Muhammad PBUH) already. And what is the way to send Salam to you(PBUH)? Hazrat Ka’b Ibn Ujrah said that you should sit with respect and greet the Prophet with Salam.
السلام علیکم ایھا النبی ورحمتہ اللہ وبرکاتہو
should be read to send Salat. The way that is taught for salutation is not standing but sitting and facing the Qibla with complete equality. Should be said
السلام علیکم ایھا النبی ورحمتہ اللہ وبرکاتہ
This is the best and most blessed way to greet the Prophet (PBUH) which has been taught by Hazrat Muhammad PBUH himself. We said that you have taught us the way to greet. What is the way to pray/Salat? Allah has commanded us:
Unveiling the Essence of Durood-e-Ibraheemi in the Divine Tradition of Salutation and Prayer
This is the best way to greet the Prophet (PBUH). There are 40 words in the Hadith of Salat and Salam. And these forty words that appear in the hadiths of various prayers and greetings. In all of them a plea is made to Allah alone. That O Allah, We are not worthy of directly greeting the Prophet PBUH. You are the one who can send Salat and Salam to the Prophet PBUH. Here Salat, which is Durood Ibrahimi, has a great breadth in the meaning of Salat and blessing. The meaning of Salat is to honor, to raise honor, to recite praises, to mention exalted ranks. To mention high levels, to do high levels, love, blessing, mercy. Good intentions and good prayers from the servants are all included in the meaning of Salat
While blessings means to be generous and to continue to send blessings. The descent of blessings and goodness and their permanence and to decide equal increase and development in it by Allah Ta’ala. This is the request of the people to Allah. What is the meaning of the word “آلِ” in اَللّٰھُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ. The word “آلِ” means the family of the Prophet PBUH. And also in And كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ “آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ” refers to those family of Hazrat Ibrahim AS.
This is mentioned in Holy Quran in verse 73 of Surah Hud. And that is what was said to Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) and his family.
You are the ones who have received the blessings of Allah the family of Hazrat Ibrahim AS. This is the reason why I have chosen this topic. The reason is that it is said on social media that the Jews and Christians say that Muslims are strange that that you are angry with us and send blessings to us. And you say: كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ.
Interfaith Connections: Syedna Ibrahim’s Reverence in Jewish and Christian Traditions
Similarly, the Jews and Christians say that there is a treaty between the Banu Ismail and Bani Israil. They tried to establish a relationship with Prophet Ibrahim AS. This is not new. Please understand this carefully. This is not new. In the era of the Prophet, the Jews and Christians used to say that we are the true heirs of Prophet Ibrahim AS. Allah mentioned this in the last rukooh of first Para of Quran in Surah Al-Baqarah.
You say that Ibrahim, Ismael, Isaac, and Yaqub (AS) and their children كَانُوا۟ هُودًا أَوْ نَصَـٰرَىٰ were Jews and Christians. That is, Christians. Allah Ta’ala first uttered a sentence and said this that
قُلْ ءَأَنتُمْ أَعْلَمُ أَمِ ٱللَّهُ
Do you know more or Allah knows more?
What is your opinion? Who knows more? Allah knows more definitely. You do not know the answer to this question. Allah knows more. Allah said in the first para of Quran that Ibrahim AS:
Ibrahim AS was neither a Jew nor a Christian. Because the Jews came into being after Ibrahim (AS) and the Christians came into existence after the Jews.
وَلَـٰكِن كَانَ حَنِيفًۭا مُّسْلِمًۭا
and he was his obedient. Muslim
وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ
Ibrahim AS was not among the polytheists.
In the era of the Prophet, there were three groups. Jews and Christians in Medina and polytheists in Mecca. Allah purified Ibrahim AS from these three groups and said:
مَا كَانَ إِبْرَٰهِيمُ يَهُودِيًّۭا
Ibrahim (AS) was not a Jew
وَلَا نَصْرَانِيًّۭا
and he was neither christian
وَلَـٰكِن كَانَ حَنِيفًۭا مُّسْلِمًۭا
He was Hanif and Muslim
وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ
and neither he was a polytheist
He was no polytheist either.
Divine Narratives: The Prominent Presence of Hazrat Ibrahim in the Quran
Now, let’s understand. The Qur’an has mentioned Prophet Ibrahim AS in great detail. Allah mentioned Prophet Ibrahim AS in the 25 Surahs of the Qur’an. In 33 verses of the Quran Hazrat Ibrahim AS has been mentioned. The person who has been mentioned in the Qur’an most whose Duas is Prophet Ibrahim AS. The word Ibrahim AS has been mentioned at least 69 times in the Qur’an.
Prophet Ibrahim AS was 175 years old. He was born in the city of Ar in the region of Iraq. He is related to the people of Faddan. He had three wives. The first wife was Hazrat Sara, Allah send blessings to her, with whom Hazrat Ishaq AS was born. The second wife is Hazrat Hajra(peace be upon her), to whom Hazrat Ismail AS was born. The third wife is Qatura. Prophet Ibrahim (AS) had eight sons with his wife Qatura. Prophet Ibrahim AS was 87 years old when he was given Hazrat Ismail AS. After the birth of Hazrat Ismail AS, Hazrat Sara started thinking that she had no children. Allah sent Hazrat Jibrail and gave him good news.
The Qur’an mentions this. Hazrat Ishaq AS was born at the age of 100 years to Prophet Ibrahim AS. The first son is Hazrat Ismail AS and the second son is Hazrat Ishaq AS. From his third wife Qatura, his other six sons were born with the names Zamran, Yaqsan, Maddan, Madyan, Yashbaq and Shoda. Prophet Ibrahim AS had a brother named Haran. Prophet Ibrahim AS had a nephew named Hazrat Lut which is mentioned in Quran. He stayed with Hazrat Ibrahim AS and migrated to another place on the command of Prophet Ibrahim AS. Allah has mentioned some of the attributes of Prophet Ibrahim AS in the Qur’an. And from these prominent attributes, the introduction of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) comes to light.
When Ibrahim (AS) was tested by Allah through some words
فَأَتَمَّهُنَّ
He fully passed the tests
قَالَ إِنِّى جَاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِمَامًۭا
Allah said Ibrahim, “I have given you the leadership of humanity.”
إِنِّى جَاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِمَامًۭا
“I have made you the leader of mankind.”
All the prophets sent by Allah after Prophet Ibrahim (AS) are from the children of Prophet Ibrahim (AS).
Exemplary Leadership: Insights into the Leadership Qualities of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS)
Allah has given the leadership of humanity to Prophet Ibrahim (AS). The first attribute of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) is that he is the leader of mankind. Quran has mentioned this fact. Allah says in Surah Maryam, verse 41
Surah Maryam – Ayat 41
إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ صِدِّيقًۭا نَّبِيًّا
(Surah Maryam – Ayat 41)
Allah did not say صِدِّيقًا وَنَبِيًّا instead said صِدِّيقًا نَبِيًّا. The Prophet Ibrahim (AS) is so close to the truth that there is no word of atonement. He is the Prophet of Allah.
The great attribute of the Prophet of Allah is that he is always truthful. He is so truthful that even his enemies testify to his truthfulness. The enemies of the Prophet PBUH used to say that he is truthful and trustworthy before he said announced prophethood. Another attribute of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) in Surah Nahl
Surah An-Nahl – Ayat 120
إِنَّ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ كَانَ أُمَّةًۭ
(Surah An-Nahl – Ayat 120)
Ibrahim (AS) was the Ummah. The work that the Ummah does on its own was done alone by Hazrat Ibrahim AS as Ummah. Another meaning of Ummah is like an Imam. Allah has given leadership to Prophet Ibrahim (AS).
Allah has mentioned another attribute of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) in the Holy Quran. It is mentioned in Surah Nahl, verse 20:
قانطللہ
He brought his undivided attention to Allah.
Allah has mentioned another attribute, شَاكِرًۭا لِّأَنْعُمِهِ (Surah An-Nahl – Ayat 121)
Surah An-Nahl – Ayat 121
شَاكِرًۭا لِّأَنْعُمِهِ
(Surah An-Nahl – Ayat 121)
Grateful for the blessings of Allah. To appreciate Allah’s favours and to be grateful for the favours of Allah is the attribute of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) this is one of the Hazrat Ibrahim’s (AS) attributes in which he excels in all humanity. To be grateful for Allah’s favours is a Sunnah of the Prophets. It is also a means of increasing the favours of Allah. Allah says in the Holy Quran,
Surah Ibrahim – Ayat 7
لَئِن شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ
“If you are grateful, I will certainly increase my favours.”
(Surah Ibrahim – Ayat 7)
Allah also said that he will increase his favours.
لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ
I will surely continue to increase my blessings on you
One of his attributes is “شَاكِرًۭا لِّأَنْعُمِهِ” to be grateful for Allah’s favours.
The Chosen One: Hazrat Ibrahim’s (AS) Distinctive Role as Designated in the Quran
Another attribute of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) is “مجتبا” that he is a chosen one.
He has chosen two people and two families from all over the world. I am reading this in the verse of the Holy Quran. Prophet Ibrahim (AS), Prophet Noah (AS), Prophet Ibrahim’s family and the family of Al-Imran.
آل عمران
The family of Prophet Isa(AS).
Allah has mentioned another attribute of Prophet Ibrahim (AS). He is a “حنیف” chosen one. “حنیف” Allah has called him a chosen one in the seven verses of the Holy Quran. Who is “حنیف” Allah says that he is the one who is the closest to Allah. Allah said to his beloved,
Surah Al-Muzzammil – Ayat 8
وَٱذْكُرِ ٱسْمَ رَبِّكَ وَتَبَتَّلْ
(Surah Al-Muzzammil – Ayat 8)
Hazrat Lahori used to say: Baba break relations with everyone, and Baba create relation with Allah. Baba break ties with everyone else, Baba create relation/ties with Lord/Allah.
This is “حنیف”. Turning his attention completely to Allah.
To become one and for the acceptance of all prayers reverting to Allah and turning away from all sides. Turning towards Allah this is “حنیف”. The family is on one side. The community is on one side. The whole family is on one side. All are on one side. Prophet Ibrahim (AS), He turned away from the whole community towards his Lord – Allah.
Intimate Bonds: Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) as the Beloved Friend of Allah in Quranic Narratives
Similarly, Allah has mentioned another attribute of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) in the Quran. That he is “خلیل”
خلیل
means a very close friend.
Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said in a hadith, People said that you خلیل of Allah. He said, no, خلیل was only Hazrat Ibrahim (AS). I am a beloved of Allah. “خلیل” The chosen one is mentioned in Surah Nisa.
Surah An-Nisa – Ayat 125
وَٱتَّخَذَ ٱللَّهُ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ خَلِيلًۭا
Allah has made Ibrahim (AS) a “خلیل” chosen one.
(Surah An-Nisa – Ayat 125 )
“خلیل” The chosen one is the center of love and affection of Prophet Ibrahim (AS).
Allah has mentioned another attribute of Ibrahim (AS). He is a “حلیم” gentle one.
Surah Hud – Ayat 75
إِنَّ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ لَحَلِيمٌ أَوَّٰهٌۭ مُّنِيبٌۭ
(Surah Hud – Ayat 75)
Allah has mentioned three attributes together.
إِنَّ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ لَحَلِيمٌ
Ibrahim (AS) is very patient one.
Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) is very patient. Very patient. He has a gentle heart. Gentle Heart.
“منیب” He is a person who bows down to Allah. He is a patient person. The repentant. Gentle Heart. “منیب” He is a person who bows down to Allah.
Similarly, Allah has mentioned another attribute of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) more than once in the Quran. He is a Muslim. The literal meaning of Muslim is He is obedient. But the title of Muslim Allah has been given to the Ummah of Muhammad. The prophets before him, peace be upon him, Even though he was a Muslim, the religion that came to him was Islam. There is no doubt about it.
The religion is the same. From Prophet Adam to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). But the word Muslim Allah has been given especially to the Ummah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). So, in the literal meaning, In the meaning of being obedient, It also came for Prophet Ibrahim (AS).
Similarly, Allah has mentioned another attribute of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) in the Quran. Allah has also mentioned the attribute of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). And that attribute is that he is a chosen one “مصطفیٰ”. What is the meaning of the chosen one “مصطفیٰ”? He is a chosen one.
We have chosen Prophet Ibrahim (AS) in the whole world.
(Surah Al-Baqarah – Ayat 130)
Allah has also instructed Prophet Musa (AS). That O Musa we:
وَاَصْتَفَيْتُكَ الْبِرِسَالَةِ وَبِكَ نَامِي
We have chosen you to convey our message to people.
We have chosen you to convey our message to people. In fact, Allah says,
بس تناتق لنفسي
We have chosen you for our own self.
Being chosen is a great honour. But, my dear friends, Allah has chosen his beloved Prophet Ibrahim (AS) in the whole universe. In the hadith, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said,
Hadith Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3605
إنَّ اللَّهَ اصطفى مِن ولدِ إبراهيمَ ، إسماعيلَ
Allah chose Ismail from the children of Ibrahim (AS).
(Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3605)
He chose Canaan from Ismail. He chose Quraish from Canaan. He chose Banu Hashim from Quraish. And he chose Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) from Banu Hashim. The true chosen one in the whole universe is the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). But Allah has also instructed Prophet Ibrahim (AS) in the Holy Quran that he is a chosen one.
Prophet Ibrahim (AS), his son Ismail (AS) and Ishaq (AS) are the chosen people. They are the best. Similarly, Allah has called him his “عبد” servant. Listen carefully, Allah calling a person His “عبد” servant is the ultimate of being close to Allah. Whenever Allah mentioned His blessings on His beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), He mentioned it with the attribute of being a servant “عبد”.
Surah Al-Isra – Ayat 1
سُبْحَـٰنَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَسْرَىٰ
(Surah Al-Isra – Ayat 1)
What’s next?
سُبْحَـٰنَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَسْرَىٰ بِعَبْدِهِۦ
Surah An-Najm – Ayat 10
فَأَوْحَىٰٓ إِلَىٰ عَبْدِهِۦ مَآ أَوْحَىٰ
(Surah An-Najm – Ayat 10)
Surah Sad – Ayat 41
وَٱذْكُرْ عَبْدَنَآ أَيُّوبَ
(Surah Sad – Ayat 41)
Allah mentioned Prophet Ayub (AS). Allah has mentioned Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) with the attribute:
Pure Hearts in Divine Favor: Allah’s Attribution of Purity to Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) in Quranic Revelations
And Allah called Prophet Ibrahim (AS) the owner of the pure heart. The pure heart is a heart without any defects. It has no hatred, no jealousy, no jealousy. May Allah give us all pure Heart. A pure heart. Allah said,
Surah As-Saffat – Ayat 84
إِذْ جَآءَ رَبَّهُۥ بِقَلْبٍۢ سَلِيمٍ
(Surah As-Saffat – Ayat 84)
When Prophet Ibrahim (AS) came to his Lord, When Prophet Ibrahim (AS) came to his Lord, He came with a pure heart, a heart without any defects. Similarly, Allah called him the owner of the Sahaf.
صحف ابراہیم و موسیٰ
Similarly, Allah called him the owner of the Miraj. The forms of the Miraj have been different. The Prophets were given the Miraj but it was different for everyone.
Prophet Ibrahim (AS) has the honour that all the Prophets who came to Prophet Ibrahim (AS) after him till Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), all of them were from his children.
I have settled my wife and son near your house of sanctity. And apparently, they have no means and no goods. But I have settled them in your presence. And this is what happened. Prophet Ibrahim (AS) left Hazrat Hajra and Hazrat Ismail (AS) in the state that they had some food and drink and apparently, they had no means. But he kept the commandment of Allah in advance and left his wife and son there.
Hazrat Ibrahim’s (AS) Steadfastness Against Unjust Accusations and Misattributions
Some of the people who attributed wrong attributes to him, Allah condemned them. For example,
Surah Ali’Imran – Ayat 67
مَا كَانَ إِبْرَٰهِيمُ يَهُودِيًّۭا
Ibrahim (AS) is not a Jew.
(Surah Ali’Imran – Ayat 67)
وَلَا نَصْرَانِيًّۭا
And neither was he a Christian.
وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ
And in the Holy Quran, it is stated in nine places that Ibrahim (AS) is not a polytheist. In Surah Baqarah, it is stated that
وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ
He was not a polytheist. He did not do Shirk.
In Surah Al-Imran, it is stated that
وَمَا کَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ
In Surah An’am, it is stated that دِينًۭا قِيَمًۭا مِّلَّةَ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ حَنِيفًۭا
In other words, it is stated in nine places that Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) is a pure being from polytheism. Because he has taken polytheism from its roots. He has taken it from its roots. He has taken it from the roots of his family, tribe and nation. In all the forms of polytheism, he has condemned all forms. Allah has also mentioned the invitation of Ibrahim (AS). What has he given to the Ummah? First of all, he asked Allah for two prayers for the Ka’bah. And he explained this. And in this verse, in this prayer, there is a very big lesson for you and me and for every citizen of Pakistan. Prophet Ibrahim (AS) asked for two prayers for the Ka’bah. In this prayer, Prophet Ibrahim (AS) asked for two things for Makkah. He asked for two things for Makkah. And the two things he asked for Makkah are necessary for every city. What did he ask for?
Surah Al-Baqarah – Ayat 126
رَبِّ ٱجْعَلْ هَـٰذَا بَلَدًا ءَامِنًۭا
(Surah Al-Baqarah – Ayat 126)
O my Lord, make this city peaceful. The doors of progress open for any city or any country when there is peace there. And the second prayer he made was
وَٱرْزُقْ أَهْلَهُۥ مِنَ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ
O Allah, grant provision to its inhabitants with fruits.
So that there is provision, there is a solution to the problem of food, no one should starve, and no one should be in such a state that it becomes difficult for them to live because of food. These two things are necessary for the peace of any country or any city. For the progress of any city. And for the peace of any city. What is one thing? رَبِّ ٱجْعَلْ هَـٰذَا بَلَدًا Make the city peaceful. And the second thing is to solve the problems of its provision. And you see that in Makkah, Alhamdulillah, there is peace. There is a lot of peace. People leave their shops full of gold, hang a cloth in the middle of their homes, and go to pray. And the state of provision there is such that you get all the fruits of the world in Makkah and Medina. This is the prayer of Hazrat Ibrahim (as).
Similarly, another thing that Hazrat Ibrahim (as) did was that there was no compromise in the opposition of the Taghood. And what is Taghood? Every individual, or every system, or every group, whose teachings are contrary to the Qur’an and Sunnah, there is no compromise with them.
He said to his father, ‘You and your people are also openly misguided.'” So, the teaching of falsehood, which is contrary to the Qur’an and Sunnah, there is no compromise with it.
“Until you believe in Allah alone, there will be conflict and differences between you and us.”
The Prophet did not find any middle ground for misguidance. And this is the Sunnah of Ibrahim (AS), which we have to keep in our minds as a belief. May Allah grant us all understanding of this.
