And (remember) when the Lord of Ibrahim (Abraham) [i.e., Allah] tried him with (certain) Commands, which he fulfilled. He (Allah) said (to him), “Verily, I am going to make you a leader (Prophet) of mankind.” [Ibrahim (Abraham)] said, “And of my offspring (to make leaders).” (Allah) said, “My Covenant (Prophethood, etc.) includes not Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers).” (Surah Al Baqarah, 2: 124)
I knew the story of Prophet Ibraheem alahis salam but I was never thought about it this way. He is Allah’s Khalil (intimate friend) and chosen as an Imaam. I never thought as to why, but there are the reasons mentioned in class today:
He was tested from a very young age. In childhood, he, being a true hanif (monotheist) had to face the fact that the father he dearly loved was an idolator. When he became a young man, he faced the trial of his people worshipping the idols such that he took to destroying all of the idols and thus faced the hostility from his own people. They threatened to throw him in the fire, and he had to flee his hometown. Then came the confrontation with the king and being thrown in the fire, from which Allah protected him. He was married to Sarah, but had no children for many years. One would think that a man, beloved by Allah would surely not go through that, but Allah tests those whom He loves, and Ibraheem alahis salam received his first child, Ismail via Hajar and later on, when he was very old, Ishaq, via Sarah. When he was granted his first child, he was commanded by Allah to leave his new baby and wife in barren Makkah, and he did do so without even a flinch of hesitation. ANd when that son grew up to be a young man, Prophet Ibraheem had a dream in which he was to sacrifice his son, Isma’eel, and he proceeded to do so.
Prophet Ibraheem alahisalam passed all these tests. He remained steadfast in his religion despite the contrary condition around him and the threats of death. No wonder he holds quite a lofty position with Allah, and no surprise that blessings upon him is included in our prayer along with blessings upon prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wasallam.
One very important thing to note though; in the verse above, he had asked Allah to also make of his offspring leaders, but to this, Allah replied,
My Covenant (Prophethood, etc.) includes not Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers).”
which directly implies that just because we belong to a certain group of people, it does not necessitate us getting a free ticket to Paradise. We all have to earn that ticket, and it truly ain’t cheap.
