Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) was born in a society where people worshipped idols. His father, Azar, was a sculptor who crafted idols for people to worship. From an early age, Ibrahim questioned the practice of idol worship, as he observed that these statues could neither hear, see, nor respond to prayers.
وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ لِأَبِيهِ آزَرَ أَتَتَّخِذُ أَصْنَامًا آلِهَةً ۖ إِنِّي أَرَاكَ وَقَوْمَكَ فِي ضَلَالٍ مُّبِينٍ
"And [mention, O Muhammad], when Abraham said to his father Azar, 'Do you take idols as deities? Indeed, I see you and your people to be in manifest error.'" (Quran 6:74)
Ibrahim's journey to find the truth began with his observation of celestial bodies. One night, he saw a star and said, "This is my Lord." But when it set, he realized that his Lord could not be something that disappears. He then observed the moon, and later the sun, but came to the same conclusion when they set.
فَلَمَّا جَنَّ عَلَيْهِ اللَّيْلُ رَأَىٰ كَوْكَبًا ۖ قَالَ هَٰذَا رَبِّي ۖ فَلَمَّا أَفَلَ قَالَ لَا أُحِبُّ الْآفِلِينَ
"So when the night covered him [with darkness], he saw a star. He said, 'This is my lord.' But when it set, he said, 'I like not those that disappear.'" (Quran 6:76)
Through this process of reflection, Ibrahim came to the realization that the true God must be the Creator of all these things, not the created objects themselves. He turned to the worship of Allah, the One True God.
In an effort to show his people the futility of idol worship, Ibrahim devised a plan. When the people left for a festival, he entered the temple where the idols were kept. He broke all the idols except the largest one, and hung the axe around its neck.
When the people returned and saw their idols destroyed, they immediately suspected Ibrahim. When questioned, he suggested they ask the largest idol who had done this. This, of course, was impossible, and Ibrahim used this opportunity to point out the absurdity of worshipping objects that could neither protect themselves nor communicate.
قَالَ بَلْ فَعَلَهُ كَبِيرُهُمْ هَٰذَا فَاسْأَلُوهُمْ إِن كَانُوا يَنطِقُونَ
"He said, 'Rather, this - the largest of them - did it, so ask them, if they should [be able to] speak.'" (Quran 21:63)
Angered by Ibrahim's actions and his refusal to stop preaching against idol worship, the king, Nimrod, ordered that Ibrahim be thrown into a massive fire. The people built a huge fire and used a catapult to throw Ibrahim into it.
However, Allah commanded the fire: "O fire, be coolness and safety upon Ibrahim." Miraculously, the fire did not burn Ibrahim. He emerged unharmed, which was a powerful sign for the people, though many still refused to believe.
قُلْنَا يَا نَارُ كُونِي بَرْدًا وَسَلَامًا عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ
"Allah said, 'O fire, be coolness and safety upon Abraham.'" (Quran 21:69)
After this event, Ibrahim migrated with his wife Sarah and his nephew Lut (Lot). They traveled to Egypt and then to Palestine. Sarah was unable to have children, so she suggested that Ibrahim marry her Egyptian handmaid, Hajar (Hagar). Hajar gave birth to Isma'il (Ishmael).
Later, in their old age, Allah blessed Ibrahim and Sarah with another son, Ishaq (Isaac). Both Isma'il and Ishaq would go on to become prophets. Isma'il is considered the forefather of the Arabs, while Ishaq is considered the forefather of the Israelites.
One of the most significant trials in Ibrahim's life came when Allah commanded him in a dream to sacrifice his son. Without hesitation, Ibrahim prepared to submit to Allah's command. He told his son about the dream, and his son, showing remarkable faith, encouraged his father to fulfill the command.
As Ibrahim was about to sacrifice his son, Allah substituted a ram in his place. This demonstrated that Ibrahim and his son had passed the test of their faith and submission to Allah.
فَلَمَّا أَسْلَمَا وَتَلَّهُ لِلْجَبِينِ ﴿��٠٣﴾ وَنَادَيْنَاهُ أَن يَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ ﴿١٠٤﴾ قَدْ صَدَّقْتَ الرُّؤْيَا ۚ إِنَّا كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِي الْمُحْسِنِينَ ﴿١٠٥﴾ إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَهُوَ الْبَلَاءُ الْمُبِينُ ﴿١٠٦﴾ وَفَدَيْنَاهُ بِذِبْحٍ عَظِيمٍ
"And when they had both submitted and he put him down upon his forehead, We called to him, 'O Abraham, You have fulfilled the vision.' Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good. Indeed, this was the clear trial. And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice." (Quran 37:103-107)
Ibrahim and his son Isma'il built the Ka'bah in Makkah, which became the holiest site in Islam. This act symbolized the establishment of monotheism in Arabia. Ibrahim and Isma'il prayed that they be made Muslims (submitters to Allah) and that their descendants would form a Muslim nation.
وَإِذْ يَرْفَعُ إِبْرَاهِيمُ الْقَوَاعِدَ مِنَ الْبَيْتِ وَإِسْمَاعِيلُ رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ
"And [mention] when Abraham was raising the foundations of the House and [with him] Ishmael, [saying], 'Our Lord, accept [this] from us. Indeed, You are the Hearing, the Knowing.'" (Quran 2:127)
Ibrahim is revered in Islam as one of the greatest prophets. He is known as "Khalilullah" (the Friend of Allah) and is mentioned numerous times in the Quran. The annual Hajj pilgrimage commemorates several events from Ibrahim's life, including the building of the Ka'bah and the willingness to sacrifice his son.
Ibrahim's unwavering faith, his willingness to sacrifice everything for Allah, and his dedication to monotheism make him an exemplary figure for Muslims to follow. His legacy continues through the Abrahamic religions: Islam, Christianity, and Judaism.