Ibrahim (Abraham) (AS)

In the name of Allah (SWT)[1], the All-Merciful, the Ever- Merciful.  Peace and blessings be upon our master, the most noble Prophet Muhammad (SAWS)[2].  We praise Allah (SWT), thank Him, and seek His help, guidance and forgiveness.  We seek refuge in Allah (SWT) from the evil in our souls and the sinfulness of our deeds. Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, "Whomever Allah guides, (then) he is (rightly) guided; and whomever He leads into error, then those are they (who are) the losers "(TMQ, 7:178)[3]

We have gone through the stories of Adam (AS), Sheith (AS) (Seth), Idris (AS) (Enoch), Nuh (AS)  (Noah), Hud (AS) and Saleh (AS) and thus, we have finished analyzing these six noble Prophets.  Today, we will start the story of Ibrahim (AS) (Abraham).

The story of Ibrahim (AS) is a long one, and because of this we will not be able to go through it all in one lecture.  This story is one that is suitable for all ages, and this is mainly because Ibrahim (AS) lived a long life and the Qur’an mentions many of the different phases of his life.  We will analyze how he acted as a 16 year-old, and observe his behavior and interests.  He was only 16 years old when he was thrown into the fire.  Ibrahim’s story sends an important message to the youth; it teaches them how to deal with the challenges they face as they grow up.

We will go through the period of Ibrahim’s married life and observe how he dealt with his wives Sarah and Hajar.  We will also view his life as he grew older.  Ibrahim’s story focuses on all of these notions.

The aim of the story of Ibrahim (AS)

All previous stories of the Prophets aim at teaching lessons that benefit your life.  However, Ibrahim’s story has special targets.  It is a story that presents a model that should be imitated and adopted.  Ibrahim (AS) is the only Prophet, other than Muhammad (SAWS), whose footsteps we are requested to follow. 

The target of the stories of Saleh (AS) and Hud (AS), for instance, was to observe how Allah (SWT) had taken revenge on these prophets’ peoples.  However, when you know about the story of Ibrahim (AS), you are requested to imitate his behavior.  This point is emphasized by several ayahs (verses).  Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “Surely the ones of mankind who are most deserving of Ibrahim’s patronage are indeed the ones who closely followed him, and this Prophet, and the ones who have believed” (TMQ, 3:68). 

Notice that the believers were mentioned along with Prophet Muhammad (SAWS).  In a second ayah, Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “You have already had a fair example in Ibrahim and the ones with him” (TMQ, 60:4).  Moreover, Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “Indeed you have already had a fair example in them for whoever hopes for Allah and the Last Day” (TMQ, 60:6).

Thus, together, we will go through Ibrahim’s story and try to adopt his behavior.

To start with, we will carefully consider Ibrahim’s elevated rank in the Qur’an and Hadith, and then move on to the details of the story.  Let us consider Ibrahim’s status among the Prophets and among people:

1-     He is considered the father of all the Prophets.

2-     He is khalilur-Rahman (the close fellow of the All-Merciful).  This of course cannot go without comment.  Imagine the magnificence of such a rank!  Try to think of where you stand, and compare that to Ibrahim’s status.  How extensive is the difference? This intimacy means that the love of Allah (SWT) pervaded the soul and body to a point where the soul, body, and heart could not function without serving Allah (SWT).  Ibrahim (AS) reached this status because his intention was to serve Allah (SWT) in the utmost manner.  This is why he became khalilur-Rahman.  The love of Allah pervaded Ibrahim’s soul and heart, and because of this extreme love, Allah (SWT) took him as His close friend. 

Now go back to your lives.  Where do you stand and how much do you love Allah (SWT)?  Many say they love Allah (SWT) so much and their love for Him prevails in their hearts.  Nevertheless, some of them do not even pray on a regular basis, and believe that matters of worship are personal issues.  Those who say this are not serious enough in their love for Allah (SWT). 

The different degrees of loving Allah (SWT) 

The highest degree of loving Allah (SWT) is closeness and confidence, that is, to be khalilur-Rahman.  This rank was achieved by both Ibrahim (AS) and Prophet Muhammad (SAWS).  The rest of the people vary in the degree of their love for Allah (SWT).  We will go through the different degrees of love, and while doing so, try to detect your level.  You will either be content that you are among those who truly love Allah (SWT), or be disappointed realizing that you still have a long road to travel.

Before looking at the different degrees of love, we will first visualize together love among human beings.  Consider, for example, the case of a man who is in love with a woman.  I apologize for giving such an example, but I want you to compare the intensity of love in this case with that towards Allah (SWT).  Unfortunately, this sort of love has become the most prominent example of love these days.  Hundreds of years ago, since the age of the Prophet (SAWS), the greatest example of love in the Islamic nation had been that between man and Allah (SWT); the whole nation loved and was committed to Allah.  Unfortunately, nowadays things are different.  In order to illustrate the concept I have in mind, I must use the example of a man’s love for a woman, and its stages of development.  Do you feel how appalling it is to love a woman (or man) to such a degree, while your love for Allah (SWT) is of an incomparable magnitude?

Let us consider together the starting point and the different stages of such a relationship and then draw some comparisons.  It all starts with growing attraction, characterized by staying up late thinking of her, daydreaming about her, and losing concentration in all other aspects of life.  On the other hand, he of course never stays up late thinking of Allah (SWT) or of ways to please Him.  Sitting alone, he would smile when she crosses his mind.  Contrarily, he never smiles when visualizing Jannah (paradise) and the moment he will meet the Prophet (SAWS) and how warmly he will embrace him.  Similarly, she stays up all night thinking of him, and of the date that will probably never take place, yet she never pictures herself standing in front of Allah (SWT), or what would take place then!

Then comes the second stage.  The attraction develops into strong affection.  It reaches a point where one starts forgoing one’s own preferences for those of the loved one!  Sadly enough, this is what happens.  The girl disobeys her parents, disregarding all consequences, simply to please this one person she loves.  Have you ever weighed your own preferences against those of Allah (SWT), and tried to suit His?  You usually fulfill your own wants, saying that Allah (SWT) is the Ever-Merciful and Most Forgiving.  You might watch TV until 3:00 a.m. and then go directly to sleep after that, keeping the Fajr (dawn) prayers completely out of your plans.  However, had your lover asked you to call at 3:30 a.m., as that would be the most suitable time for her, you would have gladly stayed up that late!  You set her preferences before yours.  However, when it comes to the love for Allah (SWT), things have a different priority.  Those whom this example applies to may start to feel shame now.

Some men are not involved in any relationship, and yet, their eyes follow each and every passing girl.  Those eyes, on the other hand, never clung to the skies wondering whether Allah (SWT), Whose knowledge accompanies them everywhere and all the time, was satisfied with their deeds.  Moreover, there are young men and women who are used to sharing obscene talk in their telephone conversations; words that enrage Allah (SWT).  If they were to compare the number of times they say such things to the times they mention Allah (SWT), they would find that the former clearly outweighs the latter.  This is what happens with many people, and it is a shameful fact. 

We started this discussion with the term khalilur-Rahman.  This term cannot go unnoticed.  In so many situations, man weighs his own wishes against those of Allah (SWT), and ends up choosing to go his own way.  Such a waste indeed!

Moving on with our example, we reach the third stage in which the prevailing emotion is strong passion.  At this point, one loses control over one’s of emotions.  Have you ever felt this way towards Allah (SWT)?  Have you ever decided to do whatever Allah (SWT) asks of you since your heart belongs to Him and not to you anymore?  I fear that you comprehend one side of the story much better than the other.  This is probably the case since many actually have experienced such emotions towards others before, whereas, they never had these feelings towards Allah (SWT).

The lovers then move into the fourth phase; that of overwhelming passion.  The two lovers become inseparable.  Moreover, they might cut down on their eating as a result of depression at times when they cannot meet.  In contrast, it never occurs to them to reduce their food intake in order to be better able to pray Qiyam al-Lail (night prayers)!  Consider the ayah where Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “And the ones who say, ‘Our Lord, turn away from us the torment (burning passion) of Hell; surely its torment is a (grievous) penalty.’” (TMQ, 25:65).  The torment of hellfire is grave and grievous to those who enter it, just like overwhelming passion is to lovers.  Basically, Allah (SWT) tells us that this form of strong passion is not only that of one sex towards the other, but also that of hellfire towards the bodies of those who end in it.

Then comes the fifth phase; that of obsession.  This is when love reaches the heart’s core and floods it.  It is the attitude of the wife of al-Aziz in Surat Yusuf.  Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “Ladies said in the City: "The wife of the (great) 'Aziz is seeking to seduce her slave from his (true) self: Truly has he inspired her with violent love: we see she is evidently going astray."  (TMQ, 12:30).

Her emotions towards him dominated her heart and penetrated it to the core; this led her to act in such a willful manner.  When sinful love reaches this stage, it leads to greater sins and wrongdoings.  The woman in love would be willing to do anything it takes to be with her lover as much as possible, and that of course would involve committing several sins.  As a consequence, she lives the rest of her life, after they breakup, in deep regret and shame for her unbridled behavior.

After examining the different phases of worldly love, let us consider the heavenly love, and the manner in which some people love Allah (SWT); for example, the love of Ibrahim (AS) for Allah (SWT) developed to a point where he became khalilur-Rahman.  People’s love for Allah (SWT) develops and passes through different stages.  Let us tackle these stages and consider our position.  These are the same stages we just mentioned, but now we will look at them in another context; the context of loving Allah (SWT).

The first phase is preoccupation.  Your mind becomes occupied with thinking of Allah (SWT) and your heart becomes engaged in contemplating His bounties.  Being in love with Allah, I cannot just worship Him by praying carelessly five times a day, three minutes each; a duty to be carried out mechanically.  I am not talking about those who do not pray at all, because those are outside the realm of the love of Allah (SWT) to start with.  Those who do not pray neither love Allah, nor are they loved by Allah.  We are discussing here the different ranks of those who actually love Allah.  Thus, the first phase of this love is to spend a lot of time thinking of Allah (SWT) and reflecting on His greatness, His creations, His bounties, His mercy and on our aspiration to be very close to Him in Jannah (paradise).  It is at this phase where you try to devise ways to please Allah.

The following acts can help you during this phase:

• Reciting the Qur’an.
• Reminding yourself constantly of the ninety-nine names of Allah (SWT).
• Contemplating Allah’s creation. 

This can be done anytime, even during the summer vacation.  Those who travel during the summer vacation can contemplate on Allah’s miracles and creations when sitting on the beach and watching the sunrise.  They can reflect on how the day follows the night, and vice versa, every single day.  They can observe the majesty of the sunset.  Thinking, contemplation and meditation are some of the greatest acts of worship. 

When you have maintained these acts, your heart will grow more attached to Allah (SWT), leading you to the second phase.  You start comparing your desires to those of Allah (SWT).  In the previous stage, you acted the way you liked, but now things have changed.  In this phase, you check first before taking any action.  You begin to question the action and wonder whether or not this action would please Allah.  Those of you who have already reached this phase should be contented.  You have surpassed several kinds of people: those who do not pray and are oblivious and distant from Allah (SWT) and those who are still in phase one.  You have reached the stage where your highest priority is to please Allah, even if that would go against your own wishes.  Sometimes you do not succeed to fulfill Allah’s wishes, but in most cases you do. 

Take, for example, the case of a young lady who would rather not put on the hijab (veil) and yet, knows that it is Allah’s wish.  She weighs her preference against that of Allah (SWT), and tries hard to overcome her desire.  How long it takes her depends upon how close she is to Allah (SWT).  Take waking up for the Fajr prayer as another example.  You try to overcome the tendency of sleeping through the time of the Fajr prayer.  You might succeed on one day and fail on another.   Nevertheless, this implies that you have started to give more weight to Allah’s wishes.  This is called in Islamic law, ‘examining the permitted and the prohibited;’ i.e. that before taking any action you ask yourself whether this action is allowable or forbidden.  This cautiousness indicates that you have taken your love for Allah (SWT) to a higher level. 

Out of all your actions, what is the percentage of those that satisfy Allah’s wishes versus those that fulfill your own desires?  If you follow Allah’s wishes 100% of the time, you are ready to move on to the next stage.  If you follow your own desires 40% of the time, and Allah’s wishes 60% of the time, then you are on your way.  Keep in mind though that although you are following your own desires 40% of the time you should not be insisting on doing so.

Carrying on to the third phase of love, we reach the stage where serving Allah (SWT) becomes the main target in one’s life.  In the previous stage you were trying to determine what is permitted and what is prohibited, but now pleasing Allah (SWT) is one of your goals in life.  

How many of you are in the first phase and how many are in the second?  How about the third phase?  Unfortunately, those who are in the third phase are very few.  Some people spend their lives trying to please a lady, while very few spend their lives trying to please Allah (SWT).  Logically speaking, do you think pleasing Allah (SWT) is a favor you are doing for Him, or is it the most enjoyable thing you can ever experience?  This love pushes you to search for ways by which you could serve Allah (SWT) and you begin to experience true peace.

You start seeking the poor to help them out since this pleases Allah extensively.  If you really have that intention, Allah provides you with the means to carry it out.  If you really wish to wake up for Qiyam al-Lail, He will help you do so.  In general, if He feels your true intentions, He will aid you and bring you closer to Him; for instance, you might really wish to wake up to pray the Fajr prayer and walk to the Masjid (mosque) while making Dhikr (remembering Allah) on your way.  He will assist you.  If you keep on committing certain sins and really hope to put an end to it, He will remove them from your heart.  Thus, during this phase you keep looking for ways to please Allah (SWT), just like you would do to please a person you love.  Imagine yourself doing something that would please your mother.  You experience the same delight she experiences when she learns what you did for her.

All this can be easily attained if you really want it.  Allah (SWT) is more generous and closer to you than you would think.  He will assist you, if you just start developing the true intention of pleasing Him.  Turn this into the main goal of your life, and start searching for ways to please Allah (SWT).  Let Him find you among those who attend religious gatherings.  Visit your relatives for His sake, putting aside any family disputes.  Try your best to please your parents, no matter how hard that is, or how bad their tempers are.  After all, you are going through all that to please Allah (SWT) and not to please certain individuals.  Give out charity even if you do not have a lot of money.  Aisha (RA) said that alms reach Allah (SWT) before they reach the poor.

You then move on to the fourth phase.  This is where you cannot stop yourself from loving Allah (SWT) and following His orders.  Now you see things from a different perspective.  In the past, you may have made fun of pious individuals for going out of their way to closely follow Allah’s orders, and for not enjoying sinful pleasures.  However, you now refuse to indulge yourself in such sins.  You become more cautious regarding your love to Allah (SWT) and fear it may be negatively affected.  You worry about having Allah (SWT) see you in corrupted places, for example, since He might be displeased with all those present there.

The issue of being in corrupted places is a very serious one.  You might believe it to be harmless.  Your intention might be to simply join some friends (without committing any sins) regardless of what they would be doing.  In reality though, Allah (SWT) will be dissatisfied with all those present in such places, and you among them.  There is no reason to risk losing Allah’s love. 

This overwhelming passion in your heart makes you keen to obey Him, be it by Qiyam, fasting, Dhikr, or Dua’a (supplication).  You might be even willing to fast in the summer despite the hardships, just to please Allah (SWT).

Having obeyed Allah (SWT) to that extent, the love in your heart grows even further and reaches its core.  You start to feel the keenness of this love.  This is the fifth phase of the love towards Allah (SWT).  I cannot help wondering if any of the audience experienced this feeling.  When you reach this stage your level of reverence goes up, you are more easily and frequently emotionally touched by all that has to do with Allah (SWT), and your faith grows stronger.  Your heart trembles when you hear Qur’anic ayahs, your tears flow when you hear dua’a, and you constantly feel that the love of Allah (SWT) overflows your heart.  You constantly observe His bounties.  Your heart trembles when you recall the Day of Judgment, how you will stand in front of Allah (SWT), that He will look at you and call you by name.  Visualizing all this makes your heart leap out of joy, as if it was actually taking place.  Fill your heart with this keenness to acquire Allah’s bliss. 

The next phase is that of complete submission, similar to that of slavery.  Why does this come at a later stage and not at the beginning? To start with, we should examine the concept of this type of slavery.  It is to humble yourself to Allah (SWT).  This gives a great sense of satisfaction. You enjoy prostrating and feel that all your organs and senses submit to Him.  This is the phase you will enjoy the most.  You will enjoy submission to Allah (SWT) during dua’a, your head bowed and your hands held up to the sky, pleading with Him in extreme reverence for His mercy.  This is a revered stage of worship.  Being the bondman of Allah is one of the highest attributes; an attribute used by Allah (SWT) to praise Prophet Muhammad (SAWS), as can be seen in the ayah where Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “And that as soon as the bondman of Allah rose up invoking Him, they almost densely packed upon him.” (TMQ 72:19), and “All Extolment be (to Him), Who made His bondman to set forth by night from the Inviolable Mosque to the Furthest Mosque…” (TMQ, 17:1).

There is only one phase remaining, but this is not one you can reach.  It is that of intimacy.  Those who surpass all the previous phases reach this final one.  Those who were honored by reaching this ultimate stage were only Ibrahim (AS) and Muhammad (SAWS).  In the case of Ibrahim (AS) the ayah is clear, Allah (SWT) states what can be translated as, “And Allah took to Him Ibrahim for a (close) fellow.” (TMQ, 4: 125).

Although there is no Qur’anic ayah pertaining to the intimacy of Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) as well, there is an authentic Hadith in which the Prophet (SAWS) states, what means, “I stand acquitted before Allah that I took any one of you as a khalil, for Allah has taken me as His khalil, as he took Ibrahim as His khalil.  Had I taken any one of my nation as a khalil, I would have taken Abu-Bakr.”[4] 

See how elevated the status of Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) is!  Consider where you stand and in which phase you are.  I am afraid that some people have nothing to do with all of this!  May Allah (SWT) guide us all to what pleases Him.

Let us go back to his merits.  He is called the father of all Prophets, and he is the close fellow of the All-Merciful.

1-     He is one of the strong-willed Messengers.  Do you know who the five Resolute Messengers are? They are Nuh (AS), Ibrahim (AS), Musa (AS), Isa (AS) (Jesus), and Muhammad (SAWS).  Allah (SWT) says about them what can be translated as, “And as We took from the Prophets their Covenant and from you and from N‍uh, and Ibrahim, and M‍usa, and Isa son of Maryam. And We took from them a solemn covenant.” (TMQ, 33:7).  The covenant of these five was very solemn indeed.  What do we mean by the resolute Messengers?  It means that they faced many difficult situations and they strove in the cause of religion in a way that no one in the whole universe could or ever will.  That is why you will hear fascinating words about Ibrahim (AS) that speak of his sacrifices.

2-     He was a nation.  Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “Surely, Ibrahim (Abraham) was a nation, (i.e., a leader, Imam) devout to Allah, unswervingly upright, and he was not of those who associate (others with Allah).” (TMQ, 16:120).   He was an Ummah, which means a nation.  What is the meaning of "Ibrahim was a nation?” It means that his obedience to Allah (SWT) and his worship was equal to that of a whole nation.  Imagine, for example, that all of Egypt’s people worshipping Allah would not be equal to that of Ibrahim's. Imagine!  “Surely, Ibrahim was a nation” means that his deeds weighed as much as a nation.  Moreover, "nation" has another meaning.  It also means that Allah's reward earned by Ibrahim for his obedience and worship was equal to that earned by a whole nation.  If we put all our good deeds on one side of the scale and those of Ibrahim’s on the other, his will outweigh ours.  There is a third meaning for "nation."  His righteousness could lead a whole nation to guidance. 

We now have three meanings, each of which is so great.  The first was that his worship and obedience were equal to a nation's.  The second was that the rewards Allah (SWT) has given him are equal to those given to a whole nation.  Thirdly, with his piety and righteousness, a whole nation may be guided.  I want to ask you a question since we are not just telling stories.  We should rather learn from them in order to apply them to our lives.  If Ibrahim (AS) had been (equal to) a nation, then how much are you equal to?  His true religion could guide a whole nation to the right path.  What about yours? Would it guide a city-block, a neighborhood, colleagues in your workplace, people in the building you live in, or even your own home? How about your own self?

Do you know how old Ibrahim was when he was (considered) "a nation"?  He was sixteen years old when his worship was equal to a nation's.  What about your worship?  When you go to pray Fajr looking at the windows of the neighborhood which show that all lights are switched off, and when you dress yourself in hijab while all your friends have not, you are walking in Ibrahim’s footsteps trying to become closer to Allah (SWT).  You might wonder, Ibrahim was as great as a whole nation, but what about me? If you have ten friends, for example, who you are always in contact with, trying to guide them to the right path, then you are influencing ten people.  Once you do that, you are on the right track. 

Al-Tabe'een (the successors: the generation after the Prophet’s Companions) have this to say, “Be equal to a thousand men.  If you cannot, then try to be a man; yet, never be half a man.”  How many will you be equal to?  Can you be equal to a thousand men? Ibrahim (AS) was equal to a whole nation, but there were some Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet) who were equal to as many as a thousand.  How much are you equal to?  There are some of us here who are equal to ten.  There are women who are equal to a hundred.  One who can take her neighbor's hand, talk with another about religious matters, help her husband seek halal (permitted) means for sustenance, and bring up her children properly.  She is also pious, organizes a lesson to teach women Qur’an (how to recite and understand the Qur’an), and invites people on Mondays and Thursdays for Iftar (to break the fast) in order to motivate them to fast. 

There are some young people here who count for a hundred each.  He helps his friends, gives advice to others concerning religion, pays visits to his family, and gathers people to worship Allah (SWT).  However, there are others who count for themselves only, and there are those who are zeros!  Would you be content as a zero? 

Amr Ibn-El-Aass sent to Omar (AS) in Madinah saying, “O, Emir (leader) of Believers, Egypt is so difficult to liberate.  The Fort of Babylon is too tough that I need more troops.”  When Omar (AS) asked about the number of troops Amr needed, he sent back asking for 4000 men.  Omar (AS) sent him 3000 and one more man.  He wrote, “You needed 4000 more troops so I sent you 3000 and a man who alone counts for a thousand men.”  Amr Ibnul-Aass was angry.  He wrote Omar (AS) back saying, “O Prince of Believers!  I need more troops.  The matter is serious.  We are in a war, and I ask you for more.”  Omar (AS) answered back, “By Allah, the voice of al- Qa`qaa' in the battlefield is better than a thousand men.”  His voice in the battle is better than a thousand troops fighting!  Now compare him to a guy these days whose main objective is to wear a necklace!  In fact, it is forbidden as it is only for women to decorate their necks.  Compare him, as well, to a kid whose main objective is to drive a car playing annoyingly loud music.  Of course, the songs he listens to could be in a foreign language that is completely incomprehensible to him, yet, he would play and listen to it just to show off.  Besides that, he flirts with girls and harasses others in the streets.  This is not a person equal to a zero; he is much less than that!  Compare those reckless actions to al-Qa`qaa's voice in the battle when he stood in front of the Fort of Babylon and cried, "Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar! (Allah is the Greatest).”  As a result, the Copts inside were shattered with fear!

All these were Qur'anic points showing Ibrahim’s merits.  Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “Surely, Ibrahim was a nation, devout to Allah, unswervingly upright …” (TMQ, 16:120).  “Unswervingly upright” is a translation of the Arabic word Hanif.  What is the meaning of Hanif?  Well, they say that all the Arabs had abandoned Ibrahim’s religion except a minority.  Hanif in the Arabic language means to be far away from polytheism and anything related to it.  This means that the one who is hanif abandons anything that can lie between him and Allah (SWT) and keeps away from it as far as possible.  That is the meaning of the word Hanif.

Throughout this lesson, I am trying to show you the merits of Ibrahim (AS).  We mentioned that he was the father of the prophets, that he was the close fellow of the All-Merciful, and that he was one of the five resolute Messengers.  He was also a nation and he bore the Hanif religion.  What else?

3-     Allah (SWT) praises him in the Ever-Glorious Qur'an when He says what can be translated as, “Thankful for His amenities...”  (TMQ, 16:121).   One of Ibrahim’s merits is that he was thankful for Allah’s blessings.  My friends, I have been advising you for a long time, and I advise you now that you should thank Allah every day for five minutes, especially those of you who are older.  As you get older, Allah’s blessings become greater.  He has been showering you with them for a long time.  Perhaps the young will not realize these blessings, but what about you?   Don’t you remember your first car and how He blessed you with another better one?  Don’t you remember where you used to live and where you are now?  Don’t you remember how you used to dress and how you dress now?  Don’t you remember the strength He has given you, and the beauty He has bestowed upon you.  Be “Thankful for His amenities.”  By Allah (SWT), try to have five minutes everyday in which you thank Allah.  Set aside five minutes in which you repeatedly say, “Alhamdu lillah, alhamdu lillah (Praise be to Allah, Praise be to Allah).”

4-      One of Ibrahim’s merits was that he fulfilled the message as Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “And Ibrahim, who constantly fulfilled the Message.” (TMQ, 53:37).  Imagine when Allah (SWT) describes anybody this way.  Do you know how he fulfilled it?  He was devoted to every order Allah (SWT) had given him.  He never failed to carry out any pious deed, act of worship, or to give up sins.  It made no difference to him what pious deed he was to fulfill, be it great or small.  He also fulfilled all that he promised to do. 

Some of us may have promised Allah (SWT) to do many things and then failed to keep our word when Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “O you who have believed, fulfill your contracts.”  (TMQ, 5:1).  Do you remember when you were leaving the last session, or the one before it, when you promised that you would do such and such from then on?  Did you fulfill what you promised?  My friends, Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “And of them are the ones who covenanted with Allah, “If He bring us of His Grace, indeed we will definitely donate (i.e., give alms) and indeed we will definitely be of the righteous.” (TMQ, 9:75).  In other words, such promises could be, “If He gives me such and such, if He let me marry this girl, if He made me pass this year, or if He saved me from this disease, etc., I will do a certain thing.”  What did they do after Allah (SWT) gave them what they wanted?  Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “Yet, as soon as He brought them of His Grace, they were miserly with it and turned back (while) they are veering away (from His Words).” (TMQ, 9:76).  What did He do with them; those who attend these sessions and promise, but remain the same and do not attempt to change themselves?  Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “So He has made the consequence (to be) hypocrisy in their hearts until the Day they meet Him for that they failed Allah in what they promised Him and for that they were often lying.”  (TMQ, 9:77).   Allah (SWT) fills their hearts with hypocrisy until the Day of Judgment since they failed to fulfill the promises they made to Allah (SWT). Thus, my friends, when you promise Allah (SWT), keep your word.

5-     One more of Ibrahim’s merits, and a very nice one, is that he was patient, mournful and repentant.  Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “Surely Ibrahim is indeed constantly forbearing, most plaintive, constantly penitent.”  (TMQ, 11:75).  I am just pinpointing the merits of Ibrahim (AS) mentioned in the Ever-Glorious Qur'an.  Think about it.  On the Day of Judgment, when you stand before Allah (SWT), by which trait shall He call you?  Be careful because Allah (SWT) will call you on the Day of Judgment by what you did during your lifetime.  Imagine what one of the young people sitting here would be called, “So and so who used to commit such and such a sin, but he gave that up for My sake.”  How would you feel at that moment?  Will you lift up your head and smile when He orders you to draw near Him so that He envelops you with His light?  Will He remind you of the friend you helped and lead to the right path?  Now, how will you like to be called?  

See how Allah (SWT) calls Ibrahim? “Forbearing, most plaintive...”  Moreover, “most plaintive” is the translation of the Arabic word Awwah.  In Arabic it means saying, “Ah,” sighing or moaning often as he prays, bows, or makes Dua'a (supplication).  It is as if you can hear him saying, “Oh Allah, Oh Allah!” out of reverence for Allah (SWT).  Has anybody even grieved in such a way from the fear of Allah?  Why are these feelings so remote from us?  Why?  Why have our tears become so rare?  Even our eagerness to gain Allah's satisfaction has become so feeble and pathetic.  Where are the tender souls?  Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “Thereafter your hearts hardened even after that; so they were as stones, or (even) strictly harder…” (TMQ, 2:74).  These hard hearts reap Allah’s anger and disrespect.  The stone is softer and more brittle than them.  Stones have water flowing from them while those people’s hearts have nothing to let flow.  Allah (SWT) continues what can be translated as, “…And surely there are stones from which rivers erupt forth, and surely there are (some) that cleave so that water goes out of them, and surely there are (still others) that crash down in the apprehension of Allah. And in no way is Allah ever heedless of whatever you do.”  (TMQ, 2:74). 

Allah (SWT) further describes Ibrahim (AS) saying that those who leave the religion of Ibrahim (AS) will be idiotic.  Where did I get this from?  Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “And whoever desirously shuns the creed of Ibrahim except he who befools himself?”  (TMQ, 2:130).

6-     Another fine merit of Ibrahim (AS) is that when we pray, we do not utter any name other than Prophet Mohammad's, except that of Ibrahim (AS).  Notice that we say, “Greetings be to Allah, and the blessed prayers, greetings to you, O Prophet.  May Allah's peace, mercy and blessings be upon you.  May Allah bless Muhammad and his family, as He blessed Ibrahim and his family.”  He is the only Prophet to be mentioned, beside our Prophet Muhammad's name.

7-     Another one of Ibrahim’s merits was that Allah (SWT) had chosen him to rebuild the sanctified House of Allah, the Ka’ba.  To establish the foundation of the Ka'ba is a great honor indeed!  Moreover, he had asked Allah (SWT) for two things and they were both fulfilled and we can witness them in this day and age.  The first dua'a can be translated as, “Our Lord, and send forth among them a Messenger, (one) of them, who (will) recite to them Your ayaat (signs, verses)…”  (TMQ, 2:129).  Who is this messenger who was sent for the Arabs?  It was of course Prophet Mohammed (SAWS).  When was this Dua’a fulfilled?  After how many years was it fulfilled? Sometimes you are in a hurry to see your Dua’a answered at once.  We want it to be answered now when Ibrahim’s dua’a was fulfilled after thousands of years.

His second Dua’a in which he asked Allah (SWT) to protect Makkah can be translated as, “And as Ibrahim (Abraham) said, “Lord! Make this land secure…”  (TMQ, 14:35).  Allah (SWT) forbids any act that may disturb its security.  That was due to Ibrahim’s Dua’a.  Similarly, Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) used to say, “O Allah! Ibrahim is Your slave, Your Khalil and Your prophet. I am Your slave and Your prophet. He prayed to You for Makkah. I pray to You for Madinah for the like of what He prayed to You for Makkah.” (Authentic Hadith narrated by al-Bukhari).  See how a Dua’a can be fulfilled after thousands of years?  Have you ever heard of an enemy invading Madinah?  Never. Why?  It was one Dua’a.  Can we make a Dua’a that could remain for thousands of years?  Yes, you can if you are sincere while making your Dua’a.  If you sincerely and truthfully asked Allah (SWT) to make your offspring righteous, and to make them faithful until the Day of Judgment, it would be fulfilled.

8-     Among Ibrahim’s merits is that there is a surah (chapter) in the Qur’an named after him.

9-     Another one is that when he first received guests, he was the first to invite and make a banquet.  That is why he is the most generous of all people.

10- Another fine and good merit of his is that he will be the first one to be dressed on the Day of Judgment.  What does this mean?  Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) says, “The first to be dressed on the Day of Judgment will be Ibrahim (AS).” (Authentic Hadith, narrated by Muslim).  My friends, we will all be naked on that day.  Some will be covered to their chests, and some will have nothing on at all!  Imagine!  People will be resurrected naked on the Day of Judgment.  All of us will be naked.  'A'isha reported that she heard Allah's Messenger saying, “The people would be assembled on the Day of Judgment barefooted, naked and uncircumcised.  I said, Allah's Messenger, will the male and the female be together on the Day and would they be looking at one another? Upon this Allah's Messenger said, “A'isha, the matter would be too serious for them to look at one another.” (Authentic Hadith narrated by Muslim).

11- Can you imagine how serious the situation will be?  All are afraid to the extent that nobody would notice anyone around him.  My friends, we will all be naked, but who will be the first to be dressed?  Ibrahim (AS) will be the first of all mankind to be dressed. 

What about us?  Everyone will be dressed according to his deeds.  I wonder when you will be dressed!  Some will not be dressed until very late.  My brother, my sister, think it over again.  Are you eager to be dressed early or not?  My friends, imagine being the only one still left naked on the Day of Judgment.  Even if nobody is looking at you, it is still extremely hard to endure.  It is even harder for the women.  It is hard for all mankind, both men and women, to stand stark naked.  Then you will wish to be dressed.  You keep looking.  There is someone there who is already dressed and I am still not.  I give all young women here some advice – cover yourself well here in this life, so that Allah (SWT) may cover you quickly on the Day of Judgment.  Thus, when a girl or a woman dresses improperly, she should fear for herself from a delay in being dressed on the Day of Judgment.  Of all the people around you, imagine being the only one naked.

I direct these words to both men and women, and especially to women.  I am talking about the women who wear tight tank tops and short clothes; who dare to wear very tight pants and swimming suits in front of every body.  I say these words because I am deeply concerned about any woman who is unable to take one step forward towards hijab.  Why should you be late?  Once again, my friends, it will be an upsetting situation.  To be naked is so difficult, especially if all who surround you start to get dressed before you. 

I direct my words as well to the youths who watch pornographic channels and websites knowing how haram (prohibited) they are.  Does it ever occur to you that you yourself will be naked on the Day of Judgment because of what you are watching?  I really cannot understand this.  People on the Day of Judgment will be dressed according to their taqwa (piety).  The more pious get dressed before the less, and so on.  A great Hadith (saying) of Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) is, “While I was sleeping, some people were displayed before me (in a dream). They were wearing shirts, some of which were merely covering their breasts, and some a bit longer. Then there passed before me, Omar Ibnul-Khattab wearing a shirt he was dragging (on the ground behind him.)." They (the people) asked, "What have you interpreted (the shirt in the dream) O Allah's Apostle?" He said, "The Religion.”” (Authentic Hadith, narrated by al-Bukhari). Thus, the length of the shirt resembles the strength of your belief.  Everyone is dressed according to it.  The one with strong faith, like Omar’s, would be dragging his shirt after him.  His was strong and zealous indeed!  Another one will be wearing a tie!  What will you be wearing? Will you be covered or not?  How early or late would that be?  Do not think lightly about it.

Now back to Ibrahim (AS).  Prophet Ibrahim (AS) had an extremely personal relationship with Prophet Muhammad (SAWS), despite the fact that they were separated by thousands of years.  To start with, Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) was asked how his call to Islam began.  “I am the answer of the invocation of my father Ibrahim (AS),”[5] he replied.  The question was actually about his first days on the path of Da’wa (missionary activity), and instead, he told them of how it all started with Ibrahim’s invocation.  What a distinctive relationship!  Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) even named one of his children Ibrahim.  All of Prophet Muhammad’s children, but Ibrahim, were born, and thus named, before the first revelation.  Ibrahim (AS) was the only one born after his father’s revelation, and thus, Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) named him after his father Ibrahim (AS).

Moreover, much of the Sunnah (actions or sayings of Prophet Muhammad (SAWS)) of Islam originate from Ibrahim’s teachings.  Therefore, there are things you do in an attempt to follow Muhammad (SAWS) that are in fact derived from Ibrahim’s actions; for example, Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) was always careful to either trim his mustache that it would not grow over his lips, or to take it off completely.  When he was asked as to why he did that, he explained that it was what Ibrahim (AS) used to do. This indicates that Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) even knew Ibrahim’s physical appearance.

There’s a notion I want us to pause and reflect on.  Do you search for ways to increase the number of your hasanat (recorded good deeds)?  We keep devising ways to make more money, but are we as keen in devising ways to accumulate hasanat?  What are examples of things that could earn you a great deal of hasanat?  You can guide a person, lend a helping hand, or teach someone something about Islam.  In such a case, you will be amassing the same number of hasanat as that of the one you guide to Islam. 

Another thing that could earn you a lot of hasanat is learning the Qur’an and teaching it.  As Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) said what can be translated as, “The best among you (Muslims) are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it.”[6]  

Furthermore, he  said, “Whoever says, 'Subhan Allah wa bihamdihi’ (Glory and Praise be to Allah) 100 times a day, will be forgiven all his sins even if they were as much as the foam on the sea.”[7]  Imagine the number of sins that will be forgiven in such a case! Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) once asked the companions, “Is anyone amongst you unable to get 1,000 virtues (hasanat) every day?”  Amongst those who had been there, one asked, “How can one amongst us get 1,000 virtues every day?”  The Prophet said, “Recite ‘Subhan Allah’ (Glory be to Allah) 100 times for (by reciting them) 1,000 virtues are recorded (to your credit) or 1,000 vices are blotted out.”[8]

Based on these Ahadith (Prophet Muhammad’s sayings), a sharp-witted person would say, “Subhan Allah” and “Subhan Allah wa Bihamdih” 100 times each, every day on his way home after the Fajr  prayer, and thus get 1,000 virtues recorded to his credit as well as get all his sins forgiven.  Since the state of our scale of sins is unknown to us, we must try to fill our scale of virtues as much as we can.

Take for instance, a girl who wears hijab (the veil), she gets hasanat every time she steps out of her house.  Not only is she following Allah’s order, but all those who see her are reminded of Allah (SWT).  She could be going out for any mundane activity, such as shopping, yet returns home with thousands of hasanat.  See how Allah (SWT) honored women with hijab!  Even though some might think that Allah (SWT) honored men by giving them the Friday prayer, praying in the mosque, and Jihad (fighting for the cause of Allah), Allah (SWT) also honored women, by allowing them to earn hasanat by just putting on the hijab.  If two women went out together, to the same place and talked about the same issues, one could be adding hasanat to her scale while the other is adding sins.  It is exactly the same series of actions, yet the former is wearing hijab and the latter is not.

Going back to the relationship between Muhammad (SAWS) and Ibrahim (AS), a person once came to Allah's Messenger and called him the best human being, by saying, “O, the best of creation.” The Prophet (SAWS) interrupted him by saying, “That is Ibrahim (AS).”[9]  His modesty is very evident here.  Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) was so modest as to declare that, in fact, it is Ibrahim (AS) who is the greatest of mankind, and not himself.  Would you have done the same thing had someone said that you were the top of your class?  Would you have said that it was not you, but someone else? 

Another point that can be observed when examining Prophet Muhammad’s Ahadith is that he never mentioned Prophet Ibrahim’s name without either following it by (AS), or preceding it by ‘father.’

What is even more fascinating is that Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) met Ibrahim (AS) in the Mi’raj (Prophet Muhammad’s ascension to the seven heavens).  There he saw al-Bayt al- Ma’mur (which is exactly above the Ka’ba in heavens). The Prophet (SAWS) once said what can be translated as, “Seventy thousand angels enter into it (al-Bayt al- Ma’mur) daily and, after they come out, they never return again.”[10]   Imagine 70 thousand angels coming to this place every day, and never returning to it thereafter!  Therefore, there are 70 thousand angels that go there every day, 365 days a year, for thousands and thousands of years!  You do the math!  This shows that the sky is filled with angels.  Due to that reason, Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) once said, what can be translated as, “The heavens are showing reverence and so they should.  Even a space as little as three fingers is filled with an angel, forehead to the ground, prostrating before Allah...”[11]  Every few inches an angel is prostrating to Allah (SWT), and this will continue until the Day of Judgment; the day on which the angels will say to Allah (SWT) that they have not served him as He truly deserves.  Do you see what true love is all about?  It is important to understand that Allah (SWT) does not need us, for He already has those who pray to Him and serve Him.

Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) was therefore raised and taken to al-Bayt al- Ma’mur, where he saw the angels in tawaf (the same act we do when we circumambulate the Ka’ba).  He said, what can be translated as, “…and there I found Ibrahim (AS) reclining against al-Bayt al-Ma'mur.”[12]  Since Ibrahim (AS) was leaning against al-Bayt al-Ma’mur, he obviously must have been tired.  Ibrahim (AS) suffered greatly throughout his life.  He was thrown into the fire as an adolescent, and the king and his soldiers wanted to kill him.  He was instructed to leave his son and wife in the desert, to sacrifice his son, to build the Ka’ba in the middle of nowhere, and to call people to the pilgrimage.  He had to migrate from one country to another, and his own father and tribe tried to harm him.  What kind of life was that? This was a life full of dedication to Allah (SWT).

Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) met Prophet Ibrahim (AS).  Ibrahim (AS) greeted Muhammad (SAWS) saying, “You are welcome, O pious son and pious Prophet.”[13]  Prior to the meeting with Ibrahim (AS), Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) greeted many of the other Prophets and Messengers, yet none of them asked him to do anything.  However, Ibrahim (AS) asked Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) to send his greetings to all Muslims, and it has been relayed to all generations for the past 1400 years.  Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) said, what can be translated as, “The night of my ascension journey I met Prophet Ibrahim (AS).  He said, ‘Oh, Muhammad convey to your nation (followers) on my behalf, peace.  Further inform your nation that the Jannah is of pleasant scented land (said to be scented of musk and saffron); its waters are fresh and pleasant. Its trees are Subhan Allah (Glorify Ye Allah), Alhamdu lillah (Praise Ye Allah), La ilaha illa Allah (Allah is but the One and Single God), and Allahu akbar (Allah is the Great and the Exalted)’ (meaning that the more you say them, the more of these trees are to be planted for you to provide abundant produce and pleasant shade).”[14]

The one message that Ibrahim (AS) sought to send us is to remind us of Jannah.  Keep reminding yourself of Jannah, for it is the only hope we have in this world.  Jannah is what a young man seeks when fighting off temptation and wrongdoings.  Jannah is what a woman seeks when suffering from an abusive husband.  Jannah is what young men and women seek when facing harsh realities in their lives.  Jannah is what people tired of this world look forward to.

We are going to leave this world and go to Jannah, where there is endless joy and happiness, and where there is no frustration, sorrow, illness or worries.  You will be with your friends, the companions and the righteous people.  Jannah is where you will enjoy your time the most.  You will be able to converse with the companions, and invite over Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) for dinner at your palace, beneath which the rivers flow.  After you are done, you can take your yacht and sail down the river.  In Jannah, we can see Allah (SWT) and talk to Him.  Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) once said, what can be translated as, “Allah will say to the people of Jannah, ‘O the people of Jannah!’  They will answer, ‘Labbaik, O our Lord, and Sa'daik, and all the good is in Your Hands!’  Allah will say, ‘Are you satisfied?’ They will say, ‘Why shouldn't we be satisfied, O our Lord, as You have given us what You have not given to any of Your created beings?’  He will then say, ‘Shall I not give you something better than that?’  They will say, ‘O our Lord! What else could be better than that?’  He will say, ‘I bestow My Pleasure on you and I will never be angry with you after that.’”[15]

This is the Jannah we are talking about here, or have you forgotten? Have worldly matters consumed us?  This is why Ibrahim (AS) wanted to pass on this message.  Would you like to decorate your palace in Jannah?  Would you like to have different fruits planted for you in Jannah?  Then go ahead and keep saying “Subhan Allah, Alhamdu lillah, La ilaha illa Allah, and Allahu Akbar.”  Just keep in mind that every time you say this, something is planted for you in Jannah.

The last point regarding the connection between Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) and Ibrahim (AS) is that the former had the greatest resemblance to the latter.  The person that had the greatest resemblance to Ibrahim (AS) was not Isma’il (AS) (Ishmael), Ishaq (AS) (Isaac), or anyone else; it was Prophet Muhammad (SAWS).  This piece of information is based on a Hadith in which Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) says what means, that during al-Israa (the night journey of Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) from Makkah to Jerusalem) “There appeared before me the apostles, and Musa was among men (of average height and weight) as if he was one of the people of Shanu'a, and I saw Isa son of Maryam, and I found 'Urwa Ibn-Mas'ud nearest in resemblance to him, and I saw Ibrahim (AS) and I found your companion ( referring to himself)nearest in resemblance to him, and I saw Jibril (AS) and I found Dihya nearest in resemblance to him.”[16]

Dihya was one of the companions, and was extremely handsome.  Whenever the Prophet (SAWS) wanted to send a letter to a king or someone like that, he chose Dihya for the job.  Jibril (AS) sometimes came down in human form, and in such cases all the Companions were able to see him. Whenever Jibril (AS) did so, he would often take on Dihya’s appearance.  Sometimes, when seeing Dihya, the Companions used to doubt whether that was truly Dihya (RA) or was it Jibril (AS) in Dihya’s form!  They lived the greatest days!  May Allah (SWT) allow us to join them in Jannah.

Let us make a quick review of who Ibrahim (AS) was.  He was Ibrahim, the son of Sarikh.  Sarikh was nicknamed Azar, and the latter is the name referred to in Qur’an.  He was named Azar, because it means to bear a burden, and he bore the burden of idol-making for his tribe.  Azar was the most involved in idol-making.  He made idols, restored them, and sold them.  He was basically an idol-merchant.

Some people disagree as to whether Azar was Ibrahim’s father or his uncle.  There is a general rule in Islam that deals with such issues and that states that “every issue that does not teach us anything, is not followed by any significant consequences nor is built upon, is insignificant and should not be dealt with.”  According to Islam, time should not be wasted on insignificant issues.  Nevertheless, just to finalize this issue, Azar was most probably Ibrahim’s father and the Qur’an most likely would not have described him as such had he been his uncle.  Some might wonder as to how an ancestor of Muhammad (SAWS) could have been a disbeliever.  However, this is completely irrelevant.  Let us not forget that Nuh’s son was a disbeliever.  There must have been some disbelievers among Muhammad’s ancestors, yet, they must have had high morals and good characters.  The bottom line is that Azar is most likely Ibrahim’s father.

Ibrahim’s name was mentioned 69 times in the Qur’an in the course of 25 surahs.  One of his early ancestors was Nuh (AS).  That is why Allah (SWT) says in the Qur’an, what can be translated as, “And surely among those who followed his (way) indeed was Ibrahim” (TMQ, 37:83).  How could Ibrahim (AS) follow Nuh (AS) when thousands of years separated them?  Their source is one and the same, they are of similar characters and have similar actions, and they both worship Allah (SWT) in the same manner.

Ibrahim (AS) was born and raised in Babylon, present-day Iraq.  This was no small city, but in fact, a huge one.  It was also very well-known for its idol-making.  One of the top experts in idol-making was Ibrahim’s father.  This fact cannot go unnoticed.  I want to stress on the point that Ibrahim’s father was an idol-maker for a reason.  Many young men and women have Muslim parents, yet their parents do not assist them in taking the right steps towards obeying Allah.  Those young men and women blame their parents for their deeds, claiming that had their parents guided them to become more devoted to Allah (SWT) they would have turned out to be better people.  That is not a valid excuse. 

Ibrahim (AS) was in a much worse situation.  Ibrahim (AS) was thrown into the fire at age 16.  He was not born a prophet.  He was born into a household in which everyone was an idol-worshipper.  In contrast, you were born into a Muslim household.  None of you can claim to have been more devoted had it not been for your parents.  This is something we learn from Ibrahim’s story.  He was raised in a much worse environment; a point we have to comprehend.

Some young women claim that their families are not helping with the issue of putting on the hijab.  You have to make an effort and be patient.  Some young men claim that whenever they try to become more devoted, their families, neighbors and friends pull them away.  You have to overcome this and ask Allah (SWT) to assist you.  Work harder and be diligent and Allah (SWT) will be by your side.  Did you really think that Allah (SWT) would leave you without His help?  Would Allah (SWT) leave you unaided if you really want to put on the hijab?  Many make their good intentions, yet are unable to implement them because of obstacles.  Just be patient, make dua’a (supplication) to Allah (SWT), behave well with your parents, obey them and show them your affection, and be persistent.  Call upon Allah (SWT) to help you, and He will be there for you.

Ibrahim (AS) never knelt before an idol.  Allah (SWT) says, what can be translated as, “And indeed We bestowed early on Abraham his rectitude of conduct and We were knowledgeable of him” (TMQ, 21:51).  What does that mean?  He was mature and rational from his early years.  We take the age of maturity to be 18 or 21; but, some people are in their 30’s and still act immaturely.  There are 25-year-olds whose only concerns are cars, cell phones and girls.  There are women, who could be in their thirties, whose main concern in life is their beauty.  Could this possibly be the purpose of your creation?  Is that why Allah (SWT) created your soul?

The word “early” in the ayah indicates a very young age.  Many teenagers, barely 17 or 18 years of age, want to smoke in order to look and feel older.  Nothing in their personalities indicates any signs of adulthood, so they turn to smoking.  However, smoking was never an indication of or the means to attaining adulthood, contrary to what teenagers tend to believe. 

If you really want to mature, develop your relationship with Allah (SWT).  Maturity is to simply long for Jannah fully comprehending that it is your true future.  Adulthood is not about girls, smoking or drugs.  Adulthood is not about being intelligent, having money, having a strong character or giving your wife a rough time.  Adulthood is about rational thinking, and realizing that this world will ultimately come to an end, followed by either Jannah or hell.  This is ultimate maturity.  This had to be pointed out to young men and women who misunderstand the concept of adulthood.

Ibrahim (AS) had two sons; Isma’il (AS) and Ishaq (AS).  All the Prophets that succeeded Ibrahim (AS) were his descendents.  More precisely, all prophets descended from Ishaq (AS), with only one exception: Prophet Muhammad (SAWS).  Muhammad (SAWS) descended from Isma’il (AS) instead.

Ibrahim (AS) was one of the prophets who received a divine book.  All of Sheith (AS), Dawud (AS) (David), Idris (AS), Adam (AS), Ibrahim (AS), Musa (AS), Isa (AS), and Muhammad (SAWS) received divine books.  All the Prophets who received divine books had their books revealed to them all at once, except Muhammad (SAWS); a fact not many are aware of.  The Qur’an was the only divine book to be revealed in stages.  Ibrahim’s book was revealed all in one go, and so was Musa’s (Torah) as well as Isa’s Injil (Gospel). 

Muhammad (SAWS) received his revelation in stages because Allah (SWT) wanted this book to be a guide that teaches and nurtures the nation gradually.  Thus it addresses the issues and resolves problems one at a time.

The disbelievers wondered why the Qur’an was not revealed all at once as was the case with all the other divine books.  This issue was addressed in the Qur’an, where Allah (SWT) says, what can be translated as, “And the ones who have disbelieved have said, ‘If only the Qur’an had been sent down upon him as one complete whole.’  Thus, that We may make firm your heart thereby, and We have recited it in a (distinct) recitation” (TMQ, 25:32).  Allah (SWT) explains in the above mentioned ayah that He has done this so that people could learn new things all along; for example, alcohol was forbidden progressively.  Moreover, the hijab was decreed gradually.  The outcome was that whenever a new section was revealed addressing a certain issue, people would react immediately.

Take the issue of forbidding alcohol as an example.  First, Allah (SWT) says, what can be translated as, “They ask you concerning wine and games of chance.  Say, “In (both) is great vice, and profits for mankind; and the vice in them is greater than the profit.” (TMQ, 2:219). 

Omar Ibnul-Khattab, however, began wondering whether alcohol was allowed or forbidden.  Thus, another ayah was revealed where Allah (SWT) says, what can be translated as, “O you who have believed, do not draw near to prayer (when) you are drunken until you know what you are saying” (TMQ, 4:43).  As a result, people started cutting back on the amounts they drank.  Finally, the issue was settled by the ayah that says, what can be translated as,  “O you who have believed, surely wine and games of chance, and altars (for idols) and divining (i.e., divination by arrows or in any other way) are only an abomination of Satan’s doing, so avoid it, that possibly you will prosper” (TMQ, 5:90).  It was said that the following morning the streets were found drenched as everyone got rid of all alcoholic drinks they had.  Had the command been declared in one step, the outcome would not have been of a similar magnitude.  Hence, it is a gradual process.

This also applies to you.  You must take things one step at a time on the path of becoming a better Muslim.  What matters is staying consistent, always moving one step further.  Never rush things taking it all at once, otherwise you will fail and then give up.  Move gradually.

Look at the manner in which the Qur’an addresses the hijab.  Allah (SWT) first decreed the chastity of women.  Following that, He ordered that women must be asked for permission before entering a room they occupy.  Things moved on gradually until it finally reached the decree of the hijab itself.  It was said that the night in which the hijab was decreed, women began tearing pieces off their extra clothes to use as headscarves.  They applied Allah’s decree instantly.  In contrast, women nowadays claim that they will start to wear the hijab in the winter season since it would be easier at that time to find suitable clothes for the hijab; a claim that goes on for years.  Step-by-step processes gradually lead people to the right path.

Allah (SWT) mentions in the Qur’an a few things about Ibrahim’s scripture.  He says what can be translated as, “Or, has he not been fully informed of what is in the scrolls of Mu‍sa and Ibrahim, who constantly fulfilled the Message?” (TMQ, 53:36-37).   Allah (SWT) reveals what was mentioned in those divine books by saying what can be translated as, “Namely, that no bearer of burdens can bear the burden of another; And that man will have nothing except that for which he has endeavored (to achieve); and that his endeavor will eventually be seen; (and) thereafter he will be recompensed for it with the fullest recompense” (TMQ, 53:38-41).   

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