Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim)

رَّبِّ اَعُوۡذُ بِکَ مِنۡ ھَمَزٰتِ الشَّیٰطِیۡنِ ۙ واَعُوۡذُ بِکَ رَبِّ اَنۡ یَّحۡضُرُوۡن ؕ۔بِسۡمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحۡمٰنِ الرَّحِيۡمِۙ۔

Pillar of Islam

Generally, Islamic scholars agree on the five pillars (rukn) of Islam. However, in my view, there are seven, which are fully proven from the Quran. Among these, the first three - that is, faith (Iman), righteous deeds (amal salih), and charity/alms (Zakaat) meaning spending - are the pillars whose message was given by every prophet. And God says these are the original pillars of religion. The believer who incorporates these three pillars into their life will, God willing (insha'Allah), find their place in paradise.

وَمَاۤ اُمِرُوۡۤا اِلَّا لِيَعۡبُدُوا اللّٰهَ مُخۡلِصِيۡنَ لَـهُ الدِّيۡنَ ۙ حُنَفَآءَ وَيُقِيۡمُوا الصَّلٰوةَ وَيُؤۡتُوا الزَّكٰوةَ‌ وَذٰلِكَ دِيۡنُ الۡقَيِّمَةِ ؕ‏ ﴿۵﴾ ۔

[Q-98:05] And they (the Prophet and the People of the Book) were commanded only to worship Allah, being sincere to Him, following His religion in a straight path, and to establish prayer and give zakah. And that is the right religion.

فَسَاَكۡتُبُهَا لِلَّذِيۡنَ يَتَّقُوۡنَ وَيُؤۡتُوۡنَ الزَّكٰوةَ وَالَّذِيۡنَ هُمۡ بِاٰيٰتِنَا يُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ ‌ۚ‏ ﴿۱۵۶﴾ ۔

[Q-07:156] God writes down His mercy for those who fear Him, and give the poor-due, and believe in the verses of God.

Q-07:158

While the fourth pillar is the Quran, the Quran is the tree without whose shade we cannot find the path to God. The fifth is prayer (Salah), which is a beautiful gift to thank God. The sixth pillar is Ramadan, which is the best opportunity to accumulate good deeds in a person's life and send them forward. And the seventh pillar is Hajj to the House of Allah. Whoever steps into it finds peace in this world and the Hereafter.

The Seven Pillars of Islam

  1. Faith (Iman) - Faith in the One God and all His prophets and books, and in the unseen things - angels and the Day of Judgment.
  2. Righteous Deeds (Amal Salih) - Live life according to God's law and also invite others to religion and counsel them with patience.
  3. Charity (Zakaat) - Spend for helping needy people.
  4. Quran - Do not merely read the Quran, but seek the Lord's path from the Quran.
  5. Prayer (Namaz) - Perform prayer at its appointed times.
  6. Ramadan - Whoever has the month of blessed Ramadan come in their life should not remain deprived of it.
  7. Hajj to the House of Allah (Hajj Baitullah) - For one who has the means to reach the House of Allah.

Introduction to Prophet Abraham

Scholar's Perspective

Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim in Arabic) holds a unique position in Islamic tradition as the father of monotheism and the patriarch of the Abrahamic faiths. His unwavering faith and submission to Allah serve as a model for all believers.

The Quran mentions Abraham 69 times, highlighting his significance in Islamic theology. His story demonstrates the triumph of monotheism over idolatry and the importance of complete trust in Allah's wisdom.

Quranic Foundation

وَإِذِ ابْتَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ رَبُّهُ بِكَلِمَاتٍ فَأَتَمَّهُنَّ

"And when his Lord tested Abraham with certain words, and he fulfilled them..."

Quran 2:124

The Great Trials

Tests of Faith

Abraham faced numerous trials that tested his faith and obedience to Allah. The most famous of these was the command to sacrifice his son Ishmael, which demonstrated his complete submission to divine will.

These trials were not punishments but rather opportunities for spiritual elevation and examples for future generations of believers.

Divine Command

فَلَمَّا أَسْلَمَا وَتَلَّهُ لِلْجَبِينِ

"And when they had both submitted and he put him down upon his forehead..."

Quran 37:103