Aslam

Even as a young man, Ibrahim's heart could not accept what his people worshipped. One night he looked at the sky and saw a star. "This is my Lord," he said, testing the idea. But when it set, he said: "I do not like those that set." Then he saw the moon rising in splendour. "This is my Lord," he said. But when it too set, he said: "Unless my Lord guides me, I will surely be among the people gone astray." Then when he saw the sun rising, he said: "This is my Lord; this is greater." But when it also set, he declared: "O my people, indeed I am free from what you associate with Allah. Indeed, I have turned my face toward He who created the heavens and the earth, inclining toward truth, and I am not of those who associate others with Allah."

Ibrahim challenged his people directly. He asked his father and his people: "What are these statues to which you are devoted?" They replied: "We found our fathers worshipping them." Ibrahim said: "You and your fathers have been in clear error."

When his people left for a festival, Ibrahim took an axe to their idols, smashing them all — except the largest one. He hung the axe around its neck. When they returned and found their gods destroyed, they demanded to know who had done this. Someone said: "We heard a young man mention them — he is called Ibrahim." They brought him and asked: "Have you done this to our gods, O Ibrahim?" He replied: "Rather, this — the largest of them — did it. So ask them, if they should speak." They were confounded, knowing their idols could not speak.

Furious, they said: "Burn him and support your gods, if you are to act!" They built an enormous fire and threw Ibrahim into it. But Allah said: "O fire, be cool and safe for Ibrahim." The fire did not harm him. They intended a plan against him, but Allah made them the greatest losers.

Years later, Ibrahim was tested with the greatest trial a father could face. He saw in a dream that he was sacrificing his son. For a prophet, dreams are revelation. He said to his son: "O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I am sacrificing you, so see what you think." His son — young and righteous — replied: "O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, among the patient."

When they had both submitted to Allah's will and Ibrahim had laid his son down on his forehead ready to sacrifice, Allah called out: "O Ibrahim, you have fulfilled the vision." Allah ransomed his son with a great sacrifice. This was the clear trial, and Ibrahim had passed.

Ibrahim and his son Ismail together raised the foundations of the Ka'bah in the barren valley of Makkah, praying: "Our Lord, accept this from us. Indeed You are the Hearing, the Knowing. Our Lord, and make us Muslims in submission to You and from our descendants a Muslim nation in submission to You. And show us our rites and accept our repentance. Indeed, You are the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful."