Download PDF: [S] Nabi Ebrahim’s total Reliance on Allah (Islamic story)

From the very beginning, Nabi Ebrahim Alayhis Salaam had already proven the truth to his people about the Divine Unity of Allah azza wajal. But, his nation refused to listen. Some of them said that the next day was the day of their Eid. There was to be a large ceremony and everyone has to attend. They said he should come with them to see the true power of their idols.

 

This nation also had the habit of going every year to a special ceremony. They used to congregate in some part of the jungle and spend their entire day in sport and play. In the evening, when they returned, they used to spend all their time worshipping the idols. They used to also place food, sweets, fruits, etc. on these idols.

 

Nabi Ebrahim Alayhis Salaam journeyed a little towards this ceremony but then turned back giving the excuse that he was not feeling very well. There were a few people that still remained behind who had not yet joined their friends. When he met them, he declared to them, as is found in Surah Al Ambiyah, verse 57:

 

وَتَاللہِ لَاَکِیۡدَنَّ اَصْنٰمَکُمۡ بَعْدَ اَنۡ تُوَلُّوۡا مُدْبِرِیۡنَ ﴿۵۷﴾

“And I swear by Allah, I shall devise bad against your idols after you have turned your backs.”

 

After everyone had left, he took an axe into their temple in which there were many idols to be found. Near the main entrance, he saw the largest idol. In his love for Allah azza wajal, he then destroyed all the small idols and placed the axe on the shoulder of the large idol. Thereafter, he went home.

 

When the people returned from this ceremony all went into their temple to place food and other offerings to these idols, they were shocked to see that all their idols, except the largest idol, had been destroyed. They then declared, as is found in Surah Al Ambiyah verse 59:

 

قَالُوۡا مَنۡ فَعَلَ ہٰذَا بِاٰلِہَتِنَاۤ اِنَّہٗ لَمِنَ الظّٰلِمِیۡنَ ﴿۵۹﴾

“They said, ‘who has done this to our gods’? Undoubtedly, he is Unjust.”

 

Some of them said that they had heard a young man speaking bad about their idols and that his name was Ebrahim. They then ordered Nabi Ebrahim Alayhis Salaam to be brought forward. Perhaps, there would be testimony against him that he had indeed destroyed these gods. They then asked him, “O Ebrahim, did you do this with our gods?”

 

He replied, “Perhaps your largest idol has done this because the axe is still on his shoulder. Or perhaps you should ask all the small idols about who had destroyed them. If these idols can speak, they themselves will tell you who had destroyed them.”

 

These people bowed their heads and replied, “O Ebrahim! How can we ask these gods? You yourself know that these gods cannot speak.”

 

When Nabi Ebrahim Alayhis Salaam heard this, in anger he declared, as is found in Surah Al Ambiyah, verse 66:

 

قَالَ اَفَتَعْبُدُوۡنَ مِنۡ دُوۡنِ اللہِ مَا لَا یَنۡفَعُکُمْ شَیْـًٔا وَّلَا یَضُرُّکُمْ ﴿ؕ۶۶﴾

“He said, ‘do you then worship beside Allah that which neither profits you nor hurts you’.”

 

When the community heard this, they could give him no answer. All they did was scream and shout and gathered all the other idol-worshippers together. In Surah Al Amibiyah, verse 68:

 

قَالُوۡا حَرِّقُوۡہُ وَ انۡصُرُوۡۤا اٰلِہَتَکُمْ اِنۡ کُنۡتُمْ فٰعِلِیۡنَ ﴿۶۸﴾

“They said, ‘burn him and help your gods, if you have to do.”

 

They then prepared a huge fire. It is said that the fire was so large and huge that even the birds could not fly over it. They then stripped him of his clothes and using a sling they threw him into the fire. They then became satisfied that he would burn to ashes. However, this was not the Divine Plan of Allah azza wajal. In Surah Al Ambiyah, verse 69 the Qur’an declares the Divine Command of Allah azza wajal which is:

 

قُلْنَا یٰنَارُ کُوۡنِیۡ بَرْدًا وَّ سَلٰمًا عَلٰۤی اِبْرٰہِیۡمَ ﴿ۙ۶۹﴾

“We said, ‘O Fire! Be you cool and safety for Ibrahim.”

 

The Qur’an again in Surah Al Ambiyah, verse gives us the end result which is:

 

وَاَرَادُوۡا بِہٖ کَیۡدًا فَجَعَلْنٰہُمُ الْاَخْسَرِیۡنَ ﴿ۚ۷۰﴾

“And they desired evil for him, but We made them the worst losers.”

 

The fire burnt itself off and Nabi Ebrahim Alayhis Salaam returned safely from this fire. Obviously these people kept biting their nails in rage but realised that they had failed.

 

It is narrated that when Nabi Ebrahim Alayhis Salaam was thrown into the fire at the command of Nimrud, every creature on earth pleaded to Allah azza wajal for help and assistance to be given to Nabi Ebrahim Alayhis Salaam. They also asked Allah azza wajal to be given permission to help the friend of Allah azza wajal because on earth he was the only person who sincerely believed in the Divine Unity of Allah azza wajal.

 

But, Allah azza wajal declared, “Ebrahim is My friend and I am his Lord. If he pleads for help from everyone else, then I give permission for everyone to help and assist, however, if he pleads for help from only Me, then all should listen; I am his Lord and I shall help and assist him. Therefore, whatever is to happen, that should be left to Me.”

 

A few moments later, the Angels that control the water approached Nabi Ebrahim Alayhis Salaam and said, “If you command, we can cause water to fall over this fire and extinguish the flames.”

 

The Angels which control the wind also approached Nabi Ebrahim Alayhis Salaam and said to him, “If you command, we can cause wind and air to extinguish these flames.”

 

However, Nabi Ebrahim Alayhis Salaam replied, “I have no need for your help and assistance, for me, my Lord is sufficient and He is the best of Helpers. As and when He wishes, He will assist me.” (Tafseer Saawi. 3/68)

 

In one narration it is also reported that when he was placed into the fire, he recited a Du’a and at that moment when he was in the fire surrounded by the flames, Hadrat Jibra’eel Ameen also approached him and asked him, “O Khalilullah! Do you have any need?”

 

He replied, “I have no need from you (at this moment).”

 

Jibra’eel Ameen declared, “Then ask Allah azza wajal what is it you wish for.”

 

Nabi Ebrahim Alayhis Salaam replied, “He is well aware of my state, therefore, there is no need to ask Him for anything.”

 

It is mentioned that the age of Nabi Ebrahim Alayhis Salaam was either sixteen or twenty.

 

As to the question of how long he spent in this fire, there is also various opinions. Some ‘Ulama mention that he stayed in this fire for seven days, some say forty days and others say fifty days. Allah azza wajal and His Prophet Sallal Laahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam know better. (Tafseer Sawwi 3/68, Jalalain, etc).

 

This incident is also a source of support for those who are able to display steadfastness in the face of trial and tribulation.