IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE BENEFICENT, THE MERCIFUL
BEING THE SECOND SERMON FOR THE MONTH OF DHUL-HIJJAH 7/D. HIJJAH/1437AH (9/SEPT/2016CE)
LIFE OF PROPHET IBRAHIM (AS): LESSONS AND EXHORTATIONS
All praises are due to Allah Who had blessed us with open and secret favours and made the sacrificial animals subservient to us and had created seasons for vying towards goodness. I testify there is no god but Allah alone, He has no associate, and I testify that Muhammad (pbuh) is the servant of Allah sent to all mankind and jinns. May Allah bestow peace and blessings on him (pbuh), his families, his companions whom Allah had granted piety to their souls.
Thereafter,
O servants of Allah, I enjoin you and me to fear Allah. Piety is the core aim for legislating the slaughtering of the eid ram as buttressed thus:
( لَنْ يَنَالَ اللهَ لُحُومُهَا ولا دِمَاؤُهَا وَلَكِنْ يَنَالُهُ التَّقوى مِنكم ) الحج 37
Their meat will not reach Allah, nor will their blood, but what reaches Him is piety from you. (22: 37)
Dear Muslims, being the second sermon in the month of dhul- hijjah, which falls within the specified number of day for remembrance of Allah, we therefore deem it fit to make today’s topic to be related with prophet Ibrahim who named us Muslims- THE LIFE OF PROPHET IBRAHIM (AS): LESSONS AND EXHORTATIONS.
Position of Prophet Ibrahim (AS):
– He was the father of all prophets. Allah says: (And We gave to Him Isaac and Jacob and placed in his descendants prophethood and scripture. And We gave him his reward in this world, and indeed, he is in the Hereafter among the righteous.) (29: 27)
– He occupies a great position among the three celestial religion. Ibn Abbas said: “The Madinites Christians of Najran and Jewish Priests gathered before the prophet (pbuh) disputing over prophet Ibrahim, every party was ascribing him to itself, thus Allah revealed: “O People of the Scripture, why do you argue about Abraham while the Torah and the Gospel were not revealed until after him? Then will you not reason? ( 66 ) Here you are – those who have argued about that of which you have [some] knowledge, but why do you argue about that of which you have no knowledge? And Allah knows, while you know not. ( 67 ) Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was one inclining toward truth, a Muslim [submitting to Allah]. And he was not of the polytheists. ( 68 ) Indeed, the most worthy of Abraham among the people are those who followed him [in submission to Allah] and this prophet, and those who believe [in his message]. And Allah is the ally of the believers.” (3: 65- 68)
– Similarity between Ibrahim and Muhammad (AS):
a- Physical appearance: It is narrated on the authority of Jabir that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: There appeared before me the apostles, and Moses was among men as if he was one of the people of Shanu’a, and I saw Jesus son of Mary (peace be upon him) and I saw nearest in resemblance with him was ‘Urwa b. Mas’ud, and I saw Ibrahim (blessings of Allah be upon him) and I see your companions much in resemblance with him, i.e. his himself. (Muslim)
b- Stages and types of Dawah: Inviting the polytheist, migration from the land of kufr, much trials and tribulations.
He called his close relatives first: Allah says: “”Warn your nearest kinsmen.” (26: 214). “Abu Huraira reported: When (this verse) was revealed to him: “Warn your nearest kinsmen.” the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: O people of Quraish, buy yourselves from Allah, I cannot avail you at all against Allah; O sons of Abd al-Muttalib. I cannot avail you at all against Allah; 0 Abbas b. ‘Abd al- Muttalib, I cannot avail you at all against Allah; O Safiya (aunt of the Messenger of Allah), I cannot avail you at all against Allah; 0 Fatima, daughter of Muhammad, ask me whatever you like, but I cannot avail you at all against Allah.
Ibrahim was granted divine guidance from childhood: “And We had certainly given Abraham his sound judgement before, and We were of him well-Knowing” (21: 51)
He expressed dislike for his father’s practice of idolatry.
He used the best of admonition to convey his message. Allah says: “And mention in the Book [the story of] Abraham. Indeed, he was a man of truth and a prophet. ( 42 ) [Mention] when he said to his father, “O my father, why do you worship that which does not hear and does not see and will not benefit you at all? ( 43 ) O my father, indeed there has come to me of knowledge that which has not come to you, so follow me; I will guide you to an even path. ( 44 ) O my father, do not worship Satan. Indeed Satan has ever been, to the Most Merciful, disobedient. ( 45 ) O my father, indeed I fear that there will touch you a punishment from the Most Merciful so you would be to Satan a companion [in Hellfire].”
Use best forms of expressions, kind words use, demonstrating his kindness, care, etc such “O my father ..”
His father’s response was hardness, harsh responses and persistence on disbelief: “[His father] said, “Have you no desire for my gods, O Abraham? If you do not desist, I will surely stone you, so avoid me a prolonged time.” (19: 46)
LESSONS:
Goodness to those we are oblige to be good to, such as parent, elderly, in the event of dispute: “[Abraham] said, “Peace will be upon you.” (19: 47)
Firmness on the truth even where the enemy is a kafir: “O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allah, witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just.” (5: 8)
Not to lose hope over anyone or situation when we try to create change or better in them: “[Abraham] said, “Peace will be upon you. I will ask forgiveness for you of my Lord. Indeed, He is ever gracious to me.” (19: 47)
The hearts of du’at (callers to Allah) is ever merciful: “Our Lord, forgive me and my parents and the believers the Day the account is established.” (14: 41)
Outcome is a product of the work: “And when he reached with him [the age of] exertion, he said, “O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I [must] sacrifice you, so see what you think.” He said, “O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, of the steadfast.” (37: 102)
Inviting his people:
He disliked the idolatry they were into: “When he said to his father and his people, “What are these statues to which you are devoted?” (21: 52)
He reminded them of the Lordship of Allah: “They said, “Have you come to us with truth, or are you of those who jest?” ( 56 ) He said, “[No], rather, your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth who created them, and I, to that, am of those who testify.” (21: 55- 56)
He provided unquestionable proofs to displace the fake arguments of his people: “So he made them into fragments, except a large one among them, that they might return to it [and question]. ( 59 ) They said, “Who has done this to our gods? Indeed, he is of the wrongdoers.” ( 60 ) They said, “We heard a young man mention them who is called Abraham.” ( 61 ) They said, “Then bring him before the eyes of the people that they may testify.” ( 62 ) They said, “Have you done this to our gods, O Abraham?” ( 63 ) He said, “Rather, this – the largest of them – did it, so ask them, if they should [be able to] speak.” ( 64 ) So they returned to [blaming] themselves and said [to each other], “Indeed, you are the wrongdoers.” ( 65 ) Then they reversed themselves, [saying], “You have already known that these do not speak!” ( 66 ) He said, “Then do you worship instead of Allah that which does not benefit you at all or harm you? ( 67 ) Uff to you and to what you worship instead of Allah. Then will you not use reason?”
Situation where it is permissible to lie or use ta’reedh- i.e be diplomatic:
Regarding Ibrahim’s (AS) response that: “And said, “Indeed, I am [about to be] ill.” (37: 89). Ta’reedh is that necessary deviation away from lying. The Prophet (pbuh) used it when he was asked where are you from? He replied: “From water” in agreement with the words of Allah that: “ Then He made his posterity out of the extract of a liquid disdained.” (32: 8)
In times of war to the enemy:
In the narration of the words of the husband to the wife.
Ibn Shihab said he did not hear that exemption was granted in anything what the people speak as lie but in three cases: in battle, for bringing reconciliation amongst persons and the narration of the words of the husband to his wife, and the narration of the words of a wife to her husband (in a twisted form in order to bring reconciliation between them).
The disposition of his people to his dawah:
Harshness: “They said, “Then bring him before the eyes of the people that they may testify.” … “They said, “Burn him and support your gods – if you are to act.” (21: 61 and 68)
Oppression and tyranny:
The entire community was against him
Tawakul- (Reliance on Allah) is the weapon of a believer when all forces gather against him:
Allah is the best helper:
Evil returns to the perpetrators:
