In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.
Assalam'o'alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu
mohammedhussainquraishi
Assalam'o'alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu
mohammedhussainquraishi
Beautiful story & powerful lesson:
When we turn directly to Allah, when we put our trust in Allah, when we rely and depend upon Allah, Allah will come to our aid and our rescue accordingly…….don't miss please do read…..
When Prophet Ibrahim's people built a huge fire to burn him in, he relied only upon Allah for safety. And Prophet Ibrahim called out to his Creator with the most beautiful words ever heard.
Stories of the Prophets : Ibrahim 'alayhi alsalam (by: AbdulNasir Jangda)
Asalamu alaikum warahmatoAllahi wabaraktoho
[Stories of Prophets video] : http://www.quranweekly.com/prophet-ibrahim-stories-of-the-prophets-relyonallah/
One of the most powerful events and stories that is shared with us in the Quran is about Ibrahim 'alayhi alsalam. This is one of my favorite stories in the Quran. So this begins with ayah number 51, verse number 51 from Surah 21 Al-'Anbiyā'). Allah (SWT) says,
"وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ رُشْدَهُ مِن قَبْلُ وَكُنَّا بِهِ عَالِمِينَ" [Wa Laqad 'Ātaynā 'Ibrāhīma Rushdahu Min Qablu Wa Kunnā Bihi `Ālimīna]- That Allah tells us that We gave Ibrahim 'alayhi alsalam, the intelligence and maturity so that when Ibrahim 'alayhi alsalam became a mature young man, and Allah (SWT) says "وَكُنَّا بِهِ عَالِمِينَ" [Wa Kunnā Bihi `Ālimīna]- and we were watching over him, we knew everything that was going on with him.
"إِذْ قَالَ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوْمِهِ مَا هَٰذِهِ التَّمَاثِيلُ الَّتِي أَنتُمْ لَهَا عَاكِفُونَ" ['Idh Qāla Li'abīhi Wa Qawmihi Mā Hadhihi At-Tamāthīlu Allatī 'Antum Lahā `Ākifūna]- he tells his father and his people what are these statues and sculptures that you worship and that you offer so much devotion and dedication to?
"قَالُوا وَجَدْنَا آبَاءَنَا لَهَا عَابِدِينَ" [Qālū Wajadnā 'Ābā'anā Lahā `Ābidīna]- they say hey listen young 'un, not too fast, we found our forefather worshipping these idols, OK? Now you be quiet and you back off.
He said, "قَالَ لَقَدْ كُنتُمْ أَنتُمْ وَآبَاؤُكُمْ فِي ضَلَالٍ مُّبِينٍ" [Qāla Laqad Kuntum 'Antum Wa 'Ābā'uukum Fī Đalālin Mubīnin]- He goes, that doesn't change anything that just means that you just like your forefathers before you are in serious grave error; you're wrong and you're doing something wrong and that is all that means.
"قَالُوا أَجِئْتَنَا بِالْحَقِّ أَمْ أَنتَ مِنَ اللَّاعِبِينَ" [Qālū 'Aji'tanā Bil-Ĥaqqi 'Am 'Anta Mina Al-Lā`ibīna]- Do you actually have something solid, concrete to share with us or are you just messing around with us here because we don't have time for games?So Ibrahim 'alayhi alsalam, "قَالَ" [Qāla]- he said-
" بَل رَّبُّكُمْ رَبُّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ الَّذِي فَطَرَهُنَّ" [Qāla Bal Rabbukum Rabbu As-Samāwāti Wa Al-'Arđi Al-Ladhī Faţarahunna]- Rather, your Lord, your Master, your Creator, Allah, is the Lord, Master and Creator of the heavens and the Earth, the One who gave them existence out of nothing, He created them from nothing, " وَأَنَا عَلَىٰ ذَٰلِكُم مِّنَ الشَّاهِدِينَ" [Wa 'Anā `Alá DhālikumMina Ash-Shāhidīna]- And I am a witness upon you when it comes to this fact. Like I'm informing you a fact and I'm telling you that this is the reality.
And he goes on to tell them, "وَتَاللَّهِ لَأَكِيدَنَّ أَصْنَامَكُم بَعْدَ أَن تُوَلُّوا مُدْبِرِينَ" [Wa Tālllahi La'akīdanna 'Aşnāmakum Ba`da 'AnTuwallū Mudbirīna]- When you guys aren't around, I'll teach you a lesson through your own idols. I'll show what's right and what is wrong. I'll make you realize through these same idols that you worship.
So the Quran tells us that they go out for some festival or something other situation or some event, some occasion and Ibrahim 'alayhis al salam stays back and "فَجَعَلَهُمْ جُذَاذًا إِلَّا كَبِيرًا لَّهُمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ إِلَيْهِ يَرْجِعُونَ" [Faja`alahum Judhādhāan 'Illā Kabīrāan LahumLa`allahum 'Ilayhi Yarji`ūna]- He goes in there and he destroys all of the idols, he smashes them to bits and pieces except for the biggest idol amongst all of them. He leaves that idol in tact so that they can come back and realize what the truth of the matter is.
So when they get back, they said, "قَالُوا مَن فَعَلَ هَٰذَا بِآلِهَتِنَا إِنَّهُ لَمِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ" [Qālū Man Fa`ala Hādhā Bi'ālihatinā 'Innahu LaminaAž-Žālimīna]- They said whoever did this to our idols is a really terrible person.
"قَالُوا سَمِعْنَا فَتًى يَذْكُرُهُمْ يُقَالُ لَهُ إِبْرَاهِيمُ" [Qālū Sami`nā Fatáan Yadhkuruhum Yuqālu Lahu'Ibrāhīmu]- They said that we remember a young man, he's always talking about our idols and I think his name is Ibrahim. People refer to him as Ibrahim.
So they said, "قَالُوا فَأْتُوا بِهِ" [Qālū Fa'tū Bihi]- Go and bring him " عَلَىٰ أَعْيُنِ النَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَشْهَدُونَ" [`Alá 'A`yuni An-Nāsi La`allahumYash/hadūna]- infront of everybody so we can make a lesson and example out of him and everybody finds out what happens when you mess with our idols.
So when Ibrahim 'alayhi al salam is brought to them, a young man, they said "قَالُوا أَأَنتَ فَعَلْتَ هَٰذَا بِآلِهَتِنَا يَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ" [Qālū 'A'anta Fa`alta Hādhā Bi'ālihatinā Yā 'Ibrāhīmu]- Are YOU the one? Hey listen! Are you the one that did this with our idols Oh Ibrahim? Is it YOU? Come on fess up!
So Ibrahim 'alayhis alsalam says, "قَالَ بَلْ فَعَلَهُ كَبِيرُهُمْ هَٰذَا فَاسْأَلُوهُمْ إِن كَانُوا يَنطِقُونَ" [Qāla Bal Fa`alahu Kabīruhum Hādhā Fās'alūhum 'In Kānū Yanţiqūna]- Why couldn't the biggest idol amongst them have done this? I mean lets consider the circumstances- crime scene investigation- CSI. All the idols are smashed up into bits and pieces and you got a big old idol still standing there and he's like, "Why don't you ask the big guy?" "قَالَ بَلْ فَعَلَهُ كَبِيرُهُمْ هَٰذَا فَاسْأَلُوهُمْ إِن كَانُوا يَنطِقُونَ" [Qāla Bal Fa`alahu Kabīruhum Hādhā Fās'alūhum 'In Kānū Yanţiqūna]- So ask them. You say they are your Gods. You wirship them. If they can speak to you then ask them.
"فَرَجَعُوا إِلَىٰ أَنفُسِهِمْ" [Faraja`ū 'Ilá 'Anfusihim]- The Quran's expression of this is so powerful. The Quran says that they retreated back to their souls. They went back deep down and looked inside of themselves, they thought to themselves 'what do you say to that? "فَقَالُوا إِنَّكُمْ أَنتُمُ الظَّالِمُونَ" [Faqālū 'Innakum 'AntumuAž-Žālimūna]- and they really thought 'what if we're wrong here?' What if the young man has a point?
"ثُمَّ نُكِسُوا عَلَىٰ رُءُوسِهِمْ" [Thumma Nukisū `Alá Ru'ūsihim]- But then their own stubbornness and foolishness got the best of them.
"لَقَدْ عَلِمْتَ مَا هَٰؤُلَاءِ يَنطِقُونَ" [Laqad `Alimta Mā Hā'uulā' Yanţiqūna]- And they came right back at Ibrahim, Abraham 'alayhi alsalam. They said, "لَقَدْ عَلِمْتَ مَا هَٰؤُلَاءِ يَنطِقُونَ" [Laqad `Alimta Mā Hā'uulā' Yanţiqūna] – You know that they don't speak. Why would you say that? Why are you trying to mess with us? We told you we don't got time for your games.
"قَالَ أَفَتَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ مَا لَا يَنفَعُكُمْ شَيْئًا وَلَا يَضُرُّكُمْ" [Qāla 'Afata`budūna Min Dūni Allāhi Mā Lā Yanfa`ukum Shay'āan Wa Lā Yađurrukum] – He says, let me put everything together and let's establish the facts here. You're trying to tell me that you worship other than Allah something that cannot benefit you in the least bit? Nor could it ever harm you?
"أُفٍّ لَّكُمْ" ['Uffin Lakum]- What's wrong with you people? "وَلِمَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ " [Wa Limā Ta`budūna Min Dūni Allāhi]- and how unfortunate is it these things that you worship other than Allah. " أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ" ['Afalā Ta`qilūna]- don't you think? Can't you just figure that much out? This is common sense. Think about what you're doing.
Now they didn't want to hear anymore. They just went into this ignorant stubborn mode, so they said, "قَالُوا حَرِّقُوهُ وَانصُرُوا آلِهَتَكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ فَاعِلِينَ" [Qālū Ĥarriqūhu Wa Anşurū 'Ālihatakum 'In Kuntum Fā`ilīna]- Burn him in a fire and help your Gods, your idols if you're going to do anything about it.
So now this is where we'll kind of switch over to the Prophet (SAWS) telling us what happens now. They built such a huge fire that they themselves couldn't even get close to it. So then they were trying to figure out how do we thrown him into the fire and inside the fire? So then they had to build a catapult and they put him inside the catapult and they tied up his arms and his legs and put him inside the catapult ready to launch him off, and as soon as they place him inside, Ibrahim 'alayhi alsalam does the only thing he can do. He says, "حسبي الله" [Ĥasbiya Allah] – Allah is all I need. "حسبي الله لا إله إلا هو" [Ĥasbiya Allah Lā 'Ilāha 'Ilā Huwa ]- There is absolutely, positively nothing and no one worthy of worship except for him. "عليه توكلت" ['Alayhi Tawwakaltu]- I've put my trust solely upon Him. "حسبي الله" [Ĥasbiya Allah] – Allah is all I need. "ونعم الوكيل" [W N'ima Al-Wakeel] – and He is the best of Caretakers. "نعم المولى ونعم النصير" [N'ima Al-Mawlaa W N'ima Al-Naseer] – He is the best of friends, the best of Allies and He is the Best of anyone who can offer any help. He just turns to Allah and says Allah is all I need.
And they launch him out in the catapult. I want you to imagine the situation. Just the emotional state of a person. Forget about being in this place and in his shoes, but try to imagine seeing this. How overwhelming would that be? Tied up. Hands and legs. The catapult launches him into the air, and he's flying into the air unrestrained. There's no parachute, there's no bungee cord, nothing. Just flying through the air. And at that point in time, it's like time freezes and everything stops. And Jibreel 'alayhi alsalam, the great angel Gabriel 'alayhi alsalam, comes to Ibrahim 'alayhi alsalam, and he says, "يا إبراهيم يا خليل الله" [Yā Ibrāhīm, Yā Khalīl Allāh]- Oh Abraham, Oh friend of God, "ألك حاجة؟" ['alaka Ĥāja]- Is there anything that you need? Is there anything I can do for you? And Ibrahim 'alayhi alsalam gives such a powerful response at that moment. He says, "أما إليك فلا" ['Amma ilayka Falā]- Do I need anything from you? No, I'm good. This is Jibreel 'alayhi alsalam. It's not some Shaytan or demon or some evil person or even a human being offering their help. He is the friend of the Prophets. He is the one that brings divine revelation to the Prophets. He is saying can I do anything for you? And Ibrahim 'alayhi alsalam says, "أما إليك فلا" ['Amma ilayka Falā]- As far as you're concerned, no thank you. I'm good. I don't need anything. "حسبي الله" [Ĥasbiya Allah]- I have Allah. Another narration says that the angel that is deputed to the rain, who is put in charge of the rain, that he sees this fire raging and burning and Ibrahim 'alayhi alsalam flying about to land in the fire, and he cries out at that moment "متى أومر؟" [Matā ūmaru?] – When will I be commanded? "فأنزل المطر" [Fa 'Unzilu Al-Maţar]- That I will send the rain down? When? When will the command come Ya Allah! Your beloved khalil and friend is about to fall in the fire.
And Ibrahim 'alayhi alsalam at that time falling forward into the fire, he says, "اللهم" [Allahumma]- Oh Allah- "أنت الإلاه واحدٌ. أنت واحدٌ. أنت الرب واحدٌ" ['Anta ]- Oh Allah You are the Only One worthy of being worshipped. "وأنا في الأرض واحدٌ أعبدك" [W 'Ana Fee 'Al-Ard WaaĤidun A'Abudak]- And I am the only one in this Earth, My Lord my Master who worships you. You're the only one worthy of worship but I'm the only one on the Earth that worships you.
And Ibrahim 'alayhi alsalam is coming down and falling into the fire. And right before he falls in the fire, Allah (SWT) in the next ayah He tells us, "قُلْنَا" [Qulnā] We said- Allah said, He spoke directly to the fire. "يَا نَارُ كُونِي بَرْدًا وَسَلَامًا عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ" [Yā Nāru Kūnī Bardāan Wa Salāmāan `Alá'Ibrāhīma]- Oh fire, be cool and be peaceful and safe upon my beloved friend Abraham, my friend Ibrahim 'alayhi alsalam.
Ibrahim 'alayhi alsalam lands in the fire. And a narration says, Allah (SWT) commanded the fire, 'be cool and peaceful for Ibrahim. Not a single hair on his head or on his body was burned. But it was only for Ibrahim. What did burn? The ropes that were restraining his wrists and his ankles. Those ropes burned up. But not a single part of his body was burned. And Ibrahim 'alayhi alsalam is safe, peaceful, calm sitting inside of that fire. Unharmed and untouched inside of that fire.
Allah (SWT) goes on to say, "وَأَرَادُوا بِهِ كَيْدًا" [Wa 'Arādū Bihi Kaydāan]- They made this plot and plan and scheme against Ibrahim, "فَجَعَلْنَاهُمُ الْأَخْسَرِينَ" [Faja`alnāhumu Al-'Akhsarīna]- But Allah says we made them the biggest losers.
This is a powerful in and of itself but the take home lesson for me personally and what I'd like to share with you is that when we put our faith in Allah, when we turn directly to Allah, when we put our trust in Allah, when we rely and depend upon Allah, Allah will come to our aid and our rescue accordingly. There's a very powerful lesson and nuance here. Normally, you would think help and aid would come by extinguishing the fire. Allah would send down the rain to extinguish the fire or something else. Or Allah would send a flood and it would come and put out the fire. Ibrahim 'alayhi alsalam did not turn to the creation of Allah to get to Allah. He turned directly to Allah. I directly put my faith and my trust in Allah. And Allah (SWT) directly helped Ibrahim 'alayhi al salam. No rain, no water no nothing. But Allah (SWT) left the fire intact but just made it change its nature; commanded it,change and become cool and peaceful. When we put our faith and trust in Allah, Allah will make the impossible possible for us. "ويرزقهم من حيث لا يحتسب" [ W Yarzoqohom min Ĥaythu La YaĤtasib]- Allah will provide ways and solutions for us from where we couldn't even imagine.
I hope and pray that Allah (SWT) allows us to practice everything we said and heard and that we all benefit from this very powerful story in the Quran about the great Prophet Ibrahim 'alayhi alsalam.
Wasalamu alaikum warahmatu Allahi wabarakatohu.
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