The Qualities of Prophet Ibrahim عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام in the Holy Quran

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 The Qualities of Sayyidunā Ibrāhīm

عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام in the noble Quran

Muhammad Junaid Attari

(5^th year student of Jamia tul Madina, Faizan e Attar, Attock)

Allah Almighty, out of His mercy and wisdom, sent prophets and messengers as guides for humanity. These chosen individuals were bestowed with attributes that were beyond reproach, making them worthy of their noble positions. He granted them special proximity to Himself. Among the Prophets and Messengers are the five most superior who are known as the “Determined Ones” (ūlū al-Ꜥazm). This ongoing series in the monthly magazine explores the attributes of these prophets as mentioned in the Quran. In this part we will learn about the attributes of Sayyidunā Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام, who is second in rank from among the ūlū al-Ꜥazm. In fact, Sayyidunā Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام is the most superior person after the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم.

Let us read about his attributes that are mentioned in the Quran:

1. The pure friend (khalīl) of Allah Almighty

It is mentioned in the Quran:

وَاتَّخَذَ اللّٰهُ اِبْرٰهِیْمَ خَلِیْلًا(۱۲۵)

“Allah made Ibrāhīm His close friend.”^[1]

Khalīl is a pure, close friend who is not focused on anything other than his friend. Another definition of khalīl is that devotee whose love is complete and contains no form of distraction or harm. These descriptions apply to Sayyidunā Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام.^[2]

2. Truthful one and informer of the unseen

Allah Almighty states regarding Sayyidunā Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام:

“And remember Ibrāhīm in the Book; indeed, he was Siddique (i.e. exceptionally truthful), a Conveyer of the unseen news (i.e. a Prophet).”^[3]

He always spoke the truth and was a prophet too.^[4]

3. Greeted and given glad tidings by the angels

Allah Almighty granted Sayyidunā Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام glad tidings of two sons via the angels, and the angels also presented their greetings to him. Just as it is stated in the Quran:

“Our angels indeed came to Ibrāhīm with glad tidings, they said, 'Salaam,' he responded, 'Salaam,' and without any delay brought a roasted calf.”^[5]

In this verse, the angels appeared to Sayyidunā Ibrahim عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام in handsome, youthful forms and conveyed the joyful news of the forthcoming birth of Sayyidunā Isḥāq and Sayyidunā YaꜤqūb عَـلَيْـهِمَا الـسَّـلَام. The angels greeted him with peace (salām) and he responded in kind.^[6]

4. His forbearance, fear of Allah Almighty and turning to Him

The Quran mentions regarding these attributes:

اِنَّ اِبْرٰهِیْمَ لَحَلِیْمٌ اَوَّاهٌ مُّنِیْبٌ(۷۵)

“Indeed, Ibrāhīm is most forbearing, tender-hearted, and repentant.”^[7]

Sayyidunā Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام has been highly praised in this verse. When he came to know that the angels had come to destroy the nation of Lūṭ, he was aggrieved and became fearful of Allah Almighty. This is why Allah Almighty described him as forbearing (ḥalīm) and fearful of Allah Almighty (awwāh). These qualities naturally drive a person to become penitent. Hence, he is also described as repentant (munīb).^[8]

5. Following Sayyidunā Ibrāhīm عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام and his companions

Allah Almighty gave the command to follow him and his companions. Hence, it is stated:

 “Indeed, there was a good example for you to follow in Ibrāhīm and those with him.”^[9]

May Allah Almighty give us the ability to study the lives of the noble Prophets عَـلَـيْهِمُ السَّلَام and follow their example, and may He grant us their blessings.

اٰمِیْن بِجَاہِ خاتَمِ النَّبِیّیْن صلَّی اللہ علیہ واٰلہٖ وسلَّم