When Hazrat
Ibraheem (‘Alaihis
Salaam) was told to submit to Allah Ta’ala, he responded that he had
submitted himself to the Rabb (Sustainer) of the Worlds. …Some Mufassireen
(Commentators) say that there are approximately 18 000 worlds.
Allah Ta’ala
mentions this incident as follows:
“ And remember when his Rabb said to him : ‘
Submit (thy will to Me).’
“He said : ‘ I submit (my will) to the Lord
and Cherisher of the Universe.”
[ Surah Al -
Baqarah : 131 ]
After Hazrat
Ibraheem (‘Alaihis
Salaam) made this declaration of submission, there followed many trials and
tests.
As a young
man, he was faced with opposition from his father, who was an idol-worshipper.
When he invited his father to the worship of Allah Ta’ala, his father opposed
and threatened him :
He (the father) said : ‘Do you reject my gods, O Ibraheem? If you
stop not (this), I will indeed stone
you. So get away from me safely
before I punish you.’
[Surah Maryam 19 : 46]
Due to Hazrat
Ibraheem’s (‘Alaihis
Salaam) rejection of idol-worship, and his preaching the message of Allah
Ta’ala, the message of Tauheed, he was thrown into the fire by Namrud and his
people:
“They said, ‘Build him a furnace and throw
him into the blazing fire.’
[Surah As-Saffaat : 97]
“They said, “burn him and protect your gods
if you do (anything at all)!”
[Surah
Ambiyaa 21 : 68 ]
It is stated
that for an entire month, the people of Namrud collected firewood, which they
thereafter lit, fanning it until it became an intense, blazing fire.
Using a
catapult, they threw Hazrat Ibraheem (‘Alaihis Salaam) into the raging fire. However, The One who created fire and gave
it the attribute to burn, now commanded the fire to become cool, as well as
offer safety to Hazrat Ibraheem (‘Alaihis Salaam).
“We said, ‘O Fire ! Be you cool, and (a
means of) safety for Ibraheem.”
[Surah Al-
Ambiyaa 21 : 68 / 69]
After being
delivered from this test, saddened with his people, he left his country (Iraq)
and made Hijrah to a place where he could worship Allah Ta’ala in peace, Syria.
Having no
children, Hazrat Ibraheem (‘Alaihis Salaam)) thus made dua for a child:
“
O My Lord, grant me a righteous son.”
[Surah As-Saffaat 37 : 100]
In his old
age, at the age of 86, Hazrat Ibraheem (‘Alaihis Salaam) was blessed with a son.
“So We gave him the good news of a boy ready to suffer and forbear.”
[Surah As-Saffaat 37 : 101]
When the
child became of age, Hazrat Ibraheem (‘Alaihis Salaam) was commanded to slaughter
his son. What a great test!
“Then, when (the son) reached (the age of) work with him, He said:
‘O my son! I see in a vision that I
offer you in sacrifice:
Now see what
is your view?...”
[Surah As- Saffaat 37 : 102]
What must
have gone through his heart? And
likewise, the heart of Hazrat Isma’eel (‘Alaihis Salaam)?
But when
Hazrat Isma’eel (‘Alaihis Salaam) was informed, he told his
father to do whatever he had been commanded to do.
“(The son) said : ‘O my father! Do as you are commanded: You will find me, if
Allah so wills, practising patience and constancy.”
[Surah As-Saffaat 37 : 102]
Their entire lives were lives of Obedience
and Submission. They were prepared to accept death but not prepared to abandon
or reject the Hukm (Order) of Allah Ta’ala.
Allah Ta’ala
mentions the reply of Hazrat Isma’eel (‘Alaihis Salaam). He said:
“...Insha-Allah, you will find me of the patient ones.”
Look at his humility. He did not say: “I will be patient”;
rather: “Insha-Allah ... if Allah wills.”
His words clearly indicate the beautiful
qualities of humility, etiquette, trust in Allah Ta’ala, patience and
endurance. There was no claim whatsoever of pride, or boastfulness or
superiority or conceit.
Despite having to face so many trials and
tribulations, none of the Ambiya (‘Alaihimus Salaam) made a claim of being
perfect. They did not rely on their own ability and capacity; rather they
focused on Allah Ta’ala. They made the effort and trusted in Allah Ta’ala.
“So when they had both submitted their wills (To Allah)…”
[Surah As-Saffaat 37 : 103]
The word “أَسْلَمَا ” alludes to the brave submission of
father and son, without question. The claim of Divine Love was made manifest in
this immediate surrender and compliance to Allah Ta’ala’s Command. …And as is
known, despite the repeated efforts made, the knife would not cut the throat of
Hazrat Isma’eel (‘Alaihis Salaam). …This being by the Will of Allah Ta’ala.
Allah Ta’ala then ransomed Hazrat Isma’eel (‘Alaihis Salaam) with a ram from heaven.
Allah Ta’ala
states :
“Thus indeed do We reward those who do right”
[Surah As-Saffaat 37 : 110]
Allah
Ta’ala’s rewards encompass bounties of this world and bounties of the next for
that person who surrenders himself to the commands of Allah Ta’ala and
sacrifices his desires solely for the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala.
From this
beautiful story, we learn the lessons of SUBMISSION, OBEDIENCE, SACRIFICE –
attributes which are sorely lacking in our own lives.
We are
commanded to submit ourselves to the Hukm
(Command) of Allah; whichever one is directed to us.
There are
different Ahkaam: sometimes it is the
order of Salaah, sometimes it is the order not
to perform Salaah; but at EVERY given
moment the Command of Taqwa is directed to us, and that is we restrain
ourselves from that which is Haraam.
Where is the
truthfulness of our claim of Love and Imaan, if we cannot comply to obedience?
We have not
been commanded to sacrifice our sons. We are only called to give up sins. Just don’t do the sin. Don’t cast lustful
gazes, don’t commit zina, don’t gamble, don’t backbite, don’t do sins. …Don’t
do and get rewards. Don’t do (sins) and become the Friend of Allah Ta’ala.
Nisbat
(connection) with Allah Ta’ala is secured only on Taqwa and obedience to Allah
Ta’ala and Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam).
Once we have
established friendship with Allah Ta’ala, then no difficulty, no hardship, no
adversity or suffering becomes insurmountable, as is seen in the life of
Khalilullah (Friend of Allah), Hazrat Ibraheem (‘Alaihis Salaam).
We also learn
that when we say we believe, then we will be tested on our claim.
Allah Ta’ala
states :
“Do men think that they will be left alone on
saying, ‘We Believe’ and that they will not be tested?”
“We did test those before them, and Allah
will certainly know those who are true from those who are false.”
[Surah
Al-Ankaboot 29 : 2]
“Or do you think that you shall enter the
Garden (of bliss) without such (Trials) as came to those who passed away before
you…”
[Surah
Al-Baqarah 2 : 214]
These tests in life are to see who still
remains sincere and faithful to Allah Ta’ala – and who gives up and turns away
from Allah Ta’ala. Of course, we should not be asking for tests and trials. We
are weak. However, this world is a world of test.
From our side, we should always seek
safety and aa’fiyat (well-being), as has been taught by Rasulullah (Sallallaahu
‘alayhi wasallam).
An Aalim has
beautifully described the understanding and approach of a Believer in dealing
with the tests of this worldly life:
“In whichever condition He keeps me,
It is the best condition for me;
Through whichever route He takes me,
It is the easiest route for me.’
In this
journey of life, we are to establish and maintain our relationship with Allah
Ta’ala, no matter what the circumstance and conditions we face…
For those who
persevere and work hard to pass the examination of this worldly life, there
will be innumerable rewards :
‘ …Those who patiently persevere will truly receive a reward
without measure!”
[Surah Az-Zumar 39 : 10]
…And we ask
Allah Ta’ala to make us ever-submissive to Him, and that He grant us ease in
the matter of life and death, grant us well-being and the ability to maintain
steadfastness in all conditions of life.
·
For hope and
consolation, download and listen to the talks: “SABR and HOPE” by Hazrat
Maulana Yunus Patel (Rahmatullahi ‘Alayh).
