Salaams to all.

I wrote this a while back, but I wanted to share this with you all.

Let's about talk someone who was decreed an ideal role-model for generations after him. I've had some personal and insightful conversations with brothers on the greatness of Prophet Ibrahim (AS). His greatness is compounded by the mere fact even our Prophet Mohammed (SAW) looked up to him as an example and for guidance. He's the great patriarch of all the Abrahamic religions.

Sa`id bin Mansur recorded that Ibn Mas`ud said that the Messenger of Allah said: Every Prophet had a Wali (best friend) from among the Prophets. My Wali among them is my father Ibrahim, the Khalil (intimate friend) of my Lord, the Exalted and Most Honored). It's authentic "(Saheeh al-Jami" 2158)

"And who would be averse to the Millah of Ibrahim except one who makes a fool of himself. And We had chosen him in this world, and indeed he, in the Hereafter, will be among the righteous." (Qur'an 2:30)

"Then We revealed to you, (O Muhammad), to follow the Millah of Ibrahim, inclining toward truth; and he was not of those who associate with Allah." (Qur'an 16:123)

Not only the ordinary people but even the greatest of human beings - Prophet Muhammad (SAW) - has been ordered to follow the Millah of Prophet Ibrahim (AS). So what is special about Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and more importantly what actually is the Millah of Prophet Ibrahim (AS)? Why are the teachings and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) have no meaning unless connected to the Millah of Prophet Ibrahim (AS)? Is there a more definitive method of Dawah that is simple, effective and universal? Fortunately there is in the example of Prophet Ibrahim (AS). The Dawah of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) touches the core of human soul in its need to connect with The Divine. Thus it is universal because it is the same need that is felt by each and every human soul whether that human lived in an Arabian desert millions of years ago or they lived in a posh suburb of London in the 21st century. Secondly it is so effective because it directly addresses the deeper needs of the human soul, fulfilment of which overshadows every other human need. Thirdly, it is so simple that each and every Muslim can easily learn and apply the principles of his Dawah. Of course all of the Prophets and Messenger were more or less engaged in the same Dawah but never is this method of Dawah so emphasised and elaborated as in the case of Prophet Ibrahim (AS). No doubt this is so because he is an Imaam (leader/example) over whole of humankind until the Day of Judgement (Qur'an 2:124) and people need to know his example to follow.

"And who is better in religion than one who submits himself to Allah while being a doer of good and follows the Millah of Ibrahim, inclining toward truth? And Allah took Ibrahim as an intimate friend." (Qur'an 4:125)

Oh yeah. He is also known as the second greatest person of all time after the Prophet Mohammed (SAW). More so than the Ahlul-Bhayt (RA), the Shia demi-Gods (12 Imams), Companions (RA) of Rasolullah and the other Prophets too. Many scholars are inclined to agree and accept this notion.

Anas b. Malik reported that a person came to Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) and said: O the best of creation; thereupon Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: He is Ibrahim (peace be upon him). Sahih Muslim, Book 030, Number 5841

Is it any wonder we remember him too in our Darood-Al-Ibrahimi? He is also the first person to wear the clothes of paradise.

Narrated Ibn Abbas: The Prophet said, "You will be gathered (on the Day of Judgment), bare-footed, naked and not circumcised." He then recited:--'As We began the first creation, We, shall repeat it: A Promise We have undertaken: Truly we shall do it.' (21.104) He added, "The first to be dressed on the Day of Resurrection will be Abraham, and some of my companions will be taken towards the left side (i.e. to the (Hell) Fire), and I will say: 'My companions! My companions!' It will be said: 'They renegade from Islam after you left them.' Then I will say as the Pious slave of Allah (i.e. Jesus) said. 'And I was a witness Over them while I dwelt amongst them. When You took me up You were the Watcher over them, And You are a witness to all things. If You punish them. They are Your slaves And if You forgive them, Verily you, only You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise." (5.120-121) (Book #55, Hadith #568)

He also resembled the Prophet Mohammed (SAW). Did you guys know this?

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 personality, and I saw Gabriel (peace be upon him) and I saw Dihya nearest in resemblance to him; but in the narration of Ibn Rumh it is Dihya b. Khalifa. (Book #001, Hadith #0321)

Him and Prophet Mohammed (SAW) are the only two Khalils Allah has taken though Prophet Mohammed (SAW) is also Allah's habib, which is what differentiates both of them. They were both known as khalilayn.

(O people! If I were to take a Khalil from the people of the earth, I would have taken Abu Bakr bin Abi Quhafah as my Khalil. However, your companion (meaning himself) is the Khalil of Allah.) Jundub bin `Abdullah Al-Bajali, `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`As and `Abdullah bin Mas`ud narrated that the Prophet said, (Allah has chosen me as His Khalil, just as He has chosen Ibrahim as His Khalil.) Allah's statement.

Because of their devotion to Allah, both Prophets Ibrahim and Mohammed (AS) were titled "close friends." They looked to Him for all their needs and severed themselves from needing anyone else. And, it was either because of the greatness of the concealed kindness of Allah to them, and the disclosed knowledge of the Divine secrets they received, as well as the matters of the Unseen worlds and faith with which they were infused in their inner self that they forsook other means and causes. Or, because their hearts had been purified from anything other than Him, so that love for anything else was prevented from reaching them. For this reason a scholar said, "A person who is 'Khalil' is one whose heart has no room for anyone other than Him." Accordingly he is of the opinion that this is what the Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, referred to when he said, "If I were to have taken a close friend other than my Lord, I would have taken Abu Bakr (RA), however, in Islam there is brotherhood."

Opinions vary among the knowledgeable masters of the matters relating to the heart as to which is the higher degree and the question arises is it the degree of close friendship, or the degree of love the higher? On the other hand there are those who consider both degrees as being equal to one another saying that the beloved is a close friend and a close friend is also the beloved. But then, Prophet Ibrahim (AS) was given the degree of close friendship and Prophet Mohammed (AS), peace be upon them both, was given love.

The Prophet refers to him as Khalil.

Some people asked the Prophet: "Who is the most honorable amongst the people?" He replied, "The most honorable among them is the one who is the most Allah-fearing." They said, "O Allah's Prophet! We do not ask about this." He said, "Then the most honorable person is Joseph, Allah's Prophet, the son of Allah's Prophet, the son of Allah's Prophet, the son of Allah's Khalil. (Sahih Bukhari).

These are just some of the qualities that characterise Prophet Ibrahim (AS).

And remember that Abraham was tried by his Lord with certain commands, which he fulfilled: He said: "I will make thee an Imam to the Nations." He pleaded: "And also (Imams) from my offspring!" He answered: "But My Promise is not within the reach of evil-doers." (Qu'ran 2:124)

For Abraham was, without doubt, forbearing (of faults), compassionate, and given to look to Allah. (Qu'ran 11:75-123)

Verily, Ibrahim was an Ummah (or a nation), obedient to Allah, Hanif (i.e. to worship none but Allah), and he was not one of those who were Al-Mushrikin (polytheists), (He was) thankful for His (Allah's) favours. He (Allah) chose him and guided him to a straight path. And We gave him good in this world, and in the Hereafter he shall be of the righteous. Then, We have sent the revelation to you (O Muhammad saying): "Follow the religion of Ibrahim Hanif (Islamic Monotheism ـ to worship none but Allah) and he was not of the Mushrikin. (Qu'ran16:120-123)

When we think about it long and hard each Haj that is performed commemorates his greatness and it's made incumbent upon every person in this Ummah (financially permitting) to fulfil this act of obligation. It's the Sunnah of our fore-father Prophet Ibrahim (AS). Is this not a great honour?

It was Prophet Ibrahim (AS) who's debates are documented so eloquently in the Qu'ran more so than any other Prophet and the entire world venerates him including the Hindus. Apparently the Milah of Ibrahim inspired them, which is why they're main deity is known as Brahman. Go figure. Every major Abrahamic religion looks up to this great human being for divine inspiration. All the other Prophets perceptively are either respect by some or ridiculed.

I also believe his du'as are the most powerful of all. I can't remember the Qu'ranic verses now, but feel free to share.

- The du'a where our hearts are inclined to Makkah because of him
- The du'a where he asked Allah to make Makkah a land of prosperity
- The du'a where he asked successors to him to come from his progeny

Share your thoughts on this great human being, patriarch, Imam, Rasool, Nabi and friend of Allah.