Who was Prophet Ibrahim? His life and story

Full story

1. 1

   Standing against the idols

   Ibrahim (peace be upon him) grew up in an environment where his father and his people worshipped idols. Watching the stars, the moon and the sun, he saw them set and change, and understood that nothing that does not last forever could be a god (Al-Anam, 75-79).

   Ibrahim called his people to think: why did they worship idols that they had made with their own hands, idols that could bring neither benefit nor harm?

2. 2

   Safety within the fire

   One day Ibrahim (peace be upon him) broke the idols and left the largest one untouched so that his people would reflect. His enraged people decided to throw him into a great fire.

   But Allah commanded the fire: "O fire, be cool and safe for Ibrahim!" (Al-Anbya, 69). The fire did not burn him. This is a clear sign that no cause has any effect on its own without Allah's permission.

3. 3

   Migration and his family

   Ibrahim (peace be upon him) migrated from his birthplace to continue his call to Tawhid. In his old age, Allah granted him two righteous sons, Ismail and Ishaq. Many Prophets came from his line, which is why he is often remembered as "the father of the Prophets".

4. 4

   Building the Kaaba

   Ibrahim (peace be upon him), together with his son Ismail, raised the walls of the Kaaba in Mecca and prayed: "Our Lord, accept this from us. Indeed, You are the Hearing, the Knowing" (Al-Baqarah, 127).

   The Kaaba remains today the Qibla of Muslims around the world and the center of the Hajj rites.

5. 5

   The great trial: the sacrifice

   Ibrahim (peace be upon him) saw in a dream that he had to sacrifice his son. Both he and his son submitted to Allah's command (As-Saffat, 102). At the last moment Allah rewarded them by sending down a great sacrifice in place of his son.

   The Quran does not explicitly name the son who was to be sacrificed; Islamic tradition widely holds that it was Ismail. This event is one of the greatest examples of submission and piety.

Ibrahim (peace be upon him) is one of the most frequently mentioned Prophets in the Quran, and chapter 14 bears his name. Allah states that He chose him as "Khalil" (friend) (An-Nisa, 125). His name is remembered together with our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in the salawat recited in every prayer.

• A person who sincerely seeks the truth reaches Allah through reason and observation.
• No cause has any effect on its own without Allah's permission: even fire did not burn without His command.
• Submission to Allah brings deliverance even in the hardest trials.
• Righteous supplication and righteous offspring are a great blessing.

This page is based on Quran verses and authentic hadith sources.

• QuranSurah An-Nisa, 125

  This verse states that Allah chose Ibrahim (peace be upon him) as a friend (khalil).

• QuranSurah Al-Anbya, 69

  Allah's command to the fire, "be cool and safe for Ibrahim", appears in this verse.

• QuranSurah Al-Baqarah, 127

  The raising of the Kaaba by Ibrahim and Ismail (peace be upon them) is mentioned in this verse.

• HadithSahih Bukhari, 3207

  This hadith narrates our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) seeing Ibrahim (peace be upon him) in the seventh heaven on the night of the Miraj.

• Classical sourceTDV İslam Ansiklopedisi, "İbrâhim"

  Referenced for academic information about the life, lineage and call of Prophet Ibrahim.

Other Prophets connected with this story.

• Prophet Yusuf

  Interpreter of dreams, the honored one of Egypt, an example of patience and forgiveness

• Prophet Musa

  The Prophet who stood against Pharaoh and received the Torah (Kalimullah)

Common questions about this Prophet.

• Who was Prophet Ibrahim?

  Ibrahim (peace be upon him) is the great Prophet who called people to worship only one Allah, stood against idol worship, and is known as "the friend of Allah" (Khalilullah). He is one of the Ulul Azm Prophets.

• Why was Prophet Ibrahim thrown into the fire?

  He was thrown into the fire because he broke his people's idols and called them to worship only Allah. But by Allah's command the fire became cool and safe for him (Al-Anbya, 69).

• Who did Prophet Ibrahim build the Kaaba with?

  He raised the walls of the Kaaba together with his son Ismail (peace be upon him) (Al-Baqarah, 127).

• Which son was Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice?

  The Quran does not explicitly name the son who was to be sacrificed; Islamic tradition widely holds that it was Ismail (peace be upon him). At the last moment Allah sent down a great sacrifice in his place (As-Saffat, 102-107).