Sardar Aurangzeb is the president of all pakistan kalarall fedration.He is Geologist by profession did post graduation in Geology from Pakistan and specialized in Gold and others strategic Minerals from Australia.
He discovered various economic minerals both metallic and non metallic from 18000 feet high altitude to 10 000 feet like tungsten in Chitral and Mansehra, Gold in Australia and Northern Areas like Shmshal and begrote valleys, Copper in Drosh Chitral ,Lead Zinc in Kohistan and Mansehra District, Iron ore In Chitral and Langraial Iron Ore in District Abottabad.Did work on Manganese in Choora Gali phosphate in Tarnwai Abbottabad Barite in Hazara Division, Chromite in Jijal Kohistan and Malakand (herosha And Landi rude),Silca sand in District Mansehra and did work on Limestone of Khanpure and Nara Limestone for cement industry.Scanned each small to big gullies/stream for gold and and other metallic minerals exploration. He was also team Leader one of NGO in Baluchistan and worked in most poorest of the poor community in Baluchistan on Health and hygiene,clean drinking water sanitation and formal and informal education. He contested for National Assembly/provincial assembly seat independently in 2008 from his own constituency of NA 18 Abbottabad 11 and PF 47 with the motive to serve the poor and to make prosperous Pakistan.Now actively participating in politics of Pakistan.He consider the Politics like a religion and he says politics should be like to serve the people of our country like our Prophet SAW peace be upon him and like Sahaaba Ikram and should be role model of their great Leaders like Quaid Azam Muhammad AliJina Allama Iqbal Alla ma Mashrqi and many others..He belongs to the Karlal (kalarall tribe which is one of the most brave tribe who are the decendent of Hazart Ibrahim Allai Islam and sons Of Alexander the great.Karlal give respect to all other tribes and expect same from others. Sardar is used only for Kalarall tribe in NWFP but now many people write with their name with out reason. The Family Tree Of Sardar Aurangzeb Kalarall is here Kalarall tribe shajra nasab(FAMILY TREE) OF KALARALL TRIBE) BY SARDAR AURANGZEB KALARALL PRESIDENT OF KALARALL FOUNDATION OFPAKISTAN.WE ARE THE SONS OF OUR HOLY PROPHET HAZRAT IBRAHIM ALLAISALM
AND HIS SON HAZRAT ISHAQ ALLAI ISLAM AND HIS SON HAZRAT AES(ESO) BANI UDHAM THE ELDER BROTHER OF BANI ISRALI HAZART YAQUB ALLAI ISLAM
.FURTHER MORE WE KALARALL ARE PROUDE TO BE HAVING OUR FORE FATHER HAZAT AYOUB SABIR ALLAI ISLAM,HAZRAT BASHAR (DHUAL KIFIL) ALLAI ISLAM AND SONS OF SKANDAR DHUL KARNAIN (ALEXANDER THE GREAT).OUR FATHER KALAR SHA CAME TO INDIA FROM TAKHT E KALAR IRAN(PLZ SEE IN GOOGLE MAP OF IRAN)TO INDIA IN 1200AD DURING THE MONGOLE BARBARISIM IN DEHLI IN ILTUMASH REIGN AND WAS GIVEN HIM SPECIAL RESPONSIBILTY DUE TO ITS ROYAL FAMILY BACKGROUND.THERE IS ONE MOSQUE IN RED FORT DEHLI UNDER THE NAME OF KALAR MASJID WHICH IS MISQOTED AS KALA MASJID IT HAS FIVE GATES IT WAS CONSTRUCTED BY FEROZE SHA IN 1300 AD.THERE ARE FURTHER TWO MOSQUES IN INDIA ONE IS KALAR MOSQUE IN RED FORT NEAR TOMB OF RAZIA SULTAN CONVERTED IN TO HINDU TEMPLE AND THE OTHER IS IN GUJRAT INDIA KALAR MOSQUE CONVERTED TO HINDU TEMPLE( PLEASE SEE MOSQUES CONVERTED TO TEMPLE
IN INDIA ON INTENET)
THE KALAR SHA WAS THEN CAME TO MOLIA BAKOT AND LIVED THERE. NOW ABOUT OUR FOREFATHER AND PROPHET HAZRAT IBRAHIM KHALILULA ALLAI ISLAM.
HOLY KAABA Hazrat Ibrahim Khalilullah(A.S.) is accredited for raising the foundation of Holy Kaa'ba - the first house made for mankind at Mecca. And remember Abraham and Isma'il raised the foundations of the House (With this prayer): "Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us: For Thou art the All-Hearing, the All-knowing. Holy Qur'an (2:127)
Hazrat Ibrahim Khalilullah(A.S.) and Hazrat Ismail Zabiullah(A.S.) constructed the house which has been a place of prayer for all times. There is a spot (Maqam-e-Ibrahim) near the Kaa'ba where Hazrat Ibrahim(A.S.) stood while erecting the Holy house and where he offered his prayers. Hazrat Ibrahim(A.S.) further prayed:
"Our Lord! make of us Muslims, bowing to Thy (Will), and of our progeny a
people Muslim, bowing to Thy (will); and show us our place for the
celebration of (due) rites; and turn unto us (in Mercy); for Thou art the Oft-Returning, Most Merciful. Holy Qur'an (2:128)
The above mentioned verse throws light on the fact that there had always
been "true muslims" in his progeny. Hazrat Ibrahim(A.S.) further
prayed:
"Our Lord! send amongst them a Messenger of their own, who shall rehearse Thy Signs to them and instruct them in scripture and wisdom, and sanctify them: For Thou art the Exalted in Might, the Wise." Holy Qur'an (2:129)
After four thousand years, God granted Hazrat Ibrahim's prayer and raised our Holy Prophet Muhammed(S.A.W.) from amongst them, as a answer to his prayer. The same thing has been quoted in the Holy Qur'an as follows:
It is He Who has sent amongst the Unlettered a messenger from among themselves, to rehearse to them His Signs, to sanctify them, and to instruct them in Scripture and Wisdom, although they had been, before, in manifest error; Holy Qur'an (62:2)
In the lineage of our Prophet Muhammed(S.A.W.) all are "true muslims". Hence from Adam(A.S.) to our Holy Prophet Muhammed(S.A.W.) all are "true
muslims".
Allah did choose Adam and Noah, the family of Abraham, and the family of
Imran above all people, Offspring, one of the other: And Allah heareth
and knoweth all things. Holy Qur'an (3:33-34 [[SHAJARA NASAB OF KARLAL TRIBE LIVING IN DISTRICT ABOTTABAD NWFP Adam ]] Sheth Enos Cainan Mahalaleed Jared Enoch / Idris Methuselah Lamech Noah / Nuh Shem Arhhazed Salih / Saleb Eber Pelag Rem Serag Nahor Tarukh Abraham / Ibrahim Ishmael / Ismail Brothers Isaac /
Ishaq
AES(ESO)(BANI UDHAM) Raoil Zarah Mous Ayoub Homal Bashar(dhulkifl) Abdan Arghose Alkanis Persinis Amghi Taryoun Harqulas Highlais Zouthnais Eyealikus Avenis Procas ist Clyness Aneetas Amitas ist Sikandar ist Tartues Prcase 2nd(sani) ShararKelvis Amantas 2nd (sani) Felqus Skandar azam(alexander the great) Skindar rose (Alexandrus) Skyness (saka) Sumaguinas Rejainas Shah Ganjais Ganj(ghazni fort is after his name in Afghanistan) Kuaid sha Kour sha Zaiulabdine Sultan Sadrudine Badrudine Qutabsha Shajan Rumi Brouchar Sha Tulochan Sha Mahmood Sha Abdurehman Sha Sujan Sha Kalar sha(the karlal (kalarall) tribe is after his Name. sons of kalar sha 1 Sardar Mall khan + Sardar Ball khan +Sardar Tuflou Khan+Sardar JIa khan. Sardar Mall Khan Shajara Sardar Ludhair Khan Sardar Jehkar Khan Sardar Sareer Khan Sardar Pehlai khan Sardar Makoon khan sardar Bani khan Sardar Pehlai Khan Sardar Rajang Khan sardar Waisra khan Sardar Fujo Khan Sardar Amanat Khan Sardar Sha Doulat khan Sardar Ghazni Khan Sardar Lashkari Khan Sardar Sha Alam Khan Sardar Gulbaz khan Sardar Ghairat Khan ( ghairat Khani) Sardar NOubat khan Sardar Lashkari Khan Sardar Abdula Khan (raees Abdulla Khan) Sardar Muhtar Khan(Had three sons) 1Sardar Sooba Khan(Migrated from Changra Kashka To Nara in 1821)when Sikh Governor Majaithi sing was killed by Karlal tribe in Sumandar Katha.)+2 sardar Shair Khan(residing in Chamnaka ) +3 sardar Khani Zaman(was living in Baghra) Sons of Sardar Sooba Khan 1 Sardar Ali Khan 2 sardar said Mohammand khan 3 Sardar Mohammad Khan4 sarda Anaitulla khan. Sons of Sardar Ali Khan Sardar Qalandar Khan 2 sardar sikandar khan3 sardar Gulzaman khan 4 sardar Ali zaman khan 5 sardar Aburehman khan. SONS OF SARDAR ALIZAMAN KHAN 1 SARDAR MOHAMMAD ANWAR (PROGREE OFFICER MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL RESOURCES PAKISTAN.) 2 SARDAR AURANGZEB KALARALL (PRESIDENT ALL PAKISTAN KALARALLFEDRATION,GEOLOGIST EX.DIRECTOR IN K D B CABINANT DIV.EX GEOLOGIST IN SARHAD DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY NWFP SPECIALIZED IN GOLD AND OTHERS STRETIGIC MINERALS FROM AUSTRAILIA AFTER POST GRADUATION IN GEOLOGY MSC(GEOLOGY)PAKISTA.DISCOVERED VARIOUS ECONOMIC AND MOST VALUABLE MINERALS IN NWFP PAKISTAN AND ALSO WRITTEN BOOKS/REPORTS ON MINERALS AND ROCKS. 3 SARDAR GHULAM MUSTAFA DEPUTY SUPERTENDENT OF POLICE ISLAMABAD AND POST
GRADUATE IN MASS-CUMNICATION MSC.
SONS OF SARDAR AURANGZEB KALARALL 1 SARDAR JUNAID JAMSHAID KALARALL(DOING HIS CHARTED ACCOUNTANCY) 2 SARDAR HASSAN ALI KHAN. REFERENCES
THIS SHAJRA HAS BEEN TAKEN FROM HAZRAT ADAM TO SKANDAR ROSE FROM ALBADAIA-ALNIHAYA AND HISTORY OF IBNI -KHALDOON.THE REST HAS BEEN TAKEN FROM QAUMI MUHAFIZ KHANA ABOUT SHAJRAS AND 1872 MUHAFIZ KHANA WHICH IS ALSO PRESENT IN PEHAWAR MUSEUM LIBRARY PAGE NO 923. THIS SHAJRA WAS ALSO BEEN SAVED WITH US FROM OUR INCESTORS LIKE FROM FATHER TO SON. IT WAS ALSO TAKEN FROM KARLAL BANI AES WRITTEN BY SARDAR IQBAL ,
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HISTORY OF OUR FORE FATHERS.
HAZRAT IBRAHIM KHALILULA ALLAI ISLAM
HAZRAT ISHAQAU ALLAI ISLAM
HAZRAT EAS BIN HAZRAT ISHAQUE ALLAI ISLAM
HAZRAT AYOUB ALLAI ISLAM(SABIR)
HAZRAT BASHAR ALLAI ISLAM(DHULKIFIL)
ALEXANDER THE GREAT(DHULKARNAIN)
ORIGIN OF KALAR SHA (TAKHT E KALAR IRAN ARDABAL AND SULAIMANIA IRAQ)
MIGRATION OF KALAR SHA TO DEHLI
MOSQUES IN INDIA AFTER HIS NAME
1 KALAR MOSQUE IN REDFORT DEHLI
2KALAR MOSQUE NEAR RAZIA SULTANA TOMB SHAHJANABAD NEW DEHLI INDIA
3 KALAR MOSQUE IN GUJRAT INDIA.
Hazrat ibrahim khalilula alli islam. Ibrahim al-khalilullah
Prosperous are those who’re purified,
Remembered the names and prayed,
Mentioned in the Books of old,
The books of Ibrahim and Musa.
by Motiur Rahman
Indeed Ibrahim was haleemun awwah
Forbearing, compassionate, seeking Allah.
He was asked, “how can a friend fear a friend?”
“How can I not fear when remember my error?”
“Show me, O Lord, how You raise the dead,
To strengthen faith and to reassure the heart”
“We showed Ibrahim the kingdom o’ the heavens and earth,
that he might have certitude.
Bismillah wa –lhamadu li-Allah, as-salatu as-salaamu ala Rasulullah
The Qur’an mentions, “this is the nation of your father Ibrahim[1]”, when referring to the community of the believers, i.e. those who believe in the Oneness of God. Book of Allah describes Ibrahim(alaihi wa sallam) as “hanif Musliman wa ma kana min almushrikin.” The word hanif is usually construed as true in faith or as an orthodox believer, while the word muslim means the ‘one who has submitted’. Now to submit without opposition to a thing is to become in harmony with it – therefore those who submit to the will of Allah without opposition is to enter into a state of peace, hence Islam, and by doing so one becomes a Muslim. Islam is peace; it does literally mean peace too. So the Muslim greeting which is the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (alaihi wa sallam), salamu alaikum means peace be upon you! The prophet Ibrahim (alaihi wa sallam) is described as a peaceful believer in the Qur’an.
God has described the believers as Muslims, meaning that they are in the state of peace, not just after the final message but even before that: “It is He Who has named you Muslims, both before and in this (Revelation)[2]”. The prophet Ibrahim (alaihi wa sallam), is the founding father of the nation of monotheistic belief as is explicitly mentioned in the Qur’an. Allah, in the Qur’an, says, “Salamun ‘ala Ibrahim[3]” i.e. peace and salutations upon Ibrahim. According to the Qur’an, Muslims are those who are the followers of the Prophet Ibrahim (alaihi wa sallam), “Say: "Allah speaketh the Truth: follow the religion of Abraham, the sane [hanif] in faith; he was not of the Pagans[4]”
“And who turns away from the religion of Ibrahim but such as debase their souls with folly? Him We chose and rendered pure in this world: And he will be in the Hereafter in the ranks of the Righteous.[5]”
The importance of Prophet Ibrahim (alaihi wa sallam) cannot be stressed enough in Islam. The Muslims, in every cycle of prayer are instructed to pray, “O Allah peace be upon Muhammad and his family as you have shown peace upon the Ibrahim and his family” and also, “O Allah bless Muhammad and his family as you have blessed the family of Ibrahim.” This is the importance of Ibrahim (alaihi wa sallam) in Islam, it has been institutionalized and incorporated in the prayers of Islam!
Long before the prayers were commanded to be established, Abu Talib, the father of hazrat ‘Ali (R.A) who is also the Prophet’s (alaihi wa sallam) uncle saw him praying at the Qa’ba in a manner which at the time no one in Makkah did, and found it strange. So he asked the Prophet (alaihi wa sallam) what kind of worship this was? He replied that he was following the religion of their ancestor Ibrahim (alaihi wa sallam). Abu Talib was satisfied with this answer. The Makkans knew about their ancestor Ibrahim (alaihi wa sallam) as they retained the Qaba as Ibrahim’s legacy. The Prophet Ibrahim is said to be the 70th ancestor of the Prophet Muhammad (alaihi wa sallam) through his son Isma’il (alaihi wa sallam). The Qur’an mentions: “Allah did choose Adam and Noah, the family of Abraham, and the family of 'Imran above all people.[6]”
Another important pillar in Islam, that of Hajj (pilgrimage), is the rite established by the Prophet Ibrahim (alaihi wa sallam):
“Remember We made the House a place of assembly for men and a place of safety; and take ye the station of Abraham as a place of prayer; and We covenanted with Abraham and Isma'il, that they should sanctify My House for those who compass it round, or use it as a retreat, or bow, or prostrate themselves (therein in prayer).”
“And remember Abraham said: "My Lord, make this a City of Peace, and feed its people with fruits,-such of them as believe in Allah and the Last Day." He said: "(Yea), and such as reject Faith,-for a while will I grant them their pleasure, but will soon drive them to the torment of Fire,- an evil destination (indeed)!"
“And remember Abraham and Isma'il raised the foundations of the House (With this prayer): "Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us: For Thou art the All-Hearing, the All-knowing. [7]”
The Qur’an mentions Makkah as being the city of peace and security, providing refuge from hunger and fear and the worshipping of idols, as a response to the prayers of Ibrahim and his son Isma’il (peace be upon them):
“Remember Abraham said: "O my Lord! Make this city one of peace and security: and preserve me and my sons from worshipping idols[8].”
About the holy Qa’ba, Allah has mentioned, “In it are Signs Manifest; (for example), the Station of Abraham; whoever enters it attains security; Pilgrimage thereto is a duty men owe to Allah,- those who can afford the journey; but if any deny faith, Allah stands not in need of any of His creatures.[9]”
After the construction of the House of God Ibrahim (alaihi wa sallam) prayed[10] that for a prophet among the residents of this City who will recite the signs, purify them, and teach them the Book and wisdom, and deliver them into light from error. The prophethood of Muhammad (alaihi wa sallam) is the answer to Ibrahim’s (alaihi wa sallam) prayer.
Now, clearly Islam is associated with Ibrahim (alaihi wa sallam), and those who follow his ways said to be Muslims. Iman the Arabic word for faith, is also linked with the prophet Ibrahim (alaihi wa sallam), as the Qur’an mentions “whoever enters the Station of Ibrahim (dakhalahu kana aminan) attains peace and security.” The Arabic roots amn in the last word conveys the meanings of not just faith but of safety and security too. So what more can we know about this important figure and the father of monotheistic faith?
The three major monotheistic religions, Islam, Christianity and Judaism trace their roots to Ibrahim (alaihi wa sallam) and follow him in his teachings.
But what about the other religions? The Qur’an says, “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."”[11] That is, and as history has demonstrated that prophethood had remained within the descendants of Ibrahim (alaihi wa sallam) because of his request, and him being an Imam or leader towards humanity for all posterity.
On closer examination his teachings and examples can be seen in others religions than the three mentioned above. I will not go into comparisons between the teachings of Ibrahim (alaihi wa sallam) and the other religions of the world because the central teachings of all religions have many things in common and striking similarities; also over time God has revealed new features and taken way some of the old features of His religion as required for different ages and different nations. For example, drinking of alcohol was allowed to all nations until half way through the prophethood Muhammad (alaihi wa sallam) the final Messenger, and also the changing of the direction of prayer towards Makkah from Jerusalem which had been the Qibla of all other prophets (peace be upon them). Also, there have been changes in the laws of marriage throughout human history according to the needs of different societies.
If we look at the hermeneutic analysis of the name Ibrahim this reveals so much about him that is not ordinarily apparent. A possible syntax of the word Ibrahim consists of [Ab]Ba Rahm, which in Arabic literally means Father Merciful. This explanation is completely consistent with all descriptions of him in the Qur’an and other religious literatures.
In the East (India for example) the highest cast are the descendants of the Brahmins. It is quite obvious that the syntax of the word Brahma is the same as the syntax of the Ba Rahm. According to the customary practice of the people the Imams of India, and I mean Hindu India by it, are the sons Brahma i.e. Ibrahim (alaihi wa sallam)! Sounds strange! But look at the Ihram (pilgrimage garb) of the hajjis and compare the clothing of the sanjashis! Both are not allowed to cut their nails or hair, kill or destroy any life without necessity during their spiritual rites.
“Who can be better in religion than one who submits (aslama wajhahu) his whole self to Allah, does good, and follows the way of Abraham (haneefan) the true in Faith? For Allah did take Abraham for a friend”[12]
[1] Qur’an, “millata abeekum ibraheema”, 22:78
[2] ibid
[3] Qur’an 37:109
[4] Qur’an 3: 95
[5] Qur’an 2:130
[6] Qur’an
[7] Qur’an 2:125-127
[8] Qur’an 14:35
[9] Qur’an 3:97
[10] Qur’an 3:33
[11] Qur’an 2:124
the strory about our most beloved prophet hazrat ibrahim alli islam by by hadeer forum.
A story about Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh)
Once, when Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) was grazing his flock of sheep, a man passed by loudly reciting the following words in praise of Allah (swt)
sub7ana Dhii al-malak wa al-malkuut, sub7ana Dhii al-3isa wa al-3iDma wa al-hayba wa and qudra wa al-kibriaa' wa al-jabaruuuut!
Glorified is the Master of the Earthly and heavenly kingdoms. Glorified is the Honored One, the Exalted One, the Venerated One, the Powerful One, the Magnificent One, and the Omnipotent One
When Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) heard his Beloved (swt) praised with such beautiful words, his heart leaped in exultation. He requested the man to kindly recite the words one more time. The man asked what he would give him in return. Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) replied that he would give half of his flock of sheep. The man complied and repeated the words. Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) was so captivated by these beautiful words that he asked him to repeat the words again. The man asked what he would be given in exchange this time. Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) replied that he would give the reminaing half of the flock. The man complied repeated the words for a third time. Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) was so overcome with ecstasy by these words that he once again implored the man to repeate his words. The man responded, "You have nothing left. Now what will you give me?" Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) replied, "O brother, I will tend your sheep forever if you recite these praises for my Beloved Allah one more time." The man then said, "Ibrahim Khalilullah (friend of Allah), I bring you glad tidings. I am an angel sent by Allah (swt), who told me, "Go and take My name before my Khalil (friend) and see how mcuh he values it."
PROPHET'S LINEAGE
HOLY KAABA Hazrat Ibrahim Khalilullah(A.S.) is accredited for raising the foundation of Holy Kaa'ba - the first house made for mankind at Mecca. And remember Abraham and Isma'il raised the foundations of the House (With this prayer): "Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us: For Thou art the All-Hearing, the All-knowing. Holy Qur'an (2:127)
Hazrat Ibrahim Khalilullah(A.S.) and Hazrat Ismail Zabiullah(A.S.) constructed the house which has been a place of prayer for all times. There is a spot (Maqam-e-Ibrahim) near the Kaa'ba where Hazrat Ibrahim(A.S.) stood while erecting the Holy house and where he offered his prayers. Hazrat Ibrahim(A.S.) further prayed:
"Our Lord! make of us Muslims, bowing to Thy (Will), and of our progeny a people Muslim, bowing to Thy (will); and show us our place for the celebration of (due) rites; and turn unto us (in Mercy); for Thou art the Oft-Returning, Most Merciful. Holy Qur'an (2:128)
The above mentioned verse throws light on the fact that there had always been "true muslims" in his progeny. Hazrat Ibrahim(A.S.) further prayed:
"Our Lord! send amongst them a Messenger of their own, who shall rehearse Thy Signs to them and instruct them in scripture and wisdom, and sanctify them: For Thou art the Exalted in Might, the Wise." Holy Qur'an (2:129)
After four thousand years, God granted Hazrat Ibrahim's prayer and raised our Holy Prophet Muhammed(S.A.W.) from amongst them, as a answer to his prayer. The same thing has been quoted in the Holy Qur'an as follows:
It is He Who has sent amongst the Unlettered a messenger from among themselves, to rehearse to them His Signs, to sanctify them, and to instruct them in Scripture and Wisdom, although they had been, before, in manifest error; Holy Qur'an (62:2)
In the lineage of our Prophet Muhammed(S.A.W.) all are "true muslims". Hence from Adam(A.S.) to our Holy Prophet Muhammed(S.A.W.) all are "true muslims".
Allah did choose Adam and Noah, the family of Abraham, and the family of Imran above all people, Offspring, one of the other: And Allah heareth and knoweth all things. Holy Qur'an (3:33-34)
Adam
Sheth
Enos
Cainan
Mahalaleed
Jared
Enoch / Idris
Methuselah
Lamech
Noah / Nuh
Shem
Arhhazed
Salih / Saleb
Eber
Pelag
Rem
Serag
Nahor
Tarukh
Abraham / Ibrahim
Ishmael / Ismail Brothers Isaac / Ishaqphet ibrahim khalilula (pbuh)The Life Story Of Hazrat Ibraheem (AS)
Once upon a time, almost 4000 years ago, a man named Azar lived in the ancient city of Ur in Iraq.He used to make idols out of wood and stone. He had decorated his house with these stone idols. Other people also bought idols from him. These people did not believe in one Allah. They had several gods whom they worshipped. They would garland them, place food and water in front of them and pray to them for blessings. These people had great knowledge of stars and other heavenly bodies and they worshipped these as well.
Azar had a little son. His name was Ibraheem. Azar loved his son very much and the two were always together. Ibraheem would watch as his father would carve idols and then pray in front of them. He was always struck by the fact that people had created these idols with their own hands and then knelt and bowed in front of them.
“How can these idols help others? They cannot move nor do anything else,” Ibraheem would think. “Why does my father pray to them? They can neither eat nor drink nor can they see.”
One day, he put these questions before his father. Azar was enraged. He told his son to remain quiet or he will be severely punished. Hazrat Ibraheem, though quite young, continued to ponder over these questions. He observed the sun, moon, stars etc and sought the truth. Allah chose him to make him His prophet.
Destruction of the Idols
When Hazrat Ibraheem told his people about Allah and asked them to worship one God only, the people of Iraq became his enemy. Hazrat Ibraheem thought of ways to convince these people that idol worshipping is wrong. One day he got this opportunity. There was a big fair out of town and everyone was going to attend it. When Azar told his son to come along, Hazrat Ibraheem refused to go. When everyone had left, he went to their place of worship. It was full of idols of all sizes. Hazrat Ibraheem took a big mallet and smashed the idols. He left the biggest one untouched and put the mallet in its lap. When the people returned from the fair, they were horrified to see their beloved idols broken and smashed. They interrogated Hazrat Ibraheem who told them to ask their biggest idol why they could not defend themselves. Everyone knew that their idols were lifeless and could not answer. They went away angry and frustrated.
The Angry King Namrod
The people of Iraq carried tales of Hazrat Ibraheem to their king Namrod. He was a very cruel person. He believed that he was more powerful than any other god. When Hazrat Ibraheem was produced in his court, Namrod asked him,
“Do you believe that I am your god?”
Hazrat Ibraheem was very brave. He answered, “There is no god but Allah and I worship only Him.”
Namrod was furious. He asked Hazrat Ibraheem to prove that Allah is greater than him. Hazrat Ibraheem told him that Allah has power over life and death. To prove that he too was master of life and death, Namrod had some prisoners killed and some pardoned and spared. Hazrat Ibraheem then told him calmly that Allah produces the sun from the East and sets it in the West. If Namrod is such a great, powerful man then he should produce the sun from the West. Namrud was speechless. He could not take Hazrat Ibraheem’s challenge so in anger he told the soldiers to burn Hazrat Ibraheem in a great fire. When they were about to throw Hazrat Ibraheem in this great burning pyre, Allah ordered the fire to cool and not hurt Hazrat Ibraheem. All the people were amazed to see him safe and unhurt. But even this great miracle did not make the people leave their wrong ways.
Migration and Marriage:
Hazrat Ibraheem was greatly saddened by the fact that people were not willing to leave idol worship. Even his own father Azar was against him. He decided to leave Iraq with his wife Sarah and nephew Hazrat Lut. On his way to Palestine and Syria, he passed Egypt. The king of Egypt gave his daughter Hajira in marriage to Hazrat Ibraheem. He was quite old now. He prayed to Allah for a son and Allah granted his prayer. Hazrat Ismail (Ishmael) was born but now Allah decided to test Hazrat Ibraheem’s faith and resolute.
The Story of Aab-Zam Zam :
One day, Allah ordered Hazrat Ibraheem to go to Makkah with his wife and infant son, Hazrat Ismail. He was ordered to leave them there. At that time, that place was a great desert, barren and unpopulated. When Hazrat Ismail was very thirsty, his mother Hazrat Hajira ran seven times between the hills of Al-Safa and Al-Marwa searching for water. She prayed to Allah for help. A spring of clear water gushed out beneath the little feet of Hazrat Ismail. It was a miracle as all around there was only sand and there was no source for this water. By the grace of Allah, this water continues to sprout even though millions of people visit Makkah each year and drink and use this water. Hazrat Hajira was very happy and thanked Allah for this blessing.
A few days later, a nomadic tribe passed through this area. In those days, nomads used to roam the land on camels and horses in search of water. They were amazed to see water in the desert. They asked permission from Hazrat Hajira to stay and use this water. This tribe stayed there and was joined by other tribes. Slowly the area became fertile and well populated. This was the foundation of Makkah where one day Hazrat Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) will be born.
An Even Greater Trial:
Allah wanted to test Hazrat Ibraheem even more. In a dream, he was ordered to sacrifice Hazrat Ismail. When Hazrat Ibraheem asked his son’s opinion, Hazrat Ismail bravely told his father to do what Allah had required of him. On the way to the sacrifice, the devil tried to dissuade them. Father and son threw stones at him to drive him away. Like running between Al-Safa and Al-Marwa, throwing pebbles is also a part of the rituals for Hajj.
When Hazrat Ibraheem was about to sacrifice his son, Allah sent Angel Jibraeel (Gabriel) to replace Hazrat Ismail with a ram. Allah was pleased with them as they were both ready to give up everything …Hazrat Ibraheem his only son and Hazrat Ismail his life…. for the sake of Allah. Muslims all over the world celebrate Eid-ul-Azha to commemorate this sacrifice.
Building Of Holy Ka’bah:
Allah then ordered Hazrat Ibraheem to build the Holy Ka’bah in Makkah. Hazrat Ibraheem prayed to Allah to send another messenger after them who would guide the people to the right path. His prayers were granted as 2500 years later, the Prophet Muhammad was born. Allah also gave Hazrat Ibraheem another son, Hazrat Ishaq (Isaac) who was also a prophet. Hazrat Eesa (AS) (Jesus Christ) was a descendant of Hazrat Ishaq while Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) was a descendant of Hazrat Ismail.(AS).
Hazrat Ishaque Allai Islam
Miraculous Birth of Prophet Ishaq (Isaac):
The Prophet Ibrahim had two sons-Prophet Isma'il and Prophet Ishaq (peace be upon them). The Prophet Ishaq (peace be upon him) was his second son born of Sarah, his wife. When the Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) passed through an ordeal of sacrificing his affectionate son, Prophet Isma'il (peace be upon him) a glad-tidings of the birth of another son, Prophet Ishaq (peace be upon him) was conveyed to him. The Holy Qur'an says:
"And We gave him the tiding of the birth of Ishaq, a prophet among the righteous." (37: 112)
The Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) had attained the age of one hundred years and Sarah was ninety. They had practically lost all hope of having an issue at this advanced age when the angel came to Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him)with the happy news of the birth of a wise son, his wife laughed and did not believe it. She remarked that she had passed the age and now it was simply a folly to expect a child.
The Qur'an tells us how this news was imparted to the Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and his wife:
"And his wife standing by, laughed when We gave her good tidings (of the birth) of Ishaq and after Ishaq of Ya'qub (Jacob). She said: Oh, Woe is me! Shall I bear a child when I am an old woman and this my husband is an old man? Lo! this is a strange thing. They said: wonder thou at the Commandment of Allah ? The mercy of Allah and His blessings be upon you, 0' people of the House! Lo! He is Owner of Praise, Owner of Glory." (11: 71-73)
The Prophet Ishaq (peace be upon him) was born as God willed. He was the chosen servant of God and his descendants were men of high spiritual rank and character. He was inspired to do noble deeds and establish right warship. He was generous at heart.
Marriage and Death:
The Prophet Ishaq (peace be upon him) was married to Rebecca when he was forty years old. His wife gave birth to Esau and Ya'qub. When the Prophet Ishaq (peace be upon him) grew old he lost his eye-sight. He passed away` at Hebron at the age of 180 years. He was buried beside his father and mother.(www.islam101.com)
The Quran does not give details of Isaac's life (pbuh), but reliable Quranic commentators mentioned that when Abraham felt that his life was drawing to a close, he wished to see Isaac married. He did not want Isaac to marry one of the Canaanites, who were pagans, so he sent a trustworthy servant to Haran in Iraq to choose a bride for Isaac. The servant's choice fell upon Rebekah Bint Bethuel, Ibn Nahor, who was a brother of Abraham. Isaac married her and she gave birth to a set of twins, Esau (Al Eis) and Jacob (Yaqub).Ill feelings developed between the two brothers when they grew into manhood. Esau disliked the fact that Jacob was favored by his father and by Allah with prophethood. This ill feeling became so serious that Esau threatened to kill his brother. Fearing for his life, Jacob fled the country.
The People of the Book said that when Isaac was forty years old, he married Rebekah, Bint Bethuel, during his father's life. They said she was sterile, so Isaac prayed to Allah and then she became pregnant. She gave birth to twin boys. The first one was called Esau whom the Arabs called Al-Eis. He became the father of Rum. The second one was called Jacob, which means Isreal, (belonging to the people of Israel).The People of the Book claimed that when Isaac (pbuh) grew old and his eye sight had weakened, he had a desire for food, so he asked his son Esau to go hunting and bring him some cooked game. Esau asked him to bless the food and pray for him.
Esau, a hunter, went out to get his father the meat. Rebekah, overhearing this, ordered her son Jacob to slaughter two goats of his best flock and cook them as his father liked and bring it to him before his brother returned. She dressed Jacob in his brother's clothes and put goat skin on his arms and neck, for Esau was hairy while Jacob was not. When he approached his father with the food, his father asked: 'Who are you?' Jacob answered: 'I am your son.' When his father finished eating, he prayed for his son to be the more blessed brother and to prevail over them and all people, and for Allah to sustain him and his children.
When he left his father, his brother Esau, who had carried out his father's command, entered. Isaac asked him: "What is this my son?" He answered: "This is the food you like." Isaac asked: "Did you brin it an hour ago and ask me to pray for you?" Esau said: "No, I swear I did not," and he knew his brother had preceded him in this matter and he was sick at heart. The People of the Book said Esau threatened to kill his brother when their father was dead.
They also said that he asked his father to pray for him that Allah make the earth good for his offsprin and multiply his sustenance and fruits. When their mother knew that Esau threatened his brother Jacob, she commanded her son Jacob to go to her brother Laban in the land of Haran and abide with him for a time until his brother's anger had abated, and to marry one of the Laban's daughters. she told her husband Isaac to command him with that advice and pray for him, and he did. Jacob (pbuh) left his family, when night came he found a place to rest. He took a stone and put it under his head and slept. He dreamed of a ladder from heaven to earth. Angels were ascending and descending and the Lord addressed him and said to him; "I will bless you and your offspring and make this land for you and for those who come after you." WHen he awoke he felt joyful from what he had seen in his dream and vowed, for Allah's sake that if he returned to his family safely, he would build here a temple for Allah the Almighty.
He also vowed to give one tenth of his property for the sake of Allah. He poured oil on the stone so as to recognize it and called the place "Ayle's House" (Bethel), which means "House of Allah". It was to be the location of Jerusalem later. The People of the Book also said that when Jacob came to his maternal uncle in the land of Haran, his uncle had two daughters. The elder one was called Leah (Lia) and the younger one was Rachel (Rahil). The latter was the better and lovelier of the two. His uncle agreed to marry his daughter to him on the condition that Jacob pasture his sheep for seven years.
After a period of time, his uncle prepared a feast and gathered people for the wedding. He married Leah, his elder daughter, to him at night. She was weak-sighted and ugly. When morning came, Jacob discovered she was Leah and he complained to his uncle. "You deceived me; I was engaged to Rachel and you married me to Leah." His uncle said: "It is not our tradition to marry the younger daughter before the elder daughter.
However, if you love her sister, work another seven years and I will marry you to both of them." Jacob worked for seven years and then married Rachel. It was acceptable in their time, as described in the Torah, for a man to marry two sisters. Laban gave a female slave to each daughter. Leah's slave was called Zilpah and Rachel's slave was called Bilha. Almighty Allah compensated Leah's weakness by giving her sons. the first one was named Rueben (Robel), after whom there were Simon (Shamun), Levi (Lawi), and Judah (Yahudh). Rachel felt jealous of Leah's having sons, as she was barren. She gave her slave Bilha to her husband and he had relations with her until she became pregnant. she gave birth to a son and named him Naphtali. Leah was vexed that Rachel's slave had give birth to a son, so she in turn gave her slave Zilpah to Jacob (pbuh), Zilpah gave birth to two sons, Gad and Asher. Then Leah got pregnant and gave birth to her fifth son, Issaacher, and later she gave birth to a sixth son Zebulun. After this Leah gave birth to a daughter named Dinah. Thus, Leah had seven sons from Jacob.Then Rachel prayed to Allah to give her a son from Jacob.
Allah heard her call and responded to her prayer. She gave birth to a son, great, honorable, and beautiful. She named him Joseph (Yusuf).All of this happened when they were in the land of Haran and Jacob (pbuh) was pasturing his uncle's sheep, which he did for a period of twenty years.Jacob then asked his uncle Laban to let him go and visit his family. His uncle said to him: "I have been blessed because of you; ask for whatever money you need." Jacob said: "Give me each spotted and speckled goat born this year and each black lamb."But at Laban's command his sons removed their father's goat that were striped, spotted or speckled, and the black lambs, lest others should be born with those traits.
They walked for three days with their father's goats and sheep while Jacob tended the remaining flock.The People of the Book said that Jacob (pbuh) took fresh rods of poplar, almond, and plane. HE peeled streaks in them and cast them into the water through for the goats to look at. The young inside their abdomens were terrified and moved and they were born striped, spotted or speckled. When the sheep were breeding, he set their faces towards the black sheep in Laban's flock and put the rods among them.
Their lambs were born black. This was considered an example of supernatural powers, a miracle. Jacob had many goats, sheep, beast and slaves. His uncle and his sons faces changed as if they the sheep and goats) had been stolen from them.Allah the Almighty inspired Jacob to return to the country of his father and people, and He promised to stand by him. Jacob told his family that, and they responded and obeyed him. Jacob did not tell Laban of his plans, however, and left without bidding farewell.Upon leaving, Rachel stole her father's idols. After Jacob and his people had fled for his country, Laban and his people followed them. When Laban met with Jacob, he blamed him for leaving him without his knowledge.
He would have liked to know so that he could have made them leave with celebration and joy, with drums and songs, and so that he could have bidden his daughters and sons farewell. And why have they taken his idols with them?Jacob had no knowledge of his idols, so he denied that had taken them from him. Then Laban entered the tents of his daughters and slaves to search, but he found nothing, for Rachel had put the idols in the camel saddle under her. She did not get up, apologizing that she had her menses. Thus, he could not perceive what they had done.Then they sat on a hill called Galeed and made a covenant there.
Jacob would not ill treat Laban's daughters nor marry others. Neither Laban nor Jacob would pass the hill into the other's country. They cooked food and their people ate with them.
Each bade the other farewell as they departed, each returning to his own country.When Jacob approached the land of Seir, the angels greeted him. He sent a messenger ahead with greetings to his brother Esau, asking forgiveness and humbling himself before him. The messenger returned greetings and told Jacob that Esau was riding towards him with four hundred men. This made Jacob afraid and he entreated and prayed to Allah Almighty. He prostrated in humiliation and asked Him to fulfill His promise which He had made before.
He asked Him to stop the evil of his brother Esau. then Jacob (pbuh) prepared a great present for his brother: two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams, and thirty milch camels, forty cows and two bulls, twenty female donkeys and ten male donkeys.He commanded his slaves to take the animals, each drove by itself, and pass on ahead of him with a space between the droves.
He instructed them: "When you meet my brother Esau he will ask you, 'to whom do you belong? where are you going?' you shall say, 'they belong to your servant Jacob; they are a present to my master Esau. Moreover, he is behind us."Jacob stayed behind with his two wives, his slaves and his children for two nights, then continued walking by night and resting by day.When the dawn of the second day came one of the angels appeared in the shape of a man. Jacob began to wrestle with him. They were neck and neck until the angel injured his thigh and Jacob became lame. When the day was breaking, the angel said to him: 'What is your name?' He answered: 'Jacob.' The angel said: "After today you shall not be called anything but Israel." Jacob asked: "Who are you? What is your name?" He vanished. Then Jacob knew that he was one of the angels. Jacob was lame, and for this reason the children of Israel do not eat the thigh muscle on the hip socket.Jacob raised his eyes and saw his brother Esau coming.
Jacob prostrated seven times before him for it was their salutation in that time. It was lawful for them just as the angels had prostration in salutation to Adam. When Esau saw him, he ran towards him, embraced and kissed him and wept. When Esau raised his eyes and saw the women and children he asked: "Who are these with you?" Jacob answered: "Those whom Allah has give me, your servant." Leah, Rachel, their slaves, and all the children approached and prostrated before him. Jacob asked Esau to accept his gift and insisted until he did so.Esau returned and went in advance before him. Jacob and his family followed with the flocks and herds and slaves to the mountains (Seir).When he came to Succoth (Sahur), he built a house for himself and shades for his beasts. Then he passed by Jerusalem, the village of Shechem, and camped before the village. He bought a farm from Shcehm Ibn Hamor with one hundred goats and built an altar, which he called Ayl, as Allah commanded him. He built the altar where Jerusalem stands today and later Solomon son of David (pbuh) rebuilt it. It is in the place of the stone which he had earlier anointed with oil as was mentioned before.
The people of the book tell a story of Dinah, daughter of Jacob and Leah. Shechem Ibn Hamor seized her and lay with her by force. Then he asked her father and brothers to let him marry her. Her brothers said : "Circumcise all of you, and we will give our daughters to you, and we will take your daughters for ourselves; but we do not marry with uncircumcised people." They (the men of the city) agreed to that, and all of them were circumcised. When the third day came, the pain from the circumcision had increased, Jacob's sons approached and killed them till the last one. They killed Shchem and his father for the evil they had committed against them and for their worship of idols.
That is why Jacob's sons killed them and seized their money as spoils.Then Rachel got pregnant and gave birth to a son, Benjamin, but she had a hard labor and died after delivery. Jacob buried her in Ephrath (afrath). The tomb of Rachel is there till the present day. Jacob's sons were twelve men. From Leah there were Rueben (Robil), Simon (Shamun), Levi (Lawi), Judah (Yahudh), Issachar (isakher), and Zebulun (Zablun). From Rachel there were Joseph (Yusuf) (pbuh) and Benjamin. From Rachel's slave there were Dan and Naphtali (Neftali), and from Leah's slave there were Gad and Asher.Jacob came to his father Isaac and settled with him in the village of Hebron which lies in the land of Canaan where Abraham had lived. Then Isaac fell ill and died when he was one hundred eighty years old. his sons Esau and Jacob buried him with his father Abraham Al Khalil in a cave which he had bought. It was said that Abraham died at the age of one hundred seventy five.Allah the Almighty declared in the Glorious Quran:
And who turns away from the religion of Abraham (Islamic Monotheism) except him who befools himself? Truly, We chose him in this world and verily, in the Hereafter he will be among the righteous.When his Lord said to him: "Submit (be a Muslim)!" He said: "I have submitted myself (as a Muslim) to the Lord of the Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists)." And this (submission to Allah, Islam) was enjoined by Abraham upon his sons and by Jacob, (saying): "O my sons! Allah has chosen for you the true religion, then die not except in the Faith of Islam (as Muslims -- Islamic Monotheism)."Or were you witnesses when death approached Jacob? When he said unto his sons: "What will you worship after me?" T
hey said: "We shall worship you (Ilah (God - Allah) the Ilah (God) of your fathers, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, One Ilah (God), and to Him we submit (in Islam)."That was a nation who had passed away. They shall receive the reward of what they earned and you of what you earn.
And you will not be asked of what they used to do.They say: "Be Jews or Christians, and then you will be guided." Say (to them O Muhammad): "Nay (we follow) only the religion of Abraham, Hanifan (Islamic monotheism, i.e. to worship none but Allah Alone, and he was not of the Al Mushrikeen (those who worshipped others along with Allah)."Say (O Muslims): "We believe in Allah and that which has been sent down to us and that which had been sent down to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and to Al Asbat (the twelve sons of Jacob), and that which has been given to Moses and Jesus and that which has been given to the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we have submitted (in Islam)."So if they believe in the like of that which you believe, then they are rightly guided, but if they turn away, then they are only in opposition. So, Allah, will suffice you against them. He is the All Hearer, the All Knower.(Our Sibghah, religion is) the Sibghah (religion) of Allah (Islam) and which Sibghah (religion) can be better than Allah's. We are His worshippers.Say (O Muhammad, to the Jews and Christians): "Dispute you with us about Allah while He is our Lord and your Lord? And we are to be rewarded for our deeds and you for your deeds. We are sincere to Him in worship and obedience (i.e., we worship Him Alone and none else, and we obey His Orders)." Or say you that Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and Al Asbat (the twelve sons of Jacob) were Jews or Christians? Say: "Do you know better or does Allah know better....that they all were Muslims? And who is more unjust than he who conceals the testimony (to believe in the Prophet Muhammad, when he comes written in their books) he has from Allah? Allah is not unaware of what you do."(Ch 2:130-140 Quran) In another surah Almighty Allah declared:
O People of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Why do you dispute about Abraham, while the Torah and the Gospel were not revealed till after him? Have you then no sense? Verily, you are those who have disputed about that of which you have no knowledge. Why do then dispute concerning that which you have no knowledge? It is Allah Who knows, and you know not.Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was a true Muslim Hanifan (Islamic Monotheism), to worship none but Allah Alone and he was not of the polytheists (he joined none in worship with Allah).Verily, among mankind who have the best claim to Abraham are those who followed him, and this Prophet (Muhammad) and those who have believed (Muslims). And Allah is the Wali (Protector and Helper) of the believers.(Ch 3:65-68 Quran)Allah the Exalted also affirmed: Then verily! Your Lord for those who do evil (commit sins and are disobedient to Allah) in ignorance and afterward repent and do righteous deeds, verily, your Lord thereafter to such is Oft Forgiving,
Most Merciful.Verily, Abraham was an Ummah (a leader having all the good righteous qualities or a nation), obedient to Allah, Hanifan (to worship none but Allah), and he was not one of those who were Al Mushrikeen (polytheists, idolaters, disbeliveers in the Oneness of Allah and those who joined partners with Allah). He was thankful for His (Allah's) Graces. He (Allah) chose him (as an intimate friend) and guided him to a Straight Path (Islamic Monotheism, neither Judaism or Christianity). We gave him good in this world and in the Hereafter he shall be of the righteous. Then, We have inspired you (O Muhammad saying): "Follow the religion of Abraham Hanifan (Islamic Monotheism to worship none but Allah) and he was not of the Mushrikeen (polytheists, pagans, idolaters, disbeliveers in the Oneness of Allah and His Messenger Muhammad, those who worship others along with Allah or set up rivals with or partners to Allah)." (Ch 16:119-123 Quran)
www.imanway1.com after reading the story from this website on 11th of july 2010.
HAZRAT AYOUB PROPHET PBUH
The stories of prophet by Imam ibni kathir translated by muhammad mustapha al gemea azhar.
story of Hazrat Ayoub sabi PBUH(Job)Ibn Ishaaq stated that he was a man of Rum. His name was Job, Ibn Mose, Ibn Razeh, Ibn Esau, Ibn Isaac (pbuh), Ibn Abraham (pbuh). Someone else said he was Job, Ibn Mose, Ibn Rimil, Ibn Esau, Ibn Isaac. There have also been other statements on his lineage. Ibn Asaker narrated that his mother was a daughter of Lot (pbuh). It was said, also that his father was one who believed in Abraham (pbuh) when he was cast into the fire.
The first opinion is the most plausible, because he was a descendant of Abraham's offspring as Allah Almighty declared: "That was Our proof which We gave Abraham against his people. We raise whom We will in degrees. Certainly your Lord is All-Wise, All Knowing. And We bestowed upon him Isaac and Jacob, each of them We guided and before him, We guided Noah, and among his progeny David, Solomon, Job, Joseph, Moses, and Aaron. Thus do We reward the good doers. (Ch 6:83-84)
Allah the Almighty praised His worshipper Job in His Glorious Quran: Truly! We found him patient. How excellent a slave! Verily, he was ever oft returning in repentance to Us! (Ch 38:44)
Job (pbuh) was repentant, remembering Allah with thankfulness, patience, and steadfastness. This was the cause of his rescue and the secret of Allah's praising him.
A group of angels were discussing Allah's other human creatures, how those who were humble earned Allah's pleasure, while those who were arrogant incurred His displeasure. One of the angels remarked: "The best creature on earth today is Job, a man of noble character who displays great patience and always remembers his Generous Lord. He is an excellent model for the worshippers of Allah. In return, his Lord has blessed him with a long life and plenty of servants, as well as the needy and the poor share in his good fortune; he feeds and clothes the poor and buys slaves to set them free. He makes those who receive his charity feel as if they are favoring him so kind and gentle is he."
Iblis overhearing all of this, became annoyed. He planned to tempt Job to corruption and disbelief, so he hastened to him. He tried to distract Job from his prayers by whispering him about the good things in life but Job was a true believer and would not let evil thoughts tempt him. This disturbed Iblis even more; thus he began to hate Job even more.
Iblis complained to Allah about Job. He said that although he was continuously glorifying Allah he was not doing so out of his sincerity but to satisfy Allah so that his wealth should not be taken away. It was all a show, all out of greed. "If You remove his wealth then You will find that his tongue will no longer mention Your name and his praying will stop."
Allah told Iblis that Job was one of His most sincere devotees. He did not worship Him because of the favors; his worship stemmed from his heart and had nothing to do with material things. But to prove to Iblis the depth of Job's sincerity and patience, Allah allowed him to do whatever he and his helpers wished with Job's wealth.
Iblis was very happy. he gathered his helpers and set about destroying Job's cattle, servants and farms until he was left with no possessions. Rubbing his hands in glee, Iblis appeared before Job in the guise of a wise old man and said to him: "All your wealth is lost, some people say that it is because you gave too much charity and that you are wasting your time with your continuous prayers to Allah. Others say that Allah has brought this upon you in order to please your enemies. If Allah had the capacity to prevent harm, then He would have protected your wealth."
True to his belief, Job replied: "What Allah has taken away from me belongs to Him. I was only its trustee for awhile. He gives to whom He wills and withholds from whom He wills." With these words, Job again prostrated to his Lord.
When Iblis saw this, he felt frustrated, so he again addressed Allah: "I have stripped Job of all his possessions, but he still remains grateful to You. However he is only hiding his disappointment, for he places great store by his many children. The real test of a parent is through his children. You will see how Job will reject You."
Allah granted Iblis authority but warned him that it would not reduce Job' faith in His Lord nor his patience.
Iblis again gathered his helpers and set about his evil deeds. He shook the fountain of the house in which Job's children were living and sent the building crashing, killing all of them. Then he went to Job disguised as a man who had come to sympathize with him. In a comforting tone he said to Job: "The circumstances under which your children died were sad. Surely, your Lord is not rewarding you properly for all your prayers." Having said this, Iblis waited anxiously hoping Job was now ready to reject Allah.
But again Job disappointed him by replying: "Allah sometimes gives and sometimes takes. He is sometimes pleased and sometimes displeased with our deeds. Whether a thing is beneficial or harmful to me, I will remain firm in my belief and remain thankful to my Creator." then Job prostrated to his Lord. At this Iblis was extremely vexed.
Iblis called on Allah. "O my Lord, Job's wealth is gone, his children are dead, and he is still healthy in body, and as long as he enjoys good health he will continue to worship You in the hope of regaining his wealth and producing more children. Grant me authority over his body so that I may weaken it. He will surely neglect worshipping You an will thus become disobedient."
Allah wanted to teach Iblis a lesson that Jo was a devoted servant of his Lord so He granted Iblis his 3rd request but placed a condition: "I give you authority over his body but not over his soul, intellect or heart, for in these places reside the knowledge of Me and My religion."
Armed with this new authority, Iblis began to take revenge on Job's body and filled it with disease until it was reduced to mere skin and bone and he suffered severe pain. But through all the suffering Job remained strong in his faith, patiently bearing all the hardships without complaining. Allah's righteous servant did not despair or turn to others for help but remained hopeful of Allah's mercy. Even close relatives and friends deserted him. Only his kind, loving wife stayed with him. In his hour of need, she showered her kindness on him and cared for him. She remained his sole companion and comforter through the many years of suffering.
Ibn Asaker narrated: "Job was a man having much wealth of all kinds; beats, slaves, sheep, vast lands of Haran and many children. All those favors were taken from him and he was physically afflicted as well. Never a single organ was sound except his heart and tongue, with both of which he glorified Allah, the Almighty all the time day and night. His disease lasted for a long time until his visitors felt disgusted with him. His friends kept away from him and people abstained from visiting him. No one felt sympathy for him except his wife. She took good care of him, knowing his former charity and pity for her."
Therefore Iblis became desperate. He consulted his helpers, but they could not advise him. They asked : "How is it that your cleverness cannot work against Job, yet you succeeded in misleading Adam the father of man, out of Paradise?"
Iblis went to Job's wife in the form of a man. "Where is your husband?" he asked her.
She pointed to an almost lifeless form crumbled on the bed and said: "There he is, suspended between life and death."
Iblis reminded her of the days, when Job had good health, wealth and children. Suddenly, the painful memory of years of hardship overcame her, and she burst into tears. She said to Job: "How long are you going to bear this torture from our Lord? Are we to remain without wealth, children or friends forever? Why don't you call upon Allah to remove this suffering?"
Job sighed, and in a soft voice replied : "Iblis must have whispered to you and made you dissatisfied. Tell me how long did I enjoy good health and riches?"
She replied: "80 years."
Then Job replied: "How long am I suffering like this?"
She said: "7 years."
Job then told her: "In that case I am ashamed to call on my Lord to remove the hardship, for I have not suffered longer than the years of good health and plenty. It seems your faith has weakened and you are dissatisfied with the fate of Allah. If I ever regain health, I swear I will punish you with a hundred strokes! From this day onward, I forbid myself to eat or drink anything by your hand. Leave me alone and let my Lord do with me as He pleases."
Crying bitterly and with a heavy heart, she had no choice but to leave him and seek shelter elsewhere. In this helpless sate, Job turned to Allah, not to complain but to seek His mercy: "Verily! distress has seized me and You are the Most Merciful of all those who show mercy." so We answered his call, and we removed the distress that was on him, and We restored his family to him (that he had lost), and the like thereof along with them as a mercy from Ourselves and a Reminder for all who worship Us." (Ch 21:83-84)
Almighty Allah also instructed: "Remember Our slave Job, when he invoked His Lord saying: "Verily! Satan has touched me with distress (by losing my health) and torment (by losing my wealth)!" Allah said to him: "Strike the ground with your foot: This is a spring of water to wash in and cool and a refreshing drink." And We gave him back his family, and along with them the like thereof as a Mercy from Us, and a reminder for those who understand. (Ch 38:41-43)
Job obeyed and almost immediately his good health was restored. Meanwhile, his faithful wife could not longer bear to be parted from her husband and returned to him to beg his forgiveness, desiring to serve him. On entering her house, she was amazed at the sudden change: Job was again healthy! She embraced him and thanked Allah for His mercy.
Job was not worried, for he had taken an oath to punish her with a hundred strokes if he had regained health but he had no desire to hurt her. He knew if he did not fulfill the oath, he would be guilty of breaking a promise to Allah. Therefore in His wisdom and mercy, Allah came to the assistance of His faithful servant and advised him: "take in your hand a bundle of thin grass and strike therewith your wife, and break not your oath." Truly! We found him patient. How excellent a slave! Verily, he was ever oft returning in repentance to Us!" (Ch 38:44)
Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: "While Job was naked, taking a bath, a swarm of gold locusts fell on him, and he started collecting them in his garment. His Lord called him: "O Job! Have I not made you too rich to need what you see?" He said: "Yes, My Lord! But I cannot shun Your Blessings." (Al Bukhari)
DHUL KIFL
Allah the Almighty declared : Remember Ishmael and Idris and Dhul Kifl, all were from among those who observe patience. (Ch 21:85-86 Quran).
Allah directed: Remember Our slaves, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (all) owners of strength (in worshipping Us) and also of religious understanding. Verily, We did choose them by granting them (a good thing ) the remembrance of the home (in the Hereafter and they used to make the people remember it and also they used to invite the people to obey Allah and to do good deeds for the Hereafter). And they are in Our Sight, verily of the chosen and the best! Remember Ishmael, Elisha, and Dhul Kifl all are among the best. (Ch 38:45-48 Quran).
Ibn Jarir narrated that he was not a prophet but he was a righteous man. He supported his people to suffice their needs and administrated justice among them. That is why he was called Dhul Kifl. (means possessor of, or giving, a double requital or portion)
Scribd
Resurrection).' Allah said: 'You are of those allowed respite.'" (Ch 7:11-15 Quran).
Ibn Jarir reported that Muhammad Ibn sirin said that the first one to reach a conclusion by
reasoning was Iblis and that the sun and moon were not worshiped except through this method.
This means that Iblis tried to compare himself to Adam. He believed that he was more honorable
than Adam. Therefore he abstained from prostrating even though Allah had commanded him to do
so, just as He had commanded the angels.
If an analogy is made we see that Iblis is vain. For indeed clay is better than fire because in it can
be found the qualities of calmness, clemency, perseverance and growth; whereas in fire can be
found heedlessness, insignificance, haste, and incineration.
Iblis tried in vain to justify his refusal:
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"Shall I prostrate to one whom You created from clay?" Iblis said: "See? those whom You have
honored above me, if You give me respite (keep me alive) to the Day of Resurrection, I will
surely seize and mislead his offspring (by sending them astray) all but a few!" (Ch 17:62 Quran).
Adam was following what was happening around him and had feelings of love, awe, and
astonishment. Deep love of Allah,Who had created and glorified him and Who had made His
angels prostrate before him. Awe of the Creator's wrath when He excluded Iblis from His mercy.
Adam was surprised by this creature, Iblis who abhorred him without even knowing him and who
imagined himself better than Adam without having proved that he was worthier. What a strange
creature Iblis was, and how strange was his excuse for not prostrating!
He imagined that fire is better than clay, but how did he get such an idea? Such knowledge is
exclusive to Allah Who created fire and clay and Who knows which is the better of the two.
From the dialogue Adam realized that Iblis was a creature characterized by cunning and
ingratitude. He then knew that Iblis was his eternal enemy. He was greatly astonished at Iblis's
audacity and Allah's tolerance. Immediately after his creation Adam witnessed the large amount of
freedom that Allah gives to His commissioned creatures.
Allah knew that Iblis was not going to obey Him in prostrating before Adam. Allah could have
totally annihilated him or turned him into a handful of dust or stifled the refusal in his mouth. Yet,
Allah gives His commissioned creatures absolute freedom even to the extent that they can refuse Allah the Almighty's commands. He grants them the freedom of denial, disobedience, and even disagreement with Him. His kingdom will not diminish if the disbelievers do not believe in Him nor will it be extended if many people believe in Him. On the contrary, the disbelievers will lose, and the believers will gain but Allah is above all of that.
There were many traditions about Iblis at the time of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Ibn Masud, Ibn Abbas and a group of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said that Iblis had been the head of the angels in the worldly heavens. Ibn Abbas said in one narration that his name had been Azazil and in another narration he said it had been Al Harith. Ibn Abbas also said that Iblis was a jinn and that they had once been the keepers of Paradise, with Iblis the most honorable and the most learned and the most pious of them. Another tradition says that he had been one of the famous four possessors of wings (angels), before Allah transformed him into the accursed
Satan.
Allah Almighty recounts Iblis's disobedience in another surah:
"Remember when your Lord said to the angels: 'Truly I am going to create man from clay. So
when I have fashioned him and breathed into him (his) soul created by Me, then you fall down
prostrate to him.' So the angels prostrated themselves all of them; except Iblis, he was proud and
was one of the disbelievers."
Allah said: "The truth is, and the truth I say, that I will fill Hell with you and those of them
(mankind) that follow you together." (Ch 38:71-85 Quran).
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The Reason for Adam's Creation
After this lesson about freedom Adam learned another lesson, one about knowledge. Adam
realized that Iblis was the symbol of evil in the universe and that the angels were the symbol of
good. However he did not yet know anything about himself. Then Allah made him perceive his
true identity and the reason for his creation, and the secret of his glorification.
Allah the Exalted said: "He taught Adam all the names of everything". (Ch 2:31 Quran).
Teaching Adam
Almighty Allah granted Adam the power to know the natures of all things and to summarize them
by names; that is a bird, that is a star, that is a tree, etc Allah implanted in Adam an insatiable need
for and love of knowledge and a desire to bequeath knowledge to his children. This was the
reason for his creation and the secret of his glorification.
After Adam had learned the names of all things, along with their properties and uses, Allah
presented them to the angels and said:
"Tell Me the names of these if you are truthful."(Ch 2:31 Quran)
The angels admitted their inability:
"Glory be to You, we have knowledge except what You have taught us. Verily it is You the All
Knower, the All Wise." (Ch 2:32)
Allah Almighty then turned to Adam:
"O Adam! Inform them of their names," and when he had informed them of their names, He said:
'Did I not tell you that I know the unseen in the heavens and the earth, and I know what you
reveal and what you have been hiding?'" (Ch 2:33).
Allah wanted the angels to know that He knew of their astonishment when He had told them
about the creation of Adam and that He also knew of their confusion which they had not revealed,
as well as what Iblis had concealed of his disobedience and ingratitude.
The angels realized that Adam was the creature who knew what they did not know and that his
capacity to learn was his noblest quality. His knowledge included knowledge of the Creator which
we call faith or Islam, as well as the knowledge he would need to inhabit and master the earth. All
kinds of worldly knowledge which are included in this.
Adam knew the names of everything. Sometimes he talked to the angels, but they were
preoccupied with worshipping Almighty Allah. Therefore Adam, felt lonely. One day he slept and
when he awoke he found near his head, a woman gazing at his face with beautiful tender eyes.
The angels asked him her name he replied: "Eve (Hawa)." (means living things). They asked:
"Why did you call her Eve?" Adam said: "Because she was created of me and I am a living being."
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Adam Sees Eve
Ibn Abbas and a group of companions of the Prophet (PBUH) narrated that when Iblis was sent
out of Paradise and Adam was accommodated therein, Adam was alone in Paradise and did not
have a partner from whom he could get tranquility. He slept for some time and when he woke up,
he saw a woman whom Allah had created from his ribs. So he asked her, "Who are you? She
replied, "A woman" He asked: "Why have you been created?" She said :"So that you could find
tranquility in me." The angels, trying to find out the extent of his knowledge, asked him: "What is
her name, O Adam?" He replied, "Eve". They asked: "Why was she so named?" He replied, "
Because she was created from something living."
Eve's Creation
Muhammad Ibn Ishaaq and Ibn Abbas related that Eve was created from the shortest left rib of Adam while he was sleeping and after awhile she was clothed with flesh. That is why Allah the Exalted said:
"O Mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam) and from
Him (Adam) He created his wife (Eve), and from them both He created many men and women.
(Ch 4:1)
Allah also said:
"It is he Who has created you from a single person (Adam) and then He created from him his
wife (Eve), in order that he might enjoy the pleasure of living with her."(Ch 7:189).
Establishing the Islamic Greeting
Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: "O Muslims! I advise you to be gentle with women, for they are created from a rib, and the most crooked portion of the rib is its upper part. If you try to straighten it, it will break and if you leave it, it will remain crooked, so I urge you to take care of the women." (Sahih Bukhari).
Allah commanded Adam to dwell in Paradise: "O Adam! Dwell you and your wife in the Paradise
and eat both of you freely with pleasure and delight of things therein as wherever you will, but
come not near this tree or you both will be of the Zalimeen (wrong doers)."(Ch 2:35)
The Location of Adam and Eve's Paradise
The location of this Paradise is unknown to us. The Quran did not reveal it, and the commentators had five different opinions. Some said that it was the paradise of our refuge and that its place was heaven. Others regreted that statement because if it was the paradise of refuge Iblis would have been forbidden admission and disobedience would have been forbidden as well. Still others said that it was another paradise that was created by Allah for Adam and Eve. A fourth group said it was a paradise on the earth located in a high place. Another group of commentators accept what
was in the Quran without questioning where this paradise was located. We agree with this last opinion as the lesson we learn from its location is immaterial compared to the lesson we learn from the events that took place there.
Allah's Warning to Adam and Eve
Adam and eve were admitted to Paradise and there they lived the dream of all human beings.
Allah permitted them to approach and enjoy everything except one tree, that might have been the
Tree of Pain or the Tree of Knowledge. Allah forbade them they were give abode in Paradise.
"But come not near this tree or you both will be of the wrong doers." (Ch 2:35)
Adam's Weakness
Adam and Eve understood that they were forbidden to eat the fruit of that tree. Adam was
however a human being and man tends to forget. His heart changes and his will weakens. Iblis
summoned all the envy within him and took advantage of Adam's humanity to exploit him. He
started to whisper to him day after day, coaxing him: "Shall I guide you to the Tree of
Immortality and the Eternal Kingdom?" He said to them:
"Your Lord did not forbid you this tree save you should become angels or become of the
immortals." He (Satan) swore by Allah to them both saying: "Verily I am one of the sincere well
wishers for you both." (Ch 7:20-21)
Adam asked himself: "What will happen if I eat from this tree? It might truly be the Tree of
Immortality." His dream was to live forever in the pure innocence of Paradise."
Years went by, and Adam and Eve were preoccupied with thoughts of that tree. Then one day
they decided to eat of its fruit. They forgot that Allah had warned them not to approach it and
that Iblis was their sworn enemy. Adam stretched out his hand, picked one of the fruits and
offered it to Eve. They both ate of the forbidden tree.
Allah Almighty told us: "So he (Satan) misled them with deception." (Ch 7:22)
Allah said: "Thus did Adam disobey his Lord so he went astray." (Ch 20:121).
According to the old Testament, Eve was tempted by the serpent to eat of the forbidden tree. She ate because of the words of the serpent and fed Adam some of it. At that moment, their eyes were opened to the fact that they were naked, and they took the leaves of the fig tree to cover
themselves. Wahb Ibn Munabah said that their clothing (before their sin) was made of light on the
private parts of both of them.This story in the Old Testament is a falsification and deception.
Allah the Almighty revealed:
"O Children of Adam! Let not Satan deceive you, as he got your parents (Adam and Eve) out of
Paradise stripping them of their rainments; to show them their private parts. Verily he and
Qabiluhu (his soldiers from the jinn or his tribe) see you from where you cannot see them.
Verily, We made the devils (protectors and helpers) for those who believe not." (Ch 7:27)
Adam had hardly finished eating when he felt his heart contract, and he as filled with pain,
sadness and shame. The surrounding atmosphere had changed and the internal music had stopped. He discovered that he and his wife were naked, so they both started cutting tree leaves with which to cover themselves.
Condensed Story of Adam and Allah's Promise
Allah the Almighty addressed him:
"Did I not forbid you that tree and tell you: Verily Satan is an open enemy unto you?" They said:
"Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You forgive us not, and bestow not upon us Your
Mercy, we shall certainly be of the losers." Allah said; "Get down, one of you an enemy to the
other (Adam, Eve, and Satan etc). On earth will be a dwelling place for you and an enjoyment,
for a time." He said: "Therein you shall live and therein you shall die, and from it you shall be
brought out (resurrected)."( 7: 22- 25) .
Again there are old stories about these events. Al Hafez Ibn Asaker narrated that Allah
commanded two angels to remove Adam from His holy proximity. So Gabriel stripped him of the
crown on his head, and Michael took the diadem from his forehead. Adam thought that his
punishment had been hastened and bowed down crying; "Forgiveness! Forgiveness!" so Allah
asked: "Are you running away from Me?" Adam replied, "No, my Lord, but I am shy of You."
Abdul Rahman Ibn Amru Al - Awza'iy said that Adam spent 100 years in Paradise. In another
narration it was said he spent 60 years. Ibn Asaker reported that Adam wept for 60 years for his
loss of Paradise and 70 years for his mistake, and he wept for another 70 years when his son was
killed. They left Paradise and descended upon the earth. Adam was sad and Eve was crying. Allah
accepted their repentance because it was sincere and He told them that the earth would be their
realm and origin where they would live and die and whence they would come on the Day of
Judgment.
Allah the Almighty recounted this third lesson Adam learned in Paradise:
"Indeed We made a covenant with Adam before, but he forgot, and We found on his part no firm
will power. Remember when We said to the angels "Prostrate yourselves to Adam." They
prostrated (all) except Iblis, who refused. then We said: "O Adam! verily, this is an enemy to you
and to your wife. so let him not get you both out of Paradise, so that you be distressed in misery.
Verily, you have (a promise from Us) that you will never be hungry therein nor naked. And you
will suffer not from thrist therein nor from the sun's heat."
then Satan whispered to him, saying "O Adam! Shall I lead you to the Tree of Eternity and to a
kingdom that will never waste away?" Then they both ate of that tree, and so their private parts
appeared to them, and they began to stick on themselves the leaves from Paradise for their
covering. Thus did Adam disobey his Lord, so he went astray. Then his Lord chose him, and
turned to him with forgiveness and gave him guidance.
Allah said: "Get you down (upon the earth), both of you, together from Paradise, some of you
are an enemy to some others. THen if there comes to you guidance from Me, then whoever
follows My Guidance shall neither go astray, nor fall into distress and misery. But whosoever
turns away from My Reminder (neither believes in this Quran nor acts on its orders etc). Verily,
for him is a life of hardship and We shall raise him up blind on the Day of Resurrection."
He will say: "O my Lord! Why have you raised me up blind, while I had sight before." Allah will
said: "like this, Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc). came unto
you, but you disregarded them (you left them, did not think deeply in them, and you turned away
from them), and so this Day, you will be neglected in the Hellfire, away from Allah's Mercy.)"
And thus do We requite him who transgresses beyond bounds (commits the great sins and
disobeys his Lord (allah) and believes not in His Messengers, and His revealed Books, like this
Quran etc), and believes not in the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations,
etc). of his Lord, and the torment of the Hereafter is far more severe and more lasting." (Ch 20:115-127)
Commentary: Why Adam and Eve Descended
Some people believe that the reason why mankind does not dwell in Paradise is that Adam was
disobedient and that if it had not been for this sin, we could have been there all along. These are
naive fictions because when Allah wanted to create Adam, He said to the angels, "I shall make a
vicegerent on the earth." He did not say, "I shall make a vicegerent in Paradise."
Adam's descent on earth, then, was not due to degradation but rather it was dignified descent.
Allah knew that Adam and Eve would eat of the tree and descend to earth. He knew that Satan
would rape their innocence. That experience was essential for their life on earth; it was a
cornerstone of their vicegerency. It was meant to teach Adam, Eve, and their progeny that it was
Satan who had caused them to be expelled from Paradise and that the road to Paradise can only
be reached by obedience to Allah and enmity to Satan.
Commentary: Adam's Free Will
Could it be said that Adam and the rest of mankind were predestined to sin and to be expelled
from Paradise and sent to the earth? In fact, this fiction is as naive as the first one.
Adam complete free will, and he bore the consequences of his deed. He disobeyed by eating of the
forbidden tree, so Allah dismissed him from Paradise. His disobedience does not negate his
freedom. On the contrary it is a consequence of it.
The truth of the matter is that Allah knew what was going to happen, as He always know the
outcome of events before they take place. However Allah does not force things to happen. He
grants free will to His human creatures. On that He bases His supreme wisdom in populating the
earth, establishing the vicegerents, and so on.
Adam understood his 3rd lesson. He knew now in a practical way that Iblis was his enemy, the
cause of his losing the blessing of living in Paradise, and the cause of his distress. Adam also
understood that Allah punishes disobedience and that the way of Paradise has to be through
submission to the will of Allah. And he learned from Allah Almighty to ask for forgiveness.
Allah accepted Adam's repentance and forgave him. He then sent him to the earth as His first messenger.
Encounter Between Adam and Moses (PBUT) - Hadith
Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger (PBUH) said: "Adam and Moses argued with each
other. Moses said to Adam: 'Your sin expelled you from Paradise.' Adam said: ' You are Moses
whom Allah selected as His messenger and as the one to whom He spoke directly. Yet you blame
me for a thing which had already been written in my fate before my Creation?" Allah's Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH) said twice, "So Adam outclassed Moses." (Sahih Bukhari).
Umar Ibn Al Khattab also narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: "Moses (PBUH)
said: 'My Lord! May I see Adam who removed us and himself from the Paradise?" So Allah made
him see Adam and he said to him: "Are you Adam?" Adam said: "Yes." And he said "Were you
the one in Whom Allah breathed His spirit and before whom He bowed His angels and to whom
He taught the names of all things?" Adam answered: "Yes." So Moses said: "What made you
remove us and yourself from Paradise.?" Adam said: "Who are you?" Moses said: "I am Moses."
Adam said: "So you are Moses the prophet of the Children of Israel. Were you the one Allah
spoke to directly?" Moses answered "Yes." Adam said: "Why do you blame me for a matter
which Allah had predestined?" So Allah’s Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said twice. "Adam
outclassed Moses." (Sahih al Bukhari).
Variation of Where Adam, Eve, and Iblis Descended
There are many traditions concerning the place of Adam's descent upon earth. Ibn Abi Hatim
narrated that Ibn Abbas said: "Adam descended on land 'Dihna' between Mecca and Taif." Al -
Hassan said that Adam descended in India and Eve in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), Iblis Bodistiman
(Iraq), and the serpent in Ashahan (Iran). This last was also reported by Ibn Hatim.
Ass'ady related that Adam descended with the Black Stone (a large black stone set into the wall of
the ka'ba in Mecca. It is said to have come from Paradise) in India, and he had a handful of the
seeds of Paradise. He sowed them in India and they grew into the fragrant tree therein.
Ibn Umar said that Adam descended on As-Safa and Eve on Al Marwa ( names of two mountains
in the vicinity of the sacred house in Mecca. Part of the rites of pilgrimage (hajj) includes pacing
between these two hills in commemoration of Hajar's search for water). This was also reported by
Ibn Hatim. Abdul Razzaq reported that Abi Musa Al-shari said that when Allah ordered Adam to
descend from Paradise to earth, He taught him the making of everything and provided him with
the crops from Paradise.
Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: "The best of days on which the
sun has risen is Friday. One this day Adam was created, and on this day he was descended to
earth." (al Bukhari)
Adam's Life on Earth
Adam knew he bade farewell to peace and he left Paradise. On earth he had to face conflict and struggle. No sooner had one ended than another began. He also had to toil to sustain himself. He had to protect himself with clothes and weapons and protect his wife and children from the wild beasts.
Above all, he had to struggle with the spirit of evil. Satan, the cause of his expulsion from
Paradise, continued to beguile him and his children in an effort to have them thrown into the
eternal hellfire. The battle between good and evil is continuous, but those who follow Allah's
guidance and should fear nothing while those who disobey Allah and follow Iblis will be damned
along with him.
Adam grasped all of this and with the knowledge of this suffering he started his life on the earth. The only thing that allowed his grief was that he was master of the earth and had to make it yield to him. He was the one who had to perpetuate, cultivate and construct and populate the earth. He
was also the one who had to procreate and raise children who would change and improve the world.
The First Four Children
The pinnacle of earthly bliss was reached when Adam and Eve witnessed the birth of their first
children, a set of twins. Adam was a devoted father and Eve a contented mother. The twins were
Cain (Qabil) and his sister. Later Eve gave birth to a second set of twins, Abel (Habil) and his
sister. The family enjoyed the bounties and fruits of the earth provided by their Lord. The children
grew up to be strong and healthy young adults. Cain tilled the land while Abel raised cattle.
Cain's Disobedience
The time arrived when the two young men desired life partners. This was part of Allah’s plan for
mankind, to multiply and form nations with different cultures and colors. Allah revealed to Adam
that he should marry each son to the twin sister of the other. Adam instructed his children
according to Allah's command, but Cain was displeased with the partner chosen for him, for
Abel's twin sister was not as beautiful as his own.
Commentary: Cain's Disobedience
It appears that since the beginning of time, physical beauty has been a factor in the attraction between man and women. This attraction caused Cain to envy his brother Abel. He rebelled against Allah's command by refusing to accept his father's advice.
At first glance Cain's rebellion might appear strange, but we should remember that although man
has a pure nature, the potential for dichotomy exists. In other words, he had both good and bad
qualities. He can become greedy, covetous, possessive, selfish and even destructive. Man is,
therefore capable of seeking self-satisfaction even if it leads to failure in this life and in the
hereafter. The path to goodness lies in harnessing the enemy within him, his baser self by
controlling evil thoughts and deeds and practicing moderation in his desires and actions. His
reward then will be the delights of this world and the hereafter. Thus Allah tests us through our
divided nature.
Cain's Jealousy of Abel
Adam was in a dilemma. He wanted peace and harmony in his family, so he invoked Allah for
help. Allah commanded that each son offer a sacrifice, and he whose offering was accepted would
have right on his side. Abel offered his best camel while Cain offered his worst grain. His sacrifice
was not accepted by Allah because of his disobedience to his father and the insincerity in his
offering. This enraged Cain even further. Realizing that his hopes marrying his own beautiful sister
were fading, he threatened his brother. "I will kill you! I refuse to see you happy while I remain
unhappy!"
Abel feeling sorry for his brother, replied, "It would be more proper for you, my brother to search for the cause of your unhappiness and then walk in the way of peace. Allah accepts the deeds only from those who serve and fear Him, not from those who reject His Commands."
The First Death
Abel was intelligent, obedient, and always ready to obey the will of Allah. This contrasted sharply
with his brother who was arrogant, selfish and disobedient to his Lord. Abel did not fear his
brother's threats, but neither did he want his brother to be hurt, Allah had blessed Abel with purity
and compassion.
Hoping to allay the hatred seething in his brother Abel said, " My brother, you are deviating from
the right path and are sinful in your decisions. It is better that you repent to Allah and forget about
your foolish threat. But if you do not then I will leave the matter in the hands of Allah. You alone
will bear the consequence of your sin, for the Fire is the reward of the wrong-doers."
This brotherly plea did nothing to lessen the hatred in Cain's heart, nor did he show fear of Allah's
punishment. Even familial considerations were cast aside. Cain struck his brother with a stone
killing him instantly. This was the first death and the first criminal act committed by man on earth.
When Abel had not appeared for some time, Adam began to search for him but found no trace of
his beloved son. He asked Cain about Abel's whereabouts. Cain insolently replied that he was not
his brother's keeper nor his protector. From these words his father understood that Abel was dead
and Adam was filled with grief.
The First Burial
Meanwhile Cain did not know what to do with his brother's corpse. He carried it on his back
wandering from place to place trying to hide it. His anger had now subsided and his conscience
was saddled with guilt. He was tiring under the burden of the corpse which had started to have a
stench. As a mercy, and to show that dignity could be retained even in death, Allah sent two
ravens that began fighting, causing the death of one. The victorious bird used its beak and claws
to dig a hole in the ground, rolled its victim into it and covered it with sand.
Witnessing this, Cain was overcome with shame and remorse. "Woe unto me!" he exclaimed. "I
was unable to do what this raven has done, that is to hide my brother's corpse." Cain then buried
his brother. This was also the first burial of man.
Allah the Almighty revealed:
" And (O Muhammad) recite to them (the Jews) the story of the two sons of Adam (Abel and
Cain) in truth; when each offered a sacrifice to Allah, it was accepted from the one but not from
the other. The latter said to the former; "I will surely kill you."
The former said: "Verily Allah accepts only from those who are Al Muttaqeen (the pious). If you
do stretch your hand against me to kill me I shall never stretch my hand against you to kill you,
for I fear Allah; the Lord of the Alameen (mankind, jinn, and all that exists). Verily I intend to
let you draw my sin onyourself as well as yours then you will be one of the dwellers of the Fire,
and that is the recompense of the Zalimeen (polytheists, and wrongdoers)."
So the self of the other (latter one) encouraged him and made fair seeming to him the murder of
his brother; he murdered him and became one of the losers. Allah sent a crow who scratched the
ground to show him to hide the dead body of his brother. He (the murderer) said: "Woe to me!
Am I not even able to be as this crow and to hide the dead body of my brother?" Then he became
one of those who regretted. (Ch 5:27-31).
The First Murder - from Various Hadith
Ibn Abbas, Ibn Masud and a group of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) related
that inter-marriage of the male of one pregnancy with the female of another had been in practice
among Adam's children. Abel wanted to marry Cain's sister, but Cain wanted her for himself
because she was very beautiful. Adam ordered him to give her in marriage to his brother but he
refused. So Adam ordered both of them to offer a sacrifice, then went to Mecca to perform the
pilgrimage. After Adam had left, they offered their sacrifices; Abel offered a fat lamb, he was a
shepherd, while Cain offered a bundle of worst grain. Fire descended and devoured Abel's
sacrifice, leaving that of Cain so he became angry and said: "I will surely kill you so that you will
not marry my sister." Abel replied, "Allah accepts from those who fear Him."
According to Abu Ja'afar al Baqer, Adam was watching their offering and was sure that Abel's
sacrifice would be accepted. Cain complained to Adam that the acceptance was due to his
supplication for Abel and that he had not done the same for him, so he promised his father to
settle the matter between himself and his brother. One night, Abel was late returning from tending
his flock. Adam sent Cain to see what happened to him. When he found him, he glared at him
saying: "Yours was accepted, and mine was not." Abel replied, "Allah only accepts from the
Allah-fearing." Cain became angry on hearing this and hit him with a piece of iron that was with
him and thus killing him. In another version it was said that he killed him with a rock to the head
while he was sleeping.
Adam Preaches to His Children
Adam was utterly grief stricken by the loss of his two sons. One was dead, the other was won
over by the devil. Adam prayed for his son and turned to mundane matters for he had to toil for his sustenance. At the same time he was a prophet advising his children and grandchildren, telling them about Allah and calling them to believe in Him. He told them about Iblis and warned them by recounting his own experience with the devil and of how the devil had tempted Cain to kill his brother.
Adam's Successor, Seth
Years and years passed, Adam grew old and his children spread all over the earth. Muhammad Ibn
Ishaq related that when Adam's death drew near, he appointed his son Seth to be his successor
and taught him the hours of the day and night along with their appropriate acts of worship. He
also foretold to him the floor that would come.
Abu Dhar narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: "Allah sent down 104 psalms, of
which 50 were sent down to Seth."
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Adam's Death
Abdullah Ibn Al Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal narrated that Ubai Ibn Kab said: "When Adam's death
was near, he said to his children: "O my children, indeed I feel an appetite for the fruits of
Paradise."
So they went away searching for what Adam had requested. They met with the angels, who had
with them his shroud and what he was to be embalmed with. They said to them: "O Children of
Adam, what are you searching for? What do you want? Where are you going?"
They said: "Our father is sick and has an appetite for the fruits of Paradise."
The angels said to them: "Go back, for your father is going to meet his end soon."
So they returned (with the angels) and when Eve saw them she recognized them. She tried to hide
herself behind Adam. He said to her. "Leave me alone. I came before you; do not go between me
and the angels of my Lord." So they took his soul, embalmed and wrapped him, dug the grave and
laid him in it. They prayed on him and put him in his grave, saying: "O Children of Adam, this is
your tradition at the time of death.""
Before his death Adam reassured his children that Allah would not leave man alone on the earth,
but would sent His prophets to guide them. The prophets would have different names, traits and
miracles, but they would be united in one thing; the call to worship Allah alone. This was Adam's
bequest to his children. Adam finished speaking and closed his eyes. Then the angels entered his
room and surrounded him. When he recognized the Angel of Death among them, his heart smiled peacefully.
Successor After Adam
After Adam's death, his soth Seth (Shiith) took over the responsibilities of prophethood,
according to a hadith narrated by Abu Dhar. Abu Dhar narrated that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
said: "Allah sent down one hundred and four psalms, of which fifty were sent down to Seth."
(Sahih al Bukhari) When the time of his death came Seth's son Anoush succeeded him. He in turn,
was succeeded by his son Qinan, who was succeeded by Mahlabeel. The Persians claim that
Mahlabeel was the King of the Seven Regions, that he was the first one to cut down trees to build
cities and large forts and that he built the cities of Babylonia. He reigned for a period of forty
years. When he died his duties were taken ov er by his son Yard, who on his death, bequeathed
them to his son Khonoukh, who is Idris (pbuh) according to the majority of the scholars.
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Prophet Idris (Enoch)
Allah has praised Enoch, describing him as being a prophet and truthful:
"Mention in the Book (Quran) Idris (Enoch). Verily! He was a man of truth (and) a prophet. We
raised him to a high station". (Ch 19:56-57 Quran).
Birth and Teachings
Enoch was born and raised in Babylon following the teachings and religion of Prophet Adam
(pbuh) and his son Seth (pbuh). Enoch was the 5th generation of the Prophet Adam. He called the
people back to his forefathers religion, but only a few listened to him, while the majority turned
away.
Prophet Enoch and his followers left Babylon for Egypt. There he carried on his mission, calling
people to what is just and fair, teaching them certain prayers and instructing them to fast on
certain days and to give a portion of their wealth to the poor.
The Wise Sayings of Prophet Enoch
He was the first of the Children of Adam to be given prophethood after Adam and Seth (peace
upon them). It is reported that he was the 1st to invent the basic form of writing. Some of his wise
sayings are:
"Happy is he who looks at his own deeds and appoints them as pleaders to his Lord."
"None can show better gratitude for Allah's favors than he who shares them with others."
"Do not envy people for what they have as they will only enjoy it for a short while."
"He who indulges in excess will not benefit from it."
"The real joy of life is to have wisdom."
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Prophet Nuh (Noah)
Variation on the Birth of Noah
He was Noah Ibn Lamik, Ibn Mitoshilkh, Ibn Enoch, Ibn yard, Ibn Mahlabeel, Ibn Qinan, Ibn
Anoush, Ibn Seth, Ibn Adam the Father of Mankind (PBUH). According to the history of the
People of the Book, (refers to the Jews, and Christians, so called by Allah because they received
Revealed Books, Taurat, Zabur and Injeel. These names are translated 'Torah, Psalms, and
Gospels' respectively, but the books that are extent are corrupt. Of the Revealed Books, ONLY
the Quran remains exactly as it was revealed).
The period between the birth of Noah and the death of Adam was 146 years. (According to
Genesis 5 (new Revised Standard Version), Noah was born one hundred and twenty six years
after the death of Adam. Ibn Abbas narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: "The
period between Adam and Noah was ten centuries." (Sahih Bukhari, Noah was born 1056 years
after Adam's creation (or after he left the Garden of Eden). Thus, this hadith does not contradict
the previous statement from the People of the Book as it may first appear to do. The reader
should keep in mind, however that any statement or narratives taken from the People of the Book
are not necessarily credible. This was taken from Genesis 5).
Noah's People - Idolaters
For many generations Noah's people had been worshipping statues that they called gods. They
believed that these gods would bring them good, protect them from evil and provide all their
needs. They gave their idols names such as Waddan, Suwa'an, Yaghutha, Ya'auga, and Nasran,
(These idols represented, respectively, manly power; mutability, beauty; brute strength, swiftness,
sharp sight, insight) according to the power they thought these gods possessed.
Allah the Almighty revealed:
"They (idolaters) have said: "You shall not leave your gods nor shall you leave Wadd, nor
Suwa, nor Yaghuth, nor Ya uq nor Nasr (names of the idols)." (CH 71:23 Quran).
Originally these were the names of good people who had lived among them. After their deaths,
statues of them were erected to keep their memories alive. After sometime, however, people
began to worship these statues. Later generations did not even know why they had been erected;
they only knew their parents had prayed to them. That is how idol worshipping developed. Since
they had no understanding of Allah the Almighty Who would punish them for their evil deeds,
they became cruel and immoral.
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Various Hadith describing the Origin of Idolatry
Ibn Abbas explained: "Following upon the death of those righteous men, Satan inspired their
people to erect statues in the places where they used to sit. They did this, but these statues were
not worshiped until the coming generations deviated from the right way of life. Then they
worshipped them as their idols."
In his version, Ibn Jarir narrated: "There were righteous people who lived in the period between Adam and Noah and who had followers who held them as models. After their death, their friends who used to emulate them said: 'If we make statues of them, it will be more pleasing to us in our worship and will remind us of them.' So they built statues of them, and , after they had died and others came after them, Iblis crept into their minds saying:'Your forefathers used to worship them, and through that worship they got rain.' So they worshipped them."
Ibn Abi Hatim related this story: "Waddan was a righteous man who was loved by his people.
When he died, they withdrew to his grave in the land of Babylonia and were overwhelmed by
sadness. When Iblis saw their sorrow caused by his death, he disguised himself in the form of a
man saying: 'I have seen your sorrow because of this man's death; can I make a statue like him
which could be put in your meeting place to make you remember him?' They said: 'Yes.'
So he made the statue like him. They put it in their meeting place in order to be reminded of him.
When Iblis saw their interest in remembering him, he said: 'Can I build a statue of him in the home
of each one of you so that he would be in everyone's house and you could remember him?'
They agreed. Their children learned about and saw what they were doing. They also learned about
their remembrance of him instead of Allah. So the first to be worshipped instead of Allah was
Waddan, the idol which they named thus."
The essence of this point is that every idol from those earlier mentioned was worshipped by a
certain group of people. It was mentioned that people made picture sand as the ages passed they
made these pictures into statues, so that their forms could be fully recognized; afterwards they
were worshipped instead of Allah.
It was narrated that Umm Salmah and Umm Habibah told Allah's Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) about the church called "Maria" which they had seen in the land of Abyssinia. They described its beauty and the pictures therein. He said: "Those are the people who build places of worship on the grave of every dead man who was righteous and then make therein those pictures. Those are the worst of creation unto Allah." (Sahih al Bukhari).
Commentary - Idolatry
Worshipping anything other than Allah is a tragedy that results not only in the loss of freedom; its
serious effect reaches man's mind and destroys it as well. Almighty Allah created man and his
mind with its purpose set on achieving knowledge the most important of which is that Allah alone
is the Creator and all the rest are worshippers (slaves). Therefore, disbelief in Allah, or
polytheism, results in the loss of freedom, the destruction of the mind, and the absence of a noble
target in life. (By worshipping anything other than Allah, man becomes enslaved to Satan, who is
himself a creature and becomes harnessed to his own baser qualities).
Into this environment Allah sent Noah with His message to his people. Noah was the only
intellectual not caught in the whirlpool of man's destruction which was caused by polytheism.
Noah's Reasoning with his People
Allah in His Mercy sent His messenger Noah to guide his people. Noah was an excellent speaker
and a very patient man. He pointed out to his people the mysteries of life and the wonders of the
universe. He pointed out how the night is regularly followed by the day and that the balance
between these opposites were designed by Allah the Almighty for our good. The night gives
coolness and rest while the day gives warmth and awakens activity. The sun encourages growth,
keeping all plants and animals alive, while the moon and stars assist in the reckoning of time,
direction and seasons. He pointed out that the ownership of the heavens and the earth belongs
only to the Divine Creator. Therefore, he explained to this people, there cannot have been more
than one deity. He clarified to them how the devil had deceived them for so long and that the time
had come for this deceit to stop. Noah spoke to them of Allah's glorification of man, how HE had
created him and provided him with sustenance and the blessings of a mind. He told them that idol
worshipping was a suffocating injustice to the mind. He warned them not to worship anyone but
Allah and described the terrible punishment Allah would mete out if they continued in their evil ways.
Division Among Noah's People
The people listened to him in silence. His words were a shock to their stagnating minds as it is a
shock to a person who is asleep under a wall which is about to fall and who is vigorously
awakened. This person may be alarmed and may even become angry although the aim was to save
him.
Noah's people were divided into two groups after his warning. His words touched the hearts of
the weak, the poor, and the miserable and soothed their wounds with its mercy. As for the rich,
the strong, the mighty and the rulers they looked upon the warning with cold distrust. They
believed they would be better off if things stayed as they were. Therefore they started their war of
words against Noah.
The Disbelievers' Arguments
First they accused Noah of being only human like themselves.
“The chiefs of the disbelievers among his people said: "We see you but a man like ourselves."'
(Ch 11:27 Quran)
He, however, had never said anything other than that. He asserted that, indeed, he was only a
human being; Allah had sent a human messenger because the earth was inhabited by humans. If it had been inhabited by angels Allah would have sent an angelic messenger. The contest between the polytheists and Noah continued. the rulers had thought at first that Noah's call would soon fade on its own. When they found that his call attracted the poor, the helpless and common
laborers, they started to verbally attack and taunt him: 'You are only followed by the poor, the
meek and the worthless.'
Allah the Almighty told us:
"Indeed We sent Noah to his people (he said): "I have come to you as a plain Warner that you
worship none but Allah, surely, I fear for you the torment of a painful Day." the chiefs of the
disbeliveers among his people said: "We see you but a man like ourselves, nor do we see any
follow you but the meanest among us and they too followed you without thinking. And we do not
see in you any merit above us in fact we think you are liars." (CH 11:25-27).
The Disbelievers Attempt to Bargain
Thus the conflict between Noah and the heads of his people intensified. The disbeliveers tried to
bargain: "Listen Noah, if you want us to believe in you, then dismiss your believers. They are
meek and poor, while are elite and rich; no faith c an include us both." Noah listened to the
heathens of his community and realized they were being obstinate. However, he was gentle in his
response. He explained to his people that he could not dismiss the believers as they were not his
guests but Allah's. Noah appealed to them:
"O my people! I ask of you no wealth for it, my reward is from none but Allah. I am not going to
drive away those who have believed. Surely, they are going to meet their Lord, but I see that you
are a people that are ignorant. O my people! Who will help me against Allah, if I drove them
away? Will you not then give a thought? And I do not say to you that with me are the Treasures
of Allah nor that I know the unseen, nor do I say I am an angel, and I do not say of those whom
your eyes look down upon that Allah will not bestow any good on them. Allah knows what is in
their inner selves (regards to Belief). In that case, I should, indeed be one of the Zalimeen
(wrongdoers, oppressors etc)." (Ch 11:29-31 Quran)
Noah refuted the arguments of the disbelievers with the noble knowledge of the prophets. It is the
logic of intellect that rids itself of personal pride and interests.
The Disbelievers Remain Ignorant
The rulers were tired of Noah's arguments. Allah the Exalted related their attitude:
They said: "O Noah! You have disputed with us and much have you prolonged the dispute with
us, now bring upon us what you threaten us with, if you are of the truthful." He said: "Only Allah
will bring it (the punishment)on you, if He will, and then you will escape not. And my advice will
not profit you, even if I wish to give you counsel, if Allah's Will is to keep you astray. He is your
Lord! And to Him you shall return." (Ch 11:32-34 Quran)
The battle continued; the arguments between the disbeliveers and Noah became prolonged. When all the refutations of the disbeliveers collapsed and they had no more to say, they began to be rude and insulted Allah's prophet:
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“The leaders of his people said: "Verily, we see you in plain error." (Ch 7:60 Quran)
Noah responded in the manner of the prophets:
"O my people! There is no error in me, but I am a Messenger from the Lord of the Alamin
(mankind, jinn and all that exists)! I convey unto you the Messages of my Lord and give sincere
advice to you. And I know from Allah what you know not." (CH 7:61-62 Quran)
Noah continued appealing to his people to believe in Allah hour after hour, day after day year
after year. He admonished his people and called them to Allah day and night, in secret and openly.
HE gave them examples, explained Allah's signs and illustrated Allah's ability in the formation of
His creatures. But whenever he called them to Allah, they ran away from him. Whenever he urged
them to ask Allah to forgive them, they put their fingers in their ears and became too proud to
listen to the truth.
Noah's Appeal to His People
Allah the Almighty related what Noah faced:
"Verily, We sent Noah to his people saying: "Warn your people before there comes to them a
painful torment." He said: "O my people! Verily, I am a plain Warner to you, that you should
worship Allah alone, be dutiful to Him and obey me, He (Allah) will forgive you of your sins and
respite you to an appointed term. Verily, the term of Allah when it comes, cannot be delayed, if
you but knew."
He said: "O my Lord! Verily, I have called my people night and day (secretly and openly to
accept the doctrine of Islamic Monotheism), but all my calling added nothing but to their flight
from the truth. Verily! Everytime I called unto them that You might forgive them, they thrust
their fingers into their ears, covered themselves up with their garments, and persisted (in their
refusal), and magnified themselves in pride. Then verily, I called to them openly (aloud); then
verily, I proclaimed to them in public, and I have appealed to them in private, I said to them:
'Ask forgiveness from your Lord, Verily, He is Oft Forgiving; He will send rain to you in
abundance, and give you increase in wealth and children, and bestow on you gardens and
bestow on you rivers."
What is the matter with you, that you fear not Allah (His Punishment), and you hope not for
reward from Allah or you believe not in His Oneness. While He has created you in different
stages. (Ch 23:13-14 Quran)
See you not how Allah has created the seven heavens one above another, and has made the moon
a light therein and made the sun a lamp? And Allah has brought you forth from the dust of
earth. Afterwards He will return you into it (the earth), and bring you forth (again on the Day of
Resurrection) Allah has made for you the earth wide spread (an expanse) that you may go about
therein broad roads.
Noah said: "My Lord! They have disobeyed me, and followed one whose wealth and children
give him no increase but only loss. They have plotted a mighty plot. They have said: 'you shall
not leave your gods, nor shall you leave wadd, nor Suwa, nor Yaghuth, nor ya'uq nor Nasr
(names of the idols). Indeed they have led many astray. O Allah! Grant no increase to the
Zalimeen (polytheists, wrongdoers, and disbeliveers etc) save error."
Because of their sins they were drowned, then were made to enter the Fire and they found none
to help them instead of Allah. (Ch 71:1-25 Quran).
The Length of Noah's Preaching
Noah continued to call his people to believe in Allah for nine hundred fifty years. Allah the
Almighty said: Indeed We sent Noah to his people and he stayed among them a thousand years
less fifty years (inviting them to believe in the Oneness of Allah (Monotheism) and discard the
false gods and other deities). (Ch 29:14 Quran)
It happened that every passing generation admonished the succeeding one not to believe Noah
and to wage war against him. the father used to teach his child about the matter that was between
himself and Noah and counsel him to reject his call when he reached adulthood. Their natural
disposition rejected believing and following the truth.
Noah saw that the number of believers was not increasing, while that of the disbeliveers was. He
was sad for his people, but he never reached the point of despair.
Noah Prays for the Disbeliever's End
There came a day when Allah revealed to Noah that no others would believe. Allah inspired him
not to grieve for them at which point Noah prayed that the disbeliveers be destroyed. He said:
"My Lord! Leave not one of the disbeliveers on the earth. If you leave them, they will mislead
Your slaves and they will beget none but wicked disbeliveers." (Ch 71:27 Quran)
Allah accepted Noah's prayer. The case was closed, and He passed His judgment on the
disbeliveers in the form of a flood. Allah the Exalted ordered His worshipper Noah to build an ark
with His knowledge and instructions and with the help of angels. Almighty Allah commanded:
"And construct the ship under Our Eyes and with Our Inspiration and address Me not on behalf
of those who did wrong; they are surely to be drowned." (Ch 11:37 Quran)
Noah Builds the Ark
Noah chose a place outside the city, far from the sea. HE collected wood and tools and began to day and night to build the ark. The people's mockery continued: "O Noah! Does carpentry appeal to you more than prophethood? Why are you building an ark so far from the sea? Are you going to drag it to the water or is the wind going to carry it for you?" Noah replied: "You will come to know who will be put to shame and suffer."
Allah the Almighty narrated:
"As he was constructing the ship, whenever the chiefs of his people passed by him, they made a mockery of him. He said : "If you mock at us, so do we mock at you likewise for your mocking. And you will know who it is on whom will come a torment that will cover him with disgrace and
on whom will fall a lasting torment." (Ch 11:38-39 Quran)
The Flood begins
The ship was constructed, and Noah sat waiting Allah's command. Allah revealed to him that
when water miraculously gushed forth from the oven at Noah's house, that would be the sign of
the start of the flood, and the sign for Noah to act.
The terrible day arrived when the oven at Noah's house overflowed. Noah hurried to open the ark and summon the believers. He also took with him a pair, male and female, of every type of animal, bird and insect. Seeing him taking these creatures to the ark, the people laughed loudly: "Noah must have gone out of his head! What is he going to do with the animals?" Almighty Allah
narrated:
“So it was till then there came Our Command and the oven gushed forth (water like fountains
from the earth). We said: "Embark therein, of each kind two (male and female), and your family,
except him against whom the Word has already gone forth, and those who believe." And none
believed him except a few.(Ch 11:40 Quran)
The Number of Believers
Noah's wife was not a believer with him so she did not join him; neither did one of Noah's sons,
who was secretly a disbeliever but had pretended faith in front of Noah. Likewise most of the
people were disbeliveers and did not go on board.
The scholars hold different opinions on the number of those who were with Noah on the ship. Ibn
Abbas stated that there were 80 believers while Ka ab al Ahbar held that there were 72 believers.
Others claimed that there were 10 believers with Noah.
Description of the Flood
Water rose from the cracks in the earth; there was not a crack from which water did not rise. rain poured from the sky in quantities never seen before on earth. Water continued pouring from the sky rising from the cracks; hour after hour the level rose. The seas and waves invaded the land. The interior of the earth moved in a strange way, and the ocean floors lifted suddenly, flooding the dry land. The earth, for the first time was submerged.
Noah Appeals to his Son
Allah told the story thus: He (Noah) said:
"Embark therein in the Name of Allah will be its moving course and its resting anchorage.
Surely, my Lord is Oft Forgiving, most Merciful."
So it (the ship) sailed with them amidst the waves like mountains, and Noah called out to his son,
who had separated himself (apart), "O my son! Embark with us and be not with the disbeliveers."
The son replied, "I will betake myself to a mountain, it will save me from the water." Noah said: "This day there is no savior from the Decree of Allah except him on whom He has mercy." And a wave came in between them so he (the son) was among the drowned." (Ch. 11: 41-43)
The Flood Ends
It was said:
"O Earth! Swallow up your water, and O sky! Withhold (your rain)." The water was diminished (made to subside) and the Decree (of Allah) was fulfilled (the destruction of the people of Noah). And it (the ship) rested on Mount Judi, and it was said: "Away with the people who are Zalimeen (polytheists, and wrongdoing)!"
And it was said:
"O Noah! Come down (from the ship) with peace from Us and blessings on you and on the
people o\who are with you(and on some of their offspring), but (there will be other) people to
whom We shall grant their pleasures (for a time), but in the end a painful torment will reach
them from Us." (Ch 11:41-48 Quran)
With the issue of the divine command, calm returned to earth, the water retreated, and the dry
land shone once again in the rays of the sun. The flood had cleansed the earth of the disbeliveers
and polytheists.
The Believers Disembark
Noah released the birds, and the beats which scattered over the earth. After that the believers
disembarked. Noah put his forehead to the ground in prostration. The survivors kindled a fire and
sat around it. Lighting a fire had been prohibited on board so as not to ignite the ship's wood and
burn it up. None of them had eaten hot food during the entire period of the floor. Following the
disembarkation there was a day of fasting in thanks to Allah.
Noah's Death
The Quran draws the curtain on Noah's story. We do not know how his affairs with his people
continued. All we know or can ascertain is that on his deathbed he requested his son to worship
Allah alone, Noah then passed away. Abdullah Ibn Amr Ibn Al as narrated that the Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH) said: "When the death of the Messenger of Allah Noah approached, he
admonished his sons: 'Indeed I would give you far reaching advice, commanding you to do two
things, and warning you against doing two things as well. I charge you to believe that there is no
god but Allah and that if the seven heavens and the seven earths were put on one side of a scale
and the words "there is no god but Allah" were put on the other, the latter would outweigh the
former. I warn you against associating partners with Allah and against pride." (Sahih al Bukhari)
Some traditions said that his grave is in the Scared Mosque in Mecca, while others said that he
was buried in Baalabak, a city in Iraq.
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Prophet Hud
Description of the People of Ad
The people of 'Ad lived many years in the windswept hills of an area between Yemen and Oman.
They were physically well built and renowned for their craftsmanship especially in the
construction of tall buildings with lofty towers. They were outstanding among all the nations in
power and wealth, which, unfortunately, made them arrogant and boastful. Their political power
was held in the hand of unjust rulers, against whom no one dared to raise a voice.
They were not ignorant of the existence of Allah, nor did they refuse to worship Him. What they
did refuse was to worship Allah alone. They worshipped other gods, also, including idols. This is
one sin Allah does not forgive.
Description of Hud
Allah wanted to guide and discipline these people so He sent a prophet from among them. This
prophet was Hud (PBUH), a noble man who handled this task with great resoluteness and
tolerance.
Ibn Jarir reported that he was Hud Ibn Shalikh, Ibn Arfakhshand, Ibn Sam, Ibn Noah (PBUH). He
also reported that Prophet Hud (PBUH) was from a tribe called Ad Ibn Us Ibn Sam Ibn Noah,
who were Arabs living in Al Ahqaf in Yemen between Oman and Hadramaut, on a land called
Ashar stretching out into the sea. The name of their valley was Mughiith
Some traditions claimed that Hud (PBUH) was the first person who spoke Arabic while others
claimed that Noah (PBUH) was the first. It was also said that Adam was the first.
Commentary - Hud's Appeal to his People
Hud (PBUH) condemned idol worship and admonished his people. "MY people, what is the
benefit of these stones that you carve with your own hands and worship? In reality it is an insult
to the intellect. There is only One Deity worthy of worship and that is Allah. Worship of Him and
Him alone, is compulsory on you.
He created you, He provides for you and He is the One Who will cause you to die. He gave you
wonderful physiques and blessed you in many ways. So believe in Him and do not be blind to His
favors, or the same fate that destroyed Noah's people will overtake you."
With such reasoning Hud hoped to instill faith in them, but they refused to accept his message.
His people asked him: "Do you desire to be our master with your call? What payment do you
want?"Hud tried to make them understand that he would receive his payment (reward) from
Allah; he did not demand anything from them except that they let the light of truth touch their
minds and hearts.
Hud's Appeal to His People - Quranic
Allah the Almighty states:
"And to Ad people We sent their brother Hud. He said: "O my people! Worship Allah! You have
no other Ilah (god) but Him; Certainly, you do nothing but invent (lies)! O my people I ask of
you no reward for it (the Message). My reward is only from Him Who created me. Will you not
then understand? And O my people! Ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him, He
will send you (from the sky) abundant rain, and add strength to your strength, so do not turn
away as Mujrimeen (criminals, disbeliveers in the Oneness of Allah)."
They said: "O Hud! No evidence have you brought us and we shall not leave our gods for your
mere saying! We are not believers in you. All that we say is that some of our gods (false deities)
have seized you with evil (madness)."
HE said: "I call Allah to witness and bear you witness that I am free from that which you ascribe
as partners in worship, and with Him (Allah). SO plot against me, all of you, and give me no
respite. I put my trust in Allah, my Lord and your Lord! There is not a moving (living) creature
but HE has grasp of its forelock. Verily, my Lord is on the Straight Path (the truth). SO if you
turn away, still I have conveyed the Message with which I was sent to you. My Lord will make
another people succeed you, and you will not harm Him in the least. Surely, my Lord is
Guardian over all things."(Ch 11:50-57 Quran)
Hud (pbuh) explains the Day of Judgement
Hud tried to speak to them and to explain about Allah's blessings: how Allah the Almighty had made them Noah's successors, how He had given them strength and power, and how HE sent them rain to revive the soil.
Hud's people looked about them and found they were the strongest on earth, so they become
prouder and more obstinate. Thus they argued a lot with Hud. They asked "O Hud! Do you say
that later we die and turn into dust, we will be resurrected?" He replied, "Yes, you will come back
on the Day of Judgment and each of you will be asked about what you did."
A peal of laughter was heard after the last statement. "How strange Hud's claims are!" The
disbeliveers muttered among themselves. They believed that when man dies his body decays and
turns into dust, which is swept away by the wind. How could that return to its original state?
Then what is the significance of the Day of Judgment? Why does the dead return to life?
All these questions were patiently received by Hud. He then addressed his people concerning the
Day of Judgment. he explained that belief in the Day of Judgment is essential to Allah's justice,
teaching them the same thing that every prophet taught about it.
Hud explained that justice demands that there be a Day of Judgment because good is not always
victorious in life. Sometimes evil overpowers good. Will such crimes go unpunished? If we
suppose there is no Day of Judgment, then a great injustice will have prevailed, but Allah has
forbidden injustice to be incurred by Himself or His subjects. Therefore, the existence of the Day of Judgment, a day of accounting for our deeds and being rewarded or punished for them, reveals the extend of Allah's justice. Hud spoke to them about all of these things. They listened but
disbelieved him.
The Disbeliever's Attitude
Allah recounts Hud's people's attitude towards the Day of Judgment:
"The chiefs of his people, whom disbelieved and denied the meeting in the Hereafter, and to who
We had given the luxuries and comforts of this life, said: "He is no more than a human being
like you, he eats of that which you eat, and drinks of what you drink. If you were to obey a
human being like yourselves then verily! You indeed would be losers. Does he promise you that
when you have died and have become dust and bones, you shall come out alive (resurrected)?
Far, very far, is that which you are promised. There is nothing but our life of this world! We die
and we live! We are not going to be resurrected! He is only a man who has invented a lie against
Allah, but we are not going to believe in him." (Ch 23:33-38 Quran)
The Disbelievers Question Hud
The chiefs of Hud's people asked: "Is it not strange that Allah's chooses one of us to reveal His
message to?"
Hud replied: "What is strange in that? Allah wants to guide you to the right way of life, so HE
sent me to warn you. Noah's flood and his story are not far away from you, so do not forget what
happened. All the disbeliveers were destroyed, no matter how strong they were."
"Who is going to destroy us Hud?" the chiefs asked.
"Allah." replied Hud.
The disbeliveers among his people answered: "We will be saved by our gods."
Hud clarified to them that the gods they worshipped would be the reason for their destruction, that it is Allah alone Who saves people, and that no other power on earth can benefit or harm anyone.
The conflict between Hud and his people continued. The years passed, and they became prouder
and more obstinate, and more tyrannical and more defiant of their prophet's message.
Hud Warns his People
Furthermore, they started to accuse Hud (PBUH) of being a crazy lunatic. One day they told him: "We now understand the secret of your madness you insulted our gods and they harmed you; that is why you have become insane."
Almighty Allah repeated their words in the Quran:
"O my Hud! No evidence have you brought us, and we shall not leave our gods for your mere saying! And we are not believers in you. All that we say is that some of our gods (false deities) have seized you with evil (madness)." (Ch 11:53-54 Quran)
Hud had to return their challenge. He had no other way but to turn to Allah alone, no other
alternative but to give them a threatening ultimatum. he declared to them: "I call Allah to witness
and bear you witness that I am free from that which you ascribe as pin worship with Him (Allah).
SO plot against me, all of you and give me no respite. I put my trust in Allah, my Lord your
Lord! There is not a moving (living) creature but He has grasp of its forelock. Verily, my Lord is
on the Straight Path (the truth). So if you turn away, still I have conveyed the message with
which it was sent to you. My Lord will make another people succeed you, and you will not harm
Him." (Ch 11:54-57 Quran)
The Punishment
Thus Hud renounced them and their gods and affirmed his dependence on Allah Who had created him. Hud realized that punishment would be incurred on the disbeliveers among his people. It is one of the laws of life. Allah punishes the disbeliveers, no matter how rich, tyrannical or great they are.
Hud and his people waited for Allah's promise. A drought spread throughout the land, for the sky no longer sent its rain. the sun scorched the desert sands, looking like a disk of fire which settled on people's heads.
Hud's people hastened to him asking: "What is that drought Hud?"
Hud answered: "Allah is angry with you. If you believe in Him, He will accept you and the rain
will fall and you will become stronger than you are."
They mocked him and became more obstinate, sarcastic and preserve in their unbelief. The
drought increased, the trees turned yellow, and plants died.
A day came when they found the sky full of clouds. Hud's people were glad as they came out of
their tents crying: "A cloud, which will give us rain!"
The weather changed suddenly from burning dry and hot to stinging cold with wind that shook
everything; trees, plants, tents, men and women. The wind increased day after day and night after
night.
Hud's people started to flee. They ran to their tents to hide but the gale became stronger, ripping
their tents from their stakes. They hid under cloth covers but the gale became stronger and still
and tore away the covers. It slashed clothing and skin. It penetrated the apertures of the body and
destroyed it. It hardly touched anything before it was destroyed or killed, its core sucked out to
decompose and rot. The storm raged for 8 days and 7 nights.
Almighty Allah recounts:
"Then when they saw it as a dense cloud coming towards their valleys, they said: "This is a cloud
bringing us rain!" Nay but it is that torment which you were asking to be hastened! a wind
wherein is a painful torment! Destroying everything by the command of its Lord! (Ch 46:24-25
Quran)
Allah the Exalted described it thus:
"And as for Ad, they were destroyed for a firious violent wind which Allah imposed on them for
seven nights and eight days in succession, so that you could see men lying overthrown
(destroyed) as if they were hollow trunks of palm trees! (Ch 69:6-7 Quran)
The Believers are Saved
That violent gale did not stop until the entire region was reduced to ruins and its wicked people
destroyed, swallowed by the sands of the desert. Only Hud and his followers remained unharmed.
They migrated to Hadramaut and lived there in peace, worshipping Allah, their true Lord.
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Prophet Salih
Description of the People of Thamud
After the destruction of the Ad, the tribe of Thamud succeeded them in power and glory. They
also fell to idol-worshipping. As their material wealth increased so, too, did their evil ways while
their virtue decreased. Like the people of Ad, they erected huge buildings on the plains and hewed
beautiful homes out of the hills. Tyranny and oppression became prevalent as evil men ruled the land.
Description of Salih
So Allah sent unto them His Prophet Salih (PBUH), a man from among them. His name was Salih
Ibn Ubeid, Ibn Maseh, Ibn Ubeid, Ibn Hader, Ibn Thamud, Ibn Ather, Ibn Eram, Ibn Noah. He
called his people to worship Allah alone, and to not associate partners with Him. While some of
them believed him, the majority of them disbelieved and harmed him by both words and deeds.
Salih directed them:
"O my people! Worship Allah, you have no other Ilah (god) but Him." (Ch 11:61)
Salih was known for his wisdom, purity and goodness and had been greatly respected by his
people before Allah's revelation came to him. Salih's people said to him:
"O Salih! You have been among us as a figure of good hope and we wished for you to be our
chief, till this, new thing which you have brought that we leave our gods and worship your God
(Allah) alone! Do you now forbid us the worship of what our fathers have worshipped? But we
are really in grave doubt as to that which you invite us to monotheism." (CH 11:62 Quran).
Salih's People Demand a Miracle
They merely wanted to worship the same gods as their fathers had, with no reason, no proof, no
thought. The proof of Salih's (PBUH) message was evident, but despite this it was obvious that
most of his people did not believe him. They doubted his words, thinking he was charmed, and
they saw that he would not stop preaching. Fearing that his followers would increase, they tried to
put him off by assigning him an important task; to prove that he was a messenger of Allah by
performing a miracle. Let a unique she camel issue from the mountains. Allah granted Salih this
miracle and a huge, unique, she camel appeared from the direction of the mountain. The Quranic
commentators said that the people of Thamud gathered on a certain day at their meeting place,
and the prophet Salih (PBUH) came and addressed them to believe in Allah, reminding them of
the favors Allah had granted them. Then pointing at a rock, they demanded: "Ask your Lord to
make a she camel, which must be 10 months pregnant, tall and attractive, issue from the rock for
us." Salih replied: "Look now! If Allah sends you what you have requested, just as you have
described, will you believe in that which I have come to you with and have faith in the message I
have been sent with?"
They answered: "Yes."
So he took a vow from them on this, then prayed to Allah the Almighty to grant their request. Allah ordered the distant rock to split asunder, to bringing forth a great ten month pregnant she camel. When their eyes set on it, they were amazed. They saw a great thing, a wonderful sight, a dazzling power and clear evidence!
A number of Salih's people believed, yet most of them continued in their disbelief, stubbornness,
and going astray. Allah the Almighty said:
"We sent the she camel to Thamud as a clear sign, but they did her wrong. (Ch 17:59)
and also:
"Verily the dwellers of Al Hijr (the rocky tract) denied the Messengers. We gave them Our Signs,
but they were averse to them. (Ch 15:80-81 Quran)
There are a number of ancient accounts of this camel and its miraculous nature. It was said that
the she camel was miraculous because a rock in the mountain split open and it came forth from it,
followed by its young offspring. Other accounts said that the she camel used to drink all the water
in the wells in one day, and no other animals could approach the water. Still others claimed that
the she camel produced milk sufficient for all the people to drink, on the same day that it drank all
the water, leaving none for them. At first, the people of Thamud were greatly surprised when the
she camel issued from the mountain rocks. It was a blessed camel, and its milk sufficient for
thousands of men, women and children. If it slept in a place that place was abandoned by other
animals. Thus it was obvious that is was not an ordinary camel, but one of Allah's signs. It lived
among Salih's people, some of whom believed in Allah while the majority continued in their
obstinacy and disbelief. Their hatred of Salih turned towards the blessed she camel and became
centered on it. A conspiracy started to be hatched against the camel by the disbeliveers, and they
secretly plotted against it.
Salih feared that they might kill the camel, so he warned them:
"O my people! This she camel of Allah is a sign to you, leave her to feed on Allah's earth, and
touch her not with evil lest a near torment will seize you." (Ch 11:64 Quran)
For awhile, Salih's people let the camel graze and drink freely, but in their hearts they hated it.
However, the miraculous appearance of the unique camel caused many to become Salih's
followers, and they clung to their belief in Allah.
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Stories About the She-camel
The disbeliveers now began complaining that this huge she camel with its unusual qualities drank
most of the water and frightened their cattle.
They laid a plot to kill the camel, and sought the help of their women folk to tempt the men to
carry out their commands. Saduq bint of Mahya, who was from a rich and noble family, offered
herself to a young man named Masrai Ibn Mahraj on condition that he hamstring the camel. Aniza,
an old woman, offered one of her daughters to a young man, Qudar Ibn Saluf, in return for killing
the camel. Naturally these young men were tempted and set about finding seven others to assist
them.
They watched the camel closely, observing all its movements. As the she camel came to drink at
the well, Masarai shot it in the leg with an arrow. It tried to escape but was hampered by the
arrow. Qudar followed the camel and struck it with a sword in the other leg. As it fell to the
ground, he pierced it with his sword.
The killers were given a hero's welcome, cheered with songs and poetry composed in their praise.
In their arrogance they mocked Salih, but he warned them: "Enjoy life for 3 more days then the
punishment will descend upon you." Salih was hoping that they would see the folly of their ways
and change their attitude before the three days went out.
"Why three days?" they asked. "Let the punishment come as quickly as possible."
He pleaded with them: "My people, why do you hasten to evil rather than good? Why do not you
ask pardon of Allah so that you may receive mercy?"
They replied: "We see your presence and that of your followers as bringing evil on us."
Almighty Allah related their story:
"And indeed We sent to Thamud their brother Salih, saying "Worship Allah Alone and none
else." Then look! They became two parties (believers and disbeliveers) quarreling with each
other.
He said: "O my people! Why do you seek to hasten the evil (torment) before the good (Allah's
Mercy)? Why seek you not the Forgiveness of Allah, that you may receive mercy?" They said:
We augur till omen from you and those with you." he said: "Your ill omen is with Allah; nay, but
you are a people that are being tested."
And there were in the city nine men (from the sons of their chiefs), who made mischief in the
land, and would not reform. They said: "Swear to another by Allah that we shall make a secret
night attack on him and his household, and afterwards we will surely say to his near relatives:
"We witnessed not the destruction of his household, and verily! We are telling the truth.""
So they plotted a plot, and We planned a plan, while they perceived not. Then see how was the
end of their plot! Verily! We destroyed them and their nation, all together. These are their
houses in utter ruin, for they did wrong. Verily, in this is indeed an Ayah (a lesson or a sign) for
people who know. We saved those who believed, and used to fear and obey Allah. (Ch 27:45-53
Quran)
They also plotted to kill Salih and his household as Almighty Allah stated:
"So they plot, and We planned a plan, while they perceived not." (Ch 27:50 Quran) Allah saved
Salih and his followers from their wicked plans. Heavy hearted, they left the evil doers and moved to another place. Three days after Salih's warning, thunderbolts filled the air, followed by severe earthquakes which destroyed the entire tribe and its homeland. The land was violently shaken, destroying all living creatures in it. There was one terrific cry which had hardly ended when the disbeliveers of Salih's people were struck dead, one and all, at the same time. Neither their strong buildings nor their rock hewn homes could protect them.
Allah the Exalted said:
"To Thamud people We sent their brother Salih. HE said: "O my people! Worship Allah, you
have no other Ilah (god) but Him (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah). Indeed there
has come to you a clear sign ( the miracle of the coming out of a huge she camel from the midst
of a rock) from your Lord. This she camel of Allah is a sign unto you so you leave her to graze in
Allah's earth, and touch her not with harm, lest a painful torment should size you. Remember
when He made you successors after Ad people and gave you habitations in the land, you build
for yourselves palaces in plains and carve out homes in the mountains. So remember the graces
bestowed upon you from Allah, and do not go about making mischief on the earth."
The leaders of those who were arrogant among his people said to those who were counted weak
to such of them as believed: "Know you that Salih is one sent from his Lord." They said: "We
indeed believe in that with which he has been sent." Those who were arrogant said: "Verily, we
disbelieve in that which you believe in."
So they killed the she camel and insolently defied the Commandment of their Lord, and said: "O
Salih! Bring about your threats if you are indeed one of the Messengers (of Allah)." So the
earthquakes seized them and they lay dead, prostrate in their homes. Then he (Salih) turned from
them, and said: "O my people! I have indeed conveyed to you the Message of my Lord, and have
give you good advise but you like not good advisers." (Ch 7:73-79 Quran)
All were destroyed before they realized what was happening. As for the people who believed in
the message of Salih (PBUH), they were saved because they had left the place.
Ibn Umar narrated that while the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was passing by Thamud's houses on his way to the battle of Tabuk, he stopped together with the people there. the people fetched water from the wells from which the people of Thamud used to drink. They prepared their dough (for baking) and filled their water skins from it (the water from the wells). The Prophet of Allah (PBUH) ordered them to empty the water skins and give the prepared dough to the camels. Then he went away with them until they stopped at the well from which the she camel (of Salih) used to drink. He warned them against entering upon the people that had been punished, saying "I fear
that you may be affected by what afflicted them; so do no enter upon them."
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Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham)
Description of Abraham and his Family
Some of the People of the Book stated that his name was Abraham Ibn Tarikh, Ibn Nahur, Ibn
Sarough, Ibn Raghu, Ibn Phaligh, Ibn Aher, Ibn Shalih, Ibn Arfghshand, Ibn Sam, Ibn Noah.
They said that when Tarikh was seventy five years old, he had Abraham, Nahor (Nohour) and
Haran. Haran had a son named Lot. They also said that Abraham was the middle child and that
Haran died in the lifetime of his father in the land where he was born, the land of the Chaldeans
(Al Kaldanieen), also known as Babylonia. At that time some people worshipped idols of stone
and wood; others worshipped the planets, stars, sun and moon; still others worshipped their kings
and rulers.
Abraham was born into that atmosphere, into a typical family of that ancient time. The head of the
family was not even an ordinary idolater, but was one who totally rejected Allah and who used to
make the idols with his own hands. Some traditions claimed that Abraham's father died before his
birth and he was raised by an uncle whom Abraham called father. Other traditions said that his
father was alive and was named Azer.
Into that family Abraham was born, destined to stand against his own family, against the entire
system of his community. In brief, he stood against all kinds of polytheism.
Abraham's Childhood
He was endowed with spiritual understanding from an early age. Allah enlightened his heart and
mind gave him wisdom from childhood. Allah the Almighty stated:
"Indeed We bestowed aforetime on Abraham his (portion of) guidance, and We were Well
Acquainted with him( as to his Belief in the Oneness of Allah etc). (Ch 21:51)
During his early childhood Abraham realized that his father made strange statues. One day, he asked him about what it was he made. His father replied that he made statues of gods. Abraham was astonished and he spontaneously rejected the idea. Being a child he played with such statues sitting on their backs as people sit on the backs of donkeys and mules.
One day his father saw him riding the statue of Mardukh and he became furious. He ordered his
son not to play with it again.
Abraham asked: "What is this statue, father? It has big ears, bigger than ours."
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His father answered: "It is Mardukh, the god of gods, son! These big ears show his deep
knowledge."
This made Abraham laugh, he was only seven years old at that time.
Abraham's Hatred for Idols
Years passed and Abraham grew. Since his childhood his heart had been full of hatred for these
idols. He could not understand how a sane person could make a statue and then worship what he
had made. He noticed that these idols did not eat, drink or talk and they could not even turn
themselves right side up if someone turned them upside down. How, then could people believe
that such statues could harm or benefit them? Abraham 's people had a big temple full of idols, in
the middle of which was a niche accommodating the biggest gods which was of different kinds,
qualities and shapes. Abraham, who used to go to the temple with his father when he was a child,
greatly despised all that wood and stone. What surprised him was the way his people behaved
when they entered the temple; they bowed and started to cry, begging and imploring their gods
for help as if the idols could hear or understand these requests!
At first, such a sight seemed funny to Abraham, but later he began to feel angry. Was it not
astonishing that all those people could be deceived? What added to the problem was that his
father wanted him to be a priest when he was grown. He wanted nothing more from his son that
that he revere those statues, yet Abraham never stopped displaying his hatred and disdain of them.
Abraham Discovers Allah
One night Abraham left his house to go to a mountain. He walked alone in the dark until he chose
a cave in the mountain where he sat resting his back against its wall. He looked at the sky. He had
hardly seen it when he remembered that he was looking at planets and stars which were
worshipped by some people on earth. His young heart was filled with tremendous pain. He
considered what was beyond the moon, the stars and the planets (i.e. Allah) and was astonished
that these celestial bodies were worshipped by men when they had been created to worship and
obey their Creator, appearing and disappearing at His command.
Abraham Reasons with Celestial Worshippers
Abraham, addressed his people who worshipped celestial bodies as Almighty Allah revealed:
"Thus did We show Abraham the kingdom of the heavens and the earth that he be one of those
who have Faith and certainty. When the night covered him over with darkness he saw a star. He
said: "This is my lord." But when it set, he said: "I like not that those who set." When he saw the
moon rising up he said: "This is my lord." but when it set he said: "Unless my Lord guides me, I
shall surely be among the erring people." When he saw the sun rising up he said: "This is my
lord, This is greater." But when it set, he said: "O my people! I am indeed free from all that you
join as partners in worship with Allah. Verily, I have turned my face towards Him Who has
created the heavens and the earth Hanifan (Islamic Monotheism, i.e. worshipping none but Allah
Alone) and I am not of the Al Mushrikeen (those who worship others besides Allah)."
His people disputed with him. He said: "Do you dispute with me concerning Allah while HE has
guided me and I fear not those whom you associate with Allah in worship. (Nothing can happen
to me) except when my Lord (Allah) wills something. My Lord comprehends in His Knowledge
all things. Will you not then remember?
"And how should I fear those whom you associate in worship with Allah (though they can
neither benefit nor harm), while you fear not that you have joined in worship with Allah things
for which HE has not sent down to you any authority. So which of the two parties has more right
to be in security? If you but know."
It is those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah and worship none but Him Alone) and confuse
not their belief with Zulm (wrong, i.e. by worshipping others besides Allah), for them only there
is security and they are the guided. And that was Our proof which We gave Abraham against his
people. We raise whom We will in degrees. Certainly your Lord is All Wise, All Knowing.( Ch
6:75-83 Quran).
In that debate, Abraham clarified to his people that these celestial bodies do not serve as deities
and cannot be worshipped as partners with Allah the Almighty. Indeed these bodies are created
things, fashioned, controlled, managed and made to serve. They appear sometimes and disappear
at others, going out of sight from our world. However, Allah the Almighty does not lose sight of
anything, and nothing can be hidden from Him. He is without end, everlasting without
disappearance. There is no other deity but Allah.
Abraham made clear to them, first that the celestial bodies are unworthy of worship and second
that they are among the signs of Allah. Almighty Allah commanded:
"And from among His Signs are the night and the day, and the sun and the moon. Prostrate not
to the sun nor to the moon, but prostrate to Allah Who created them if you really worship Him.
(Ch 41:37)
Abraham's reasoning helped to reveal the truth, and then the conflict between him and his people
began for the worshippers of the stars and planets did not stand mute. they began arguing and
threatening Abraham.
Abraham replied:
"Do you dispute with me concerning Allah while HE has guided me, and I fear not those whom
you associate with Allah in worship. (Nothing can happen to me except when my Lord (Allah)
wills something. My Lord comprehends in His Knowledge all things. Will you not then
remember? How should I fear those whom you associate in worship with Allah (though they can
neither benefit or harm), while you fear not that you have joined in worship with Allah things for
which He has not sent down to you any authority. SO which of the two parties has more rights to
be in security?... ..if you but know! It is those who believe (in the oneness of Allah and worship
none but HiAlone) and confuse not their belief with Zulm (wrong by worshipping others besides
Allah), for them only there is security and they are the guided." (Ch 6:80-82)
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Abraham Reasons with Idolators
The curtains are drawn on the first category of the people, those who were worshipping celestial
bodies. the next situation reveals the second group, those who were practicing idolatry. Allah
gave Abraham (pbuh) the reasoning he needed the first time and every time he argued with his
people. Almighty Allah declared:
"And that was Our Proof which We gave Abraham against his people. We raised whom We will
in degrees. Certainly your Lord is All Wise, All Knowing. (Ch 6:83)
Abraham did his best to make his people heedful to the belief in the oneness of Almighty Allah and to the worship of Him alone. He bade them to firmly renounce the worship of idols. HE said to his father and his people:
"What are these images, to which you are devoted?" they said: "We found our fathers
worshipping them." He said: "Indeed you and your fathers have been in manifest error." They
said: "Have you brought us the truth, or are you one of those who play about?" He said: "Nay,
your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, Who created them and of that I am of the
witnesses." (Ch 21:52-56)
Abraham reasons with his Father
All was finished between Abraham and his people and the struggle began. the most amazed and
furious was his father (or his uncle who had raised him), for as it is well known, he not only
worshipped idols but sculpted and sold them as well. Abraham felt that it was his duty as a good
son to advise his father against this evil so that he could be saved from Allah's punishment.
Being a wise son he did not make his father feel foolish, nor did he openly laugh at his conduct.
He told him that he loved him, thereby hoping to generate fatherly love. Then he gently asked him
why he worshipped lifeless idols who could not hear, see or protect him. before his father could
become angry he hastily added:
"O my father! Verily! There has come to me of knowledge that which came not unto you. So
follow me. I will guide you to a Straight Path. O my father! Worship not Satan. Verily! Stan has
been a rebel against the Most Beneficent (Allah). O my father! Verily! I fear lest a torment from
the Most Beneficent (Allah) overtake you as that you become a companion of Satan (in the
Hellfire)." He (the father) said: "Do you reject my gods, O Abraham? If you stop not this, I will
indeed stone you. So get away from me safely before I punish you." Abraham said: "Peace be on
you! I will ask Forgiveness of my Lord for you. Verily! He is unto me, Ever Most Gracious. And I
shall turn away from you and from those whom you invoke besides Allah." (Ch 19:43-48)
Abraham debates with the Idolaters
His father's harsh treatment did not stop Abraham from delivering the message of truth. Angry and sad to see people prostate before idols, he was determined to stamp out these practices and went to the town to debate with the people knowing full well that he might suffer harm.
Like a wise doctor searching for the cause of a sickness so as to prescribe the proper cure, or like
a judge who questioned the accused sharply so that he mighty detect the truth. Abraham asked
them: "Do the idols see you when you prostrate before them? Do they benefit you in any way."
They quickly tried to defend their beliefs. They argued that they knew the idols were lifeless but
that their forefathers had worshipped them; to them this was proof enough for their belief.
Abraham explained that their forefathers had been wrong. This angered them and they retorted:
"Are you condemning our gods and our forefathers? Or are you just joking?"
Abraham showed no fear as he replied: "I am serious. I come to you with a true religion. I have
been sent with guidance from our Lord Who alone is worthy of worship, Who is the Creator of
the heavens and the earth, and Who regulates all affairs of life, unlike the dumb idols which are
just stone and wood."
To convince them that the idols could not harm him, he challenged: "I have already condemned
them; of they had any power they would have harmed me by now!"
Abraham reasons with the Idolaters, Second Time
Almighty Allah recounted:
"Recite to them the story of Abraham. When he said to his father and his people. "What do you
worship?" They said: "We worship idols, and to them we are ever devoted." He said: "Do they
hear you when you call on them? OR do they benefit you or do they harm you?" They said: "Nay
but we found our father doing so."
He said: "Do you observe that which you been worshipping, You and your ancient fathers?
Verily! They are enemies to me, save the Lord of the Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists);
Who has created me and it is HE Who guides me and it is HE Who feeds me and gives me to
drink. And when I am ill, it is He who cures me; and Who will cause me to die and then will
bring me to life again and Who I hope will forgive me my faults on the Day of Resurrection."
(Ch 26:69-82 Quran).
In another surah The Almighty revealed:
"And remember Abraham when he said to his people: "Worship Allah Alone and fear Him that is
better for you if you did but know. You worship besides Allah only idols and you only invent
falsehood. Verily, those whom you worship beside Allah have no power to give you provision, so
seek your provision from Allah Alone, you will be brought back. And if you deny then nations
before you have denied their Messengers. the duty of the Messenger is only to convey the
Message plainly."
See they not how Allah originates creation, then will repent it. Verily, that is easy for Allah.
Say: "Travel in the land and see how Allah originated creation and then Allah will bring forth
(resurrect) the creation of the Hereafter (i.e. resurrection after death) verily, Allah is Able to do
all things."
He punishes whom HE wills and shows mercy to whom He wills, and to Him you will be
returned. And you cannot escape in the earth or in the heaven. And besides Allah you have
neither any Wali (Protector, or guardian) nor any Helper. And those who disbelieve in the Ayat (proofs, lessons, signs, evidences, verses, revelations etc) of Allah and the Meeting with Him, it is they who have no hope of My Mercy, and it is they who will have a painful torment.( CH
22:16-23 Quran)
Abraham Breaks the Idols
He explained to them the beauty of Allah's creation, His power and wisdom. Idol worship is
detested by Allah for Allah is the Lord of the universe Who created mankind, guided him and
provided him with food and drink and cured him when he was sick and Who will cause him to die
and be raised up again. iT was He to Whom Abraham prayed and Who would forgive his sins on
the Day of Judgment. However, they would not give up but clung fast to idolatry. Abraham left
his father's house and abandoned his people and what they worshipped. He decide to do
something about their state of disbelief, but did not reveal it. He knew that there was going to be
a great celebration on the other bank of the river which would be attended by all the people.
Abraham waited until the city was empty, then came out cautiously, directing his steps towards
the temple. the streets leading to it were empty and the temple itself was deserted for the priests
had also gone to the festival outside the city. Abraham went there carrying a sharp axe. He looked
at the stone and wood statues of the gods and at the food laid in front of them as offerings. He
approached one of the statues and asked: "The food in front of you is getting cold. Why don't you
eat?" the statue kept silent and rigid. Abraham asked all the other statues around him:
"Will you not eat of the offering before you?" (Ch 37:91)
He was mocking them for he knew they would not eat. He once again asked then:
"What is the matter with you that you do not speak?" (Ch 37:92)
He then raised his axe and started smashing the false gods worshipped by the people. He
destroyed them all except one on whose neck he hung the axe. After this his anger subsides and
he felt at peace. He left the temple. He had fulfilled his vow to show his people a practical proof
of their foolishness in worshipping something other than Allah.
The Idolaters Question Abraham
When the people returned, they were shocked to see their gods smashed to pieces, lying scattered
all over the temple. They began to guess who had done that to their idols and Abraham's name
came to their minds.
Allah the Almighty said: they said:
"Who has done this to our aliah (gods)? He must indeed be one of the wrongdoers." They said: "We heard a young man talking against them who is called Abraham." They said: "Then bring him before the eyes of the people, that they may testify." they said: "Are you the one who has done this to our gods, O Abraham?" Abraham said: "nay, this one, the biggest of them (idols)
did it, Ask them, if they can speak!"So they turned to themselves and said: "Verily you are the Zalimun (polytheists, and wrongdoers)." Then they turned to themselves (their first thought and said): "Indeed you (Abraham) know well that these idols speak not?" Abraham said: "DO you then worship besides Allah, things that can neither profit you nor harm you? If upon you, and upon that which you worship besides Allah! Have you then no sense?" (Ch 21:59-67 Quran)
Furious, they demanded that Abraham be arrested and tried. Abraham did not resist. this was
precisely what he had been aiming for, so that he could show them up in public for their foolish
beliefs. At the trial they asked him if he was responsible for breaking the idols. Smiling, he told
them to ask the biggest idol which was still whole. He told them that he must be the culprit! They
replied that he knew well that the idol could not speak or move which gave Abraham the chance
to prove the foolishness of worshipping these lifeless objects.
They then realized the senselessness of their beliefs; however, their arrogance would not allow them to admit their foolishness. All they could do was to use their power of authority as tyrants usually do to punish Abraham. They kept him in chains and planned their revenge.
The Idolaters Try to burn Abraham
Anger was burning in their hearts. They decided to throw Abraham into the biggest fire they could
build. All the citizens were ordered to gather wood as a service to their gods. Ignorant, sick
women vowed that if they were cured they would donate so much wood to burn Abraham. For
several days they collected fuel. They dug a deep pit, filled it with firewood and ignited it. They
brought a catapult with which to cast Abraham into the fire. Abraham was put on the catapult, his
hands and feet were tied. The fire was ready with its flame reaching the sky. The people stood
away from the pit because of the great heat. Then the chief priest gave his order to cast Abraham
into the fire.
The angel Gabriel came near Abraham's head and asked him: "O Abraham do you wish for
anything?" Abraham replied: "Nothing from you."
The catapult was shot and Abraham was cast into the fire. But his descent into the blaze was as descent on steps in a cool garden. The flames were still there, but they did not burn for Allah the Almighty had issued His command:
"O fire! Be you coolness and safety for Abraham." (Ch 21:69 Quran)
The fire submitted to the will of Allah, becoming cool and safe for Abraham. It only burned his
bonds, and he sat in the midst of the fire as if he were sitting in a garden. He glorified and praised
Allah the Almighty, with a heart that contained only his love for Allah. There was not any vacant
space therein for fear, awe, or worry. It was filled with love only.
Fear and awe were dead, and the fire was turned into coolness, making the air pleasant. Those
who love Allah as Abraham do did not fear.
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The Faith of the Believers
Allah declared:
"Those (believers) unto whom the people (hypocrites) said: "Verily! the people (pagans) have
gathered against you (a great army), therefore, fear them." but it only increased them in Faith,
and they said: Allah Alone is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs for us."
So they returned with Grace and Bounty from Allah. No harm touched them; and they followed
the good Pleasure of Allah. Allah is the Owner of Great bounty. It is only Satan that suggests to
you the fear of his Auliya (supporters and friends, polytheists, disbeliveers in the Oneness of
Allah and in His Messenger Muhammad) so fear them not but fear Me if you are true believers."
(Ch 3:173-175 Quran)
The throng, the chiefs, and the priests sad watching the fire from a distance. It was burning their
faces and nearly suffocating them. It kept burning for such a long time that the disbeliveers
thought it would never be extinguished. When it did burn out, they were greatly amazed to find
Abraham coming out of the pit untouched by the fire. Their faces were black from the smoke, but
his was bright with the light and grace of Allah. The raging fire had become cool for Abraham and
had only charred the ropes which held him. He walked out of the fire as if he were walking out of
a garden. Cries of astonishment were heard from the heathens.
"They wanted to harm him, but We made them the worst losers. (Ch 21:70)
This miracle shamed the tyrants, but it did not cool the flame of anger in their hearts. However
after his event many of the people followed Abraham, although some kept their belief a secret for
fear of harm or death at the hands of the rulers.
Abraham challenges those who proclaim themselves as gods, King Namrud
Abraham had established a definite reasoning against idolaters. Nothing was left for him except to
reason against the people who proclaimed themselves gods.
When the king, Namrud, heard of Abraham's safe exit from the fire he became very angry. He
feared that the status of godhead he had proclaimed for himself was not challenged by an ordinary
human being. He summoned Abraham to the palace and held a dialogue with him which Allah
Almighty recounted:
"Have you not thought about him who disputed with Abraham about his Lord (Allah) because
Allah had given him the kingdom? When Abraham said to him: "My Lord (Allah) is He Who
gives life and causes death." He said: "I give life and cause death." Abraham said: "Verily,
Allah causes the sun to rise from the east; then cause it you to rise from the west." So the
disbeliever was utterly defeated. Allah guides not the people who are Zalimeen (wrongdoers etc).
(Ch 2:258 Quran)
Abraham's fame spread throughout the entire kingdom. People talked about how he had been
saved from the blazing fire and how he had debated with the king and left him speechless. In the
meantime, Abraham continued calling people to believe in Allah, exerting a great effort to guide his people to the right path. He tried every means to convince them. However in spite of his love and care for his people, they felt angry and deserted him. Only one woman and one man of his people shared his belief in Allah. The woman's name was Sarah and she became his wife. The man's name was Lot and he became a prophet.
When Abraham realized that no one else was going to believe in his call, he decided to emigrate.
He left his people and traveled with his wife and Lot to a city called Ur, then another called
Haran, and then to Palestine.
Allah the Almighty told us:
" So Lut believed in him (Abraham's message of Islamic Monotheism). He (Abraham) said: "I
will emigrate for the sake of my Lord. Verily, He is the All Mighty, the All Wise." (Ch 29:26)
After Palestine, Abraham traveled to Egypt, calling people to believe in Allah wherever he
traveled, judging fairly between people, and guiding them to truth and righteousness.
Hadith about Abraham, Sarah and Hajar
Abu Hurairah narrated that Abraham (pbuh) did not tell a lie except on three occasions, twice for
the sake of Allah (Exalted and Almighty) when he said: "I am sick," (when his people were
holding a festival in honor of their gods, Abraham excused himself by saying he was sick.( Ch
37:89 Quran) and when he said: "(I have not done this but) the big idol has done it." The (third
was) that while Abraham and Sarah (his wife) were going (on a journey), they passed by (the
territory of) a tyrant. Someone said to the tyrant: "This man (Abraham is accompanied by a very
charming lady." SO, he sent for Abraham and asked him about Sarah saying "Who is this lady?"
Abraham said: "She is my sister." Abraham went to Sarah said "O Sarah! There are no believers
on the surface of the earth except you and me. This man asked me about you and I have told him
that you are my sister do not contradict my statement." the tyrant then called Sarah, and when she
went to him, he tried to take a hold of her with his hand, but his hand got stiff and he was
confounded. He asked Sarah: "Pray to Allah for me and I shall not harm you." SO Sarah asked
Allah to cure him and he got cured. He tried to take hold of her for the second time, but his hand
got as stiff as or stiffer than before and he was more comfounded. He again requested Sarah:
"Pray to Allah for me, and I will not harm you." Sarah asked Allah to again, and he became all
right. He then called one of his guards who had brought her and said: "You have not brought me
a human being but have brought me a devil." The tyrant then gave Hajar as a maid servant to
Sarah. Abraham, gesturing with his hand, asked: "What has happened?" She replied: "Allah has
spoiled the evil plot of the infidel or immoral person and gave me Hajar for service." Abu
Hurairah then addressed his listeners saying: "That Hajar was your mother, O Bani Ma is Sama
(Arab, the descendants of Ishmael, Hajar's son)."
Hajar and Sarah
Abraham's wife Sarah was sterile. She had been given an Egyptian woman Hajar, as a servant. Abraham had aged and his hair was gray and after many years spent in calling people to Allah. Sarah thought she and Abraham were lonely because she could not have a child. Therefore, she
offered her husband her servant Hajar in marriage. Hajar gave birth to her first son Ishmael
(isma'il) when Abraham was an old man.
Abraham Questions Resurrection
Abraham lived on earth worshipping Allah and calling people to monotheism, but he was
journeying to Allah, knowing that his days on earth were limited and that they would be followed
by death and finally resurrection. The knowledge of life after death filled Abraham with peace and
love and certitude. One day he begged Allah to show him how He brought the dead back to life.
Allah commanded Abraham to take four birds, cut them up and mingle their body parts, divide
them into four portions and place them on top of four different hills, then call back the birds in
Allah's name. Abraham did as he was told. Immediately the mingled parts of the birds separated to
join their original bodies in different places and the birds flew back to Abraham.
Almighty Allah revealed:
“Remember when Abraham said: ‘My Lord Show me how You give life to the dead." Allah said:
"Do you not believe?" Abraham said: "Yes I believe, but to be stronger in Faith." HE said:
"Take four birds, the cause them to incline towards you (then slaughter them, cut them into
pieces) and then put a portion of them on every hill and call them they will come to you in haste.
And know that Allah is All Mighty and All Wise."(Ch 2:260 Quran)
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Prophet Isma'il (Ishmael)
Abraham leaves Hajar and Ishmael
One day, Abraham woke up and asked his wife Hajar to get her son and prepare for a long
journey. In a few days Abraham started out with his wife Hajar and their son Ishmael. The child
was still nursing and not yet weaned. Abraham walked through cultivated land, desert, and
mountains until he reached the desert of the Arabian Peninsula and came to an uncultivated valley
having no fruit, no trees, no food, no water. The valley had no sign of life. After Abraham had
helped his wife and child to dismount, he left them with a small amount of food and water which
was hardly enough for 2 days. He turned around and walked away. He wife hurried after him
asking: "Where are you going Abrahim, leaving us in this barren valley?"
Abraham did not answer her, but continued walking. She repeated what she had said, but he
remained silent. Finally she understood that he was not acting on his own initiative. she realized
that Allah had commanded him to do this. She asked him : "Did Allah command you to do so?"
He replied: "Yes." Then his great wife said: "We are not going to be lost, since Allah Who has
commanded you is with us."
Abraham invoked Almighty Allah thus:
"O Our Lord! I have made some of my offspring to dwell in a valley with no cultivation, by Your Sacred House (the Ka'ba at Mecca); in order, O our Lord, that they may offer prayers perfectly (Iqamat as salat) so fill some hearts among men with love towards them, and O Allah provide them with fruits so that they may give thanks. O our Lord! Certainly, You know what we conceal and what we reveal. Nothing on the earth or in the heavens is hidden from Allah." (Ch 14:37-38)
Hajar and Ishmael - Narrated by Ibn Abbas
Ibn Abbas narrated: "The first lady to use a girdle was the mother of Ishmael. She used a girdle so
that she might hide her tracks from Sarah (by dragging it). Abraham brought her and her son
Ishmael while she was suckling him to a place near the Kaba under a tree on the spot of ZamZam
at the highest place in the mosque. During those days there was nobody in Mecca, nor was there
any water so he made them sit over there and placed near them a leather bag containing some
dates and a small water skin containing some water and set out homeward. Ishmael's mother
followed him saying:
"O Abraham! Where are you going, leaving us in this valley where there is no person whose
company we may enjoy, nor is there anything to enjoy?" she repeated that to him many times, but
he did not look back at her. Then she asked him : "Has Allah ordered you to do so?" He said:
"Yes." She then said: "Then He will not neglect us," and returned while Abraham proceeded
onwards. On reaching the Thaniya where they could not see him, he faced the Kaba and raising
both hands, invoked Allah saying the following prayers:
"O our Lord! I have made some of my offspring dwell in a valley without cultivation, by Your
Sacred House (Kaba at Mecca) in order, O our Lord that they may offer prayer perfectly. So fill
some hearts among men with love towards them, and O Allah provide them with fruits so that
they may give thanks." (Ch 14:37)
Ibn Abbas's narration continued; "Ishmael's mother went on suckling Ishmael and drinking from
the water (she had) When the water in the water skin had been used up, she became thirsty and
her child also became thirsty, She started looking at him (Ishmael) tossing in agony. She left him,
for she could not endure looking at him, and found that the mountain of As-Safa was the nearest
mountain to her on that land. she too on it and started looking at the valley keenly so that she
might see somebody, but she could not see anybody. Then she descended for As Safa and when
she reached the valley, she tucked up her robe and ran in the valley like a person in distress and
trouble till she crossed the valley and reached the mountain of Al Marwa. There she stood and
started looking expecting to see somebody, but she could not see anybody. She repeated that
running between Safa And Marwa seven times."
Hajar sees Zam-zam - by Prophet Muhammad
The prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: "This is the source of the tradition of the Sa'y (rituals of the
hajj, pilgrimage) the going of people between them (As-Safa and Al-Marwa). When she reached
Al Marwa (for the last time) she heard a voice and she asked herself to be quiet and listened
attentively. She heard the voice again and said: "O whoever you maybe! You have made me hear
your voice; have you got something to help me?" And behold! She saw an angel at the place of
Zam zam, digging the earth with his heel (or his wing) till water flowed from that place. She
started to make something like a basin around it, using her hand in this way, and started filling her
water skin with water with her hands and the water was flowing out water she had scooped some
of it." The Prophet (pbuh) added: "May Allah bestow mercy on Ishmael's mother! Had she let the
zam-zam flow without trying to control it, or had she not scooped from that water to fill her
water skin, Zam zam would have been a stream flowing on the surface of the earth."
Makka is Settled - Told by Prophet Muhammad
The Prophet (pbuh) continued: "Then she drank water and suckled her child. The angel said to
her: "Don't be afraid of being neglected, for this is the House of Allah which will be built by this
boy and his father, and Allah never neglects His people." The House (Kaba) at that time was on a
high place resembling a hillock, and when torrents came, they flowed to its right and left. "She
lived in that way till some people from the tribe of Jurhum or a family from Jurhum passed by her
and her child as they (the Jurhum people) were coming through the way of Kada. they landed in
the lower part of Mecca where they saw a bird that had the habit of flying around water and not
leaving it. they said: "this bird must be flying around water, though we know that there is no
water in this valley." They sent one or two messengers who discovered the source of water and
returned to inform them of the water. So they all came towards the water. Ishmael's mother was
sitting near the water. They asked her: "Do you allow us to stay with you?" She replied: "Yes, but
you will have no right to possess the water." They agreed to that. Ishmael's mother was pleased
with the whole situation, as she used to love to enjoy the company of the people, so they settled
there, and later on they sent for their families who came and settled with them so that some
families became permanent residents there. The child (Ishmael) grew up and learned Arabic from
them and (his virtues) caused them to love and admire him as he grew up and when he reached
the age of puberty they made him marry a woman from amongst them."
Ishmael's Wives
The Prophet (pbuh) continued: "After Ishmael's mother had died, Abraham came after Ishmael's marriage in order to see his family that he had left before but he did not find Ishmael there. When he asked Ishmael's wife about him, she replied: "He has gone in search of livelihood." Then he asked her about their way of living and their condition, and she replied, "We are living in misery; we are living in hardship and destitution," complaining to him. He said: "When your husband
returns, convey my salutations to him and tell him to change the threshold of the gate (of his
house)."
When Ishmael came, he seemed to have felt something unusual, so he asked his wife: "Has
anyone visited you?" she replied, "Yes, an old man of such and such description came and asked
me about you and I informed him and he asked about our state of living and I told him that we
were living in a hardship and poverty." On that Ishmael said: "Did he advise you anything?" She
said: "Yes he told me to convey his salutation to you and to tell you to change the threshold of
your gate." Ishmael said: "It was my father and he has ordered me to divorce you. Go back to
your family." So, Ishmael divorced her and married another woman from among them (Jurhum).
The Kaba is Built - by Prophet Muhammad
"Then Abraham stayed away from them for a period as long as Allah wished and called on them
again but did not find Ishmael. So he came to Ishmael's wife and asked her about Ishmael. She
said: 'he has gone in sof our livelihood.' Abraham asked her; 'how are you getting on?' asking her
about their sustenance and living. she replied: 'we are prosperous and well off (we have everything
in abundance).' then she thanked Allah. Abraham said: 'What kind of food do you eat?' she said:
'meat.' he said: 'what do you drink?' she said: 'water.' he said: 'O Allah! bless their meat and
water.""
The Prophet (pbuh) added: "At that time they did not have grain, and if they had grain he would have also invoked Allah to bless it. If somebody has only these two things as his sustenance, his health and disposition will be badly affected unless he lives in Mecca."
The Prophet (pbuh) continued: "Then Abraham said to Ishmael's wife: 'When your husband
comes give my regards to him and tell him that he should keep firm the threshold of his gate.'
When Ishmael came back he asked his wife, 'did anyone call no you?' she replied: 'yes, a good
looking old man came to me,' so she praised him and added: 'He asked about you and I informed
him that we were in a good condition.' Ishmael asked her:' did he give you any piece of advice?'
she said; 'yes, he told me to give his regards to you and ordered that you should keep firm the threshold of your gate.' on that Ishmael said: 'It was my father, and you are the threshold of the gate. He has ordered me to keep you with me.'
Then Abraham stayed away from them for a period as long as Allah wished and called on them
afterwards. He saw Ishmael under a tree near Zam Zam, sharpening his arrows. When he saw
Abraham, he rose up to welcome him (and they greeted each other as a father does with his son or
a son does with his father). Abraham said: 'O Ishmael! Allah has give me an order.' Ishmael said:
'Do what your Lord has ordered you to do.' Abraham asked:'Will you help me?' Ishmael said: 'I
will help you.' Abraham said: 'Allah has ordered me to build a house here,' pointing to a hillock
higher than the land surrounding it.
"Then they raised the foundations of the House (the Kaba). Ishmael brought the stones while
Abraham built and when the walls became high Ishmael brought this stone and put it for Abraham who stood over it and carried on building. While Ishmael was handing him the stones, and both of them were saying:
"Our Lord! Accept this service from us, verily, You are the All Hearer, the All Knower." (Ch
2:127 Quran)
The Prophet (pbuh) added: "Then both of them went on building and going round the Kaba
saying:
"O our Lord! Accept this service from us, verily, You are the All Hearer, the All Knower.";
(Sahih Bukhari).
Hajar sees zam - zam - by Ibn Abbas
Ibn Abbas narrated a slightly different version: "When Abraham had differences with his wife
(because of her jealousy of Hajar, Ishmael's mother), he took Ishmael and his mother and went
away. They had a water skin with them containing some water. Ishmael's mother used to drink
water from the water skin so that her milk would increase for her child. When Abraham reached
Mecca, he made her sit under a tree and afterwards returned home. Ishmael's mother followed him
and when they reached Kada, she called him from behind: 'O Abraham! To whom are you leaving
us?' He replied: '(I am leaving you) to Allah's care.' she said: 'I am satisfied to be with Allah.' She
returned to her place and started drinking water from the water skin and her milk increased for
her child.
"When the water had all been used up, she said to herself: 'I had better go and look so that I may
see somebody.' she ascended As-Safa mountain and looked hoping to see somebody but in vain.
When she came down to the valley, she ran till she reached Al Marwa Mountain. She ran to and
for (between the two mountains) many times. Then she said to herself; 'I had better go and see the
state of the child.' she went and found it in a state of one on the point of dying. She could not
endure to watch it dying and said to herself: 'If I go and look I may find somebody.' she went and
ascended al-Safa mountain and looked for a long while but could not find anybody. Thus she
completed seven rounds of running between As-Safa and Al-Marwa. Again she said to herself: 'I had better go back and see the state of the child.' but suddenly she heard a voice, and she said to that strange voice. 'help us if you can offer any help.' lo! it was Gabriel (who had made the voice) Gabriel hit the earth with his heel like this (Ibn Abbas hit the earth with his heel to illustrate it), and so the water gushed out. Ishmael's mother was astonished and started digging."
Abu Al Qasim, the Prophet (pbuh) said: "If she had left the water, (flow naturally, without her
intervention, ) it would have been flowing on the surface of the earth."
Makka is Settled - by Ibn Abbas
Ibn Abbas continued narrating: "Ishmael's mother started drinking from the water, and her milk increased for her child. Afterwards some people of the tribe of Hurhum saw some birds while passing through the bottom of the valley and that astonished them. They said: "birds can only be found at a place where there is water." They sent a messenger who searched the place and found the water and returned to inform them about it. Then they all went to her and said: "O Ishmael's mother! Will you allow us to be with you (or dwell with you)?" Then they stayed there.
Ishmael's Wives - by Ibn Abbas
"Later on her boy reached the age of puberty and married a lady from them. Then an idea
occurred to Abraham, which he disclosed to his wife (sarah). 'I want to call on my dependants I
left at Mecca.' When he went there he greeted Ishmael's wife and said: 'where is Ishmael?' She
replied: 'He has gone out hunting.' Abraham said to her: 'When he comes, tell him to change the
threshold of his gate.' When Ishmael came she told him the same and whereupon Ishmael said to
her: 'you are the threshold so go to your family (you are divorced).'
"Again Abraham thought of visiting his dependents whom he had left at Mecca, and told his wife
(Sarah) of his intentions. Abraham came to Ishmael's house and asked: 'Where is Ishmael?'
Ishmael's wife replied: 'He has gone out hunting,' and added: 'will you stay for some time and have
something to eat and drink?' Abraham said: 'what is your food and what is your drink?' she
replied: 'our food is meat and our drink is water.' he replied: 'O Allah! Bless their meals and their
drink.' Abu Al Qasim (the Prophet)(pbuh) said: "Because of Abraham's invocation there are
blessings in Mecca."
Kaba is Built - by Ibn Abbas
Ibn Abbas continued: "Once more Abraham thought of visiting his family he had left at Mecca and
he told his wife (Sarah) of his decision. HE went and found Ishmael behind the Zam-zam well,
mending his arrows. He said: 'O Ishmael, your Lord has ordered me to build a house for Him.'
Ishmael said: 'Obey the order of your Lord.' Abraham said: 'Allah has also ordered me that you
should help me therein.' Ishmael said: 'Then I will do so.' So both of them were saying:
"O our Lord! Accept this service of us, verily, You are the All Hearer, the All Knower."( Ch
2:127)
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When the building became high and the old man (Abraham) could no longer lift the stones to such a high position, he stood over the stone of Al Maqam and Ishmael carried on handing him the stones and both of them were saying:
"O our Lord! Accept this service of us, verily You are the All Hearer, the All Knower.""
Abraham and Ishmael (PBUT) - The Sacrifice
Allah the Almighty told us of Abraham's affliction with his beloved son:
"And he said after his rescue from the fire:
'Verily! I am going to my Lord. He will guide me! My Lord! Grant me (offspring) from the
righteous." SO We gave him the glad tidings of a forbearing boy. And when he (his son) was old
enough to walk with him, he said: "O my son! I have seen in a dream that I am slaughtering you
(offer you in sacrifice to Allah), so look what do you think!ف" "O my father! Do that which you
are commanded InshAllah (if Allah wills), you shall find me of the patient."
Then when they had both submitted themselves to the Will of Allah and he had laid him
prostrate on his forehead (or on the side of his forehead for slaughtering); and We called out to
him: "O Abraham! You have fulfilled the dream (vision!" Verily! Thus do Wereward those who
perform good deeds, totally for Allah's sake only. Verily, that indeed was a manifest trial and We
ransomed him with a great sacrifice (a ram;) and We left for him ( a goodly remembrance)
among generations (to come) in later times. "Salamun (peace) be upon Abraham!" Thus indeed
do We reward the Muhsineen (good doers). Verily, he was one of Our believing slaves.( Ch
37:99-111 Quran)
Time passed. One day Abraham was sitting outside his tent thinking of his son Ishmael and
Allah's sacrifice. His heart was filled with awe and love for Allah for His countless blessings. A big
tear dropped from his eyes and reminded him of Ishmael.
Tidings of Isaac
In the meantime, three angels descended to the earth; Gabriel, Israphael, and Michael. They came in human shapes and saluted Abraham. Abraham arose and welcomed them. He took them inside his tent thinking they were strangers and guests. He seated them and made sure that they were comfortable, then excused himself to go to his people.
His wife Sarah arose when he entered. She had become old and white haired. Abraham said to
her: "We have three strangers in the house." "Who are they?" she asked. "I do not know any of
them," he answered. "What food have we got?" He asked. Half a sheep." she replied, "Half a
sheep! Slaughter a fat calf for them; they are strangers and guests." he ordered while leaving.
The servants roasted and served a calf. Abraham invited the angels to eat and he started eating so
as to encourage them. He continued, but when he glanced at his guests to assure they were eating,
he noticed that none of them had touched the food. He said to the them: "Are you not going to
eat?" He resumed eating, but when he glanced at them again he found that they were still not
eating. Their hands did not reach out for the food. He began to fear them.
Abraham's fears increased. The angels, however were reading his inner thoughts and one of them
said: "Do not fear." Abraham raised his head and replied: "Indeed I am in fear. I have asked you
to eat food but you do not stretch out your hands to eat. Do you intend me evil?"
One of the angels smiled and said: "We do not eat. We are Allah's angels." One of them then
turned towards his wife and conveyed the glad tidings about Isaac (Ishaaq).
Tidings of Isaac - Quranic
Almighty Allah revealed:
"Verily! There came Our Messengers to Abraham with glad tidings. They said: "Salaam
(greetings or peace)!" he answered: "Salaam (greetings or peace)!" and he hastened to entertain
them with a roasted calf. But, when he saw their hands went not towards it (the meal), he felt
some mistrust of them, and conceived a fear of them. They said: "Fear not, we have been sent
against the people of Lot." And his wife was standing there and she laughed (either, because the
Messengers did not eat their food or for being glad for the destruction of the people of Lot). But
We gave her glad tidings of Isaac, and after him of Jacob.
She said (in astonishment): "Woe unto me! Shall I bear a child while I am an old woman, and
here is my husband an old man? Verily! This is a strange thing!" They said: "Do you wonder at
the Decree of Allah? The Mercy of Allah and His Blessings be on you, O the family (of
Abraham). Surely, He (Allah) is All praiseworthy, All-Glorious." (CH 11:69-73).
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Prophet Ishaq
Isaac's Sons - from Commentators
The Quran does not give details of Isaac's life (pbuh), but reliable Quranic commentators
mentioned that when Abraham felt that his life was drawing to a close, he wished to see Isaac
married. He did not want Isaac to marry one of the Canaanites, who were pagans, so he sent a
trustworth servant to Haran in Iraq to choose a bride for Isaac. The servant's choice fell upon
Rebekah Bint Bethuel, Ibn Nahor (who was a brother of Abraham). Isaac married her and she
gave birth to a set of twins, Esau (Al Eis) and Jacob (Yaqub).
Ill feelings developed between the two brothers when they grew into manhood. Esau disliked the fact that Jacob was favoured by his father and by Allah with prophethood. This ill feeling became so searious that Esau threatened to kill his brother. Fearing for his life, Jacob fled the country.
Isaac's Sons - from the People of the Book
The People of the Book said that when Isaac was forty years old, he married Rebekah Bint
Bethuel, during his father's life. They said she was sterile, so Isaac prayed to Allah and then she
became pregnant. She gave birth to twin boys. The first one was called Esau whom the Arabs
called Al-Eis. He became the father of Rum. The second one was called Jacob, which means
Isreal, (belonging to the people of Israel).
Issac's Death
Jacob came to his father Isaac and settled with him in the village of Hebron which lies in the land of Canaan where Abraham had lived. Then Isaac fell ill and died when he was one hundred eighty years old. His sons Esau and Jacob buried him with his father Abraham Al Khalil in a cave which he had bought. It was said that Abraham died at the age of one hundred seventy five.
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Prophet Yaqub (Jacob)
Isaac's Sons - Jacob and Esau
Isaac married Rebekah Bint Bethuel, Ibn Nahor, and she gave birth to a set of twins, Esau (Al
Eis) and Jacob (Yaqub). Ill feelings developed between the two brothers when they grew into
manhood. Esau disliked the fact that Jacob was favored by his father and by Allah with
prophethood. This ill feeling became so serious that Esau threatened to kill his brother. Fearing
for his life, Jacob fled the country.
Isaac's Sons - from the People of the Book
The People of the Book said that when Isaac was forty years old, he married Rebekah, Bint
Bethuel, during his father's life. They said she was sterile, so Isaac prayed to Allah and then she
became pregnant. She gave birth to twin boys. The first one was called Esau whom the Arabs
called Al-Eis. He became the father of Rum. The second one was called Jacob, which means
Isreal, (belonging to the people of Israel).
The People of the Book claimed that when Isaac (pbuh) grew old and his eye sight had
weakened, he had a desire for food, so he asked his son Esau to go hunting and bring him some
cooked game. Esau asked him to bless the food and pray for him. Esau, a hunter, went out to get
his father the meat. Rebekah, overhearing this, ordered her son Jacob to slaughter two goats of
his best flock and cook them as his father liked and bring it to him before his brother returned.
She dressed Jacob in his brother's clothes and put goat skin on his arms and neck, for Esau was
hairy while Jacob was not. When he approached his father with the food, his father asked: 'Who
are you?' Jacob answered: 'I am your son.' When his father finished eating, he prayed for his son
to be the more blessed brother and to prevail over them and all people, and for Allah to sustain
him and his children.
When he left his father, his brother Esau, who had carried out his father's command, entered.
Isaac asked him: "What is this my son?" He answered: "This is the food you like." Isaac asked:
"Did you bring it an hour ago and ask me to pray for you?" Esau said: "No, I swear I did not,"
and he knew his brother had preceded him in this matter and he was sick at heart.
Jacob Leaves his Home - from the People of the Book
The People of the Book said Esau threatened to kill his brother when their father was dead. They also said that he asked his father to pray for him that Allah make the earth good for his offspring and multiply his sustenance and fruits.
When their mother knew that Esau threatened his brother Jacob, she commanded her son Jacob to
go to her brother Laban in the land of Haran and abide with him for a time until his brother's
anger had abated, and to marry one of the Laban's daughters. She told her husband Isaac to
command him with that advice and pray for him, and he did.
Jacob's Promise
Jacob (pbuh) left his family, when night came he found a place to rest. He took a stone and put it
under his head and slept. He dreamed of a ladder from heaven to earth. Angels were ascending
and descending and the Lord addressed him and said to him; "I will bless you and your offspring
and make this land for you and for those who come after you."
When he awoke he felt joyful from what he had seen in his dream and vowed, for Allah's sake
that if he returned to his family safely, he would build here a temple for Allah the Almighty. He also vowed to give one tenth of his property for the sake of Allah. He poured oil on the stone so as to recognize it and called the place "Ayle's House" (Bethel), which means "House of Allah". It was to be the location of Jerusalem later.
Jacob's Wives - from the People of the Book
The People of the Book also said that when Jacob came to his maternal uncle in the land of
Haran, his uncle had two daughters. The elder one was called Leah (Lia) and the younger one was
Rachel (Rahil). The latter was the better and lovelier of the two. His uncle agreed to marry his
daughter to him on the condition that Jacob pasture his sheep for seven years.
After a period of time, his uncle prepared a feast and gathered people for the wedding. He married
Leah, his elder daughter, to him at night. She was weak-sighted and ugly. When morning came,
Jacob discovered she was Leah and he complained to his uncle. "You deceived me; I was engaged
to Rachel and you married me to Leah." His uncle said: "It is not our tradition to marry the
younger daughter before the elder daughter. However, if you love her sister, work another seven
years and I will marry you to both of them."
Jacob worked for seven years and then married Rachel. It was acceptable in their time, as
described in the Torah, for a man to marry two sisters. Laban gave a female slave to each
daughter. Leah's slave was called Zilpah and Rachel's slave was called Bilha.
Jacob's Children - from the People of the Book
Almighty Allah compensated Leah's weakness by giving her sons. The first one was named
Rueben (Robel), after whom there were Simon (Shamun), Levi (Lawi), and Judah (Yahudh).
Rachel felt jealous of Leah's having sons, as she was barren. She gave her slave Bilha to her
husband and he had relations with her until she became pregnant. She gave birth to a son and
named him Naphtali. Leah was vexed that Rachel's slave had give birth to a son, so she in turn
gave her slave Zilpah to Jacob (pbuh), Zilpah gave birth to two sons, Gad and Asher. Then Leah
got pregnant and gave birth to her fifth son, Issaacher, and later she gave birth to a sixth son
Zebulun. After this Leah gave birth to a daughter named Dinah. Thus, Leah had seven sons from
Jacob.
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Then Rachel prayed to Allah to give her a son from Jacob. Allah heard her call and responded to
her prayer. She gave birth to a son, great, honorable, and beautiful. She named him Joseph
(Yusuf). All of this happened when they were in the land of Haran and Jacob (pbuh) was
pasturing his uncle's sheep, which he did for a period of twenty years.
Jacob's Request - from the People of the Book
Jacob then asked his uncle Laban to let him go and visit his family. His uncle said to him: "I have
been blessed because of you; ask for whatever money you need." Jacob said: "Give me each
spotted and speckled goat born this year and each black lamb."
But at Laban's command his sons removed their father's goat that were striped, spotted or
speckled, and the black lambs, lest others should be born with those traits. They walked for three
days with their father's goats and sheep while Jacob tended the remaining flock.
The People of the Book said that Jacob (pbuh) took fresh rods of poplar, almond, and plane. He
peeled streaks in them and cast them into the water through for the goats to look at. The young
inside their abdomens were terrified and moved and they were born striped, spotted or speckled.
When the sheep were breeding, he set their faces towards the black sheep in Laban's flock and put
the rods among them. Their lambs were born black. This was considered an example of
supernatural powers, a miracle. Jacob had many goats, sheep, beast and slaves. His uncle and his
sons faces changed as if they the sheep and goats had been stolen from them.
Jacob Accused of Taking Idols
Allah the Almighty inspired Jacob to return to the country of his father and people, and He
promised to stand by him. Jacob told his family that, and they responded and obeyed him. Jacob
did not tell Laban of his plans, however, and left without bidding farewell.
Upon leaving, Rachel stole her father's idols. After Jacob and his people had fled for his country,
Laban and his people followed them. When Laban met with Jacob, he blamed him for leaving him
without his knowledge. He would have liked to know so that he could have made them leave with
celebration and joy, with drums and songs, and so that he could have bidden his daughters and
sons farewell. And why have they taken his idols with them?
Jacob had no knowledge of his idols, so he denied that he had taken them from him. Then Laban
entered the tents of his daughters and slaves to search, but he found nothing, for Rachel had put
the idols in the camel saddle under her. She did not get up, apologizing that she had her menses.
Thus, he could not perceive what they had done.
Then they sat on a hill called Galeed and made a covenant there. Jacob would not ill treat Laban's
daughters nor marry others. Neither Laban nor Jacob would pass the hill into the other's country.
They cooked food and their people ate with them. Each bade the other farewell as they departed,
each returning to his own country.
Jacob Prepares to meet Esau
When Jacob approached the land of Seir, the angels greeted him. He sent a messenger ahead with greetings to his brother Esau, asking forgiveness and humbling himself before him. The messenger returned greetings and told Jacob that Esau was riding towards him with four hundred men. This
made Jacob afraid and he entreated and prayed to Allah Almighty. He prostrated in humiliation
and asked Him to fulfill His promise which He had made before. He asked Him to stop the evil of
his brother Esau. Then Jacob (pbuh) prepared a great present for his brother: two hundred female
goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams, and thirty milch camels, forty
cows and two bulls, twenty female donkeys and ten male donkeys.
He commanded his slaves to take the animals, each drove by itself, and pass on ahead of him with
a space between the droves. He instructed them: "When you meet my brother Esau he will ask
you, 'to whom do you belong? where are you going?' you shall say, 'they belong to your servant
Jacob; they are a present to my master Esau. Moreover, he is behind us."
Jacob stayed behind with his two wives, his slaves and his children for two nights, then continued
walking by night and resting by day.
Jacob becomes Israel
When the dawn of the second day came one of the angels appeared in the shape of a man. Jacob
began to wrestle with him. They were neck and neck until the angel injured his thigh and Jacob
became lame. When the day was breaking, the angel said to him: 'What is your name?' He
answered: 'Jacob.' The angel said: "After today you shall not be called anything but Israel." Jacob
asked: "Who are you? What is your name?" He vanished. Then Jacob knew that he was one of the
angels. Jacob was lame, and for this reason the children of Israel do not eat the thigh muscle on
the hip socket.
Jacob and Esau Meet
Jacob raised his eyes and saw his brother Esau coming. Jacob prostrated seven times before him for it was their salutation in that time. It was lawful for them just as the angels had prostration in salutation to Adam.
When Esau saw him, he ran towards him, embraced and kissed him and wept. When Esau raised his eyes and saw the women and children he asked: "Who are these with you?" Jacob answered: "Those whom Allah has given me, your servant." Leah, Rachel, their slaves, and all the children approached and prostrated before him. Jacob asked Esau to accept his gift and insisted until he did so. Esau returned and went in advance before him. Jacob and his family followed with the flocks and herds and slaves to the mountains (Seir).
Jacob Builds Ayl
When he came to Succoth (Sahur), he built a house for himself and shades for his beasts. Then he
passed by Jerusalem, the village of Shechem, and camped before the village. He bought a farm
from Shcehm Ibn Hamor with one hundred goats and built an altar, which he called Ayl, as Allah
commanded him. He built the altar where Jerusalem stands today and later Solomon son of David
(pbuh) rebuilt it.
Prophet Job (Ayoub)
Job's Family History
Ibn Ishaaq stated that he was a man of Rum. His name was Job, Ibn Mose, Ibn Razeh, Ibn Esau, Ibn Isaac (pbuh), Ibn Abraham (pbuh). Someone else said he was Job, Ibn Mose, Ibn Rimil, Ibn Esau, Ibn Isaac, Ibn Jacob. There have also been other statements on his lineage. Ibn Asaker narrated that his mother was a daughter of Lot (pbuh). It was said, also that his father was one who believed in Abraham (pbuh) when he was cast into the fire.
The first opinion is the most plausible, because he was a descendant of Abraham's offspring as
Allah Almighty declared:
"That was Our proof which We gave Abraham against his people. We raise whom We will in
degrees. Certainly your Lord is All-Wise, All Knowing. And We bestowed upon him Isaac and
Jacob, each of them We guided and before him, We guided Noah, and among his progeny David,
Solomon, Job, Joseph, Moses, and Aaron. Thus do We reward the good doers. (Ch 6:83-84)
Allah's Praises of Job
Allah the Almighty praised His worshipper Job in His Glorious Quran:
"Truly! We found him patient. How excellent a slave! Verily, he was ever oft returning in
repentance to Us!" (Ch 38:44)
Job (pbuh) was repentant, remembering Allah with thankfulness, patience, and steadfastness. This
was the cause of his rescue and the secret of Allah's praising him.
A group of angels were discussing Allah's other human creatures, how those who were humble
earned Allah's pleasure, while those who were arrogant incurred His displeasure. One of the
angels remarked: "The best creature on earth today is Job, a man of noble character who displays
great patience and always remembers his Generous Lord. He is an excellent model for the
worshippers of Allah. In return, his Lord has blessed him with a long life and plenty of servants, as
well as the needy and the poor share in his good fortune; he feeds and clothes the poor and buys
slaves to set them free. He makes those who receive his charity feel as if they are favoring him so
kind and gentle is he."
Iblis' Jealousy of Job
Iblis overhearing all of this, became annoyed. He planned to tempt Job to corruption and disbelief,
so he hastened to him. He tried to distract Job from his prayers by whispering him about the good things in life but Job was a true believer and would not let evil thoughts tempt him. This disturbed Iblis even more; thus he began to hate Job even more.
Iblis Destroys Job's Wealth
Iblis complained to Allah about Job. He said that although he was continuously glorifying Allah he
was not doing so out of his sincerity but to satisfy Allah so that his wealth should not be taken
away. It was all a show, all out of greed. "If You remove his wealth then You will find that his
tongue will no longer mention Your name and his praying will stop."
Allah told Iblis that Job was one of His most sincere devotees. He did not worship Him because
of the favors; his worship stemmed from his heart and had nothing to do with material things. But
to prove to Iblis the depth of Job's sincerity and patience, Allah allowed him to do whatever he
and his helpers wished with Job's wealth.
Iblis was very happy. he gathered his helpers and set about destroying Job's cattle, servants and
farms until he was left with no possessions. Rubbing his hands in glee, Iblis appeared before Job in
the guise of a wise old man and said to him: "All your wealth is lost, some people say that it is
because you gave too much charity and that you are wasting your time with your continuous
prayers to Allah. Others say that Allah has brought this upon you in order to please your enemies.
If Allah had the capacity to prevent harm, then He would have protected your wealth."
True to his belief, Job replied: "What Allah has taken away from me belongs to Him. I was only
its trustee for awhile. He gives to whom He wills and withholds from whom He wills." With these
words, Job again prostrated to his Lord.
Iblis Destroys Job's Children
When Iblis saw this, he felt frustrated, so he again addressed Allah: "I have stripped Job of all his
possessions, but he still remains grateful to You. However he is only hiding his disappointment,
for he places great store by his many children. The real test of a parent is through his children.
You will see how Job will reject You."
Allah granted Iblis authority but warned him that it would not reduce Job' faith in His Lord nor
his patience.
Iblis again gathered his helpers and set about his evil deeds. He shook the fountain of the house in
which Job's children were living and sent the building crashing, killing all of them. Then he went
to Job disguised as a man who had come to sympathize with him. In a comforting tone he said to
Job: "The circumstances under which your children died were sad. Surely, your Lord is not
rewarding you properly for all your prayers." Having said this, Iblis waited anxiously hoping Job
was now ready to reject Allah.
But again Job disappointed him by replying: "Allah sometimes gives and sometimes takes. He is
sometimes pleased and sometimes displeased with our deeds. Whether a thing is beneficial or
harmful to me, I will remain firm in my belief and remain thankful to my Creator." then Job
prostrated to his Lord. At this Iblis was extremely vexed.
Iblis Destroys Job's Health
Iblis called on Allah. "O my Lord, Job's wealth is gone, his children are dead, and he is still healthy
in body, and as long as he enjoys good health he will continue to worship You in the hope of
regaining his wealth and producing more children. Grant me authority over his body so that I may
weaken it. He will surely neglect worshipping You an will thus become disobedient."
ScribdAlexander the great by Tafsir ibni kathir.
[edit] Introduction
Early Islamic scholars generally endorsed the identification of Dhul-Qarnayn with Alexander the Great. The earliest written identification between Alexander and Dhul-Qarnayn is made by the Muslim hagiographer Ibn Hisham (?-833 AD) in the Sira literature. This identification with Alexander is also endorsed by Islamic tafsir (exegesis) literature dating as far back as the tenth century. Some prominent Islamic scholars in recent times have also endorsed this identification.
Secular philologists studying ancient Syriac Christian legends about Alexander the Great independently came to the conclusion that Dhul-Qarnayn is an ancient epithet for Alexander the Great. According to these findings,
Alexander's association with two horns and with the building of the gate against Gog and Magog occurs much earlier than the Quran and persists in the beliefs of all three of these religions [Judaism, Christianity and Islam]. The denial of Alexander's identity as Dhul-Qarnain is the denial of a common heritage shared by the cultures which shape the modern world--both in the east and the west. The popularity of the legend of Alexander the Great proves that these cultures share a history which suggests that perhaps they are not so different after all.[2]
In the 19th century, Orientalists studying the Qur'an began researching the identity of Dhul-Qarnayn. The matter was settled in 1890 by Theodor Nِldeke, in an article where he established that Dhul-Qarnayn was none other than Alexander the Great and that the source of the Qur'anic narrations were the Alexander romance legends recorded in Syriac (a dialect of Middle Aramaic).[3] The Syriac manuscripts were translated into English in 1889 by E. A. Wallis Budge.[4] In the early 1900s Andrew Runni Anderson wrote a series of articles on the question in the Transactions of the American Philological Association.[5] The findings of the philologists imply that the source of the Qur'an's story of Dhul-Qarnayn is the Alexander romance, a thoroughly embellished compilation of Alexander's exploits from Hellenistic and early Christian sources, which underwent numerous expansions and revisions for two-thousand years, throughout Antiquity and the Middle Ages.[2]
[edit] Historical background on religious Alexander legends
17th century manuscript of an Alexandrine novel (Russia): Alexander exploring the depths of the sea
There have been many different cultural depictions of Alexander the Great since antiquity, including references in the Hebrew Bible in 1 Maccabees and the Book of Daniel. Alexander the Great was an immensely popular figure in the classical and post-classical cultures of the Mediterranean and Middle East. Almost immediately after his death in 323 BC a body of legend began to accumulate about his exploits and life which, over the centuries, became increasingly fantastic as well as allegorical. Collectively this tradition is called the Alexander romance and some recensions feature such vivid episodes as Alexander ascending through the air to Paradise, journeying to the bottom of the sea in a glass bubble, and journeying through the Land of Darkness in search of the Water of Life (Fountain of Youth).
The earliest Greek manuscripts of the Alexander romance, as they have survived, indicate that it was composed at Alexandria in the 3rd century A.D. The original text was lost but was the source of some eighty different versions written in twenty-four different languages.[6] As the Alexander romance persisted in popularity over the centuries, it was assumed by various neighboring peoples. Of particular significance was its incorporation into Jewish and later Christian legendary traditions. In the Jewish tradition Alexander was initially a figure of satire, representing the vain or covetous ruler who is ignorant of larger spiritual truths. Yet their belief in a just, all-powerful God forced Jewish interpreters of the Alexander tradition to come to terms with Alexander's undeniable temporal success. Why would a just, all-powerful God show such favor to an unrighteous ruler? This theological need, plus acculturation to Hellenism, led to a more positive Jewish interpretation of the Alexander legacy. In its most neutral form this was typified by having Alexander show deference to either the Jewish people or the symbols of their faith. In having the great conqueror thus acknowledge the essential truth of the Jews' religious, intellectual, or ethical traditions, the prestige of Alexander was harnessed to the cause of Jewish ethnocentrism. Eventually Jewish writers would almost completely co-opt Alexander, depicting him as a righteous gentile or even a believing monotheist.[7].
The Christianized peoples of the Near East, inheritors of both the Hellenic as well as Judaic strands of the Alexander romance, further theologized Alexander until in some stories he was depicted as a saint. The Christian legends turned the ancient Greek conqueror Alexander III into Alexander "the Believing King", implying that he was a believer in monotheism. Eventually elements of the Alexander romance were combined with Biblical legends such as Gog and Magog.
During the period of history during which the Alexander romance was written, and co-opted by Judaism, Christianity and Islam, little was known about the true historical Alexander the Great as most of the history of his conquests had been preserved in the form of folklore and legends. It was not until the Renaissance (1300-1600 AD) that the true history of Alexander III was rediscovered:
Since the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC there has been no age in history, whether in the West or the in the East, in which his name and exploits have not been famaliar. And yet not only have all contemporary records been lost but even the work based on those records though written some four and a half centuries after his death, the Anabasis of Arrian, was totally unknown to the writers of the Middle Ages and became available to Western scholarship only with the Revival of Learning [the Renaissance]. The perpetuation of Alexander's fame through so many ages and amongst so many peoples is due in the main to the innumerable recensions and transmogrifications of a work known as the Alexander Romance or Pseudo-Callisthenes.[8]
[edit] Dating and origins of the Alexander legends
An 11th century Syriac manuscript. The Syriac language is a dialect of Middle Aramaic that was once spoken across much of the Fertile Crescent. Classical Syriac became a major literary language throughout the Middle East from the 4th to the 8th centuries,[9] the classical language of Edessa, preserved in a large body of Syriac literature. Syriac became the vehicle of Eastern Orthodox Christianity and culture, spreading throughout Asia. Before Arabic became the dominant language, Syriac was a major language among the Assyrian Christian communities of the Middle East and Central Asia. Several Syriac manuscripts of the Alexander romance exist, dating from the 7th century. The Greek–Syriac translators are generally credited with introducing the works of the ancient Greeks to pre-Islamic Arabia.
The legendary Alexander material originated as early as the time of the Ptolemaic dynasty (305 BC to 30 BC) and its unknown authors are sometimes referred to as the Pseudo-Callisthenes (not to be confused with Callisthenes of Olynthus, who was Alexander's official historian). The earliest surviving manuscript of the Alexander romance, called the α (alpha) recension, can be dated to the 3rd century AD and was written in Greek in Alexandria:
There have been many theories regarding the date and sources of this curious work [the Alexander romance]. According to the most recent authority, ... it was compiled by a Greco-Egyptian writing in Alexandria about A.D. 300. The sources on which the anonymous author drew were twofold. On the one hand he made use of a `romanticized history of Alexander of a highly rhetorical type depending on the Cleitarchus tradition, and with this he amalgamated a collection of imaginary letters derived from an Epistolary Romance of Alexander written in the first century B.C. He also included two long letters from Alexander to his mother Olympias and his tutor Aristotle describing his marvellous adventures in India and at the end of the World. These are the literary expression of a living popular tradition and as such are the most remarkable and interesting part of the work.[10]
The Greek variants of the Alexander romance continued to evolve until, in the 4th century AD, the Greek legend was translated into Latin by Julius Valerius Alexander Polemius (where it is called the Res gestae Alexandri Magni) and from Latin it spread to all major vernacular languages of Europe in the Middle Ages. Around the same as its translation into Latin, the Greek text was also translated into the Syriac language and from Syriac it spread to eastern cultures and languages as far afield as China and Southeast Asia.[11] The Syriac legend was the source of an Arabic variant called the Qisas Dhul-Qarnayn (Tales of Dhul-Qarnayn)[12] and a Persian variant called the Iskandarnamah (Book of Alexander), as well as Armenian and Ethiopic translations.[13] The version recorded in Syriac is of particular importance because it was current in the Middle East during the time of the Qur'an's writing and is regarded as being closely related to the literary and linguistic origins of the story of Dhul-Qarnayn in the Qur'an. The Syriac legend, as it has survived, consists of five distinct manuscripts, including a Syriac Christian religious legend concerning Alexander and a sermon about Alexander attributed to the Syriac poet-theologian Jacob of Serugh (451-521 AD, also called Mar Jacob). The Syriac Christian legend concentrates on Alexander's journey to the end of the World, where he constructs the Gates of Alexander to enclose the evil nations of Gog and Magog, while the sermon describes his journey to the Land of Darkness to discover the Water of Life (Fountain of Youth). These legends concerning Alexander are remarkably similar to the story of Dhul-Qarnayn found in the Qur'an.[14]
One of the five Syriac manuscripts, as it has survived, can be dated to between 629 AD and 636 AD. There is evidence in the manuscript of "ex eventu knowledge of the Khazar invasion of Armenia in A.D. 629," [15][16] meaning that it was burdened with additions by a redactor sometime around 629 AD. The manuscript appears to have been composed as propaganda in support of Emperor Heraclius (575-641 AD) shortly after he defeated the Persians in the Byzantine-Sassanid War of 602–628. It is notable that this manuscript fails to mention the Islamic conquest of Jerusalem in 636 AD by Muhammad's (570-632 AD) successor, Caliph Umar (590-644 AD). This fact means that the manuscript must have been recorded before the "cataclysmic event"`that was the Muslim conquest of Syria and the resulting surrender of Jerusalem in November 636 AD. That the Byzantine–Arab Wars would have been referenced in the manuscript, had it been written after 636 AD, is supported by the fact that in 692 AD a Syriac Christian adaption of the Alexander romance called the Apocalypse of Pseudo-Methodius was indeed written as a response to the Muslim invasions and was falsely attributed to St Methodius (?-311 AD). The Apocalypse of Pseudo-Methodius equated the evil nations of Gog and Magog with the Muslim invaders and shaped the eschatological imagination of Christendom for centuries.[14]
The manuscripts also contain evidence of lost texts. For example, there is some evidence of a lost pre-Islamic Arabic version of the translation that is thought to have been an intermediary between the Syriac Christian and the Ethiopic Christian translations.[17]. There is also evidence that the Syriac translation was not directly based on the Greek recensions but was based on a lost Pahlavi (pre-Islamic Persian) intermediary.[10]
[edit] Theological Controversy
The identity of Dhul-Qarnayn has been a matter of theological controversy amongst Muslim scholars for centuries. Dhul-Qarnayn was equated with Alexander by classical Islamic scholars during a period when Christians and Jews had themselves co-opted Alexander the Great as a religious figure. It is clear that the historical Alexander the Great was a Greek pagan (Alexander's mother, Olympias, was a devout member of the orgiastic snake-worshiping cult of Dionysus, and may have slept with snakes) but these historical facts only came to light after the Renaissance period (1300-1600 AD). The Muslim sentiment against Alexander is reflected in several Islamic texts, often with references to his polytheistic religious beliefs and (more recently) his personal relationships:
Also problematic is the assertion that the Qur'an's story is taken from the Alexander romance. This would imply that ancient Syriac folklore about Alexander, no longer accepted as true by anyone, demonstrably forms both the literary and linguistic origins of the story found in the Qur'an. In response, alternative theories about the identity of Dhul-Qarnayn were advanced by Muslim scholars. For example, it is sometimes suggested by Muslim writers that Dhul-Qarnayn could be Cyrus the Great (600-530 BC) or an ancient Yemenite king.
[edit] Dhul-Qarnayn in Islamic literature
Main article: Dhul-Qarnayn
[edit] Qur'an
Dhul-Qarnayn (The two-horned in English) features prominently in the Qur'an, the sacred scripture believed by Muslims to have been revealed by Allah to Muhammad. The story of Dhul-Qarnayn appears in seventeen short verses of the Qur'an, specifically verses 18:83-99 of Surah Al-Kahf. Dhul-Qarnayn is mentioned in only one place in the Qur'an, unlike the more familiar stories that are repeated throughout the text (for example, the story of Jesus is mentioned in 93 verses in 15 different surahs of the Qur'an). The Qur'an's story describes a man called Dhul-Qarnayn (meaning "the Two-Horned"), who was already familiar to the inhabitants of the region, to whom Allah gave great power, and who traveled to the rising place and setting place of the sun, where he found the sun setting in a murky (or boiling) sea. At this place, Dhul-Qarnayn builds a wall in order to enclose the nations of Gog and Magog. The Gog and Magog will breach Dhul-Qarnayn's wall before the al-Qiyāmah (Day of Judgement) and will wreak havoc in the world (Islamic Armageddon):
Qur'an Verse Yusuf Ali Pickthall
18:83 They ask thee concerning Zul-qarnain Say, "I will rehearse to you something of his story." They will ask thee of Dhu'l-Qarneyn. Say: "I shall recite unto you a remembrance of him."
18:84 Verily We established his power on earth, and We gave him the ways and the means to all ends. Lo! We made him strong in the land and gave him unto every thing a road.
18:85 One (such) way he followed, And he followed a road
18:86 Until, when he reached the setting of the sun, he found it set in a spring of murky water: near it he found a people: We said: "O Zul-qarnain! (thou hast authority), either to punish them, or to treat them with kindness." Till, when he reached the setting-place of the sun, he found it setting in a muddy spring, and found a people thereabout. We said: "O Dhu'l-Qarneyn! Either punish or show them kindness."
18:87 He said: "Whoever doth wrong, him shall we punish; then shall he be sent back to his Lord; and He will punish him with a punishment unheard-of (before). He said: "As for him who doeth wrong, we shall punish him, and then he will be brought back unto his Lord, Who will punish him with awful punishment!"
18:88 "But whoever believes, and works righteousness, he shall have a goodly reward, and easy will be his task as we order it by our command." "But as for him who believeth and doeth right, good will be his reward, and We shall speak unto him a mild command."
18:89 Then followed he (another) way. Then he followed a road
18:90 Until, when he came to the rising of the sun, he found it rising on a people for whom We had provided no covering protection against the sun. Till, when he reached the rising-place of the sun, he found it rising on a people for whom We had appointed no shelter therefrom.
18:91 (He left them) as they were: We completely understood what was before him. So (it was). And We knew all concerning him.
18:92 Then followed he (another) way. Then he followed a road
18:93 Until, when he reached (a tract) between two mountains, he found, beneath them, a people who scarcely understood a word. Till, when he came between the two mountains, he found upon their hither side a folk that scarce could understand a saying.
18:94 They said: "O Zul-qarnain! the Gog and Magog (people) do great mischief on earth: shall we then render thee tribute in order that thou mightest erect a barrier [wall] between us and them?" They said: "O Dhu'l-Qarneyn! Lo! Gog and Magog are spoiling the land. So may we pay thee tribute on condition that thou set a barrier [wall] between us and them?"
18:95 He said: "(The power) in which my Lord has established me is better (than tribute): help me therefore with strength (and labour): I will erect a strong barrier [wall] between you and them: He said: "That wherein my Lord hath established me is better (than your tribute). Do but help me with strength (of men), I will set between you and them a bank [wall]."
18:96 "Bring me blocks of iron." At length, when he had filled up the space between the two steep mountain sides, he said, "Blow (with your bellows)" then, when he had made it (red) as fire, he said: "Bring me, that I may pour over it, molten lead." "Give me pieces of iron" - till, when he had leveled up (the gap) between the cliffs, he said: "Blow!" - till, when he had made it a fire, he said: "Bring me molten copper to pour thereon."
18:97 Thus were they made powerless to scale it or to dig through it. And (Gog and Magog) were not able to surmount, nor could they pierce (it).
18:98 He said: "This is a mercy from my Lord: but when the promise of my Lord comes to pass, He will make it into dust; and the promise of my Lord is true." He said: "This is a mercy from my Lord; but when the promise of my Lord cometh to pass, He will lay it low, for the promise of my Lord is true."
18:99 On that day We shall leave them [Gog and Magog] to surge like waves on one another: the trumpet will be blown, and We shall collect them all together. And on that day we shall let some of them [Gog and Magog] surge against others, and the Trumpet will be blown. Then We shall gather them together in one gathering.
[edit] Sira
12th century map by the Muslim geographer Al-Idrisi (south up). "Yajooj" and "Majooj" (Gog and Magog) appear in Arabic script on the bottom-left edge of the Eurasian landmass, enclosed within dark mountains, at a location corresponding roughly to Mongolia. This is a reference to the story of Dhul-Qarnayn in the Qur'an.
The earliest mention of Dhul-Qarnayn outside the Qur'an is found in the works of the earliest Muslim historian and hagiographer, Ibn Ishaq (?-761 AD), which form the main corpus of the Sira (religious biography) literature. Ibn Ishaq's Sira reports that the eighteenth chapter of the Qur'an (which includes the story of Dhul-Qarnayn) was revealed to Muhammad by God on account of some questions posed to Muhammad by the rabbis. The verse was revealed during the Meccan period of Muhammad's life. According to Ibn Ishaq, Muhammad's tribe, the powerful Quraysh, were greatly concerned about their tribesman who had started claiming prophethood and wished to consult the Jewish rabbis' superior knowledge of the scriptures and about the prophets of God. The two Quraysh men described their tribesman, Muhammad, to the Jewish scholars. The rabbis told the men to ask Muhammad three questions:
They (the rabbis) said, 'Ask him about three things which we will tell you to ask and if he answers them then he is a Prophet who has been sent (by Allah); if he does not, then he is saying things that are not true, in which case how you will deal with him will be up to you. Ask him about some young men in ancient times, what was their story? For theirs is a strange and wondrous tale. Ask him about a man who travelled a great deal and reached the east and the west of the earth. What was his story? And ask him about the Ruh (soul or spirit) —what is it? If he tells you about these things, then he is a Prophet, so follow him, but if he does not tell you, then he is a man who is making things up, so deal with him as you see fit.'[18]
The famous story in the Sira relates that when Muhammad was informed of the three questions from the Rabbis, he declared that he would have the answers in the morning. However, Muhammad did not give the answer in the morning. For fifteen days, Muhammad did not answer the question. Doubt in Muhammad began to grow amongst the people of Mecca. Then, after fifteen days, Muhammad received the revelation that is Sura Al-Kahf ("The Cave"), the eighteenth chapter of the Qur'an. Surah Al-Kahf mentions the "People of the Cave," a strange story about some young men in ancient times who slept in a cave for many years. Surah Al-Kahf also mentions the Ruh, or soul/spirit.[verification needed] Finally, the surah also mentions "a man who travelled a great deal and reached the east and the west of the earth"—namely, Dhul-Qarnayn. Though Ibn Ishaq himself does not explicitly mention the name Alexander, he relates that a storyteller told him that Dhul-Qarnayn was a Greco-Egyptian (an accurate description of Alexander):
A man who used to purvey stories of the foreigners, which were handed down among them, told me that Dhul-Qarnayn was an Egyptian whose name was Marzuban bin Mardhaba, the Greek.[19]
Ibn Ishaq's original work is lost, but it has been almost completely incorporated in Ibn Hisham (?-833 AD), another early Muslim historian. Ibn Hisham collected Ibn Ishaq's Sira and added his notes to it; in regards to Dhul-Qarnayn, Ibn Hisham noted:
Dhu al-Qarnain is Alexander the Greek, the king of Persia and Greece, or the king of the east and the west, for because of this he was called Dhul-Qarnayn [meaning, 'the two-horned one']...[verification needed]
The theme, amongst Islamic scholars, of identifying Dhul-Qarnayn with Alexander the Great appears to have originated here. Why Ibn Hisham made this identification is not entirely clear.
[edit] Pre-Islamic Arabic poetry
Ibn Ishaq recorded many pre-Islamic Arabic poems in the Sira, including a poem about Dhul-Qarnayn that he claims was composed by a pre-Islamic king of ancient Yemen named Tubba':
He discovered various economic minerals both metallic and non metallic from 18000 feet high altitude to 10 000 feet like tungsten in Chitral and Mansehra, Gold in Australia and Northern Areas like Shmshal and begrote valleys, Copper in Drosh Chitral ,Lead Zinc in Kohistan and Mansehra District, Iron ore In Chitral and Langraial Iron Ore in District Abottabad.Did work on Manganese in Choora Gali phosphate in Tarnwai Abbottabad Barite in Hazara Division, Chromite in Jijal Kohistan and Malakand (herosha And Landi rude),Silca sand in District Mansehra and did work on Limestone of Khanpure and Nara Limestone for cement industry.Scanned each small to big gullies/stream for gold and and other metallic minerals exploration. He was also team Leader one of NGO in Baluchistan and worked in most poorest of the poor community in Baluchistan on Health and hygiene,clean drinking water sanitation and formal and informal education. He contested for National Assembly/provincial assembly seat independently in 2008 from his own constituency of NA 18 Abbottabad 11 and PF 47 with the motive to serve the poor and to make prosperous Pakistan.Now actively participating in politics of Pakistan.He consider the Politics like a religion and he says politics should be like to serve the people of our country like our Prophet SAW peace be upon him and like Sahaaba Ikram and should be role model of their great Leaders like Quaid Azam Muhammad AliJina Allama Iqbal Alla ma Mashrqi and many others..He belongs to the Karlal (kalarall tribe which is one of the most brave tribe who are the decendent of Hazart Ibrahim Allai Islam and sons Of Alexander the great.Karlal give respect to all other tribes and expect same from others. Sardar is used only for Kalarall tribe in NWFP but now many people write with their name with out reason. The Family Tree Of Sardar Aurangzeb Kalarall is here Kalarall tribe shajra nasab(FAMILY TREE) OF KALARALL TRIBE) BY SARDAR AURANGZEB KALARALL PRESIDENT OF KALARALL FOUNDATION OFPAKISTAN.WE ARE THE SONS OF OUR HOLY PROPHET HAZRAT IBRAHIM ALLAISALM
AND HIS SON HAZRAT ISHAQ ALLAI ISLAM AND HIS SON HAZRAT AES(ESO) BANI UDHAM THE ELDER BROTHER OF BANI ISRALI HAZART YAQUB ALLAI ISLAM
.FURTHER MORE WE KALARALL ARE PROUDE TO BE HAVING OUR FORE FATHER HAZAT AYOUB SABIR ALLAI ISLAM,HAZRAT BASHAR (DHUAL KIFIL) ALLAI ISLAM AND SONS OF SKANDAR DHUL KARNAIN (ALEXANDER THE GREAT).OUR FATHER KALAR SHA CAME TO INDIA FROM TAKHT E KALAR IRAN(PLZ SEE IN GOOGLE MAP OF IRAN)TO INDIA IN 1200AD DURING THE MONGOLE BARBARISIM IN DEHLI IN ILTUMASH REIGN AND WAS GIVEN HIM SPECIAL RESPONSIBILTY DUE TO ITS ROYAL FAMILY BACKGROUND.THERE IS ONE MOSQUE IN RED FORT DEHLI UNDER THE NAME OF KALAR MASJID WHICH IS MISQOTED AS KALA MASJID IT HAS FIVE GATES IT WAS CONSTRUCTED BY FEROZE SHA IN 1300 AD.THERE ARE FURTHER TWO MOSQUES IN INDIA ONE IS KALAR MOSQUE IN RED FORT NEAR TOMB OF RAZIA SULTAN CONVERTED IN TO HINDU TEMPLE AND THE OTHER IS IN GUJRAT INDIA KALAR MOSQUE CONVERTED TO HINDU TEMPLE( PLEASE SEE MOSQUES CONVERTED TO TEMPLE
IN INDIA ON INTENET)
THE KALAR SHA WAS THEN CAME TO MOLIA BAKOT AND LIVED THERE. NOW ABOUT OUR FOREFATHER AND PROPHET HAZRAT IBRAHIM KHALILULA ALLAI ISLAM.
HOLY KAABA Hazrat Ibrahim Khalilullah(A.S.) is accredited for raising the foundation of Holy Kaa'ba - the first house made for mankind at Mecca. And remember Abraham and Isma'il raised the foundations of the House (With this prayer): "Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us: For Thou art the All-Hearing, the All-knowing. Holy Qur'an (2:127)
Hazrat Ibrahim Khalilullah(A.S.) and Hazrat Ismail Zabiullah(A.S.) constructed the house which has been a place of prayer for all times. There is a spot (Maqam-e-Ibrahim) near the Kaa'ba where Hazrat Ibrahim(A.S.) stood while erecting the Holy house and where he offered his prayers. Hazrat Ibrahim(A.S.) further prayed:
"Our Lord! make of us Muslims, bowing to Thy (Will), and of our progeny a
people Muslim, bowing to Thy (will); and show us our place for the
celebration of (due) rites; and turn unto us (in Mercy); for Thou art the Oft-Returning, Most Merciful. Holy Qur'an (2:128)
The above mentioned verse throws light on the fact that there had always
been "true muslims" in his progeny. Hazrat Ibrahim(A.S.) further
prayed:
"Our Lord! send amongst them a Messenger of their own, who shall rehearse Thy Signs to them and instruct them in scripture and wisdom, and sanctify them: For Thou art the Exalted in Might, the Wise." Holy Qur'an (2:129)
After four thousand years, God granted Hazrat Ibrahim's prayer and raised our Holy Prophet Muhammed(S.A.W.) from amongst them, as a answer to his prayer. The same thing has been quoted in the Holy Qur'an as follows:
It is He Who has sent amongst the Unlettered a messenger from among themselves, to rehearse to them His Signs, to sanctify them, and to instruct them in Scripture and Wisdom, although they had been, before, in manifest error; Holy Qur'an (62:2)
In the lineage of our Prophet Muhammed(S.A.W.) all are "true muslims". Hence from Adam(A.S.) to our Holy Prophet Muhammed(S.A.W.) all are "true
muslims".
Allah did choose Adam and Noah, the family of Abraham, and the family of
Imran above all people, Offspring, one of the other: And Allah heareth
and knoweth all things. Holy Qur'an (3:33-34 [[SHAJARA NASAB OF KARLAL TRIBE LIVING IN DISTRICT ABOTTABAD NWFP Adam ]] Sheth Enos Cainan Mahalaleed Jared Enoch / Idris Methuselah Lamech Noah / Nuh Shem Arhhazed Salih / Saleb Eber Pelag Rem Serag Nahor Tarukh Abraham / Ibrahim Ishmael / Ismail Brothers Isaac /
Ishaq
AES(ESO)(BANI UDHAM) Raoil Zarah Mous Ayoub Homal Bashar(dhulkifl) Abdan Arghose Alkanis Persinis Amghi Taryoun Harqulas Highlais Zouthnais Eyealikus Avenis Procas ist Clyness Aneetas Amitas ist Sikandar ist Tartues Prcase 2nd(sani) ShararKelvis Amantas 2nd (sani) Felqus Skandar azam(alexander the great) Skindar rose (Alexandrus) Skyness (saka) Sumaguinas Rejainas Shah Ganjais Ganj(ghazni fort is after his name in Afghanistan) Kuaid sha Kour sha Zaiulabdine Sultan Sadrudine Badrudine Qutabsha Shajan Rumi Brouchar Sha Tulochan Sha Mahmood Sha Abdurehman Sha Sujan Sha Kalar sha(the karlal (kalarall) tribe is after his Name. sons of kalar sha 1 Sardar Mall khan + Sardar Ball khan +Sardar Tuflou Khan+Sardar JIa khan. Sardar Mall Khan Shajara Sardar Ludhair Khan Sardar Jehkar Khan Sardar Sareer Khan Sardar Pehlai khan Sardar Makoon khan sardar Bani khan Sardar Pehlai Khan Sardar Rajang Khan sardar Waisra khan Sardar Fujo Khan Sardar Amanat Khan Sardar Sha Doulat khan Sardar Ghazni Khan Sardar Lashkari Khan Sardar Sha Alam Khan Sardar Gulbaz khan Sardar Ghairat Khan ( ghairat Khani) Sardar NOubat khan Sardar Lashkari Khan Sardar Abdula Khan (raees Abdulla Khan) Sardar Muhtar Khan(Had three sons) 1Sardar Sooba Khan(Migrated from Changra Kashka To Nara in 1821)when Sikh Governor Majaithi sing was killed by Karlal tribe in Sumandar Katha.)+2 sardar Shair Khan(residing in Chamnaka ) +3 sardar Khani Zaman(was living in Baghra) Sons of Sardar Sooba Khan 1 Sardar Ali Khan 2 sardar said Mohammand khan 3 Sardar Mohammad Khan4 sarda Anaitulla khan. Sons of Sardar Ali Khan Sardar Qalandar Khan 2 sardar sikandar khan3 sardar Gulzaman khan 4 sardar Ali zaman khan 5 sardar Aburehman khan. SONS OF SARDAR ALIZAMAN KHAN 1 SARDAR MOHAMMAD ANWAR (PROGREE OFFICER MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL RESOURCES PAKISTAN.) 2 SARDAR AURANGZEB KALARALL (PRESIDENT ALL PAKISTAN KALARALLFEDRATION,GEOLOGIST EX.DIRECTOR IN K D B CABINANT DIV.EX GEOLOGIST IN SARHAD DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY NWFP SPECIALIZED IN GOLD AND OTHERS STRETIGIC MINERALS FROM AUSTRAILIA AFTER POST GRADUATION IN GEOLOGY MSC(GEOLOGY)PAKISTA.DISCOVERED VARIOUS ECONOMIC AND MOST VALUABLE MINERALS IN NWFP PAKISTAN AND ALSO WRITTEN BOOKS/REPORTS ON MINERALS AND ROCKS. 3 SARDAR GHULAM MUSTAFA DEPUTY SUPERTENDENT OF POLICE ISLAMABAD AND POST
GRADUATE IN MASS-CUMNICATION MSC.
SONS OF SARDAR AURANGZEB KALARALL 1 SARDAR JUNAID JAMSHAID KALARALL(DOING HIS CHARTED ACCOUNTANCY) 2 SARDAR HASSAN ALI KHAN. REFERENCES
THIS SHAJRA HAS BEEN TAKEN FROM HAZRAT ADAM TO SKANDAR ROSE FROM ALBADAIA-ALNIHAYA AND HISTORY OF IBNI -KHALDOON.THE REST HAS BEEN TAKEN FROM QAUMI MUHAFIZ KHANA ABOUT SHAJRAS AND 1872 MUHAFIZ KHANA WHICH IS ALSO PRESENT IN PEHAWAR MUSEUM LIBRARY PAGE NO 923. THIS SHAJRA WAS ALSO BEEN SAVED WITH US FROM OUR INCESTORS LIKE FROM FATHER TO SON. IT WAS ALSO TAKEN FROM KARLAL BANI AES WRITTEN BY SARDAR IQBAL ,
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Sardar_aurangzeb_kalarall"
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HISTORY OF OUR FORE FATHERS.
HAZRAT IBRAHIM KHALILULA ALLAI ISLAM
HAZRAT ISHAQAU ALLAI ISLAM
HAZRAT EAS BIN HAZRAT ISHAQUE ALLAI ISLAM
HAZRAT AYOUB ALLAI ISLAM(SABIR)
HAZRAT BASHAR ALLAI ISLAM(DHULKIFIL)
ALEXANDER THE GREAT(DHULKARNAIN)
ORIGIN OF KALAR SHA (TAKHT E KALAR IRAN ARDABAL AND SULAIMANIA IRAQ)
MIGRATION OF KALAR SHA TO DEHLI
MOSQUES IN INDIA AFTER HIS NAME
1 KALAR MOSQUE IN REDFORT DEHLI
2KALAR MOSQUE NEAR RAZIA SULTANA TOMB SHAHJANABAD NEW DEHLI INDIA
3 KALAR MOSQUE IN GUJRAT INDIA.
Hazrat ibrahim khalilula alli islam. Ibrahim al-khalilullah
Prosperous are those who’re purified,
Remembered the names and prayed,
Mentioned in the Books of old,
The books of Ibrahim and Musa.
by Motiur Rahman
Indeed Ibrahim was haleemun awwah
Forbearing, compassionate, seeking Allah.
He was asked, “how can a friend fear a friend?”
“How can I not fear when remember my error?”
“Show me, O Lord, how You raise the dead,
To strengthen faith and to reassure the heart”
“We showed Ibrahim the kingdom o’ the heavens and earth,
that he might have certitude.
Bismillah wa –lhamadu li-Allah, as-salatu as-salaamu ala Rasulullah
The Qur’an mentions, “this is the nation of your father Ibrahim[1]”, when referring to the community of the believers, i.e. those who believe in the Oneness of God. Book of Allah describes Ibrahim(alaihi wa sallam) as “hanif Musliman wa ma kana min almushrikin.” The word hanif is usually construed as true in faith or as an orthodox believer, while the word muslim means the ‘one who has submitted’. Now to submit without opposition to a thing is to become in harmony with it – therefore those who submit to the will of Allah without opposition is to enter into a state of peace, hence Islam, and by doing so one becomes a Muslim. Islam is peace; it does literally mean peace too. So the Muslim greeting which is the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (alaihi wa sallam), salamu alaikum means peace be upon you! The prophet Ibrahim (alaihi wa sallam) is described as a peaceful believer in the Qur’an.
God has described the believers as Muslims, meaning that they are in the state of peace, not just after the final message but even before that: “It is He Who has named you Muslims, both before and in this (Revelation)[2]”. The prophet Ibrahim (alaihi wa sallam), is the founding father of the nation of monotheistic belief as is explicitly mentioned in the Qur’an. Allah, in the Qur’an, says, “Salamun ‘ala Ibrahim[3]” i.e. peace and salutations upon Ibrahim. According to the Qur’an, Muslims are those who are the followers of the Prophet Ibrahim (alaihi wa sallam), “Say: "Allah speaketh the Truth: follow the religion of Abraham, the sane [hanif] in faith; he was not of the Pagans[4]”
“And who turns away from the religion of Ibrahim but such as debase their souls with folly? Him We chose and rendered pure in this world: And he will be in the Hereafter in the ranks of the Righteous.[5]”
The importance of Prophet Ibrahim (alaihi wa sallam) cannot be stressed enough in Islam. The Muslims, in every cycle of prayer are instructed to pray, “O Allah peace be upon Muhammad and his family as you have shown peace upon the Ibrahim and his family” and also, “O Allah bless Muhammad and his family as you have blessed the family of Ibrahim.” This is the importance of Ibrahim (alaihi wa sallam) in Islam, it has been institutionalized and incorporated in the prayers of Islam!
Long before the prayers were commanded to be established, Abu Talib, the father of hazrat ‘Ali (R.A) who is also the Prophet’s (alaihi wa sallam) uncle saw him praying at the Qa’ba in a manner which at the time no one in Makkah did, and found it strange. So he asked the Prophet (alaihi wa sallam) what kind of worship this was? He replied that he was following the religion of their ancestor Ibrahim (alaihi wa sallam). Abu Talib was satisfied with this answer. The Makkans knew about their ancestor Ibrahim (alaihi wa sallam) as they retained the Qaba as Ibrahim’s legacy. The Prophet Ibrahim is said to be the 70th ancestor of the Prophet Muhammad (alaihi wa sallam) through his son Isma’il (alaihi wa sallam). The Qur’an mentions: “Allah did choose Adam and Noah, the family of Abraham, and the family of 'Imran above all people.[6]”
Another important pillar in Islam, that of Hajj (pilgrimage), is the rite established by the Prophet Ibrahim (alaihi wa sallam):
“Remember We made the House a place of assembly for men and a place of safety; and take ye the station of Abraham as a place of prayer; and We covenanted with Abraham and Isma'il, that they should sanctify My House for those who compass it round, or use it as a retreat, or bow, or prostrate themselves (therein in prayer).”
“And remember Abraham said: "My Lord, make this a City of Peace, and feed its people with fruits,-such of them as believe in Allah and the Last Day." He said: "(Yea), and such as reject Faith,-for a while will I grant them their pleasure, but will soon drive them to the torment of Fire,- an evil destination (indeed)!"
“And remember Abraham and Isma'il raised the foundations of the House (With this prayer): "Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us: For Thou art the All-Hearing, the All-knowing. [7]”
The Qur’an mentions Makkah as being the city of peace and security, providing refuge from hunger and fear and the worshipping of idols, as a response to the prayers of Ibrahim and his son Isma’il (peace be upon them):
“Remember Abraham said: "O my Lord! Make this city one of peace and security: and preserve me and my sons from worshipping idols[8].”
About the holy Qa’ba, Allah has mentioned, “In it are Signs Manifest; (for example), the Station of Abraham; whoever enters it attains security; Pilgrimage thereto is a duty men owe to Allah,- those who can afford the journey; but if any deny faith, Allah stands not in need of any of His creatures.[9]”
After the construction of the House of God Ibrahim (alaihi wa sallam) prayed[10] that for a prophet among the residents of this City who will recite the signs, purify them, and teach them the Book and wisdom, and deliver them into light from error. The prophethood of Muhammad (alaihi wa sallam) is the answer to Ibrahim’s (alaihi wa sallam) prayer.
Now, clearly Islam is associated with Ibrahim (alaihi wa sallam), and those who follow his ways said to be Muslims. Iman the Arabic word for faith, is also linked with the prophet Ibrahim (alaihi wa sallam), as the Qur’an mentions “whoever enters the Station of Ibrahim (dakhalahu kana aminan) attains peace and security.” The Arabic roots amn in the last word conveys the meanings of not just faith but of safety and security too. So what more can we know about this important figure and the father of monotheistic faith?
The three major monotheistic religions, Islam, Christianity and Judaism trace their roots to Ibrahim (alaihi wa sallam) and follow him in his teachings.
But what about the other religions? The Qur’an says, “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."”[11] That is, and as history has demonstrated that prophethood had remained within the descendants of Ibrahim (alaihi wa sallam) because of his request, and him being an Imam or leader towards humanity for all posterity.
On closer examination his teachings and examples can be seen in others religions than the three mentioned above. I will not go into comparisons between the teachings of Ibrahim (alaihi wa sallam) and the other religions of the world because the central teachings of all religions have many things in common and striking similarities; also over time God has revealed new features and taken way some of the old features of His religion as required for different ages and different nations. For example, drinking of alcohol was allowed to all nations until half way through the prophethood Muhammad (alaihi wa sallam) the final Messenger, and also the changing of the direction of prayer towards Makkah from Jerusalem which had been the Qibla of all other prophets (peace be upon them). Also, there have been changes in the laws of marriage throughout human history according to the needs of different societies.
If we look at the hermeneutic analysis of the name Ibrahim this reveals so much about him that is not ordinarily apparent. A possible syntax of the word Ibrahim consists of [Ab]Ba Rahm, which in Arabic literally means Father Merciful. This explanation is completely consistent with all descriptions of him in the Qur’an and other religious literatures.
In the East (India for example) the highest cast are the descendants of the Brahmins. It is quite obvious that the syntax of the word Brahma is the same as the syntax of the Ba Rahm. According to the customary practice of the people the Imams of India, and I mean Hindu India by it, are the sons Brahma i.e. Ibrahim (alaihi wa sallam)! Sounds strange! But look at the Ihram (pilgrimage garb) of the hajjis and compare the clothing of the sanjashis! Both are not allowed to cut their nails or hair, kill or destroy any life without necessity during their spiritual rites.
“Who can be better in religion than one who submits (aslama wajhahu) his whole self to Allah, does good, and follows the way of Abraham (haneefan) the true in Faith? For Allah did take Abraham for a friend”[12]
[1] Qur’an, “millata abeekum ibraheema”, 22:78
[2] ibid
[3] Qur’an 37:109
[4] Qur’an 3: 95
[5] Qur’an 2:130
[6] Qur’an
[7] Qur’an 2:125-127
[8] Qur’an 14:35
[9] Qur’an 3:97
[10] Qur’an 3:33
[11] Qur’an 2:124
the strory about our most beloved prophet hazrat ibrahim alli islam by by hadeer forum.
A story about Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh)
Once, when Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) was grazing his flock of sheep, a man passed by loudly reciting the following words in praise of Allah (swt)
sub7ana Dhii al-malak wa al-malkuut, sub7ana Dhii al-3isa wa al-3iDma wa al-hayba wa and qudra wa al-kibriaa' wa al-jabaruuuut!
Glorified is the Master of the Earthly and heavenly kingdoms. Glorified is the Honored One, the Exalted One, the Venerated One, the Powerful One, the Magnificent One, and the Omnipotent One
When Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) heard his Beloved (swt) praised with such beautiful words, his heart leaped in exultation. He requested the man to kindly recite the words one more time. The man asked what he would give him in return. Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) replied that he would give half of his flock of sheep. The man complied and repeated the words. Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) was so captivated by these beautiful words that he asked him to repeat the words again. The man asked what he would be given in exchange this time. Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) replied that he would give the reminaing half of the flock. The man complied repeated the words for a third time. Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) was so overcome with ecstasy by these words that he once again implored the man to repeate his words. The man responded, "You have nothing left. Now what will you give me?" Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) replied, "O brother, I will tend your sheep forever if you recite these praises for my Beloved Allah one more time." The man then said, "Ibrahim Khalilullah (friend of Allah), I bring you glad tidings. I am an angel sent by Allah (swt), who told me, "Go and take My name before my Khalil (friend) and see how mcuh he values it."
PROPHET'S LINEAGE
HOLY KAABA Hazrat Ibrahim Khalilullah(A.S.) is accredited for raising the foundation of Holy Kaa'ba - the first house made for mankind at Mecca. And remember Abraham and Isma'il raised the foundations of the House (With this prayer): "Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us: For Thou art the All-Hearing, the All-knowing. Holy Qur'an (2:127)
Hazrat Ibrahim Khalilullah(A.S.) and Hazrat Ismail Zabiullah(A.S.) constructed the house which has been a place of prayer for all times. There is a spot (Maqam-e-Ibrahim) near the Kaa'ba where Hazrat Ibrahim(A.S.) stood while erecting the Holy house and where he offered his prayers. Hazrat Ibrahim(A.S.) further prayed:
"Our Lord! make of us Muslims, bowing to Thy (Will), and of our progeny a people Muslim, bowing to Thy (will); and show us our place for the celebration of (due) rites; and turn unto us (in Mercy); for Thou art the Oft-Returning, Most Merciful. Holy Qur'an (2:128)
The above mentioned verse throws light on the fact that there had always been "true muslims" in his progeny. Hazrat Ibrahim(A.S.) further prayed:
"Our Lord! send amongst them a Messenger of their own, who shall rehearse Thy Signs to them and instruct them in scripture and wisdom, and sanctify them: For Thou art the Exalted in Might, the Wise." Holy Qur'an (2:129)
After four thousand years, God granted Hazrat Ibrahim's prayer and raised our Holy Prophet Muhammed(S.A.W.) from amongst them, as a answer to his prayer. The same thing has been quoted in the Holy Qur'an as follows:
It is He Who has sent amongst the Unlettered a messenger from among themselves, to rehearse to them His Signs, to sanctify them, and to instruct them in Scripture and Wisdom, although they had been, before, in manifest error; Holy Qur'an (62:2)
In the lineage of our Prophet Muhammed(S.A.W.) all are "true muslims". Hence from Adam(A.S.) to our Holy Prophet Muhammed(S.A.W.) all are "true muslims".
Allah did choose Adam and Noah, the family of Abraham, and the family of Imran above all people, Offspring, one of the other: And Allah heareth and knoweth all things. Holy Qur'an (3:33-34)
Adam
Sheth
Enos
Cainan
Mahalaleed
Jared
Enoch / Idris
Methuselah
Lamech
Noah / Nuh
Shem
Arhhazed
Salih / Saleb
Eber
Pelag
Rem
Serag
Nahor
Tarukh
Abraham / Ibrahim
Ishmael / Ismail Brothers Isaac / Ishaqphet ibrahim khalilula (pbuh)The Life Story Of Hazrat Ibraheem (AS)
Once upon a time, almost 4000 years ago, a man named Azar lived in the ancient city of Ur in Iraq.He used to make idols out of wood and stone. He had decorated his house with these stone idols. Other people also bought idols from him. These people did not believe in one Allah. They had several gods whom they worshipped. They would garland them, place food and water in front of them and pray to them for blessings. These people had great knowledge of stars and other heavenly bodies and they worshipped these as well.
Azar had a little son. His name was Ibraheem. Azar loved his son very much and the two were always together. Ibraheem would watch as his father would carve idols and then pray in front of them. He was always struck by the fact that people had created these idols with their own hands and then knelt and bowed in front of them.
“How can these idols help others? They cannot move nor do anything else,” Ibraheem would think. “Why does my father pray to them? They can neither eat nor drink nor can they see.”
One day, he put these questions before his father. Azar was enraged. He told his son to remain quiet or he will be severely punished. Hazrat Ibraheem, though quite young, continued to ponder over these questions. He observed the sun, moon, stars etc and sought the truth. Allah chose him to make him His prophet.
Destruction of the Idols
When Hazrat Ibraheem told his people about Allah and asked them to worship one God only, the people of Iraq became his enemy. Hazrat Ibraheem thought of ways to convince these people that idol worshipping is wrong. One day he got this opportunity. There was a big fair out of town and everyone was going to attend it. When Azar told his son to come along, Hazrat Ibraheem refused to go. When everyone had left, he went to their place of worship. It was full of idols of all sizes. Hazrat Ibraheem took a big mallet and smashed the idols. He left the biggest one untouched and put the mallet in its lap. When the people returned from the fair, they were horrified to see their beloved idols broken and smashed. They interrogated Hazrat Ibraheem who told them to ask their biggest idol why they could not defend themselves. Everyone knew that their idols were lifeless and could not answer. They went away angry and frustrated.
The Angry King Namrod
The people of Iraq carried tales of Hazrat Ibraheem to their king Namrod. He was a very cruel person. He believed that he was more powerful than any other god. When Hazrat Ibraheem was produced in his court, Namrod asked him,
“Do you believe that I am your god?”
Hazrat Ibraheem was very brave. He answered, “There is no god but Allah and I worship only Him.”
Namrod was furious. He asked Hazrat Ibraheem to prove that Allah is greater than him. Hazrat Ibraheem told him that Allah has power over life and death. To prove that he too was master of life and death, Namrod had some prisoners killed and some pardoned and spared. Hazrat Ibraheem then told him calmly that Allah produces the sun from the East and sets it in the West. If Namrod is such a great, powerful man then he should produce the sun from the West. Namrud was speechless. He could not take Hazrat Ibraheem’s challenge so in anger he told the soldiers to burn Hazrat Ibraheem in a great fire. When they were about to throw Hazrat Ibraheem in this great burning pyre, Allah ordered the fire to cool and not hurt Hazrat Ibraheem. All the people were amazed to see him safe and unhurt. But even this great miracle did not make the people leave their wrong ways.
Migration and Marriage:
Hazrat Ibraheem was greatly saddened by the fact that people were not willing to leave idol worship. Even his own father Azar was against him. He decided to leave Iraq with his wife Sarah and nephew Hazrat Lut. On his way to Palestine and Syria, he passed Egypt. The king of Egypt gave his daughter Hajira in marriage to Hazrat Ibraheem. He was quite old now. He prayed to Allah for a son and Allah granted his prayer. Hazrat Ismail (Ishmael) was born but now Allah decided to test Hazrat Ibraheem’s faith and resolute.
The Story of Aab-Zam Zam :
One day, Allah ordered Hazrat Ibraheem to go to Makkah with his wife and infant son, Hazrat Ismail. He was ordered to leave them there. At that time, that place was a great desert, barren and unpopulated. When Hazrat Ismail was very thirsty, his mother Hazrat Hajira ran seven times between the hills of Al-Safa and Al-Marwa searching for water. She prayed to Allah for help. A spring of clear water gushed out beneath the little feet of Hazrat Ismail. It was a miracle as all around there was only sand and there was no source for this water. By the grace of Allah, this water continues to sprout even though millions of people visit Makkah each year and drink and use this water. Hazrat Hajira was very happy and thanked Allah for this blessing.
A few days later, a nomadic tribe passed through this area. In those days, nomads used to roam the land on camels and horses in search of water. They were amazed to see water in the desert. They asked permission from Hazrat Hajira to stay and use this water. This tribe stayed there and was joined by other tribes. Slowly the area became fertile and well populated. This was the foundation of Makkah where one day Hazrat Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) will be born.
An Even Greater Trial:
Allah wanted to test Hazrat Ibraheem even more. In a dream, he was ordered to sacrifice Hazrat Ismail. When Hazrat Ibraheem asked his son’s opinion, Hazrat Ismail bravely told his father to do what Allah had required of him. On the way to the sacrifice, the devil tried to dissuade them. Father and son threw stones at him to drive him away. Like running between Al-Safa and Al-Marwa, throwing pebbles is also a part of the rituals for Hajj.
When Hazrat Ibraheem was about to sacrifice his son, Allah sent Angel Jibraeel (Gabriel) to replace Hazrat Ismail with a ram. Allah was pleased with them as they were both ready to give up everything …Hazrat Ibraheem his only son and Hazrat Ismail his life…. for the sake of Allah. Muslims all over the world celebrate Eid-ul-Azha to commemorate this sacrifice.
Building Of Holy Ka’bah:
Allah then ordered Hazrat Ibraheem to build the Holy Ka’bah in Makkah. Hazrat Ibraheem prayed to Allah to send another messenger after them who would guide the people to the right path. His prayers were granted as 2500 years later, the Prophet Muhammad was born. Allah also gave Hazrat Ibraheem another son, Hazrat Ishaq (Isaac) who was also a prophet. Hazrat Eesa (AS) (Jesus Christ) was a descendant of Hazrat Ishaq while Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) was a descendant of Hazrat Ismail.(AS).
Hazrat Ishaque Allai Islam
Miraculous Birth of Prophet Ishaq (Isaac):
The Prophet Ibrahim had two sons-Prophet Isma'il and Prophet Ishaq (peace be upon them). The Prophet Ishaq (peace be upon him) was his second son born of Sarah, his wife. When the Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) passed through an ordeal of sacrificing his affectionate son, Prophet Isma'il (peace be upon him) a glad-tidings of the birth of another son, Prophet Ishaq (peace be upon him) was conveyed to him. The Holy Qur'an says:
"And We gave him the tiding of the birth of Ishaq, a prophet among the righteous." (37: 112)
The Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) had attained the age of one hundred years and Sarah was ninety. They had practically lost all hope of having an issue at this advanced age when the angel came to Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him)with the happy news of the birth of a wise son, his wife laughed and did not believe it. She remarked that she had passed the age and now it was simply a folly to expect a child.
The Qur'an tells us how this news was imparted to the Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and his wife:
"And his wife standing by, laughed when We gave her good tidings (of the birth) of Ishaq and after Ishaq of Ya'qub (Jacob). She said: Oh, Woe is me! Shall I bear a child when I am an old woman and this my husband is an old man? Lo! this is a strange thing. They said: wonder thou at the Commandment of Allah ? The mercy of Allah and His blessings be upon you, 0' people of the House! Lo! He is Owner of Praise, Owner of Glory." (11: 71-73)
The Prophet Ishaq (peace be upon him) was born as God willed. He was the chosen servant of God and his descendants were men of high spiritual rank and character. He was inspired to do noble deeds and establish right warship. He was generous at heart.
Marriage and Death:
The Prophet Ishaq (peace be upon him) was married to Rebecca when he was forty years old. His wife gave birth to Esau and Ya'qub. When the Prophet Ishaq (peace be upon him) grew old he lost his eye-sight. He passed away` at Hebron at the age of 180 years. He was buried beside his father and mother.(www.islam101.com)
The Quran does not give details of Isaac's life (pbuh), but reliable Quranic commentators mentioned that when Abraham felt that his life was drawing to a close, he wished to see Isaac married. He did not want Isaac to marry one of the Canaanites, who were pagans, so he sent a trustworthy servant to Haran in Iraq to choose a bride for Isaac. The servant's choice fell upon Rebekah Bint Bethuel, Ibn Nahor, who was a brother of Abraham. Isaac married her and she gave birth to a set of twins, Esau (Al Eis) and Jacob (Yaqub).Ill feelings developed between the two brothers when they grew into manhood. Esau disliked the fact that Jacob was favored by his father and by Allah with prophethood. This ill feeling became so serious that Esau threatened to kill his brother. Fearing for his life, Jacob fled the country.
The People of the Book said that when Isaac was forty years old, he married Rebekah, Bint Bethuel, during his father's life. They said she was sterile, so Isaac prayed to Allah and then she became pregnant. She gave birth to twin boys. The first one was called Esau whom the Arabs called Al-Eis. He became the father of Rum. The second one was called Jacob, which means Isreal, (belonging to the people of Israel).The People of the Book claimed that when Isaac (pbuh) grew old and his eye sight had weakened, he had a desire for food, so he asked his son Esau to go hunting and bring him some cooked game. Esau asked him to bless the food and pray for him.
Esau, a hunter, went out to get his father the meat. Rebekah, overhearing this, ordered her son Jacob to slaughter two goats of his best flock and cook them as his father liked and bring it to him before his brother returned. She dressed Jacob in his brother's clothes and put goat skin on his arms and neck, for Esau was hairy while Jacob was not. When he approached his father with the food, his father asked: 'Who are you?' Jacob answered: 'I am your son.' When his father finished eating, he prayed for his son to be the more blessed brother and to prevail over them and all people, and for Allah to sustain him and his children.
When he left his father, his brother Esau, who had carried out his father's command, entered. Isaac asked him: "What is this my son?" He answered: "This is the food you like." Isaac asked: "Did you brin it an hour ago and ask me to pray for you?" Esau said: "No, I swear I did not," and he knew his brother had preceded him in this matter and he was sick at heart. The People of the Book said Esau threatened to kill his brother when their father was dead.
They also said that he asked his father to pray for him that Allah make the earth good for his offsprin and multiply his sustenance and fruits. When their mother knew that Esau threatened his brother Jacob, she commanded her son Jacob to go to her brother Laban in the land of Haran and abide with him for a time until his brother's anger had abated, and to marry one of the Laban's daughters. she told her husband Isaac to command him with that advice and pray for him, and he did. Jacob (pbuh) left his family, when night came he found a place to rest. He took a stone and put it under his head and slept. He dreamed of a ladder from heaven to earth. Angels were ascending and descending and the Lord addressed him and said to him; "I will bless you and your offspring and make this land for you and for those who come after you." WHen he awoke he felt joyful from what he had seen in his dream and vowed, for Allah's sake that if he returned to his family safely, he would build here a temple for Allah the Almighty.
He also vowed to give one tenth of his property for the sake of Allah. He poured oil on the stone so as to recognize it and called the place "Ayle's House" (Bethel), which means "House of Allah". It was to be the location of Jerusalem later. The People of the Book also said that when Jacob came to his maternal uncle in the land of Haran, his uncle had two daughters. The elder one was called Leah (Lia) and the younger one was Rachel (Rahil). The latter was the better and lovelier of the two. His uncle agreed to marry his daughter to him on the condition that Jacob pasture his sheep for seven years.
After a period of time, his uncle prepared a feast and gathered people for the wedding. He married Leah, his elder daughter, to him at night. She was weak-sighted and ugly. When morning came, Jacob discovered she was Leah and he complained to his uncle. "You deceived me; I was engaged to Rachel and you married me to Leah." His uncle said: "It is not our tradition to marry the younger daughter before the elder daughter.
However, if you love her sister, work another seven years and I will marry you to both of them." Jacob worked for seven years and then married Rachel. It was acceptable in their time, as described in the Torah, for a man to marry two sisters. Laban gave a female slave to each daughter. Leah's slave was called Zilpah and Rachel's slave was called Bilha. Almighty Allah compensated Leah's weakness by giving her sons. the first one was named Rueben (Robel), after whom there were Simon (Shamun), Levi (Lawi), and Judah (Yahudh). Rachel felt jealous of Leah's having sons, as she was barren. She gave her slave Bilha to her husband and he had relations with her until she became pregnant. she gave birth to a son and named him Naphtali. Leah was vexed that Rachel's slave had give birth to a son, so she in turn gave her slave Zilpah to Jacob (pbuh), Zilpah gave birth to two sons, Gad and Asher. Then Leah got pregnant and gave birth to her fifth son, Issaacher, and later she gave birth to a sixth son Zebulun. After this Leah gave birth to a daughter named Dinah. Thus, Leah had seven sons from Jacob.Then Rachel prayed to Allah to give her a son from Jacob.
Allah heard her call and responded to her prayer. She gave birth to a son, great, honorable, and beautiful. She named him Joseph (Yusuf).All of this happened when they were in the land of Haran and Jacob (pbuh) was pasturing his uncle's sheep, which he did for a period of twenty years.Jacob then asked his uncle Laban to let him go and visit his family. His uncle said to him: "I have been blessed because of you; ask for whatever money you need." Jacob said: "Give me each spotted and speckled goat born this year and each black lamb."But at Laban's command his sons removed their father's goat that were striped, spotted or speckled, and the black lambs, lest others should be born with those traits.
They walked for three days with their father's goats and sheep while Jacob tended the remaining flock.The People of the Book said that Jacob (pbuh) took fresh rods of poplar, almond, and plane. HE peeled streaks in them and cast them into the water through for the goats to look at. The young inside their abdomens were terrified and moved and they were born striped, spotted or speckled. When the sheep were breeding, he set their faces towards the black sheep in Laban's flock and put the rods among them.
Their lambs were born black. This was considered an example of supernatural powers, a miracle. Jacob had many goats, sheep, beast and slaves. His uncle and his sons faces changed as if they the sheep and goats) had been stolen from them.Allah the Almighty inspired Jacob to return to the country of his father and people, and He promised to stand by him. Jacob told his family that, and they responded and obeyed him. Jacob did not tell Laban of his plans, however, and left without bidding farewell.Upon leaving, Rachel stole her father's idols. After Jacob and his people had fled for his country, Laban and his people followed them. When Laban met with Jacob, he blamed him for leaving him without his knowledge.
He would have liked to know so that he could have made them leave with celebration and joy, with drums and songs, and so that he could have bidden his daughters and sons farewell. And why have they taken his idols with them?Jacob had no knowledge of his idols, so he denied that had taken them from him. Then Laban entered the tents of his daughters and slaves to search, but he found nothing, for Rachel had put the idols in the camel saddle under her. She did not get up, apologizing that she had her menses. Thus, he could not perceive what they had done.Then they sat on a hill called Galeed and made a covenant there.
Jacob would not ill treat Laban's daughters nor marry others. Neither Laban nor Jacob would pass the hill into the other's country. They cooked food and their people ate with them.
Each bade the other farewell as they departed, each returning to his own country.When Jacob approached the land of Seir, the angels greeted him. He sent a messenger ahead with greetings to his brother Esau, asking forgiveness and humbling himself before him. The messenger returned greetings and told Jacob that Esau was riding towards him with four hundred men. This made Jacob afraid and he entreated and prayed to Allah Almighty. He prostrated in humiliation and asked Him to fulfill His promise which He had made before.
He asked Him to stop the evil of his brother Esau. then Jacob (pbuh) prepared a great present for his brother: two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams, and thirty milch camels, forty cows and two bulls, twenty female donkeys and ten male donkeys.He commanded his slaves to take the animals, each drove by itself, and pass on ahead of him with a space between the droves.
He instructed them: "When you meet my brother Esau he will ask you, 'to whom do you belong? where are you going?' you shall say, 'they belong to your servant Jacob; they are a present to my master Esau. Moreover, he is behind us."Jacob stayed behind with his two wives, his slaves and his children for two nights, then continued walking by night and resting by day.When the dawn of the second day came one of the angels appeared in the shape of a man. Jacob began to wrestle with him. They were neck and neck until the angel injured his thigh and Jacob became lame. When the day was breaking, the angel said to him: 'What is your name?' He answered: 'Jacob.' The angel said: "After today you shall not be called anything but Israel." Jacob asked: "Who are you? What is your name?" He vanished. Then Jacob knew that he was one of the angels. Jacob was lame, and for this reason the children of Israel do not eat the thigh muscle on the hip socket.Jacob raised his eyes and saw his brother Esau coming.
Jacob prostrated seven times before him for it was their salutation in that time. It was lawful for them just as the angels had prostration in salutation to Adam. When Esau saw him, he ran towards him, embraced and kissed him and wept. When Esau raised his eyes and saw the women and children he asked: "Who are these with you?" Jacob answered: "Those whom Allah has give me, your servant." Leah, Rachel, their slaves, and all the children approached and prostrated before him. Jacob asked Esau to accept his gift and insisted until he did so.Esau returned and went in advance before him. Jacob and his family followed with the flocks and herds and slaves to the mountains (Seir).When he came to Succoth (Sahur), he built a house for himself and shades for his beasts. Then he passed by Jerusalem, the village of Shechem, and camped before the village. He bought a farm from Shcehm Ibn Hamor with one hundred goats and built an altar, which he called Ayl, as Allah commanded him. He built the altar where Jerusalem stands today and later Solomon son of David (pbuh) rebuilt it. It is in the place of the stone which he had earlier anointed with oil as was mentioned before.
The people of the book tell a story of Dinah, daughter of Jacob and Leah. Shechem Ibn Hamor seized her and lay with her by force. Then he asked her father and brothers to let him marry her. Her brothers said : "Circumcise all of you, and we will give our daughters to you, and we will take your daughters for ourselves; but we do not marry with uncircumcised people." They (the men of the city) agreed to that, and all of them were circumcised. When the third day came, the pain from the circumcision had increased, Jacob's sons approached and killed them till the last one. They killed Shchem and his father for the evil they had committed against them and for their worship of idols.
That is why Jacob's sons killed them and seized their money as spoils.Then Rachel got pregnant and gave birth to a son, Benjamin, but she had a hard labor and died after delivery. Jacob buried her in Ephrath (afrath). The tomb of Rachel is there till the present day. Jacob's sons were twelve men. From Leah there were Rueben (Robil), Simon (Shamun), Levi (Lawi), Judah (Yahudh), Issachar (isakher), and Zebulun (Zablun). From Rachel there were Joseph (Yusuf) (pbuh) and Benjamin. From Rachel's slave there were Dan and Naphtali (Neftali), and from Leah's slave there were Gad and Asher.Jacob came to his father Isaac and settled with him in the village of Hebron which lies in the land of Canaan where Abraham had lived. Then Isaac fell ill and died when he was one hundred eighty years old. his sons Esau and Jacob buried him with his father Abraham Al Khalil in a cave which he had bought. It was said that Abraham died at the age of one hundred seventy five.Allah the Almighty declared in the Glorious Quran:
And who turns away from the religion of Abraham (Islamic Monotheism) except him who befools himself? Truly, We chose him in this world and verily, in the Hereafter he will be among the righteous.When his Lord said to him: "Submit (be a Muslim)!" He said: "I have submitted myself (as a Muslim) to the Lord of the Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists)." And this (submission to Allah, Islam) was enjoined by Abraham upon his sons and by Jacob, (saying): "O my sons! Allah has chosen for you the true religion, then die not except in the Faith of Islam (as Muslims -- Islamic Monotheism)."Or were you witnesses when death approached Jacob? When he said unto his sons: "What will you worship after me?" T
hey said: "We shall worship you (Ilah (God - Allah) the Ilah (God) of your fathers, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, One Ilah (God), and to Him we submit (in Islam)."That was a nation who had passed away. They shall receive the reward of what they earned and you of what you earn.
And you will not be asked of what they used to do.They say: "Be Jews or Christians, and then you will be guided." Say (to them O Muhammad): "Nay (we follow) only the religion of Abraham, Hanifan (Islamic monotheism, i.e. to worship none but Allah Alone, and he was not of the Al Mushrikeen (those who worshipped others along with Allah)."Say (O Muslims): "We believe in Allah and that which has been sent down to us and that which had been sent down to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and to Al Asbat (the twelve sons of Jacob), and that which has been given to Moses and Jesus and that which has been given to the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we have submitted (in Islam)."So if they believe in the like of that which you believe, then they are rightly guided, but if they turn away, then they are only in opposition. So, Allah, will suffice you against them. He is the All Hearer, the All Knower.(Our Sibghah, religion is) the Sibghah (religion) of Allah (Islam) and which Sibghah (religion) can be better than Allah's. We are His worshippers.Say (O Muhammad, to the Jews and Christians): "Dispute you with us about Allah while He is our Lord and your Lord? And we are to be rewarded for our deeds and you for your deeds. We are sincere to Him in worship and obedience (i.e., we worship Him Alone and none else, and we obey His Orders)." Or say you that Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and Al Asbat (the twelve sons of Jacob) were Jews or Christians? Say: "Do you know better or does Allah know better....that they all were Muslims? And who is more unjust than he who conceals the testimony (to believe in the Prophet Muhammad, when he comes written in their books) he has from Allah? Allah is not unaware of what you do."(Ch 2:130-140 Quran) In another surah Almighty Allah declared:
O People of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Why do you dispute about Abraham, while the Torah and the Gospel were not revealed till after him? Have you then no sense? Verily, you are those who have disputed about that of which you have no knowledge. Why do then dispute concerning that which you have no knowledge? It is Allah Who knows, and you know not.Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was a true Muslim Hanifan (Islamic Monotheism), to worship none but Allah Alone and he was not of the polytheists (he joined none in worship with Allah).Verily, among mankind who have the best claim to Abraham are those who followed him, and this Prophet (Muhammad) and those who have believed (Muslims). And Allah is the Wali (Protector and Helper) of the believers.(Ch 3:65-68 Quran)Allah the Exalted also affirmed: Then verily! Your Lord for those who do evil (commit sins and are disobedient to Allah) in ignorance and afterward repent and do righteous deeds, verily, your Lord thereafter to such is Oft Forgiving,
Most Merciful.Verily, Abraham was an Ummah (a leader having all the good righteous qualities or a nation), obedient to Allah, Hanifan (to worship none but Allah), and he was not one of those who were Al Mushrikeen (polytheists, idolaters, disbeliveers in the Oneness of Allah and those who joined partners with Allah). He was thankful for His (Allah's) Graces. He (Allah) chose him (as an intimate friend) and guided him to a Straight Path (Islamic Monotheism, neither Judaism or Christianity). We gave him good in this world and in the Hereafter he shall be of the righteous. Then, We have inspired you (O Muhammad saying): "Follow the religion of Abraham Hanifan (Islamic Monotheism to worship none but Allah) and he was not of the Mushrikeen (polytheists, pagans, idolaters, disbeliveers in the Oneness of Allah and His Messenger Muhammad, those who worship others along with Allah or set up rivals with or partners to Allah)." (Ch 16:119-123 Quran)
www.imanway1.com after reading the story from this website on 11th of july 2010.
HAZRAT AYOUB PROPHET PBUH
The stories of prophet by Imam ibni kathir translated by muhammad mustapha al gemea azhar.
story of Hazrat Ayoub sabi PBUH(Job)Ibn Ishaaq stated that he was a man of Rum. His name was Job, Ibn Mose, Ibn Razeh, Ibn Esau, Ibn Isaac (pbuh), Ibn Abraham (pbuh). Someone else said he was Job, Ibn Mose, Ibn Rimil, Ibn Esau, Ibn Isaac. There have also been other statements on his lineage. Ibn Asaker narrated that his mother was a daughter of Lot (pbuh). It was said, also that his father was one who believed in Abraham (pbuh) when he was cast into the fire.
The first opinion is the most plausible, because he was a descendant of Abraham's offspring as Allah Almighty declared: "That was Our proof which We gave Abraham against his people. We raise whom We will in degrees. Certainly your Lord is All-Wise, All Knowing. And We bestowed upon him Isaac and Jacob, each of them We guided and before him, We guided Noah, and among his progeny David, Solomon, Job, Joseph, Moses, and Aaron. Thus do We reward the good doers. (Ch 6:83-84)
Allah the Almighty praised His worshipper Job in His Glorious Quran: Truly! We found him patient. How excellent a slave! Verily, he was ever oft returning in repentance to Us! (Ch 38:44)
Job (pbuh) was repentant, remembering Allah with thankfulness, patience, and steadfastness. This was the cause of his rescue and the secret of Allah's praising him.
A group of angels were discussing Allah's other human creatures, how those who were humble earned Allah's pleasure, while those who were arrogant incurred His displeasure. One of the angels remarked: "The best creature on earth today is Job, a man of noble character who displays great patience and always remembers his Generous Lord. He is an excellent model for the worshippers of Allah. In return, his Lord has blessed him with a long life and plenty of servants, as well as the needy and the poor share in his good fortune; he feeds and clothes the poor and buys slaves to set them free. He makes those who receive his charity feel as if they are favoring him so kind and gentle is he."
Iblis overhearing all of this, became annoyed. He planned to tempt Job to corruption and disbelief, so he hastened to him. He tried to distract Job from his prayers by whispering him about the good things in life but Job was a true believer and would not let evil thoughts tempt him. This disturbed Iblis even more; thus he began to hate Job even more.
Iblis complained to Allah about Job. He said that although he was continuously glorifying Allah he was not doing so out of his sincerity but to satisfy Allah so that his wealth should not be taken away. It was all a show, all out of greed. "If You remove his wealth then You will find that his tongue will no longer mention Your name and his praying will stop."
Allah told Iblis that Job was one of His most sincere devotees. He did not worship Him because of the favors; his worship stemmed from his heart and had nothing to do with material things. But to prove to Iblis the depth of Job's sincerity and patience, Allah allowed him to do whatever he and his helpers wished with Job's wealth.
Iblis was very happy. he gathered his helpers and set about destroying Job's cattle, servants and farms until he was left with no possessions. Rubbing his hands in glee, Iblis appeared before Job in the guise of a wise old man and said to him: "All your wealth is lost, some people say that it is because you gave too much charity and that you are wasting your time with your continuous prayers to Allah. Others say that Allah has brought this upon you in order to please your enemies. If Allah had the capacity to prevent harm, then He would have protected your wealth."
True to his belief, Job replied: "What Allah has taken away from me belongs to Him. I was only its trustee for awhile. He gives to whom He wills and withholds from whom He wills." With these words, Job again prostrated to his Lord.
When Iblis saw this, he felt frustrated, so he again addressed Allah: "I have stripped Job of all his possessions, but he still remains grateful to You. However he is only hiding his disappointment, for he places great store by his many children. The real test of a parent is through his children. You will see how Job will reject You."
Allah granted Iblis authority but warned him that it would not reduce Job' faith in His Lord nor his patience.
Iblis again gathered his helpers and set about his evil deeds. He shook the fountain of the house in which Job's children were living and sent the building crashing, killing all of them. Then he went to Job disguised as a man who had come to sympathize with him. In a comforting tone he said to Job: "The circumstances under which your children died were sad. Surely, your Lord is not rewarding you properly for all your prayers." Having said this, Iblis waited anxiously hoping Job was now ready to reject Allah.
But again Job disappointed him by replying: "Allah sometimes gives and sometimes takes. He is sometimes pleased and sometimes displeased with our deeds. Whether a thing is beneficial or harmful to me, I will remain firm in my belief and remain thankful to my Creator." then Job prostrated to his Lord. At this Iblis was extremely vexed.
Iblis called on Allah. "O my Lord, Job's wealth is gone, his children are dead, and he is still healthy in body, and as long as he enjoys good health he will continue to worship You in the hope of regaining his wealth and producing more children. Grant me authority over his body so that I may weaken it. He will surely neglect worshipping You an will thus become disobedient."
Allah wanted to teach Iblis a lesson that Jo was a devoted servant of his Lord so He granted Iblis his 3rd request but placed a condition: "I give you authority over his body but not over his soul, intellect or heart, for in these places reside the knowledge of Me and My religion."
Armed with this new authority, Iblis began to take revenge on Job's body and filled it with disease until it was reduced to mere skin and bone and he suffered severe pain. But through all the suffering Job remained strong in his faith, patiently bearing all the hardships without complaining. Allah's righteous servant did not despair or turn to others for help but remained hopeful of Allah's mercy. Even close relatives and friends deserted him. Only his kind, loving wife stayed with him. In his hour of need, she showered her kindness on him and cared for him. She remained his sole companion and comforter through the many years of suffering.
Ibn Asaker narrated: "Job was a man having much wealth of all kinds; beats, slaves, sheep, vast lands of Haran and many children. All those favors were taken from him and he was physically afflicted as well. Never a single organ was sound except his heart and tongue, with both of which he glorified Allah, the Almighty all the time day and night. His disease lasted for a long time until his visitors felt disgusted with him. His friends kept away from him and people abstained from visiting him. No one felt sympathy for him except his wife. She took good care of him, knowing his former charity and pity for her."
Therefore Iblis became desperate. He consulted his helpers, but they could not advise him. They asked : "How is it that your cleverness cannot work against Job, yet you succeeded in misleading Adam the father of man, out of Paradise?"
Iblis went to Job's wife in the form of a man. "Where is your husband?" he asked her.
She pointed to an almost lifeless form crumbled on the bed and said: "There he is, suspended between life and death."
Iblis reminded her of the days, when Job had good health, wealth and children. Suddenly, the painful memory of years of hardship overcame her, and she burst into tears. She said to Job: "How long are you going to bear this torture from our Lord? Are we to remain without wealth, children or friends forever? Why don't you call upon Allah to remove this suffering?"
Job sighed, and in a soft voice replied : "Iblis must have whispered to you and made you dissatisfied. Tell me how long did I enjoy good health and riches?"
She replied: "80 years."
Then Job replied: "How long am I suffering like this?"
She said: "7 years."
Job then told her: "In that case I am ashamed to call on my Lord to remove the hardship, for I have not suffered longer than the years of good health and plenty. It seems your faith has weakened and you are dissatisfied with the fate of Allah. If I ever regain health, I swear I will punish you with a hundred strokes! From this day onward, I forbid myself to eat or drink anything by your hand. Leave me alone and let my Lord do with me as He pleases."
Crying bitterly and with a heavy heart, she had no choice but to leave him and seek shelter elsewhere. In this helpless sate, Job turned to Allah, not to complain but to seek His mercy: "Verily! distress has seized me and You are the Most Merciful of all those who show mercy." so We answered his call, and we removed the distress that was on him, and We restored his family to him (that he had lost), and the like thereof along with them as a mercy from Ourselves and a Reminder for all who worship Us." (Ch 21:83-84)
Almighty Allah also instructed: "Remember Our slave Job, when he invoked His Lord saying: "Verily! Satan has touched me with distress (by losing my health) and torment (by losing my wealth)!" Allah said to him: "Strike the ground with your foot: This is a spring of water to wash in and cool and a refreshing drink." And We gave him back his family, and along with them the like thereof as a Mercy from Us, and a reminder for those who understand. (Ch 38:41-43)
Job obeyed and almost immediately his good health was restored. Meanwhile, his faithful wife could not longer bear to be parted from her husband and returned to him to beg his forgiveness, desiring to serve him. On entering her house, she was amazed at the sudden change: Job was again healthy! She embraced him and thanked Allah for His mercy.
Job was not worried, for he had taken an oath to punish her with a hundred strokes if he had regained health but he had no desire to hurt her. He knew if he did not fulfill the oath, he would be guilty of breaking a promise to Allah. Therefore in His wisdom and mercy, Allah came to the assistance of His faithful servant and advised him: "take in your hand a bundle of thin grass and strike therewith your wife, and break not your oath." Truly! We found him patient. How excellent a slave! Verily, he was ever oft returning in repentance to Us!" (Ch 38:44)
Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: "While Job was naked, taking a bath, a swarm of gold locusts fell on him, and he started collecting them in his garment. His Lord called him: "O Job! Have I not made you too rich to need what you see?" He said: "Yes, My Lord! But I cannot shun Your Blessings." (Al Bukhari)
DHUL KIFL
Allah the Almighty declared : Remember Ishmael and Idris and Dhul Kifl, all were from among those who observe patience. (Ch 21:85-86 Quran).
Allah directed: Remember Our slaves, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (all) owners of strength (in worshipping Us) and also of religious understanding. Verily, We did choose them by granting them (a good thing ) the remembrance of the home (in the Hereafter and they used to make the people remember it and also they used to invite the people to obey Allah and to do good deeds for the Hereafter). And they are in Our Sight, verily of the chosen and the best! Remember Ishmael, Elisha, and Dhul Kifl all are among the best. (Ch 38:45-48 Quran).
Ibn Jarir narrated that he was not a prophet but he was a righteous man. He supported his people to suffice their needs and administrated justice among them. That is why he was called Dhul Kifl. (means possessor of, or giving, a double requital or portion)
Scribd
Resurrection).' Allah said: 'You are of those allowed respite.'" (Ch 7:11-15 Quran).
Ibn Jarir reported that Muhammad Ibn sirin said that the first one to reach a conclusion by
reasoning was Iblis and that the sun and moon were not worshiped except through this method.
This means that Iblis tried to compare himself to Adam. He believed that he was more honorable
than Adam. Therefore he abstained from prostrating even though Allah had commanded him to do
so, just as He had commanded the angels.
If an analogy is made we see that Iblis is vain. For indeed clay is better than fire because in it can
be found the qualities of calmness, clemency, perseverance and growth; whereas in fire can be
found heedlessness, insignificance, haste, and incineration.
Iblis tried in vain to justify his refusal:
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"Shall I prostrate to one whom You created from clay?" Iblis said: "See? those whom You have
honored above me, if You give me respite (keep me alive) to the Day of Resurrection, I will
surely seize and mislead his offspring (by sending them astray) all but a few!" (Ch 17:62 Quran).
Adam was following what was happening around him and had feelings of love, awe, and
astonishment. Deep love of Allah,Who had created and glorified him and Who had made His
angels prostrate before him. Awe of the Creator's wrath when He excluded Iblis from His mercy.
Adam was surprised by this creature, Iblis who abhorred him without even knowing him and who
imagined himself better than Adam without having proved that he was worthier. What a strange
creature Iblis was, and how strange was his excuse for not prostrating!
He imagined that fire is better than clay, but how did he get such an idea? Such knowledge is
exclusive to Allah Who created fire and clay and Who knows which is the better of the two.
From the dialogue Adam realized that Iblis was a creature characterized by cunning and
ingratitude. He then knew that Iblis was his eternal enemy. He was greatly astonished at Iblis's
audacity and Allah's tolerance. Immediately after his creation Adam witnessed the large amount of
freedom that Allah gives to His commissioned creatures.
Allah knew that Iblis was not going to obey Him in prostrating before Adam. Allah could have
totally annihilated him or turned him into a handful of dust or stifled the refusal in his mouth. Yet,
Allah gives His commissioned creatures absolute freedom even to the extent that they can refuse Allah the Almighty's commands. He grants them the freedom of denial, disobedience, and even disagreement with Him. His kingdom will not diminish if the disbelievers do not believe in Him nor will it be extended if many people believe in Him. On the contrary, the disbelievers will lose, and the believers will gain but Allah is above all of that.
There were many traditions about Iblis at the time of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Ibn Masud, Ibn Abbas and a group of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said that Iblis had been the head of the angels in the worldly heavens. Ibn Abbas said in one narration that his name had been Azazil and in another narration he said it had been Al Harith. Ibn Abbas also said that Iblis was a jinn and that they had once been the keepers of Paradise, with Iblis the most honorable and the most learned and the most pious of them. Another tradition says that he had been one of the famous four possessors of wings (angels), before Allah transformed him into the accursed
Satan.
Allah Almighty recounts Iblis's disobedience in another surah:
"Remember when your Lord said to the angels: 'Truly I am going to create man from clay. So
when I have fashioned him and breathed into him (his) soul created by Me, then you fall down
prostrate to him.' So the angels prostrated themselves all of them; except Iblis, he was proud and
was one of the disbelievers."
Allah said: "The truth is, and the truth I say, that I will fill Hell with you and those of them
(mankind) that follow you together." (Ch 38:71-85 Quran).
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The Reason for Adam's Creation
After this lesson about freedom Adam learned another lesson, one about knowledge. Adam
realized that Iblis was the symbol of evil in the universe and that the angels were the symbol of
good. However he did not yet know anything about himself. Then Allah made him perceive his
true identity and the reason for his creation, and the secret of his glorification.
Allah the Exalted said: "He taught Adam all the names of everything". (Ch 2:31 Quran).
Teaching Adam
Almighty Allah granted Adam the power to know the natures of all things and to summarize them
by names; that is a bird, that is a star, that is a tree, etc Allah implanted in Adam an insatiable need
for and love of knowledge and a desire to bequeath knowledge to his children. This was the
reason for his creation and the secret of his glorification.
After Adam had learned the names of all things, along with their properties and uses, Allah
presented them to the angels and said:
"Tell Me the names of these if you are truthful."(Ch 2:31 Quran)
The angels admitted their inability:
"Glory be to You, we have knowledge except what You have taught us. Verily it is You the All
Knower, the All Wise." (Ch 2:32)
Allah Almighty then turned to Adam:
"O Adam! Inform them of their names," and when he had informed them of their names, He said:
'Did I not tell you that I know the unseen in the heavens and the earth, and I know what you
reveal and what you have been hiding?'" (Ch 2:33).
Allah wanted the angels to know that He knew of their astonishment when He had told them
about the creation of Adam and that He also knew of their confusion which they had not revealed,
as well as what Iblis had concealed of his disobedience and ingratitude.
The angels realized that Adam was the creature who knew what they did not know and that his
capacity to learn was his noblest quality. His knowledge included knowledge of the Creator which
we call faith or Islam, as well as the knowledge he would need to inhabit and master the earth. All
kinds of worldly knowledge which are included in this.
Adam knew the names of everything. Sometimes he talked to the angels, but they were
preoccupied with worshipping Almighty Allah. Therefore Adam, felt lonely. One day he slept and
when he awoke he found near his head, a woman gazing at his face with beautiful tender eyes.
The angels asked him her name he replied: "Eve (Hawa)." (means living things). They asked:
"Why did you call her Eve?" Adam said: "Because she was created of me and I am a living being."
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Adam Sees Eve
Ibn Abbas and a group of companions of the Prophet (PBUH) narrated that when Iblis was sent
out of Paradise and Adam was accommodated therein, Adam was alone in Paradise and did not
have a partner from whom he could get tranquility. He slept for some time and when he woke up,
he saw a woman whom Allah had created from his ribs. So he asked her, "Who are you? She
replied, "A woman" He asked: "Why have you been created?" She said :"So that you could find
tranquility in me." The angels, trying to find out the extent of his knowledge, asked him: "What is
her name, O Adam?" He replied, "Eve". They asked: "Why was she so named?" He replied, "
Because she was created from something living."
Eve's Creation
Muhammad Ibn Ishaaq and Ibn Abbas related that Eve was created from the shortest left rib of Adam while he was sleeping and after awhile she was clothed with flesh. That is why Allah the Exalted said:
"O Mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam) and from
Him (Adam) He created his wife (Eve), and from them both He created many men and women.
(Ch 4:1)
Allah also said:
"It is he Who has created you from a single person (Adam) and then He created from him his
wife (Eve), in order that he might enjoy the pleasure of living with her."(Ch 7:189).
Establishing the Islamic Greeting
Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: "O Muslims! I advise you to be gentle with women, for they are created from a rib, and the most crooked portion of the rib is its upper part. If you try to straighten it, it will break and if you leave it, it will remain crooked, so I urge you to take care of the women." (Sahih Bukhari).
Allah commanded Adam to dwell in Paradise: "O Adam! Dwell you and your wife in the Paradise
and eat both of you freely with pleasure and delight of things therein as wherever you will, but
come not near this tree or you both will be of the Zalimeen (wrong doers)."(Ch 2:35)
The Location of Adam and Eve's Paradise
The location of this Paradise is unknown to us. The Quran did not reveal it, and the commentators had five different opinions. Some said that it was the paradise of our refuge and that its place was heaven. Others regreted that statement because if it was the paradise of refuge Iblis would have been forbidden admission and disobedience would have been forbidden as well. Still others said that it was another paradise that was created by Allah for Adam and Eve. A fourth group said it was a paradise on the earth located in a high place. Another group of commentators accept what
was in the Quran without questioning where this paradise was located. We agree with this last opinion as the lesson we learn from its location is immaterial compared to the lesson we learn from the events that took place there.
Allah's Warning to Adam and Eve
Adam and eve were admitted to Paradise and there they lived the dream of all human beings.
Allah permitted them to approach and enjoy everything except one tree, that might have been the
Tree of Pain or the Tree of Knowledge. Allah forbade them they were give abode in Paradise.
"But come not near this tree or you both will be of the wrong doers." (Ch 2:35)
Adam's Weakness
Adam and Eve understood that they were forbidden to eat the fruit of that tree. Adam was
however a human being and man tends to forget. His heart changes and his will weakens. Iblis
summoned all the envy within him and took advantage of Adam's humanity to exploit him. He
started to whisper to him day after day, coaxing him: "Shall I guide you to the Tree of
Immortality and the Eternal Kingdom?" He said to them:
"Your Lord did not forbid you this tree save you should become angels or become of the
immortals." He (Satan) swore by Allah to them both saying: "Verily I am one of the sincere well
wishers for you both." (Ch 7:20-21)
Adam asked himself: "What will happen if I eat from this tree? It might truly be the Tree of
Immortality." His dream was to live forever in the pure innocence of Paradise."
Years went by, and Adam and Eve were preoccupied with thoughts of that tree. Then one day
they decided to eat of its fruit. They forgot that Allah had warned them not to approach it and
that Iblis was their sworn enemy. Adam stretched out his hand, picked one of the fruits and
offered it to Eve. They both ate of the forbidden tree.
Allah Almighty told us: "So he (Satan) misled them with deception." (Ch 7:22)
Allah said: "Thus did Adam disobey his Lord so he went astray." (Ch 20:121).
According to the old Testament, Eve was tempted by the serpent to eat of the forbidden tree. She ate because of the words of the serpent and fed Adam some of it. At that moment, their eyes were opened to the fact that they were naked, and they took the leaves of the fig tree to cover
themselves. Wahb Ibn Munabah said that their clothing (before their sin) was made of light on the
private parts of both of them.This story in the Old Testament is a falsification and deception.
Allah the Almighty revealed:
"O Children of Adam! Let not Satan deceive you, as he got your parents (Adam and Eve) out of
Paradise stripping them of their rainments; to show them their private parts. Verily he and
Qabiluhu (his soldiers from the jinn or his tribe) see you from where you cannot see them.
Verily, We made the devils (protectors and helpers) for those who believe not." (Ch 7:27)
Adam had hardly finished eating when he felt his heart contract, and he as filled with pain,
sadness and shame. The surrounding atmosphere had changed and the internal music had stopped. He discovered that he and his wife were naked, so they both started cutting tree leaves with which to cover themselves.
Condensed Story of Adam and Allah's Promise
Allah the Almighty addressed him:
"Did I not forbid you that tree and tell you: Verily Satan is an open enemy unto you?" They said:
"Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You forgive us not, and bestow not upon us Your
Mercy, we shall certainly be of the losers." Allah said; "Get down, one of you an enemy to the
other (Adam, Eve, and Satan etc). On earth will be a dwelling place for you and an enjoyment,
for a time." He said: "Therein you shall live and therein you shall die, and from it you shall be
brought out (resurrected)."( 7: 22- 25) .
Again there are old stories about these events. Al Hafez Ibn Asaker narrated that Allah
commanded two angels to remove Adam from His holy proximity. So Gabriel stripped him of the
crown on his head, and Michael took the diadem from his forehead. Adam thought that his
punishment had been hastened and bowed down crying; "Forgiveness! Forgiveness!" so Allah
asked: "Are you running away from Me?" Adam replied, "No, my Lord, but I am shy of You."
Abdul Rahman Ibn Amru Al - Awza'iy said that Adam spent 100 years in Paradise. In another
narration it was said he spent 60 years. Ibn Asaker reported that Adam wept for 60 years for his
loss of Paradise and 70 years for his mistake, and he wept for another 70 years when his son was
killed. They left Paradise and descended upon the earth. Adam was sad and Eve was crying. Allah
accepted their repentance because it was sincere and He told them that the earth would be their
realm and origin where they would live and die and whence they would come on the Day of
Judgment.
Allah the Almighty recounted this third lesson Adam learned in Paradise:
"Indeed We made a covenant with Adam before, but he forgot, and We found on his part no firm
will power. Remember when We said to the angels "Prostrate yourselves to Adam." They
prostrated (all) except Iblis, who refused. then We said: "O Adam! verily, this is an enemy to you
and to your wife. so let him not get you both out of Paradise, so that you be distressed in misery.
Verily, you have (a promise from Us) that you will never be hungry therein nor naked. And you
will suffer not from thrist therein nor from the sun's heat."
then Satan whispered to him, saying "O Adam! Shall I lead you to the Tree of Eternity and to a
kingdom that will never waste away?" Then they both ate of that tree, and so their private parts
appeared to them, and they began to stick on themselves the leaves from Paradise for their
covering. Thus did Adam disobey his Lord, so he went astray. Then his Lord chose him, and
turned to him with forgiveness and gave him guidance.
Allah said: "Get you down (upon the earth), both of you, together from Paradise, some of you
are an enemy to some others. THen if there comes to you guidance from Me, then whoever
follows My Guidance shall neither go astray, nor fall into distress and misery. But whosoever
turns away from My Reminder (neither believes in this Quran nor acts on its orders etc). Verily,
for him is a life of hardship and We shall raise him up blind on the Day of Resurrection."
He will say: "O my Lord! Why have you raised me up blind, while I had sight before." Allah will
said: "like this, Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc). came unto
you, but you disregarded them (you left them, did not think deeply in them, and you turned away
from them), and so this Day, you will be neglected in the Hellfire, away from Allah's Mercy.)"
And thus do We requite him who transgresses beyond bounds (commits the great sins and
disobeys his Lord (allah) and believes not in His Messengers, and His revealed Books, like this
Quran etc), and believes not in the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations,
etc). of his Lord, and the torment of the Hereafter is far more severe and more lasting." (Ch 20:115-127)
Commentary: Why Adam and Eve Descended
Some people believe that the reason why mankind does not dwell in Paradise is that Adam was
disobedient and that if it had not been for this sin, we could have been there all along. These are
naive fictions because when Allah wanted to create Adam, He said to the angels, "I shall make a
vicegerent on the earth." He did not say, "I shall make a vicegerent in Paradise."
Adam's descent on earth, then, was not due to degradation but rather it was dignified descent.
Allah knew that Adam and Eve would eat of the tree and descend to earth. He knew that Satan
would rape their innocence. That experience was essential for their life on earth; it was a
cornerstone of their vicegerency. It was meant to teach Adam, Eve, and their progeny that it was
Satan who had caused them to be expelled from Paradise and that the road to Paradise can only
be reached by obedience to Allah and enmity to Satan.
Commentary: Adam's Free Will
Could it be said that Adam and the rest of mankind were predestined to sin and to be expelled
from Paradise and sent to the earth? In fact, this fiction is as naive as the first one.
Adam complete free will, and he bore the consequences of his deed. He disobeyed by eating of the
forbidden tree, so Allah dismissed him from Paradise. His disobedience does not negate his
freedom. On the contrary it is a consequence of it.
The truth of the matter is that Allah knew what was going to happen, as He always know the
outcome of events before they take place. However Allah does not force things to happen. He
grants free will to His human creatures. On that He bases His supreme wisdom in populating the
earth, establishing the vicegerents, and so on.
Adam understood his 3rd lesson. He knew now in a practical way that Iblis was his enemy, the
cause of his losing the blessing of living in Paradise, and the cause of his distress. Adam also
understood that Allah punishes disobedience and that the way of Paradise has to be through
submission to the will of Allah. And he learned from Allah Almighty to ask for forgiveness.
Allah accepted Adam's repentance and forgave him. He then sent him to the earth as His first messenger.
Encounter Between Adam and Moses (PBUT) - Hadith
Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger (PBUH) said: "Adam and Moses argued with each
other. Moses said to Adam: 'Your sin expelled you from Paradise.' Adam said: ' You are Moses
whom Allah selected as His messenger and as the one to whom He spoke directly. Yet you blame
me for a thing which had already been written in my fate before my Creation?" Allah's Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH) said twice, "So Adam outclassed Moses." (Sahih Bukhari).
Umar Ibn Al Khattab also narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: "Moses (PBUH)
said: 'My Lord! May I see Adam who removed us and himself from the Paradise?" So Allah made
him see Adam and he said to him: "Are you Adam?" Adam said: "Yes." And he said "Were you
the one in Whom Allah breathed His spirit and before whom He bowed His angels and to whom
He taught the names of all things?" Adam answered: "Yes." So Moses said: "What made you
remove us and yourself from Paradise.?" Adam said: "Who are you?" Moses said: "I am Moses."
Adam said: "So you are Moses the prophet of the Children of Israel. Were you the one Allah
spoke to directly?" Moses answered "Yes." Adam said: "Why do you blame me for a matter
which Allah had predestined?" So Allah’s Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said twice. "Adam
outclassed Moses." (Sahih al Bukhari).
Variation of Where Adam, Eve, and Iblis Descended
There are many traditions concerning the place of Adam's descent upon earth. Ibn Abi Hatim
narrated that Ibn Abbas said: "Adam descended on land 'Dihna' between Mecca and Taif." Al -
Hassan said that Adam descended in India and Eve in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), Iblis Bodistiman
(Iraq), and the serpent in Ashahan (Iran). This last was also reported by Ibn Hatim.
Ass'ady related that Adam descended with the Black Stone (a large black stone set into the wall of
the ka'ba in Mecca. It is said to have come from Paradise) in India, and he had a handful of the
seeds of Paradise. He sowed them in India and they grew into the fragrant tree therein.
Ibn Umar said that Adam descended on As-Safa and Eve on Al Marwa ( names of two mountains
in the vicinity of the sacred house in Mecca. Part of the rites of pilgrimage (hajj) includes pacing
between these two hills in commemoration of Hajar's search for water). This was also reported by
Ibn Hatim. Abdul Razzaq reported that Abi Musa Al-shari said that when Allah ordered Adam to
descend from Paradise to earth, He taught him the making of everything and provided him with
the crops from Paradise.
Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: "The best of days on which the
sun has risen is Friday. One this day Adam was created, and on this day he was descended to
earth." (al Bukhari)
Adam's Life on Earth
Adam knew he bade farewell to peace and he left Paradise. On earth he had to face conflict and struggle. No sooner had one ended than another began. He also had to toil to sustain himself. He had to protect himself with clothes and weapons and protect his wife and children from the wild beasts.
Above all, he had to struggle with the spirit of evil. Satan, the cause of his expulsion from
Paradise, continued to beguile him and his children in an effort to have them thrown into the
eternal hellfire. The battle between good and evil is continuous, but those who follow Allah's
guidance and should fear nothing while those who disobey Allah and follow Iblis will be damned
along with him.
Adam grasped all of this and with the knowledge of this suffering he started his life on the earth. The only thing that allowed his grief was that he was master of the earth and had to make it yield to him. He was the one who had to perpetuate, cultivate and construct and populate the earth. He
was also the one who had to procreate and raise children who would change and improve the world.
The First Four Children
The pinnacle of earthly bliss was reached when Adam and Eve witnessed the birth of their first
children, a set of twins. Adam was a devoted father and Eve a contented mother. The twins were
Cain (Qabil) and his sister. Later Eve gave birth to a second set of twins, Abel (Habil) and his
sister. The family enjoyed the bounties and fruits of the earth provided by their Lord. The children
grew up to be strong and healthy young adults. Cain tilled the land while Abel raised cattle.
Cain's Disobedience
The time arrived when the two young men desired life partners. This was part of Allah’s plan for
mankind, to multiply and form nations with different cultures and colors. Allah revealed to Adam
that he should marry each son to the twin sister of the other. Adam instructed his children
according to Allah's command, but Cain was displeased with the partner chosen for him, for
Abel's twin sister was not as beautiful as his own.
Commentary: Cain's Disobedience
It appears that since the beginning of time, physical beauty has been a factor in the attraction between man and women. This attraction caused Cain to envy his brother Abel. He rebelled against Allah's command by refusing to accept his father's advice.
At first glance Cain's rebellion might appear strange, but we should remember that although man
has a pure nature, the potential for dichotomy exists. In other words, he had both good and bad
qualities. He can become greedy, covetous, possessive, selfish and even destructive. Man is,
therefore capable of seeking self-satisfaction even if it leads to failure in this life and in the
hereafter. The path to goodness lies in harnessing the enemy within him, his baser self by
controlling evil thoughts and deeds and practicing moderation in his desires and actions. His
reward then will be the delights of this world and the hereafter. Thus Allah tests us through our
divided nature.
Cain's Jealousy of Abel
Adam was in a dilemma. He wanted peace and harmony in his family, so he invoked Allah for
help. Allah commanded that each son offer a sacrifice, and he whose offering was accepted would
have right on his side. Abel offered his best camel while Cain offered his worst grain. His sacrifice
was not accepted by Allah because of his disobedience to his father and the insincerity in his
offering. This enraged Cain even further. Realizing that his hopes marrying his own beautiful sister
were fading, he threatened his brother. "I will kill you! I refuse to see you happy while I remain
unhappy!"
Abel feeling sorry for his brother, replied, "It would be more proper for you, my brother to search for the cause of your unhappiness and then walk in the way of peace. Allah accepts the deeds only from those who serve and fear Him, not from those who reject His Commands."
The First Death
Abel was intelligent, obedient, and always ready to obey the will of Allah. This contrasted sharply
with his brother who was arrogant, selfish and disobedient to his Lord. Abel did not fear his
brother's threats, but neither did he want his brother to be hurt, Allah had blessed Abel with purity
and compassion.
Hoping to allay the hatred seething in his brother Abel said, " My brother, you are deviating from
the right path and are sinful in your decisions. It is better that you repent to Allah and forget about
your foolish threat. But if you do not then I will leave the matter in the hands of Allah. You alone
will bear the consequence of your sin, for the Fire is the reward of the wrong-doers."
This brotherly plea did nothing to lessen the hatred in Cain's heart, nor did he show fear of Allah's
punishment. Even familial considerations were cast aside. Cain struck his brother with a stone
killing him instantly. This was the first death and the first criminal act committed by man on earth.
When Abel had not appeared for some time, Adam began to search for him but found no trace of
his beloved son. He asked Cain about Abel's whereabouts. Cain insolently replied that he was not
his brother's keeper nor his protector. From these words his father understood that Abel was dead
and Adam was filled with grief.
The First Burial
Meanwhile Cain did not know what to do with his brother's corpse. He carried it on his back
wandering from place to place trying to hide it. His anger had now subsided and his conscience
was saddled with guilt. He was tiring under the burden of the corpse which had started to have a
stench. As a mercy, and to show that dignity could be retained even in death, Allah sent two
ravens that began fighting, causing the death of one. The victorious bird used its beak and claws
to dig a hole in the ground, rolled its victim into it and covered it with sand.
Witnessing this, Cain was overcome with shame and remorse. "Woe unto me!" he exclaimed. "I
was unable to do what this raven has done, that is to hide my brother's corpse." Cain then buried
his brother. This was also the first burial of man.
Allah the Almighty revealed:
" And (O Muhammad) recite to them (the Jews) the story of the two sons of Adam (Abel and
Cain) in truth; when each offered a sacrifice to Allah, it was accepted from the one but not from
the other. The latter said to the former; "I will surely kill you."
The former said: "Verily Allah accepts only from those who are Al Muttaqeen (the pious). If you
do stretch your hand against me to kill me I shall never stretch my hand against you to kill you,
for I fear Allah; the Lord of the Alameen (mankind, jinn, and all that exists). Verily I intend to
let you draw my sin onyourself as well as yours then you will be one of the dwellers of the Fire,
and that is the recompense of the Zalimeen (polytheists, and wrongdoers)."
So the self of the other (latter one) encouraged him and made fair seeming to him the murder of
his brother; he murdered him and became one of the losers. Allah sent a crow who scratched the
ground to show him to hide the dead body of his brother. He (the murderer) said: "Woe to me!
Am I not even able to be as this crow and to hide the dead body of my brother?" Then he became
one of those who regretted. (Ch 5:27-31).
The First Murder - from Various Hadith
Ibn Abbas, Ibn Masud and a group of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) related
that inter-marriage of the male of one pregnancy with the female of another had been in practice
among Adam's children. Abel wanted to marry Cain's sister, but Cain wanted her for himself
because she was very beautiful. Adam ordered him to give her in marriage to his brother but he
refused. So Adam ordered both of them to offer a sacrifice, then went to Mecca to perform the
pilgrimage. After Adam had left, they offered their sacrifices; Abel offered a fat lamb, he was a
shepherd, while Cain offered a bundle of worst grain. Fire descended and devoured Abel's
sacrifice, leaving that of Cain so he became angry and said: "I will surely kill you so that you will
not marry my sister." Abel replied, "Allah accepts from those who fear Him."
According to Abu Ja'afar al Baqer, Adam was watching their offering and was sure that Abel's
sacrifice would be accepted. Cain complained to Adam that the acceptance was due to his
supplication for Abel and that he had not done the same for him, so he promised his father to
settle the matter between himself and his brother. One night, Abel was late returning from tending
his flock. Adam sent Cain to see what happened to him. When he found him, he glared at him
saying: "Yours was accepted, and mine was not." Abel replied, "Allah only accepts from the
Allah-fearing." Cain became angry on hearing this and hit him with a piece of iron that was with
him and thus killing him. In another version it was said that he killed him with a rock to the head
while he was sleeping.
Adam Preaches to His Children
Adam was utterly grief stricken by the loss of his two sons. One was dead, the other was won
over by the devil. Adam prayed for his son and turned to mundane matters for he had to toil for his sustenance. At the same time he was a prophet advising his children and grandchildren, telling them about Allah and calling them to believe in Him. He told them about Iblis and warned them by recounting his own experience with the devil and of how the devil had tempted Cain to kill his brother.
Adam's Successor, Seth
Years and years passed, Adam grew old and his children spread all over the earth. Muhammad Ibn
Ishaq related that when Adam's death drew near, he appointed his son Seth to be his successor
and taught him the hours of the day and night along with their appropriate acts of worship. He
also foretold to him the floor that would come.
Abu Dhar narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: "Allah sent down 104 psalms, of
which 50 were sent down to Seth."
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Adam's Death
Abdullah Ibn Al Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal narrated that Ubai Ibn Kab said: "When Adam's death
was near, he said to his children: "O my children, indeed I feel an appetite for the fruits of
Paradise."
So they went away searching for what Adam had requested. They met with the angels, who had
with them his shroud and what he was to be embalmed with. They said to them: "O Children of
Adam, what are you searching for? What do you want? Where are you going?"
They said: "Our father is sick and has an appetite for the fruits of Paradise."
The angels said to them: "Go back, for your father is going to meet his end soon."
So they returned (with the angels) and when Eve saw them she recognized them. She tried to hide
herself behind Adam. He said to her. "Leave me alone. I came before you; do not go between me
and the angels of my Lord." So they took his soul, embalmed and wrapped him, dug the grave and
laid him in it. They prayed on him and put him in his grave, saying: "O Children of Adam, this is
your tradition at the time of death.""
Before his death Adam reassured his children that Allah would not leave man alone on the earth,
but would sent His prophets to guide them. The prophets would have different names, traits and
miracles, but they would be united in one thing; the call to worship Allah alone. This was Adam's
bequest to his children. Adam finished speaking and closed his eyes. Then the angels entered his
room and surrounded him. When he recognized the Angel of Death among them, his heart smiled peacefully.
Successor After Adam
After Adam's death, his soth Seth (Shiith) took over the responsibilities of prophethood,
according to a hadith narrated by Abu Dhar. Abu Dhar narrated that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
said: "Allah sent down one hundred and four psalms, of which fifty were sent down to Seth."
(Sahih al Bukhari) When the time of his death came Seth's son Anoush succeeded him. He in turn,
was succeeded by his son Qinan, who was succeeded by Mahlabeel. The Persians claim that
Mahlabeel was the King of the Seven Regions, that he was the first one to cut down trees to build
cities and large forts and that he built the cities of Babylonia. He reigned for a period of forty
years. When he died his duties were taken ov er by his son Yard, who on his death, bequeathed
them to his son Khonoukh, who is Idris (pbuh) according to the majority of the scholars.
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Prophet Idris (Enoch)
Allah has praised Enoch, describing him as being a prophet and truthful:
"Mention in the Book (Quran) Idris (Enoch). Verily! He was a man of truth (and) a prophet. We
raised him to a high station". (Ch 19:56-57 Quran).
Birth and Teachings
Enoch was born and raised in Babylon following the teachings and religion of Prophet Adam
(pbuh) and his son Seth (pbuh). Enoch was the 5th generation of the Prophet Adam. He called the
people back to his forefathers religion, but only a few listened to him, while the majority turned
away.
Prophet Enoch and his followers left Babylon for Egypt. There he carried on his mission, calling
people to what is just and fair, teaching them certain prayers and instructing them to fast on
certain days and to give a portion of their wealth to the poor.
The Wise Sayings of Prophet Enoch
He was the first of the Children of Adam to be given prophethood after Adam and Seth (peace
upon them). It is reported that he was the 1st to invent the basic form of writing. Some of his wise
sayings are:
"Happy is he who looks at his own deeds and appoints them as pleaders to his Lord."
"None can show better gratitude for Allah's favors than he who shares them with others."
"Do not envy people for what they have as they will only enjoy it for a short while."
"He who indulges in excess will not benefit from it."
"The real joy of life is to have wisdom."
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Prophet Nuh (Noah)
Variation on the Birth of Noah
He was Noah Ibn Lamik, Ibn Mitoshilkh, Ibn Enoch, Ibn yard, Ibn Mahlabeel, Ibn Qinan, Ibn
Anoush, Ibn Seth, Ibn Adam the Father of Mankind (PBUH). According to the history of the
People of the Book, (refers to the Jews, and Christians, so called by Allah because they received
Revealed Books, Taurat, Zabur and Injeel. These names are translated 'Torah, Psalms, and
Gospels' respectively, but the books that are extent are corrupt. Of the Revealed Books, ONLY
the Quran remains exactly as it was revealed).
The period between the birth of Noah and the death of Adam was 146 years. (According to
Genesis 5 (new Revised Standard Version), Noah was born one hundred and twenty six years
after the death of Adam. Ibn Abbas narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: "The
period between Adam and Noah was ten centuries." (Sahih Bukhari, Noah was born 1056 years
after Adam's creation (or after he left the Garden of Eden). Thus, this hadith does not contradict
the previous statement from the People of the Book as it may first appear to do. The reader
should keep in mind, however that any statement or narratives taken from the People of the Book
are not necessarily credible. This was taken from Genesis 5).
Noah's People - Idolaters
For many generations Noah's people had been worshipping statues that they called gods. They
believed that these gods would bring them good, protect them from evil and provide all their
needs. They gave their idols names such as Waddan, Suwa'an, Yaghutha, Ya'auga, and Nasran,
(These idols represented, respectively, manly power; mutability, beauty; brute strength, swiftness,
sharp sight, insight) according to the power they thought these gods possessed.
Allah the Almighty revealed:
"They (idolaters) have said: "You shall not leave your gods nor shall you leave Wadd, nor
Suwa, nor Yaghuth, nor Ya uq nor Nasr (names of the idols)." (CH 71:23 Quran).
Originally these were the names of good people who had lived among them. After their deaths,
statues of them were erected to keep their memories alive. After sometime, however, people
began to worship these statues. Later generations did not even know why they had been erected;
they only knew their parents had prayed to them. That is how idol worshipping developed. Since
they had no understanding of Allah the Almighty Who would punish them for their evil deeds,
they became cruel and immoral.
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Various Hadith describing the Origin of Idolatry
Ibn Abbas explained: "Following upon the death of those righteous men, Satan inspired their
people to erect statues in the places where they used to sit. They did this, but these statues were
not worshiped until the coming generations deviated from the right way of life. Then they
worshipped them as their idols."
In his version, Ibn Jarir narrated: "There were righteous people who lived in the period between Adam and Noah and who had followers who held them as models. After their death, their friends who used to emulate them said: 'If we make statues of them, it will be more pleasing to us in our worship and will remind us of them.' So they built statues of them, and , after they had died and others came after them, Iblis crept into their minds saying:'Your forefathers used to worship them, and through that worship they got rain.' So they worshipped them."
Ibn Abi Hatim related this story: "Waddan was a righteous man who was loved by his people.
When he died, they withdrew to his grave in the land of Babylonia and were overwhelmed by
sadness. When Iblis saw their sorrow caused by his death, he disguised himself in the form of a
man saying: 'I have seen your sorrow because of this man's death; can I make a statue like him
which could be put in your meeting place to make you remember him?' They said: 'Yes.'
So he made the statue like him. They put it in their meeting place in order to be reminded of him.
When Iblis saw their interest in remembering him, he said: 'Can I build a statue of him in the home
of each one of you so that he would be in everyone's house and you could remember him?'
They agreed. Their children learned about and saw what they were doing. They also learned about
their remembrance of him instead of Allah. So the first to be worshipped instead of Allah was
Waddan, the idol which they named thus."
The essence of this point is that every idol from those earlier mentioned was worshipped by a
certain group of people. It was mentioned that people made picture sand as the ages passed they
made these pictures into statues, so that their forms could be fully recognized; afterwards they
were worshipped instead of Allah.
It was narrated that Umm Salmah and Umm Habibah told Allah's Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) about the church called "Maria" which they had seen in the land of Abyssinia. They described its beauty and the pictures therein. He said: "Those are the people who build places of worship on the grave of every dead man who was righteous and then make therein those pictures. Those are the worst of creation unto Allah." (Sahih al Bukhari).
Commentary - Idolatry
Worshipping anything other than Allah is a tragedy that results not only in the loss of freedom; its
serious effect reaches man's mind and destroys it as well. Almighty Allah created man and his
mind with its purpose set on achieving knowledge the most important of which is that Allah alone
is the Creator and all the rest are worshippers (slaves). Therefore, disbelief in Allah, or
polytheism, results in the loss of freedom, the destruction of the mind, and the absence of a noble
target in life. (By worshipping anything other than Allah, man becomes enslaved to Satan, who is
himself a creature and becomes harnessed to his own baser qualities).
Into this environment Allah sent Noah with His message to his people. Noah was the only
intellectual not caught in the whirlpool of man's destruction which was caused by polytheism.
Noah's Reasoning with his People
Allah in His Mercy sent His messenger Noah to guide his people. Noah was an excellent speaker
and a very patient man. He pointed out to his people the mysteries of life and the wonders of the
universe. He pointed out how the night is regularly followed by the day and that the balance
between these opposites were designed by Allah the Almighty for our good. The night gives
coolness and rest while the day gives warmth and awakens activity. The sun encourages growth,
keeping all plants and animals alive, while the moon and stars assist in the reckoning of time,
direction and seasons. He pointed out that the ownership of the heavens and the earth belongs
only to the Divine Creator. Therefore, he explained to this people, there cannot have been more
than one deity. He clarified to them how the devil had deceived them for so long and that the time
had come for this deceit to stop. Noah spoke to them of Allah's glorification of man, how HE had
created him and provided him with sustenance and the blessings of a mind. He told them that idol
worshipping was a suffocating injustice to the mind. He warned them not to worship anyone but
Allah and described the terrible punishment Allah would mete out if they continued in their evil ways.
Division Among Noah's People
The people listened to him in silence. His words were a shock to their stagnating minds as it is a
shock to a person who is asleep under a wall which is about to fall and who is vigorously
awakened. This person may be alarmed and may even become angry although the aim was to save
him.
Noah's people were divided into two groups after his warning. His words touched the hearts of
the weak, the poor, and the miserable and soothed their wounds with its mercy. As for the rich,
the strong, the mighty and the rulers they looked upon the warning with cold distrust. They
believed they would be better off if things stayed as they were. Therefore they started their war of
words against Noah.
The Disbelievers' Arguments
First they accused Noah of being only human like themselves.
“The chiefs of the disbelievers among his people said: "We see you but a man like ourselves."'
(Ch 11:27 Quran)
He, however, had never said anything other than that. He asserted that, indeed, he was only a
human being; Allah had sent a human messenger because the earth was inhabited by humans. If it had been inhabited by angels Allah would have sent an angelic messenger. The contest between the polytheists and Noah continued. the rulers had thought at first that Noah's call would soon fade on its own. When they found that his call attracted the poor, the helpless and common
laborers, they started to verbally attack and taunt him: 'You are only followed by the poor, the
meek and the worthless.'
Allah the Almighty told us:
"Indeed We sent Noah to his people (he said): "I have come to you as a plain Warner that you
worship none but Allah, surely, I fear for you the torment of a painful Day." the chiefs of the
disbeliveers among his people said: "We see you but a man like ourselves, nor do we see any
follow you but the meanest among us and they too followed you without thinking. And we do not
see in you any merit above us in fact we think you are liars." (CH 11:25-27).
The Disbelievers Attempt to Bargain
Thus the conflict between Noah and the heads of his people intensified. The disbeliveers tried to
bargain: "Listen Noah, if you want us to believe in you, then dismiss your believers. They are
meek and poor, while are elite and rich; no faith c an include us both." Noah listened to the
heathens of his community and realized they were being obstinate. However, he was gentle in his
response. He explained to his people that he could not dismiss the believers as they were not his
guests but Allah's. Noah appealed to them:
"O my people! I ask of you no wealth for it, my reward is from none but Allah. I am not going to
drive away those who have believed. Surely, they are going to meet their Lord, but I see that you
are a people that are ignorant. O my people! Who will help me against Allah, if I drove them
away? Will you not then give a thought? And I do not say to you that with me are the Treasures
of Allah nor that I know the unseen, nor do I say I am an angel, and I do not say of those whom
your eyes look down upon that Allah will not bestow any good on them. Allah knows what is in
their inner selves (regards to Belief). In that case, I should, indeed be one of the Zalimeen
(wrongdoers, oppressors etc)." (Ch 11:29-31 Quran)
Noah refuted the arguments of the disbelievers with the noble knowledge of the prophets. It is the
logic of intellect that rids itself of personal pride and interests.
The Disbelievers Remain Ignorant
The rulers were tired of Noah's arguments. Allah the Exalted related their attitude:
They said: "O Noah! You have disputed with us and much have you prolonged the dispute with
us, now bring upon us what you threaten us with, if you are of the truthful." He said: "Only Allah
will bring it (the punishment)on you, if He will, and then you will escape not. And my advice will
not profit you, even if I wish to give you counsel, if Allah's Will is to keep you astray. He is your
Lord! And to Him you shall return." (Ch 11:32-34 Quran)
The battle continued; the arguments between the disbeliveers and Noah became prolonged. When all the refutations of the disbeliveers collapsed and they had no more to say, they began to be rude and insulted Allah's prophet:
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“The leaders of his people said: "Verily, we see you in plain error." (Ch 7:60 Quran)
Noah responded in the manner of the prophets:
"O my people! There is no error in me, but I am a Messenger from the Lord of the Alamin
(mankind, jinn and all that exists)! I convey unto you the Messages of my Lord and give sincere
advice to you. And I know from Allah what you know not." (CH 7:61-62 Quran)
Noah continued appealing to his people to believe in Allah hour after hour, day after day year
after year. He admonished his people and called them to Allah day and night, in secret and openly.
HE gave them examples, explained Allah's signs and illustrated Allah's ability in the formation of
His creatures. But whenever he called them to Allah, they ran away from him. Whenever he urged
them to ask Allah to forgive them, they put their fingers in their ears and became too proud to
listen to the truth.
Noah's Appeal to His People
Allah the Almighty related what Noah faced:
"Verily, We sent Noah to his people saying: "Warn your people before there comes to them a
painful torment." He said: "O my people! Verily, I am a plain Warner to you, that you should
worship Allah alone, be dutiful to Him and obey me, He (Allah) will forgive you of your sins and
respite you to an appointed term. Verily, the term of Allah when it comes, cannot be delayed, if
you but knew."
He said: "O my Lord! Verily, I have called my people night and day (secretly and openly to
accept the doctrine of Islamic Monotheism), but all my calling added nothing but to their flight
from the truth. Verily! Everytime I called unto them that You might forgive them, they thrust
their fingers into their ears, covered themselves up with their garments, and persisted (in their
refusal), and magnified themselves in pride. Then verily, I called to them openly (aloud); then
verily, I proclaimed to them in public, and I have appealed to them in private, I said to them:
'Ask forgiveness from your Lord, Verily, He is Oft Forgiving; He will send rain to you in
abundance, and give you increase in wealth and children, and bestow on you gardens and
bestow on you rivers."
What is the matter with you, that you fear not Allah (His Punishment), and you hope not for
reward from Allah or you believe not in His Oneness. While He has created you in different
stages. (Ch 23:13-14 Quran)
See you not how Allah has created the seven heavens one above another, and has made the moon
a light therein and made the sun a lamp? And Allah has brought you forth from the dust of
earth. Afterwards He will return you into it (the earth), and bring you forth (again on the Day of
Resurrection) Allah has made for you the earth wide spread (an expanse) that you may go about
therein broad roads.
Noah said: "My Lord! They have disobeyed me, and followed one whose wealth and children
give him no increase but only loss. They have plotted a mighty plot. They have said: 'you shall
not leave your gods, nor shall you leave wadd, nor Suwa, nor Yaghuth, nor ya'uq nor Nasr
(names of the idols). Indeed they have led many astray. O Allah! Grant no increase to the
Zalimeen (polytheists, wrongdoers, and disbeliveers etc) save error."
Because of their sins they were drowned, then were made to enter the Fire and they found none
to help them instead of Allah. (Ch 71:1-25 Quran).
The Length of Noah's Preaching
Noah continued to call his people to believe in Allah for nine hundred fifty years. Allah the
Almighty said: Indeed We sent Noah to his people and he stayed among them a thousand years
less fifty years (inviting them to believe in the Oneness of Allah (Monotheism) and discard the
false gods and other deities). (Ch 29:14 Quran)
It happened that every passing generation admonished the succeeding one not to believe Noah
and to wage war against him. the father used to teach his child about the matter that was between
himself and Noah and counsel him to reject his call when he reached adulthood. Their natural
disposition rejected believing and following the truth.
Noah saw that the number of believers was not increasing, while that of the disbeliveers was. He
was sad for his people, but he never reached the point of despair.
Noah Prays for the Disbeliever's End
There came a day when Allah revealed to Noah that no others would believe. Allah inspired him
not to grieve for them at which point Noah prayed that the disbeliveers be destroyed. He said:
"My Lord! Leave not one of the disbeliveers on the earth. If you leave them, they will mislead
Your slaves and they will beget none but wicked disbeliveers." (Ch 71:27 Quran)
Allah accepted Noah's prayer. The case was closed, and He passed His judgment on the
disbeliveers in the form of a flood. Allah the Exalted ordered His worshipper Noah to build an ark
with His knowledge and instructions and with the help of angels. Almighty Allah commanded:
"And construct the ship under Our Eyes and with Our Inspiration and address Me not on behalf
of those who did wrong; they are surely to be drowned." (Ch 11:37 Quran)
Noah Builds the Ark
Noah chose a place outside the city, far from the sea. HE collected wood and tools and began to day and night to build the ark. The people's mockery continued: "O Noah! Does carpentry appeal to you more than prophethood? Why are you building an ark so far from the sea? Are you going to drag it to the water or is the wind going to carry it for you?" Noah replied: "You will come to know who will be put to shame and suffer."
Allah the Almighty narrated:
"As he was constructing the ship, whenever the chiefs of his people passed by him, they made a mockery of him. He said : "If you mock at us, so do we mock at you likewise for your mocking. And you will know who it is on whom will come a torment that will cover him with disgrace and
on whom will fall a lasting torment." (Ch 11:38-39 Quran)
The Flood begins
The ship was constructed, and Noah sat waiting Allah's command. Allah revealed to him that
when water miraculously gushed forth from the oven at Noah's house, that would be the sign of
the start of the flood, and the sign for Noah to act.
The terrible day arrived when the oven at Noah's house overflowed. Noah hurried to open the ark and summon the believers. He also took with him a pair, male and female, of every type of animal, bird and insect. Seeing him taking these creatures to the ark, the people laughed loudly: "Noah must have gone out of his head! What is he going to do with the animals?" Almighty Allah
narrated:
“So it was till then there came Our Command and the oven gushed forth (water like fountains
from the earth). We said: "Embark therein, of each kind two (male and female), and your family,
except him against whom the Word has already gone forth, and those who believe." And none
believed him except a few.(Ch 11:40 Quran)
The Number of Believers
Noah's wife was not a believer with him so she did not join him; neither did one of Noah's sons,
who was secretly a disbeliever but had pretended faith in front of Noah. Likewise most of the
people were disbeliveers and did not go on board.
The scholars hold different opinions on the number of those who were with Noah on the ship. Ibn
Abbas stated that there were 80 believers while Ka ab al Ahbar held that there were 72 believers.
Others claimed that there were 10 believers with Noah.
Description of the Flood
Water rose from the cracks in the earth; there was not a crack from which water did not rise. rain poured from the sky in quantities never seen before on earth. Water continued pouring from the sky rising from the cracks; hour after hour the level rose. The seas and waves invaded the land. The interior of the earth moved in a strange way, and the ocean floors lifted suddenly, flooding the dry land. The earth, for the first time was submerged.
Noah Appeals to his Son
Allah told the story thus: He (Noah) said:
"Embark therein in the Name of Allah will be its moving course and its resting anchorage.
Surely, my Lord is Oft Forgiving, most Merciful."
So it (the ship) sailed with them amidst the waves like mountains, and Noah called out to his son,
who had separated himself (apart), "O my son! Embark with us and be not with the disbeliveers."
The son replied, "I will betake myself to a mountain, it will save me from the water." Noah said: "This day there is no savior from the Decree of Allah except him on whom He has mercy." And a wave came in between them so he (the son) was among the drowned." (Ch. 11: 41-43)
The Flood Ends
It was said:
"O Earth! Swallow up your water, and O sky! Withhold (your rain)." The water was diminished (made to subside) and the Decree (of Allah) was fulfilled (the destruction of the people of Noah). And it (the ship) rested on Mount Judi, and it was said: "Away with the people who are Zalimeen (polytheists, and wrongdoing)!"
And it was said:
"O Noah! Come down (from the ship) with peace from Us and blessings on you and on the
people o\who are with you(and on some of their offspring), but (there will be other) people to
whom We shall grant their pleasures (for a time), but in the end a painful torment will reach
them from Us." (Ch 11:41-48 Quran)
With the issue of the divine command, calm returned to earth, the water retreated, and the dry
land shone once again in the rays of the sun. The flood had cleansed the earth of the disbeliveers
and polytheists.
The Believers Disembark
Noah released the birds, and the beats which scattered over the earth. After that the believers
disembarked. Noah put his forehead to the ground in prostration. The survivors kindled a fire and
sat around it. Lighting a fire had been prohibited on board so as not to ignite the ship's wood and
burn it up. None of them had eaten hot food during the entire period of the floor. Following the
disembarkation there was a day of fasting in thanks to Allah.
Noah's Death
The Quran draws the curtain on Noah's story. We do not know how his affairs with his people
continued. All we know or can ascertain is that on his deathbed he requested his son to worship
Allah alone, Noah then passed away. Abdullah Ibn Amr Ibn Al as narrated that the Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH) said: "When the death of the Messenger of Allah Noah approached, he
admonished his sons: 'Indeed I would give you far reaching advice, commanding you to do two
things, and warning you against doing two things as well. I charge you to believe that there is no
god but Allah and that if the seven heavens and the seven earths were put on one side of a scale
and the words "there is no god but Allah" were put on the other, the latter would outweigh the
former. I warn you against associating partners with Allah and against pride." (Sahih al Bukhari)
Some traditions said that his grave is in the Scared Mosque in Mecca, while others said that he
was buried in Baalabak, a city in Iraq.
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Prophet Hud
Description of the People of Ad
The people of 'Ad lived many years in the windswept hills of an area between Yemen and Oman.
They were physically well built and renowned for their craftsmanship especially in the
construction of tall buildings with lofty towers. They were outstanding among all the nations in
power and wealth, which, unfortunately, made them arrogant and boastful. Their political power
was held in the hand of unjust rulers, against whom no one dared to raise a voice.
They were not ignorant of the existence of Allah, nor did they refuse to worship Him. What they
did refuse was to worship Allah alone. They worshipped other gods, also, including idols. This is
one sin Allah does not forgive.
Description of Hud
Allah wanted to guide and discipline these people so He sent a prophet from among them. This
prophet was Hud (PBUH), a noble man who handled this task with great resoluteness and
tolerance.
Ibn Jarir reported that he was Hud Ibn Shalikh, Ibn Arfakhshand, Ibn Sam, Ibn Noah (PBUH). He
also reported that Prophet Hud (PBUH) was from a tribe called Ad Ibn Us Ibn Sam Ibn Noah,
who were Arabs living in Al Ahqaf in Yemen between Oman and Hadramaut, on a land called
Ashar stretching out into the sea. The name of their valley was Mughiith
Some traditions claimed that Hud (PBUH) was the first person who spoke Arabic while others
claimed that Noah (PBUH) was the first. It was also said that Adam was the first.
Commentary - Hud's Appeal to his People
Hud (PBUH) condemned idol worship and admonished his people. "MY people, what is the
benefit of these stones that you carve with your own hands and worship? In reality it is an insult
to the intellect. There is only One Deity worthy of worship and that is Allah. Worship of Him and
Him alone, is compulsory on you.
He created you, He provides for you and He is the One Who will cause you to die. He gave you
wonderful physiques and blessed you in many ways. So believe in Him and do not be blind to His
favors, or the same fate that destroyed Noah's people will overtake you."
With such reasoning Hud hoped to instill faith in them, but they refused to accept his message.
His people asked him: "Do you desire to be our master with your call? What payment do you
want?"Hud tried to make them understand that he would receive his payment (reward) from
Allah; he did not demand anything from them except that they let the light of truth touch their
minds and hearts.
Hud's Appeal to His People - Quranic
Allah the Almighty states:
"And to Ad people We sent their brother Hud. He said: "O my people! Worship Allah! You have
no other Ilah (god) but Him; Certainly, you do nothing but invent (lies)! O my people I ask of
you no reward for it (the Message). My reward is only from Him Who created me. Will you not
then understand? And O my people! Ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him, He
will send you (from the sky) abundant rain, and add strength to your strength, so do not turn
away as Mujrimeen (criminals, disbeliveers in the Oneness of Allah)."
They said: "O Hud! No evidence have you brought us and we shall not leave our gods for your
mere saying! We are not believers in you. All that we say is that some of our gods (false deities)
have seized you with evil (madness)."
HE said: "I call Allah to witness and bear you witness that I am free from that which you ascribe
as partners in worship, and with Him (Allah). SO plot against me, all of you, and give me no
respite. I put my trust in Allah, my Lord and your Lord! There is not a moving (living) creature
but HE has grasp of its forelock. Verily, my Lord is on the Straight Path (the truth). SO if you
turn away, still I have conveyed the Message with which I was sent to you. My Lord will make
another people succeed you, and you will not harm Him in the least. Surely, my Lord is
Guardian over all things."(Ch 11:50-57 Quran)
Hud (pbuh) explains the Day of Judgement
Hud tried to speak to them and to explain about Allah's blessings: how Allah the Almighty had made them Noah's successors, how He had given them strength and power, and how HE sent them rain to revive the soil.
Hud's people looked about them and found they were the strongest on earth, so they become
prouder and more obstinate. Thus they argued a lot with Hud. They asked "O Hud! Do you say
that later we die and turn into dust, we will be resurrected?" He replied, "Yes, you will come back
on the Day of Judgment and each of you will be asked about what you did."
A peal of laughter was heard after the last statement. "How strange Hud's claims are!" The
disbeliveers muttered among themselves. They believed that when man dies his body decays and
turns into dust, which is swept away by the wind. How could that return to its original state?
Then what is the significance of the Day of Judgment? Why does the dead return to life?
All these questions were patiently received by Hud. He then addressed his people concerning the
Day of Judgment. he explained that belief in the Day of Judgment is essential to Allah's justice,
teaching them the same thing that every prophet taught about it.
Hud explained that justice demands that there be a Day of Judgment because good is not always
victorious in life. Sometimes evil overpowers good. Will such crimes go unpunished? If we
suppose there is no Day of Judgment, then a great injustice will have prevailed, but Allah has
forbidden injustice to be incurred by Himself or His subjects. Therefore, the existence of the Day of Judgment, a day of accounting for our deeds and being rewarded or punished for them, reveals the extend of Allah's justice. Hud spoke to them about all of these things. They listened but
disbelieved him.
The Disbeliever's Attitude
Allah recounts Hud's people's attitude towards the Day of Judgment:
"The chiefs of his people, whom disbelieved and denied the meeting in the Hereafter, and to who
We had given the luxuries and comforts of this life, said: "He is no more than a human being
like you, he eats of that which you eat, and drinks of what you drink. If you were to obey a
human being like yourselves then verily! You indeed would be losers. Does he promise you that
when you have died and have become dust and bones, you shall come out alive (resurrected)?
Far, very far, is that which you are promised. There is nothing but our life of this world! We die
and we live! We are not going to be resurrected! He is only a man who has invented a lie against
Allah, but we are not going to believe in him." (Ch 23:33-38 Quran)
The Disbelievers Question Hud
The chiefs of Hud's people asked: "Is it not strange that Allah's chooses one of us to reveal His
message to?"
Hud replied: "What is strange in that? Allah wants to guide you to the right way of life, so HE
sent me to warn you. Noah's flood and his story are not far away from you, so do not forget what
happened. All the disbeliveers were destroyed, no matter how strong they were."
"Who is going to destroy us Hud?" the chiefs asked.
"Allah." replied Hud.
The disbeliveers among his people answered: "We will be saved by our gods."
Hud clarified to them that the gods they worshipped would be the reason for their destruction, that it is Allah alone Who saves people, and that no other power on earth can benefit or harm anyone.
The conflict between Hud and his people continued. The years passed, and they became prouder
and more obstinate, and more tyrannical and more defiant of their prophet's message.
Hud Warns his People
Furthermore, they started to accuse Hud (PBUH) of being a crazy lunatic. One day they told him: "We now understand the secret of your madness you insulted our gods and they harmed you; that is why you have become insane."
Almighty Allah repeated their words in the Quran:
"O my Hud! No evidence have you brought us, and we shall not leave our gods for your mere saying! And we are not believers in you. All that we say is that some of our gods (false deities) have seized you with evil (madness)." (Ch 11:53-54 Quran)
Hud had to return their challenge. He had no other way but to turn to Allah alone, no other
alternative but to give them a threatening ultimatum. he declared to them: "I call Allah to witness
and bear you witness that I am free from that which you ascribe as pin worship with Him (Allah).
SO plot against me, all of you and give me no respite. I put my trust in Allah, my Lord your
Lord! There is not a moving (living) creature but He has grasp of its forelock. Verily, my Lord is
on the Straight Path (the truth). So if you turn away, still I have conveyed the message with
which it was sent to you. My Lord will make another people succeed you, and you will not harm
Him." (Ch 11:54-57 Quran)
The Punishment
Thus Hud renounced them and their gods and affirmed his dependence on Allah Who had created him. Hud realized that punishment would be incurred on the disbeliveers among his people. It is one of the laws of life. Allah punishes the disbeliveers, no matter how rich, tyrannical or great they are.
Hud and his people waited for Allah's promise. A drought spread throughout the land, for the sky no longer sent its rain. the sun scorched the desert sands, looking like a disk of fire which settled on people's heads.
Hud's people hastened to him asking: "What is that drought Hud?"
Hud answered: "Allah is angry with you. If you believe in Him, He will accept you and the rain
will fall and you will become stronger than you are."
They mocked him and became more obstinate, sarcastic and preserve in their unbelief. The
drought increased, the trees turned yellow, and plants died.
A day came when they found the sky full of clouds. Hud's people were glad as they came out of
their tents crying: "A cloud, which will give us rain!"
The weather changed suddenly from burning dry and hot to stinging cold with wind that shook
everything; trees, plants, tents, men and women. The wind increased day after day and night after
night.
Hud's people started to flee. They ran to their tents to hide but the gale became stronger, ripping
their tents from their stakes. They hid under cloth covers but the gale became stronger and still
and tore away the covers. It slashed clothing and skin. It penetrated the apertures of the body and
destroyed it. It hardly touched anything before it was destroyed or killed, its core sucked out to
decompose and rot. The storm raged for 8 days and 7 nights.
Almighty Allah recounts:
"Then when they saw it as a dense cloud coming towards their valleys, they said: "This is a cloud
bringing us rain!" Nay but it is that torment which you were asking to be hastened! a wind
wherein is a painful torment! Destroying everything by the command of its Lord! (Ch 46:24-25
Quran)
Allah the Exalted described it thus:
"And as for Ad, they were destroyed for a firious violent wind which Allah imposed on them for
seven nights and eight days in succession, so that you could see men lying overthrown
(destroyed) as if they were hollow trunks of palm trees! (Ch 69:6-7 Quran)
The Believers are Saved
That violent gale did not stop until the entire region was reduced to ruins and its wicked people
destroyed, swallowed by the sands of the desert. Only Hud and his followers remained unharmed.
They migrated to Hadramaut and lived there in peace, worshipping Allah, their true Lord.
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Prophet Salih
Description of the People of Thamud
After the destruction of the Ad, the tribe of Thamud succeeded them in power and glory. They
also fell to idol-worshipping. As their material wealth increased so, too, did their evil ways while
their virtue decreased. Like the people of Ad, they erected huge buildings on the plains and hewed
beautiful homes out of the hills. Tyranny and oppression became prevalent as evil men ruled the land.
Description of Salih
So Allah sent unto them His Prophet Salih (PBUH), a man from among them. His name was Salih
Ibn Ubeid, Ibn Maseh, Ibn Ubeid, Ibn Hader, Ibn Thamud, Ibn Ather, Ibn Eram, Ibn Noah. He
called his people to worship Allah alone, and to not associate partners with Him. While some of
them believed him, the majority of them disbelieved and harmed him by both words and deeds.
Salih directed them:
"O my people! Worship Allah, you have no other Ilah (god) but Him." (Ch 11:61)
Salih was known for his wisdom, purity and goodness and had been greatly respected by his
people before Allah's revelation came to him. Salih's people said to him:
"O Salih! You have been among us as a figure of good hope and we wished for you to be our
chief, till this, new thing which you have brought that we leave our gods and worship your God
(Allah) alone! Do you now forbid us the worship of what our fathers have worshipped? But we
are really in grave doubt as to that which you invite us to monotheism." (CH 11:62 Quran).
Salih's People Demand a Miracle
They merely wanted to worship the same gods as their fathers had, with no reason, no proof, no
thought. The proof of Salih's (PBUH) message was evident, but despite this it was obvious that
most of his people did not believe him. They doubted his words, thinking he was charmed, and
they saw that he would not stop preaching. Fearing that his followers would increase, they tried to
put him off by assigning him an important task; to prove that he was a messenger of Allah by
performing a miracle. Let a unique she camel issue from the mountains. Allah granted Salih this
miracle and a huge, unique, she camel appeared from the direction of the mountain. The Quranic
commentators said that the people of Thamud gathered on a certain day at their meeting place,
and the prophet Salih (PBUH) came and addressed them to believe in Allah, reminding them of
the favors Allah had granted them. Then pointing at a rock, they demanded: "Ask your Lord to
make a she camel, which must be 10 months pregnant, tall and attractive, issue from the rock for
us." Salih replied: "Look now! If Allah sends you what you have requested, just as you have
described, will you believe in that which I have come to you with and have faith in the message I
have been sent with?"
They answered: "Yes."
So he took a vow from them on this, then prayed to Allah the Almighty to grant their request. Allah ordered the distant rock to split asunder, to bringing forth a great ten month pregnant she camel. When their eyes set on it, they were amazed. They saw a great thing, a wonderful sight, a dazzling power and clear evidence!
A number of Salih's people believed, yet most of them continued in their disbelief, stubbornness,
and going astray. Allah the Almighty said:
"We sent the she camel to Thamud as a clear sign, but they did her wrong. (Ch 17:59)
and also:
"Verily the dwellers of Al Hijr (the rocky tract) denied the Messengers. We gave them Our Signs,
but they were averse to them. (Ch 15:80-81 Quran)
There are a number of ancient accounts of this camel and its miraculous nature. It was said that
the she camel was miraculous because a rock in the mountain split open and it came forth from it,
followed by its young offspring. Other accounts said that the she camel used to drink all the water
in the wells in one day, and no other animals could approach the water. Still others claimed that
the she camel produced milk sufficient for all the people to drink, on the same day that it drank all
the water, leaving none for them. At first, the people of Thamud were greatly surprised when the
she camel issued from the mountain rocks. It was a blessed camel, and its milk sufficient for
thousands of men, women and children. If it slept in a place that place was abandoned by other
animals. Thus it was obvious that is was not an ordinary camel, but one of Allah's signs. It lived
among Salih's people, some of whom believed in Allah while the majority continued in their
obstinacy and disbelief. Their hatred of Salih turned towards the blessed she camel and became
centered on it. A conspiracy started to be hatched against the camel by the disbeliveers, and they
secretly plotted against it.
Salih feared that they might kill the camel, so he warned them:
"O my people! This she camel of Allah is a sign to you, leave her to feed on Allah's earth, and
touch her not with evil lest a near torment will seize you." (Ch 11:64 Quran)
For awhile, Salih's people let the camel graze and drink freely, but in their hearts they hated it.
However, the miraculous appearance of the unique camel caused many to become Salih's
followers, and they clung to their belief in Allah.
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Stories About the She-camel
The disbeliveers now began complaining that this huge she camel with its unusual qualities drank
most of the water and frightened their cattle.
They laid a plot to kill the camel, and sought the help of their women folk to tempt the men to
carry out their commands. Saduq bint of Mahya, who was from a rich and noble family, offered
herself to a young man named Masrai Ibn Mahraj on condition that he hamstring the camel. Aniza,
an old woman, offered one of her daughters to a young man, Qudar Ibn Saluf, in return for killing
the camel. Naturally these young men were tempted and set about finding seven others to assist
them.
They watched the camel closely, observing all its movements. As the she camel came to drink at
the well, Masarai shot it in the leg with an arrow. It tried to escape but was hampered by the
arrow. Qudar followed the camel and struck it with a sword in the other leg. As it fell to the
ground, he pierced it with his sword.
The killers were given a hero's welcome, cheered with songs and poetry composed in their praise.
In their arrogance they mocked Salih, but he warned them: "Enjoy life for 3 more days then the
punishment will descend upon you." Salih was hoping that they would see the folly of their ways
and change their attitude before the three days went out.
"Why three days?" they asked. "Let the punishment come as quickly as possible."
He pleaded with them: "My people, why do you hasten to evil rather than good? Why do not you
ask pardon of Allah so that you may receive mercy?"
They replied: "We see your presence and that of your followers as bringing evil on us."
Almighty Allah related their story:
"And indeed We sent to Thamud their brother Salih, saying "Worship Allah Alone and none
else." Then look! They became two parties (believers and disbeliveers) quarreling with each
other.
He said: "O my people! Why do you seek to hasten the evil (torment) before the good (Allah's
Mercy)? Why seek you not the Forgiveness of Allah, that you may receive mercy?" They said:
We augur till omen from you and those with you." he said: "Your ill omen is with Allah; nay, but
you are a people that are being tested."
And there were in the city nine men (from the sons of their chiefs), who made mischief in the
land, and would not reform. They said: "Swear to another by Allah that we shall make a secret
night attack on him and his household, and afterwards we will surely say to his near relatives:
"We witnessed not the destruction of his household, and verily! We are telling the truth.""
So they plotted a plot, and We planned a plan, while they perceived not. Then see how was the
end of their plot! Verily! We destroyed them and their nation, all together. These are their
houses in utter ruin, for they did wrong. Verily, in this is indeed an Ayah (a lesson or a sign) for
people who know. We saved those who believed, and used to fear and obey Allah. (Ch 27:45-53
Quran)
They also plotted to kill Salih and his household as Almighty Allah stated:
"So they plot, and We planned a plan, while they perceived not." (Ch 27:50 Quran) Allah saved
Salih and his followers from their wicked plans. Heavy hearted, they left the evil doers and moved to another place. Three days after Salih's warning, thunderbolts filled the air, followed by severe earthquakes which destroyed the entire tribe and its homeland. The land was violently shaken, destroying all living creatures in it. There was one terrific cry which had hardly ended when the disbeliveers of Salih's people were struck dead, one and all, at the same time. Neither their strong buildings nor their rock hewn homes could protect them.
Allah the Exalted said:
"To Thamud people We sent their brother Salih. HE said: "O my people! Worship Allah, you
have no other Ilah (god) but Him (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah). Indeed there
has come to you a clear sign ( the miracle of the coming out of a huge she camel from the midst
of a rock) from your Lord. This she camel of Allah is a sign unto you so you leave her to graze in
Allah's earth, and touch her not with harm, lest a painful torment should size you. Remember
when He made you successors after Ad people and gave you habitations in the land, you build
for yourselves palaces in plains and carve out homes in the mountains. So remember the graces
bestowed upon you from Allah, and do not go about making mischief on the earth."
The leaders of those who were arrogant among his people said to those who were counted weak
to such of them as believed: "Know you that Salih is one sent from his Lord." They said: "We
indeed believe in that with which he has been sent." Those who were arrogant said: "Verily, we
disbelieve in that which you believe in."
So they killed the she camel and insolently defied the Commandment of their Lord, and said: "O
Salih! Bring about your threats if you are indeed one of the Messengers (of Allah)." So the
earthquakes seized them and they lay dead, prostrate in their homes. Then he (Salih) turned from
them, and said: "O my people! I have indeed conveyed to you the Message of my Lord, and have
give you good advise but you like not good advisers." (Ch 7:73-79 Quran)
All were destroyed before they realized what was happening. As for the people who believed in
the message of Salih (PBUH), they were saved because they had left the place.
Ibn Umar narrated that while the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was passing by Thamud's houses on his way to the battle of Tabuk, he stopped together with the people there. the people fetched water from the wells from which the people of Thamud used to drink. They prepared their dough (for baking) and filled their water skins from it (the water from the wells). The Prophet of Allah (PBUH) ordered them to empty the water skins and give the prepared dough to the camels. Then he went away with them until they stopped at the well from which the she camel (of Salih) used to drink. He warned them against entering upon the people that had been punished, saying "I fear
that you may be affected by what afflicted them; so do no enter upon them."
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Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham)
Description of Abraham and his Family
Some of the People of the Book stated that his name was Abraham Ibn Tarikh, Ibn Nahur, Ibn
Sarough, Ibn Raghu, Ibn Phaligh, Ibn Aher, Ibn Shalih, Ibn Arfghshand, Ibn Sam, Ibn Noah.
They said that when Tarikh was seventy five years old, he had Abraham, Nahor (Nohour) and
Haran. Haran had a son named Lot. They also said that Abraham was the middle child and that
Haran died in the lifetime of his father in the land where he was born, the land of the Chaldeans
(Al Kaldanieen), also known as Babylonia. At that time some people worshipped idols of stone
and wood; others worshipped the planets, stars, sun and moon; still others worshipped their kings
and rulers.
Abraham was born into that atmosphere, into a typical family of that ancient time. The head of the
family was not even an ordinary idolater, but was one who totally rejected Allah and who used to
make the idols with his own hands. Some traditions claimed that Abraham's father died before his
birth and he was raised by an uncle whom Abraham called father. Other traditions said that his
father was alive and was named Azer.
Into that family Abraham was born, destined to stand against his own family, against the entire
system of his community. In brief, he stood against all kinds of polytheism.
Abraham's Childhood
He was endowed with spiritual understanding from an early age. Allah enlightened his heart and
mind gave him wisdom from childhood. Allah the Almighty stated:
"Indeed We bestowed aforetime on Abraham his (portion of) guidance, and We were Well
Acquainted with him( as to his Belief in the Oneness of Allah etc). (Ch 21:51)
During his early childhood Abraham realized that his father made strange statues. One day, he asked him about what it was he made. His father replied that he made statues of gods. Abraham was astonished and he spontaneously rejected the idea. Being a child he played with such statues sitting on their backs as people sit on the backs of donkeys and mules.
One day his father saw him riding the statue of Mardukh and he became furious. He ordered his
son not to play with it again.
Abraham asked: "What is this statue, father? It has big ears, bigger than ours."
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His father answered: "It is Mardukh, the god of gods, son! These big ears show his deep
knowledge."
This made Abraham laugh, he was only seven years old at that time.
Abraham's Hatred for Idols
Years passed and Abraham grew. Since his childhood his heart had been full of hatred for these
idols. He could not understand how a sane person could make a statue and then worship what he
had made. He noticed that these idols did not eat, drink or talk and they could not even turn
themselves right side up if someone turned them upside down. How, then could people believe
that such statues could harm or benefit them? Abraham 's people had a big temple full of idols, in
the middle of which was a niche accommodating the biggest gods which was of different kinds,
qualities and shapes. Abraham, who used to go to the temple with his father when he was a child,
greatly despised all that wood and stone. What surprised him was the way his people behaved
when they entered the temple; they bowed and started to cry, begging and imploring their gods
for help as if the idols could hear or understand these requests!
At first, such a sight seemed funny to Abraham, but later he began to feel angry. Was it not
astonishing that all those people could be deceived? What added to the problem was that his
father wanted him to be a priest when he was grown. He wanted nothing more from his son that
that he revere those statues, yet Abraham never stopped displaying his hatred and disdain of them.
Abraham Discovers Allah
One night Abraham left his house to go to a mountain. He walked alone in the dark until he chose
a cave in the mountain where he sat resting his back against its wall. He looked at the sky. He had
hardly seen it when he remembered that he was looking at planets and stars which were
worshipped by some people on earth. His young heart was filled with tremendous pain. He
considered what was beyond the moon, the stars and the planets (i.e. Allah) and was astonished
that these celestial bodies were worshipped by men when they had been created to worship and
obey their Creator, appearing and disappearing at His command.
Abraham Reasons with Celestial Worshippers
Abraham, addressed his people who worshipped celestial bodies as Almighty Allah revealed:
"Thus did We show Abraham the kingdom of the heavens and the earth that he be one of those
who have Faith and certainty. When the night covered him over with darkness he saw a star. He
said: "This is my lord." But when it set, he said: "I like not that those who set." When he saw the
moon rising up he said: "This is my lord." but when it set he said: "Unless my Lord guides me, I
shall surely be among the erring people." When he saw the sun rising up he said: "This is my
lord, This is greater." But when it set, he said: "O my people! I am indeed free from all that you
join as partners in worship with Allah. Verily, I have turned my face towards Him Who has
created the heavens and the earth Hanifan (Islamic Monotheism, i.e. worshipping none but Allah
Alone) and I am not of the Al Mushrikeen (those who worship others besides Allah)."
His people disputed with him. He said: "Do you dispute with me concerning Allah while HE has
guided me and I fear not those whom you associate with Allah in worship. (Nothing can happen
to me) except when my Lord (Allah) wills something. My Lord comprehends in His Knowledge
all things. Will you not then remember?
"And how should I fear those whom you associate in worship with Allah (though they can
neither benefit nor harm), while you fear not that you have joined in worship with Allah things
for which HE has not sent down to you any authority. So which of the two parties has more right
to be in security? If you but know."
It is those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah and worship none but Him Alone) and confuse
not their belief with Zulm (wrong, i.e. by worshipping others besides Allah), for them only there
is security and they are the guided. And that was Our proof which We gave Abraham against his
people. We raise whom We will in degrees. Certainly your Lord is All Wise, All Knowing.( Ch
6:75-83 Quran).
In that debate, Abraham clarified to his people that these celestial bodies do not serve as deities
and cannot be worshipped as partners with Allah the Almighty. Indeed these bodies are created
things, fashioned, controlled, managed and made to serve. They appear sometimes and disappear
at others, going out of sight from our world. However, Allah the Almighty does not lose sight of
anything, and nothing can be hidden from Him. He is without end, everlasting without
disappearance. There is no other deity but Allah.
Abraham made clear to them, first that the celestial bodies are unworthy of worship and second
that they are among the signs of Allah. Almighty Allah commanded:
"And from among His Signs are the night and the day, and the sun and the moon. Prostrate not
to the sun nor to the moon, but prostrate to Allah Who created them if you really worship Him.
(Ch 41:37)
Abraham's reasoning helped to reveal the truth, and then the conflict between him and his people
began for the worshippers of the stars and planets did not stand mute. they began arguing and
threatening Abraham.
Abraham replied:
"Do you dispute with me concerning Allah while HE has guided me, and I fear not those whom
you associate with Allah in worship. (Nothing can happen to me except when my Lord (Allah)
wills something. My Lord comprehends in His Knowledge all things. Will you not then
remember? How should I fear those whom you associate in worship with Allah (though they can
neither benefit or harm), while you fear not that you have joined in worship with Allah things for
which He has not sent down to you any authority. SO which of the two parties has more rights to
be in security?... ..if you but know! It is those who believe (in the oneness of Allah and worship
none but HiAlone) and confuse not their belief with Zulm (wrong by worshipping others besides
Allah), for them only there is security and they are the guided." (Ch 6:80-82)
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Abraham Reasons with Idolators
The curtains are drawn on the first category of the people, those who were worshipping celestial
bodies. the next situation reveals the second group, those who were practicing idolatry. Allah
gave Abraham (pbuh) the reasoning he needed the first time and every time he argued with his
people. Almighty Allah declared:
"And that was Our Proof which We gave Abraham against his people. We raised whom We will
in degrees. Certainly your Lord is All Wise, All Knowing. (Ch 6:83)
Abraham did his best to make his people heedful to the belief in the oneness of Almighty Allah and to the worship of Him alone. He bade them to firmly renounce the worship of idols. HE said to his father and his people:
"What are these images, to which you are devoted?" they said: "We found our fathers
worshipping them." He said: "Indeed you and your fathers have been in manifest error." They
said: "Have you brought us the truth, or are you one of those who play about?" He said: "Nay,
your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, Who created them and of that I am of the
witnesses." (Ch 21:52-56)
Abraham reasons with his Father
All was finished between Abraham and his people and the struggle began. the most amazed and
furious was his father (or his uncle who had raised him), for as it is well known, he not only
worshipped idols but sculpted and sold them as well. Abraham felt that it was his duty as a good
son to advise his father against this evil so that he could be saved from Allah's punishment.
Being a wise son he did not make his father feel foolish, nor did he openly laugh at his conduct.
He told him that he loved him, thereby hoping to generate fatherly love. Then he gently asked him
why he worshipped lifeless idols who could not hear, see or protect him. before his father could
become angry he hastily added:
"O my father! Verily! There has come to me of knowledge that which came not unto you. So
follow me. I will guide you to a Straight Path. O my father! Worship not Satan. Verily! Stan has
been a rebel against the Most Beneficent (Allah). O my father! Verily! I fear lest a torment from
the Most Beneficent (Allah) overtake you as that you become a companion of Satan (in the
Hellfire)." He (the father) said: "Do you reject my gods, O Abraham? If you stop not this, I will
indeed stone you. So get away from me safely before I punish you." Abraham said: "Peace be on
you! I will ask Forgiveness of my Lord for you. Verily! He is unto me, Ever Most Gracious. And I
shall turn away from you and from those whom you invoke besides Allah." (Ch 19:43-48)
Abraham debates with the Idolaters
His father's harsh treatment did not stop Abraham from delivering the message of truth. Angry and sad to see people prostate before idols, he was determined to stamp out these practices and went to the town to debate with the people knowing full well that he might suffer harm.
Like a wise doctor searching for the cause of a sickness so as to prescribe the proper cure, or like
a judge who questioned the accused sharply so that he mighty detect the truth. Abraham asked
them: "Do the idols see you when you prostrate before them? Do they benefit you in any way."
They quickly tried to defend their beliefs. They argued that they knew the idols were lifeless but
that their forefathers had worshipped them; to them this was proof enough for their belief.
Abraham explained that their forefathers had been wrong. This angered them and they retorted:
"Are you condemning our gods and our forefathers? Or are you just joking?"
Abraham showed no fear as he replied: "I am serious. I come to you with a true religion. I have
been sent with guidance from our Lord Who alone is worthy of worship, Who is the Creator of
the heavens and the earth, and Who regulates all affairs of life, unlike the dumb idols which are
just stone and wood."
To convince them that the idols could not harm him, he challenged: "I have already condemned
them; of they had any power they would have harmed me by now!"
Abraham reasons with the Idolaters, Second Time
Almighty Allah recounted:
"Recite to them the story of Abraham. When he said to his father and his people. "What do you
worship?" They said: "We worship idols, and to them we are ever devoted." He said: "Do they
hear you when you call on them? OR do they benefit you or do they harm you?" They said: "Nay
but we found our father doing so."
He said: "Do you observe that which you been worshipping, You and your ancient fathers?
Verily! They are enemies to me, save the Lord of the Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists);
Who has created me and it is HE Who guides me and it is HE Who feeds me and gives me to
drink. And when I am ill, it is He who cures me; and Who will cause me to die and then will
bring me to life again and Who I hope will forgive me my faults on the Day of Resurrection."
(Ch 26:69-82 Quran).
In another surah The Almighty revealed:
"And remember Abraham when he said to his people: "Worship Allah Alone and fear Him that is
better for you if you did but know. You worship besides Allah only idols and you only invent
falsehood. Verily, those whom you worship beside Allah have no power to give you provision, so
seek your provision from Allah Alone, you will be brought back. And if you deny then nations
before you have denied their Messengers. the duty of the Messenger is only to convey the
Message plainly."
See they not how Allah originates creation, then will repent it. Verily, that is easy for Allah.
Say: "Travel in the land and see how Allah originated creation and then Allah will bring forth
(resurrect) the creation of the Hereafter (i.e. resurrection after death) verily, Allah is Able to do
all things."
He punishes whom HE wills and shows mercy to whom He wills, and to Him you will be
returned. And you cannot escape in the earth or in the heaven. And besides Allah you have
neither any Wali (Protector, or guardian) nor any Helper. And those who disbelieve in the Ayat (proofs, lessons, signs, evidences, verses, revelations etc) of Allah and the Meeting with Him, it is they who have no hope of My Mercy, and it is they who will have a painful torment.( CH
22:16-23 Quran)
Abraham Breaks the Idols
He explained to them the beauty of Allah's creation, His power and wisdom. Idol worship is
detested by Allah for Allah is the Lord of the universe Who created mankind, guided him and
provided him with food and drink and cured him when he was sick and Who will cause him to die
and be raised up again. iT was He to Whom Abraham prayed and Who would forgive his sins on
the Day of Judgment. However, they would not give up but clung fast to idolatry. Abraham left
his father's house and abandoned his people and what they worshipped. He decide to do
something about their state of disbelief, but did not reveal it. He knew that there was going to be
a great celebration on the other bank of the river which would be attended by all the people.
Abraham waited until the city was empty, then came out cautiously, directing his steps towards
the temple. the streets leading to it were empty and the temple itself was deserted for the priests
had also gone to the festival outside the city. Abraham went there carrying a sharp axe. He looked
at the stone and wood statues of the gods and at the food laid in front of them as offerings. He
approached one of the statues and asked: "The food in front of you is getting cold. Why don't you
eat?" the statue kept silent and rigid. Abraham asked all the other statues around him:
"Will you not eat of the offering before you?" (Ch 37:91)
He was mocking them for he knew they would not eat. He once again asked then:
"What is the matter with you that you do not speak?" (Ch 37:92)
He then raised his axe and started smashing the false gods worshipped by the people. He
destroyed them all except one on whose neck he hung the axe. After this his anger subsides and
he felt at peace. He left the temple. He had fulfilled his vow to show his people a practical proof
of their foolishness in worshipping something other than Allah.
The Idolaters Question Abraham
When the people returned, they were shocked to see their gods smashed to pieces, lying scattered
all over the temple. They began to guess who had done that to their idols and Abraham's name
came to their minds.
Allah the Almighty said: they said:
"Who has done this to our aliah (gods)? He must indeed be one of the wrongdoers." They said: "We heard a young man talking against them who is called Abraham." They said: "Then bring him before the eyes of the people, that they may testify." they said: "Are you the one who has done this to our gods, O Abraham?" Abraham said: "nay, this one, the biggest of them (idols)
did it, Ask them, if they can speak!"So they turned to themselves and said: "Verily you are the Zalimun (polytheists, and wrongdoers)." Then they turned to themselves (their first thought and said): "Indeed you (Abraham) know well that these idols speak not?" Abraham said: "DO you then worship besides Allah, things that can neither profit you nor harm you? If upon you, and upon that which you worship besides Allah! Have you then no sense?" (Ch 21:59-67 Quran)
Furious, they demanded that Abraham be arrested and tried. Abraham did not resist. this was
precisely what he had been aiming for, so that he could show them up in public for their foolish
beliefs. At the trial they asked him if he was responsible for breaking the idols. Smiling, he told
them to ask the biggest idol which was still whole. He told them that he must be the culprit! They
replied that he knew well that the idol could not speak or move which gave Abraham the chance
to prove the foolishness of worshipping these lifeless objects.
They then realized the senselessness of their beliefs; however, their arrogance would not allow them to admit their foolishness. All they could do was to use their power of authority as tyrants usually do to punish Abraham. They kept him in chains and planned their revenge.
The Idolaters Try to burn Abraham
Anger was burning in their hearts. They decided to throw Abraham into the biggest fire they could
build. All the citizens were ordered to gather wood as a service to their gods. Ignorant, sick
women vowed that if they were cured they would donate so much wood to burn Abraham. For
several days they collected fuel. They dug a deep pit, filled it with firewood and ignited it. They
brought a catapult with which to cast Abraham into the fire. Abraham was put on the catapult, his
hands and feet were tied. The fire was ready with its flame reaching the sky. The people stood
away from the pit because of the great heat. Then the chief priest gave his order to cast Abraham
into the fire.
The angel Gabriel came near Abraham's head and asked him: "O Abraham do you wish for
anything?" Abraham replied: "Nothing from you."
The catapult was shot and Abraham was cast into the fire. But his descent into the blaze was as descent on steps in a cool garden. The flames were still there, but they did not burn for Allah the Almighty had issued His command:
"O fire! Be you coolness and safety for Abraham." (Ch 21:69 Quran)
The fire submitted to the will of Allah, becoming cool and safe for Abraham. It only burned his
bonds, and he sat in the midst of the fire as if he were sitting in a garden. He glorified and praised
Allah the Almighty, with a heart that contained only his love for Allah. There was not any vacant
space therein for fear, awe, or worry. It was filled with love only.
Fear and awe were dead, and the fire was turned into coolness, making the air pleasant. Those
who love Allah as Abraham do did not fear.
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The Faith of the Believers
Allah declared:
"Those (believers) unto whom the people (hypocrites) said: "Verily! the people (pagans) have
gathered against you (a great army), therefore, fear them." but it only increased them in Faith,
and they said: Allah Alone is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs for us."
So they returned with Grace and Bounty from Allah. No harm touched them; and they followed
the good Pleasure of Allah. Allah is the Owner of Great bounty. It is only Satan that suggests to
you the fear of his Auliya (supporters and friends, polytheists, disbeliveers in the Oneness of
Allah and in His Messenger Muhammad) so fear them not but fear Me if you are true believers."
(Ch 3:173-175 Quran)
The throng, the chiefs, and the priests sad watching the fire from a distance. It was burning their
faces and nearly suffocating them. It kept burning for such a long time that the disbeliveers
thought it would never be extinguished. When it did burn out, they were greatly amazed to find
Abraham coming out of the pit untouched by the fire. Their faces were black from the smoke, but
his was bright with the light and grace of Allah. The raging fire had become cool for Abraham and
had only charred the ropes which held him. He walked out of the fire as if he were walking out of
a garden. Cries of astonishment were heard from the heathens.
"They wanted to harm him, but We made them the worst losers. (Ch 21:70)
This miracle shamed the tyrants, but it did not cool the flame of anger in their hearts. However
after his event many of the people followed Abraham, although some kept their belief a secret for
fear of harm or death at the hands of the rulers.
Abraham challenges those who proclaim themselves as gods, King Namrud
Abraham had established a definite reasoning against idolaters. Nothing was left for him except to
reason against the people who proclaimed themselves gods.
When the king, Namrud, heard of Abraham's safe exit from the fire he became very angry. He
feared that the status of godhead he had proclaimed for himself was not challenged by an ordinary
human being. He summoned Abraham to the palace and held a dialogue with him which Allah
Almighty recounted:
"Have you not thought about him who disputed with Abraham about his Lord (Allah) because
Allah had given him the kingdom? When Abraham said to him: "My Lord (Allah) is He Who
gives life and causes death." He said: "I give life and cause death." Abraham said: "Verily,
Allah causes the sun to rise from the east; then cause it you to rise from the west." So the
disbeliever was utterly defeated. Allah guides not the people who are Zalimeen (wrongdoers etc).
(Ch 2:258 Quran)
Abraham's fame spread throughout the entire kingdom. People talked about how he had been
saved from the blazing fire and how he had debated with the king and left him speechless. In the
meantime, Abraham continued calling people to believe in Allah, exerting a great effort to guide his people to the right path. He tried every means to convince them. However in spite of his love and care for his people, they felt angry and deserted him. Only one woman and one man of his people shared his belief in Allah. The woman's name was Sarah and she became his wife. The man's name was Lot and he became a prophet.
When Abraham realized that no one else was going to believe in his call, he decided to emigrate.
He left his people and traveled with his wife and Lot to a city called Ur, then another called
Haran, and then to Palestine.
Allah the Almighty told us:
" So Lut believed in him (Abraham's message of Islamic Monotheism). He (Abraham) said: "I
will emigrate for the sake of my Lord. Verily, He is the All Mighty, the All Wise." (Ch 29:26)
After Palestine, Abraham traveled to Egypt, calling people to believe in Allah wherever he
traveled, judging fairly between people, and guiding them to truth and righteousness.
Hadith about Abraham, Sarah and Hajar
Abu Hurairah narrated that Abraham (pbuh) did not tell a lie except on three occasions, twice for
the sake of Allah (Exalted and Almighty) when he said: "I am sick," (when his people were
holding a festival in honor of their gods, Abraham excused himself by saying he was sick.( Ch
37:89 Quran) and when he said: "(I have not done this but) the big idol has done it." The (third
was) that while Abraham and Sarah (his wife) were going (on a journey), they passed by (the
territory of) a tyrant. Someone said to the tyrant: "This man (Abraham is accompanied by a very
charming lady." SO, he sent for Abraham and asked him about Sarah saying "Who is this lady?"
Abraham said: "She is my sister." Abraham went to Sarah said "O Sarah! There are no believers
on the surface of the earth except you and me. This man asked me about you and I have told him
that you are my sister do not contradict my statement." the tyrant then called Sarah, and when she
went to him, he tried to take a hold of her with his hand, but his hand got stiff and he was
confounded. He asked Sarah: "Pray to Allah for me and I shall not harm you." SO Sarah asked
Allah to cure him and he got cured. He tried to take hold of her for the second time, but his hand
got as stiff as or stiffer than before and he was more comfounded. He again requested Sarah:
"Pray to Allah for me, and I will not harm you." Sarah asked Allah to again, and he became all
right. He then called one of his guards who had brought her and said: "You have not brought me
a human being but have brought me a devil." The tyrant then gave Hajar as a maid servant to
Sarah. Abraham, gesturing with his hand, asked: "What has happened?" She replied: "Allah has
spoiled the evil plot of the infidel or immoral person and gave me Hajar for service." Abu
Hurairah then addressed his listeners saying: "That Hajar was your mother, O Bani Ma is Sama
(Arab, the descendants of Ishmael, Hajar's son)."
Hajar and Sarah
Abraham's wife Sarah was sterile. She had been given an Egyptian woman Hajar, as a servant. Abraham had aged and his hair was gray and after many years spent in calling people to Allah. Sarah thought she and Abraham were lonely because she could not have a child. Therefore, she
offered her husband her servant Hajar in marriage. Hajar gave birth to her first son Ishmael
(isma'il) when Abraham was an old man.
Abraham Questions Resurrection
Abraham lived on earth worshipping Allah and calling people to monotheism, but he was
journeying to Allah, knowing that his days on earth were limited and that they would be followed
by death and finally resurrection. The knowledge of life after death filled Abraham with peace and
love and certitude. One day he begged Allah to show him how He brought the dead back to life.
Allah commanded Abraham to take four birds, cut them up and mingle their body parts, divide
them into four portions and place them on top of four different hills, then call back the birds in
Allah's name. Abraham did as he was told. Immediately the mingled parts of the birds separated to
join their original bodies in different places and the birds flew back to Abraham.
Almighty Allah revealed:
“Remember when Abraham said: ‘My Lord Show me how You give life to the dead." Allah said:
"Do you not believe?" Abraham said: "Yes I believe, but to be stronger in Faith." HE said:
"Take four birds, the cause them to incline towards you (then slaughter them, cut them into
pieces) and then put a portion of them on every hill and call them they will come to you in haste.
And know that Allah is All Mighty and All Wise."(Ch 2:260 Quran)
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Prophet Isma'il (Ishmael)
Abraham leaves Hajar and Ishmael
One day, Abraham woke up and asked his wife Hajar to get her son and prepare for a long
journey. In a few days Abraham started out with his wife Hajar and their son Ishmael. The child
was still nursing and not yet weaned. Abraham walked through cultivated land, desert, and
mountains until he reached the desert of the Arabian Peninsula and came to an uncultivated valley
having no fruit, no trees, no food, no water. The valley had no sign of life. After Abraham had
helped his wife and child to dismount, he left them with a small amount of food and water which
was hardly enough for 2 days. He turned around and walked away. He wife hurried after him
asking: "Where are you going Abrahim, leaving us in this barren valley?"
Abraham did not answer her, but continued walking. She repeated what she had said, but he
remained silent. Finally she understood that he was not acting on his own initiative. she realized
that Allah had commanded him to do this. She asked him : "Did Allah command you to do so?"
He replied: "Yes." Then his great wife said: "We are not going to be lost, since Allah Who has
commanded you is with us."
Abraham invoked Almighty Allah thus:
"O Our Lord! I have made some of my offspring to dwell in a valley with no cultivation, by Your Sacred House (the Ka'ba at Mecca); in order, O our Lord, that they may offer prayers perfectly (Iqamat as salat) so fill some hearts among men with love towards them, and O Allah provide them with fruits so that they may give thanks. O our Lord! Certainly, You know what we conceal and what we reveal. Nothing on the earth or in the heavens is hidden from Allah." (Ch 14:37-38)
Hajar and Ishmael - Narrated by Ibn Abbas
Ibn Abbas narrated: "The first lady to use a girdle was the mother of Ishmael. She used a girdle so
that she might hide her tracks from Sarah (by dragging it). Abraham brought her and her son
Ishmael while she was suckling him to a place near the Kaba under a tree on the spot of ZamZam
at the highest place in the mosque. During those days there was nobody in Mecca, nor was there
any water so he made them sit over there and placed near them a leather bag containing some
dates and a small water skin containing some water and set out homeward. Ishmael's mother
followed him saying:
"O Abraham! Where are you going, leaving us in this valley where there is no person whose
company we may enjoy, nor is there anything to enjoy?" she repeated that to him many times, but
he did not look back at her. Then she asked him : "Has Allah ordered you to do so?" He said:
"Yes." She then said: "Then He will not neglect us," and returned while Abraham proceeded
onwards. On reaching the Thaniya where they could not see him, he faced the Kaba and raising
both hands, invoked Allah saying the following prayers:
"O our Lord! I have made some of my offspring dwell in a valley without cultivation, by Your
Sacred House (Kaba at Mecca) in order, O our Lord that they may offer prayer perfectly. So fill
some hearts among men with love towards them, and O Allah provide them with fruits so that
they may give thanks." (Ch 14:37)
Ibn Abbas's narration continued; "Ishmael's mother went on suckling Ishmael and drinking from
the water (she had) When the water in the water skin had been used up, she became thirsty and
her child also became thirsty, She started looking at him (Ishmael) tossing in agony. She left him,
for she could not endure looking at him, and found that the mountain of As-Safa was the nearest
mountain to her on that land. she too on it and started looking at the valley keenly so that she
might see somebody, but she could not see anybody. Then she descended for As Safa and when
she reached the valley, she tucked up her robe and ran in the valley like a person in distress and
trouble till she crossed the valley and reached the mountain of Al Marwa. There she stood and
started looking expecting to see somebody, but she could not see anybody. She repeated that
running between Safa And Marwa seven times."
Hajar sees Zam-zam - by Prophet Muhammad
The prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: "This is the source of the tradition of the Sa'y (rituals of the
hajj, pilgrimage) the going of people between them (As-Safa and Al-Marwa). When she reached
Al Marwa (for the last time) she heard a voice and she asked herself to be quiet and listened
attentively. She heard the voice again and said: "O whoever you maybe! You have made me hear
your voice; have you got something to help me?" And behold! She saw an angel at the place of
Zam zam, digging the earth with his heel (or his wing) till water flowed from that place. She
started to make something like a basin around it, using her hand in this way, and started filling her
water skin with water with her hands and the water was flowing out water she had scooped some
of it." The Prophet (pbuh) added: "May Allah bestow mercy on Ishmael's mother! Had she let the
zam-zam flow without trying to control it, or had she not scooped from that water to fill her
water skin, Zam zam would have been a stream flowing on the surface of the earth."
Makka is Settled - Told by Prophet Muhammad
The Prophet (pbuh) continued: "Then she drank water and suckled her child. The angel said to
her: "Don't be afraid of being neglected, for this is the House of Allah which will be built by this
boy and his father, and Allah never neglects His people." The House (Kaba) at that time was on a
high place resembling a hillock, and when torrents came, they flowed to its right and left. "She
lived in that way till some people from the tribe of Jurhum or a family from Jurhum passed by her
and her child as they (the Jurhum people) were coming through the way of Kada. they landed in
the lower part of Mecca where they saw a bird that had the habit of flying around water and not
leaving it. they said: "this bird must be flying around water, though we know that there is no
water in this valley." They sent one or two messengers who discovered the source of water and
returned to inform them of the water. So they all came towards the water. Ishmael's mother was
sitting near the water. They asked her: "Do you allow us to stay with you?" She replied: "Yes, but
you will have no right to possess the water." They agreed to that. Ishmael's mother was pleased
with the whole situation, as she used to love to enjoy the company of the people, so they settled
there, and later on they sent for their families who came and settled with them so that some
families became permanent residents there. The child (Ishmael) grew up and learned Arabic from
them and (his virtues) caused them to love and admire him as he grew up and when he reached
the age of puberty they made him marry a woman from amongst them."
Ishmael's Wives
The Prophet (pbuh) continued: "After Ishmael's mother had died, Abraham came after Ishmael's marriage in order to see his family that he had left before but he did not find Ishmael there. When he asked Ishmael's wife about him, she replied: "He has gone in search of livelihood." Then he asked her about their way of living and their condition, and she replied, "We are living in misery; we are living in hardship and destitution," complaining to him. He said: "When your husband
returns, convey my salutations to him and tell him to change the threshold of the gate (of his
house)."
When Ishmael came, he seemed to have felt something unusual, so he asked his wife: "Has
anyone visited you?" she replied, "Yes, an old man of such and such description came and asked
me about you and I informed him and he asked about our state of living and I told him that we
were living in a hardship and poverty." On that Ishmael said: "Did he advise you anything?" She
said: "Yes he told me to convey his salutation to you and to tell you to change the threshold of
your gate." Ishmael said: "It was my father and he has ordered me to divorce you. Go back to
your family." So, Ishmael divorced her and married another woman from among them (Jurhum).
The Kaba is Built - by Prophet Muhammad
"Then Abraham stayed away from them for a period as long as Allah wished and called on them
again but did not find Ishmael. So he came to Ishmael's wife and asked her about Ishmael. She
said: 'he has gone in sof our livelihood.' Abraham asked her; 'how are you getting on?' asking her
about their sustenance and living. she replied: 'we are prosperous and well off (we have everything
in abundance).' then she thanked Allah. Abraham said: 'What kind of food do you eat?' she said:
'meat.' he said: 'what do you drink?' she said: 'water.' he said: 'O Allah! bless their meat and
water.""
The Prophet (pbuh) added: "At that time they did not have grain, and if they had grain he would have also invoked Allah to bless it. If somebody has only these two things as his sustenance, his health and disposition will be badly affected unless he lives in Mecca."
The Prophet (pbuh) continued: "Then Abraham said to Ishmael's wife: 'When your husband
comes give my regards to him and tell him that he should keep firm the threshold of his gate.'
When Ishmael came back he asked his wife, 'did anyone call no you?' she replied: 'yes, a good
looking old man came to me,' so she praised him and added: 'He asked about you and I informed
him that we were in a good condition.' Ishmael asked her:' did he give you any piece of advice?'
she said; 'yes, he told me to give his regards to you and ordered that you should keep firm the threshold of your gate.' on that Ishmael said: 'It was my father, and you are the threshold of the gate. He has ordered me to keep you with me.'
Then Abraham stayed away from them for a period as long as Allah wished and called on them
afterwards. He saw Ishmael under a tree near Zam Zam, sharpening his arrows. When he saw
Abraham, he rose up to welcome him (and they greeted each other as a father does with his son or
a son does with his father). Abraham said: 'O Ishmael! Allah has give me an order.' Ishmael said:
'Do what your Lord has ordered you to do.' Abraham asked:'Will you help me?' Ishmael said: 'I
will help you.' Abraham said: 'Allah has ordered me to build a house here,' pointing to a hillock
higher than the land surrounding it.
"Then they raised the foundations of the House (the Kaba). Ishmael brought the stones while
Abraham built and when the walls became high Ishmael brought this stone and put it for Abraham who stood over it and carried on building. While Ishmael was handing him the stones, and both of them were saying:
"Our Lord! Accept this service from us, verily, You are the All Hearer, the All Knower." (Ch
2:127 Quran)
The Prophet (pbuh) added: "Then both of them went on building and going round the Kaba
saying:
"O our Lord! Accept this service from us, verily, You are the All Hearer, the All Knower.";
(Sahih Bukhari).
Hajar sees zam - zam - by Ibn Abbas
Ibn Abbas narrated a slightly different version: "When Abraham had differences with his wife
(because of her jealousy of Hajar, Ishmael's mother), he took Ishmael and his mother and went
away. They had a water skin with them containing some water. Ishmael's mother used to drink
water from the water skin so that her milk would increase for her child. When Abraham reached
Mecca, he made her sit under a tree and afterwards returned home. Ishmael's mother followed him
and when they reached Kada, she called him from behind: 'O Abraham! To whom are you leaving
us?' He replied: '(I am leaving you) to Allah's care.' she said: 'I am satisfied to be with Allah.' She
returned to her place and started drinking water from the water skin and her milk increased for
her child.
"When the water had all been used up, she said to herself: 'I had better go and look so that I may
see somebody.' she ascended As-Safa mountain and looked hoping to see somebody but in vain.
When she came down to the valley, she ran till she reached Al Marwa Mountain. She ran to and
for (between the two mountains) many times. Then she said to herself; 'I had better go and see the
state of the child.' she went and found it in a state of one on the point of dying. She could not
endure to watch it dying and said to herself: 'If I go and look I may find somebody.' she went and
ascended al-Safa mountain and looked for a long while but could not find anybody. Thus she
completed seven rounds of running between As-Safa and Al-Marwa. Again she said to herself: 'I had better go back and see the state of the child.' but suddenly she heard a voice, and she said to that strange voice. 'help us if you can offer any help.' lo! it was Gabriel (who had made the voice) Gabriel hit the earth with his heel like this (Ibn Abbas hit the earth with his heel to illustrate it), and so the water gushed out. Ishmael's mother was astonished and started digging."
Abu Al Qasim, the Prophet (pbuh) said: "If she had left the water, (flow naturally, without her
intervention, ) it would have been flowing on the surface of the earth."
Makka is Settled - by Ibn Abbas
Ibn Abbas continued narrating: "Ishmael's mother started drinking from the water, and her milk increased for her child. Afterwards some people of the tribe of Hurhum saw some birds while passing through the bottom of the valley and that astonished them. They said: "birds can only be found at a place where there is water." They sent a messenger who searched the place and found the water and returned to inform them about it. Then they all went to her and said: "O Ishmael's mother! Will you allow us to be with you (or dwell with you)?" Then they stayed there.
Ishmael's Wives - by Ibn Abbas
"Later on her boy reached the age of puberty and married a lady from them. Then an idea
occurred to Abraham, which he disclosed to his wife (sarah). 'I want to call on my dependants I
left at Mecca.' When he went there he greeted Ishmael's wife and said: 'where is Ishmael?' She
replied: 'He has gone out hunting.' Abraham said to her: 'When he comes, tell him to change the
threshold of his gate.' When Ishmael came she told him the same and whereupon Ishmael said to
her: 'you are the threshold so go to your family (you are divorced).'
"Again Abraham thought of visiting his dependents whom he had left at Mecca, and told his wife
(Sarah) of his intentions. Abraham came to Ishmael's house and asked: 'Where is Ishmael?'
Ishmael's wife replied: 'He has gone out hunting,' and added: 'will you stay for some time and have
something to eat and drink?' Abraham said: 'what is your food and what is your drink?' she
replied: 'our food is meat and our drink is water.' he replied: 'O Allah! Bless their meals and their
drink.' Abu Al Qasim (the Prophet)(pbuh) said: "Because of Abraham's invocation there are
blessings in Mecca."
Kaba is Built - by Ibn Abbas
Ibn Abbas continued: "Once more Abraham thought of visiting his family he had left at Mecca and
he told his wife (Sarah) of his decision. HE went and found Ishmael behind the Zam-zam well,
mending his arrows. He said: 'O Ishmael, your Lord has ordered me to build a house for Him.'
Ishmael said: 'Obey the order of your Lord.' Abraham said: 'Allah has also ordered me that you
should help me therein.' Ishmael said: 'Then I will do so.' So both of them were saying:
"O our Lord! Accept this service of us, verily, You are the All Hearer, the All Knower."( Ch
2:127)
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When the building became high and the old man (Abraham) could no longer lift the stones to such a high position, he stood over the stone of Al Maqam and Ishmael carried on handing him the stones and both of them were saying:
"O our Lord! Accept this service of us, verily You are the All Hearer, the All Knower.""
Abraham and Ishmael (PBUT) - The Sacrifice
Allah the Almighty told us of Abraham's affliction with his beloved son:
"And he said after his rescue from the fire:
'Verily! I am going to my Lord. He will guide me! My Lord! Grant me (offspring) from the
righteous." SO We gave him the glad tidings of a forbearing boy. And when he (his son) was old
enough to walk with him, he said: "O my son! I have seen in a dream that I am slaughtering you
(offer you in sacrifice to Allah), so look what do you think!ف" "O my father! Do that which you
are commanded InshAllah (if Allah wills), you shall find me of the patient."
Then when they had both submitted themselves to the Will of Allah and he had laid him
prostrate on his forehead (or on the side of his forehead for slaughtering); and We called out to
him: "O Abraham! You have fulfilled the dream (vision!" Verily! Thus do Wereward those who
perform good deeds, totally for Allah's sake only. Verily, that indeed was a manifest trial and We
ransomed him with a great sacrifice (a ram;) and We left for him ( a goodly remembrance)
among generations (to come) in later times. "Salamun (peace) be upon Abraham!" Thus indeed
do We reward the Muhsineen (good doers). Verily, he was one of Our believing slaves.( Ch
37:99-111 Quran)
Time passed. One day Abraham was sitting outside his tent thinking of his son Ishmael and
Allah's sacrifice. His heart was filled with awe and love for Allah for His countless blessings. A big
tear dropped from his eyes and reminded him of Ishmael.
Tidings of Isaac
In the meantime, three angels descended to the earth; Gabriel, Israphael, and Michael. They came in human shapes and saluted Abraham. Abraham arose and welcomed them. He took them inside his tent thinking they were strangers and guests. He seated them and made sure that they were comfortable, then excused himself to go to his people.
His wife Sarah arose when he entered. She had become old and white haired. Abraham said to
her: "We have three strangers in the house." "Who are they?" she asked. "I do not know any of
them," he answered. "What food have we got?" He asked. Half a sheep." she replied, "Half a
sheep! Slaughter a fat calf for them; they are strangers and guests." he ordered while leaving.
The servants roasted and served a calf. Abraham invited the angels to eat and he started eating so
as to encourage them. He continued, but when he glanced at his guests to assure they were eating,
he noticed that none of them had touched the food. He said to the them: "Are you not going to
eat?" He resumed eating, but when he glanced at them again he found that they were still not
eating. Their hands did not reach out for the food. He began to fear them.
Abraham's fears increased. The angels, however were reading his inner thoughts and one of them
said: "Do not fear." Abraham raised his head and replied: "Indeed I am in fear. I have asked you
to eat food but you do not stretch out your hands to eat. Do you intend me evil?"
One of the angels smiled and said: "We do not eat. We are Allah's angels." One of them then
turned towards his wife and conveyed the glad tidings about Isaac (Ishaaq).
Tidings of Isaac - Quranic
Almighty Allah revealed:
"Verily! There came Our Messengers to Abraham with glad tidings. They said: "Salaam
(greetings or peace)!" he answered: "Salaam (greetings or peace)!" and he hastened to entertain
them with a roasted calf. But, when he saw their hands went not towards it (the meal), he felt
some mistrust of them, and conceived a fear of them. They said: "Fear not, we have been sent
against the people of Lot." And his wife was standing there and she laughed (either, because the
Messengers did not eat their food or for being glad for the destruction of the people of Lot). But
We gave her glad tidings of Isaac, and after him of Jacob.
She said (in astonishment): "Woe unto me! Shall I bear a child while I am an old woman, and
here is my husband an old man? Verily! This is a strange thing!" They said: "Do you wonder at
the Decree of Allah? The Mercy of Allah and His Blessings be on you, O the family (of
Abraham). Surely, He (Allah) is All praiseworthy, All-Glorious." (CH 11:69-73).
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Prophet Ishaq
Isaac's Sons - from Commentators
The Quran does not give details of Isaac's life (pbuh), but reliable Quranic commentators
mentioned that when Abraham felt that his life was drawing to a close, he wished to see Isaac
married. He did not want Isaac to marry one of the Canaanites, who were pagans, so he sent a
trustworth servant to Haran in Iraq to choose a bride for Isaac. The servant's choice fell upon
Rebekah Bint Bethuel, Ibn Nahor (who was a brother of Abraham). Isaac married her and she
gave birth to a set of twins, Esau (Al Eis) and Jacob (Yaqub).
Ill feelings developed between the two brothers when they grew into manhood. Esau disliked the fact that Jacob was favoured by his father and by Allah with prophethood. This ill feeling became so searious that Esau threatened to kill his brother. Fearing for his life, Jacob fled the country.
Isaac's Sons - from the People of the Book
The People of the Book said that when Isaac was forty years old, he married Rebekah Bint
Bethuel, during his father's life. They said she was sterile, so Isaac prayed to Allah and then she
became pregnant. She gave birth to twin boys. The first one was called Esau whom the Arabs
called Al-Eis. He became the father of Rum. The second one was called Jacob, which means
Isreal, (belonging to the people of Israel).
Issac's Death
Jacob came to his father Isaac and settled with him in the village of Hebron which lies in the land of Canaan where Abraham had lived. Then Isaac fell ill and died when he was one hundred eighty years old. His sons Esau and Jacob buried him with his father Abraham Al Khalil in a cave which he had bought. It was said that Abraham died at the age of one hundred seventy five.
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Prophet Yaqub (Jacob)
Isaac's Sons - Jacob and Esau
Isaac married Rebekah Bint Bethuel, Ibn Nahor, and she gave birth to a set of twins, Esau (Al
Eis) and Jacob (Yaqub). Ill feelings developed between the two brothers when they grew into
manhood. Esau disliked the fact that Jacob was favored by his father and by Allah with
prophethood. This ill feeling became so serious that Esau threatened to kill his brother. Fearing
for his life, Jacob fled the country.
Isaac's Sons - from the People of the Book
The People of the Book said that when Isaac was forty years old, he married Rebekah, Bint
Bethuel, during his father's life. They said she was sterile, so Isaac prayed to Allah and then she
became pregnant. She gave birth to twin boys. The first one was called Esau whom the Arabs
called Al-Eis. He became the father of Rum. The second one was called Jacob, which means
Isreal, (belonging to the people of Israel).
The People of the Book claimed that when Isaac (pbuh) grew old and his eye sight had
weakened, he had a desire for food, so he asked his son Esau to go hunting and bring him some
cooked game. Esau asked him to bless the food and pray for him. Esau, a hunter, went out to get
his father the meat. Rebekah, overhearing this, ordered her son Jacob to slaughter two goats of
his best flock and cook them as his father liked and bring it to him before his brother returned.
She dressed Jacob in his brother's clothes and put goat skin on his arms and neck, for Esau was
hairy while Jacob was not. When he approached his father with the food, his father asked: 'Who
are you?' Jacob answered: 'I am your son.' When his father finished eating, he prayed for his son
to be the more blessed brother and to prevail over them and all people, and for Allah to sustain
him and his children.
When he left his father, his brother Esau, who had carried out his father's command, entered.
Isaac asked him: "What is this my son?" He answered: "This is the food you like." Isaac asked:
"Did you bring it an hour ago and ask me to pray for you?" Esau said: "No, I swear I did not,"
and he knew his brother had preceded him in this matter and he was sick at heart.
Jacob Leaves his Home - from the People of the Book
The People of the Book said Esau threatened to kill his brother when their father was dead. They also said that he asked his father to pray for him that Allah make the earth good for his offspring and multiply his sustenance and fruits.
When their mother knew that Esau threatened his brother Jacob, she commanded her son Jacob to
go to her brother Laban in the land of Haran and abide with him for a time until his brother's
anger had abated, and to marry one of the Laban's daughters. She told her husband Isaac to
command him with that advice and pray for him, and he did.
Jacob's Promise
Jacob (pbuh) left his family, when night came he found a place to rest. He took a stone and put it
under his head and slept. He dreamed of a ladder from heaven to earth. Angels were ascending
and descending and the Lord addressed him and said to him; "I will bless you and your offspring
and make this land for you and for those who come after you."
When he awoke he felt joyful from what he had seen in his dream and vowed, for Allah's sake
that if he returned to his family safely, he would build here a temple for Allah the Almighty. He also vowed to give one tenth of his property for the sake of Allah. He poured oil on the stone so as to recognize it and called the place "Ayle's House" (Bethel), which means "House of Allah". It was to be the location of Jerusalem later.
Jacob's Wives - from the People of the Book
The People of the Book also said that when Jacob came to his maternal uncle in the land of
Haran, his uncle had two daughters. The elder one was called Leah (Lia) and the younger one was
Rachel (Rahil). The latter was the better and lovelier of the two. His uncle agreed to marry his
daughter to him on the condition that Jacob pasture his sheep for seven years.
After a period of time, his uncle prepared a feast and gathered people for the wedding. He married
Leah, his elder daughter, to him at night. She was weak-sighted and ugly. When morning came,
Jacob discovered she was Leah and he complained to his uncle. "You deceived me; I was engaged
to Rachel and you married me to Leah." His uncle said: "It is not our tradition to marry the
younger daughter before the elder daughter. However, if you love her sister, work another seven
years and I will marry you to both of them."
Jacob worked for seven years and then married Rachel. It was acceptable in their time, as
described in the Torah, for a man to marry two sisters. Laban gave a female slave to each
daughter. Leah's slave was called Zilpah and Rachel's slave was called Bilha.
Jacob's Children - from the People of the Book
Almighty Allah compensated Leah's weakness by giving her sons. The first one was named
Rueben (Robel), after whom there were Simon (Shamun), Levi (Lawi), and Judah (Yahudh).
Rachel felt jealous of Leah's having sons, as she was barren. She gave her slave Bilha to her
husband and he had relations with her until she became pregnant. She gave birth to a son and
named him Naphtali. Leah was vexed that Rachel's slave had give birth to a son, so she in turn
gave her slave Zilpah to Jacob (pbuh), Zilpah gave birth to two sons, Gad and Asher. Then Leah
got pregnant and gave birth to her fifth son, Issaacher, and later she gave birth to a sixth son
Zebulun. After this Leah gave birth to a daughter named Dinah. Thus, Leah had seven sons from
Jacob.
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Then Rachel prayed to Allah to give her a son from Jacob. Allah heard her call and responded to
her prayer. She gave birth to a son, great, honorable, and beautiful. She named him Joseph
(Yusuf). All of this happened when they were in the land of Haran and Jacob (pbuh) was
pasturing his uncle's sheep, which he did for a period of twenty years.
Jacob's Request - from the People of the Book
Jacob then asked his uncle Laban to let him go and visit his family. His uncle said to him: "I have
been blessed because of you; ask for whatever money you need." Jacob said: "Give me each
spotted and speckled goat born this year and each black lamb."
But at Laban's command his sons removed their father's goat that were striped, spotted or
speckled, and the black lambs, lest others should be born with those traits. They walked for three
days with their father's goats and sheep while Jacob tended the remaining flock.
The People of the Book said that Jacob (pbuh) took fresh rods of poplar, almond, and plane. He
peeled streaks in them and cast them into the water through for the goats to look at. The young
inside their abdomens were terrified and moved and they were born striped, spotted or speckled.
When the sheep were breeding, he set their faces towards the black sheep in Laban's flock and put
the rods among them. Their lambs were born black. This was considered an example of
supernatural powers, a miracle. Jacob had many goats, sheep, beast and slaves. His uncle and his
sons faces changed as if they the sheep and goats had been stolen from them.
Jacob Accused of Taking Idols
Allah the Almighty inspired Jacob to return to the country of his father and people, and He
promised to stand by him. Jacob told his family that, and they responded and obeyed him. Jacob
did not tell Laban of his plans, however, and left without bidding farewell.
Upon leaving, Rachel stole her father's idols. After Jacob and his people had fled for his country,
Laban and his people followed them. When Laban met with Jacob, he blamed him for leaving him
without his knowledge. He would have liked to know so that he could have made them leave with
celebration and joy, with drums and songs, and so that he could have bidden his daughters and
sons farewell. And why have they taken his idols with them?
Jacob had no knowledge of his idols, so he denied that he had taken them from him. Then Laban
entered the tents of his daughters and slaves to search, but he found nothing, for Rachel had put
the idols in the camel saddle under her. She did not get up, apologizing that she had her menses.
Thus, he could not perceive what they had done.
Then they sat on a hill called Galeed and made a covenant there. Jacob would not ill treat Laban's
daughters nor marry others. Neither Laban nor Jacob would pass the hill into the other's country.
They cooked food and their people ate with them. Each bade the other farewell as they departed,
each returning to his own country.
Jacob Prepares to meet Esau
When Jacob approached the land of Seir, the angels greeted him. He sent a messenger ahead with greetings to his brother Esau, asking forgiveness and humbling himself before him. The messenger returned greetings and told Jacob that Esau was riding towards him with four hundred men. This
made Jacob afraid and he entreated and prayed to Allah Almighty. He prostrated in humiliation
and asked Him to fulfill His promise which He had made before. He asked Him to stop the evil of
his brother Esau. Then Jacob (pbuh) prepared a great present for his brother: two hundred female
goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams, and thirty milch camels, forty
cows and two bulls, twenty female donkeys and ten male donkeys.
He commanded his slaves to take the animals, each drove by itself, and pass on ahead of him with
a space between the droves. He instructed them: "When you meet my brother Esau he will ask
you, 'to whom do you belong? where are you going?' you shall say, 'they belong to your servant
Jacob; they are a present to my master Esau. Moreover, he is behind us."
Jacob stayed behind with his two wives, his slaves and his children for two nights, then continued
walking by night and resting by day.
Jacob becomes Israel
When the dawn of the second day came one of the angels appeared in the shape of a man. Jacob
began to wrestle with him. They were neck and neck until the angel injured his thigh and Jacob
became lame. When the day was breaking, the angel said to him: 'What is your name?' He
answered: 'Jacob.' The angel said: "After today you shall not be called anything but Israel." Jacob
asked: "Who are you? What is your name?" He vanished. Then Jacob knew that he was one of the
angels. Jacob was lame, and for this reason the children of Israel do not eat the thigh muscle on
the hip socket.
Jacob and Esau Meet
Jacob raised his eyes and saw his brother Esau coming. Jacob prostrated seven times before him for it was their salutation in that time. It was lawful for them just as the angels had prostration in salutation to Adam.
When Esau saw him, he ran towards him, embraced and kissed him and wept. When Esau raised his eyes and saw the women and children he asked: "Who are these with you?" Jacob answered: "Those whom Allah has given me, your servant." Leah, Rachel, their slaves, and all the children approached and prostrated before him. Jacob asked Esau to accept his gift and insisted until he did so. Esau returned and went in advance before him. Jacob and his family followed with the flocks and herds and slaves to the mountains (Seir).
Jacob Builds Ayl
When he came to Succoth (Sahur), he built a house for himself and shades for his beasts. Then he
passed by Jerusalem, the village of Shechem, and camped before the village. He bought a farm
from Shcehm Ibn Hamor with one hundred goats and built an altar, which he called Ayl, as Allah
commanded him. He built the altar where Jerusalem stands today and later Solomon son of David
(pbuh) rebuilt it.
Prophet Job (Ayoub)
Job's Family History
Ibn Ishaaq stated that he was a man of Rum. His name was Job, Ibn Mose, Ibn Razeh, Ibn Esau, Ibn Isaac (pbuh), Ibn Abraham (pbuh). Someone else said he was Job, Ibn Mose, Ibn Rimil, Ibn Esau, Ibn Isaac, Ibn Jacob. There have also been other statements on his lineage. Ibn Asaker narrated that his mother was a daughter of Lot (pbuh). It was said, also that his father was one who believed in Abraham (pbuh) when he was cast into the fire.
The first opinion is the most plausible, because he was a descendant of Abraham's offspring as
Allah Almighty declared:
"That was Our proof which We gave Abraham against his people. We raise whom We will in
degrees. Certainly your Lord is All-Wise, All Knowing. And We bestowed upon him Isaac and
Jacob, each of them We guided and before him, We guided Noah, and among his progeny David,
Solomon, Job, Joseph, Moses, and Aaron. Thus do We reward the good doers. (Ch 6:83-84)
Allah's Praises of Job
Allah the Almighty praised His worshipper Job in His Glorious Quran:
"Truly! We found him patient. How excellent a slave! Verily, he was ever oft returning in
repentance to Us!" (Ch 38:44)
Job (pbuh) was repentant, remembering Allah with thankfulness, patience, and steadfastness. This
was the cause of his rescue and the secret of Allah's praising him.
A group of angels were discussing Allah's other human creatures, how those who were humble
earned Allah's pleasure, while those who were arrogant incurred His displeasure. One of the
angels remarked: "The best creature on earth today is Job, a man of noble character who displays
great patience and always remembers his Generous Lord. He is an excellent model for the
worshippers of Allah. In return, his Lord has blessed him with a long life and plenty of servants, as
well as the needy and the poor share in his good fortune; he feeds and clothes the poor and buys
slaves to set them free. He makes those who receive his charity feel as if they are favoring him so
kind and gentle is he."
Iblis' Jealousy of Job
Iblis overhearing all of this, became annoyed. He planned to tempt Job to corruption and disbelief,
so he hastened to him. He tried to distract Job from his prayers by whispering him about the good things in life but Job was a true believer and would not let evil thoughts tempt him. This disturbed Iblis even more; thus he began to hate Job even more.
Iblis Destroys Job's Wealth
Iblis complained to Allah about Job. He said that although he was continuously glorifying Allah he
was not doing so out of his sincerity but to satisfy Allah so that his wealth should not be taken
away. It was all a show, all out of greed. "If You remove his wealth then You will find that his
tongue will no longer mention Your name and his praying will stop."
Allah told Iblis that Job was one of His most sincere devotees. He did not worship Him because
of the favors; his worship stemmed from his heart and had nothing to do with material things. But
to prove to Iblis the depth of Job's sincerity and patience, Allah allowed him to do whatever he
and his helpers wished with Job's wealth.
Iblis was very happy. he gathered his helpers and set about destroying Job's cattle, servants and
farms until he was left with no possessions. Rubbing his hands in glee, Iblis appeared before Job in
the guise of a wise old man and said to him: "All your wealth is lost, some people say that it is
because you gave too much charity and that you are wasting your time with your continuous
prayers to Allah. Others say that Allah has brought this upon you in order to please your enemies.
If Allah had the capacity to prevent harm, then He would have protected your wealth."
True to his belief, Job replied: "What Allah has taken away from me belongs to Him. I was only
its trustee for awhile. He gives to whom He wills and withholds from whom He wills." With these
words, Job again prostrated to his Lord.
Iblis Destroys Job's Children
When Iblis saw this, he felt frustrated, so he again addressed Allah: "I have stripped Job of all his
possessions, but he still remains grateful to You. However he is only hiding his disappointment,
for he places great store by his many children. The real test of a parent is through his children.
You will see how Job will reject You."
Allah granted Iblis authority but warned him that it would not reduce Job' faith in His Lord nor
his patience.
Iblis again gathered his helpers and set about his evil deeds. He shook the fountain of the house in
which Job's children were living and sent the building crashing, killing all of them. Then he went
to Job disguised as a man who had come to sympathize with him. In a comforting tone he said to
Job: "The circumstances under which your children died were sad. Surely, your Lord is not
rewarding you properly for all your prayers." Having said this, Iblis waited anxiously hoping Job
was now ready to reject Allah.
But again Job disappointed him by replying: "Allah sometimes gives and sometimes takes. He is
sometimes pleased and sometimes displeased with our deeds. Whether a thing is beneficial or
harmful to me, I will remain firm in my belief and remain thankful to my Creator." then Job
prostrated to his Lord. At this Iblis was extremely vexed.
Iblis Destroys Job's Health
Iblis called on Allah. "O my Lord, Job's wealth is gone, his children are dead, and he is still healthy
in body, and as long as he enjoys good health he will continue to worship You in the hope of
regaining his wealth and producing more children. Grant me authority over his body so that I may
weaken it. He will surely neglect worshipping You an will thus become disobedient."
ScribdAlexander the great by Tafsir ibni kathir.
[edit] Introduction
Early Islamic scholars generally endorsed the identification of Dhul-Qarnayn with Alexander the Great. The earliest written identification between Alexander and Dhul-Qarnayn is made by the Muslim hagiographer Ibn Hisham (?-833 AD) in the Sira literature. This identification with Alexander is also endorsed by Islamic tafsir (exegesis) literature dating as far back as the tenth century. Some prominent Islamic scholars in recent times have also endorsed this identification.
Secular philologists studying ancient Syriac Christian legends about Alexander the Great independently came to the conclusion that Dhul-Qarnayn is an ancient epithet for Alexander the Great. According to these findings,
Alexander's association with two horns and with the building of the gate against Gog and Magog occurs much earlier than the Quran and persists in the beliefs of all three of these religions [Judaism, Christianity and Islam]. The denial of Alexander's identity as Dhul-Qarnain is the denial of a common heritage shared by the cultures which shape the modern world--both in the east and the west. The popularity of the legend of Alexander the Great proves that these cultures share a history which suggests that perhaps they are not so different after all.[2]
In the 19th century, Orientalists studying the Qur'an began researching the identity of Dhul-Qarnayn. The matter was settled in 1890 by Theodor Nِldeke, in an article where he established that Dhul-Qarnayn was none other than Alexander the Great and that the source of the Qur'anic narrations were the Alexander romance legends recorded in Syriac (a dialect of Middle Aramaic).[3] The Syriac manuscripts were translated into English in 1889 by E. A. Wallis Budge.[4] In the early 1900s Andrew Runni Anderson wrote a series of articles on the question in the Transactions of the American Philological Association.[5] The findings of the philologists imply that the source of the Qur'an's story of Dhul-Qarnayn is the Alexander romance, a thoroughly embellished compilation of Alexander's exploits from Hellenistic and early Christian sources, which underwent numerous expansions and revisions for two-thousand years, throughout Antiquity and the Middle Ages.[2]
[edit] Historical background on religious Alexander legends
17th century manuscript of an Alexandrine novel (Russia): Alexander exploring the depths of the sea
There have been many different cultural depictions of Alexander the Great since antiquity, including references in the Hebrew Bible in 1 Maccabees and the Book of Daniel. Alexander the Great was an immensely popular figure in the classical and post-classical cultures of the Mediterranean and Middle East. Almost immediately after his death in 323 BC a body of legend began to accumulate about his exploits and life which, over the centuries, became increasingly fantastic as well as allegorical. Collectively this tradition is called the Alexander romance and some recensions feature such vivid episodes as Alexander ascending through the air to Paradise, journeying to the bottom of the sea in a glass bubble, and journeying through the Land of Darkness in search of the Water of Life (Fountain of Youth).
The earliest Greek manuscripts of the Alexander romance, as they have survived, indicate that it was composed at Alexandria in the 3rd century A.D. The original text was lost but was the source of some eighty different versions written in twenty-four different languages.[6] As the Alexander romance persisted in popularity over the centuries, it was assumed by various neighboring peoples. Of particular significance was its incorporation into Jewish and later Christian legendary traditions. In the Jewish tradition Alexander was initially a figure of satire, representing the vain or covetous ruler who is ignorant of larger spiritual truths. Yet their belief in a just, all-powerful God forced Jewish interpreters of the Alexander tradition to come to terms with Alexander's undeniable temporal success. Why would a just, all-powerful God show such favor to an unrighteous ruler? This theological need, plus acculturation to Hellenism, led to a more positive Jewish interpretation of the Alexander legacy. In its most neutral form this was typified by having Alexander show deference to either the Jewish people or the symbols of their faith. In having the great conqueror thus acknowledge the essential truth of the Jews' religious, intellectual, or ethical traditions, the prestige of Alexander was harnessed to the cause of Jewish ethnocentrism. Eventually Jewish writers would almost completely co-opt Alexander, depicting him as a righteous gentile or even a believing monotheist.[7].
The Christianized peoples of the Near East, inheritors of both the Hellenic as well as Judaic strands of the Alexander romance, further theologized Alexander until in some stories he was depicted as a saint. The Christian legends turned the ancient Greek conqueror Alexander III into Alexander "the Believing King", implying that he was a believer in monotheism. Eventually elements of the Alexander romance were combined with Biblical legends such as Gog and Magog.
During the period of history during which the Alexander romance was written, and co-opted by Judaism, Christianity and Islam, little was known about the true historical Alexander the Great as most of the history of his conquests had been preserved in the form of folklore and legends. It was not until the Renaissance (1300-1600 AD) that the true history of Alexander III was rediscovered:
Since the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC there has been no age in history, whether in the West or the in the East, in which his name and exploits have not been famaliar. And yet not only have all contemporary records been lost but even the work based on those records though written some four and a half centuries after his death, the Anabasis of Arrian, was totally unknown to the writers of the Middle Ages and became available to Western scholarship only with the Revival of Learning [the Renaissance]. The perpetuation of Alexander's fame through so many ages and amongst so many peoples is due in the main to the innumerable recensions and transmogrifications of a work known as the Alexander Romance or Pseudo-Callisthenes.[8]
[edit] Dating and origins of the Alexander legends
An 11th century Syriac manuscript. The Syriac language is a dialect of Middle Aramaic that was once spoken across much of the Fertile Crescent. Classical Syriac became a major literary language throughout the Middle East from the 4th to the 8th centuries,[9] the classical language of Edessa, preserved in a large body of Syriac literature. Syriac became the vehicle of Eastern Orthodox Christianity and culture, spreading throughout Asia. Before Arabic became the dominant language, Syriac was a major language among the Assyrian Christian communities of the Middle East and Central Asia. Several Syriac manuscripts of the Alexander romance exist, dating from the 7th century. The Greek–Syriac translators are generally credited with introducing the works of the ancient Greeks to pre-Islamic Arabia.
The legendary Alexander material originated as early as the time of the Ptolemaic dynasty (305 BC to 30 BC) and its unknown authors are sometimes referred to as the Pseudo-Callisthenes (not to be confused with Callisthenes of Olynthus, who was Alexander's official historian). The earliest surviving manuscript of the Alexander romance, called the α (alpha) recension, can be dated to the 3rd century AD and was written in Greek in Alexandria:
There have been many theories regarding the date and sources of this curious work [the Alexander romance]. According to the most recent authority, ... it was compiled by a Greco-Egyptian writing in Alexandria about A.D. 300. The sources on which the anonymous author drew were twofold. On the one hand he made use of a `romanticized history of Alexander of a highly rhetorical type depending on the Cleitarchus tradition, and with this he amalgamated a collection of imaginary letters derived from an Epistolary Romance of Alexander written in the first century B.C. He also included two long letters from Alexander to his mother Olympias and his tutor Aristotle describing his marvellous adventures in India and at the end of the World. These are the literary expression of a living popular tradition and as such are the most remarkable and interesting part of the work.[10]
The Greek variants of the Alexander romance continued to evolve until, in the 4th century AD, the Greek legend was translated into Latin by Julius Valerius Alexander Polemius (where it is called the Res gestae Alexandri Magni) and from Latin it spread to all major vernacular languages of Europe in the Middle Ages. Around the same as its translation into Latin, the Greek text was also translated into the Syriac language and from Syriac it spread to eastern cultures and languages as far afield as China and Southeast Asia.[11] The Syriac legend was the source of an Arabic variant called the Qisas Dhul-Qarnayn (Tales of Dhul-Qarnayn)[12] and a Persian variant called the Iskandarnamah (Book of Alexander), as well as Armenian and Ethiopic translations.[13] The version recorded in Syriac is of particular importance because it was current in the Middle East during the time of the Qur'an's writing and is regarded as being closely related to the literary and linguistic origins of the story of Dhul-Qarnayn in the Qur'an. The Syriac legend, as it has survived, consists of five distinct manuscripts, including a Syriac Christian religious legend concerning Alexander and a sermon about Alexander attributed to the Syriac poet-theologian Jacob of Serugh (451-521 AD, also called Mar Jacob). The Syriac Christian legend concentrates on Alexander's journey to the end of the World, where he constructs the Gates of Alexander to enclose the evil nations of Gog and Magog, while the sermon describes his journey to the Land of Darkness to discover the Water of Life (Fountain of Youth). These legends concerning Alexander are remarkably similar to the story of Dhul-Qarnayn found in the Qur'an.[14]
One of the five Syriac manuscripts, as it has survived, can be dated to between 629 AD and 636 AD. There is evidence in the manuscript of "ex eventu knowledge of the Khazar invasion of Armenia in A.D. 629," [15][16] meaning that it was burdened with additions by a redactor sometime around 629 AD. The manuscript appears to have been composed as propaganda in support of Emperor Heraclius (575-641 AD) shortly after he defeated the Persians in the Byzantine-Sassanid War of 602–628. It is notable that this manuscript fails to mention the Islamic conquest of Jerusalem in 636 AD by Muhammad's (570-632 AD) successor, Caliph Umar (590-644 AD). This fact means that the manuscript must have been recorded before the "cataclysmic event"`that was the Muslim conquest of Syria and the resulting surrender of Jerusalem in November 636 AD. That the Byzantine–Arab Wars would have been referenced in the manuscript, had it been written after 636 AD, is supported by the fact that in 692 AD a Syriac Christian adaption of the Alexander romance called the Apocalypse of Pseudo-Methodius was indeed written as a response to the Muslim invasions and was falsely attributed to St Methodius (?-311 AD). The Apocalypse of Pseudo-Methodius equated the evil nations of Gog and Magog with the Muslim invaders and shaped the eschatological imagination of Christendom for centuries.[14]
The manuscripts also contain evidence of lost texts. For example, there is some evidence of a lost pre-Islamic Arabic version of the translation that is thought to have been an intermediary between the Syriac Christian and the Ethiopic Christian translations.[17]. There is also evidence that the Syriac translation was not directly based on the Greek recensions but was based on a lost Pahlavi (pre-Islamic Persian) intermediary.[10]
[edit] Theological Controversy
The identity of Dhul-Qarnayn has been a matter of theological controversy amongst Muslim scholars for centuries. Dhul-Qarnayn was equated with Alexander by classical Islamic scholars during a period when Christians and Jews had themselves co-opted Alexander the Great as a religious figure. It is clear that the historical Alexander the Great was a Greek pagan (Alexander's mother, Olympias, was a devout member of the orgiastic snake-worshiping cult of Dionysus, and may have slept with snakes) but these historical facts only came to light after the Renaissance period (1300-1600 AD). The Muslim sentiment against Alexander is reflected in several Islamic texts, often with references to his polytheistic religious beliefs and (more recently) his personal relationships:
Also problematic is the assertion that the Qur'an's story is taken from the Alexander romance. This would imply that ancient Syriac folklore about Alexander, no longer accepted as true by anyone, demonstrably forms both the literary and linguistic origins of the story found in the Qur'an. In response, alternative theories about the identity of Dhul-Qarnayn were advanced by Muslim scholars. For example, it is sometimes suggested by Muslim writers that Dhul-Qarnayn could be Cyrus the Great (600-530 BC) or an ancient Yemenite king.
[edit] Dhul-Qarnayn in Islamic literature
Main article: Dhul-Qarnayn
[edit] Qur'an
Dhul-Qarnayn (The two-horned in English) features prominently in the Qur'an, the sacred scripture believed by Muslims to have been revealed by Allah to Muhammad. The story of Dhul-Qarnayn appears in seventeen short verses of the Qur'an, specifically verses 18:83-99 of Surah Al-Kahf. Dhul-Qarnayn is mentioned in only one place in the Qur'an, unlike the more familiar stories that are repeated throughout the text (for example, the story of Jesus is mentioned in 93 verses in 15 different surahs of the Qur'an). The Qur'an's story describes a man called Dhul-Qarnayn (meaning "the Two-Horned"), who was already familiar to the inhabitants of the region, to whom Allah gave great power, and who traveled to the rising place and setting place of the sun, where he found the sun setting in a murky (or boiling) sea. At this place, Dhul-Qarnayn builds a wall in order to enclose the nations of Gog and Magog. The Gog and Magog will breach Dhul-Qarnayn's wall before the al-Qiyāmah (Day of Judgement) and will wreak havoc in the world (Islamic Armageddon):
Qur'an Verse Yusuf Ali Pickthall
18:83 They ask thee concerning Zul-qarnain Say, "I will rehearse to you something of his story." They will ask thee of Dhu'l-Qarneyn. Say: "I shall recite unto you a remembrance of him."
18:84 Verily We established his power on earth, and We gave him the ways and the means to all ends. Lo! We made him strong in the land and gave him unto every thing a road.
18:85 One (such) way he followed, And he followed a road
18:86 Until, when he reached the setting of the sun, he found it set in a spring of murky water: near it he found a people: We said: "O Zul-qarnain! (thou hast authority), either to punish them, or to treat them with kindness." Till, when he reached the setting-place of the sun, he found it setting in a muddy spring, and found a people thereabout. We said: "O Dhu'l-Qarneyn! Either punish or show them kindness."
18:87 He said: "Whoever doth wrong, him shall we punish; then shall he be sent back to his Lord; and He will punish him with a punishment unheard-of (before). He said: "As for him who doeth wrong, we shall punish him, and then he will be brought back unto his Lord, Who will punish him with awful punishment!"
18:88 "But whoever believes, and works righteousness, he shall have a goodly reward, and easy will be his task as we order it by our command." "But as for him who believeth and doeth right, good will be his reward, and We shall speak unto him a mild command."
18:89 Then followed he (another) way. Then he followed a road
18:90 Until, when he came to the rising of the sun, he found it rising on a people for whom We had provided no covering protection against the sun. Till, when he reached the rising-place of the sun, he found it rising on a people for whom We had appointed no shelter therefrom.
18:91 (He left them) as they were: We completely understood what was before him. So (it was). And We knew all concerning him.
18:92 Then followed he (another) way. Then he followed a road
18:93 Until, when he reached (a tract) between two mountains, he found, beneath them, a people who scarcely understood a word. Till, when he came between the two mountains, he found upon their hither side a folk that scarce could understand a saying.
18:94 They said: "O Zul-qarnain! the Gog and Magog (people) do great mischief on earth: shall we then render thee tribute in order that thou mightest erect a barrier [wall] between us and them?" They said: "O Dhu'l-Qarneyn! Lo! Gog and Magog are spoiling the land. So may we pay thee tribute on condition that thou set a barrier [wall] between us and them?"
18:95 He said: "(The power) in which my Lord has established me is better (than tribute): help me therefore with strength (and labour): I will erect a strong barrier [wall] between you and them: He said: "That wherein my Lord hath established me is better (than your tribute). Do but help me with strength (of men), I will set between you and them a bank [wall]."
18:96 "Bring me blocks of iron." At length, when he had filled up the space between the two steep mountain sides, he said, "Blow (with your bellows)" then, when he had made it (red) as fire, he said: "Bring me, that I may pour over it, molten lead." "Give me pieces of iron" - till, when he had leveled up (the gap) between the cliffs, he said: "Blow!" - till, when he had made it a fire, he said: "Bring me molten copper to pour thereon."
18:97 Thus were they made powerless to scale it or to dig through it. And (Gog and Magog) were not able to surmount, nor could they pierce (it).
18:98 He said: "This is a mercy from my Lord: but when the promise of my Lord comes to pass, He will make it into dust; and the promise of my Lord is true." He said: "This is a mercy from my Lord; but when the promise of my Lord cometh to pass, He will lay it low, for the promise of my Lord is true."
18:99 On that day We shall leave them [Gog and Magog] to surge like waves on one another: the trumpet will be blown, and We shall collect them all together. And on that day we shall let some of them [Gog and Magog] surge against others, and the Trumpet will be blown. Then We shall gather them together in one gathering.
[edit] Sira
12th century map by the Muslim geographer Al-Idrisi (south up). "Yajooj" and "Majooj" (Gog and Magog) appear in Arabic script on the bottom-left edge of the Eurasian landmass, enclosed within dark mountains, at a location corresponding roughly to Mongolia. This is a reference to the story of Dhul-Qarnayn in the Qur'an.
The earliest mention of Dhul-Qarnayn outside the Qur'an is found in the works of the earliest Muslim historian and hagiographer, Ibn Ishaq (?-761 AD), which form the main corpus of the Sira (religious biography) literature. Ibn Ishaq's Sira reports that the eighteenth chapter of the Qur'an (which includes the story of Dhul-Qarnayn) was revealed to Muhammad by God on account of some questions posed to Muhammad by the rabbis. The verse was revealed during the Meccan period of Muhammad's life. According to Ibn Ishaq, Muhammad's tribe, the powerful Quraysh, were greatly concerned about their tribesman who had started claiming prophethood and wished to consult the Jewish rabbis' superior knowledge of the scriptures and about the prophets of God. The two Quraysh men described their tribesman, Muhammad, to the Jewish scholars. The rabbis told the men to ask Muhammad three questions:
They (the rabbis) said, 'Ask him about three things which we will tell you to ask and if he answers them then he is a Prophet who has been sent (by Allah); if he does not, then he is saying things that are not true, in which case how you will deal with him will be up to you. Ask him about some young men in ancient times, what was their story? For theirs is a strange and wondrous tale. Ask him about a man who travelled a great deal and reached the east and the west of the earth. What was his story? And ask him about the Ruh (soul or spirit) —what is it? If he tells you about these things, then he is a Prophet, so follow him, but if he does not tell you, then he is a man who is making things up, so deal with him as you see fit.'[18]
The famous story in the Sira relates that when Muhammad was informed of the three questions from the Rabbis, he declared that he would have the answers in the morning. However, Muhammad did not give the answer in the morning. For fifteen days, Muhammad did not answer the question. Doubt in Muhammad began to grow amongst the people of Mecca. Then, after fifteen days, Muhammad received the revelation that is Sura Al-Kahf ("The Cave"), the eighteenth chapter of the Qur'an. Surah Al-Kahf mentions the "People of the Cave," a strange story about some young men in ancient times who slept in a cave for many years. Surah Al-Kahf also mentions the Ruh, or soul/spirit.[verification needed] Finally, the surah also mentions "a man who travelled a great deal and reached the east and the west of the earth"—namely, Dhul-Qarnayn. Though Ibn Ishaq himself does not explicitly mention the name Alexander, he relates that a storyteller told him that Dhul-Qarnayn was a Greco-Egyptian (an accurate description of Alexander):
A man who used to purvey stories of the foreigners, which were handed down among them, told me that Dhul-Qarnayn was an Egyptian whose name was Marzuban bin Mardhaba, the Greek.[19]
Ibn Ishaq's original work is lost, but it has been almost completely incorporated in Ibn Hisham (?-833 AD), another early Muslim historian. Ibn Hisham collected Ibn Ishaq's Sira and added his notes to it; in regards to Dhul-Qarnayn, Ibn Hisham noted:
Dhu al-Qarnain is Alexander the Greek, the king of Persia and Greece, or the king of the east and the west, for because of this he was called Dhul-Qarnayn [meaning, 'the two-horned one']...[verification needed]
The theme, amongst Islamic scholars, of identifying Dhul-Qarnayn with Alexander the Great appears to have originated here. Why Ibn Hisham made this identification is not entirely clear.
[edit] Pre-Islamic Arabic poetry
Ibn Ishaq recorded many pre-Islamic Arabic poems in the Sira, including a poem about Dhul-Qarnayn that he claims was composed by a pre-Islamic king of ancient Yemen named Tubba':
Would tell me the source of this piece of information!!!!!
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