Forged On The Fire Of Sacrifice

Significant lessons from the inspirational story of Ibrahim (alaihis-salam)- The Khalil of Allah Subhanuhu wa Ta’ala.

Sacrifice is a term truly understood by few and implemented by fewer. Have you ever reflected upon your actions, asking yourself:
“What have I sacrificed in the way of Allah?”
“What do I give in His Way and for His cause?”
For how many of us so effortlessly claim belief in Allah (Subhanuhu wa Ta’ala) and yet such weighty claims are never reflected upon the limbs? The true beloveds of Allah (Subhanuhu wa Ta’ala) are those ready to submit to the will of Allah (Subhanuhu wa Ta’ala), devote themselves to Him (Subhanuhu wa Ta’ala), and completely sacrifice from the essence of their souls, for an incomparable exchange of His (Subhanuhu wa Ta’ala) Pleasure and Love.

The Prophet Ibrahim (alaihis-salam) was brought up amongst people who worshiped idols, committing the greatest sin in the sight of Allah (Subhanuhu wa Ta’ala): shirk (associating partners with Allah (Subhanuhu wa Ta’ala). He hated this act of evil and thus acted in the way of Allah (Subhanuhu wa Ta’ala) to eradicate the idols, never once wavering:

“Indeed, Ibrahim was a model nation, devoutly obedient to Allah, of pure faith, and he was never of the polytheists”
(An Nahl:120).

The Prophet Ibrahim (alaihis-salam) had full yaqeen (certainty) that his Lord (Subhanuhu wa Ta’ala) would make way for him, as it was His (Subhanuhu wa Ta’ala) pleasure alone that he was seeking. As his words, limbs, and actions bore witness to his deep-rooted belief in The Creator (Subhanuhu wa Ta’ala), he acted with pure conviction:

“‘And by Allah, I shall surely outwit your idols after you have gone away.’ So he broke them into pieces, except the biggest of them, that they might return and see it” (Al Anbiya: 57-58).

The idol worshipers, angered by his actions took revenge, foolishly ignoring the fact that The One whom Ibrahim (alaihis-salam) was calling to, was in control of their very own actions.

“They said: ‘Burn him, and avenge your gods if you are going to do anything.”We said: ‘O fire! Be cool and safe for Ibrahim.’ Then they looked for a way to outwit him, so We made them the worst of losers” (Al Anbiya: 68-70).

They stood in complete amazement, bewildered by the unusual change of nature: fire, a component known to provide heat and burn that which touches it, was cool for the beloved friend of Allah (Subhanuhu wa Ta’ala).
The trials that befell Ibrahim (alaihis-salam) reaffirmed his true faith in his Lord (Subhanuhu wa Ta’ala) and prepared him for greater tests that were soon to follow. Sisters, our sacrifices in the way of Allah (Subhanuhu wa Ta’ala) should never weaken our faith but rather strengthen our belief, conviction, and love for our Lord (Subhanuhu wa Ta’ala). Though we seek protection from Al-Ibtillaa’ (Allah’s Tests), we readily prepare ourselves for them, so as to ensure that we respond in the best of manners to our Beloved’s (Subhanuhu wa Ta’ala) Decree, sacrificing only the best of what we possess.

When Ibrahim (alaihis-salam) had taken Hajar and baby Isma’il (alaihis-salam) to Makkah, leaving them with some dates and water, little did Hajar know what was to face her and her baby: The test of endurance and patience. Just imagine being left with your suckling infant, by your husband, family member or guardian in a deserted land with some dates and water. What would be going through your mind? Hajar followed Ibrahim (alaihis-salam) and asked several times Why are you going leave us in the valley where there is no living being or anything else?” When Ibrahim (alaihis-salam) gave no answer, Hajar realized there must be more to the situation so she enquired: “Has Allah commanded you to do so?” When Ibrahim (alaihis-salam) replied “yes”, sisters what was the beautiful response of the dear mother of Isma’il (alaihis-salam)? “He will then not leave us to be destroyed here.” Hajar had no idea why her husband had been commanded to perform such an action, but that did not matter, for the command came from Allah (Subhanuhu wa Ta’ala), her Lord, thus her unrelenting faith submitted to His commands, and not to that of her own desires.

After decades of preparing Ibrahim (alaihis-salam) through life experiences, trials, and tests, Allah (Subhanuhu wa Ta’ala) knew that His Khalil was now ready for one of the greatest tests that would befall him: The Sacrifice of something beloved – his son, Isma’il (alaihis-salam). After seeing in a dream the orders of Allah (Subhanuhu wa Ta’ala) to sacrifice his son, Ibrahim (alaihis-salam) proceeded to act swiftly upon his Lord’s command:

“So We gave him glad tidings of a boy, most forbearing. And when Isma’il reached the age of work with him, he said:
‘O my son! I have seen in a dream that I offer you in sacrifice, so tell me what is your view?’ He said: ‘O my father! Do as you are commanded, you will find me, if Allah so willed, one of the patient'” (As Saffat: 101-102).

Though this sacrifice meant losing his beloved son, Isma’il (alaihis-salam), Ibrahim (alaihis-salam) stood firm, convinced that this was for the best, for how could it not be when the order had come from Allah (Subhanuhu wa Ta’ala) The Only One worthy of sacrifices? Allah (Subhanuhu wa Ta’ala) does not require the act of sacrificing our blood, rather He (Subhanuhu wa Ta’ala) wishes to decipher which of us are true to our claims of belief. As a result of Ibrahim (alaihis-salam)’s and Isma’il’s (alaihis-salam) conviction and istaqaamah (steadfastness) in upholding the commands of Allah, they were praised and described as being forbearing, patient, and truthful in fulfilling promises.
In all that we experience, Allah (Subhanuhu wa Ta’ala) only wishes to reward His faithful servants with the best, after they have truly shown that they are worthy of receiving such an honourable gift. Ibrahim (alaihis-salam) succeeded in achieving this and thus (alaihis-salam) was rewarded with the greatest gift that any servant could receive in this dunya:

“And who can be better in religion than he who submits his whole self to the Will of Allah, and does good and follows the religion of Ibrahim, a man pure in faith. Allah took Ibrahim as a friend” (An Nisa: 125).

Through each and every one of His great tests, Prophet Ibrahim (alaihis-salam) stood firm with great resolve, never once doubting His Lord’s Decree. Ibrahim’s (alaihis-salam) istaqaamah (steadfastness) is an example that has left a legacy for all to marvel at and be reminded by. As I quietly sit here contemplating his life, trials, and sacrifices, I feel a great sense of love overwhelm my heart, as tears silently stream down my face. Though he (alaihis-salam) faced unimaginable trials, he uttered only what was pleasing to his Lord:

“Allah is sufficient for us, and how excellent a Protector He is” (Aal Imran:173).

Every single waking moment of our lives testifies to who we truly are, displaying public examples of what really exists in our hearts, whether pure or corrupt. The reality of our situation is that we’re either ready to accept, submit, and sacrifice or quite simply, not. When Allah (Subhanuhu wa Ta’ala) brings about a test, hardship, and difficulty, the one thought that should resonate in our mind is: this is a sign of my Lord’s love for me. For the fact that Allah (Subhanuhu wa Ta’ala) has chosen for you to be tested is an indication that He (Subhanuhu wa Ta’ala) has not left you to your own devices, thus is with you though you may feel alone. In reality, Prophet Ibrahim (alaihis-salam) was the only one worshipping Allah (Subhanuhu wa Ta’ala) as One God but Allah (Subhanuhu wa Ta’ala) was with him, guiding him, protecting him, and honoring him. He always remained firm upon three significant qualities: yaqeen (certainty); tawakkul (trust) and nusuk (sacrifice), all underpinned by beautifully polished hikmah (wisdom):
“Say: ‘Surely, my prayer and my sacrifice, my life and my death are all for Allah, the Lord of the worlds. He has no partner, and this is what I have been commanded, and I am the first of those who submit themselves” (Al An’am:162-163).

Ibrahim (alaihis-salam) chose one way: the only way in which to prove his belief and willingness to sacrifice from the very roots of his heart and soul, earning himself an honorable gift, comparable to none: becoming the beloved friend of Allah (Subhanuhu wa Ta’ala).

by Umm Thameenah