Ben Al-Hussaini
After the Great Sacrifie Prophet Abraham returned to Hebron, Palestine, and upon doing so, he was visited by angels who give him and Sarah the good news of a son, Isaac, Jacob and the destruction of people of Prophet Lot in Sadom.
Allah SWT Says: "There came Our Messengers to Abraham with glad tidings. They said "Peace!" He answered "Peace!" and hastened to entertain them with a roasted calf. But when he saw their hands went not towards 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: but We gave her glad tidings of Isaac and after him of Jacob. She said: "Alas for me! Shall I bear a child seeing I am an old woman and my husband here is an old man? That would indeed be a wonderful thing!" They said: "Dost thou wonder at Allah's decree? The grace of Allah and His blessings on you O ye people of the house! for He is indeed worthy of all praise full of all glory!" [Surah Hud, 11: 69-73]
“Lo! We bring you good tidings of a boy possessing wisdom.” [ Surah Al-Hijir,15:53]
He [Abraham] inquired the the Engels: "What, then, is your business, messengers?" They said: "We have been sent to a people of evildoers to unleash upon them lumps of clay earmarked by your Lord for the profligate." We brought out all the believers who were there, but found in it only one house of Muslims: And We left there a Sign for such as fear the Grievous Penalty. [Al-Dhariyat, 51: 31-37].
Destruction of People of Lot and Glad tidings of Issac and Jacob
One day while Abraham was sitting outside his tent, thinking of his son Ishmael and the 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.
Three angles descended to the earth: Gabriel, Israphael, and Michael. They came in human shape and saluted Abraham. Abraham rose and welcomed them. He took them inside his tent, thinking they were strangers and guests. He invited them to sit and made sure they were comfortable, then excused himself to go to his people.
His wife Sarah arose when he entered. She was old and the hair were white. 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?" Abraham 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 the calf. Abraham invited the angels to eat so as to honour them. He continued, but when he glanced at his guests to assure they were eating, he noticed that none of them touched their food. He said to 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 angles." One of them then turned towards his wife and conveyed the glad tidings about Isaac (Ishaq).
Almighty Allah revealed: "There came Our Messengers to Abraham with glad tidings. They said "Peace!" He answered "Peace!" and hastened to entertain them with a roasted calf. But when he saw their hands went not towards 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: but We gave her glad tidings of Isaac and after him of Jacob. She said: "Alas for me! Shall I bear a child seeing I am an old woman and my husband here is an old man? That would indeed be a wonderful thing!" They said: "Dost thou wonder at Allah's decree? The grace of Allah and His blessings on you O ye people of the house! for He is indeed worthy of all praise full of all glory!" [Surah Hud, 11: 69-73]
In another Surah Allah revealed: Behold, they entered his presence, and said: "Peace!" He said, "Peace!" (and thought, "These seem) unusual people." Then he turned quickly to his household, brought out a fatted calf. And placed it before them He said, "will ye not eat?" (When they did not eat). He conceived a fear of them. They said, "Fear not," and they gave him glad tidings of a son[ Issac] endowed with knowledge. But his wife came forward (laughing) aloud: she smote her forehead and said: "A barren old woman!" They said, "Even so has thy Lord spoken: and He is full of Wisdom and Knowledge." [Surah Al-Dhariyat, 25 - 30]
In another verse Allah told Abraham about the destruction of the people of Lot : He [Abraham] inquired : "What, then, is your business, messengers?" They said: "We have been sent to a people of evildoers to unleash upon them lumps of clay earmarked by your Lord for the profligate." We brought out all the believers who were there, but found in it only one house of Muslims
Built the Ka'abah
Now, years later, Abraham again in reunion with his son Ishmael, were to establish the honored House of God, Ka’abah the center of worship, to which direction people would their face when offering prayers, and make it a site of pilgrimage.
It was here, in this same barren desert where Abraham had left Hagar and Ishmael earlier, that he supplicated to God to make it a place where they would establish the prayer, free from idol worship.
There are many beautiful verses in the Quran describing the sanctity of the Ka'abah and the purpose of its building.
“My Lord! Make safe this territory, and preserve me and my sons from worshipping idols. My Lord! Lo! They have led many of people astray. But whoever follows me, he verily is of me. And whoever disobeys me, still You are Forgiving, Merciful. Our Lord! Lo! I have settled some of my posterity in an uncultivable valley near to Your Holy House, our Lord! That they may establish proper worship; so incline some hearts of men that they may yearn toward them, and provide You them, with fruits in order that they may be thankful.
Our Lord! Lo! You know that which we hide and that which we proclaim. Nothing in the earth or in the heaven is hidden from God. Praise be to God Who has given me, in my old age, Ishmael and Isaac! Lo! My Lord is indeed the Hearer of prayer.
My Lord! Make me establish regular prayer, and some of my posterity (also), our Lord! And accept my prayer. Our Lord! Forgive me and my parents and believers on the Day when the account is cast.” [Surah Ibrahim,14:35-41]
“And when we assigned to Abraham the place of the House: ‘Do not associate with Me anything, and purify My House for those who circumambulate it, who stand in prayer, and who bow, and prostrate themselves (all in prayer).’ And proclaim the Pilgrimage (Hajj) among people, and they shall come to you on foot, and on every lean camel. They shall come to you from every deep and distant mountain highways.” [ Surah Al-Hajj, 22:26]
“And when We made the House (the Ka'abah) a resort for mankind and sanctuary, (saying): Take as your place of worship the place where Abraham stood (to pray). And We took a covenant with Abraham and Ishmael that they should purify My House (the Ka'abah) for those who compass it round, devote themselves (to worship) in it, or bow, or prostrate themselves (therein in prayer).” [Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:125]
He a.s completed the building of Ka'abah on the Command of Allâh. In his time, the building of Ka'abah was rectangular and reached the height of four and a half meters. It contained two doors at the ground level but had no roof. Ibrahîm a.s placed Hajar al-Aswad (the Black Stone) at one of the corners of Kâ'aba to mark the starting point of Tawâf (circumambulation).
The building of Ka'abah remained the same up till when the Quraish rebuild the Ka'abah.
Narrated Aishah r.a: “Once Allah's Messenger s.aw said to me: “Don't you see that when your folk built the Ka'abah, they did not build it on all the foundations built by Abraham?” I said: "O Alaâh's Apostle! Why don't we rebuild it on the foundations of Abraham?" He said. “But for the fact that your folk have recently given up infidelity (I would have done so).” [Bukharî, vol: 4, no: 587]
Proclaimation of Hajj
After Ibrahim built the Ka'abah, Allah ordered him to: “And proclaim to mankind the Hajj (pilgrimage).” [Sarah al-Hajj (22): 26]
Meaning announce the pilgrimage to mankind and call them to perform pilgrimage to this House, which Allah have commanded Ibrahim to build.
It is reported in at-Tabari (18: 605, 607) from Ibn Abbas and others that Ibrahim a.s said:
'O Lord, how can I convey this to people when my voice will not reach them?' It was said: 'Call them and We will convey it.'
So Ibrahîm a.s stood up and said: 'O Mankind! Your Lord has established a House so come on pilgrimage to it.' The mountains lowered themselves so that his voice would reach all regions of the Earth, and those who were still in their mother's wombs and their father's loins would hear the call. The response came from everyone in the cities, deserts and countryside, and those whom Allah decreed will make the pilgrimage until the Day of Judgment, as Allah said:
“They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, they will come from every Fajj (route) Amiq (distant).” [Surah al-Hajj (22): 26]
The Ka'abah is the first place of worship appointed for all of humanity for the purpose of guidance and blessing:
“Indeed the first House [of worship] appointed for humanity is that at Bakka: Full of blessing and of guidance for all the worlds. In it are Signs Manifest; [such as], the Station of Abraham; whoever enters it attains security; Pilgrimage thereto is a duty men owe to God - those who have the ability.” [Surah Hajj, 22:26-27]
Prophet Muhammad , may God praise him, said:
“Indeed this place has been made sacred by God the day He created the heavens and the earth, and it will remain so until the Day of Judgment.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim]
Abraham’s Suplications to God.
Indeed, the building of a sanctuary to be held by all latter generations was one of the best forms of worship men of God could do. Ahraham and Isma’il invoked God during their feat:
“Our Lord! Accept from us (this duty). Lo! You, only You, are the Hearer, the Knower. Our Lord! And make us Muslims (submissive to You) and of our seed a Muslim nation (submissive to You), and show us our ways of worship, and forgive toward us. Lo! You, only You, are the Forgiving, the Merciful. Our Lord!” [Surah Al-Baqarah, 2 : 127-128]
“And (remember) when Abraham said, “My Lord, make this city (Mecca) a place of security and provide its people with fruits, such of them as believe in God and the Last Day.” [Surah Al-Baqarah, 2 : 126]
Abraham also prayed that a prophet be raised from the progeny of Ishmael, who would be the inhabitants this land, as the progeny of Isaac would inhabit the lands of Canaan.
“And raise up in their midst a Messenger from among them who shall recite to them Your revelations, and shall instruct them in the Scripture and in wisdom and shall purify them of their sins. Lo! You, only You, are the Mighty, the Wise.” [ Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:127-129]
Abraham’s prayer for a Messenger was answered several thousand years later when God raised Prophet Muhammad among the Arabs, and as Mecca was chosen to be a sanctuary and House of Worship for all humanity, so too was the Prophet of Mecca one sent to all humanity.
It was this pinnacle of the life of Abraham which was the completion of his purpose: the building of a place of worship for all of humanity, not for any chosen race or color, for the worship of the One True God. Through the establishment of this house was the guarantee that God, the God to Whom he called and for Whom he made endless sacrifices, would be worshipped forever, without the association of any other God with him. Indeed it was one of the greatest of favors bestowed upon any human.
Yearly, Muslims from around the world gather from all walks of life, the answer to the prayer of Abraham and the call to Pilgrimage. This rite is called Hajj, and it commemorates many events of God’s beloved servant Abraham and his family.After circling the Ka'aba, a Muslim prays behind the Station of Abraham, the stone on which Abraham stood to build the Ka'aba. After the prayers, a Muslim drinks from the same well, called Zamzam, which flowed in answer to the Prayer of Abraham and Hagar, providing sustenance for Ishmael and Hagar, and was the cause for the inhabitation of the land. The rite of walking between Safaa and Marwah commemorates Hagar’s desperate search for water when she and her baby were alone in Mecca. The sacrifice of an animal in Mina during Hajj, and by Muslims around the world in their own lands, is after the example of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son for God’s sake. Lastly, the stoning of the stone pillars at Mina exemplifies Abraham’s rejection of satanic temptations to prevent him from sacrificing Ishmael.
After completed building the Sacred House, Prophet Abraham returned to Palestine and later died there. The ‘Beloved servant of God’ about whom God said, “I will make you a leader to the nations,”[Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:125] is buried in Hebron.
®srikandeh
See: Prophet of Ishmael .3
After the Great Sacrifie Prophet Abraham returned to Hebron, Palestine, and upon doing so, he was visited by angels who give him and Sarah the good news of a son, Isaac, Jacob and the destruction of people of Prophet Lot in Sadom.
Allah SWT Says: "There came Our Messengers to Abraham with glad tidings. They said "Peace!" He answered "Peace!" and hastened to entertain them with a roasted calf. But when he saw their hands went not towards 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: but We gave her glad tidings of Isaac and after him of Jacob. She said: "Alas for me! Shall I bear a child seeing I am an old woman and my husband here is an old man? That would indeed be a wonderful thing!" They said: "Dost thou wonder at Allah's decree? The grace of Allah and His blessings on you O ye people of the house! for He is indeed worthy of all praise full of all glory!" [Surah Hud, 11: 69-73]
“Lo! We bring you good tidings of a boy possessing wisdom.” [ Surah Al-Hijir,15:53]
He [Abraham] inquired the the Engels: "What, then, is your business, messengers?" They said: "We have been sent to a people of evildoers to unleash upon them lumps of clay earmarked by your Lord for the profligate." We brought out all the believers who were there, but found in it only one house of Muslims: And We left there a Sign for such as fear the Grievous Penalty. [Al-Dhariyat, 51: 31-37].
Destruction of People of Lot and Glad tidings of Issac and Jacob
One day while Abraham was sitting outside his tent, thinking of his son Ishmael and the 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.
Three angles descended to the earth: Gabriel, Israphael, and Michael. They came in human shape and saluted Abraham. Abraham rose and welcomed them. He took them inside his tent, thinking they were strangers and guests. He invited them to sit and made sure they were comfortable, then excused himself to go to his people.
His wife Sarah arose when he entered. She was old and the hair were white. 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?" Abraham 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 the calf. Abraham invited the angels to eat so as to honour them. He continued, but when he glanced at his guests to assure they were eating, he noticed that none of them touched their food. He said to 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 angles." One of them then turned towards his wife and conveyed the glad tidings about Isaac (Ishaq).
Almighty Allah revealed: "There came Our Messengers to Abraham with glad tidings. They said "Peace!" He answered "Peace!" and hastened to entertain them with a roasted calf. But when he saw their hands went not towards 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: but We gave her glad tidings of Isaac and after him of Jacob. She said: "Alas for me! Shall I bear a child seeing I am an old woman and my husband here is an old man? That would indeed be a wonderful thing!" They said: "Dost thou wonder at Allah's decree? The grace of Allah and His blessings on you O ye people of the house! for He is indeed worthy of all praise full of all glory!" [Surah Hud, 11: 69-73]
In another Surah Allah revealed: Behold, they entered his presence, and said: "Peace!" He said, "Peace!" (and thought, "These seem) unusual people." Then he turned quickly to his household, brought out a fatted calf. And placed it before them He said, "will ye not eat?" (When they did not eat). He conceived a fear of them. They said, "Fear not," and they gave him glad tidings of a son[ Issac] endowed with knowledge. But his wife came forward (laughing) aloud: she smote her forehead and said: "A barren old woman!" They said, "Even so has thy Lord spoken: and He is full of Wisdom and Knowledge." [Surah Al-Dhariyat, 25 - 30]
In another verse Allah told Abraham about the destruction of the people of Lot : He [Abraham] inquired : "What, then, is your business, messengers?" They said: "We have been sent to a people of evildoers to unleash upon them lumps of clay earmarked by your Lord for the profligate." We brought out all the believers who were there, but found in it only one house of Muslims
Built the Ka'abah
Now, years later, Abraham again in reunion with his son Ishmael, were to establish the honored House of God, Ka’abah the center of worship, to which direction people would their face when offering prayers, and make it a site of pilgrimage.
It was here, in this same barren desert where Abraham had left Hagar and Ishmael earlier, that he supplicated to God to make it a place where they would establish the prayer, free from idol worship.
There are many beautiful verses in the Quran describing the sanctity of the Ka'abah and the purpose of its building.
“My Lord! Make safe this territory, and preserve me and my sons from worshipping idols. My Lord! Lo! They have led many of people astray. But whoever follows me, he verily is of me. And whoever disobeys me, still You are Forgiving, Merciful. Our Lord! Lo! I have settled some of my posterity in an uncultivable valley near to Your Holy House, our Lord! That they may establish proper worship; so incline some hearts of men that they may yearn toward them, and provide You them, with fruits in order that they may be thankful.
Our Lord! Lo! You know that which we hide and that which we proclaim. Nothing in the earth or in the heaven is hidden from God. Praise be to God Who has given me, in my old age, Ishmael and Isaac! Lo! My Lord is indeed the Hearer of prayer.
My Lord! Make me establish regular prayer, and some of my posterity (also), our Lord! And accept my prayer. Our Lord! Forgive me and my parents and believers on the Day when the account is cast.” [Surah Ibrahim,14:35-41]
“And when we assigned to Abraham the place of the House: ‘Do not associate with Me anything, and purify My House for those who circumambulate it, who stand in prayer, and who bow, and prostrate themselves (all in prayer).’ And proclaim the Pilgrimage (Hajj) among people, and they shall come to you on foot, and on every lean camel. They shall come to you from every deep and distant mountain highways.” [ Surah Al-Hajj, 22:26]
“And when We made the House (the Ka'abah) a resort for mankind and sanctuary, (saying): Take as your place of worship the place where Abraham stood (to pray). And We took a covenant with Abraham and Ishmael that they should purify My House (the Ka'abah) for those who compass it round, devote themselves (to worship) in it, or bow, or prostrate themselves (therein in prayer).” [Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:125]
He a.s completed the building of Ka'abah on the Command of Allâh. In his time, the building of Ka'abah was rectangular and reached the height of four and a half meters. It contained two doors at the ground level but had no roof. Ibrahîm a.s placed Hajar al-Aswad (the Black Stone) at one of the corners of Kâ'aba to mark the starting point of Tawâf (circumambulation).
The building of Ka'abah remained the same up till when the Quraish rebuild the Ka'abah.
Narrated Aishah r.a: “Once Allah's Messenger s.aw said to me: “Don't you see that when your folk built the Ka'abah, they did not build it on all the foundations built by Abraham?” I said: "O Alaâh's Apostle! Why don't we rebuild it on the foundations of Abraham?" He said. “But for the fact that your folk have recently given up infidelity (I would have done so).” [Bukharî, vol: 4, no: 587]
Proclaimation of Hajj
After Ibrahim built the Ka'abah, Allah ordered him to: “And proclaim to mankind the Hajj (pilgrimage).” [Sarah al-Hajj (22): 26]
Meaning announce the pilgrimage to mankind and call them to perform pilgrimage to this House, which Allah have commanded Ibrahim to build.
It is reported in at-Tabari (18: 605, 607) from Ibn Abbas and others that Ibrahim a.s said:
'O Lord, how can I convey this to people when my voice will not reach them?' It was said: 'Call them and We will convey it.'
So Ibrahîm a.s stood up and said: 'O Mankind! Your Lord has established a House so come on pilgrimage to it.' The mountains lowered themselves so that his voice would reach all regions of the Earth, and those who were still in their mother's wombs and their father's loins would hear the call. The response came from everyone in the cities, deserts and countryside, and those whom Allah decreed will make the pilgrimage until the Day of Judgment, as Allah said:
“They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, they will come from every Fajj (route) Amiq (distant).” [Surah al-Hajj (22): 26]
The Ka'abah is the first place of worship appointed for all of humanity for the purpose of guidance and blessing:
“Indeed the first House [of worship] appointed for humanity is that at Bakka: Full of blessing and of guidance for all the worlds. In it are Signs Manifest; [such as], the Station of Abraham; whoever enters it attains security; Pilgrimage thereto is a duty men owe to God - those who have the ability.” [Surah Hajj, 22:26-27]
Prophet Muhammad , may God praise him, said:
“Indeed this place has been made sacred by God the day He created the heavens and the earth, and it will remain so until the Day of Judgment.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim]
Abraham’s Suplications to God.
Indeed, the building of a sanctuary to be held by all latter generations was one of the best forms of worship men of God could do. Ahraham and Isma’il invoked God during their feat:
“Our Lord! Accept from us (this duty). Lo! You, only You, are the Hearer, the Knower. Our Lord! And make us Muslims (submissive to You) and of our seed a Muslim nation (submissive to You), and show us our ways of worship, and forgive toward us. Lo! You, only You, are the Forgiving, the Merciful. Our Lord!” [Surah Al-Baqarah, 2 : 127-128]
“And (remember) when Abraham said, “My Lord, make this city (Mecca) a place of security and provide its people with fruits, such of them as believe in God and the Last Day.” [Surah Al-Baqarah, 2 : 126]
Abraham also prayed that a prophet be raised from the progeny of Ishmael, who would be the inhabitants this land, as the progeny of Isaac would inhabit the lands of Canaan.
“And raise up in their midst a Messenger from among them who shall recite to them Your revelations, and shall instruct them in the Scripture and in wisdom and shall purify them of their sins. Lo! You, only You, are the Mighty, the Wise.” [ Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:127-129]
Abraham’s prayer for a Messenger was answered several thousand years later when God raised Prophet Muhammad among the Arabs, and as Mecca was chosen to be a sanctuary and House of Worship for all humanity, so too was the Prophet of Mecca one sent to all humanity.
It was this pinnacle of the life of Abraham which was the completion of his purpose: the building of a place of worship for all of humanity, not for any chosen race or color, for the worship of the One True God. Through the establishment of this house was the guarantee that God, the God to Whom he called and for Whom he made endless sacrifices, would be worshipped forever, without the association of any other God with him. Indeed it was one of the greatest of favors bestowed upon any human.
Yearly, Muslims from around the world gather from all walks of life, the answer to the prayer of Abraham and the call to Pilgrimage. This rite is called Hajj, and it commemorates many events of God’s beloved servant Abraham and his family.After circling the Ka'aba, a Muslim prays behind the Station of Abraham, the stone on which Abraham stood to build the Ka'aba. After the prayers, a Muslim drinks from the same well, called Zamzam, which flowed in answer to the Prayer of Abraham and Hagar, providing sustenance for Ishmael and Hagar, and was the cause for the inhabitation of the land. The rite of walking between Safaa and Marwah commemorates Hagar’s desperate search for water when she and her baby were alone in Mecca. The sacrifice of an animal in Mina during Hajj, and by Muslims around the world in their own lands, is after the example of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son for God’s sake. Lastly, the stoning of the stone pillars at Mina exemplifies Abraham’s rejection of satanic temptations to prevent him from sacrificing Ishmael.
After completed building the Sacred House, Prophet Abraham returned to Palestine and later died there. The ‘Beloved servant of God’ about whom God said, “I will make you a leader to the nations,”[Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:125] is buried in Hebron.
®srikandeh
See: Prophet of Ishmael .3
2 comments:
As a Muslim, we should follow what is revealed in the Quran. It is known that many parts of the book of Genesis were grossly distorted, particulalrly about Ishma'el for some obvious reasons. It is a fact that Ishma'el was born earlier and Isaac was born later.The truth will prevail and Quran is the whole truth.
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