Ibrahim is the 6th prophet in Islam and he has the title Khalilullah (Beloved of Allah). This is stated in the QS. An-Nisa' verse 125:
وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ دِينًا مِّمَّنْ أَسْلَمَ وَجْهَهُۥ لِلَّهِ وَهُوَ مُحْسِنٌ وَٱتَّبَعَ مِلَّةَ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ حَنِيفًا ۗ وَٱتَّخَذَ ٱللَّهُ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ خَلِيلًا
“And whose religion is better than one who sincerely surrenders himself to Allah, while he too does good, and he follows the straight religion of Abraham? and Allah took Abraham as His favorite.(Surah An-Nisa': 125)
The meaning of the name Ibrahim is as stated in the Torah, that Ibrahim AS is known as Abram which means noble father. Others argue that the name Ibrahim comes from ab, rab, and ham which means father, many and most. So, the word Ibrahim means "father to most people" or to be "leader to most people in the world".
This is in line with the mention of his name in the Qur'an surah al-Baqarah verse 124:
وَإِذِ ٱبْتَلَىٰٓ إِبْرَٰهِۦمَ رَبُّهُۥ بِكَلِمَٰتٍ فَأَتَمَّهُنَّ ۖ قَالَ إِنِّى جَاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِمَامًا ۖ قَالَ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِى ۖ قَالَ لَا يَنَالُ عَهْدِى ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ
"And (remember), when Abraham was tested by his Lord with several sentences (commands and prohibitions), then Abraham fulfilled them. Allah said: "Indeed, I will make you a priest for all mankind". Ibrahim said: "(And I beg also) from my descendants". Allah said: "My promise (this) does not affect the wrongdoers(Surah al-Baqarah: 124).
The Origin of Prophet Ibrahim AS
Prophet Ibrahim AS is the son of a famous sculptor during the reign of King Namrudz. Ibrahim AS was born when his father was seventy-five years old. Ibrahim AS was born to a mother named Umaelah, some call her Amilah.
Ancient City of Babylon
Regarding the origin of the place where Prophet Ibrahim AS was born, there are four opinions, namely: first, he was born in a city called Ur. Second, states that he was born in the area of Babylon. Third, states that he was born in Ghouta, a region of Damascus or Syria to be precise in Barzat. Fourth, he was born in Haran where his father came from.
However, it is known that the life history of Prophet Ibrahim AS started from the city of Babylon, then grew into a teenager, then emigrated to the Haran area near Bait al-Maqdis. Shortly after they settled in Bait al-Maqdis, his father Tarikh (Azar) died at the age of 250.
Abraham AS Seeks the True God
It started when Ibrahim had grown up. He felt that he had lost the person who had previously provided him with food and protection. Moreover, he found many people who became idol worshippers. But Ibrahim denies the notion that idols are gods; So Abraham intended to seek the real God.
There are several verses that explain some of the stories about Abraham's search for his God, as stated in the Qur'an Surah Al-An'am verses 76 to 78:
فَلَمَّا جَنَّ عَلَيْهِ ٱلَّيْلُ رَءَا كَوْكَبًا ۖ قَالَ هَٰذَا رَبِّى ۖ فَلَمَّآ أَفَلَ قَالَ لَآ أُحِبُّ ٱلْءَافِلِينَ
“When the night was dark, He saw a star (then) He said: "This is my Lord", but when the star set He said: "I do not like the sinking.(Surah Al-An'am: 76)
QS. Al-An'am:77:
فَلَمَّا رَءَا ٱلْقَمَرَ بَازِغًا قَالَ هَٰذَا رَبِّى ۖ فَلَمَّآ أَفَلَ قَالَ لَئِن لَّمْ يَهْدِنِى رَبِّى لَأَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلضَّآلِّينَ
“Then when He saw the moon rising He said: "This is my Lord". But after the moon had set, He said: "If my Lord had not guided me, I would have been one of those who went astray.(Surah Al-An'am: 77)
QS. Al-An'am:78:
فَلَمَّا رَءَا ٱلشَّمْسَ بَازِغَةً قَالَ هَٰذَا رَبِّى هَٰذَآ أَكْبَرُ ۖ فَلَمَّآ أَفَلَتْ قَالَ يَٰقَوْمِ إِنِّى بَرِىٓءٌ مِّمَّا تُشْرِكُونَ
“Then when he saw the sun rising, He said: "This is my Lord, this is greater." So when the sun went down, He said: "O my people, indeed I am free from what you associate with.(Surah Al-An'am: 78)
This is the power of logic that Allah gave to Abraham so that he rejected the religion of worship of the sky which was believed by his people. Ibrahim also realized that Who Controls the moon, stars, sun, day and night; also Who created all creatures on earth is the real God.
As a teenager, Ibrahim often asked his father about the real God. However, his father ignored Ibrahim. Ibrahim realized the futility of idols so he tried to awaken his people and spread da'wah about the real God.
When he found that his father still refused to give up the worship of idols, Ibrahim felt sad and wanted to make his father aware of this mistake. Ibrahim tried to warn repeatedly, but his father remained steadfast in his position.
Ibrahim AS Warns His People
While in Bait al-Maqdis, Ibrahim preached to his people to worship الله سبحانه وتعالى in the midst of people who at that time worshiped idols. The idol statue was produced by his own father, Azar. People have various kinds of statues to worship, including the personification of the constellations in the sky.
Circumstances like this encouraged him to invite his people to monotheism to الله سبحانه وتعالى. But his people still disobeyed and continued to worship the self-created statues, as the word of الله سبحانه وتعالى in QS. Al-Anbiya verse 52:
إِذْ قَالَ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوْمِهِۦ مَا هَٰذِهِ ٱلتَّمَاثِيلُ ٱلَّتِىٓ أَنتُمْ لَهَا عَٰكِفُونَ
“(remember), when Ibrahim said to his father and his people: "What are these idols that you worship diligently?(Surah Al-Anbiya: 52).
When Ibrahim questioned his people, no one could answer. They continue and continue to worship idols because it has become a tradition handed down from their ancestors. This is enshrined in the word of الله سبحانه وتعالى QS. Al-Anbiya: 53:
قَالُوا۟ وَجَدْنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا لَهَا عَٰبِدِينَ
“They replied: "We found our fathers worshiping him.(Surah Al-Anbiya: 53).
When he had obtained various messages of Allah, Ibrahim continued to deliver various da'wah against acts of idol worship. Until when Ibrahim made his biological father and his people aware of the falsehood of worshiping idols, this is contained in the Qur'an Surah Al-An'am verse 74:
وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَٰهِيمُ لِأَبِيهِ ءَازَرَ أَتَتَّخِذُ أَصْنَامًا ءَالِهَةً ۖ إِنِّىٓ أَرَىٰكَ وَقَوْمَكَ فِى ضَلَٰلٍ مُّبِينٍ
“And (remember) when Ibrahim said to his father, Azar; "Shouldn't you make idols into gods? Verily I see you and your people in clear error.(Surah Al-An'am: 74).
Prophet Ibrahim firmly considered that their behavior was misguided, unreasonable, and not justified and not in line with the monotheism of aqidah that was preached to them. A statement and a firm attitude from Ibrahim to his people is seen as a form of extraordinary courage in preaching.
Revived Bird
When Ibrahim was fighting shirk and idolatry, he still wanted to confirm his faith first. So Abraham asked Allah to show him how Allah brought back the dead creatures. This is explained in the Qur'an Surah Al-Baqarah verse 260:
وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَٰهِۦمُ رَبِّ أَرِنِى كَيْفَ تُحْىِ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ ۖ قَالَ أَوَلَمْ تُؤْمِن ۖ قَالَ بَلَىٰ وَلَٰكِن لِّيَطْمَئِنَّ قَلْبِى ۖ قَالَ فَخُذْ أَرْبَعَةً مِّنَ ٱلطَّيْرِ فَصُرْهُنَّ إِلَيْكَ ثُمَّ ٱجْعَلْ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ جَبَلٍ مِّنْهُنَّ جُزْءًا ثُمَّ ٱدْعُهُنَّ يَأْتِينَكَ سَعْيًا ۚ وَٱعْلَمْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ
"And (remember) when Abraham said: "My Lord, show me how You bring the dead to life." Allah said: "Are you not sure yet?" Ibrahim replied: "I have convinced him, but so that my heart remains steady (with my faith) Allah says: "(Then) take four birds, then chop them all up by you. (Allah says): "Then put on each hill one part of it, then call them, surely they will come to you quickly." and know that Allah is Mighty, Wise.(Surah al-Baqarah: 260).
Ibrahim AS' dispute with King Namrud
Namrud, who had declared himself king on earth, ordered to build a building as a place to worship idols. When he found various idols used as worship, Ibrahim was determined to destroy the idols as a form of proving that stone statues were only inanimate objects that could not do anything.
Ibrahim came to tear down all the statues except for the largest statue which was considered the greatest worship of his people. In the Qur'an Surah Al-Anbiya 'is explained:
قَالُوٓا۟ أَجِئْتَنَا بِٱلْحَقِّ أَمْ أَنتَ مِنَ ٱللَّٰعِبِينَ
قَالَ بَل رَّبُّكُمْ رَبُّ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ٱلَّذِى فَطَرَهُنَّ وَأَنَا۠ عَلَىٰ ذَٰلِكُم مِّنَ ٱلشَّٰهِدِينَ
“They replied: "Have you come to Us in earnest or are you among those who play around?" Ibrahim said: "Indeed your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth who created it: and I am of those who can provide evidence for that.(Surah Al-Anbiya ': 55-56).
وَتَٱللَّهِ لَأَكِيدَنَّ أَصْنَٰمَكُم بَعْدَ أَن تُوَلُّوا۟ مُدْبِرِينَ
فَجَعَلَهُمْ جُذَٰذًا إِلَّا كَبِيرًا لَّهُمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ إِلَيْهِ يَرْجِعُونَ
“By Allah, I will deceive your idols after you leave them." So Ibrahim made the idols shattered into pieces, except for the largest (mother) of the other statues; so that they return (to ask) him.(Surah Al-Anbiya ': 57-58)
Finding crushed stones and rubble in the place of their idols, King Namrud and other idol worshipers were angry, then they wanted to punish the person who did this act.
Ibrahim, who was known to bravely oppose idol worship, was called to be judged. They asked: "Are you the one who did this to our gods, O Ibrahim?" Ibrahim replied: "Actually the biggest statue that did this, try asking the object if it can speak."
They also began to realize, then with their heads bowed, they said: "Indeed you have realized that the idols can not speak." Ibrahim said: "Then why do you worship other than Allah?"
Hearing Ibrahim's statement, his followers realized and it occurred to them that the God who had been worshiped so far could not see, hear, or move. This made King Namrud even more angry.
Ibrahim AS Burned Alive
Hearing the statement that someday the idol worshipers will be harmed, they do not immediately give up and confess their sins. Instead they wanted to kill and burn Ibrahim. The pagans gathered together to gather firewood for a large fireplace. In the Qur'an it is explained:
قَالُوا۟ حَرِّقُوهُ وَٱنصُرُوٓا۟ ءَالِهَتَكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ فَٰعِلِينَ
“They said: “Burn Him and help your gods, if you really want to act.(Surah Al-Anbiya ': 68).
قَالُوا۟ ٱبْنُوا۟ لَهُۥ بُنْيَٰنًا فَأَلْقُوهُ فِى ٱلْجَحِيمِ
فَأَرَادُوا۟ بِهِۦ كَيْدًا فَجَعَلْنَٰهُمُ ٱلْأَسْفَلِينَ
“They said: “Build a building to (burn) Abraham; and throw Him into the fiery fire.” "They wanted to deceive him, so We made them lowly people.(Surah As-Saffat: 97-98).
فَمَا كَانَ جَوَابَ قَوْمِهِۦٓ إِلَّآ أَن قَالُوا۟ ٱقْتُلُوهُ أَوْ حَرِّقُوهُ فَأَنجَىٰهُ ٱللَّهُ مِنَ ٱلنَّارِ ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَءَايَٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ
“So the answer of the people of Abraham, except to say: "Kill or burn him", then Allah saved him from the fire. Verily in that are the signs of Allah's greatness for those who believe.(Surah Al-Ankabut: 24).
Then Namrud, the one who had invited all the inhabitants of the land to worship idols, declared arrogantly: “This will be a proof, who are the kings and gods on this earth, and who are ordinary people. You will see today that this man was obliterated in the furnace for daring to declare that one day his Lord would burn our people; then let his God save that person, while I am the god who saves you, not that person!”
When Ibrahim was about to be thrown into the fire, an angel appeared to offer freedom for Ibrahim so that he could escape the punishment of his people, but Ibrahim said: "Enough is the Protecting One who has given me safety." Then the angel left.
When Abraham jumped into the smoldering furnace, Allah immediately said to the fire to be a salvation for Abraham:
Allah says:
قُلْنَا يَٰنَارُ كُونِى بَرْدًا وَسَلَٰمًا عَلَىٰٓ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ
وَأَرَادُوا۟ بِهِۦ كَيْدًا فَجَعَلْنَٰهُمُ ٱلْأَخْسَرِينَ
“O fire, be cool, and be salvation for Abraham." They wanted to plot against Ibrahim, so We made them the most losers. (Surat al-Anbiya': 69-70).
So fire from Allah was present to protect Abraham so that he could walk safely from the midst of the fire.
Answer To King Namrud's Challenge
Finding Ibrahim safe from the midst of the smoldering hearth, most people hold to their own opinions and disown one another. They even refuse to acknowledge God.
Although these people recognized the truth of Abraham's teachings in their hearts, they had malice and did not want to be ashamed. Ibrahim came forward stating that he only believed in Allah; also he only surrenders to the Will of Allah.
So God chose Abraham from among mankind as God's chosen man, saying:
وَمَن يَرْغَبُ عَن مِّلَّةِ إِبْرَٰهِۦمَ إِلَّا مَن سَفِهَ نَفْسَهُۥ ۚ وَلَقَدِ ٱصْطَفَيْنَٰهُ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا ۖ وَإِنَّهُۥ فِى ٱلْءَاخِرَةِ لَمِنَ ٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ
إِذْ قَالَ لَهُۥ رَبُّهُۥٓ أَسْلِمْ ۖ قَالَ أَسْلَمْتُ لِرَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ
وَوَصَّىٰ بِهَآ إِبْرَٰهِۦمُ بَنِيهِ وَيَعْقُوبُ يَٰبَنِىَّ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱصْطَفَىٰ لَكُمُ ٱلدِّينَ فَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنتُم مُّسْلِمُونَ
"And those who hate the religion of Abraham are only fools themselves, and indeed We have chosen him in this world and indeed He in the Hereafter will be among the righteous." When his Lord said to him: "Be obedient!" Ibrahim replied: "I submit to the Lord of the worlds. And Ibrahim has willed the words to his children, as well as Ya'qub. (Ibrahim said): “O my children! Verily Allah has chosen this religion for you, so do not die except in embracing Islam.(Surah Al-Baqarah: 130-132).
Allah blessed Abraham and those who followed Abraham's personality. After that, Ibrahim said to those who were at odds with each other: "Indeed the idols that you worship besides Allah are only based on peace and compassion for yourselves in this worldly life. On the Day of Resurrection, some of you will deny others and some of you will curse others, and your return will be Hell and no one will defend you."
After understanding that it was Allah who had saved Ibrahim while facing the burning fire, Namrud and his followers felt humiliated and feared that more people would believe in Ibrahim than in his kingdom.
Then Namrud tries to defeat Ibrahim by asking questions as a challenge:
"We realize that you are alive from the midst of the fire but you do not present your worship before us. Then we won't believe you."
Ibrahim said: "My Lord gives life and death whom He wills, for He is the One who has power over all things in the heavens and on earth."
Immediately Namrud called two slaves. Then Namrud killed one of them and left the other one alive. Namrud boasted more and more: “I too have power on earth over those people because I am the king, and I am a god who can give life or death; so I bet with all the slaves I have that you won't be able to show me the evidence about your God."
Ibrahim said: "Even if you give me the whole earth, know that everything on earth and in the heavens belongs to Allah. So look towards the rising sun, verily Allah is the One who raises the sun from the east, if indeed you have power over the sun, then raise the sun from the west.”
Immediately Namrud was stunned and became mute in front of Ibrahim. Then many people left and separated themselves from the leadership of Namrud and they established their own power. Accompanied by many followers, Ibrahim left his birthplace to fulfill Allah's orders انه الى
Ibrahim had invited his father to leave idol worship and go with him in following Allah انه الى. However, the father, who was tired of these kinds of calls, wanted Ibrahim to leave him for a long time. Even so, Ibrahim still had time to pray for forgiveness for his father as a promise and form of a child who is devoted to his parents.
However, there was a warning from Allah that reminded Prophet Ibrahim so that he would no longer beg for forgiveness for his father. Because his father is a person who rejects and is hostile to the worship of God.
Sunnah.
The Father of the Prophets