Ismail

Moments (4)

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Mohsin Aziz

Abraham was getting old and was childless. He used to pray Allah for a righteous child. He prayed “My Lord, grant me [a child] from among the righteous.” (Quran, Surah As Saffat:100). Allah responded and gave him a son named Ismail as the ripe old age. Quran mentions it thus “So We gave him good news of a forbearing son.” (Quran, Surah As Saffat:101).

When the child grew up and became an obedient son, Abraham saw a dream that the son had to be sacrificed. Abraham had never thought twice when it came to following the commands of Allah. He immediately summoned his son and told him about his dream. It is one of the most poignant moments in the history of mankind when a young boy submitted to the will of Allah instantly. No second thoughts. Quran describes this event as:

“O my dear son! I have seen in a dream that I ˹must˺ sacrifice you. So tell me what you think.” He replied, “O my dear father! Do as you are commanded. Allah willing, you will find me steadfast.” (Quran, Surah As Saffat:102).

Heavens must have moved and angels would have wondered at the steadfastness and immense belief of the young boy. The son even suggested to his father to cover his eyes lest the father falters in the divine task out of love for his child. It was the most demanding of tests. According to Allah: “That was truly a revealing test” (Quran, Surah As Saffat:106)

Peace be upon Abraham (Quran, Surah As Saffat: 109)

Moments (2)

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Mohsin Aziz

Bakkah. Around 2000 B.C.

The land is barren. Not a blade of grass. No sign of life. Nobody has ever lived there. It is inhospitable and is rightly called wadi ghair zee zara ì.e. valley where nobody lives and nothing grows.  From distance, one can see three silhouettes. What are these three people doing there? Who are they? An old man, a woman, and a newborn baby boy. The baby is still nursing.

The old man puts some dates and water in a water skin near the women and the infant and starts walking away. The woman gets worried and calls him asking ‘where are you going, Abraham, leaving us in this barren valley?’ Abraham kept quiet and kept walking. The women repeated her question but again did not get any answer. Abraham kept walking silently. When after repeatedly asking the question and not getting any answer, the woman understood that her husband is not acting on his own initiative but on divine instruction. Finally, she asked him: ‘Did Allah command you to do so?’ Ibrahim replied in affirmative. After confirming from Ibrahim that he was leaving his wife and child in the barren, lifeless valley at the command of Allah, Hajar, at that moment, said the famous sentence dripped in faith ‘ We are not going to be lost, since Allah Who has commanded you is with us‘ (Sahih al Bukhari, 3363 and 3364).