SIMILARITIES BETWEEN PROPHET IBRAHIM (A.S.) AND THE NOBLE MESSENGER (S.A.W.A.S.)

There are many similarities between Prophet Ibrahim (a.s.) and the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.). But in this short space, we shall restrict ourselves to four areas of similarities; Imamat, boat of salvation, Shias, and Sacrifice.

IMAMAT: Surah al-Baqarah Ayah 124: “When his Lord tested Ibrahim’s faith (by His words) and he satisfied the test, He said, “I am appointing you as the leader (Imam) of mankind.” Ibrahim asked, “Will this leadership also continue through my descendants?” The Lord replied, “The unjust do not have the right to exercise My authority.”

This Ayah stresses that all Divinely appointed leaders (Imams) shall be Infallible as committing any errors or sin is unjust. Prophet Ibrahim (a.s.)’s trials include his struggle against Nimrud who threw him in a mammoth fire. Hazrat Ibrahim was given a child when his wife Hazrat Hajirah was 78 years old. He was commanded to go to Hejaz (present day Makkah), take his family there and leave them at that place and return. This is mentioned in Surah Ibrahim Ayah 37: “Lord, I have settled some of my offspring in a barren valley near Your Sacred House so that they could be steadfast in prayer. Lord, fill the hearts of the people with love for them and produce fruits (sympathy of hearts) for their sustenance so that they may give thanks.” Prophet Ibrahim (a.s.)’s prayer was accepted in that the love for the Progeny of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) has filled the hearts of millions of Muslims and non-Muslims alike!

The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.)’s Imamate is confirmed by Surah al-Israh Ayah 71: “On the day when We call every nation with their leader (Imam)….). Further, the Infallibility of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) and his Progeny was confirmed by the Ayah of Purity Surah al-Ahzab Ayah 33: “O People of the house, Allah wants to keep off from you all kinds of uncleanness and to purify you thoroughly.” In numerous traditions, the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) had stated that there will be twelve Imams after him, the first is Imam Ali (a.s.) and the last will be Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.)

BOAT OF SALVATION: Prophet Ibrahim (a.s.) was the descendant of Prophet Nuh (a.s.) and the people who boarded his boat were saved by the astronomical flood in which the then human race was drowned. Similarly, there are traditions narrated by Abu Dharr Ghifari, Ibn Abbas, Abdullah ibn Zubair, Abu Saeed and Anas bin Malik that the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said; “Behold! My Ahlul Bayt is like the Ark of Noah. Whoever embarked on it was saved, and whoever turned away from it was perished.” (Al-Sunnah.wordpress.com)

SHIAS: Shia means the followers. Surah al-Sa’fa’t Ayah 83: “Inna Min Shiate laIbrahim” “Ibrahim was one of his (Nuh)’ followers.” Similarly, the word Shia meaning followers, is used in the Glorious Qur’an relating to “Ululazm Prophets” Surah al-Qasas Ayah 15: “He (Musa) entered the city without the knowledge of its inhabitants and found two men fighting each other. One was his follower (Shia) and the other his enemy. His follower (Shia) asked him for help against his enemies. Musa struck his enemy to death….”

SACRIFICE: Prophet Ibrahim (a.s.) sacrifices started with his opposition to the idol-worshippers of his time resulting in his throwing in the astronomical fire, which was turned into a garden by the Command of Allah. As stated above, he left his infant baby (Isma’il) and wife alone near Ka’ba. Then he was commanded by Allah (s.w.t.) to sacrifice Isma’il to which he complied and Allah replaced a goat for Isma’il. Similarly, the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) sacrificed not only his own life but also the lives of his Progeny as every Infallible Imam was martyred either by sword or poison for their efforts to save and consolidate Islam. The tragedy at Karbala, where the King of Martyrs, the grandson of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.), Imam Husayn (a.s.) alogwith a band of warriors of Islam, were deprived water and food for 3 days, and were mercilessly butchered not by any non-Muslim but by the hypocrite Muslims. Then the so called Muslims looted the belongings and set on fire their dwellings. The daughters of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) were deprived of their head-covers, imprisoned like ordinary people, made to travel on camels without seats, from Karbala to Kufa then to Damascus.