In today’s fast-paced and instant world, good role models are hard to find. There are fewer and fewer figures who can set a good example for the current generation. However, as Muslims, we have many figures we can look up to, especially our prophets. Prophet Ibrahim (AS) is one of the best. The story of Prophet Ibrahim is not just history; it is a book that can be studied and is still very relevant to today’s conditions.
His life was about faith, obedience, sacrifice, and how to be an extraordinary parent. Prophet Ibrahim was not an ordinary prophet; his name is always at the top of the list of stories to be told, time and time again. How could someone sacrifice his son for the sake of obeying Allah SWT? From this one event alone, we as Muslims can learn a lot.
For that reason, let’s explore more about the extraordinary example of the Father of the Prophets in our daily lives!
“And who is better in religion than one who submits himself to Allah while being a doer of good and follows the religion of Ibrahim, the upright? Allah has taken Ibrahim as a friend.”
(QS. Annisa: 125)
The Example of the Story of Prophet Ibrahim
In the Qur’an, the name of Prophet Ibrahim is immortalized in a separate surah. In addition, his name is mentioned 69 times in 24 surahs in the Qur’an. The title Father of the Prophets is also attached to his name. This is because of the 25 prophets in Islam, 19 of them are descendants of Prophet Ibrahim.
Read also: These are Privileges of Praying at Maqam Ibrahim
Perhaps some people are unaware that we mention the name of Prophet Ibrahim every time we pray. There is certainly wisdom and deep meaning behind this. What examples can we take from the story of Prophet Ibrahim?
1. Have a strong desire to seek the truth
Although Prophet Ibrahim was a child raised by a father who worked as an idol sculptor, as he grew older, he did not simply believe in the idols that were worshipped. With his high spirit and curiosity, Prophet Ibrahim studied and thought about God until he finally found Allah SWT as the true God. He was thirsty for the truth and never gave up in his search for what he believed to be the truth.
2. Using Rationality in Seeking Truth
Ibrahim was a rational person in his search for truth. When seeking and understanding God, he wondered whether his God was the sun, the moon, or the universe itself? He did not believe that the idols made by his father were God. For him, such things made no sense. Dead objects cannot do anything and cannot control themselves.
However, as Ibrahim began to understand the true nature of God and the Creator, Allah SWT revealed that God is Allah SWT. There is no other creator of the universe, and He cannot be seen with the naked eye by humans, as God possesses an immaterial nature distinct from that of humans.
3. Patience in Facing Trials
Ibrahim was tested by Allah SWT on numerous occasions. From his father who refused to believe in Allah SWT, to the difficulty of having children, and other trials. However, his patience led Prophet Ibrahim to be blessed with two wives, Hajar and Sarah, who later gave birth to righteous descendants and became his successors in spreading the truth.
4. Placing Allah SWT Above All Else
His faith in Allah SWT made Ibrahim place Him as the sole purpose of his life. Prophet Ibrahim also demonstrated that he was a devout servant and steadfast in his belief in Allah SWT alone. Ismail, his beloved son, willingly offered himself as a sacrifice to obey Allah SWT’s command. Ismail did the same.
Prophet Ibrahim and Ismail are examples of complete piety. Love for family and humanity should not surpass love for Allah SWT. This is undoubtedly difficult, and not everyone can face it. However, both of them deserve to be prophets, and their names are immortalized in the Quran due to their strong piety.
5. Devoting Oneself to the Path of Truth
After discovering the truth, Ibrahim did not remain idle. He preached to his community, inviting people to join him on the straight path. He also became a just leader of his country and worked to bring justice and prosperity to his people. This is reflected in the prayer of Prophet Ibrahim as recorded in the Quran:
“And (remember) when Ibrahim prayed, ‘O my Lord, make this a secure city, and provide its people with fruits—those among them who believe in Allah and the Last Day,’ Allah said, ‘And to those who disbelieve, I will grant them enjoyment for a time, then I will drive them to the punishment of the Fire, and that is the worst of destinations.’”
(QS. Al-Baqarah: 126)
May we follow the example of Prophet Ibrahim to become people who love truth, constantly strive to increase our piety, make Allah the ultimate goal, and dedicate ourselves to a righteous nation. Though difficult, this is one of our journeys and efforts so that in the hereafter, we may attain the best place alongside the prophets and messengers.
Read also: The Footsteps of Sacrifice, Stories of Qurbani in the Time of the Prophet
Sacrifice as a Form of Emulating Prophet Ibrahim
Following the story of Prophet Ibrahim is incomplete if we do not practice the act of sacrifice on the occasion of Eid al-Adha. Performing the act of sacrifice is not only about emulating Prophet Ibrahim, but also emulating Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This act of worship constantly reminds us of the meaning of sacrifice to Allah the Almighty. That is, there is no faith and piety without being tested with the things we love most in this world.
Through the sacrifice ritual, we are asked to give away our wealth and sacrificial animals as symbols. However, behind all of this lies a deeper meaning: it is a testament to our piety and sincerity toward whatever destiny Allah SWT bestows upon us. Friends, may we all be able to perform this noble sacrifice ritual this year.
Sacrifice Together with Dompet Dhuafa
Do you want to perform the sacrifice ritual, which is one of the examples set by the story of Prophet Ibrahim, to the fullest? You can choose Dompet Dhuafa as the executor and distributor of your sacrifice! There are four guarantees that will bring peace to your heart and mind when you perform the sacrifice with Dompet Dhuafa. What are they?
First, it is guaranteed to be male. Your sacrificial animal will definitely be male. Why must it be male? Because Dompet Dhuafa cares about the sustainability of livestock. If too many female animals are used as sacrificial animals, the female population may become unbalanced, making it difficult for them to reproduce.
Second, guaranteed quality control. Dompet Dhuafa always ensures the physical condition and health of the sacrificial animals are good and of high quality. The quality control process goes through many stages, from weighing the animals, ensuring they are healthy, to ensuring they are free from defects according to Islamic law.
Third, distribution to remote areas is guaranteed. Dompet Dhuafa is committed to distributing sacrificial meat to remote and rural areas. Why? Because in these areas, many people are unable to perform the sacrifice, so they cannot consume meat. According to IDEAS research, most sacrificial animals are still concentrated in large cities, where the meat ends up piling up.
Fourth, we guarantee fast reporting. The sacrificial process at Dompet Dhuafa is transparent and trustworthy. As much as possible, we report the condition of the sacrificial animals in real time, starting from the selection, slaughter, to the distribution of the meat through an integrated system that can be easily accessed by you, the donors.
In addition to the four key benefits mentioned above, by sacrificing through Dompet Dhuafa, you are also empowering local farmers. This is because Dompet Dhuafa sources livestock from local farmers with the aim of supporting the sustainability of their farming businesses, thereby ensuring a more equitable and thriving economy for farmers. Let’s sacrifice now! (RQA)
