Ibrahim, the Friend of God: From Youth to Building the House of Monotheism


After his miraculous rescue from Nimrod's fire, Ibrahim could no longer stay in the city of Ur. The anger of Nimrod and the idol-worshippers was so great that his life was in danger. Ibrahim had now become a determined and faithful young man who knew his mission well: to call people to the One God and destroy idol worship.


He took a firm stance against his people, who stubbornly persisted in their disbelief, and said, "You only worship idols instead of God, based on your own worldly relationships and feuds. I will never believe in the idols you worship. I only believe in the God who created me, and it is He who guides me, feeds me, gives me drink, heals me when I am sick, and it is He who will cause me to die and then bring me back to life."


Ibrahim realized that the time for guiding this oppressive and stubborn people had ended. So, he decided to leave his homeland for another land. He said to his people, "I am going to my Lord. He will guide me." This statement shows Ibrahim's complete trust in God. He didn't know where he was going, but he was sure his Lord would show him the way.


Migration to the Promised Land


Ibrahim set out on a journey with his wife, Sarah, and his nephew, Prophet Lut (Lot). They left the land of Babylon and moved towards the land now known as Palestine and the Levant. On the way, a severe famine struck, forcing them to go to Egypt. At the court of the Pharaoh of Egypt, incidents occurred due to Sarah's stunning beauty, but thanks to Sarah's wisdom and faith and divine grace, they all remained safe and left Egypt with many gifts. These gifts included a maidservant named Hajar (Hagar), who would later play a very important role in Ibrahim's story.


Finally, they settled in the land of Canaan (Palestine). Both Ibrahim and Lut acquired large herds of livestock and great wealth. But after a while, disputes arose between their herdsmen. Ibrahim was a peaceful and generous man. To avoid conflict, he suggested to Lut that they separate. He said to Lut, "This land is vast. You choose whichever direction you like, and I will go the other way." Lut agreed and chose the fertile area of "Sodom" near the Dead Sea and moved there. Ibrahim remained in the land of Canaan.


Marriage to Hajar and the Birth of Ismail


Years passed. Ibrahim and Sarah had a good life, but they had one great sorrow: they had no children. They were getting older, and naturally, there was no hope of having a child. Sarah was a very chaste and faithful woman. She knew Ibrahim longed for a child to continue the call to monotheism after him. Therefore, with great generosity, she offered her maidservant, Hajar, in marriage to Ibrahim. She hoped God would grant Ibrahim a child through Hajar.


Ibrahim married Hajar, and soon, a divine miracle occurred, and Hajar became pregnant. The birth of a son, whom they named Ismail (Ishmael), brought immense joy to Ibrahim. However, this event sparked jealousy in some, and Sarah, finding herself in a difficult position, was affected by emotions. By God's command, Ibrahim was tasked with taking Hajar and their newborn son, Ismail, to a distant land to prevent conflict and begin another test for this holy family.


Migration to a Barren Land: Mecca


By God's command, Ibrahim took Hajar and her infant son, Ismail, on another long journey. He brought them to a dry, uninhabitable land amidst rocky, barren mountains—a valley where the city of Mecca would later be built. At that time, there was no sign of water or life there.


With a heart full of faith and trust, Ibrahim left Hajar and her son alone in that desert. Hajar asked in surprise, "O Ibrahim! Are you leaving us in this desert where there is no person, water, or plants?" Ibrahim remained silent.

Hajar asked again, "Has God commanded you to do this?" Ibrahim said, "Yes." At that moment, Hajar, who was also a woman of great faith, calmly replied: "Then God will not abandon us."


This statement by Hajar is the peak of submission and trust in God's will. Ibrahim left them with peace of mind, praying for them: "My Lord! I have settled some of my descendants in an uncultivated valley near Your sacred House. Our Lord! So that they may establish prayer. So make hearts among the people incline toward them and provide for them from the fruits that they might be grateful."


The Miracle of Zamzam and the Emergence of Life


Hajar and Ismail were left alone. Their stored water and food soon ran out. The small child became restless from thirst and cried. Hajar ran seven times between the two hills of Safa and Marwah looking for water, but found nothing. She returned to her son in despair and saw the child scraping his foot on the ground. Suddenly, from under the child's foot, sweet, abundant water gushed forth! This spring was the Well of Zamzam, which still flows today.


Hajar joyfully said, "Zamzam!" (meaning "Stop!"), and she built a small barrier around it with her hands to pool the water. This water brought life to the dry land. Birds came and flew overhead. A tribe of Arabs named "Jurhum," passing by the area, saw the birds and realized there must be water there. They approached and asked Hajar for permission to settle there. Hajar stipulated that ownership of the water would remain with Ismail, and they agreed. Thus, the city of Mecca gradually took shape and began to thrive.


The Father and Son's Reunions and a Formidable Test


Ibrahim would occasionally visit his family. He watched Ismail grow up in that land. Ismail became a strong, faithful, and obedient young man. When Ismail reached adolescence, Ibrahim had a dream in which he was commanded to sacrifice his son. The dreams of prophets are revelation. Ibrahim knew this was a divine test—a formidable trial to measure the level of his and his son's submission and obedience.


He went to Ismail and told him the story: "My son! I saw in a dream that I am sacrificing you. What is your opinion?" Ismail, with complete calm and faith, gave an answer that showed his noble spirit: "O my father! Do what you are commanded. You will find me, if God wills, from among the steadfast."


This conversation is the peak of sacrifice and submission to the Lord. Father and son were both ready to pass this great divine test. When Ibrahim laid Ismail forehead down on the ground and placed the knife on his throat, the knife did not cut. God sent a call: "O Ibrahim! You have fulfilled the vision (you have proven you are ready to obey My command)." And in place of Ismail, a large ram was sent to be sacrificed. This great test was also passed successfully, and God rewarded their faith by granting them pure descendants and great prophets from their lineage.


Building the House of Kaaba


Years later, when Ismail had grown into a strong young man, Ibrahim came again to Mecca. This time, for another mission. He said to Ismail, "God has commanded me to build a House for Him." He pointed to a hillock slightly higher than the surrounding land, which was the site of the Kaaba.


Father and son, with cooperation and harmony, began building the Kaaba. Ibrahim raised the foundations of the House, and Ismail passed him the stones. As they worked, they prayed: "Our Lord! Accept this from us. Indeed, You are the Hearing, the Knowing. Our Lord! Make us Muslims [in submission] to You and from our descendants a Muslim nation [in submission] to You. And show us our rites and accept our repentance. Indeed, You are the Accepting of Repentance, the Merciful. Our Lord! Send among them a messenger from themselves who will recite to them Your verses and teach them the Book and wisdom and purify them. Indeed, You are the Exalted in Might, the Wise."

God accepted this prayer, and the Kaaba was established as the direction of prayer (Qibla) for Muslims worldwide and a symbol of monotheism. Ibrahim said to Ismail, "O my son! God has commanded me to announce the pilgrimage to all people for this House." And a call resonated throughout the world, inviting people until the Day of Judgment to rush to this House to perform the rites of Hajj.


The End of a Mission, The Beginning of a Nation


After completing the Kaaba, Ibrahim returned to the land of Canaan and continued his mission. In his old age, his wife Sarah bore him another son named Ishaq (Isaac), who was also chosen as a prophet. From the lineage of Ishaq came Prophet Yaqub (Jacob) and then the Children of Israel. From the lineage of Ismail came the Arab tribes and, ultimately, the final Prophet of God, Muhammad (peace be upon him).


Prophet Ibrahim was chosen as the "Leader of mankind" (Imam) and brought the Hanif religion (pure monotheism) to the world. He was a tireless warrior in the cause of God until the end of his life and finally passed away at a very old age in the land of Palestine. However, his legacy—the Kaaba and the religion of monotheism—remains alive and eternal.


This story shows the challenging path of a prophet who, through trust in God, emerged victorious from all of life's difficult trials and attained the rank of "Khalilullah" (Friendship with God).