Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
From among the entire creation, the Ambiyaa (‘alaihimus salaam) possessed the greatest level of Islam. They were divinely chosen by Allah Ta’ala for the guidance of humanity and were sent to the world to teach people how to live their lives like true and upright Muslims.
Each and every Nabi was an embodiment and personification of the complete Islam. However, from among all the Ambiyaa (‘alaihimus salaam), the Nabi whom Allah Ta’ala bestowed with the highest level of Islam was none other than our beloved Rasul, Hazrat Muhammad Mustafaa (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).
Hence, from the entire galaxy of the Ambiyaa (‘alaihimus salaam), Hazrat Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) is the greatest Rasul and Nabi. He is the pinnacle of Allah Ta’ala’s creation and the most beloved to Allah Ta’ala. He is the seal of prophethood on account of the series of Ambiyaa (‘alaihimus salaam) ending with him, and he is the imaam and leader of all the Ambiyaa and Rasuls (‘alaihimus salaam) that came in the world.
After our beloved Rasul, Hazrat Muhammad Mustafaa (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), the Nabi who is second in rank – who possessed the highest level of Islam after Hazrat Muhammad Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) – is Hazrat Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam).
Allaamah Suyooti (rahimahullah) has mentioned that all the Ulama are unanimous on the fact that after the rank of Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) is the rank of Hazrat Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam).
After Hazrat Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam), the Ulama explain that it is either Nabi Moosa (‘alaihis salaam), or Nabi Isa (‘alaihis salaam) or Nabi Nooh (‘alaihis salaam) who comes next in rank. However, there is no consenus as to which of the three is third in rank. Nevertheless, after these three Ambiyaa (i.e. Nabi Moosa (‘alaihis salaam), Nabi Isa (‘alaihis salaam) and Nabi Nooh (‘alaihis salaam)), the position of all the other Ambiyaa (‘alaihimus salaam) will come without any specification of their ranks. (Tafseer Ibnu Katheer 5/88, Itmaamud Diraayah Pg. 17)
In numerous verses of the Qur’aan Majeed, Allah Ta’ala praises Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) for his beautiful and superb qualities. Below we will explain some of the sterling qualities of Hazrat Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) which have been extolled in the Qur’aan Majeed.
The Beautiful and Praiseworthy Qualities of Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam)
Possessing the Praiseworthy Qualities of an Entire Ummah
Hazrat Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) possessed the praiseworthy qualities of an entire nation and he always remained devoted and obedient to Allah Ta’ala.
Allah Ta’ala says:
اِنَّ اِبۡرٰہِیۡمَ کَانَ اُمَّۃً قَانِتًا لِّلّٰہِ حَنِیۡفًا ؕ وَ لَمۡ یَکُ مِنَ الۡمُشۡرِکِیۡنَ ﴿۱۲۰﴾ۙ
Indeed, Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) was an ummah (a comprehensive leader who possessed the praiseworthy qualities of an entire nation), devoutly obedient to Allah Ta’ala, completely inclining towards the truth (without any deviation), and he was not among the mushriks (those who ascribe partners to Allah Ta’ala). (Surah Nahl v. 120)
In this verse, one of the qualities of Hazrat Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) which Allah Ta’ala praised was his quality of being ‘haneef’. ‘Haneef’ refers to one who remains upright in his devotion and loyalty at all times, without even the slightest inclination to falsehood and evil.
Always Remaining Grateful to Allah Ta’ala for His Favours
Hazrat Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) always remained grateful to Allah Ta’ala for the favours Allah Ta’ala had granted him in deen and the dunya.
Allah Ta’ala mentions his gratefulness, and how Allah Ta’ala had divinely selected and chosen him to be among the Rasuls, and how Allah Ta’ala guided him to the straight path.
Allah Ta’ala says:
شَاکِرًا لِّاَنۡعُمِہٖ ؕ اِجۡتَبٰہُ وَ ہَدٰىہُ اِلٰی صِرَاطٍ مُّسۡتَقِیۡمٍ ﴿۱۲۱﴾
(He was) grateful for His favours (i.e. the favours of Allah Ta’ala). Allah divinely selected him and guided him to the straight path. (Surah Nahl v. 121)
Being Blessed with Divine Favour and Goodness in this World
Allah Ta’ala explains how He had granted Hazrat Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) His divine favour and goodness in this life, and decreed that he will be among the chosen servants in the Hereafter.
Allah Ta’ala says:
وَ اٰتَیۡنٰہُ فِی الدُّنۡیَا حَسَنَۃً ؕ وَ اِنَّہٗ فِی الۡاٰخِرَۃِ لَمِنَ الصّٰلِحِیۡنَ ﴿۱۲۲﴾ؕ
We bestowed him with goodness in this world, and indeed, in the Hereafter, he will be among the righteous. (Surah Nahl v. 122)
Being Blessed with Leadership After Passing All Tests with Distinction
Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) was tested by Allah Ta’ala with various trials and tribulations, and he passed every test with distinction. Hence, Allah Ta’ala blessed him with the lofty position and mantle of leadership.
Allah Ta’ala says:
وَ اِذِ ابۡتَلٰۤی اِبۡرٰہٖمَ رَبُّہٗ بِکَلِمٰتٍ فَاَتَمَّہُنَّ ؕ قَالَ اِنِّیۡ جَاعِلُکَ لِلنَّاسِ اِمَامًا
And (remember) when his Rabb tested Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) with various commands, then he completed all of them (i.e. he passed all the tests). He (i.e. Allah Ta’ala) said, “I am making you a leader for the people.” (Surah Baqarah v. 124)
