Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
In the Qur’aan Majeed, Allah Ta’ala has declared that the person who turns away from the path of Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) and treads upon another path is indeed a foolish person who is treading upon the path of folly.
Allah Ta’ala says:
وَ مَنۡ یَّرۡغَبُ عَنۡ مِّلَّۃِ اِبۡرٰہٖمَ اِلَّا مَنۡ سَفِہَ نَفۡسَہٗ ؕ وَ لَقَدِ اصۡطَفَیۡنٰہُ فِی الدُّنۡیَا ۚ وَ اِنَّہٗ فِی الۡاٰخِرَۃِ لَمِنَ الصّٰلِحِیۡنَ ﴿۱۳۰﴾
Who can turn away from the way of Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) except for one who has debased himself in folly? Indeed, We have chosen him in this world and certainly, in the Hereafter, he will definitely be among the righteous. (Surah Baqarah: V. 130)
From this verse, we conclude that when the person who turns away from the path of Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) has been declared a foolish person, then the person who treads upon the path of Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) is an intelligent person who is treading upon the path of guidance.
One might wonder as to why Allah Ta’ala declares that the path of Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) is the path of intelligence, and the path opposing his path is the path of foolishness and ignorance.
The answer to this question is that the path of Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) is the path of Islam. The path of Islam teaches one to obey Allah Ta’ala and remain loyal to Him at all times, whereas the path opposing this path is the path of kufr – the path of shaitaan which teaches one to disobey Allah Ta’ala.
Two Paths in Life
Every human being who comes in this world is faced with two paths. The first path is the path of obedience, and the second path is the path of disobedience.
The Ambiyaa (‘alaihimus salaam) were sent to humanity to show them how to tread on the path of obedience and how to refrain from the path of disobedience.
Hence, it could be concluded that the path of the chosen servants of Allah Ta’ala – the Ambiyaa (‘alaihimus salaam) – is the path of obedience.
This path is regarded as the path of intelligence on account of the fact that it teaches one to recognise his Creator, please Him at all times, be grateful to Him for all His favours, and fulfil His rights as well as the rights of all His creation.
The one who leads such a pure and meaningful life, upholding the true morals and values of Islam, then certainly, Allah Ta’ala will be pleased with him and he will become a source of goodness and mercy for humanity at large.
Hence, Allah Ta’ala, by way of inference, refers to this path of Islam – the path of Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) – as the path of intelligence as it will lead one to Jannah and eternal success.
On the contrary, the one who leaves this path and treads upon the path of disobedience, then such a person acquires the wrath and anger of Allah Ta’ala on account of him leading a life of sin and transgression.
Such a person will neither uphold the rights of Allah Ta’ala nor the rights of the creation. The life which he will lead will be greatly destructive and harmful – harmful to himself and to others as well.
Hence, Allah Ta’ala regards this type of life as a life of foolishness and ignorance, as it leads to Jahannum and eternal misery.
Why Does Allah Ta’ala Refer to This Path as the Path of Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam)
Thus far, we have understood that there are two paths which a person can tread in life:
The first path is the path of Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) – the path of Islam (i.e. the path of total submission, complete obedience and absolute compliance with the command of Allah Ta’ala), and the second path is the path of foolishness and ignorance – the path opposing the path of Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam).
However, the question arises as to why Allah Ta’ala refers to this path of Islam as the the path of Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam), whereas it was also the path adopted by all the Ambiyaa (‘alaihimus salaam) who came in the world.
The answer to this question is that from all the Ambiyaa (‘alaihimus salaam), Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) exhibited Islam in a most unique and beautiful manner.
Even before departing from this temporary world, his parting advices to his children were to firmly hold onto this path – the path of Islam – until their last breath.
In the Qur’aan Majeed, Allah Ta’ala records the words with which Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) addressed his children:
یٰبَنِیَّ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ اصۡطَفٰی لَکُمُ الدِّیۡنَ فَلَا تَمُوۡتُنَّ اِلَّا وَ اَنۡتُمۡ مُّسۡلِمُوۡنَ ﴿۱۳۲﴾ؕ
O my children! Indeed, Allah Ta’ala has selected the deen (of Islam) for you, so ensure that you do not pass away except while you are Muslims. (Surah Baqarah: V. 132)
