The Holy Prophet^-SW must also recount the facts about Prophet Ibrahim^-AS as the infidels of Arabia claimed to be his^-AS followers but had concocted beliefs and rituals that were polytheistic. Narrating this incident will also expose whether they were only fond of listening to miraculous events or were indeed seeking the truth. This will also help bring to light the beliefs and practices of Prophet Ibrahim^-AS who was a Siddiq and a Prophet^-AS.

Siddiq Is A Divine Office-Salient Features Of Offices Of Wilayah

If the term Siddiq is taken as being truthful, then all the Prophets^-AS possess this quality. What then is the distinction due to which Prophet Ibrahim^-AS is being termed a Siddiq? The fact is that to be a Siddiq or Siddiqiat is an august Office which is bestowed upon whoever Allah^-SWT wills from amongst His^-SWT Prophets^-AS. Similarly the highest Office of Wilayah is also Siddiqiat. According to Sufi Masters, in every era a Wali is appointed as Ghouth, When Allah^-SWT Wills. He is promoted as Qayyum, and further on to a Fard, a Qutub-e-Wahdat and finally to Siddiq. These exalted Divine Offices are attained solely due to resolute adherence to a Prophet^-AS’s ways. Moreover, even a woman can attain the utmost stations of Wilayah, as the Quran calls Hadhrat Maryam a Siddiqah. The disposition of persons given these Divine Offices of Wilayah plays a vital role for the reformation of common Muslims, who begin to be influenced by them. The auspiciousness of the office-bearer’s existence affects the very thinking of people all around. It is by Allah^-SWT’s extreme Munificence that in this era, not only is there a Siddiq but the contemporary Siddiq has been by Allah^-SWT’s Grace appointed as Imam-as-Siddiqin (the Leader of Siddiqs). It is because of him that there is an awakening among the Muslims all over the world. Praise be to Allah^-SWT ! It must, however, be marked that Siddiqiat of a Prophet^-AS is according to his^-AS exalted status, while that of a Companion^-RAU corresponds with his^-RAU standing and the Siddiqiat of a Wali is commensurate with his capacity. Outside the Prophethood Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddiq^-RAU heads all Siddiqs amongst the believers.

When Prophet Ibrahim^-AS grew up to find his^-AS father worshipping the idols in his house, he^-AS refused to follow his ways. Rather, he^-AS advised him in a splendid manner to renounce idol worship and worship One and the Only Allah^-SWT . He^-AS told his^-AS father that if he worshipped idols in expectation that they would provide for his needs, he must realize that they cannot even listen to or behold him and his situation. So it was certain that these could be of no avail to him.

The Criteria Of Respectability

Prophet Ibrahim^-AS further explained that he^-AS was not telling all this in futile but he^-AS had been blessed with knowledge through revelation, a knowledge which his^-AS father did not possess. In other words, being older in age is not an evidence of respectability. Rather it depends on the level of Allah^-SWT’s Cognition one enjoys. Prophet Ibrahim^-AS, therefore, told his^-AS father that he should listen to and follow him^-AS so as to be guided to the straight path. He^-AS also informed him that his worshipping idols was indeed worshipping the Satan, who had indeed deluded him. A non believer also curses Satan overtly, but practically follows him. When he indulges in idol worship, he indeed worships the Satan, a rebel of the Most Merciful Allah^-SWT . Prophet Ibrahim^-AS was afraid that his^-AS father would be punished and would, in that case, become a companion of Satan.

But woe be to the state of estrangement from Allah^-SWT . His^-AS father was infuriated on the advice of his noble son and labelled him^-AS an apostate who was inviting him to be the same. So he warned his son that despite the fact that children are dear to parents but they certainly are not dearer than the deities. And that he^-AS must refrain from such advice in future lest he^-AS is stoned to death, as well as to stay away from his sight. Prophet Ibrahim^-AS invoked peace on him and left. This also denotes a decent way of parting in Ibrahimi Shari’ah.

Invoking Peace On A Non Believer

The Holy Prophet^-SW, however, forbids the Muslim Ummah to invoke peace on a non believer, except a group which also comprises Muslims. Prophet Ibrahim^-AS also told his^-AS father before parting that he^-AS would continue to seek forgiveness for him from Allah^-SWT , Who was very generous indeed (Take note that Muslim Ummah has been prohibited by Quran to pray for the forgiveness of any non believer except for their guidance). But in his state of infidelity, they could no longer live together. So he^-AS would separate from his^-AS father and the deities he worshipped and will only worship his^-AS Rabb^-SWT , for he^-AS was sure that away from the ungodly environment he^-AS would worship better.

The Influence Of Environment On Worships

This means that the environment does affect the worships and it is imperative to move away from the ungodly environments. This also explains why the angels tell a dying person that he could have migrated to some other place away from the evil doers as Allah^-SWT’s land was indeed widespread. So Prophet Ibrahim^-AS migrated to Syria, away from his^-AS father and his deities and Allah^-SWT amply blessed him.

The Reward On Migration

He^-AS was blessed with a son Ishaq^-AS and a grandson Ya’qub^-AS who were both Prophets. Indeed a very noble household, and his^-AS descendants were exalted and duly showered by His^-SWT Mercy. And He^-SWT honoured them so much that they were remembered with great reverence and respect by everyone.