INTRODUCTION

The present book, authored by Abdur Rahman Shad, fulfils an actue

necessity. To the readers, it presents a number of utilities, such as:
(1)The Correct Picture: Allah Almighty, in His linfinite Wisdom, has chosen
to preserve the records of various Prophets in the Holy Quran not a
book of history in itself but nonrtheless the most authentic chornicle of
the days of the prophets, mostly the day of pre-history. The New and
Old Testaments do mention some of them. But since the Testaments
themselves are based on farfetched hearsay evidence, the true picture
has been distorted beyond recognition. The originals have been long
lost: what is left is the English versions ranging from the days of King
james First of England. And each taranslation, centurr after century,
has taken pains to tailor the facts to suit its ends. The process is still
going on. Since the present book has taken facts from no source other
that the Holy Quran quoting the text as and where required, the
English reading public will, l am sure, get the correct picture. (2) lslam
Verus Science: lt is said Sicence is non-objective, non-political. Lt takes
no side. Lt has no exe of its own to grind. But that claim is [Link]
Sicence follows the line of policy chalked out by its patrons, the
material West. Let us take the Darwin s Theory of Evolution, for
example. This theory was propounded in the early days of Queen
Victoria when the Britishj Empire was firmly established in indian and
elsewhere. Lts so-called law of the Survival of The Fittest was given all.
Publicity just to advertise the British as the fittest and to instil into
other nation a feeling of inferiority complex. On the very fact of it, this
Darwins theory is no science: it suffers from a number of jolts and
jerks. For arguments sake, even if we suppose that the homo sapiens
came out of a germ, passing through so many stages of evolution, the
theory desnnt choose to discuss WHO and WHY. It discusses no more
than WHAT and HOW. Lf it would dscuss- WHO and WHY, it cannot but
reach lslam. That is Why it dorsnt. Even if we suppose that man has
come out of ape, and that is the normal procedure of nture, we would
surely come across apes in various stages of conversion, But nowhere
such an ape is to be found. And no such half-ape half-man has ever
been found in the lase 5,000 years sinc we have good [Link]
perfect scientiflc theory has been set forth by the Holy [Link] first
man with complete physical, inbtellectual and moral machinery was
directly created in the Heavens by the Almighty the Heavens, his

obtainment of divine pardon, his elevation to prophethood, his

entrance into this world, his efforts twards the propagation of the Deen
of lslam, are all indisputable history. The first man of Darwin is lost in
mystery. The first man of of lslam is in open daylight. In the realm of
scientific research too, the present treatise of the author sets the
record right.
(2)Evolution of the Sharian; of course,man started life on this earch in all
simplicity. The hys complexities and problems have grown stage by
stage So the Sharah (the Do s and Donts, the whys and Hows of
lslam) came down stage by etage, each stage is represented by a
prophet, until at last it came to finality with our Final Proper, Hadrat
Muhammad Mustafa, Allahs blessings be on him A study of the
prophets, in chronological order, is a study of the evolution of society
with all its good peple and bad, its expanding religons ang worship,
politics and administrations, social psycho- logos and customs,
material wants and goods. It shows how a particular prophet suits his
time and clime, how he plays his role to bring the beguiled lost to the
Correct Path, what trials and tribulations had he to undergo for the
sake of delivering the Divine

THE PROPHET IBRAHIM

(peace be upon him)

35 CHAPTER 8
The Advent of lbrahim: Long ago Almighty Allah gave the honour of His
choice to a man called lbrahim He became the Prohet His narative
Mesopotamia is the present southern lraq. He was an ideal model for makind.
Speaking highly of him the Holy Quran says: lbrahim was indeed a paragon
of virtue, obedient to Allah, ever inclined to Him and he was not of those who
set up equals to Allah. He was ever grateful for His favoursstra, We chose
him and guided him to a straight path: and We bestowed on him good in this
world and in the Hereafter, he will surelyoe among the righteous. (16:121123)
His Nation was Staunch Worshippers of Idols: ln the days of Prophet lbrahim
(peace be upon him) ignorance prevailed upon the mind of the people. Most
of the people had no knowledge of Allah and His teachings. They worshipped
the sun, the moon and stars. They were astronomers and maintained the

records of the lnovements of the planets. They prayed to the idols made of
wood and stone and mede many offerings for them. The priests njoed a
prominent place in the socity. They commanded great respect among their
followers, They were paid well. The poor among their followers, They were
paid well. The poor people were ruled by the [Link] were subjected to
their cruelty and injustice. The Perphet lbrahim (peace be upon him) was the
son of Terah whose surname Adhar was popularly known. He was a doll
carver and a staunch worshipper of idols. He did all he could to compel
handicrafts of man but he flatly redused to do so. He hated evern an idea of
worshipping the idols which could neither see, nor speak.

The Prophet lbrahims Preachings;

The Prophet lbrahim (peace be upon him) received the message of Allah
through a special angel Gabriel (jibra il), Gradually he was commanded to
start preaching. As he was a strong man in his will and determination. As he
worked very hard. He began his mission in the teeth of opposition. He argued
with his people with great vigour regarding the folly of worshipping the
[Link] Holy Quran says: When he said to his father and his people: What
are these images to which you are so devoted? They replied: We found our
fathers worshipping them. He said: Then you as well as your fathers have,
indeed been in manifest error. They replied: Then said: ls it really the truth
that you have brought for us or are you jesting? He replied: Nay, your Lord is
the Lord of the heavens and the earth: He brought them into existence and l
am of those who bear witness to this, and by Allah, l will certainly plan aginst
your idols after you have gone away and turned your backs (21:53-58)
Opposition by the People and Discussion with the King: The People paid no
heed to his teachings. They insited on their ways. They did not refrain from
worshipping the twinkling stars,shining moon and ugly idols. The priests kept
on encouraging the people to disbelieve in the Propbet lbrahim (peace be
depnived of their priesthood if the peple abandoned idol-worship. As a
matter of fact the king Nemrud in that area thought himself to be god. He
had a big castle and many soldiers at his disposal. He desired to argue with
the Prophet lbrahim (peace be upon him) They were afraid leat they should
be deprved of their priesthood if the people abandoned idol-worship. As a
matter of fact the king Nerud in that area thought himself to be god. He had
a big castle and many soldiers at his disposal He desired to argue with the
Prophet lbrahim (peace by upon him one day. They met to hold discussions.
The King looked at the Prophet lbrahim (peace be upon him) mockingly for a
while. Then he said: What is this thing you are calling the people for? Why do

you persuade the people to worship God who is this thing you are calling the
preat eople for? Why do you persuade the people to worship God who is
invisinle? The Prophet lbrahim (peace be upon him) replied boldly: My God is
the One Who gives and takes away life, Nemrud answered arrogantly: l have
also the power to do that. L can kill the persons and can spare them also.
The Prophet lbrahim(peace be upon him) asked a elever question that caught
every one by surprise. He said: My God causes the sun to rise from the East
and set it in the West. Can you make it come from the East? On hearing the
king rmained silent because he knew that no man had the power to do
[Link] of the lodols: After a few days a special event took place There
was grand ceremony outside the locality and every one had to participate in
the ccelebrations. Most of the evil-doers drank liquor and became noisy and
wild. They were losing their balance of mind in a state of intoxication. There
was a great hustle. Almost every one from the town attended the ceremony
except theProphet lbrahim(peace be upon him). He had a special plan in his
mind. He proceeded towards the Temple escaping the sight of others. When
he entered the Temple,he saw there many statues the Temple escaping the
sight of others. When he entered the Temple, he saw there many statues
which stood motionless and helpless. The Prophet lbrahim (peace be upon
him) lifted his heavy axe and begn to smite the idols turn by turn. The idols
fell to the grund with a big thud. The floor was loaded with numerous noses,
ears, heads, arms, legs and other parts of the [Link] broke all the idols in
the sanctuary but spared the Chief one. He did so to demonstuary that the
idols han no power to cause har to any one or bestow benefits upon othes.
They were as helpless as mere stones and it is against the dignity of human
beings. to pay homage to them. When the Prophet lbrahim (peace be upo
him) finished his job, he left the Temple cautiously making sure that no one
had seen him. Descision to Burn lbrahim Alive: When the celebrations came
to an end, the people returned The priests went directly towards the Temple
as usual and some people accompanied them. They saw that the idols were
smashes to pieces. The floor was littered with stones and the Chieg idol was
standing withan exe hanging down along its neck. The priests began to
scream and became a defning hue and cry. Every one was in a furious mood.
They wanted to know who had dared do- this trouble to the idols They
wished to take revenge Then some one said that the Prophet lbanim (Peace
be upon him) would have done so because he consistenly spok ill of our gods
and advised the people to worship One God. The Holy Quarn relates: Then
he broke tem into pieces except the Chief of them that haply they may
return to him. They said: Who has done so to our gods? Most surely he is one
of evil-doers. We heard a yout called lbrahim making mention of them.
(21:57) The Prophet lbrahim (peace be upon him) was summoned to appcar
before the king. When he came, he was asked if he had destroyed all those

idols. He remained silent for a while. Afterwards he directed the king to ask
the chief idol on whose neck was hung the exe with which the havoc was
done. The Prophet lbrahim(peace be upon him ) was mocking and making
fun of those stupid people who worshipped helpless. Dumb and deaf idols
made of stones. The king as well as the prests did not like to prolong their
discussions because the arguments of the Prophet lbrahim (peace be upon
him) were very sound and convincing. The Holy Quran relats: The they said
to lbrahim: ls you who has done so to our gods? He replied: Well, some one
has surely done this. Here is the chief of them, so ask they if they can
speak. Then tausihey turned towards one another and
said: You yourselves are suely in the wrong. Then they were made to hung
down their heads out of shame and said to lbrahim: Certainly you know that
they do not sprak (21:65-68)Although they felt ashamed yet they remained
stubborn. They decided to burn the Prophe lbrahim (peace be upon him)
alive for causing destruction to their idols. Fire does not Burn the Prophet
lbrahim: A big furnace was prepared for this purpose. The Prophetlbrahim
(peace be upon him) was tite with a rope and he could hardly move. He was
quite calm and cheerful believing firmly that Allah would save him. He did
even reasis and the spectators were amazed at his attitude. The Prophet
lbrahim (peace be upon him). He had a special plan in his mind. He
proceeded towards the Temple escaping the sight of others. When he
entered the Temple, he saw there many statues which stood The Prophet
lbrahim (peace be upon him) lifed his heavy axe and began to smite the idols
turn by turn. The idols fell to the ground with a big thud, The floor was loaded
with numerous noses, ears, heads, arms, legs and other parts of the [Link]
broke all the idols in the sanctuary but spared the Chief one. He did so to
demonstrate that the idols had no power to cause harm to any one or
bestow benefits upon others. They were as helpless as mere stones and it is
against the dignity of human beings, to pay homage to them. When the
Prophet lbrahim (peace be upon him) finished his job, he left the Temple
cautionusly making sure that no one had seen him. Decision to Burn lbrahim
Alive: When the celebrations came to an end, the people returned. The
priests went directly towards the Temple as usual and some people
accompanied them. They saw that the idols were smashed to pieces. The
floor was littered with stones and the Chief idol was standing with an axe
hanging down alongits neck. The people rushed to the Tempie on hearing a
deafening hue and cry. Every one was in a furious mood. The wanted to know
who had dared do-this trouble to the idols. They wished to take revenge.
Then some one said that the Prophet lbrahim (peace be upon him) would
have done so because he consistently spoke will God. The Holy Quran
relates: Then he broke them into pieces except the Chief of them that haply
they may return to him. They said: Who has done so to our gods? Heard a

yout: called lbrahim making mention of them. (21:57) The Prophet lbrahim
(peace be upon him) was summoned to appear before the king. When he
came. He was askred if he had destroyed all those idols. He remained silent
for a while. Afterwards he directedthe king to ask the chief idol on whose
neck was hung the axe with which the havoc was done. The Prophet lbrahim
(peace be upon him) was mocking and making fun of thode stupid people
who worshipped helpless, dumb and deaf idols made of stones. The king as
well as the priests did not like to prolong their discussions because the
aruments of the Prophet lbahim (peace be upon him) were very sound and
convincing. The Holy Quran relats The they said to lbrahim: ls it you who
has done so to gods? He replied: Well, some one has surely done this. Here is
the chief of them, so ask them if they can speak. Then they turned towards
one another and said: You yourselves are surely in the wrong. Then they
were made to hung down their head out of shame and said to lbrahim:
Certainly you know that they do not speak. (
FDFRER