Page 83 - Faith: The Way to Happiness

The Happiest People: The Prophets

T h rough his behavior, Prophet Ibrahim (as) showed in the
c l e a rest way that a believer needs to be intelligent and cautious, to
act continually according to his conscience and to be very coura-
geous in following the path of Allah. Prophet Ibrahim (as) was a
wise example to believers with his devotion, submission and close-
ness to Allah. In Surat an-Nisa': 125, Allah tells believers what a
valuable and superior position Prophet Ibrahim (as) holds in His
sight by announcing that he has been adopted as an "intimate
friend."
Without doubt the adoption by Allah of one of His servants as
an intimate friend is amongst the highest distinctions a person can
achieve. Of course, for a believer, knowing that Allah is so close to
him as a friend and hence, that Allah's assistance, mercy and protec-
tion are with him at all times and in all places brings contentment,
tranquility and security.
In Surah Maryam, Allah gives us Prophet Ibrahim's (as) warn-
ing to his idolater father to believe in Him. Allah tells us of the con-
versation between the prophet and his father:
Remember when he said to his father, "Father, why do you
worship what can neither hear nor see and is not of any use
to you at all? Father, knowledge which never reached you
has come to me, so follow me and I will guide you to the
right path. Father, do not worship Satan. Satan was disobe -
dient to the All-Merciful. Father, I am afraid that a punish -
ment from the All-Merciful will afflict you, and turn you
into a comrade of Satan." He said, "Do you forsake my
gods, Ibrahim? If you do not stop, I will stone you. Keep
away from me for a good long time." (Surah Maryam: 42-46)
While Prophet Ibrahim (as) was advising his father to abandon
those things he had made into false gods, he employed a very calm

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