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Religion of Abraham

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Religion of Abraham

ملة إبراهيم

The Religion of Abraham (ملة إبراهيم), often referred to as *Millat Ibrahim*, represents the pure, unadulterated monotheistic faith and way of life of Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him). It is characterized by absolute devotion to Allah alone and an unwavering rejection of all forms of polytheism (*shirk*). The Quran beautifully clarifies that Abraham was [neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was one inclining toward truth, a Muslim], meaning he was a seeker of truth who submitted fully to God before later religious distinctions emerged. For Muslims, *Millat Ibrahim* holds profound significance as the primordial faith, a universal standard of submission. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was explicitly commanded by Allah to [follow the religion of Abraham, inclining toward truth], establishing a direct spiritual lineage. This makes Abraham an [excellent pattern] for all believers, embodying sincere faith, steadfastness, and a complete turning away from idolatry. Indeed, following this path is seen as a [straight path - a correct religion - the way of Abraham], guiding humanity back to pure monotheism and submission to the One God.

Quran 5 verses

مَا كَانَ إِبْرَٰهِيمُ يَهُودِيًّا وَلَا نَصْرَانِيًّا وَلَٰكِن كَانَ حَنِيفًا مُّسْلِمًا وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ

Maa kaana Ibraaheemu Yahoodiyyanw wa laa Nasraa niyyanw wa laakin kaana Haneefam Muslimanw wa maa kaana minal mushrikeen

Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was one inclining toward truth, a Muslim [submitting to Allah]. And he was not of the polytheists.

ابراہیم نہ تو یہودی تھے اور نہ عیسائی بلکہ سب سے بے تعلق ہو کر ایک (خدا) کے ہو رہے تھے اور اسی کے فرماں بردار تھے اور مشرکوں میں نہ تھے

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Commentary The argumentation referred to in verse 65 was to decide whether Sayyidna Ibrahim (علیہ السلام) followed the way of the Jews, or that of the Christians. The futility of their exercise already stood exposed as both these ways in religion appeared long after the revelation of the Old and New...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: God in order to dissociate Abraham from their claims said No; Abraham in truth was not a Jew neither a Christian but he was a Muslim professing the Oneness of God and a hanīf who inclined away from all other religions towards the upright one; and he was never of the idolaters.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Disputing with the Jews and Christians About the Religion of Ibrahim Allah censures the Jews and Christians for their dispute with Muslims over Ibrahim Al-Khalil and the claim each group made that he was one of them. Muhammad bin Ishaq bin Yasar reported that Ibn `Abbas said, "The Christians of Najr...

قُلْ صَدَقَ ٱللَّهُ فَٱتَّبِعُوا۟ مِلَّةَ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ حَنِيفًا وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ

Qul sadaqal laah; fattabi'oo Millata Ibraaheema Haneefanw wa maa kaana minal mush rikeen

Say, "Allah has told the truth. So follow the religion of Abraham, inclining toward truth; and he was not of the polytheists."

کہہ دو کہ خدا نے سچ فرمایا دیا پس دین ابراہیم کی پیروی کرو جو سب سے بےتعلق ہو کر ایک (خدا) کے ہو رہے تھے اور مشرکوں سے نہ تھے

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Commentary In the verses appearing above, there is a continuity of arguments against positions taken by the people of the Book. At some places, it concerns Jews and at others, the Christians. One such argument, which has been reported in Ruh al-Ma'ani on the authority of Wahidi and al-Kalbi, recount...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: Say ‘God has spoken the truth in this matter just as He has in all that He has related; therefore follow the creed of Abraham the one which I follow a hanīf inclining away from all religions towards submission islām and he was not an idolater’.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): The Questions that the Jews Asked Our Prophet Imam Ahmad recorded that Ibn `Abbas said, "A group of Jews came to Allah's Prophet and said, `Talk to us about some things we will ask you and which only a Prophet would know.' He said, `Ask me about whatever you wish. However, give your pledge to Allah,...

قُلْ إِنَّنِى هَدَىٰنِى رَبِّىٓ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ دِينًا قِيَمًا مِّلَّةَ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ حَنِيفًا وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ

Qul innanee hadaanee Rabbeee ilaa Siraatim Mustaqeemin deenan qiyamam Millata Ibraaheema haneefaa; wa maa kaana minal mushrikeen

Say, "Indeed, my Lord has guided me to a straight path - a correct religion - the way of Abraham, inclining toward truth. And he was not among those who associated others with Allah."

کہہ دو کہ مجھے میرے پروردگار نے سیدھا رستہ دکھا دیا ہے (یعنی دین صحیح) مذہب ابراہیم کا جو ایک (خدا) ہی کی طرف کے تھے اور مشرکوں میں سے نہ تھے

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Commentary These are the last five verses of Surah Al-An'am. It will be recalled from previous verses how people had altered the true religion through a process of excess and deficiency, making many more out of it, and had themselves split into factions and groups. In contrast, the first three of th...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: Say ‘As for me my Lord has guided me to a straight path ilā sirātin mustaqīm is substituted by the following dīnan qiyaman a right religion an upright one the creed of Abraham a hanīf; and he was not of the idolaters’.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Islam is the Straight Path Allah commands His Prophet , the chief of the Messengers, to convey the news of being guided to Allah's straight path. This path is neither wicked, nor deviant, دِينًا قِيَمًا (a right religion...) that is, established on firm grounds, مِلَّةَ إِبْرَهِيمَ حَنِيفًا وَمَا كَ...

ثُمَّ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ أَنِ ٱتَّبِعْ مِلَّةَ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ حَنِيفًا وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ

Summma awhainaa ilaika anit tabi' Millata Ibraaheema haneefaa; wa maa kaana minal mushrikeen

Then We revealed to you, [O Muhammad], to follow the religion of Abraham, inclining toward truth; and he was not of those who associate with Allah.

پھر ہم نے تمہاری طرف وحی بھیجی کہ دین ابراہیم کی پیروی اختیار کرو جو ایک طرف کے ہو رہے تھے اور مشرکوں میں سے نہ تھے

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: The Holy Prophet being on the way of Sayyidna Ibrahim (علیہ السلام) : Understanding the Chemistry of Adherence When Sayyidna Ibrahim I appeared, Allah Ta’ ala blessed him with a Shari'ah and its Injunctions. When the Last of the Prophets ﷺ appeared, his Shari'ah too - with the exception of some part...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: Then We revealed to you O Muhammad (s) saying ‘Follow the creed the religion of Abraham a hanīf and he was not of the idolaters’ this remark is repeated in order to refute to the claim of the Jews and Christians that they follow his religion.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): He selected him, as Allah says : وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَآ إِبْرَهِيمَ رُشْدَهُ مِن قَبْلُ وَكُنَّا بِهِ عَـلِمِينَ (And before, We indeed gave Ibrahim his integrity, and We were indeed most knowledgeable about him)(21:51). Then Allah says: وَهَدَاهُ إِلَى صِرَطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ (and guided him to a straight...

قَدْ كَانَتْ لَكُمْ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ فِىٓ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ وَٱلَّذِينَ مَعَهُۥٓ إِذْ قَالُوا۟ لِقَوْمِهِمْ إِنَّا بُرَءَٰٓؤُا۟ مِنكُمْ وَمِمَّا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ كَفَرْنَا بِكُمْ وَبَدَا بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمُ ٱلْعَدَٰوَةُ وَٱلْبَغْضَآءُ أَبَدًا حَتَّىٰ تُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَحْدَهُۥٓ إِلَّا قَوْلَ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ لِأَبِيهِ لَأَسْتَغْفِرَنَّ لَكَ وَمَآ أَمْلِكُ لَكَ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ مِن شَىْءٍ رَّبَّنَا عَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْنَا وَإِلَيْكَ أَنَبْنَا وَإِلَيْكَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ

Qad kaanat lakum uswatun basanatun feee Ibraaheema wallazeena ma'ahoo iz qaaloo liqawmihim innaa bura'aaa'u minkum wa mimmaa ta'budoona min doonil laahi kafarnaa bikum wa badaa bainanaa wa bainakumul 'adaawatu wal baghdaaa'u abadan hattaa tu'minoo billaahi wahdahooo illaa qawla Ibraheema li abeehi la astaghfiranna laka wa maaa amliku laka minal laahi min shai; rabbanaa 'alaika tawakkalnaa wa ilaika anabnaa wa ilaikal maseer

There has already been for you an excellent pattern in Abraham and those with him, when they said to their people, "Indeed, we are disassociated from you and from whatever you worship other than Allah. We have denied you, and there has appeared between us and you animosity and hatred forever until you believe in Allah alone" except for the saying of Abraham to his father, "I will surely ask forgiveness for you, but I have not [power to do] for you anything against Allah. Our Lord, upon You we have relied, and to You we have returned, and to You is the destination.

تمہیں ابراہیم اور ان کے رفقاء کی نیک چال چلنی (ضرور) ہے۔ جب انہوں نے اپنی قوم کے لوگوں سے کہا کہ ہم تم سے اور ان (بتوں) سے جن کو تم خدا کے سوا پوجتے ہو بےتعلق ہیں (اور) تمہارے (معبودوں کے کبھی) قائل نہیں (ہوسکتے) اور جب تک تم خدائے واحد اور ایمان نہ لاؤ ہم میں تم میں ہمیشہ کھلم کھلا عداوت اور دشمنی رہے گی۔ ہاں ابراہیمؑ نے اپنے باپ سے یہ (ضرور) کہا کہ میں آپ کے لئے مغفرت مانگوں گا اور خدا کے سامنے آپ کے بارے میں کسی چیز کا کچھ اختیار نہیں رکھتا۔ اے ہمارے پروردگار تجھ ہی پر ہمارا بھروسہ ہے اور تیری ہی طرف ہم رجوع کرتے ہیں اور تیرے ہی حضور میں (ہمیں) لوٹ کر آنا ہے

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: قَدْ كَانَتْ لَكُمْ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ فِي إِبْرَ‌اهِيمَ ۔ ۔ ۔ حَتَّىٰ تُؤْمِنُوا بِاللَّـهِ وَحْدَهُ (Indeed, there is an excellent example for you in Ibrahim and those with him, when they said to their people, "We disown you and what you worship instead of Allah. We disbelieve in you. Enmity and ha...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: Verily there is for you a good example read iswa or uswa in both instances meaning qudwa in the person of Abraham in terms of his sayings and deeds and those who were with him of believers when they said to their people ‘We are indeed innocent of you bura’ā’ is the plural of barī’ similar in form to...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): The Good Example of Ibrahim and His Followers, when They disowned Their Disbelieving People Allah the Exalted says to His faithful servants, whom He commanded to disown the disbelievers, to be enemies with them, and to distant themselves and separate from them: قَدْ كَانَتْ لَكُمْ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ ...

Hadith 1 tradition

Sahih al-Bukhari 63:53sahih

وَقَالَ اللَّيْثُ كَتَبَ إِلَىَّ هِشَامٌ عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَسْمَاءَ بِنْتِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَتْ رَأَيْتُ زَيْدَ بْنَ عَمْرِو بْنِ نُفَيْلٍ قَائِمًا مُسْنِدًا ظَهْرَهُ إِلَى الْكَعْبَةِ يَقُولُ يَا مَعَاشِرَ قُرَيْشٍ، وَاللَّهِ مَا مِنْكُمْ عَلَى دِينِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ غَيْرِي، وَكَانَ يُحْيِي الْمَوْءُودَةَ، يَقُولُ لِلرَّجُلِ إِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَقْتُلَ ابْنَتَهُ لاَ تَقْتُلْهَا، أَنَا أَكْفِيكَهَا مَئُونَتَهَا‏.‏ فَيَأْخُذُهَا فَإِذَا تَرَعْرَعَتْ قَالَ لأَبِيهَا إِنْ شِئْتَ دَفَعْتُهَا إِلَيْكَ، وَإِنْ شِئْتَ كَفَيْتُكَ مَئُونَتَهَا‏.‏

Narrated Asma bint Abi Bakr:I saw Zaid bin Amr bin Nufail standing with his back against the Ka'ba and saying, "O people of Quraish! By Allah, none amongst you is on the religion of Abraham except me." He used to preserve the lives of little girls: If somebody wanted to kill his daughter he would say to him, "Do not kill her for I will feed her on your behalf." So he would take her, and when she grew up nicely, he would say to her father, "Now if you want her, I will give her to you, and if you wish, I will feed her on your behalf

اور لیث بن سعد نے کہا کہ مجھے ہشام نے لکھا، اپنے والد (عروہ بن زبیر) سے اور انہوں نے کہا کہ ہم سے اسماء بنت ابی بکر رضی اللہ عنہما نے بیان کیا کہ میں نے زید بن عمرو بن نفیل کو کعبہ سے اپنی پیٹھ لگائے ہوئے کھڑے ہو کر یہ کہتے سنا، اے قریش کے لوگو! اللہ کی قسم میرے سوا اور کوئی تمہارے یہاں دین ابراہیم پر نہیں ہے اور زید بیٹیوں کو زندہ نہیں گاڑتے تھے اور ایسے شخص سے جو اپنی بیٹی کو مار ڈالنا چاہتا کہتے اس کی جان نہ لے اس کے تمام اخراجات کا ذمہ میں لیتا ہوں، چنانچہ لڑکی کو اپنی پرورش میں رکھ لیتے جب وہ بڑی ہو جاتی تو اس کے باپ سے کہتے اب اگر تم چاہو تو میں تمہاری لڑکی کو تمہارے حوالے کر سکتا ہوں اور اگر تمہاری مرضی ہو تو میں اس کے سب کام پورے کر دوں گا۔

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