Stories2

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Description of Abraham and his Family
Some of the People of the Book stated that his name was Abraham Ibn Tarikh, Ibn Nahur, Ibn

Sarough, Ibn Raghu, Ibn Phaligh, Ibn Aher, Ibn Shalih, Ibn Arfghshand, Ibn Sam, Ibn Noah.
They said that when Tarikh was seventy five years old, he had Abraham, Nahor (Nohour) and
Haran. Haran had a son named Lot. They also said that Abraham was the middle child and that
Haran died in the lifetime of his father in the land where he was born, the land of the Chaldeans
(Al Kaldanieen), also known as Babylonia. At that time some people worshipped idols of stone
and wood; others worshipped the planets, stars, sun and moon; still others worshipped their kings
and rulers.
Abraham was born into that atmosphere, into a typical family of that ancient time. The head of the
family was not even an ordinary idolater, but was one who totally rejected Allah and who used to
make the idols with his own hands. Some traditions claimed that Abraham's father died before his
birth and he was raised by an uncle whom Abraham called father. Other traditions said that his
father was alive and was named Azer.
Into that family Abraham was born, destined to stand against his own family, against the entire
system of his community. In brief, he stood against all kinds of polytheism.

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Abraham's Childhood
He was endowed with spiritual understanding from an early age. Allah enlightened his heart and

mind gave him wisdom from childhood. Allah the Almighty stated:
"Indeed We bestowed aforetime on Abraham his (portion of) guidance, and We were Well
Acquainted with him( as to his Belief in the Oneness of Allah etc). (Ch 21:51)
During his early childhood Abraham realized that his father made strange statues. One day, he
asked him about what it was he made. His father replied that he made statues of gods. Abraham
was astonished and he spontaneously rejected the idea. Being a child he played with such statues
sitting on their backs as people sit on the backs of donkeys and mules.
One day his father saw him riding the statue of Mardukh and he became furious. He ordered his
son not to play with it again.
Abraham asked: "What is this statue, father? It has big ears, bigger than ours."
www.islambasics.com
His father answered: "It is Mardukh, the god of gods, son! These big ears show his deep
knowledge."
This made Abraham laugh, he was only seven years old at that time.

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Abraham's Hatred for Idols
Years passed and Abraham grew. Since his childhood his heart had been full of hatred for these

idols. He could not understand how a sane person could make a statue and then worship what he
had made. He noticed that these idols did not eat, drink or talk and they could not even turn
themselves right side up if someone turned them upside down. How, then could people believe
that such statues could harm or benefit them? Abraham 's people had a big temple full of idols, in
the middle of which was a niche accommodating the biggest gods which was of different kinds,
qualities and shapes. Abraham, who used to go to the temple with his father when he was a child,
greatly despised all that wood and stone. What surprised him was the way his people behaved
when they entered the temple; they bowed and started to cry, begging and imploring their gods
for help as if the idols could hear or understand these requests!
At first, such a sight seemed funny to Abraham, but later he began to feel angry. Was it not
astonishing that all those people could be deceived? What added to the problem was that his
father wanted him to be a priest when he was grown. He wanted nothing more from his son that
that he revere those statues, yet Abraham never stopped displaying his hatred and disdain of them.

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Abraham Discovers Allah
One night Abraham left his house to go to a mountain. He walked alone in the dark until he chose

a cave in the mountain where he sat resting his back against its wall. He looked at the sky. He had
hardly seen it when he remembered that he was looking at planets and stars which were
worshipped by some people on earth. His young heart was filled with tremendous pain. He
considered what was beyond the moon, the stars and the planets (i.e. Allah) and was astonished
that these celestial bodies were worshipped by men when they had been created to worship and
obey their Creator, appearing and disappearing at His command.

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Abraham Reasons with Celestial Worshippers
Abraham, addressed his people who worshipped celestial bodies as Almighty Allah revealed:

"Thus did We show Abraham the kingdom of the heavens and the earth that he be one of those
who have Faith and certainty. When the night covered him over with darkness he saw a star. He
said: "This is my lord." But when it set, he said: "I like not that those who set." When he saw the
moon rising up he said: "This is my lord." but when it set he said: "Unless my Lord guides me, I
shall surely be among the erring people." When he saw the sun rising up he said: "This is my
lord, This is greater." But when it set, he said: "O my people! I am indeed free from all that you
join as partners in worship with Allah. Verily, I have turned my face towards Him Who has
created the heavens and the earth Hanifan (Islamic Monotheism, i.e. worshipping none but Allah
Alone) and I am not of the Al Mushrikeen (those who worship others besides Allah)."
His people disputed with him. He said: "Do you dispute with me concerning Allah while HE has
guided me and I fear not those whom you associate with Allah in worship. (Nothing can happen
to me) except when my Lord (Allah) wills something. My Lord comprehends in His Knowledge
all things. Will you not then remember?
"And how should I fear those whom you associate in worship with Allah (though they can
neither benefit nor harm), while you fear not that you have joined in worship with Allah things
for which HE has not sent down to you any authority. So which of the two parties has more right
to be in security? If you but know."
It is those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah and worship none but Him Alone) and confuse
not their belief with Zulm (wrong, i.e. by worshipping others besides Allah), for them only there
is security and they are the guided. And that was Our proof which We gave Abraham against his
people. We raise whom We will in degrees. Certainly your Lord is All Wise, All Knowing. (Ch
6:75-83 Quran).
In that debate, Abraham clarified to his people that these celestial bodies do not serve as deities
and cannot be worshipped as partners with Allah the Almighty. Indeed these bodies are created
things, fashioned, controlled, managed and made to serve. They appear sometimes and disappear
at others, going out of sight from our world. However, Allah the Almighty does not lose sight of
anything, and nothing can be hidden from Him. He is without end, everlasting without
disappearance. There is no other deity but Allah.
Abraham made clear to them, first that the celestial bodies are unworthy of worship and second
that they are among the signs of Allah. Almighty Allah commanded:
"And from among His Signs are the night and the day, and the sun and the moon. Prostrate not
to the sun nor to the moon, but prostrate to Allah Who created them if you really worship Him.
(Ch 41:37)
Abraham's reasoning helped to reveal the truth, and then the conflict between him and his people
began for the worshippers of the stars and planets did not stand mute. they began arguing and
threatening Abraham.
Abraham replied:
"Do you dispute with me concerning Allah while HE has guided me, and I fear not those whom
you associate with Allah in worship. (Nothing can happen to me except when my Lord (Allah)
wills something. My Lord comprehends in His Knowledge all things. Will you not then
remember? How should I fear those whom you associate in worship with Allah (though they can
neither benefit or harm), while you fear not that you have joined in worship with Allah things for
which He has not sent down to you any authority. SO which of the two parties has more rights to
be in security? .....if you but know! It is those who believe (in the oneness of Allah and worship
none but HiAlone) and confuse not their belief with Zulm (wrong by worshipping others besides
Allah), for them only there is security and they are the guided." (Ch 6:80-82)

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Abraham Reasons with Idolators
The curtains are drawn on the first category of the people, those who were worshipping celestial

bodies. the next situation reveals the second group, those who were practicing idolatry. Allah
gave Abraham (pbuh) the reasoning he needed the first time and every time he argued with his
people. Almighty Allah declared:
"And that was Our Proof which We gave Abraham against his people. We raised whom We will
in degrees. Certainly your Lord is All Wise, All Knowing. (Ch 6:83)
Abraham did his best to make his people heedful to the belief in the oneness of Almighty Allah
and to the worship of Him alone. He bade them to firmly renounce the worship of idols. HE said
to his father and his people:
"What are these images, to which you are devoted?" they said: "We found our fathers
worshipping them." He said: "Indeed you and your fathers have been in manifest error." They
said: "Have you brought us the truth, or are you one of those who play about?" He said: "Nay,
your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, Who created them and of that I am of the
witnesses." (Ch 21:52-56)

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Abraham reasons with his Father
All was finished between Abraham and his people and the struggle began. the most amazed and

furious was his father (or his uncle who had raised him), for as it is well known, he not only
worshipped idols but sculpted and sold them as well. Abraham felt that it was his duty as a good
son to advise his father against this evil so that he could be saved from Allah's punishment.
Being a wise son he did not make his father feel foolish, nor did he openly laugh at his conduct.
He told him that he loved him, thereby hoping to generate fatherly love. Then he gently asked him
why he worshipped lifeless idols who could not hear, see or protect him. before his father could
become angry he hastily added:
"O my father! Verily! There has come to me of knowledge that which came not unto you. So
follow me. I will guide you to a Straight Path. O my father! Worship not Satan. Verily! Stan has
been a rebel against the Most Beneficent (Allah). O my father! Verily! I fear lest a torment from
the Most Beneficent (Allah) overtake you as that you become a companion of Satan (in the
Hellfire)." He (the father) said: "Do you reject my gods, O Abraham? If you stop not this, I will
indeed stone you. So get away from me safely before I punish you." Abraham said: "Peace be on
you! I will ask Forgiveness of my Lord for you. Verily! He is unto me, Ever Most Gracious. And I
shall turn away from you and from those whom you invoke besides Allah." (Ch 19:43-48)

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Abraham debates with the Idolaters
His father's harsh treatment did not stop Abraham from delivering the message of truth. Angry

and sad to see people prostate before idols, he was determined to stamp out these practices and
went to the town to debate with the people knowing full well that he might suffer harm.
Like a wise doctor searching for the cause of a sickness so as to prescribe the proper cure, or like
a judge who questioned the accused sharply so that he mighty detect the truth. Abraham asked
them: "Do the idols see you when you prostrate before them? Do they benefit you in any way."
They quickly tried to defend their beliefs. They argued that they knew the idols were lifeless but
that their forefathers had worshipped them; to them this was proof enough for their belief.
Abraham explained that their forefathers had been wrong. This angered them and they retorted:
"Are you condemning our gods and our forefathers? Or are you just joking?"
Abraham showed no fear as he replied: "I am serious. I come to you with a true religion. I have
been sent with guidance from our Lord Who alone is worthy of worship, Who is the Creator of
the heavens and the earth, and Who regulates all affairs of life, unlike the dumb idols which are
just stone and wood."
To convince them that the idols could not harm him, he challenged: "I have already condemned
them; of they had any power they would have harmed me by now!"

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Abraham reasons with the Idolaters, Second Time
Almighty Allah recounted:

"Recite to them the story of Abraham. When he said to his father and his people. "What do you
worship?" They said: "We worship idols, and to them we are ever devoted." He said: "Do they
hear you when you call on them? OR do they benefit you or do they harm you?" They said: "Nay
but we found our father doing so."
He said: "Do you observe that which you been worshipping, You and your ancient fathers?
Verily! They are enemies to me, save the Lord of the Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists);
Who has created me and it is HE Who guides me and it is HE Who feeds me and gives me to
drink. And when I am ill, it is He who cures me; and Who will cause me to die and then will
bring me to life again and Who I hope will forgive me my faults on the Day of Resurrection."
(Ch 26:69-82 Quran).
In another surah The Almighty revealed:
"And remember Abraham when he said to his people: "Worship Allah Alone and fear Him that is
better for you if you did but know. You worship besides Allah only idols and you only invent
falsehood. Verily, those whom you worship beside Allah have no power to give you provision, so
seek your provision from Allah Alone, you will be brought back. And if you deny then nations
before you have denied their Messengers. the duty of the Messenger is only to convey the
Message plainly."
See they not how Allah originates creation, then will repent it. Verily, that is easy for Allah.
Say: "Travel in the land and see how Allah originated creation and then Allah will bring forth
(resurrect) the creation of the Hereafter (i.e. resurrection after death) verily, Allah is Able to do
all things."
He punishes whom HE wills and shows mercy to whom He wills, and to Him you will be
returned. And you cannot escape in the earth or in the heaven. And besides Allah you have
neither any Wali (Protector, or guardian) nor any Helper. And those who disbelieve in the Ayat
(proofs, lessons, signs, evidences, verses, revelations etc) of Allah and the Meeting with Him, it
is they who have no hope of My Mercy, and it is they who will have a painful torment. (CH
22:16-23 Quran)

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Abraham Breaks the Idols
He explained to them the beauty of Allah's creation, His power and wisdom. Idol worship is

detested by Allah for Allah is the Lord of the universe Who created mankind, guided him and
provided him with food and drink and cured him when he was sick and Who will cause him to die
and be raised up again. iT was He to Whom Abraham prayed and Who would forgive his sins on
the Day of Judgment. However, they would not give up but clung fast to idolatry. Abraham left
his father's house and abandoned his people and what they worshipped. He decide to do
something about their state of disbelief, but did not reveal it. He knew that there was going to be
a great celebration on the other bank of the river which would be attended by all the people.
Abraham waited until the city was empty, then came out cautiously, directing his steps towards
the temple. the streets leading to it were empty and the temple itself was deserted for the priests
had also gone to the festival outside the city. Abraham went there carrying a sharp axe. He looked
at the stone and wood statues of the gods and at the food laid in front of them as offerings. He
approached one of the statues and asked: "The food in front of you is getting cold. Why don't you
eat?" the statue kept silent and rigid. Abraham asked all the other statues around him:
"Will you not eat of the offering before you?" (Ch 37:91)
He was mocking them for he knew they would not eat. He once again asked then:
"What is the matter with you that you do not speak?" (Ch 37:92)
He then raised his axe and started smashing the false gods worshipped by the people. He
destroyed them all except one on whose neck he hung the axe. After this his anger subsides and
he felt at peace. He left the temple. He had fulfilled his vow to show his people a practical proof
of their foolishness in worshipping something other than Allah.

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The Idolaters Question Abraham
When the people returned, they were shocked to see their gods smashed to pieces, lying scattered

all over the temple. They began to guess who had done that to their idols and Abraham's name
came to their minds.
Allah the Almighty said: they said:
"Who has done this to our aliah (gods)? He must indeed be one of the wrongdoers." They said:
"We heard a young man talking against them who is called Abraham." They said: "Then bring
him before the eyes of the people, that they may testify." they said: "Are you the one who has
done this to our gods, O Abraham?" Abraham said: "nay, this one, the biggest of them (idols)
did it, Ask them, if they can speak!"So they turned to themselves and said: "Verily you are the
Zalimun (polytheists, and wrongdoers)." Then they turned to themselves (their first thought and
said): "Indeed you (Abraham) know well that these idols speak not?" Abraham said: "DO you
then worship besides Allah, things that can neither profit you nor harm you? If upon you, and
upon that which you worship besides Allah! Have you then no sense?" (Ch 21:59-67 Quran)
Furious, they demanded that Abraham be arrested and tried. Abraham did not resist. this was
precisely what he had been aiming for, so that he could show them up in public for their foolish
beliefs. At the trial they asked him if he was responsible for breaking the idols. Smiling, he told
them to ask the biggest idol which was still whole. He told them that he must be the culprit! They
replied that he knew well that the idol could not speak or move which gave Abraham the chance
to prove the foolishness of worshipping these lifeless objects.
They then realized the senselessness of their beliefs; however, their arrogance would not allow
them to admit their foolishness. All they could do was to use their power of authority as tyrants
usually do to punish Abraham. They kept him in chains and planned their revenge.

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The Idolaters Try to burn Abraham
Anger was burning in their hearts. They decided to throw Abraham into the biggest fire they could

build. All the citizens were ordered to gather wood as a service to their gods. Ignorant, sick
women vowed that if they were cured they would donate so much wood to burn Abraham. For
several days they collected fuel. They dug a deep pit, filled it with firewood and ignited it. They
brought a catapult with which to cast Abraham into the fire. Abraham was put on the catapult, his
hands and feet were tied. The fire was ready with its flame reaching the sky. The people stood
away from the pit because of the great heat. Then the chief priest gave his order to cast Abraham
into the fire.
The angel Gabriel came near Abraham's head and asked him: "O Abraham do you wish for
anything?" Abraham replied: "Nothing from you."
The catapult was shot and Abraham was cast into the fire. But his descent into the blaze was as
descent on steps in a cool garden. The flames were still there, but they did not burn for Allah the
Almighty had issued His command:
"O fire! Be you coolness and safety for Abraham." (Ch 21:69 Quran)
The fire submitted to the will of Allah, becoming cool and safe for Abraham. It only burned his
bonds, and he sat in the midst of the fire as if he were sitting in a garden. He glorified and praised
Allah the Almighty, with a heart that contained only his love for Allah. There was not any vacant
space therein for fear, awe, or worry. It was filled with love only.
Fear and awe were dead, and the fire was turned into coolness, making the air pleasant. Those
who love Allah as Abraham do did not fear.

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Abraham challenges those who proclaim themselves as gods, King Namrud
Abraham had established a definite reasoning against idolaters. Nothing was left for him except to

reason against the people who proclaimed themselves gods.
When the king, Namrud, heard of Abraham's safe exit from the fire he became very angry. He
feared that the status of godhead he had proclaimed for himself was not challenged by an ordinary
human being. He summoned Abraham to the palace and held a dialogue with him which Allah
Almighty recounted:
"Have you not thought about him who disputed with Abraham about his Lord (Allah) because
Allah had given him the kingdom? When Abraham said to him: "My Lord (Allah) is He Who
gives life and causes death." He said: "I give life and cause death." Abraham said: "Verily,
Allah causes the sun to rise from the east; then cause it you to rise from the west." So the
disbeliever was utterly defeated. Allah guides not the people who are Zalimeen (wrongdoers etc).
(Ch 2:258 Quran)
Abraham's fame spread throughout the entire kingdom. People talked about how he had been
saved from the blazing fire and how he had debated with the king and left him speechless. In the
meantime, Abraham continued calling people to believe in Allah, exerting a great effort to guide
his people to the right path. He tried every means to convince them. However in spite of his love
and care for his people, they felt angry and deserted him. Only one woman and one man of his
people shared his belief in Allah. The woman's name was Sarah and she became his wife. The
man's name was Lot and he became a prophet.
When Abraham realized that no one else was going to believe in his call, he decided to emigrate.
He left his people and traveled with his wife and Lot to a city called Ur, then another called
Haran, and then to Palestine.
Allah the Almighty told us:
" So Lut believed in him (Abraham's message of Islamic Monotheism). He (Abraham) said: "I
will emigrate for the sake of my Lord. Verily, He is the All Mighty, the All Wise." (Ch 29:26)
After Palestine, Abraham traveled to Egypt, calling people to believe in Allah wherever he
traveled, judging fairly between people, and guiding them to truth and righteousness.
Hadith about Abraham, Sarah and Hajar
Abu Hurairah narrated that Abraham (pbuh) did not tell a lie except on three occasions, twice for
the sake of Allah (Exalted and Almighty) when he said: "I am sick," (when his people were
holding a festival in honor of their gods, Abraham excused himself by saying he was sick. (Ch
37:89 Quran) and when he said: "(I have not done this but) the big idol has done it." The (third
was) that while Abraham and Sarah (his wife) were going (on a journey), they passed by (the
territory of) a tyrant. Someone said to the tyrant: "This man (Abraham is accompanied by a very
charming lady." SO, he sent for Abraham and asked him about Sarah saying "Who is this lady?"
Abraham said: "She is my sister." Abraham went to Sarah said "O Sarah! There are no believers
on the surface of the earth except you and me. This man asked me about you and I have told him
that you are my sister do not contradict my statement." the tyrant then called Sarah, and when she
went to him, he tried to take a hold of her with his hand, but his hand got stiff and he was
confounded. He asked Sarah: "Pray to Allah for me and I shall not harm you." SO Sarah asked
Allah to cure him and he got cured. He tried to take hold of her for the second time, but his hand
got as stiff as or stiffer than before and he was more comfounded. He again requested Sarah:
"Pray to Allah for me, and I will not harm you." Sarah asked Allah to again, and he became all
right. He then called one of his guards who had brought her and said: "You have not brought me
a human being but have brought me a devil." The tyrant then gave Hajar as a maid servant to
Sarah. Abraham, gesturing with his hand, asked: "What has happened?" She replied: "Allah has
spoiled the evil plot of the infidel or immoral person and gave me Hajar for service." Abu
Hurairah then addressed his listeners saying: "That Hajar was your mother, O Bani Ma is Sama
(Arab, the descendants of Ishmael, Hajar's son)."

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The Kaba is Built - by Prophet Muhammad
"Then Abraham stayed away from them for a period as long as Allah wished and called on them

again but did not find Ishmael. So he came to Ishmael's wife and asked her about Ishmael. She
said: 'he has gone in sof our livelihood.' Abraham asked her; 'how are you getting on?' asking her
about their sustenance and living. she replied: 'we are prosperous and well off (we have everything
in abundance).' then she thanked Allah. Abraham said: 'What kind of food do you eat?' she said:
'meat.' he said: 'what do you drink?' she said: 'water.' he said: 'O Allah! bless their meat and
water.""
The Prophet (pbuh) added: "At that time they did not have grain, and if they had grain he would
have also invoked Allah to bless it. If somebody has only these two things as his sustenance, his
health and disposition will be badly affected unless he lives in Mecca."
The Prophet (pbuh) continued: "Then Abraham said to Ishmael's wife: 'When your husband
comes give my regards to him and tell him that he should keep firm the threshold of his gate.'
When Ishmael came back he asked his wife, 'did anyone call no you?' she replied: 'yes, a good
looking old man came to me,' so she praised him and added: 'He asked about you and I informed
him that we were in a good condition.' Ishmael asked her:' did he give you any piece of advice?'
she said; 'yes, he told me to give his regards to you and ordered that you should keep firm the
threshold of your gate.' on that Ishmael said: 'It was my father, and you are the threshold of the
gate. He has ordered me to keep you with me.'
Then Abraham stayed away from them for a period as long as Allah wished and called on them
afterwards. He saw Ishmael under a tree near Zam Zam, sharpening his arrows. When he saw
Abraham, he rose up to welcome him (and they greeted each other as a father does with his son or
a son does with his father). Abraham said: 'O Ishmael! Allah has give me an order.' Ishmael said:
'Do what your Lord has ordered you to do.' Abraham asked:'Will you help me?' Ishmael said: 'I
will help you.' Abraham said: 'Allah has ordered me to build a house here,' pointing to a hillock
higher than the land surrounding it.
"Then they raised the foundations of the House (the Kaba). Ishmael brought the stones while
Abraham built and when the walls became high Ishmael brought this stone and put it for Abraham
who stood over it and carried on building. While Ishmael was handing him the stones, and both of
them were saying:
"Our Lord! Accept this service from us, verily, You are the All Hearer, the All Knower." (Ch
2:127 Quran)
The Prophet (pbuh) added: "Then both of them went on building and going round the Kaba
saying:
"O our Lord! Accept this service from us, verily, You are the All Hearer, the All Knower.";
(Sahih Bukhari).

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Hajar sees zam - zam - by Ibn Abbas
Ibn Abbas narrated a slightly different version: "When Abraham had differences with his wife

(because of her jealousy of Hajar, Ishmael's mother), he took Ishmael and his mother and went
away. They had a water skin with them containing some water. Ishmael's mother used to drink
water from the water skin so that her milk would increase for her child. When Abraham reached
Mecca, he made her sit under a tree and afterwards returned home. Ishmael's mother followed him
and when they reached Kada, she called him from behind: 'O Abraham! To whom are you leaving
us?' He replied: '(I am leaving you) to Allah's care.' she said: 'I am satisfied to be with Allah.' She
returned to her place and started drinking water from the water skin and her milk increased for
her child.
"When the water had all been used up, she said to herself: 'I had better go and look so that I may
see somebody.' she ascended As-Safa mountain and looked hoping to see somebody but in vain.
When she came down to the valley, she ran till she reached Al Marwa Mountain. She ran to and
for (between the two mountains) many times. Then she said to herself; 'I had better go and see the
state of the child.' she went and found it in a state of one on the point of dying. She could not
endure to watch it dying and said to herself: 'If I go and look I may find somebody.' she went and
ascended al-Safa mountain and looked for a long while but could not find anybody. Thus she
completed seven rounds of running between As-Safa and Al-Marwa. Again she said to herself: 'I
had better go back and see the state of the child.' but suddenly she heard a voice, and she said to
that strange voice. 'help us if you can offer any help.' lo! it was Gabriel (who had made the voice)
Gabriel hit the earth with his heel like this (Ibn Abbas hit the earth with his heel to illustrate it),
and so the water gushed out. Ishmael's mother was astonished and started digging."
Abu Al Qasim, the Prophet (pbuh) said: "If she had left the water, (flow naturally, without her
intervention, ) it would have been flowing on the surface of the earth."

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Thankx

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THankx

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wElCoMe

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What Isilam

Islam is not a new religion, but the same truth that God revealed through all His prophets to every people. For a fifth of the world's population, Islam is both a religion and a complete way of life. Muslims follow a religion of peace, mercy, and forgiveness, and the majority have nothing to do with the extremely grave events which have come to be associated with their faith.

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◊ Who are the Muslims?

One billion people from a vast range of races, nationalities and cultures across the globe - from the southern Philippines to Nigeria - are united by their common Islamic faith. About 18% live in the Arab world; the world's largest Muslim community is in Indonesia; substantial parts of Asia and most of Africa are Muslim, while significant minorities are to be found in the Soviet Union, China, North and South America, and Europe.

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◊ What do Muslims believe?

Muslims believe in One, Unique, Incomparable God; in the Angels created by Him; in the prophets through whom His revelations were brought to mankind; in the Day of Judgement and individual accountability for actions; in God's complete authority over human destiny and in life after death. Muslims believe in a chain of prophets starting with Adam and including Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Job, Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon, Elias, Jonah, John the Baptist, and Jesus, peace be upon them. But God's final message to man, a reconfirmation of the eternal message and a summing-up of all that has gone before was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad through Gabriel.

Crew Member Posts : 307 Join date : 2008-05-22

◊ How does someone become a Muslim?

Simply by saying 'there is no god apart from God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God.' By this declaration the believer announces his or her faith in all God's messengers, and the scriptures they brought.

Crew Member Posts : 307 Join date : 2008-05-22

◊ What does 'Islam' mean?

The Arabic word 'Islam' simply means 'submission', and derives from a word meaning 'peace'. In a religious context it means complete submission to the will of God. 'Mohammedanism' is thus a misnomer because it suggests that Muslims worship Muhammad rather than God. 'Allah' is the Arabic name for God, which is used by Arab Muslims and Christians alike.

Crew Member Posts : 307 Join date : 2008-05-22

◊ Why does Islam often seem strange?

Islam may seem exotic or even extreme in the modern world. Perhaps this is because religion does not dominate everyday life in the West today, whereas Muslims have religion always uppermost in their minds, and make no division between secular and sacred. They believe that the Divine Law, the Shari'a, should be taken very seriously, which is why issues related to religion are still so important.

Crew Member Posts : 307 Join date : 2008-05-22

Do Islam and Christianity have different origins?

No. Together with Judaism, they go back to the prophet and patriarch Abraham, and their three prophets are directly descended from his sons Muhammad from the eldest, Ishmael, and Moses and Jesus from Isaac. Abraham established the settlement which today is the city of Makkah, and built the Ka'ba towards which all Muslims turn when they pray.