Mentions of Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) in the Qur’an:
Surah Al-Baqarah (2:124)
Arabic: وَإِذِ ابْتَلَىٰٓ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ رَبُّهُۥ بِكَلِمَٰتٍۢ فَأَتَمَّهُنَّ ۖ قَالَ إِنِّي جَاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِمَامًا ۖ قَالَ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِى ۖ قَالَ لَا يَنَالُ عَهْدِى ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ
Transliteration:
Wa idhibtalaaa Ibraaheema rabbuhu bikalimaatin fa-atammahunna; qaala innee jaa’iluka linnaasi imaaman; qaala wa min zurriyyatee; qaala laa yanaalu ‘ahdiz zaalimeen
Translation:
“And [mention] when Abraham was tried by his Lord with commands and he fulfilled them. [Allah] said, ‘Indeed, I will make you a leader for the people.’ [Abraham] said, ‘And of my descendants?’ [Allah] said, ‘My covenant does not include the wrongdoers.'”
Surah Al-Baqarah (2:125)
Arabic: وَإِذْ جَعَلْنَا ٱلْبَيْتَ مَثَابَةًۭ لِّلنَّاسِ وَأَمْنًۭا وَٱتَّخِذُوا۟ مِن مَّقَامِ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ مُصَلًّۭى ۖ وَعَهِدْنَآ إِلَىٰٓ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ وَإِسْمَٰعِيلَ أَن طَهِّرَا بَيْتِىَ لِلطَّآئِفِينَ وَٱلْعَٰكِفِينَ وَٱلرُّكَّعِ ٱلسُّجُودِ
Transliteration:
Wa idh ja’alnal-baita mathaabatan linnaasi wa amnan wattakhizoo mim-maqaami Ibraaheema musallaa; wa ‘ahidnaaa ilaa Ibraaheema wa Ismaa’eela an tahhiraa baiti yalittaa’ifeena wal’aakifeena warrukka’is sujood
Translation:
“And [mention] when We made the House a place of return for the people and [a place of] security. And take, [O believers], from the standing place of Abraham a place of prayer. And We charged Abraham and Ishmael, [saying], ‘Purify My House for those who perform Tawaf and those who are staying [there] for worship and those who bow and prostrate [in prayer].'”
Surah Al-Baqarah (2:130)
Arabic: وَمَن يَرْغَبُ عَن مِّلَّةِ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ إِلَّا مَن سَفِهَ نَفْسَهُۥ ۚ وَلَقَدِ ٱصْطَفَيْنَـٰهُ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا ۖ وَإِنَّهُۥ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ لَمِنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ
Transliteration:
Wa many-yarghabu ‘am-millati Ibraaheema illaa man safiha nafsah; wa laqadis-tafaaynaahu fid-dunyaa wa-innahuu fil-aakhirati laminaas-saaliheen.
Translation:
“And who would be averse to the religion of Abraham except one who makes a fool of himself. And We had chosen him in this world, and indeed he, in the Hereafter, will be among the righteous.”
Surah Al-Baqarah (2:132)
Arabic: وَوَصَّىٰ بِهَآ إِبْرَٰهِيمُ بَنِيهِ وَيَعْقُوبُ يَـٰبَنِىَّ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱصْطَفَىٰ لَكُمُ ٱلدِّينَ فَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنتُم مُّسْلِمُونَ
Transliteration:
Wa wassaa bihaa Ibraaheemu baneehee wa Ya’qoob yaa banee ya inna allaahas-tafaa lakumud-deena falaa tamootunna illaa wa-antum muslimoon.
Translation:
“And Abraham instructed his sons [to do the same] and [so did] Jacob, [saying], ‘O my sons, indeed Allah has chosen for you this religion, so do not die except while you are Muslims.'”
Surah Al-Baqarah (2:136)
Arabic: قُولُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْنَا وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَىٰٓ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ وَإِسْمَٰعِيلَ وَإِسْحَـٰقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَٱلْأَسْبَاطِ وَمَآ أُوتِىَ مُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ وَمَآ أُوتِىَ ٱلنَّبِيُّونَ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ ۖ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍۢ مِّنْهُمْ وَنَحْنُ لَهُۥ مُسْلِمُونَ
Transliteration:
Qooloo aamannaa billaahi wa maaa unzila ilaynaa wa maaa unzila ilaa Ibraaheema wa Ismaa’eela wa Ishaaqa wa Ya’qooba wal-asbaati wa maaa ootiya Moosaa wa ‘Eesaa wa maaa ootiya an-nabiyyoona mir-rabbihim, laa nufarriqu bayna ahadim-minhum wa nahnu lahoo muslimoon.
Translation:
“Say, [O believers], ‘We have believed in Allah and what has been revealed to us and what has been revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the Descendants and what was given to Moses and Jesus and what was given to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are Muslims [in submission] to Him.'”
These are a few notable mentions of Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) in the Qur’an. There are many other verses across various Surahs that reference him and his story, such as in Surah Al-Imran, Surah Maryam, Surah Al-An’am, and Surah As-Saffat.
Mentions of Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) in Sahih Hadith:
Sahih Bukhari 3364
Arabic: حدثنا قتيبة بن سعيد حدثنا يعقوب بن عبد الرحمن عن أبي حازم قال أخبرني سهل بن سعد رضي الله عنهما أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: “لو أن الدنيا تساوي عند الله جناح بعوضة، ما سقى كافرا منها شربة ماء”.
Translation:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “If this world were worth the wing of a mosquito, Allah would not give a disbeliever a drink of water from it.”
Sahih Muslim 2865
Arabic: عن أبي هريرة، قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: “إن أولى الناس بإبراهيم للذين اتبعوه وهذا النبي والذين آمنوا والله ولي المؤمنين”.
Translation:
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “The closest to Abraham among people are those who followed him and this Prophet and those who have believed; and Allah is the protector of the believers.”
The story of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) (PBUH) is one of the most significant and detailed in Islamic tradition. He is regarded as one of the greatest Prophets, the father of monotheism, and a key figure in Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. His unwavering faith and devotion to Allah (God) are highlighted throughout his life.
Early Life & Quest for Truth
Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) was born in Babylon (modern-day Iraq) during a time when his people, including his father, Azar (or Terah), worshipped idols. Ibrahim was naturally inclined to question the practice of idol worship, and he sought the truth from a young age.
Ibrahim’s (pbuh)Challenge to His People:
From his youth, Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) began questioning his father and the people around him about their worship of idols made from stone and wood. He reasoned that these lifeless statues could neither speak nor help their worshippers. He is quoted in the Qur’an asking his father:
- Surah Al-An’am (6:74): “When Ibrahim said to his father Azar: Do you take idols as gods? Surely I see you and your people in manifest error.”
Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) was not content with following the blind customs of his people and set out on a personal journey to discover the true God. He reflected on the natural world—the sun, the moon, and the stars—but recognized that they, too, were created and subject to rise and fall. He declared:
- Surah Al-An’am (6:79): “I have turned my face towards Him who created the heavens and the earth, inclining toward truth, and I am not of those who associate others with Allah.”
Breaking the Idols
Prophet Ibrahim’s (pbuh) opposition to idol worship grew stronger, and he wanted to show his people the futility of their beliefs. One day, when the townspeople were out for a festival, Ibrahim entered the temple where the idols were kept and broke all of them except the largest one. He placed the axe in the hand of the largest idol, hoping that the people would realize that these idols had no power.
When the people returned and saw the broken idols, they were shocked and immediately suspected Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh). He was called before the king and the people for questioning. Ibrahim boldly told them:
- Surah Al-Anbiya (21:63): “He said: Rather, this—the largest of them—did it, so ask them, if they should be able to speak!”
The people were dumbfounded and admitted that the idols could not speak or defend themselves. However, instead of accepting the truth, they became furious and decided to punish Ibrahim by burning him alive.
The Miracle of the Fire
The people prepared a huge fire and cast Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) into it. However, Allah commanded the fire to be cool and peaceful for Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh), and he emerged unharmed. This miracle is mentioned in the Qur’an:
- Surah Al-Anbiya (21:69): “We said, ‘O fire, be coolness and safety upon Ibrahim.’”
This miraculous event further emphasized the power of Allah and the futility of idol worship. However, despite witnessing this, most people still refused to believe. Only a few, including Prophet Ibrahim’s (pbuh) nephew, Prophet Lut (Lot) (pbuh), believed in his message.
Migration of Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh)
After these events, Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) was forced to leave his homeland as the people persisted in their disbelief. He migrated, along with his wife Sarah (pbuh) and his nephew Lut (pbuh), to the land of Canaan (modern-day Palestine). From there, he traveled to Egypt, where Sarah (pbuh) was taken into the household of the king. Due to Sarah’s (pbuh) piety and divine intervention, the king did not harm her and instead gifted her a servant named Hajar (Hagar).
The Birth of Ismail (Ishmael) (pbuh)
Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) was now elderly and had no children with his wife Sarah (pbuh), who was barren. At her suggestion, Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) married Hajar (Hajerah), and through her, Allah blessed him with a son, Ismail (Ishmael). Amma Hajerah is the mother of Prophet Ismail (pbuh).
However, due to growing tension between Sarah and Hajar, Allah commanded Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) to take Hajar and Prophet Ismail (pbuh)l to a barren desert, which is now the location of Mecca. Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) obeyed and left them there with a small amount of food and water.
As Hajar ran between the hills of Safa and Marwah in search of water for her crying child, Allah sent the angel Jibreel (Gabriel) to strike the ground, causing the well of Zamzam to spring forth. This well continues to flow to this day and is considered miraculous.
Hajar and Prophet Ismail (pbuh) settled in the area, and over time, a community developed around the well of Zamzam.
The Test of Sacrifice
One of the most well-known stories of Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) is his great test of faith involving the near sacrifice of his son, Ismail (pbuh). After Ismail grew older, Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) began seeing a recurring dream in which Allah commanded him to sacrifice his beloved son. Being a Prophet, Ibrahim (pbuh) knew that his dreams were commands from Allah.
- Surah As-Saffat (37:102-107): “And when he reached with him [the age of] exertion, he said, ‘O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I [must] sacrifice you, so see what you think.’ He said, ‘O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, of the steadfast.’”
Just as Ibrahim (pbuh) was about to sacrifice Ismail (pbuh) in obedience to Allah’s command, Allah sent a ram from heaven to be sacrificed in place of Ismail (pbuh). This was a profound test of Ibrahim’s (pbuh) faith and submission, and he passed it with complete trust in Allah.
This event is commemorated every year by Muslims during Eid al-Adha when Muslims around the world sacrifice animals to honor Ibrahim’s (pbuh) submission to Allah’s will.
The Construction of the Kaaba
Years later, Allah commanded Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) and his son Ismail (pbuh) to build the Kaaba, the sacred house of worship in Mecca. They worked together, laying the foundations of the Kaaba. While constructing the Kaaba, they prayed for their descendants and the coming of a Prophet (which would later be fulfilled with the coming of Prophet Muhammad, PBUH):
- Surah Al-Baqarah (2:127-128): “And [mention] when Ibrahim was raising the foundations of the House and [with him] Ismail, [saying], ‘Our Lord, accept [this] from us. Indeed You are the Hearing, the Knowing. Our Lord, and make us Muslims [in submission] to You and [raise] from our descendants a Muslim nation [in submission] to You. And show us our rites and accept our repentance. Indeed, You are the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful.’”
The Kaaba remains the focal point for Muslims around the world during their prayers and the center of the pilgrimage (Hajj), which is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.
Legacy of Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH)
Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) lived a life of complete devotion to Allah, and his story serves as a powerful example of faith, obedience, and perseverance. He is referred to as “Khalilullah,” meaning the friend of Allah.
He is mentioned over 60 times in the Qur’an, and his life continues to inspire billions of people across the world. Prophet Ibrahim’s (pbuh) lineage includes many great Prophets, including his sons Ismail and Ishaq (Isaac), and his descendants through Ishaq, including Yaqub (Jacob), Yusuf (Joseph), Musa (Moses), Isa (Jesus), and Muhammad (PBUH).
Also, read the Story of Prophet Lut (Lot) (Pbuh)