Prophet Ibrahim: the idols and the fire
Part 1The boy who questioned the idols
Long ago, Ibrahim grew up among people who worshipped idols made of stone and wood. His own father made the statues. As Ibrahim grew older, he began to wonder: how could these statues be gods, when they could not move, speak or hear?
One day he asked his father: “Father, why do you worship something that cannot hear, cannot see and cannot help you at all?” His father became angry and told him to stop speaking against their traditions. Still, Ibrahim kept searching for the truth.
One night he saw a bright star and wondered, “Could this be my Lord?” But when the star set, he said, “I do not love things that disappear.” Then he saw the moon light up the sky, but by morning it was gone. Then the sun rose, bigger and brighter than everything else, yet in the evening it set too. Ibrahim understood: the true God is the One who created the stars, the moon, the sun and the whole universe.
From then on, Ibrahim worshipped Allah alone and invited his people to do the same. He spoke gently to his father: “Father, follow me, and I will guide you to a straight path.” His father refused and threatened to send him away, but Ibrahim stayed respectful and answered, “Peace be upon you.”
Part 2The idols and the fire
One day, while the people were away at a festival, Ibrahim went into the temple full of idols. “Why don't you speak?” he asked them. The idols stayed silent. Then Ibrahim broke all the idols except the biggest one.
When the people came back, they were furious: “Who has done this to our gods?” Ibrahim calmly replied, “Perhaps the biggest one did it. Ask them, if they can speak.” The people fell silent. They knew the idols could not speak or move. For a moment they saw the truth, but their pride would not let them accept it.
Instead, they decided to throw Ibrahim into a huge fire, so hot that no one could go near it. Everyone thought it was the end, but Ibrahim trusted Allah alone. By Allah's command, the fire became cool and safe for him, and Ibrahim stood unharmed in the middle of the flames.
Because of his strong faith, Allah honoured Ibrahim with a special title: He took him as His close friend, Khalil.
Part 3The four birds
Ibrahim believed in Allah with all his heart. One day he made a special prayer: “My Lord, show me how You give life to the dead.” Allah asked, “Do you not believe?” Ibrahim answered, “Yes, I do, but I ask so that my heart may be at peace.”
Allah told him to take four birds. Ibrahim gathered them and cared for them. Then, as Allah commanded, he placed parts of them on different hills. “Now call them,” Allah said. Ibrahim called, and by Allah's permission the birds came back together and flew to him, alive.
Ibrahim's heart was filled with peace. Nothing is impossible for the One who created everything. Just as Allah brought the birds back to life, He will bring every person back to life on the Day of Judgement.
