A Tribute To Prophet Abraham (May God’s Peace And Blessings Be Upon Him) - Opening Page Of The Book “What Happened To Islam?”

By Muhammad Yunus, New Age Islam 9 August 2025 As this book explores the scriptural and historical aspects of the revelation to Prophet Muhammad (may God’s peace and blessings be upon him), its dedication to him is implicit and requires no further elaboration. However, the spiritual role of Prophet Abraham (may God’s peace and blessing be upon him)—while acknowledged in traditional Tafsir literature as part of the Qur’an’s holistic message—is often treated in general or academic terms. This author feels compelled to spotlight his exceptional standing as the Imam (leader) of all humanity (2:124) and as a timeless exemplar for the three Semitic faiths—Islam, Christianity, and Judaism (60:4). In an age when these communities are tragically divided by bloodshed and enmity, his example may serve as a bridge to mutual understanding and reconciliation. “Indeed, there is for you an excellent example (Uswatun Ḥasanah) in Abraham and those with him, when they said to their people: ‘We disown you and whatever you worship besides God.’” (60:4) Though today’s conflicts are driven largely by geopolitical interests, the cheering on of rival religious communities as their counterparts suffer is deeply troubling. It evokes—metaphorically—the image of Roman elites revelling as hungry lions tore apart the slaves of their adversaries in ancient amphitheatres. The joy and pride seen on their faces echoes disturbingly in modern religious partisanship. Hence, this brief tribute to Prophet Abraham—the spiritual fountainhead of the three Abrahamic faiths. The Qur’an portrays Abraham as a Hanif, an upright man who turned away from idolatry in full devotion to the One God (4:125; 6:79; 16:120). His uncompromising monotheism and readiness to submit entirely to God's earned him a unique honour: “God took Abraham as a friend (Khalil)” (4:125) - a mark of divine intimacy conferred on no other individual. He was also the architect, along with his son Ishmael, of the first House of Worship designated for all humanity: the Kaaba in Mecca (2:127). This structure, now sanctified as the focal point of Muslim prayer, stands not merely as a physical monument, but as a symbol of universal submission and unity. The site’s sanctity is further memorialized in the Maqāmi Ibrāhīm (2:125), “the Station of Abraham,” where he stood to pray after constructing the sanctuary. Abraham was divinely appointed as an Imam to all humankind (2:124), transcending tribal and ethnic affiliations to embody a universal spiritual ideal. The Qur’an emphasizes that he was “neither a Jew nor a Christian, but a monotheist who submitted to God” (3:67), underscoring his role not as a sectarian figure, but as a common spiritual ancestor and theological reference point for all three Abrahamic faiths. “. It is especially notable that the Qur’an uses the same phrase, Uswatun Ḥasanah, for Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), affirming the continuity of their moral and spiritual legacy: “Indeed, in the Messenger of God you have an excellent example (Uswatun Ḥasanah) for whoever hopes for God and the Last Day, and remembers God often.” (33:21) ----- Muhammad Yunus, a Chemical Engineering graduate from Indian Institute of Technology, and a retired corporate executive has been engaged in an in-depth study of the Qur’an since early 90’s, focusing on its core message. He has co-authored the referred exegetic work, which received the approval of al-Azhar al-Sharif, Cairo in 2002, and following restructuring and refinement was endorsed and authenticated by Dr. Khaled Abou El Fadl of UCLA, and published by Amana Publications, Maryland, USA, 2009. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/books-documents/prophet-abraham-peace-blessings-happened-islam/d/136447 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism