By
Umm Zahra – Hiba magazine team writer
We generally hear incidents where highly intellectual and scientifically accomplished individuals lose their faith, start to question Allah (swt) or even transgress against Him.
To them Islam doesn’t make sense. Allah (swt) cannot be seen, heard or felt anywhere. In spite of a whole universe around them that displays incredible signs of physics, chemistry and biology, etc. they doubt, show disdain and even dispute.
4000 years back it was the same human intellect and logic that led a man born into polytheism in ancient Babylon, to not only discover his true Creator but stand against the entire town, sacrifice each time he was called by his Lord and be determined to prove his servitude repeatedly.
The Holy Quran captures the moment so beautifully:
.وَكَذٰلِكَ نُرِیْۤ اِبْرٰهِیْمَ مَلَكُوْتَ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضِ وَلِیَكُوْنَ مِنَ الْمُوْقِنِیْنَ. فَلَمَّا جَنَّ عَلَيْهِ ٱلَّيْلُ رَءَا كَوْكَبًا ۖ قَالَ هَٰذَا رَبِّي ۖ فَلَمَّآ أَفَلَ قَالَ لَآ أُحِبُّ ٱلْأٓفِلِينَ
“And thus did We show Ibrahim the realm of the heavens and the earth that he would be among the certain (in faith). So when the night covered him (with darkness), he saw a star. He said, ‘This is my Lord.’ But when it set, he said, ‘I like not those that set (i.e. disappear).’
فَلَمَّا رَاَ الْقَمَرَ بَازِغًا قَالَ هٰذَا رَبِّيْۚ فَلَمَّآ اَفَلَ قَالَ لَىِٕنْ لَّمْ يَهْدِنِيْ رَبِّيْ لَاَكُوْنَنَّ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ الضَّاۤلِّيْنَ
And when he saw the moon rising, he said, ‘This is my Lord.’ But when it set, he said, ‘Unless my Lord guides me, I will surely be among the people gone astray.’
فَلَمَّا رَءَا ٱلشَّمْسَ بَازِغَةًۭ قَالَ هَـٰذَا رَبِّى هَـٰذَآ أَكْبَرُ ۖ فَلَمَّآ أَفَلَتْ قَالَ يَـٰقَوْمِ إِنِّى بَرِىٓءٌۭ مِّمَّا تُشْرِكُونَ
And when he saw the sun rising, he said, ‘This is my Lord, this is greater.’ But when it set, he said, ‘O my people, indeed I am free from what you associate with Allah.’
إِنِّى وَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِىَ لِلَّذِى فَطَرَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ حَنِيفًۭا ۖ وَمَآ أَنَا۠ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ
‘Indeed, I have turned my face (i.e. self) toward He Who created the heavens and the earth, inclining toward truth, and I am not of those who associate others with Allah.'” (Al Anaam 6:75-79)
What is Rushd and Hidayah?
Rushd is an Arabic term that translates to rightly guided, sound judgment, maturity and following the correct path. A person granted Rushd from Allah (swt) has the mental capacity and wisdom to make logical, rational and responsible life decisions.
Hidayah is also an Arabic term that translates to guidance. A person is granted Hidayah from Allah (swt) gently and kindly steering him to the right spiritual direction and enlightenment. The believer is led toward a goal – specifically the light of faith and wisdom.
Why and how was Ibrahim (as) guided to Allah (swt)?
1, His truthful and genuine desire to know his Lord
Prophet Ibrahim (as) was genuinely concerned to find his Creator. He despised the idols to such an extent that he smashed them all to see if they had any power of their own. He took up enmity of his townsfolk and his own father. He set out on a journey to Haran where he was led to observe the stars, the moon and the sun. While each time he considered worshipping them, they failed him.
2, In spite of possessing a super intellect, he was humble
In the Quran, Allah (swt) guided Prophet Ibrahim (as) by bestowing upon him sound intellect (Rushd) and spiritual insight (Hidayah) from a young age. Prophet Ibrahim (as) used his mind to logically deduce that celestial bodies could not be gods, eventually rejecting idolatry to worship the Creator of the universe. Prophet Ibrahim (as) didn’t insist upon his ignorant beliefs of the past. He submitted humbly to the newly discovered divine truth of the One Lord.
3, Prophet Ibrahim (as) sought guidance and showed courage
When lost on his journey to discover the true God, Prophet Ibrahim (as) called out to Allah (swt) to guide him. Hence his intellectual reasoning and divine guidance, led him to a whole new paradigm shift. Considering that his own father was not only an idolater but an idol creator and a trend setter of polytheistic beliefs, Prophet Ibrahim (as) really bit the bullet! He left his hometown, travelled the continent, stood up alone, sacrificed everything dear to him. This was an act of courage.
Dua for Rushd
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا رَشَدًا
“Our Lord, grant us from Yourself mercy and prepare for us from our affair right guidance.” (Al Kahf 18:10)
“This is a beautiful Dua to seek Rushd from Allah (swt) for practical and rational guidance. In the story of the people of the cave a group of youths, who hid in a cave outside city of Ephesus to escape religious persecution, made this Dua.
The situation they were living in was terrible, they feared their closeness to Allah (swt) was being challenged so they sought refuge in a cave. In the cave they were looking for guidance from Allah (swt) and seeking whatever good they could find.” (Courtesy: MyIslam.org)
Dua for Hidayah
ٱهۡدِنَا ٱلصِّرَٰطَ ٱلۡمُسۡتَقِيمَ
It is You we worship and You we ask for help. (Al Fatihah 1:5)
17 times daily we are granted an opportunity to seek guidance from Allah (swt) when we recite Al Fatihah in our Salah. All we need is to be mindful and immersed in our prayer than rant swiftly without forming any divine connection with Allah (swt).
Just as a weak internet connection doesn’t help us hear, see or achieve anything concrete, a weak spiritual connection also doesn’t enable us to seek the true guidance we need.
The profound titles and honor bestowed upon Prophet Ibrahim (as) in the Quran
Allah (swt) honoured Prophet Ibrahim (as) for his unwavering faith, trials, and ultimate devotion by ordering the Ummah to relive the memory of his entire family’s worship through the rituals of the Hajj and Umrah. Finally marking the sacrifice at Eid ul Adha.
This Eid-ul-Adha instead of talking about the market price of the sacrificial animals, their size and numbers, the heat of the day, etc. remember Prophet Ibrahim (as) and relive his life by discussing with family and friends about the real mission of Tauheed and submission. Save this blog on your phone!
May Allah (swt) grant us the logic, intellect and heart that prostrates before Allah (swt) happily and willingly. Ameen
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