Walking in the Footsteps of Prophet Ibrahim: A Reflection on the First Ten Days of Dhul Hijjah

By Shaykh Muzzammil Ahmad | 7 June 2024

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As the crescent of Dhul Hijjah rises and the sacred month begins, we have been blessed to welcome these sacred days once again. The Prophet ﷺ said, “There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” [Sahih al-Bukhari]

In this special time, I appealed to the congregation to turn our hearts and minds to the legacy of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him), whose unwavering faith, sacrifice, and submission to Allah serve as a guiding light for us all. Through his story, we learn the most important lessons from our deen and how to live in true submission to Allah.

In this week’s khutbah, I shared the timeless wisdom from Prophet Ibrahim’s life and the significance of the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah. I reflected on what it means to truly submit to Allah, whilst sharing with the congregation Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his beloved son, Prophet Ismail, in obedience to the command of The Highest. I also called upon the congregation to strive in purifying our Tawheed, rejecting false deities and practices, whilst upholding justice and compassion towards those who do not share our faith.

Allah says: 

Who is better in religion than one who submits himself to Allah while being a doer of good and follows the religion of Ibrahim, inclining toward truth?

[Qur’an, 4:125]

This verse encapsulates the essence of what it means to be a true follower of Ibrahim (peace be upon him). Submission to Allah is not restricted to our prayers; rather, it encompasses every facet of our lives. As the renowned scholar Ibn Taymiyyah (d. 728 H) stated, “The deen is a term that encompasses everything that Allah loves and is pleased with, whether it is in beliefs, actions, or words.”

Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) embodied this comprehensive submission and pure Tawheed. He fearlessly denounced the false gods of his people, even when faced with the threat of being burned alive. Allah informs us: 

There has already been for you an excellent pattern in Ibrahim and those with him, when they said to their people, ‘Indeed, we are disassociated from you and from whatever you worship other than Allah.’

[Qur’an 60:4]

This unwavering commitment to the oneness of Allah is the foundation of our faith, and we must strive to emulate Prophet Ibrahim’s steadfastness in upholding it.

However, being firm in our Tawheed does not equate to mistreating those who do not share our beliefs. Allah clarifies in the same surah:

Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes - from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.

[Qur’an 60:8]

We must balance our devotion to Allah with compassion and fairness towards all of His creation.

Prophet Ibrahim’s life was a series of sacrifices – he lost his father, was exiled from his home, and was even willing to sacrifice his beloved son Ismail in obedience to Allah’s command. Yet, through every hardship, he turned to Allah in complete reliance (tawakkul). As mentioned by Ibn Kathir, when Prophet Ibrahim was about to be catapulted into the fire, he said, “Sufficient for me is Allah, and [He is] the best Disposer of affairs.” This unshakable trust in Allah’s plan, even amid great adversity, is what elevated Ibrahim to the status of Allah’s Khaleel.

As we reflect on these lessons during these blessed days of Dhul Hijjah, let us strive to embody the spirit of Prophet Ibrahim in our own lives. Let us work on perfecting our Tawheed, placing our complete trust in Allah, and being willing to sacrifice for His sake.

Today, we see our brothers and sisters in places like Palestine facing immense challenges and oppression, much like Prophet Ibrahim did in his time. It is incumbent upon us to not only support them with our du‘as, but also to emulate the same principles of faith, sacrifice, and reliance on Allah that Prophet Ibrahim exemplified. By doing so, we can hope to witness the relief and victory of those who are oppressed and the ultimate triumph of truth over falsehood.

In the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah, let us renew our commitment to following the path of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him). May Allah grant us the strength to submit fully to Him, purify our Tawheed, and place our unwavering trust in His plan. May He alleviate the suffering of our brothers and sisters around the world and allow us to witness the victory of the oppressed.

Ameen.

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