The scholars of the Holy Quran have described that Namrood Bin Kin’aan was a very cruel king. He was the first one to put on crown; no king had ever put on crown before him. He would force his people to worship him. There were many astrologers and sorcerers who were his favourite courtiers. One night, Namrood dreamt that a star appeared in the sky and it blurred the light of the sun, the moon and all the stars. The presages and astrologers interpreted the dream that a boy would be born who would cause the downfall of his kingdom. It made Namrood worried and he ordered, ‘Any baby boy born in my city shall be killed, and men and women shall remain separated.’ Therefore, thousands of infants were killed. But, who can prevent the Divine will!
Meanwhile, Sayyiduna Ibraheem علیہ السلام was born. Due to impending fear of the king, mother of Sayyiduna Ibraheem hid her child in a cave that was situated in the mountains far away from the city. She would feed Sayyiduna Ibraheem علیہ السلام in this very cave secretly. Some scholars are of the opinion that Sayyiduna Ibraheem علیہ السلام remained in that cave for seven years and some others have mentioned a period of seventeen years.
(Ruh-ul-Bayan, vol. 3, pp. 59; part 7, Surah Al-An’aam, verse 75)
In those times, people used to worship the stars. One night Sayyiduna Ibraheem علیہ السلام saw either the planet Jupiter or Venus and to propagate the message of Tawheed (monotheism), he علیہ السلام addressed people in a very attractive and logical manner: ‘O people! Is this planet my god?’ When that planet set, Sayyiduna Ibraheem علیہ السلام said, ‘I don’t admire one who sinks down.’ After this, the bright moon appeared. Then he علیہ السلام again said: ‘Is this my god?’ But afterward, when the moon also set, he علیہ السلام said, ‘If my Rab had not guided me, I would have also been among the transgressors.’ And when he علیہ السلام saw the brilliant sun, Sayyiduna Ibraheem علیہ السلام said, ‘It is bigger than the others; is it my god?’ However, when the sun also set, he علیہ السلام said, ‘O my people! I am fed up of all those things which you associate as a partner to Allah ( ) and I have submitted myself to Him Who has created the Heavens and the earth. Thus I have become a worshipper and devout to Him only and I am not among those who commit polytheism (polytheism).’
Hearing this, the people started quarrelling with him. Then Sayyiduna Ibraheem علیہ السلام said, ‘You people quarrel with me in the matter of Allah ( )? He is the One Who has guided me and I am not afraid of your fake gods at all. Listen! Without the will of my Rab, you and your gods cannot harm me. My Rab ( ) has knowledge of everything; will you not follow my words of advice?’ The Holy Quran has described this event briefly and clearly as:
So when the darkness of night came on him he (Ibraheem) saw a star; he said, ‘(You portray that) this is my Lord?’ Then when it set he said, ‘I do not like the setting ones.’ Then when he saw the moon shining, he said, ‘(You proclaim that) this is my Lord?’; then when it set, he said, ‘If my Lord had not guided me, I too would be one of these astray people[1].’ Then when he saw the sun shining brightly, he said, ‘(You say that) this is my Lord? This is the biggest of them all!’; then when it set he said, ‘O people! I do not have any connection with whatever you ascribe as partners (to Allah). I have directed my face towards Him Who has created the Heavens and the earth, being solely devoted to Him, and I am not of the polytheists.’
[Kanz-ul-Iman (Translation of Quran)] (Part 7, Surah Al-An’aam, verse 76-79)
Moral: Look at the graceful manner in which Sayyiduna Ibraheem علیہ السلام preached; his way of communication was very logical and balanced. Neither harsh words were used nor feelings of anybody were hurt. It was not aimed to hurt someone’s emotions by making him angry. The only aim was to simply convey the correct viewpoint in a very impressive way in front of the transgressors.
Here we also find Madani pearls of guidance for our those preachers and Islamic scholars who hurt the feelings of other people by their offensive speech. May Allah bless us with the ability to adopt righteous manners!
[1] (Prophet Ibraheem علیہ السلام was rightly guided before this event).