The Journey of Islam: From Abraham (PBUH) to Muhammad (PBUH)

The Ancient House of Allah: Built by Prophet Abraham (AS)

Islam, the divine way of life, is a timeless religion that has undergone continuous refinement, evolving in tandem with the progress of humanity. The culmination of monotheistic practices reached its zenith with the revelation to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (PBUH), offering profound wisdom and divine knowledge meticulously safeguarded for eternity. Unlike the followers of many obsolete versions over time, this final iteration remains untainted. Abraham (AS), recognized as the Majestic Prophet of righteousness and virtue, not only by his distinguished descendants—Prophets Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad (peace be upon them all)—but also by the pagans of Makkah, holds a pivotal position, as their forefather who built the Kaaba. This is explained in the last five verses of Surah Al-An’am (6:161-165) in the Quran. Exploring these verses unveils the divine knowledge and wisdom that affirms how Muhammad ﷺ (PBUH) glorified the same Way of Life (Islam) originally taught by Abraham (AS), Moses (AS), and Jesus (AS).

Say: 'As for me, my Lord has guided me on to a straight way, a right religion, the way of Abraham who adopted it in exclusive devotion to Allah, and he was not of those who associated others with Allah in His divinity.’ 6:161

Islam: The Straight Path

In the opening of Surah Al-An’am 6:161, Allah addresses Muhammad ﷺ (PBUH) to affirm, "As for me, my Lord has guided me to a straight path." This implies that Muhammad ﷺ (PBUH) did not embark on this path guided by personal ideas or ancestral customs, unlike the unbelievers. Instead, he follows the 'Way of Abraham' (AS), a path directed by his Lord. The choice of calling it the 'Way of Abraham' (AS) underscores its authenticity as a representation of true religion. While this path could have been attributed to Moses (AS) or Jesus (AS), the necessity arose to name it after Abraham (AS) due to the erroneous associations with Judaism and Christianity respectively.

Say: 'Surely my Prayer, all my acts of worship, and my living and my dying are for Allah alone, the Lord of the whole universe. 6:162

The Command for Sincerity in Worship

In verse 6:162, Allah continues addressing Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (PBUH), instructing him to convey a crucial message to humanity:

God has revealed His religion in the uncorrupted state as given to Abraham (PBUH) and other prophets. Those seeking the blessings and support of God should embrace this ‘way of life’ wholeheartedly. Dedicate your prayers to God, establishing a relationship with Him at the level of sacrifice. Whether in life or death, one should live entirely for the sake of God, becoming an unwavering subject of God in both body and soul. The vast universe, with its celestial bodies, adheres to this religion of obedience to the Lord of the Universe. In this world of obedience, arrogance directed against God cannot lead to success. Every individual must recognize the personal significance of this matter, as one's reward or punishment is not shared by another.

He has no associate. Thus have I been bidden, and I am the foremost of those who submit themselves (to Allah).` 6:163

Islam: The Religion of All Prophets

Following Allah's command, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ explains that Allah has no partners, emphasizing his role as the first of the Muslims within this Ummah, the broader Muslim community. This distinction underscores the monotheistic nature of Islam. Importantly, all prophets preceding Prophet Muhammad ﷺ were calling to Islam, a divine command to worship Allah alone without partners.

Say: 'Shall I seek someone other than Allah as Lord when He is the Lord of everything?' Everyone will bear the consequence of what he does, and no one shall bear the burden of another. Thereafter, your return will be to your Lord, whereupon He will let you know what you disagreed about. 6:164

The Command to Sincerely Trust in Allah

Allah directs Prophet ﷺ to convey to the pagans of Makkah: "Do you want me, Prophet ﷺ, to seek and find some other God, other than Allah, like yourselves, when Allah alone is the Lord of everything? This is an error and straying which you should not expect me to accept."

In response to the pagans' claim that they could bear the burden of the Muslims' sins, Prophet ﷺ rejects this notion. He points out the inherent absurdity in transferring one person's sins to another's account. The subsequent sentence in the verse emphasizes that on the Day of Judgment, no bearer of the burden of sin shall bear the burden of another.

For He it is Who has appointed you vicegerent over the earth, and has exalted some of you over others in rank that He may try you in what He has bestowed is upon you. Indeed your Lord is swift in retribution, and He is certainly All-Forgiving, All-Compassionate. 6:165

Every Person Carries His Own Burden

This statement encapsulates three profound truths: Firstly, it underscores that humans, as vicegerents of God on earth, bear the responsibility of managing the trust endowed to them by God. This trust encompasses various aspects, such as resources, abilities, and relationships. Secondly, God, in His wisdom, has ordained distinctions among His vicegerents, assigning varying levels of trust to different individuals. Some are granted greater resources and abilities, while others are entrusted to the care of those in positions of authority. Thirdly, this intricate design serves as a continuous test for humanity. Life itself is a vast examination, evaluating how individuals respond to the trust bestowed upon them, examining their sensitivity, competence, and fidelity to the responsibilities assigned. The outcome of this test determines the position individuals will attain in the Next Life, highlighting the profound connection between the trials of this life and the consequences in the Hereafter.

Conclusion

The ebb and flow of human dominance in this world follow a systematic pattern—individuals come and go, communities rise and fall, and resources change hands. These occurrences serve as constant reminders that no one's dominance is permanent. Yet, human behavior often takes a peculiar turn. In the pursuit of personal advancement, individuals tend to forget the inevitable fate of their predecessors. They construct elaborate justifications for oppression and arrogance. However, when God reveals the ultimate realities, the actions that were deemed as fortifying one's position reveal themselves as meaningless.

The root of human arrogance in this transient world lies in the misconception that the good things bestowed upon them are rewards from God. In truth, everything a person receives in this life is a test rather than a reward. If individuals perceive the comforts of this life as their due, pride may ensue. However, recognizing these blessings as a means of testing cultivates humility. While a proud mentality manifests in haughtiness, a humble attitude is marked by a willingness to obey God.

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