Prophet Ibrahim Alaihissalam is a significant figure in Islamic history. He is known as “Abul Anbiya” or the “Father of Prophets” because many prophets are his descendants, including Prophet Ismail (peace be upon him) and Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. One of the most famous and influential stories of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) is the story of his sacrifice, which became the basis of the Islamic law of sacrifice (qurban).
The story begins when Prophet Ibrahim Alaihissalam dreamt in his sleep that Allah ﷻ told him that he had to qurban his son, Prophet Ismail Alaihissalam. Despite loving his son very much, Prophet Ibrahim Alaihissalam decided to obey the command in his dream and prepared to qurban Ismail Alaihissalam. When he told Ismail Alaihissalam about his dream, Ismail Alaihissalam firmly and calmly replied:
فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ مَعَهُ ٱلسَّعْىَ قَالَ يَٰبُنَىَّ إِنِّىٓ أَرَىٰ فِى ٱلْمَنَامِ أَنِّىٓ أَذْبَحُكَ فَٱنظُرْ مَاذَا تَرَىٰ ۚ قَالَ يَٰٓأَبَتِ ٱفْعَلْ مَا تُؤْمَرُ ۖ سَتَجِدُنِىٓ إِن شَآءَ ٱلَّهُ مِنَ ٱلصَ
So when the boy came to the age of striving with Ibrahim Alaihissalam, Ibrahim Alaihissalam said: ‘O my son, I saw in a dream that I would slaughter you. So think what you think!’ He replied: ‘O my father, do what you are commanded, insha Allah you will find me among the patient ones.’ (QS As-Saffat [37]:102)
This story is told in full in Surah As-Saffat [37] verses 101-110: .
فَبَشَّرْنَٰهُ بِغُلَٰمٍ حَلِيمٍ (101)فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ مَعَهُ ٱلسَّعْىَ قَالَ يَٰبُنَىَّ إِنِّىٓ أَرَىٰ فِى ٱلْمَنَامِ أَنِّىٓ أَذْبَحُكَ فَٱنظُرْ مَاذَا تَىٰ ۚ قَالَ يَٰٓأَبَتِ ٱفْعَلْ مَا تُؤْمَرُ ۖ سَتَجِدُنِىٓ إِن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ مِنَ ٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ(102)فَلَمَّآ أَسْلَمَا وَتَلَّهُۥ لِلْجِينِ(103)وَنَٰدَيْنَٰهُ أَن يَٰٓإِبْرَٰهِيمُ(104)قَدْ صَدَّقْتَ ٱلرُّءْيَآ ۚ إِنَّا كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ(105)إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَهُوَ ٱلْبََلٰٓؤُا۟. ٱلْمُبِينُ(106)وَفَدَيْنَٰهُ بِذِبْحٍ عَظِيمٍ(107)وَتَرَكْنَا عَلَيْهِ فِى ٱلْءَاخِرِينَ(108)سَلَٰمٌ عَلَىٰٓ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ(109)كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ(110)
So We gave him the glad tidings of a very patient son(101) So when the son came to the age of endeavouring with Ibrahim Alaihissalam, Ibrahim Alaihissalam said: ‘O my son, I saw in a dream that I would slaughter you. So think what you think!’ He replied: ‘O my father, do what you are commanded; insha Allah you will find me among the patient.’(102) When they had surrendered and Ibrahim Alaihissalam laid his son on his temple, (the patience of both of them was evident).(103) And We called him: ‘O Ibrahim Alaihissalam,(104) surely you have confirmed the dream; surely We reward those who do well. (105) Indeed, this is a real test.(106) And We redeemed the child with a great kurban.(107) And We have enshrined for Ibrahim Alaihissalam (a good praise) among those who came after him,(108) ‘Prosperity be upon Ibrahim Alaihissalam.’(109) Thus We reward those who do good.(110) (QS As-Saffat [37]: 101-110)
This story teaches Muslims the importance of Faith, submission, and obedience to Allah ﷻ . Prophet Ibrahim Alaihissalam serves as an example for Muslims, that in the face of tests and trials, they must have a strong belief and be ready to obey Allah ﷻ ‘s commands, even if it feels difficult or contrary to personal desires. Meanwhile, Prophet Ismail Alaihissalam also showed a very obedient and submissive attitude towards Allah. Although he was still young, he was ready to be offered as a qurban by his father.
This attitude shows how great the faith and obedience of Prophet Ismail Alaihissalam to God. And as a reward for this faith and obedience, Allah ﷻ rewarded them by giving them both a great slaughter and making their story an exemplary story of faith that continues to be told until the end of time. One of the things that the Muslims who are the people of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ do to emulate the story of Prophet Ibrahim Alaihissalam and Prophet Ismail Alaihissalam is to kurban as mentioned in Surah Al-Kautsar verse 2:
صَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَانْحَرْ
So establish prayer for your Lord; and kurban (QS Al-Kautsar[108]:2)).
May Allah ﷻ make us among those who can emulate the faith and obedience of Prophet Ibrahim Alaihissalam and Prophet Ismail Alaihissalam, and may we be given sustenance by Allah ﷻ to perform qurbans.
Wallahu a’lam
References
Surat Al-Kausar Ayat 2. (n.d.). Tafsir al-Quran Online. Retrieved May 4, 2024, from https://tafsirq.com/108-al-kausar/ayat-2#google_vignette
Surat As-Saffat Ayat 101 – 110 dengan Tafsir dan Terjemahannya • Ibn Othman. (n.d.). Ibnothman.com. Retrieved May 4, 2024, from https://ibnothman.com/quran/surat-as-saffat-dengan-terjemahan-dan-tafsir/11
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Zakat.or.id. (2024). 7 Ayat Al-Quran dan Hadits tentah Perintang Ibadah Kurban.
Sindonews.com. (2023). Dalil-dalil Pentingnya Berkurban dalam Al-Qur’an dan Hadis Nabi SAW.