--- title: "Abraham (Ibrahim): Friend of God | Islam Is Mercy" description: "How the Qur'an tells the story of Abraham — his search for God, his stand against idols, the Kaaba he built with Ishmael, and his great test." lang: en url: https://islamismercy.com/en/prophets/prophet-abraham/ --- 1. [Home](https://islamismercy.com/en/) 2. [Stories of the Prophets](https://islamismercy.com/en/prophets/) 3. Abraham (Ibrahim): Friend of God # Abraham (Ibrahim): Friend of God Written by **Islam Is Mercy Editorial Team**· 4 min readAwaiting scholar review ## The short answer Muslims honour Abraham (Ibrahim) as one of the greatest prophets and call him Khalil Allah, the "Friend of God". The Qur'an tells how he reasoned his way to the One God, stood firm against idol worship, built the Kaaba in Makkah with his son Ishmael, and passed a tremendous test of faith. ## On this page 1. A young man searching for God 2. Standing alone against the idols 3. The Friend of God 4. Hajar, Ishmael and the Kaaba 5. The great test 6. Why Abraham matters today Few people in history are honoured by as many believers as Abraham (peace be upon him). Jews call him their father, Christians see him as the model of faith, and Muslims pray for him in every one of their five daily prayers. The Bible remembers that he was called “the Friend of God” (James 2:23, KJV) — and the [Qur’an](https://islamismercy.com/en/glossary/quran/) gives him the very same title. ## A young man searching for God Abraham grew up among people who worshipped statues and heavenly bodies. The Qur’an describes how, as a young man, he looked at the night sky and reasoned his way to the truth. Each thing that seemed great eventually disappeared — and something that disappears cannot be God: > فَلَمَّا جَنَّ عَلَيْهِ ٱلَّيْلُ رَءَا كَوْكَبًۭا ۖ قَالَ هَٰذَا رَبِّى ۖ فَلَمَّآ أَفَلَ قَالَ لَآ أُحِبُّ ٱلْءَافِلِينَ ﴿٧٦﴾ فَلَمَّا رَءَا ٱلْقَمَرَ بَازِغًۭا قَالَ هَٰذَا رَبِّى ۖ فَلَمَّآ أَفَلَ قَالَ لَئِن لَّمْ يَهْدِنِى رَبِّى لَأَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلضَّآلِّينَ ﴿٧٧﴾ فَلَمَّا رَءَا ٱلشَّمْسَ بَازِغَةًۭ قَالَ هَٰذَا رَبِّى هَٰذَآ أَكْبَرُ ۖ فَلَمَّآ أَفَلَتْ قَالَ يَٰقَوْمِ إِنِّى بَرِىٓءٌۭ مِّمَّا تُشْرِكُونَ ﴿٧٨﴾ إِنِّى وَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِىَ لِلَّذِى فَطَرَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ حَنِيفًۭا ۖ وَمَآ أَنَا۠ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ ﴿٧٩﴾ > 76So 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 disappear." 77And 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." 78And 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. 79Indeed, I have turned my face toward He who created the heavens and the earth, inclining toward truth, and I am not of those who associate others with Allah." [Qur'an, Al-An'aam 6:76-79](https://quran.com/6?startingVerse=76&translations=20)Saheeh International Many scholars explain that Abraham was not truly worshipping the star or the moon; he was walking his people step by step through an argument, inviting them to think. His conclusion is the heart of Islam: turn your whole self toward the One who created the heavens and the earth. ## Standing alone against the idols Abraham did not keep his faith to himself. With great gentleness, he pleaded with his own father, addressing him tenderly again and again, and even when his father threatened him, Abraham answered with peace and promised to pray for his forgiveness (Qur’an 19:42-47). With his people, he was bolder. The Qur’an tells how he broke their idols while they were away, leaving only the largest one. When they demanded to know who had done it, he told them to ask the big idol. Embarrassed, they admitted that the statues could not even speak — and Abraham asked why they worshipped what could neither help nor harm them (Qur’an 21:52-67). Instead of reflecting, they decided to burn him alive. But God protected His friend: > قَالُوا۟ حَرِّقُوهُ وَٱنصُرُوٓا۟ ءَالِهَتَكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ فَٰعِلِينَ ﴿٦٨﴾ قُلْنَا يَٰنَارُ كُونِى بَرْدًۭا وَسَلَٰمًا عَلَىٰٓ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ ﴿٦٩﴾ > 68They said, "Burn him and support your gods - if you are to act." 69Allah said, "O fire, be coolness and safety upon Abraham." [Qur'an, Al-Anbiyaa 21:68-69](https://quran.com/21?startingVerse=68&translations=20)Saheeh International ## The Friend of God Abraham’s whole life was one of trust in God, through exile, childlessness into old age and painful tests. The Qur’an presents his way as the model of true religion and gives him a unique honour: > وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ دِينًۭا مِّمَّنْ أَسْلَمَ وَجْهَهُۥ لِلَّهِ وَهُوَ مُحْسِنٌۭ وَٱتَّبَعَ مِلَّةَ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ حَنِيفًۭا ۗ وَٱتَّخَذَ ٱللَّهُ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ خَلِيلًۭا ﴿١٢٥﴾ > And who is better in religion than one who submits himself to Allah while being a doer of good and follows the religion of Abraham, inclining toward truth? And Allah took Abraham as an intimate friend. [Qur'an, An-Nisaa 4:125](https://quran.com/4?startingVerse=125&translations=20)Saheeh International The word translated “intimate friend” is *khalil* — a friendship of the deepest love and loyalty. This is why Muslims often call him *Ibrahim Khalil Allah*. ## Hajar, Ishmael and the Kaaba Muslims also remember Abraham’s family. According to an authentic narration, Abraham brought Hajar (Hagar) and their baby Ishmael to the barren valley of Makkah at God’s command. When Hajar learned that this was God’s instruction, she said that God would not neglect them. Running out of water, she ran seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa searching for help, until God brought forth the spring of Zamzam ([Sahih](https://islamismercy.com/en/glossary/sahih/) al-Bukhari 3364). Pilgrims retrace her steps to this day. Years later, Abraham returned, and father and son built the House of God together: > وَإِذْ يَرْفَعُ إِبْرَٰهِۦمُ ٱلْقَوَاعِدَ مِنَ ٱلْبَيْتِ وَإِسْمَٰعِيلُ رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّآ ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ ﴿١٢٧﴾ > And \[mention\] when Abraham was raising the foundations of the House and \[with him\] Ishmael, \[saying\], "Our Lord, accept \[this\] from us. Indeed You are the Hearing, the Knowing. [Qur'an, Al-Baqara 2:127](https://quran.com/2?startingVerse=127&translations=20)Saheeh International This simple cube-shaped building, the [Kaaba](https://islamismercy.com/en/glossary/kaaba/), is the direction Muslims face in prayer. Muslims do not worship the Kaaba; they worship the God of Abraham, in the place Abraham dedicated to Him. Many rites of the [Hajj](https://islamismercy.com/en/glossary/hajj/) pilgrimage recall the faith of Abraham, Hajar and Ishmael. ## The great test The most moving part of Abraham’s story is his greatest trial. After years of praying for a righteous child, Abraham saw in a dream that he was to sacrifice his son. He did not force the matter, but asked his son what he thought: > فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ مَعَهُ ٱلسَّعْىَ قَالَ يَٰبُنَىَّ إِنِّىٓ أَرَىٰ فِى ٱلْمَنَامِ أَنِّىٓ أَذْبَحُكَ فَٱنظُرْ مَاذَا تَرَىٰ ۚ قَالَ يَٰٓأَبَتِ ٱفْعَلْ مَا تُؤْمَرُ ۖ سَتَجِدُنِىٓ إِن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ مِنَ ٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ ﴿١٠٢﴾ فَلَمَّآ أَسْلَمَا وَتَلَّهُۥ لِلْجَبِينِ ﴿١٠٣﴾ وَنَٰدَيْنَٰهُ أَن يَٰٓإِبْرَٰهِيمُ ﴿١٠٤﴾ قَدْ صَدَّقْتَ ٱلرُّءْيَآ ۚ إِنَّا كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ ﴿١٠٥﴾ > 102And when he reached with him \[the age of\] exertion, he said, "O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I \[must\] sacrifice you, so see what you think." He said, "O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, of the steadfast." 103And when they had both submitted and he put him down upon his forehead, 104We called to him, "O Abraham, 105You have fulfilled the vision." Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good. [Qur'an, As-Saaffaat 37:102-105](https://quran.com/37?startingVerse=102&translations=20)Saheeh International At the last moment God stopped him and ransomed the boy with a great sacrifice (Qur’an 37:107). The lesson was never that God desires human sacrifice — He forbade it — but that Abraham and his son were willing to give God everything. Most Muslim scholars understand this son to be Ishmael, while some early scholars held it was Isaac; see [where Muslims differ](https://islamismercy.com/en/core/where-muslims-differ/). Every year at [Eid](https://islamismercy.com/en/glossary/eid/) al-Adha, Muslims around the world sacrifice an animal and share its meat with family, neighbours and the poor, remembering this moment of faith. ## Why Abraham matters today Abraham is a bridge between Jews, Christians and Muslims. All three look back to him as a man who believed in one God when almost no one else did. For Muslims, his story shows that true faith uses reason, speaks gently to family, stands firm against falsehood and trusts God completely. To continue the journey, read about [Moses](https://islamismercy.com/en/prophets/prophet-moses/), or see how all the prophets shared [one message](https://islamismercy.com/en/core/one-message-all-prophets/). ![Abraham (Ibrahim): Friend of God](https://islamismercy.com/_astro/prophet-abraham-info.fnA0a5tq_1t0nBQ.jpg) ## Key takeaways - Abraham is honoured by Jews, Christians and Muslims, and Islam calls him the Friend of God. - The Qur'an describes him reasoning from the stars, moon and sun to their Creator. - He and Ishmael raised the foundations of the Kaaba, the House of worship in Makkah. - His willingness to sacrifice his son is remembered every year at Eid al-Adha. ## Share this article [WhatsApp](https://wa.me/?text=Abraham%20(Ibrahim)%3A%20Friend%20of%20God%20https%3A%2F%2Fislamismercy.com%2Fen%2Fprophets%2Fprophet-abraham%2F)[Telegram](https://t.me/share/url?url=https%3A%2F%2Fislamismercy.com%2Fen%2Fprophets%2Fprophet-abraham%2F&text=Abraham%20(Ibrahim)%3A%20Friend%20of%20God)[X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Abraham%20(Ibrahim)%3A%20Friend%20of%20God&url=https%3A%2F%2Fislamismercy.com%2Fen%2Fprophets%2Fprophet-abraham%2F)[Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fislamismercy.com%2Fen%2Fprophets%2Fprophet-abraham%2F) ## Sources - [Qur'an, Al-An'aam 6:76-79](https://quran.com/6?startingVerse=76&translations=20) - [Qur'an, Al-Anbiyaa 21:68-69](https://quran.com/21?startingVerse=68&translations=20) - [Qur'an, An-Nisaa 4:125](https://quran.com/4?startingVerse=125&translations=20) - [Qur'an, Al-Baqara 2:127](https://quran.com/2?startingVerse=127&translations=20) - [Qur'an, As-Saaffaat 37:102-105](https://quran.com/37?startingVerse=102&translations=20) ## Talk to a Muslim Have a question that isn't answered here? Ask a real person — no pressure, no judgement. [Ask your question](https://islamismercy.com/en/talk/) [The Journey](https://islamismercy.com/en/journey/)·Chapter 5 of 26·Abraham, the friend of God [Previous chapter**'Ad and Thamud: Mighty Nations That Rejected Their Prophets**](https://islamismercy.com/en/history/ad-and-thamud/)[Next chapter**Joseph (Yusuf): The Most Beautiful of Stories**](https://islamismercy.com/en/prophets/prophet-joseph/) ## Keep reading [Stories of the Prophets ### Who Are the Prophets in Islam? Muslims believe in Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad ﷺ and many other prophets — all sent by the One God with the same core message. Read article](https://islamismercy.com/en/prophets/prophets-in-islam/)[What Muslims Agree On ### All Prophets Brought the Same Message Islam teaches that Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad ﷺ all called to the same core truth — worship the one God. Here is what that means. Read article](https://islamismercy.com/en/core/one-message-all-prophets/)[Stories of the Prophets ### Moses (Musa): The One Who Spoke With God The story of Moses in the Qur'an — saved from the river as a baby, sent to Pharaoh, rescued at the parted sea, and given the Torah as guidance and mercy. Read article](https://islamismercy.com/en/prophets/prophet-moses/)[Start Here ### The Five Pillars of Islam The five pillars of Islam — faith, prayer, charity, fasting and pilgrimage — explained simply: what they are, how Muslims practise them, and why. Read article](https://islamismercy.com/en/start/five-pillars-of-islam/)