Author: Abdul Hai Lay'yan
The Divine Education Model in the Family of the Prophets (Part 40)
Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) stands as an unparalleled example of faith, monotheism, and complete submission to the Divine Will. He was a father who, even at the peak of trials and hardship, never abandoned the spiritual upbringing of his children and established a family grounded in faith and trust in Allah. He was a son who, with wisdom and reason, invited his father to the path of truth. He was a leader who stood firm against oppression and idolatry, courageously breaking the idols to awaken the dormant intellects of his people.
The story of Ibrahim (peace be upon him) is not confined to his era; rather, it is a mirror reflecting the struggles, tests, and triumphs of humankind in every age. Every stage of his life—from his birth among idolaters and his search for the truth, to his migration to distant lands, and from his willingness to sacrifice his son Isma‘il (peace be upon him) to his construction of the Ka‘bah—is filled with profound lessons in education and family life. This story teaches us how to resist temptation, how to succeed in nurturing our children, and how to preserve our faith in the most challenging circumstances.
In today’s world of moral confusion and weakening family values, revisiting these stories is more essential than ever. The educational lessons we learn from the life of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) illuminate our path, helping us build families founded upon love, faith, and virtue. In the following pages, we shall examine some of these precious lessons in detail, uncovering the wisdom embedded in this blessed biography and applying them to our daily lives.
Lesson One: Truthfulness and Steadfastness — The Foundation of Educators and Preachers
In the Qur’anic teachings and the lives of the Prophets (peace be upon them), truthfulness and steadfastness hold a position of immense importance. Allah the Almighty, when mentioning Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him), describes him with these two qualities: “وَاذْكُرْ فِي الْكِتَابِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّهُ كَانَ صِدِّيقًا نَّبِيًّا.” (2) Translation: “And mention in the Book [the story of] Ibrahim. Indeed, he was a man of truth and a prophet.” (Maryam: 41)
The order of words in this verse is subtle yet profound—it indicates that Ibrahim (peace be upon him), even before attaining prophethood, was already known among his people for his honesty and trustworthiness. These traits became the foundation for the acceptance and influence of his divine mission.
This provides a great lesson for all educators and preachers: the true impact of one’s words and teachings depends primarily on the authenticity and integrity of the individual. If a teacher or preacher adorns himself from the beginning of life with inner purity, firmness in action, and noble character, his words will touch hearts and his actions will serve as a living example. People are influenced not merely by passionate sermons but by living models who embody the values they preach.
The best example of this is the life of the Messenger of Islam, Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). Before his prophethood, he was known in his community by the title “Al-Sadiq Al-Amin” (the Truthful and the Trustworthy). When he gathered the people of Makkah upon Mount Safa and said: “If I were to tell you that an army is advancing from behind this mountain to attack you, would you believe me?” they all replied: “We have never known you to tell a lie.” This deep trust formed the foundation for the acceptance of his call.
The character of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was so great that Allah declared in the Qur’an: “وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَى خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ.” Translation: “And indeed, you are of a great moral character.” (Al-Qalam: 4) (3)
When the Prophet’s wife, ‘Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her), was asked about his character, she replied: “His character was the Qur’an.” [Narrated by Imam Muslim, Hadith No. 1736] Meaning that every value and teaching contained in the Qur’an was manifest in his behavior and conduct.
This same principle was also evident in the life of Prophet Isma‘il (peace be upon him). Allah the Almighty praises him with the title “Ṣādiq al-Wa‘d” (truthful in promise):
“وَاذْكُرْ فِي الْكِتَابِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ إِنَّهُ كَانَ صَادِقَ الْوَعْدِ وَكَانَ رَسُولًا نَّبِيًّا.” (4) Translation: “And mention in the Book [the story of] Isma‘il. Indeed, he was true to his promise, and he was a messenger and a prophet.” (Maryam: 54)
This quality was so deeply rooted in his being that during the trial of sacrifice, when his father Ibrahim (peace be upon him) informed him of Allah’s command, he immediately responded with calm faith and certainty: (5) “سَتَجِدُنِي إِن شَاءَ اللَّهُ مِنَ الصَّابِرِينَ.” Translation: “You will find me, if Allah wills, among the patient.” (Al-Saffat: 102)
He fulfilled his promise to both Allah and his father, and this sincerity and submission led Allah to ransom him with a magnificent sacrifice.
Truthfulness and keeping one’s word are not merely personal virtues—they are the backbone of a healthy society. A community founded upon honesty enjoys virtue, security, and progress. Therefore, it is vital for parents and educators to instill this trait in children from an early age so that they grow with it and find success in both worlds.
In contrast, breaking promises and betraying trust are traits condemned by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), who identified them as signs of hypocrisy: “آيَةُ الْمُنَافِقِ ثَلَاثٌ: إِذَا حَدَّثَ كَذَبَ، وَإِذَا وَعَدَ أَخْلَفَ، وَإِذَا اؤْتُمِنَ خَانَ.” (6) Translation: “The signs of a hypocrite are three: When he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he is entrusted, he betrays the trust.” [Narrated by Imam al-Bukhari, Book of Faith, Hadith No. 33; and Imam Muslim, Book of Faith, Hadith No. 208]
A society in which deceit and unfaithfulness prevail will inevitably lose mutual trust and stray from the path of prosperity.
Continues…
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References:
[1]. Maryam: 41.
[2]. Qalam: 4.
[3]. Narrated by Imam Muslim, Hadith number: 1736.
[4]. Maryam: 54.
[5]. Saffat: 102.
[6]. Narrated by Imam Bukhari, Kitab al-Iman, Hadith number: 33; and Imam Muslim, Kitab al-Iman, Hadith number: 208.
