The Path of Abraham

Millatu Ibraaheem (‘alaihi salaam)
Shaykh Muhammad Jameel Ghaazee (rahimahullah)

The following text is that of an article written by the esteemed Egyptian scholar, the late Muhammad Jameel Ghaazee (rahimahullah) that was printed in English nearly ten years ago. We thought it appropriate as a follow up to the recent religious ruling (fatwaa) issue by the Permanent Committee For Islamic Research and Iftaa on the movement toward ‘Unification of Religions’ which Al-Haramain Online Magazine first published in English back in May. [See Vol. 2, Issue 5, Fataawa] Amazingly, we found many who either denied or had no idea that any such movement existed! We wanted to illustrate that indeed it is not a new phenomenon, but it is still just as dangerous. Several questions arose due to that fatwaa which we hope will be clarified by this article, the first part of which we present below.
The Attributes of Ibraaheem ('alaihi salaam)

We will expound upon the Millah (creed) of Prophet Ibraaheem (‘alaihi salaam) (Abraham, ‘alaihi salaam) as it was described in Al-Qur’aan. Al-Qur’aan speaks at length about the creed of Ibraaheem (‘alaihi salaam) and about Ibraaheem (‘alaihi salaam) because the creed of Ibraaheem (‘alaihi salaam) is the creed of all the Prophets who came before him and the creed of all the Prophets who came after him. As for the Prophets who came before him, such as Nooh (Noah, ‘alaihi salaam). Allah says about Ibraaheem (‘alaihi salaam) after he narrates the story of Nooh (‘alaihi salaam):

Verily from his (Noah 's) followers is Ibraaheem (‘alaihi salaam)... [As-Saafaat: 83]

As for the Prophets who came after him (Ibraaheem, ‘alaihi salaam), they all came along with his creed. Indeed, it was revealed to the Seal of the Prophets, Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam), to follow the creed of Ibraaheem (‘alaihi salaam).

Then We have revealed unto you (O Muhammad): Follow the Creed of Ibraaheem (‘alaihi salaam), who worshipped none but Allah; and he was not of those who joined partners with Him. [An-NahI: 123]

This appears in verse 123 of Surat An-Nahl in the place in which our Lord (Allah) narrates the attributes with which He describes Ibraaheem (‘alaihi salaam) with. These attributes are ten in number as mentioned by Allah Ta' aala in His statement:

Verily Ibraaheem (‘alaihi salaam) was an Ummah (a nation) obedient to Allah, Haneef (who veered from Shirk to Tawheed), and he was not from the Mushrikeen. Thankful for His bounties, He (Allah) chose him, and guided him to a straight path. And We gave him in this life a good (reward), and verily he is In the Hereafter among the righteous. [An-Nahl: 120-122]

These are nine attributes. Then Allah (subhaanahu wa ta'aala) crowned these nine attributes with a tenth attribute:

Then We have revealed unto you (O Muhammad): Follow the Creed of Ibraaheem (‘alaihi salaam), who worshipped none but Allah; and he was not of those who joined partners with Him. [An-Nahl: 123]

Millatu-Ibraaheem In The Qur'aan

Before we begin to talk about the Millah (creed) of Ibraaheem (‘alaihi salaam), we must point out that this expression recurs in the Glorious Qur’aan eight times. This expression, Millatu Ibraaheem (‘alaihi salaam), is mentioned in the following verses: 130 of Surah Al-Baqarah, 135 of Surah Al-Baqarah, 95 of Surah Aal 'Imraan, 125 of Surah An-Nisaa', 161 of Surah Al-An'aam, 38 of Surah Yoosuf (‘alaihi salaam), 123 of Surah An-Nahl as I had mentioned before, and finally, in verse 78 of Surah Al-Hajj.

While Al-Qur’aan speaks about the creed of Ihraaheem (‘alaihi salaam) and details it with long and thorough explanations, the Glorious Qur’aan also makes mention in other places about the creeds of Kufr (disbelief); for example, in verse 20 of Surah Al-Baqarah, 88 of Surah Al-A'raaf, 13 of Surah Ibraaheem, 20 of Surah Al-Kahf, and 7 of Surah Saad.

In verse 130 of Surah Al-Baqarah which talks about the creed of Ibraaheem (‘alaihi salaam), Allah (SWT) says: And who turns away from the Millah of Ibraaheem (‘alaihi salaam) save him who fools himself? Truly, We chose him in this world, and verily, in the Hereafter he is among the righteous. When his Lord said to him: Aslim! (Submit! i.e., become a Muslim), he said: Aslamtu (I have submitted) to the Lord of the Worlds.

And this (creed, i.e., Islaam) was enjoined by Ibraheem upon his sons, and also by Ya’qoob (‘alaihi salaam) (Jacob), (saying): 0 my sons! Allah has chosen for you the (true) Deen; therefore, do not die except as Muslims.

Or were you witnesses when death came to Ya’qoob (‘alaihi salaam) (Jacob) when he said to his sons: What shall you worship after I (die)? They said: We shall worship your Deity and the Deity of your fathers, Ibraaheem (‘alaihi salaam), Ismaa 'eel, and Is-haaq (Isaac), one Deity, and to Him do we submit ourselves as (Muslims). [Al-Baqarah: 130 - 132]

These verses establish the most essential of the realities which no Muslim should ever neglect. This reality is that Allah did not legislate for mankind but one religion, which is Islaam. Allah did not send a Messenger except with Islaam, and He did not send a Scripture except with Islaam.

Here we must mention an erroneous belief that has spread amongst some Muslims, and even some Du'aat (Callers) to Islaam or the ones who claim to be callers to Islaam, such as some writers and public speakers (Khutabaa). This error is that there are certain "celestial" or "Abrahamic Faiths." This is wrong. There are no "Abrahamic Faiths!" There is but one religion for which Allah sent the Messengers and the Scriptures - this one religion is Islaam! Therefore, Allah does not have a religion called "Christianity" or "Nazarene." Further, Allah does not have a religion called "Judaism." He (AWJ) did not send these false religions, and He did not claim that these religions were His. Allah never sent Messengers and revealed the Scriptures with these false religions. Rather, Allah's only religion is Islaam.

The Religion Of Ibraaheem Was The Religion Of Allah

We should go through the verses of the Glorious Qur’aan to see this fact manifestly clear in all the verses which mention the naming of the religion of Allah.

Ibraaheem (‘alaihi salaam), the well-known Nabee (Prophet), Rasool (Messenger) and Khaleel (an Intimate of Allah), is the father of all the Prophets who came after him. All of the Prophets who came after him were of his offspring. What does Allah say concerning Ibraaheem (‘alaihi salaam)? He, subhannahu wa ta'aala, states:

And who turns away from the Millah of Ibraaheem (‘alaihi salaam) save him who fools himself? Truly, We chose him in this world, and verily, in the Hereafter he is among the righteous. When his Lord said to him: Aslim! (Submit! i.e., become a Muslim), he said: Aslamtu (I have submitted) to the Lord of the Worlds. [Al-Baqarah:130 -131]

His Lord ordered him to become a Muslim (to submit). He did not say to him, "Become a Jew (adopt Judaism)," nor did He say to him, "Become a Christian (adopt Christianity)." Rather, He (Allah) said to Ibraaheem (‘alaihi salaam), "Become a Muslim." Ibraaheem (‘alaihi salaam) replied: "Aslamtu (I have submitted) to the Lord of the Worlds." Here we see that Al-Qur’aan establishes this reality in a clear style. Allah says:

O you People of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Why do you dispute about Ibraaheem (‘alaihi salaam), when At-Tawraat and AI-Injeel (Gospel) were not revealed until after him? Have you then no sense? Verily, you disputed about that of which you have knowledge. Why then did you dispute about that of which you have no knowledge? Allah knows, and you do not know. Ibraaheem (‘alaihi salaam) was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was Haneef (who veered from Shirk to Tawheed), a true Muslim and he was not of the Mushrikeen (polytheists).

Verily, those of mankind who have the best claim to Jbraaheem are those who followed him and this Prophet (Muhammad) and those who believed (Muslims). And Allah is the Protecting Supporter of the believers. [Aali 'Imran:65 – 68]

Here we find that Al-Qur’aan refutes a number of claims: The claims of the Jews that Ibraaheem (‘alaihi salaam) was of them, the claims of the Christians that Ibraaheem (‘alaihi salaam) was of them, and even the claims of the Mushrikeen (polytheists) of Makkah that Ibraaheem (‘alaihi salaam) was of them.

Ibraaheem (‘alaihi salaam) was neither a Jew as the Jews say, nor a Christian as the Christians say. And he waa not of the Mushrikeen as the people of Makkah claimed. Thus, this verse establishes that the people who have the best right to Ibraaheem (‘alaihi salaam) are neither the Jews, nor the Christians, nor the Mushrikeen, but rather, the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) and his righteous followers!

Verily, those of mankind who have the best claim to Ibraaheem (‘alaihi salaam) are those who followed him and this Prophet (Muhammad) and those who believed (Muslims).And Allah is the Protecting Supporter of the believers. To this fact which Allah established about Ibraaheem (‘alaihi salaam), i.e., his being a Muslim, we find that Al-Qur’aan adds another fact to it: that Ibraaheem (‘alaihi salaam) taught this religion to his sons!

And who turns away from the Millah of Ibraaheem save him who fools himself? Truly, We chose him in this world, and verily, in the Hereafter he is among the righteous. When his Lord said to him: Aslim! (submit, i.e., become a Muslim), he said: Aslamtu (I have submitted, become a Muslim) to the Lord of the worlds. And this (creed, Le., Islaam) was enjoined by Ibraheem upon his sons, and also by Ya’qoob (‘alaihi salaam) (Jacob), (saying): O my sons! Allah has chosen for you the (true) Deen; therefore, do not die except as Muslims. [Al-Baqarah:130-l32]

Therefore Ibraheem (‘alaihi salaam) advised his children to adhere to Islaam. Furthermore, Ibraaheem's grandson Ya’qoob (‘alaihi salaam) (‘alaihi salaam), whose name was Israa'eel, advised his children to hold onto Islaam.

Hence, Al-Qur’aan establishes that Islaam, which was the religion of Ibraaheem (‘alaihi salaam), was the religion of Ya’qoob (‘alaihi salaam). Who was Ya’qoob (‘alaihi salaam)? Ya’qoob (‘alaihi salaam) was the grandson of Ibraaheem (‘alaihi salaam). Ya’qoob (‘alaihi salaam) was one of the names of Israa'eel, which means "the soldier of Allah" or the "soldier who fights in the cause of Allah." What was the religion of Israa'eel or Ya’qoob (‘alaihi salaam)? Allah Ta'aala says:

Or were you witnesses when death came to Ya’qoob (‘alaihi salaam) (Jacob) when he said to his sons: What shall you worship after I (die)? They said: We shall worship your Deity and the Deity of your fathers Ibraaheem (‘alaihi salaam), Ismaa 'eel, and Is-haaq (Isaac), one Deity, and to Him we submit ourselves as Muslims. [Al-Baqarah: 133) Therefore Ya’qoob (‘alaihi salaam) also was a Muslim.

The Religion Of All The Prophets And Messengers ('alaihimus salaam)!

From Ya’qoob (‘alaihi salaam) we go to his son Yoosuf (Joseph, ‘alaihi salaam). What was the religion of Yoosuf (‘alaihi salaam)? Was the religion of Yoosuf (‘alaihi salaam) Judaisim? Never! On the contrary, the religion of Yoosuf was Islaam. Allah (SWT) says about Yoosuf in his last Du'aa (supplication):

O my Lord, You have given me some of the kingship, and you taught me some of the interpretation of dreams-(You are) the Creator of the heavens and earth. You are my supporter in this life and the Hereafter. Make me die as a Muslim and join me with the righteous. [Yoosuf: 101)

Here Yoosuf (‘alaihi salaam) calls his Lord to take his soul while he is upon Islaam. He (‘alaihi salaam) did not ask Him (Allah) to take his life while he was upon Judaisim or upon Christianity; but rather he asked Him to take his soul while he was upon Islaam. Also, Moosa (Moses, ‘alaihi salaam) was not, as many people imagine, a Jewish Messenger. Never! Moosa (‘alaihi salaam) was not a Jew nor did he come with a Jewish message. Moreover, the Tawraah (Torah) was never a Jewish Scripture. On the contrary, the Tawraah was an Islaamic Scripture. Moosa was an Islaamic Messenger. Besides, Allah says about Moosa and about At-Tawaaat:

Verily, We have sent down At- Tawraah (to Moses) wherein is guidance and light, by which the Prophets who have submitted (to Allah, i.e., become Muslims) judged the Jews... [Al-Maa'idah: 44]

Thus the Tawraah is a book of legislative ruling which belongs to the Muslims (ones who submitted to Allah). This is in reference to the Tawraah as well as in reference to Moosa (‘alaihi salaam).

If we move on to Sulaymaan (Solomon, ‘alaihi salaam) and read his message sent to the queen of Saba' (Sheba), which is recorded in Al-Qur’aan, Sulaymaan ('alaihi salaam) says:

Verily it is from Sulayman, and it is with the name of Allah the Merciful, the Compassionate. Do not elevate (yourselves) over me, and come to me as submitters (Muslims). [An-Naml:30, 31]

And she says in her response:

...My Lord (Allah), ... I have submitted (become a Muslim) with Sulayman to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. [An-Naml:44]

Therefore Sulaymaan called her to Islaam, and she (the queen of Saba') said, "I have submitted (became a Muslim)."

In addition, 'Eesa (Jesus, ‘alaihi salaam) was not a Christian Messenger, and he did not call people to Christianity. Instead, he was a Muslim Messenger who called people to Islaam.

Allah Ta'aala says about 'Eesa (‘alaihi salaam) and his disciples, when 'Eesa came to know of their disbelief: ...Who are my supporters in the cause of Allah? The disciples said: We are the supporters of Allah, we have believed in Allah, and bear witness that we are Muslims. [Aali 'Imraan:52]

They did not say, ‘...bear witness that we are Christians or Nazarene;’ but they said: Bear witness that we are Muslims.

Also, Allah Ta'aala says:When I inspired the disciples to believe in Me and My Messenger ('Eesa [Ash, they said: We believe and bear witness that we are Muslims. [Al-Maa'idah: 111]

This is why Allah Ta'aala said: Verily the true religion before Allah is Islaam... [Aal 'Imraan:19J

And He said: And whoever desires other than Islaam as a religion it shall not be accepted from him and he is of the losers (i.e., in Hellfire) in the Hereafter. [Aal 'Imraan:85)

Moreover, Allah said in the third verse of Surat Al-Maa'idah which is the last revealed verse of Al-Qur’aan:

This day the disbelievers are in despair of (ever harming) your Deen (religion); so do not fear them but fear Me. This day have I have perfected your Deen and completed my favor upon you and chosen for you as a Deen Islaam... [Al-Maa'idah: 3]

Here There Is An Important Question

Why did we begin the article by correcting this major error, or why did we insist on denying that there are Abrahamic Faiths, and why did we concentrate on the fact that there is but one Abrahamic Faith? Why? Because, we want to correct an error that Muslims have fallen into. Some Muslims, whether they are among writers, Khutabaa' (preachers), or official "Scholars" say, "Undoubtably there are Abrahamic Faiths." And furthermore, they call for the establishment of a "Trialogue of the Abrahamic Faiths" and say, "The Abrahamic Faiths stand side by side in fighting against atheism, materialism, and communism." This is a grave error, the consequences of which the Muslims have suffered from immensely. Therefore, only by assigning the proper rank to Al-Islaam - the true Abrahamic Faith, will the Muslims begin to address these consequences.