SCENE:

King Hasan: <reading> *not panicky* Oh dear...the farmers have announced that due to the distinct lack of rainfall, our kingdom's crops are not expected to give a good yield this year. A food shortage is quite possible.…..We will need to cut back on expenses considerably to make sure everyone in the kingdom can survive this difficult time. <sighs> Hasbunallah wa nimal wakeel.

Jester: <looks quizzical>

King Hasan: <walking around thinking> Hmm...hmm...hmmm….what if I increased our imports to cover for the food shortage? Would that help more than it would harm? Maybe I should consult Professor Hums <stumbles and falls> Hasbunallah wa nimal wakeel! Jester go call the Professor. I need to discuss some important economic matters with him.

Jester: <comes running> The Professor can’t come right now. He has just called an emergency meeting with the met department. It looks like rain shortage is not gonna be a problem very soon!

King Hasan: Oh Alhumdulillah! That’s fantastic news!

Jester: I don’t think so King. The Professor looked very worried. He’s saying according to his calculations, a massive storm and cyclone is headed straight towards our kingdom! It may rain for days. There is likely to be significant damage! Oh no oh no, oh nooooo!

King Hasan: I see. Hasbunallah wa nimal wakeel. Come Jester. Let us remember Allah is enough for us and do what we can to prepare the kingdom.

Jester: How are you so calm? I just told you something ca-tas-trophic!

King Hasan: Hmm good word...catastrophic. I’m concerned of course, but I’m also calm and patient. Isn’t that the Prophetic way in the face of catastrophe? We’re Muslims, Jester! We trust in Allah and tie our camels.

Jester: But I don’t even HAVE a camel. <falls to knees>

King Hasan: Oh Jester. <laughs and pull him up>

Jester: And what is this phrase I have been hearing you say? What was it? Has...has...hasbunallah waaaaaa nimal wakeel?

King Hasan: Hasbunallah wa nimal wakeel...

It means: Allah is sufficient for us and He is the Best Disposer of affairs. 

Jester: Allah is sufficient for us...what does that mean?

King Hasan: It means that Allah is enough for us. All we need is Allah. 

Jester: And He is the Best Disposer of affairs...what does best disposer of affairs mean? 

King Hasan: It means that He is the best at taking charge of things happening under His care. He manages everything and that He is the one to be relied upon. In fact Al Wakeel is one of the Names of Allah! 

Jester: So where did you learn this dua from?

King Hasan: Oh...one of my favorite duas from the Quran! And the roots of this dua are in a very powerful story which I would love to share with you…..In fact...I think it will be very helpful to listen to this story right now because our Kingdom is about to face a very, very big test. And I can’t help but think of one remarkable man who faced the biggest tests ever faced by a human being. 

Let us listen to the story of our father, Prophet Ibrahim (as).

Aunty Hiba: Assalamu Alaikum my dear friends!

I would like to tell you about one of the best human beings ever born on this planet.

Prophet Ibrahim (as) is one of the greatest Prophets and the father of us all. Allah has described him in the Quran as being an Ummah, an entire nation by himself because he was born at a time where there were no other believers on earth except him

It is essential that Muslims know his life story, as much of Islam and the Quran refers to him. Let’s now begin the exciting, eventful story of the life of the Friend of Allah, Prophet Ibrahim (as). And how do exciting stories begin?


SCENE

Jester: Once upon a time, in a far away land, there lived a King! 

King Hasan: <startled> No not me. I’m a good King. This story is about a not so good king.

Jester: Oh I beg your parlour.

King Hasan: Pardon.

Jester: <loudly> I SAID I BEG YOUR PARLOUR.

King Hasan: Pardon…..

Jester: I BEG

King Hasan: Oh never mind!

Aunty Hiba: Once upon a time, in a far away land there lived a King. In that land, a little boy was born. The King of that land, King Nimrud was a tyrant and he did not like it when anyone would question his power.

SCENE:

King Hasan: Definitely not me! I would never be a tyrant. Any form of compelling only belongs to Allah - Al Jabbar.

Jester: Which is why I go to bed whenever I want <nudges King with elbow and winks>

Aunty Hiba: The boy grew up quickly, turning into a deeply thinking young man who wondered and pondered about life, the universe and his place in it. This young man was called Ibrahim.

When other children were occupied with playing or doing whatever everyone else in the community was doing, Ibrahim (as) had already begun critical thinking. He felt that the people in his community were doing something very wrong and reached a thoughtfully analyzed conclusion on it. He observed that people including his own father, made things out of stone by their own hands and then called them their god. 

This made no sense to Ibrahim (as). To worship something of our own creation defied logic and good sense.

One night, Ibrahim (as) travelled up to a mountain to watch the sky and observe the sun, the moon and stars. He could see in their coming and going that they were not his Lord. So who was? Once again, Ibrahim (as) utilized his critical thinking skills to make connections between what he could observe. A while later, Ibrahim heard a voice calling him – it was none other than his Lord, Allah. Allah commanded Ibrahim (as) to submit to Him and become a Muslim.

Trembling, Ibrahim (as) fell to the ground. He cried out: “I submit to the Lord of the universe!” Eventually, he got to his feet and made his way back home. Ibrahim (as)’s life was forever transformed – and his heart was filled with great peace. He was a Prophet of Allah.

Aunty Hiba: Ibrahim (as) had a mission – to call his people to the Truth and help them accept Allah as their one true God. First, he turned to his father who he loved so dearly. 

Ibrahim (as) said: “O Father! Why do you worship that which doesn't hear, doesn't see, and cannot avail you in anything? O father, I have got knowledge which you have not, so follow me. I will guide you to a straight path.” [Quran 19:42-48]

Angrily, his father rejected Ibrahim’s request and told his son to get out of his sight.

Ibrahim (as) tried again and again to talk to his father and tell him that what he was doing was wrong! Don’t worship something just because you’ve seen other people do it! Don’t follow an idea or ideology just because other people are. Think for yourself. His father became very angry and threatened to beat him if he did not stop saying his message. 

So Ibrahim (as) wished his father peace and promised his father that he would pray to Allah to forgive him.

Then Ibrahim (as) went among his people, calling them to Allah and trying to convince them of the foolishness of calling things God. But they refused! Because they loved their stone idols!

SCENE:

Various jeering townspeople:

Man 1: He calls himself a prophet. 

Man 2: Says there is just ONE god...somewhere up there

Man 3: Criticizing our beautiful Gods

Man 4: How dare he?

Man 5: Who does he think he is?

Man 6: Better than us? Hahahaha! 

Aunty Hiba: One day, brave Prophet Ibrahim (as) came up with a plan…when the townspeople were busy at a celebration, he quietly went to the idols and hacked at all the idols with an axe, breaking all the stone idols into pieces, except the biggest one. When he was done, he hung the axe around the neck of the largest idol and left.

Later, when the people came back, they found their beloved idols smashed and broken and scattered all upon the ground.

SCENE:

Various horrified townspeople:
Man 1:  Who has done this to our gods? Indeed, he is of the wrongdoers.
Man 2: I heard a young man criticize them! He is called Ibrahim.
It must be him!

Man 3: Then bring him before the eyes of the people, that they may testify.

Man 4: Have you done this to our gods, Ibrahim?
Everyone: Speak! Speak! Speak! 

Aunty Hiba: Ibrahim AS was summoned to testify that he was the one who had done this deed. But Ibrahim was an extremely courageous young prophet. At the same time, he was also brilliantly intelligent, an intellectual match for anyone. He said “Ask this big idol of yours what happened. If he’s your god, surely he can protect himself. Or at least he can tell us who did it?”

SCENE:

Various confused townspeople:

Man 1: Hmm he has a point!
Man 2: Err this is weird and awkward!
Man 3: But he knows our Gods can’t speak!
Man 4: Yeah these Gods can’t speak…<cough>
Man 5: Okay enough...we know it’s you! Let’s kill him or burn him!!
Man 6: Yes, burn him! Support your gods!
Man 7: I know! Let’s make a giant furnace and throw him into the burning fire!!

“Kill him or burn him!”

[Qur’an 29:24] 

“Burn him and support your gods, if you are to act!” 

[Quran 21:62]

“Construct for him a furnace and throw him into the burning fire.” 

[Qur’an 37:97]

Aunty Hiba: The people were a little confused because Ibrahim did have a pretty strong point. Why didn't the stone idols protect themselves? But did they stop and think about how ridiculous their idols were? No! They let their pride come in the way.

And you know what friends, this often happens even in our lives today! When we challenge popular thinking, people get angry. Because their ego is getting in the way and they don’t like feeling they are wrong. But does that mean we stop telling the truth? No. Never.

So, Ibrahim (as) was imprisoned and the people went out to gather fuel for the fire.

Through that fire, the townspeople intended to burn and finish not just Ibrahim AS, but the truth, which they refused to accept – to rid of it once and for all, or so they imagined. Which is also something that still happens to this day. All around us, people are trying to bury the truth. Because they want to live their lives by their wishes and desires and NOT by the commands of Allah.

Aunty Hiba: It is said in the narrations that the fire started to flame. It burned for days and eventually it was so huge that its sparks seemed to be touching the sky and no birds could pass over it. Hmmm...Did Ibrahim (as) look at the hot, burning, terrifying fire and say...ok you know what forget it, forget everything I said, please forgive me, just dont put me in the fire? What do you think?...

SCENE:

King Hasan: Oooh my favorite part is coming up!! It always gives me the shivers. So powerful! Listen Jester...remember you were asking me about Hasbunallah wa nimal wakeel? This is that part of the story. Prophet Ibrahim (as) says it!

Jester: <holding big elephant ears> I’m all ears! Geddit geddit?

King Hasan: I think everyone gets it. Sssssh keep listening

Aunty Hiba: Prophet Ibrahim (as) was not afraid. And he kept insisting that there was only one god. He was not about to let any one or any punishment take the truth away from him.

It was decided by the evil townspeople that he MUST be thrown into the hot, burning, raging fire.

As Prophet Ibrahim (as) was being tied up before being thrown into the fierce fire, the mighty angel Jibrael (as) came to him. He asked “O Ibrahim, do you need anything?”

And Prophet Ibrahim (as) replied: “Yes, but not from you,”

SCENE

Jester: Ooooooh!

King Hasan: <energetically> That’s what I’m talking about! Now that’s a hero!

Aunty Hiba: In true Muslim hero fashion, Prophet Ibrahim (as) put all his trust in Allah.

It is said that an especially wicked man created a catapult by which the noble prophet was hurled into the midst of the roaring fire. The last words Ibrahim (as) spoke before he was flung into the blaze were:

“Hasbunallah wa ni’mal Wakil”

“Allah is sufficient for us and He is the Best Disposer of affairs!” 

SCENE: 

Jester: Whoooaaaaa. Hasbunallah wa nimal wakeel!! You’re right! That IS an amazing part. If someone wanted to put me in a fire...I would run. In the opposite direction. Screaming. Like this. <runs around in circles screaming>

King Hasan: You’re right. People like me and you would be terrified. Prophet Ibrahim (as) was a brave, brave man. And a true Prophet!

Jester: Knock knock 

King Hasan: Who’s there?
Jester: Fire

King Hasan: Fire who?

Jester: Fire you stopping? I want to hear the rest of the story!

King Hasan: Haha. Oh Jester. Alhumdulillah we can make these light jokes...but we should never allow lightheartedness make us forget the fierceness of the fire and the severity of the tests that Muslims face all over the world.

Jester: Hasbunallah wa nimal wakeel! Allah is sufficient for us and He is the Best Disposer of affairs! 

King Hasan: Innn-deed! <both finger point together and go still>

Aunty Hiba: And all the gathered people watched, waiting for the fire to consume Ibrahim (as) to ashes.

Allah, the Lord of creation, Guardian and Protector of believers, commanded, “O fire, be coolness and safety upon Ibrahim.” [Quran 21:69]

And Ibrahim (as) sat, in the midst of the burning inferno, in a cool and comfortable garden provided by Allah in total peace and safety. It is said that the angel of shade sat at his side, comforting him, and Prophet Muhammad (s) has mentioned to us that the fire burned nothing on Ibrahim (as) except the ropes that bound him. Subhanallah!

By one of the greatest miracles of all time, Ibrahim (as) emerged from the fire safe and unharmed.

Quick question. Can we think of the metaphorical fires in our lives? When are we in very scary or confusing situations? When we feel under immense pressure? When we feel there’s no one who can understand us or our problems? In those times...can we remember Hasbunallah wa nimal wakeel? Can we remember that we are never alone? That Allah is always, always with us and only He can provide true comfort?

King Nimrud, gave orders that he be exiled from the city. So another trial for Prophet Ibrahim (as)! He was forced to leave his homeland and move to another place.

SCENE: 

King Hasan: <sighs> How cruel of King Nimrud to displace Ibrahim (as) from his homeland!

Jester: I cannot understand this! How can anyone else decide where someone gets to live? How can you throw someone out of their own home? It makes no sense. Thank goodness no one does that anymore! <smiles>

King Hasan: Errr...heehee...actually Jester...this has been happening in this world since the beginning. And it is still going on, even to this day. It is very wrong, unfair, unjust and cruel to remove someone from their home. Using power to displace someone, to turn them into a refugee, is a very painful reality that evil and tyrannical governments are still carrying out. Alhamdulillah our kingdom is secure...may Allah keep Muslim lands safe always. 

Jester: Ameen! And may Allah crush all oppressors and punish evil tyrants who hurt people, take away their rights or hijack their homes! 

Aunty Hiba: Prophet Ibrahim (as) moved to Egypt with his wives. He prayed for many many many years for Allah to give him a child. He prayed and prayed and prayed. He did not give up on his duas. Because he knew with all his heart that Allah always answers our duas.

He was a living example of Hasbunallah wa nimal wakeel! Allah is sufficient for us and He is the Best Disposer of affairs! 

When he was around 86 years old, Allah gave him the good news of a baby! And that it will be a very good and righteous boy. Just imagine! At 86 years of age to receive the answer to a dua he had been making since youth. Prophet Ibrahim (as) was so grateful for this excellent news. And soon a baby boy named Ismail was born to his wife Hajar (as)

One day, Ibrahim (as) received some very difficult instructions from Allah. But you know Prophet Ibrahim (as), he always obeyed!

So he took Hajar and Ismail (as) on a journey, till he brought them to an empty spot in the desert. Hot and dry, plains of sand as far as the eye could see. Ibrahim (as) told his wife and son to stay where they were and he started to leave. Hajar (as) clutched his cloth and said, “Ibrahim! Where are you going, leaving us here alone? We do not have sufficient food and drink.” Ibrahim (as) did not answer her. She persisted because she was worried something terrible would happen to them, especially to their baby who could die of hunger and thirst.

She finally asked, “Has Allah commanded you to do this?” He said, “Yes.” 

Then, because she trusted Allah, Al Wakeel, she said with deep faith in her heart, “If this is Allah’s Command, then He will not abandon us.”

Hajar (as) was a living example of Hasbunallah wa nimal wakeel! Allah is sufficient for us and He is the Best Disposer of affairs! 

SCENE:
King Hasan: Just imagine this Jester...a barren desert, blazing sun...a woman and her baby alone. The father who had prayed for this baby till he was 86 years old has to leave them behind.

Jester: <crying>

King Hasan: I thought you would be so amazed at hearing this story! What makes you cry, Jester?

Jester: The tests were SO hard and Prophet Ibrahim (as) was SO good at listening to and obeying Allah. It’s making me cry. <crying>

King Hasan: Mmmhmmm...sometimes when something is really really beautiful...or good, we do feel like crying don’t we?.... How deep Allah has made human hearts! 

Jester: I also wish I was better at listening to Allah. I WILL be better at listening to Allah!

King Hasan: Subhanallah and inshaAllah! <excited and happy> That’s exactly why we listen to the stories of the Prophets Jester! There’s so many important reminders for us how to live our lives! I too will inshaAllah be better at listening to Allah and following His commands! Come! Let us walk to the courtyard.

Aunty Hiba: Ibrahim (as) went on till he came to the narrow pass of the mountain, where he could hardly be seen by them. He stopped there and faced the Kaabah, raised his hands and made dua. Oh Allah take care of my family.

He made this dua because he believed what? Hasbunallah wa nimal wakeel. Allah is sufficient for us and He is the Best Disposer of affairs!

Allah would be enough for his family and He would take care of them.

So Prophet Ibrahim (as) left his family there in the middle of the hot desert, and left with them some dates, and some water. Hajar (as) continued nursing Ismail (as) and drinking from that water. When all the water in the water-skin got used up, she as well her son became thirsty. She looked at him tossing and fussing. And you know for a mother to see their baby getting worried...that is very worrying indeed! She needed help! 

She found that the Mount Safa was the nearest mountain for her to climb up and look for help. She stood on it and looked around it. But she could see no one. She descended from Safa, and when she reached the bottom of the valley, she tucked up her robe and ran in the valley like a person in distress and trouble.

She ran till she crossed the valley and reached another mountain called Marwah where she stood on it and started looking around in the hope that she might find someone. But she could not find anyone.

Then she climbed on Safa and looked and looked, but could not see anyone until she had completed 7 rounds.

Suddenly she saw where baby Ismael was kicking in the sand, water started to come out!! In the middle of the desert!! It kept gushing and gushing.

This was the miracle well of ZamZam! 

Aunty Hiba: Hajar (as) the original brave mother of all mothers, drank from the miraculous water of Zamzam and nursed her son. Then she heard the voice of Jibrael (as) say to her, “Do not be afraid of perishing, indeed this is the site of the House of Allah, which will be built by this boy and his father, indeed Allah does not let his people perish.”

Hasbunallah wa nimal wakeel! 

Allah is sufficient for us and He is the Best Disposer of affairs! 

Gradually, Bedouin tribes passed by the spot where strong, brave Hajar (as) and her son Ismail (as) were settled near the Zamzam well. They asked Hajar (as) for permission to camp near her and she said yes. The area began to flourish. 

Aunty Hiba: Time kept passing….It had now been close to 10 years since obedient Ibrahim (as) had left his wife and baby in Makkah in the care of Allah. When he returned, he was overjoyed to meet his young son again, Ismail (as).

But soon came another divine vision from Allah which would be the ultimate test of Prophet Ibrahims faith.

Prophet Ibrahim saw a divine dream, an instruction from Allah, that he must sacrifice his son. In other words, Prophet Ibrahim (as) must kill his beloved boy, Prophet Ismail (as) as a test from Allah. This was the most difficult test! What could be more terrible and more impossible than taking the life of your own child? But Prophet Ibrahim (as) always trusted Allah. He knew Allah was endlessly merciful and infinitely wise. He knew there must be a reason behind this test. He knew that as a true Muslim, wisdom lay in obeying Allah.

So he went to his beloved boy and said,

“O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I [must] sacrifice you, so see what you think.” 

[Quran 37:102]

And because Ismail (as) himself was a very good, very obedient servant of Allah and son of Ibrahim (as), he immediately responded:

“O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, of the steadfast.”

[Quran 37:102]

So Prophet Ismail (as) was also a living example of Hasbunallah wa nimal wakeel! Allah is sufficient for us and He is the Best Disposer of affairs! 

Ibrahim (as) and his brave good young son set out to fulfill the vision, carrying rope and a sharp knife. On the way, three times Shaytan tried to distract Prophet Ibrahim (as) from obeying Allah. And three times Prophet Ibrahim (as) stoned him with pebbles and shooed him away. He would not allow the evil Shaytan to come in the way of following Allah’s command!

Soon the father and son reached the place for the sacrifice. We don’t know what they were feeling and perhaps we cannot even imagine. The Quran tells us that Ismail (as) lay down and as Ibrahim (as) raised his knife….Allah called out to Ibrahim (as) that he had passed the test! And lo and behold, He replaced the sacrifice with a big sheep. 

Ismail (as) was safe!

SCENE 

<both leaning forward, big eyes>

King Hasan: <exhales deeply> So what do you think of that Jester?

Jester: Hasbunallah wa nimal wakeel! Allah is sufficient for us and He is the Best Disposer of affairs! Prophet Ibrahim (as)nlived by this, truly, truly. I feel so proud to have an incredible father!

King Hasan: And I’m so proud to hear you refer to Ibrahim (as) as your father! It shows me how closely you keep the words of the Quran in your heart! I hope I can be the same inshaAllah!

Aunty Hiba: More time passed. Many years later, Prophet Ibrahim (as) came to visit his son again. Once again Prophet Ibrahim (as) had received an instruction from Allah and once again he needed his son’s help in fulfilling it. And once again, Prophet Ismail (as) was ready and willing to submit to the will of Allah. This time, Allah had instructed Prophet Ibrahim (as) to build a house of worship in the middle of the desert. Prophet Ibrahim (as) and Prophet Ismail (as) went round and round laying the stones for the house and praying as it rose higher and higher. 

SCENE

Jester: But who on earth would go to visit a house of worship in the middle of the desert? I am feeling sad that all the hard work of Prophet Ibrahim (as) and Prophet Ismail (as) will be wasted!

King Hasan: Well Jester, there is one very important lesson we need to learn. When Allah gives us a command, we don’t always need to understand why He is telling us to do something. We need to learn from the prophets. 

“Samina, wa ataana. We hear and we obey.” 

Jester: We hear and we obey. 

King Hasan: And guess what? You know how Hasbunallah wa nimal wakeel means that Allah is sufficient for us and He is the best disposer of affairs? Well, we might have thought that building a house of worship in the middle of a desert would not work, but Allah is the best disposer of affairs isn’t He? This house of worship Prophet Ibrahim (as) and Prophet Ismail (as) built came to be revered by Muslims all across the world. To this day...We pray towards it. We visit it for Umrah and Hajj! Shaped like a cube, black and gold...Can you think of which House it could be?

Jester: The Kaabah, the Kaabah! It’s the Kaabah in Makkah!

King Hasan: Indeed it is! The Kaabah is the House of Allah, built by Prophet Ibrahim (as) and Prophet Ismail (as). May Allah be pleased with them. And may Allah grant us all the opportunity to visit the Kaabah very soon! 

Jester: Aaaaameeen. I think I would look quite handsome in an ihram. I cannot wait till I do Hajj! 

King Hasan: We’ll go together next year inshaAllah!

Aunty Hiba: When he had completed building the Sacred House, the Kaabah, Allah gave Ibrahim (as) a further command:

“And proclaim the Hajj to mankind” [Quran 22:27]

Pilgrimage to the House is an obligation on all who follow his path up to the Last Day. So Prophet Ibrahim (as) stood on a high place and called, “O people, there is a house of your Lord here, so come here for Hajj.” And it is said that with Allah’s help his voice reached the whole world. 

SCENE:

Professor Hums: Let us look at all the different ways the story of Prophet Ibrahim (as) is directly linked to Hajj. 

• When we run between Safa and Marwa during Saee in Hajj we are following the sunnah of Hajra (as) when she was running between the two mountains looking for help for her son. 

• The well of Zamzam which was a miracle for Hajar (as) and Prophet Ismail (as) provides millions of pilgrims with water. It is a 4000 year-old- stream still flowing.

• Muslims at Hajj perform Rami by throwing stones at the jamaraat. This act reminds us of Prophet Ibrahim (as) throwing stones at Shaytaan when he was on the way to sacrifice his son.

• Muslims all over the world sacrifice animals on Eid ul Adha to remember the ram taking the place of Prophet Ismail (as) when Prophet Ibrahim (as) was sacrificing him.

• The stone upon which Prophet Ibrahim (as) stood to build the Kaabah was imprinted with his footprints and is called Maqaam Ibrahim. Behind this spot Muslims must offer two Rakaah after Tawaaf during pilgrimage. 

• Millions of pilgrims do tawaf around the Kaabah just like Prophet Ibrahim (as) and Prophet Ismail (as) did tawaf around the Kaabah after they built it. 

The mighty Angel Jibreel (as) taught the steps of Hajj to Prophet Ibrahim. These rites were the same as those that, centuries later, the Last Messenger Muhammad (saw), would teach the first community of Muslims. Those rites have not changed up to the present day, nor will they change as long as the world continues. 

So each and every Muslim who takes part in the Hajj is following the Sunnah of two of the greatest prophets of all time – Prophet Ibrahim and Prophet Muhammad, Allah’s best blessings and peace be upon them both.

Aunty Hiba: Time kept passing...one day when Prophet Ibrahim (as) returned home, he found a stranger inside his house.

“O servant of Allah, how is it that you entered my house without my permission?” Ibrahim (as) asked.

“I entered by permission of its Lord,” the stranger replied.

“Who are you, then?” Ibrahim (as) asked

“I am the Angel of Death,” he replied, “and my Lord has sent me to one of His servants to give him good news that He has chosen him as His

friend.”

“And who is he?” Ibrahim (as) asked. “For, by Allah if you tell me about him, I will go and visit him even if he is in the most remote place, and I will become his neighbour until death separates us.”

“That servant is you”, the angel replied

So...Prophet Ibrahim (as) received this great and final honor. For his lifelong service to Islam, his unflinching obedience, his remarkable calm and patience during all the catastrophes of his life, Prophet Ibrahim (as) was chosen as the Friend of Allah. 

SCENE
Jester: <amazed> The Friend of Allah! The Friend of Allah! Prophet Ibrahim (as) is the Friend of Allah!!

King Hasan: Amazing right? I knew you would love it. And now do you understand why I love to say Hasbunallah wa nimal wakeel?

Jester: Absolutely! I’m going to say it too! A LOT. Like way a lot. Like probably more than you even. Yes definitely.

King Hasan: InshaAllah why not? And now do you understand why even as our kingdom's facing a possibly catastrophic storm and cyclone, I can remain calm and patient?

Jester: Oooh good word...catastrophic. I know! You try to remain calm and patient because you’re thinking of Prophet Ibrahim (as) and you are trying to be like him!

King Hasan: Exactly! Oh Jester, you are quite brilliant.

Jester: They don’t call me Professor for nothing you know.

King Hasan: But they DON’T call you Professor.

Jester: Huh?

King Hasan: Nevermind. Yes I try to stay calm and patient because I know Prophet Ibrahim (as) stayed calm and patient during all of his trials!

King Hasan: Yes...Prophet Ibrahim (as) stayed calm and patient during all of his trials! 

Jester: Like being rejected by his father.

King Hasan: Or being thrown into the fire!

Jester: Or leaving his wife and baby alone in the desert!

King Hasan: Or being told to sacrifice his son!

Jester: Or building a house in the middle of nowhere in his old age!

King Hasan: Or...err...umm...okay I can’t come up with anything else

Jester: It's okay King. No worries. Just trust in Allah and ride your camels. Hasbunallah wa nimal wakeel. See, see...calm and patient?!

King Hasan: Indeed.

Jester: Rather kingly of me I would say. They don't call me king for nothing you know.

King Hasan: But they DON'T call you King. And who is this they anyways? 

<clouds rumble, Jester leaps in fear>

King Hasan: Calm and patient. 

King Hasan: Ah subhanallah. It looks like the storm is beginning. InshaAllah we’ll be okay. Come Jester, <shakes head> let's head indoors and remember Hasbunallah wa nimal wakeel. 

Aunty Hiba: After Ibrahim’s (as) passing from this life, his pure faith was continued and carried on by his children and the children of his children and the children of his children’s children all the way upto Prophet Muhammad (s) and you and me. We are the carriers of Prophet Ibrahim (as)’s faith.

And thus...we reach the end of the story of Prophet Ibrahim (as), the friend of Allah. What a marvelous man he was. Is it any wonder that two of the greatest men, Prophet Ibrahim (as) and Prophet Muhammad (s) are honoured by us Muslims in the same breath, in every prayer, every single day. Don’t we all say during our salah:

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ

كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ

.إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ

اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ

كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ

إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ

“O Allah, let Your Peace come upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as you have brought peace to Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. Truly, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious. Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as you have blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. Truly, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious.”

Aunty Hiba: Alhumdulillah for being Muslims! Alhumdulillah for being on the path of our father Prophet Ibrahim (as). We are his legacy. We are of his milla, his family. May Allah make us brave and steadfast and obedient to Allah’s commands just like he was. Let’s hold fast to the rope of Allah! And in all the good days and the not so good days, all the good moments and the not so good moments of our lives, lets always remember:

Hasbunallah wa nimal wakeel. Allah is enough for us and He is the best

disposer of our affairs.

Assalamu Alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!