March 2, 2025

In my reading of surah Al-Baqarah, I came across ayats that left me in deep contemplation. There was something profoundly humbling about realizing that we are living in the fulfillment of a du’a made thousands of years ago. When Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his son Isma’il (AS) raised the foundations of the Ka’bah, they turned to Allah with a heartfelt du’a—not just for themselves, but for generations to come. They asked Allah to send a Messenger from among their descendants who would teach, purify, and guide them [Surah Al-Baqarah 2:127-129]. Centuries later, that du’a was answered with the arrival of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, who brought with him the final revelation (Qur’an), the perfect way of life (Sunnah), and the best example for humanity.

Yet, despite being the recipient of this immense blessing, how often do I take it for granted? How often do I stray from the path of Ibrahim (AS), the path that Allah calls the only true path to Him? Allah warns us in Surah Al-Baqarah [2:130] that only the foolish turn away from the way of Ibrahim, for he was the one whom Allah chose and guided. To reject his way is to reject our own natural disposition—our fitrah—because his path is the path of submission to Allah alone.

From these ayats, the first thing that stood out to me was the importance of making du’a with sincerity and conviction. The second lesson I took from this was to never give up on my du’a. Prophet Ibrahim made this du’a but the answer to the du’a did not arrive until centuries later in the best of ways. A reminder for me that my du’as never go unanswered, sometimes they may be immediate and other times by the wisdom of Allah ﷻ they may be delayed. Nevertheless to never stop making them.

These ayats in surah Al-Baqarah left me reflecting on my role as Muslim in carrying forward this legacy of submission, not just in my personal life but in what I leave behind. Just as Ibrahim (AS) ensured his children remained upon the straight path, I asked myself: What legacy am I leaving behind? Am I actively passing on the knowledge, character, and devotion that will continue to bring others closer to Allah long after I am gone?

Allah tells us in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:130):

“And who would reject the faith of Abraham except a fool! We certainly chose him in this life, and in the Hereafter he will surely be among the righteous.”

This verse is a stark warningfrom Allah: to turn away from the way of Ibrahim (AS) is not just a mistake—it is foolishness. Why? Because his path is the path of submission to Allah, the path that aligns with our very nature (fitrah). Every human being is created with an innate inclination to worship Allah, to seek truth, and to strive toward righteousness. To reject this path is to reject our own purpose and to distance ourselves from the One who created us.

Ibrahim (AS) was not just any man—he was chosen by Allah, not just in this life but in the hereafter as well. He was given wisdom, guidance, and the honor of being the father of the great nations of faith. If Allah Himself chose and honored him, then following his path is the most logical and beneficial choice I can make. Yet, how often do I allow distractions, doubts, and desires to pull me away from this path? How often do I prioritize worldly pursuits over the pursuit of Allah’s pleasure? To abandon the way of Ibrahim is to turn my back on the very thing that leads me to salvation.

Thinking of this in the worldy sense, when we learn of a celebrity or public figure that by societal standards has been highly praised, we emulate them, we seek their attention, we do whatever we can to be in their presence and all that gives us is a satisfaction our lowly desires. And here Allah ﷻ is highlighting to me by His Divine standards that Ibrahim (AS) is the chosen one so the choice is up to me, would I follow in his footsteps to gain closeness to Allah or would I be foolish and reject it? May Allah protect us and guide us to the straight path.

As I continued reading, Allah ﷻ gives us a peek into an exchange He ﷻ had with Ibrahim (AS) and conversations that took place between Ibrahim, Ya’qub and their children respectively in ayats 131 and 132 of Al-Baqarah.

“When his Lord ordered him, “Submit ˹to My Will˺,” he responded, “I submit to the Lord of all worlds [131]. This was the advice of Abraham—as well as Jacob—to his children, ˹saying˺, “Indeed, Allah has chosen for you this faith; so do not die except in ˹a state of full˺ submission [132].”

This exchange between Allah ﷻ and Ibrahim (AS) is incredibly powerful in its simplicity. When commanded to submit, Ibrahim (AS) did not hesitate, question, or delay—he simply responded: “I have submitted to the Lord of the worlds.” His submission was absolute, unconditional, and immediate. This is the essence of Islam: a complete and willing surrender to Allah’s will. It is not a passive act but an active, conscious decision to obey Allah in all aspects of life. It means trusting in His wisdom even when we do not fully understand, following His commands even when they challenge our desires, and prioritizing His pleasure over everything else.

I started to think, how many times when a stranger, co-worker or friend asked me why I do certain things like wearing the hijab, praying, fasting, etc., have I tried to come up with every logical explanation and excuse under the sun to make my response palatable to them? When all I could have said was “because Allah said so and as a muslim, I submit to the will of Allah ﷻ.” This would have sufficed as an answer. As one of the sisters in my khatam group (Allah reward her) said, “That’s an airtight response.” Like Ibrahim (AS), all I need to do is listen, obey and submit.

This submission is not meant to be an isolated act; it is meant to be passed on. Ibrahim (AS) and Ya’qub (AS) instilled this commitment to submission in their children, ensuring that their legacy of faith would continue beyond their own lifetimes. They did not just tell their children to believe; they nurtured and guided them toward steadfastness in faith. And so, I asked myself: Am I doing the same? Am I actively cultivating a commitment to Islam in my own life and in the lives of those around me? Am I making Islam the foundation of my home, my decisions, and my identity or am I moulding myself to fit into something else?

The last and certainly not the least ayah that stopped me in my tracks as I continued reading was ayah 133 of Al-Baqarah:

“Or did you witness when death came to Jacob? He asked his children, “Who will you worship after my passing?” They replied, “We will ˹continue to˺ worship your God, the God of your forefathers—Abraham, Ishmael, and Isaac—the One God. And to Him we ˹all˺ submit.”

This verse beautifully illustrates the kind of legacy we should strive to leave behind. As Ya’qub (AS) lay on his deathbed, his greatest concern was not wealth, status, or power—it was ensuring that his children remained upon the path of Tawhid (oneness of Allah). True legacy is not measured in material possessions but in what we leave behind that continues to draw people closer to Allah. Every one of us has the ability to contribute to this legacy in different ways, whether it’s through:

1. Our children – Raising them with love for Allah and His Messenger ﷺ, instilling in them the values of faith, sincerity, and obedience.

2. Seeking and teaching knowledge – Learning about Islam and sharing that knowledge with others, whether through formal teaching or daily interactions.

3. Our character and actions – Living in a way that inspires others, being just, kind, and honest, and embodying the ethics of Islam in all that we do.

This responsibility extends beyond our immediate families. Every moment we spend strengthening our connection with Allah, every act of kindness, every lesson we pass on—it all contributes to a chain of goodness that can outlive us. The legacy of faith is the only one that truly lasts, and it is the only one that will benefit us when we stand before Allah on the Day of Judgment.

The du’a of Ibrahim (AS) was answered, and I am living proof of it. But with that answered du’a comes responsibility—the responsibility to honor and carry forward the path of submission. If Ibrahim (AS) was willing to submit everything for the sake of Allah, am I willing to do the same? Am I choosing his path, or am I among the foolish who turn away? And when my time in this world comes to an end, will I have left behind a legacy of faith, submission, and righteousness?

May Allah grant us the ability to walk steadfastly on the path of Ibrahim (AS), to submit wholeheartedly to His will, and to leave behind a legacy that continues to bring light and guidance to those who come after us. May Al-Hadi, the Guide, continue to guide us to the Straight Path, the path of those He ﷻ is pleased with. And not the path of those who earned His wrath. Allahumma Amin ya Rabb.

With Love, Ibtisam