Lonely But Never Alone
We read in the Quran:
{Indeed, Abraham was a [comprehensive] leader, devoutly obedient to Allah, inclining toward truth, and he was not of those who associate others with Allah.} (An-Nahl 16:120)
One of the biggest trials of the pandemic is the chronic loneliness many have had to experience. It is a well-established fact that loneliness contributes to both physical and mental un-wellness. Humans are social creatures. We need human connection. But even Prophet Ibrahim experienced loneliness.
In the Quran, Allah the Almighty calls Prophet Ibrahim an “ummah.” Some scholars explain this verse to mean an expression of Ibrahim’s faith, worship and piety. Others say it has a more literal meaning: at one point, Ibrahim was the only faithful believer of his people.
Similar experiences of isolation would be repeated in Prophet Ibrahim’s life. But these experiences were always a reminder to him: his reliance is only on Allah. And in fact, he never was truly alone, because Allah was his friend:
{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.} (An-Nisa 4:125)
Uncertainty In Trying Times
As we social distance, I reflect on Ibrahim’s command to social distance from his beloved wife and child, Hajar and Isma`l (peace be upon them).
As we feel uncertainty about when the world will revert to a tolerable normal, I imagine the emotions felt by both Ibrahim and Hajar not knowing what Allah had planned for them.
I reflect on the uncertainty but trust in Allah that Ibrahim and Isma`l felt as they built the Kabah. I wonder what Ibrahim felt when Allah commanded him to call people to worship in the middle of a dry, barren desert even though his family constituted the world’s only believers in Allah.
📚 Read Also: COVID-19: What’s the Proper Way to Offer Eid Al-Adha Prayer?
As we celebrate Eid Al-Adha this year, let us not lose sight of the lessons from our beloved Prophet Ibrahim. We are in uncertain times and we’ve lost many beautiful lives. Many have and continue to be tested with unbelievable difficulty. There is much anxiety and fear to feel. But as believers, we seek strength from Allah and inspiration from the stories of his intimate friend, Ibrahim.
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