Friday sermon: remembering Prophet Ibrahim on Eid Al Adha

Worshippers will be told to follow the example of Prophet Ibrahim whose submission to Allah marks Eid Al Adha

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Prayers for a blessed Eid Al Adha and the promise of many more to come will be at the forefront of Friday’s sermon.

Worshippers will be told to ask Allah to increase their piety with each passing year.

Eid Al Adha cannot be celebrated without remembering Prophet Ibrahim. The festival commemorates the sacrifices made by the prophet.

Prophet Ibrahim is described as the forefather of all the prophets who came after him, including Moses, Jesus and Mohammed.

These prophets are said to have inherited aspects of his character, values and spiritual state, and should therefore serve as role models for ­mankind.

Prophet Ibrahim is accorded the highest status in the Quran and is described as "among the righteous". This is because he was an exemplar in his submission to Allah and was sincere in his worship.

“When his Lord said to him ‘submit’, he said ‘I have submitted [in Islam] to the Lord of the worlds.” (Quran 2:131)

As a result, he was given the title KhalilAllah, or friend of Allah, and was even referred to as Siddiq, because of his sincerity.

He was loyal and fulfilled his oath to Allah concerning everything he was entrusted with. He was also known to be extremely generous:

"Has there reached you the story of the honoured guests of Abraham? When they entered upon him and said '[We greet you with] peace.' He answered '[And upon you] peace, [you are] a people unknown.' Then he went to his family and came with a fat [roasted] calf and places it near them and he said 'Will you not eat?'" [Quran: 51:24-27]

He greeted his guests with a kind face and would seat them in the best of places before hastening to prepare food for them, choosing the finest of what he had to offer.

The sermon will tell worshippers that Prophet Ibrahim's life was filled with several great achievements, including building the Kaaba in Makkah, where millions of Muslims go for pilgrimage each year.

At the holy site he called upon God with a request: “Send among [the people] a messenger from themselves who will recite to them Your verses and teach them the Book and wisdom and purify them. Indeed, You are the Exalted in Might, the Wise.” (Quran 2:129)

Allah responded to Prophet Ibrahim's request, and many generations later sent forth the last of His Prophets, Mohammed, who was said to resemble to a great extent his forefather.

In following the example of the Prophet Mohammed, Muslims will be emulating the positive characteristics of Prophet Ibrahim.

“Indeed, the most worthy of Abraham among the people are those who followed him [in submission to Allah ] and this prophet, and those who believe [in his message]. And Allah is the ally of the believers.” (Quran 3:68)