Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
What "proof" is there that Prophet Abraham (pbuh) even existed?
I think obsessing about the "historicity" of people/events in our sacred literature or wisdom teachings can make us blind to the message, guidance and wisdom which are the most important.
IMO, Prophet Abraham symbolizes the level of spirituality that the Quran refers to as Iman...which is---the use of reason and intellect to arrive at heartfelt conviction. That is why the Shahada begins with a negation before an affirmation(there is no God but Allah).
"Doubt is to find truth---those who do not have doubt cannot think and those who cannot think cannot find truth" Al Gazali (1058-1111)
This is also the way of Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) who rejected the polytheism of his time and would go to the mountain cave to contemplate....had he not doubted and questioned his received tradition...would humanity have the Quran today?.....
If, after using one's reason and intellect, one arrives at the conclusion that there is a God, that this God sent Prophets (peace be upon them) and that the Quran is Guidance from God to humanity...then one can also trust this Guidance. That does not mean that one is to treat the Quran as a history textbook---it was never designed to be one---Its primary purpose is as a book of Guidance and Wisdom. If, in the pursuit of knowledge, archaeology or history confirms this or that in the Quran---that is good and interesting.....but not a matter of paramount importance.....
The Quran says that the Kaba (in Mecca) was built by Prophet Abraham---Quran 2:125-129
125 And [mention] when We made the House a place of return for the people and [a place of] security. And take, [O believers], from the station of Abraham a place of prayer. And We charged Abraham and Ishmael, [saying], "Purify My House for those who perform Tawaf and those who are staying [there] for worship and those who bow and prostrate [in prayer]."
126 And [mention] when Abraham said, "My Lord, make this a secure city and provide its people with fruits - whoever of them believes in Allah and the Last Day." [ Allah ] said. "And whoever disbelieves - I will grant him enjoyment for a little; then I will drive them to the punishment of the Fire, and wretched is the destination.
127 And [mention] when Abraham was raising the foundations of the House and [with him] Ishmael, [saying], "Our Lord, accept [this] from us. Indeed You are the Hearing, the Knowing."
128 Our Lord, and make us Muslims [in submission] to You and from our descendants a Muslim nation [in submission] to You. And show us our rites and accept our repentance. Indeed, You are the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful.
129 Our Lord, and send among them 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."
The evidence we have that Ibrahim (AS) existed and resided in Mecca is similar to the evidence that Christians and Jews have in regards to their belief in Ibrahim (AS)...and that is our divine scripture.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
