Story of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and His Father

The one whom Allah has guided to Islam must hasten to convey this light to his family and relatives, because they are the first people whom he should call and to whom he should bring the light of Islam.

If there are among them people who do not object to Islam, then this is a great blessing which the Muslim should make the most of to present Islam to them in the best manner.

However, we have the story of Prophet Ibrahim and his father that shows us the complete opposite of our ideal situation.

The father of Prophet Ibrahim was known as one of the idol-worshippers. He used to carve them and sell them. His father’s disbelief troubled Prophet Ibrahim, so he singled him out for advice and said to him:
“O my father! Why do you worship that which hears not, sees not and cannot avail you in anything?

O my father! Verily, there has come to me of the knowledge that which came not unto you. So follow me, I will guide you to the Straight Path.” (Quran 19: 42-43)

But his father did not respond to him, rather he threatened to stone him and forsake him.

He said:
“Do you reject my gods, O Ibrahim? If you stop not this, I will indeed stone you. So get away from me safely before I punish you”(Quran 19:46)

So Prophet Ibrahim a.s had no choice but to leave him, and he said to him:
“Peace be on you! I will ask forgiveness of my Lord for you. Verily, He is unto me Ever Most Gracious. (Quran 19:47)

Prophet Ibrahim continued to ask for forgiveness in behalf of his father and to ask his Lord to guide him. But when it became clear to him that he, his own father, was an enemy of Allah, he disavowed him and stopped asking for forgiveness from Allah for his father.