O Allah, send Your peace and blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You sent Your peace and blessings upon Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. Truly, You are Praiseworthy, Most Glorious. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. Truly, You are Praiseworthy, Most Glorious
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيم إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكَ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ
In every prayer, Muslims are required to send salutations upon Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) alongside Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). This raises an important question: why, out of all the prophets, is Ibrahim (peace be upon him) specifically mentioned? Why are we not commanded to send salutations upon other prophets in the same way?
The answer lies in the profound lessons from his life- his unwavering submission to Allah, his resilience in the face of trials, and his role as the father of monotheism (Tawhid). His story embodies the psychology of faith, perseverance, and absolute trust in Allah. Understanding his journey not only deepens our appreciation for why we honour him in every ṣalāh but also serves as a powerful contrast to the modern secular mindset, which often reduces human experience to trauma, victimhood, and self-centeredness.
Ibrahim’s (AS) Test: The Command to Sacrifice His Son
One of the most striking events in the life of Ibrahim (peace be upon him) is his willingness to sacrifice his beloved son, Ismā‘īl (peace be upon him), purely out of obedience to Allah. This test is not just about sacrifice; it is about submission and trust in divine wisdom.
After longing for a child for decades- his wife was barren, and he himself had reached old age- Allah finally granted him a son. Naturally, one would expect him to cherish his son even more, as he had waited so long for this blessing. Yet, when Allah commanded him to sacrifice that very child, he did not hesitate:
“And when he reached with him [the age of] exertion, he said, ‘O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I [must] sacrifice you, so see what you think.’ He said, ‘O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, of the steadfast.’” (37:102)
This verse demonstrates not only Ibrahim’s (peace be upon him) submission but also the remarkable faith of his son, Ismā‘īl (peace be upon him). Instead of resisting or reacting with fear, he willingly accepted Allah’s decree. This is a powerful lesson in resilience and trust in Allah.
Allah, in His mercy, replaced the sacrifice with a ram:
“And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice.” (37:107)
This test was not meant to harm but to elevate Ibrahim’s (AS) status. It proved that faith and obedience to Allah are greater than any worldly attachment, even the love of one’s own child.
The Psychology of Submission vs. Secular Psychology
From a psychological perspective, Ibrahim’s (peace be upon him) story teaches us deep lessons about faith, trust, and resilience. He did not question Allah’s command, nor did he complain about the difficulty of the test. Instead, he demonstrated tawakkul (complete reliance on Allah).
Modern secular psychology often promotes a mindset where hardships and difficulties are viewed as traumatic experiences that define a person’s entire life and form part of disorders that have to live with. The popular idea that childhood difficulties permanently determine a person’s future is deeply flawed. If trauma were the defining factor in a person’s development, then Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and countless others who faced immense hardships would not have succeeded.
Secular psychology frequently encourages people to dwell on past hardships, often fostering a victim mentality. The emphasis on “childhood trauma” as an all-encompassing explanation for struggles ignores the role of personal responsibility, resilience, and divine wisdom.
Of course the past is crucially important in our understanding of ourselves in the present. We are who we are, at least in part, because of who we have been but we are also who we are because of who we want to be in the future. We invest time and effort today because of our hopes and dreams for tomorrow.
In the counselling contexts, it is not necessary or helpful (in most cases it can be very harmful) to start with the client’s history. Starting with what the client wants can be more productive. Young people, in particular, are more willing to invest time in finding out what they could become than in what has gone before. Knowing how to get the life you want is often more attractive than working out how you got the one you have. The speed of social and technological change and the short shelf life of much knowledge means our understanding of the past will often fail to help us know how to tackle the future.
Ibrahim’s (AS) Legacy and Why We Send Salutations Upon Him
Ibrahim (peace be upon him) was not only a prophet but the patriarch of Islam. His legacy includes both the Ka‘bah and the prophetic lineage that led to the final messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). Allah honoured him by making him an example for all believers:
“Indeed, Ibrahim was a nation [Ummah], devoutly obedient to Allah, inclining toward truth, and he was not of those who associate others with Allah.” (16:120)
The Prophet ﷺ was commanded to follow the pure way of Ibrahim (peace be upon him):
“Then We revealed to you, [O Muhammad], to follow the religion of Ibrahim, inclining toward truth; and he was not of those who associate others with Allah.” (16:123)
Unlike Western secular psychology, which often focuses on individualism and self-fulfilment, Islam teaches us that true success lies in aligning ourselves with divine guidance. Ibrahim (peace be upon him) embodies the perfect balance of devotion, patience, and action.
The Beauty of Islamic Teachings vs. Secular Worldviews
The modern world often promotes a worldview rooted in materialism, self-gratification, and individual autonomy above all else. In contrast, Ibrahim’s (peace be upon him) story teaches us:
- Submission to Allah brings true peace– While modern secular psychology often encourages people to “find their own truth,” Islam teaches that true fulfilment comes from surrendering to the truth revealed by Allah.
- Hardships are not meant to break us but to elevate us- Many today believe suffering is an injustice, while Islam teaches that trials are a means of purification and elevation. The Qur’an reminds us:
“Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: ‘We believe,’ and will not be tested?” (29:2)*
- Faith is stronger than any worldly attachment- Ibrahim’s (peace be upon him) willingness to sacrifice his son shows that love for Allah must come before everything.
- The importance of intergenerational faith – Ibrahim (peace be upon him) raised his son with such strong īmān that Ismā‘īl (peace be upon him) was ready to submit to Allah’s command. This stands in contrast to the modern world, where generational disconnects in faith are increasingly common.
We live in an age where obedience to God is often challenged, where personal desires are placed above divine commands, and where hardships are seen as unfair rather than as tests of faith. The life of Ibrahim (peace be upon him) teaches us to trust Allah completely, even when things seem difficult. His story is one of strength, patience, and complete devotion.
This is why, in every prayer, we honour him. Through his story, we are reminded that true faith is not just about belief, but about complete submission to the will of Allah. Islam provides a holistic framework for understanding human psychology- one that prioritises resilience, personal responsibility, and spiritual growth, rather than victimhood and self-centeredness.
By sending salutations upon Ibrahim (peace be upon him), we are not just acknowledging his status, but reaffirming our commitment to his way of life- a life of unwavering faith and submission to Allah.
