Festivals, Fatherhood and Faith: Walking in the Footsteps of Abraham
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Waqar Ahmad Ahmedi, UK
On the third Sunday of June, dads all over Britain will be showered with affection as part of Father’s Day celebrations. Similar to Mother’s Day (and also Grandparents’ Day in some countries) the occasion is an opportunity for many children to show love and appreciation for their ‘old man’.
This year, the day falls just after the Islamic festival Eid al-Adha, which commemorates the sacrifices of Abraham – ‘Father of the Prophets’ – his wife Hagar and their son Ishmael, who all demonstrated exemplary commitment to truth, selflessness and trust in God approximately 4,000 years ago.
As a divinely appointed messenger, Abraham had staunch faith in tawhid – the unity of Allah – when many in society turned to idol worship, which he criticised through reasoned argument. When his enemies tried to have Abraham burned, God saved him. At a time when human sacrifice was part of the social custom, he saw a dream in which he was slaughtering Ishmael and asked for his son’s interpretation. Both agreed that this must be the will of Allah, and preparations were subsequently made to end Ishmael’s life but an angel intervened and praised them for their readiness to attain God’s pleasure at any cost, thus fulfilling the purpose of the dream. They were commanded to sacrifice a ram instead to symbolise their spirit of obedience. Like his father, Ishmael was chosen to be a prophet and assisted Abraham with the rebuilding of the Ka’bah, the first house of God on earth.
It is in this unique family’s honour that millions annually make the pilgrimage to Makkah to walk in their footsteps and reenact some of the key events from that time. They remember the moment Abraham had to leave Hagar and the then much younger Ishmael in the barren valley of Bakkah, teaching them how to rely solely on Allah as the Provider, Protector and Sustainer. As both a father and husband, Abraham set the ultimate ideal of faith in a higher power which still serves as a lesson for people of all religions.
Fathers, like mothers, have always played a central role in the family. In some traditions, such as ancient Rome, the oldest living male in the household (paterfamilias) enjoyed complete domestic rule, while in other cultures the family structure remains patrilineal.
Today, many fathers are becoming more active parents, such as in the UK which has seen a surge in stay-at-home dads compared with before Covid.
Respect for parents is at the heart of many religions. Hindus revere Vasudeva for protecting his child Krishna from an evil king, Buddhism teaches “I will support them who supported me” (Sigalovada Sutta 31: 28) and the Bible states “Honour thy father and mother” (Ephesians 6: 2). The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) said “Paradise lies at the feet of the mother” (Sunan an-Nasa’i 3104) and taught that the relatives most entitled to kindness are one’s parents, and that this benevolence extends to their friends after their passing. He also stated that: “The pleasure of the Lord lies in the pleasure of the parent. The anger of the Lord lies in the anger of the parent.” (Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 2)
The example of Abraham’s family shows that pious parents are the best possible role models, and foundation for a happy, harmonious and healthy home. From offering physical comfort and financial assistance to emotional support and moral guidance, they are irreplaceable. Such was the Holy Prophet (sa) himself a paragon of parenting, that when the father of his adopted son Zaid travelled especially to Makkah to bring him home, Zaid insisted on staying with the Messenger of Allah.
Research has shown that the presence, particularly of fathers in their children’s lives is fundamental to their holistic development, well-being and success in life.
As the English poet George Herbert observed, “One father is more than a hundred schoolmasters.”
Family unity and stability are integral to social peace, for which the Holy Qur’an specifies special prayers. It also reminds Muslims of the need to express gratitude for the blessings given to them through their parents.
“My Lord, have mercy on them even as they nourished me in my childhood.” (Surah Bani Israil 17: 25)
“My Lord, grant me the power that I may be grateful for Thy favour which Thou hast bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and that I may do such good works as may please Thee. And make my seed righteous for me. I do turn to Thee; and, truly, I am of those who submit to Thee.” (Surah Al Ahqaf 46: 16)
These prayers do not stop when parents pass away but continue after their demise too. For believers, the most effective way to honour one’s mother or father is not to remember them on just a single day of the year, but to continuously strive to live out the noble values and virtues such as those embodied by Abraham’s family. For any parent, that would be the most precious gift of all.
About the Author: Waqar Ahmad Ahmedi is Head of Religious Studies at a school in Godalming, Surrey. He also serves on the Editorial Board of The Review of Religions.
