For many centuries before Prophet Abraham, thousands of the One God’s Prophets were unable to build an ongoing monotheistic community. “The people of Noah denied before them, and the companions of the well and Thamūd; and ʿAad and Pharaoh and the brothers [neighbors] of Lot; and the companions of the forest, and the people of Tubbaʿ. All denied the messengers [Allah sent to them] so My threat (of devastation) was justly fulfilled.” [Qur’an 50:12-14]

“When We sent to them two [messengers] but they denied them, so We strengthened them with a third, and they said, “Indeed, we are messengers to you.” They said, “You are just human beings like us, and the Most Merciful has not revealed a thing. You are only telling lies.” They answered, “Our Lord knows that we are messengers to you, and we are not responsible except for [your] clear notification.”

No one knows how many of the One God’s Messengers and Prophets were not only rejected but also killed: “They [the polytheists] said, “Indeed, we consider you a bad omen. If you do not desist, we will surely stone you (to death) , and there will surely touch you, from us, a painful punishment.” (Qur’an 36:14-18)

So while a few individuals and families in every tribe and nation in the whole world committed themselves to no idols and to monotheism, all of their descendants ultimately reverted to idolatry and many Gods worship. Only Prophet Abraham, who was himself a friend of the One God, and the majority of his descendants became an ongoing national religious community.

Although millions of Christians celebrate the birthday of Prophet Jesus, neither Christians, Jews or Muslims celebrate the birthday of God’s messenger who started their own religions: Prophet Abraham, the Hebrew (Genesis 14:13) a Friend of God.

What makes Prophet Abraham, “whom God chose........

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