اِذۡ قَالَ لَهٗ رَبُّهٗۤ اَسۡلِمۡ​ۙ قَالَ اَسۡلَمۡتُ لِرَبِّ الۡعٰلَمِيۡنَ‏

Al-Qur`an 2:131

When his Lord said to him “Submit”, he said “I have submitted to the Lord of the worlds”

When we look at above aayah, Allahﷻ commands Ibrahim عليه السلام to submit his will and the word our Lordﷻ uses for the retelling of this event is اَسۡلِمۡ (submit), a present tense command verb. We are being shown the event in real-time as its unfolding. So naturally one would expect the reply from Ibrahim عليه السلام would also be in present tense. However Ibrahim عليه السلام replies اَسۡلَمۡتُ (I have submitted), in past tense. Note that his response is not “I submit”. Also to be noted is that the command and response are both enveloped in a single aayah, without the use of connecting words. This is the urgency of the response to the original command. The subtlety here sheds light on the absolute obedience of Ibrahim عليه السلام towards Allahﷻ . In that he was in full submission to Allahﷻ without doubt and apprehension of decision making. This is the purity of Islam.

إِنَّ ٱلدِّينَ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلْإِسْلَـٰمُ

Al-Qur`an 3:19

Indeed, the only religion in the sight of God is Islām

The meaning of the arabic word for Islam – اسْلام means submission of will [to God]. Islam is not a new religion that Prophet Muhammedﷺ brought 1400 years ago as is commonly known. Islam (submission of will to God) was the religion from the start of times as Allahﷻ states in Al-Qur`an. Then people differed and created their own versions. Every prophet from Adam عليه السلام to Prophet Muhammadﷺ brought the same message to people, to worship Allahﷻ alone without ascribing partners to Him, the oneness of God.

وَمَا كَانَ ٱلنَّاسُ إِلَّآ أُمَّةًۭ وَٰحِدَةًۭ فَٱخْتَلَفُوا۟

Al-Qur`an 10:19

Humanity was once nothing but a single community ˹of believers˺, but then they differed

وَاجۡعَلْ لِّىۡ لِسَانَ صِدۡقٍ فِى الۡاٰخِرِيۡنَۙ‏

Al-Qur`an 26:84

And grant me a mention of honor among later generations

Ibrahim عليه السلام displayed utmost sincerity and respect to Allahﷻ. This is a very high caliber relationship between The Creator and His creation. Such is the honor and status our Lord Allahﷻ bestowed upon our father Ibrahim عليه السلام. In the above aayah we see Ibrahim عليه السلام supplicating to Allahﷻ to be granted an honorable mention among later generations. This is so we follow in his honorable path towards finding and serving the real purpose of this life. All the honorable mentions of Ibrahim عليه السلام throughout Al-Qur`an are a proof of Allahﷻ fulfilling this dua (supplication) of Ibrahim عليه السلام. Infact the order of revelation puts this dua of Ibrahim عليه السلام prior to other mentions of him in Al-Qur`an. How amazing that Allahﷻ is showing us right in front of our eyes what His servant sought. And that He did not let the dua go unanswered. Al-Qur`an is the last revelation from Allahﷻ and every word is invaluable for the humanity at large. It is to teach us the purpose of life and a path towards success. Among all of the subject matter to be covered, Allahﷻ dedicated space to honor His most humble servant Ibrahim عليه السلام and his legacy. Such is the love and promise of our Lordﷻ. He is The Most Loving (ٱلْوَدُودُ). He is The One Who Responds (ٱلْمُجِيبُ). We need to remember this if we ever feel hopeless about our duas. Allahﷻ does not like hopelessness.