Seeking.
Abraham began his journey with an intuition. He heeded the internal unrest that told him something was not right. In all the clamor, it took the moments of night and quiet for him to reach within. While others searched for God in their congested cities and noisy marketplaces, Abraham searched for God in his patient, consistent, and thoughtful gazes at the moon, sun, and stars — constant signs created by the One.
As God says, “So also did We show Abraham the power and the laws of the heavens and the earth, that he might (with understanding) have certitude (Surat Al-An’am, 6:75).
When the night covered him over, He saw a star: He said: "This is my Lord." But when it set, He said: "I love not those that set" (Surat Al-An’am, 6:76).
When he saw the moon rising in splendor, he said: "This is my Lord." But when the moon set, He said: "unless my Lord guide me, I shall surely be among those who go astray" (Surat Al-An’am, 6:77).
When he saw the sun rising in splendor, he said: "This is my Lord; this is the greatest (of all)." But when the sun set, he said: "O my people! I am indeed free from your (guilt) of giving partners to Allah (Surat Al-An’am, 6:78).
"For me, I have set my face, firmly and truly, toward Him Who created the heavens and the earth, and never shall I give partners to Allah" (Surat Al-An’am, 6:79).
The lesson here: Often we search for the truth within ourselves in places and people where the mirror is foggy. Look for God in the purity of silence and solitude. Face your thoughts and feelings. Heed the gifts God placed around you so that you may see Him.
Surrender.
Upon Abraham’s discovery of God as One, he fearlessly began to challenge his people. Wisely implying the statues’ inevitable destruction, he brought to account the people’s foolish belief that the idols they created had legitimate power. Calling upon his father to respectfully leave his idol-worship, he proved that the pursuit of truth does not dismiss but rather reinforces the importance of great character. And finally, in a culmination of his acts of rebellion, he was placed in the center of a fire and after making a sincere prayer to God, he was protected. These actions were ones of complete surrender.
As the Quran states, “Behold! his Lord said to him: "Bow (thy will to Me):" He said: "I bow (my will) to the Lord and Cherisher of the Universe" (Surat Al-Baqara, 2:131).
Upon understanding the truth, Abraham readily directed all his pursuits at fearlessly honoring this truth. Indeed, facing rejection from his own people, risking his family ties, and ultimately jeopardizing his own life were not easy undertakings. The stakes were high, but nearness to his Lord was priceless. It is in this surrender that He acknowledged all power belonged to God. His community, his father, even the physical, flammable flesh that encased his soul were all a result of this power — losing them was not a concern because they were never his to begin with.
The lesson here: To give up power is not to disempower oneself but to absolve oneself of any illusionary power, which is all power other than His highest and only true power. Here, one finds empowerment through reliance on nothing but Him.