The Most High also says:

“Indeed, Abraham was a leader, devoutly obedient to Allah, inclining to Him alone, and he was not one of the polytheists.”

A “leader” here is a teacher of good whom others follow, just as a “role model” is someone whose example others follow. Allah Most High placed prophethood and Scripture among his descendants, and the prophets He sent after him were sent with his religion. The Most High says:

“Then We revealed to you: Follow the religion of Abraham, inclining to Allah alone; he was not one of the polytheists.”

The Most High also says:

“Indeed, those with the greatest claim to Abraham are those who followed him, this Prophet, and those who believe. And Allah is the protector of the believers.”

The Most High also says:

“Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but one inclining to Allah alone, submitting to Him; he was not one of the polytheists.”

The Most High also says:

“They say: Be Jews or Christians, and you will be guided. Say: Rather, we follow the religion of Abraham, inclining to Allah alone; he was not one of the polytheists.”

“Say: We believe in Allah and in what has been sent down to us and what was sent down to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the tribes”—up to His words—“and to Him we submit.”

It is authentically reported in the Sahīh that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Abraham is the best of creation.”

He is thus the greatest of the prophets after the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and he is the intimate friend of Allah Most High.

It is also authentically reported in the Sahīh through several routes that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Allah has taken me as an intimate friend, just as He took Abraham as an intimate friend.”

He also said:

“If I were to take anyone on earth as an intimate friend, I would take Abū Bakr as an intimate friend. But your companion is Allah’s intimate friend”—meaning himself.

He also said:

“There must not remain