Compliments to loved ones are often full of appreciation and recognition of the qualities that have made them your beloved. You truly admire the qualities within that person and this resonates in your praise of them.
Now Allah (swt) praises His Khaleel Ibrahim عليه السلام with words that highlight just how beloved he was to Allah. These accolades come from Allah Hismelf and underpin the importance of these qualities in our own lives as people who aspire to be the friends of Allah.
{ وَٱذۡكُرۡ فِي ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ إِبۡرَٰهِيمَۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ صِدِّيقٗا نَّبِيًّا }
[Surah Maryam: 41]
And mention in the Book (the story of) Ibrāhīm. Indeed, he was Siddīq (a man of truth), a prophet,
Most certainly he was one who acted in truth. A sideeq is one who embodies the truth both in speech and action. One who stands up for the truth and acts according to it- irrespective of the challenges one may undergo because of it. In Surah Maryam Allah Ta'ala describes Ibrahim as with this accolade and then highlights a poignant interaction with his beloved father. With love and devotion , Ibrahim as shows us the way we stand up with the truth , without losing our character ,without reacting to the negativity that the people around us may respond with. A slow and steady constancy in understanding the truth and sticking by it through thick and thin. Threats of torture , being thrown out of his parents home - none of it prevents him from keeping to his true focus- even as painful as it may be.
{ شَاكِرٗا لِّأَنۡعُمِهِۚ ٱجۡتَبَىٰهُ وَهَدَىٰهُ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٖ مُّسۡتَقِيمٖ }
[Surah An-Naḥl: 121]
He was grateful to His bounties. He (Allah) chose him and led him to the straight path.
Truly grateful for His favors.
At a time when Ibrahim عليه السلام loses the most valuable connection to man , when he pleads with his father saying يا أبت Oh my beloved father. At this time Ibrahim عليه السلام embodies this quality of true gratitude. This is gratitude whilst in the lowest moments of your life. As he migrates ,leaves home rejected- he says
{ قَالَ سَلَٰمٌ عَلَيۡكَۖ سَأَسۡتَغۡفِرُ لَكَ رَبِّيٓۖ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ بِي حَفِيّٗا }
[Surah Maryam: 47]
He said, “Peace on you. I shall seek forgiveness for you from my Lord. He has always been gracious to me.
My Allah has always been kind to me . Subhaanallah this lesson is a deep one for myself. Gratitude in ease can be so incredibly easy. Yet recognizing the kindness of Allah within your low periods , when it feels like it is never going to get better. That is true gratitude. These words were how my father greeted me ,for most of my life ,he named me Shakirah because of this quality of Ibrahim عليه السلام and I ask Allah to grant myself and each one us the ability to truly embody gratitude in moments when we may not be able to recognize it.
{ إِنَّ إِبۡرَٰهِيمَ لَحَلِيمٌ أَوَّٰهٞ مُّنِيبٞ }
[Surah Hūd: 75]
Mufti Taqi Usmani:
Surely, Ibrāhīm is forbearing, very penitent, ever-turning to Allah.
The qualities mentioned here , were jn relation to the response of Ibrahim عليه السلام when he learnt that the Angels were on their way to destroy the people of Lut عليت السلام. Allah Ta'ala describes his beloved Khaleel as one who felt deeply for others. The worry he expressed at the thought that even one other Muslim would be punished.
This quality of أواه depicts his deep relationship with Allah Ta'ala, constantly expressing good character and a completeness in caring whilst embracing a constant sense of hope in Allah Ta’ala by truly recognizing who is Allah , recognizing His love and constantly turning to Him and turning away from others.
And Ibn Jarir, Ibn Abi Hatim, and others, narrated that Abdullah bin Shaddad said: A man said: O Messenger of God, what is al-Awah? He said: “The humbled one who supplicates a great deal of supplication.”
Al-Munib: The quick to return to God - blessed and exalted - by repentance and seeking forgiveness.
That is, Ibrahim was patient with harm, forgiving of offense, frequently supplicated to Allah Ta'ala, quick to return to Him in all that He loves and is pleased with.
وأخرج ابن جرير وابن أبى حاتم وغيرهما عن عبد الله بن شداد قال رجل: يا رسول الله ما الأواه؟ قال: «الخاشع المتضرع الكثير الدعاء» .
والمنيب: السريع الرجوع إلى الله-تبارك وتعالى- بالتوبة والاستغفار.
أى أن إبراهيم لصبور على الأذى، صفوح عن الجناية، كثير التضرع إلى الله، سريع الرجوع إليه في كل ما يحبه ويرضاه
Qualities by the Most Exalted Allah. Qualities to dedicate our lives to perfecting. Qualities of a man who even when he loses everything, recognizes that as long as He has Allah سبحانه وتعالى he has everything.