Prophet Ibrahim was born in Babylon, among people who worshipped idols. Even his father, Azar, was an idol-maker. From childhood Ibrahim asked: "How can statues that don't speak, don't hear, can't help themselves — be worshipped?"
One day when the people had left, Ibrahim entered the temple and destroyed all the idols except the biggest one. When people returned and grew angry, Ibrahim said: "Maybe the big one did it. Ask him!" They said: "You know idols can't speak." Ibrahim replied: "Then why worship something that can't speak and can't help?"
King Nimrod was furious and ordered Ibrahim thrown into a great fire. As Ibrahim was thrown, Allah said to the fire: "O fire, be cool and safe for Ibrahim." The blazing fire turned cold — Ibrahim emerged unharmed.
After many trials, Allah gave him two sons: Ismail and Ishaq. Ibrahim was commanded to sacrifice Ismail — and as he was ready, Allah replaced him with a ram. With Ismail, Ibrahim built the Ka'bah in Makkah, the first house of worship for Allah.
Allah called him "Khalilullah" — Allah's beloved.