Ibrahim grew up among a people who worshipped idols, including idols made by his own father, Azar. He reasoned with them gently: he watched a star, the moon and the sun set, and declared that he does not love things that disappear, turning his face to the One who created the heavens and the earth (6:74–79).
One day, while his people were away, he broke their idols, leaving only the largest. When they returned he told them to ask the idols who had done it — knowing they could not speak. Rather than reflect, they threw him into a great fire. Allah commanded: "O fire, be coolness and safety upon Ibrahim" (21:69).
He left his homeland for the sake of Allah with his wife Sarah and his nephew Lut. In his old age Allah gave him Ismaʿil through Hajar and later Ishaq through Sarah. He left Hajar and the infant Ismaʿil in the barren valley of Makkah, praying that hearts would incline towards them (14:37).
Ibrahim saw in a dream that he was sacrificing his son. When he told him, the young Ismaʿil said, "O my father, do as you are commanded; you will find me, if Allah wills, among the patient" (37:102). As they both submitted, Allah ransomed him with a great sacrifice — remembered every year at Eid al-Adha.
With Ismaʿil he raised the foundations of the House in Makkah, praying, "Our Lord, accept this from us" (2:127), and asked Allah to send a messenger from among their descendants — a prayer answered in Muhammad ﷺ. Allah took Ibrahim as a close friend (khalil) and made him an imam for humankind.