Why Could Muhammad Not Save His Son Ibrahim

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Question:

Why couldn’t Prophet Muhammad save his son Ibrahim despite his divine status? - An exploration of why Prophet Muhammad, despite being divinely chosen, did not save his son Ibrahim, and what this means in Islamic theology. :::

Answer:

Prophet Muhammad saws did not have any extraordinary divine powers, the miracles which you are referring to were by Allah’s mercy, he was not capable of performing the miracles without Allah’s leave similar to some other prophets before him like Jesus & Moses PBUH. A key point in understanding the concept of miracles in Islam is that they all are a result of Allah’s power and permission, and not that of human beings.

And will make him [‘Iesa (Jesus)] a Messenger to the Children of Israel (saying): “I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, that I design for you out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, and breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by Allâh’s Leave; and I heal him who was born blind, and the leper, and I bring the dead to life by Allâh’s Leave. And I inform you of what you eat, and what you store in your houses. Surely, therein is a sign for you, if you believe. (Aali Imran 3:49)

And they swear their strongest oaths by Allâh, that if there came to them a sign, they would surely believe therein. Say: “Signs are but with Allâh and what will make you (Muslims) perceive that (even) if it (the sign) came, they will not believe?” (Al-An’am 6:109)

And even if We had sent down unto them angels, and the dead had spoken unto them, and We had gathered together all things before their very eyes, they would not have believed, unless Allâh willed, but most of them behave ignorantly. (Al-An’am 6:111)

Miracles performed by Prophets of Islam: Miracles of the Prophets of Islam

The Prophethood with which Allaah honoured him did not alter the fact that he was human. As is mentioned in the Quran:

Say (O Muhammad SAW): “I possess no power of benefit or hurt to myself except as Allâh wills. If I had the knowledge of the Ghaib (unseen), I should have secured for myself an abundance of wealth, and no evil should have touched me. I am but a warner, and a bringer of glad tidings unto people who believe.” (Al-A’raf 7:188)

Say (O Muhammad SAW): “I am only a man like you. It has been inspired to me that your Ilâh (God) is One Ilâh (God i.e. Allâh). So whoever hopes for the Meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord. (Al-Kahf 18:110)

And We did not create them (the Messengers, with) bodies that ate not food, nor were they immortals, (Al-Anbiya 21:8)

“Or (why) has not a treasure been granted to him, or why has he not a garden whereof he may eat?” And the Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrong-doers, etc.) say: “You follow none but a man bewitched.” (Al-Furqan 25:8)

Their Messengers said to them: “We are no more than human beings like you, but Allâh bestows His Grace to whom He wills of His slaves. It is not ours to bring you an authority (proof) except by the Permission of Allâh. And in Allâh (Alone) let the believers put their trust. (Ibrahim 14:11)

Verily, you (O Muhammad SAW) will die and verily, they (too) will die. (Az-Zumar 39:30)

“And We granted not to any human being immortality before you (O Muhammad); then if you die, would they live forever?” [al-Anbiyaa’ 21:34]

Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade when he said: “Do not exaggerate about me as was exaggerated about ‘Eesa (Jesus) ibn Maryam. Say: the slave of Allaah and His Messenger.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6830.