Introduction

hroughout history, prophets have called on their tribes to believe in the One and Only God and to serve only Him. They relayed the Divine religion to humanity and demonstrated how to live the ideal life. Thus, these chosen servants of God represent the very finest model of superior characteristics, proper moral values, and ideal behavior and reactions to events. Just as they served as role models for their societies, the Qur'an reveals that they also showed all future believers how to live in a manner that pleases God:

You have an excellent model in the Messenger of God, for all who put their hope in God and the Last Day and remember God much. (Qur'an, 33:21)

Each prophet possesses virtues that are praised in the Qur'an. Therefore, believers must carefully study every detail of these Qur'anic accounts so that they can take these men's lives, moral virtues, and deep devotion to God as models for themselves. Each prophet was sent to his own tribe, experienced different situations, and used various methods to explain God's existence. For that reason, the natures of the prophets' tribes, and their reactions to the prophets, as well as the difficulties experienced by those who became believers and the prophets themselves, provide us with important information about how we can please God.

This book introduces Prophet Abraham (pbuh), who is praised in the Qur'an in these terms: "You have an excellent example in Abraham and those with him" (Qur'an, 60:4) and Prophet Lot (pbuh), who lived during the same period, so that they can serve as role models for our own lives. Since every piece of information about these two prophets contains considerable wisdom, we shall examine their lives closely in this book so that we can follow their example.