Which prophet is known as “Khalilullah” (Friend of God) in Islam? The answer is Ibrahim, known in English as Abraham.
Ibrahim holds an exceptionally important place in Islam as a prophet and patriarch of monotheism. The title Khalilullah refers to his intimate friendship with God and is associated with his unwavering devotion, especially when he rejected idol worship and called his people to worship one God.
Islamic tradition connects Ibrahim with major sacred events and places. He and his son Ismail are traditionally associated with rebuilding the Kaaba in Mecca, and Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son is commemorated during Eid al-Adha. The Quran also presents him as an ancestor of several prophetic lines, including those leading to Musa, Isa, and Muhammad.
A common mistake is to treat Ibrahim as exclusively a Jewish or Christian figure. Islam regards him as a foundational prophet who preceded those later religious communities. Muslims also call him Hanif, describing his rejection of polytheism and his commitment to pure monotheism.