By Shakyh Mohammad Elhuwaizy @ Islamic Center of Johnson County:

So this Friday’s Khutbah was a little harder for me to summarize…. But here are a few points I was able to make…

The topic discussed was: How Prophet Ibrahim (AS)’s family is a good example for us on how to be with our family.

The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “When a man dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things: Sadaqah Jariyah (ceaseless charity); knowledge which is beneficial; or a virtuous descendant who prays for him (the deceased).” [Sahih Muslim]

The third source of reward is having virtuous descendants. Training of children on the right lines and then making dua for them to be among the righteous is essential, so that after a person’s death they continue to pray for him or her. The prayer of righteous children in favor of parents is very useful.
http://dailyhadith.adaptivesolutionsinc.com/hadith/Three-Lasting-Good-Deeds.htm

Lessons from Prophet Ibrahim (AS):

1. Steadfastness in obedience to Allah (SWT) together as a family unit.
Prophet Ibrahim (AS) when he had to leave his wife Hagar in Makkah. She did not argue with her husband even though she was being deserted with a newborn baby where there was no vegetation. Hence, the wife and son reaped the rewards of patience such that God flowed pure zamzam water beneath the feet of baby Ismaeel and made the trekking of Safa and Marwah a lifelong ritual for Muslims until the Day of Judgment. Such are the dividends from the Creator when the family, as a unit, is in sync with its Master and His Commandments upon this earth.
http://www.onislam.net/english/reading-islam/living-islam/islam-day-to-day/family/455413-save-family-save-society.html

2. Important communication lesson between kids and parents:
It is very important to have good communication between you and your kids.
When Ibrahim (AS) saw in his dream that he was commanded by Allah (SWT) to sacrifice his son, Ibrahim (AS) went and spoke to his son about the dream and Prophet Ismaeel (AS) agreed and asked him to carry out Allah (SWT)’s will.

فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ مَعَهُ السَّعْيَ قَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ إِنِّي أَرَىٰ فِي الْمَنَامِ أَنِّي أَذْبَحُكَ فَانظُرْ مَاذَا تَرَىٰ قَالَ يَا أَبَتِ افْعَلْ مَا تُؤْمَرُ سَتَجِدُنِي إِن شَاءَ اللَّهُ مِنَ الصَّابِرِينَ
{And, when he (his son) was old enough to walk with him, he said: “O my son! I have seen in a dream that I am slaughtering you (offering you in sacrifice to Allah). So look what you think!” He said: “O my father! Do that which you are commanded, Insha’ Allah (if Allah wills), you shall find me of the patients} (As-Saffat 37: 102)
Even though Prophet Ibrahim (AS) was not obligated to ask his son as it was a commandment from Allah (SWT) he spoke to Ismaeel (AS) and showed us an example how important it is to have that bond of communication with kids.
Similarly when Prophet Yusuf (AS) had a dream he went and spoke to his father Prophet Ya’qub (AS) without hesitation.
Children should be able to talk to their parents without any hesitation and similarly parents should be able to talk to their children to develop that bond and trust between them.

Prophet Ibrahim (AS) was tested in every aspect of family but he never wavered in his loyalty & dedication to Allah (SWT)’s path.

‘We can be patient with hunger in this duniya but we cannot bear the hell-fire’ ~ Shakyh Mohammad.

If I have written anything right it is from Allah (SWT) anything wrong is from me. Allahualam.