شَاكِرًا لاَِّنْعُمِهِ اجْتَبَاهُVerily, Ibrahim was (himself) an Ummah, obedient to Allah, a Hanif (monotheist), and he was not one of the idolators.(He was) thankful for His favors. He (Allah) chose himHe selected him, as Allah says:وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَأ إِبْرَهِيمَ رُشْدَهُ مِن قَبْلُ وَكُنَّا بِهِ عَـلِمِينَAnd before, We indeed gave Ibrahim his integrity, and We were indeed most knowledgeable about him. (21:51). Then Allah says:وَهَدَاهُ إِلَى صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍand guided him to a straight path.which means to worship Allah alone, without partners or associate, in the manner that He prescribed and which pleases Him