Friday, March 29, 2024 | Ramadan 18, 1445 H
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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

Prophet Ibrahim and the Fire

Stories from the Quran
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Allah the Almighty says: And We had certainly given Abraham his sound judgement before, and We were of him well-Knowing. When he said to his father and his people, “What are these statues to which you are devoted?” (53) They said, “We found our fathers worshippers of them.” (54) He said, “You were certainly, you and your fathers, in manifest error.” (55) They said, “Have you come to us with truth, or are you of those who jest? (56) He said, “[No], rather, your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth who created them, and I, to that, am of those who testify. (57) And [I swear] by Allāh, I will surely plan against your idols after you have turned and gone away. (58) So he made them into fragments, except a large one among them, that they might return to it [and question]. (59) They said, “Who has done this to our gods? Indeed, he is of the wrongdoers. (60) They said, “We heard a young man mention them who is called Abraham. (61) They said, “Then bring him before the eyes of the people that they may testify. (62) They said, “Have you done this to our gods, O Abraham? (63) He said, “Rather, this - the largest of them - did it, so ask them, if they should [be able to] speak. (64) So they returned to [blaming] themselves and said [to each other], “Indeed, you are the wrongdoers.” (65) Then they reversed themselves,[893] [saying], “You have already known that these do not speak! (66) He said, “Then do you worship instead of Allāh that which does not benefit you at all or harm you? (67) Uff[894] to you and to what you worship instead of Allāh. Then will you not use reason? (68) They said, “Burn him and support your gods - if you are to act. (69) We [i.e., Allāh] said, “O fire, be coolness and safety upon Abraham. (70) And they intended for him a plan [i.e., harm], but We made them the greatest losers. (71) } 51-71 Surah Al-Anbiya


Almighty Allah recounted: And recite to them the story of Abraham. When he said to his father and his people: “What do you worship?” They said: “We worship idols, and to them we are ever devoted.” He said: “Do they hear you, when you call (on them)? Or do they benefit you or do they harm (you)?” They said: “Nay, but we found our fathers doing so.”


He said: “Do you observe that which you been worshipping, - You and your ancient fathers? - Verily! They are enemies to me, save the Lord of the Alamin (mankind, jinn, and all that exists); Who has created me, and it is He Who guides me; and it is He Who feeds me and gives me to drink. And when I am ill, it is He who cures me; and Who will cause me to die and then will bring me to life (again); and Who, I hope will forgive me my faults on the Day of Recompense, (the Day of Resurrection).” Quran Ayah 26:69-82


In another surah The Almighty revealed: And (remember) Abraham when he said to his people: “Worship Allah (Alone), and fear Him, that is better for you if you did but know. You worship besides Allah only idols, and you only invent falsehood. Verily, those whom you worship besides Allah have no power to give you provision, so seek your provision from Allah (Alone), and worship Him (Alone), and be grateful to Him. To Him (Alone) you will be brought back. And if you deny, then nations before you have denied (their Messengers). And the duty of the Messenger is only to convey (the Message) plainly.”


His father’s harsh treatment did not stop Abraham from delivering the message of truth. Angry and sad to see people prostrate before idols, he was determined to stamp out these practices and went to the town to debate with the people, knowing full well that he might suffer harm.


Like a wise doctor searching for the cause of a sickness so as to prescribe the proper cure, or like a judge who questions the accused sharply so that he might detect the truth, Abraham asked them: “Do the idols see you when you prostrate before them? Do they benefit you in any way?” They quickly tried to defend their beliefs. They argued that they knew their idols were lifeless but that their forefathers had worshipped them; to them this was proof enough for their belief.


Abraham explained that their forefathers had been wrong. This angered them and they retorted: “Are you condemning our gods and our forefathers? Or are you just joking?”


Abraham showed no fear as he replied: “I am serious. I come to you with a true religion. I have been sent with guidance from our Lord Who alone is worthy of worship, Who is the Creator of the heavens and the earth, and Who regulates all affairs of life, unlike the dumb idols which are just stone and wood.”


To convince them that the idols could not harm him, he challenged: “I have already condemned them; if they had any power they would have harmed me by now!”


(Part 1 of 2)


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