Surah al-Anbiya' (The Prophets ) 21 : 56

Overview (Verses 51 - 58)

Questioning People’s Beliefs
 
The episode narrated here is that of Abraham’s message, given in a sequence of scenes that leave short gaps in between. It starts by mentioning that Abraham was initially given a sense of what is right, which here means God’s oneness. In fact, it is the most important aspect of guidance which is clearly understood here as the referent of the phrase, ‘what is right’: “We formerly bestowed on Abraham his consciousness of what is right, and We were aware of him when he said to his father and his people, ‘What are these images to which you are so devoted?” (Verses 51-52) This means that God gave Abraham his sense of what is right, knowing his aptitude to bear the trust given to His messengers.
 
“He said to his father and his people, ‘What are these images to which you are so devoted?’” (Verse 52) The way he put this question is indicative of his sharp sense of what is right. He gave those stones and wooden shapes their true names, ‘images’. He did not call them ‘deities’. Indeed, he stated his disapproval of their worship of those images by using the word ‘devoted’, which indicates a permanent action. Needless to say, those people did not devote all their time to worshipping such idols, but they nonetheless attached great respect to them. This is, then, devotion in an abstract sense. The way Abraham put the question, describing them as permanent devotees to such idols, indicates that he considered their action absolutely absurd.
 
They defended their action by saying: “We found our forefathers worshipping them.” (Verse 53) Their answer indicates that they were in a stone-like inflexible state of mind that chained them to absurd traditions. They were far removed from freedom of thought, reflection and the proper evaluation of things and situations which belief in God generates as it breaks the chains of imaginary, baseless and traditional sanctities.
 
“Said he: Indeed, you and your forefathers have been in evident error.” (Verse 54) That such images were worshipped by their fathers could not impart to such objects any value which they did not have. Nor could it have given them any undeserved sanctity. Nor is real value derived from giving forefathers an elevated status and following in their footsteps. It is rather the result of proper, free and objective judgement.
 
When Abraham confronted them with such objectivity they asked: “Is it the truth you are preaching to us? Or are you one who jests?” (Verse 55) It is the kind of question asked only by someone who is unsure of his own beliefs, because he never questioned them to make sure they were right. Both his thinking and his soul are impaired by the myths and traditions he has thoughtlessly accepted. As such, he is uncertain about anything. Worship conversely must rely only on certainty, not on unsubstantiated myths. This is the state of loss that engulfs those who do not believe in a faith based on the clear truth of God’s oneness that brings mind and conscience into perfect harmony.
 
Abraham, on the other hand, enjoys a state of complete certainty. He knows his Lord. His thoughts are full of the truth of His oneness. Hence, he says with absolute clarity: “Indeed, your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, He who has brought them into being. And I am a witness to this [truth].” (Verse 56) He is the Lord of man, the heavens and earth: a single Lord who is the Creator of all. Indeed, creation and Lordship are two qualities that go hand in hand. Such is the straight and clear faith. It is totally different from what unbelievers think when they claim that there are several deities, whilst at the same time conceding that none of them creates except God, the only Creator. Yet still they worship such deities knowing they are powerless to create.
 
Abraham reiterates his certainty like a witness testifying to a situation over which he has no doubt whatsoever: “I am a witness to this truth.” Abraham did not witness the creation of the heavens and the earth, nor did he witness his own creation, or that of his people. But the matter is so clear that true believers testify to it with absolute certainty. Everything in the universe confirms the oneness of the Creator who controls all. Moreover, every particle in man’s constitution appeals to him to acknowledge this truth, as well as the unity of the law that governs the whole universe and conducts its affairs.
 
Abraham follows this with a declaration to his people that he is intent on doing something to their deities: “By God, I shall most certainly bring about the downfall of your idols when you have turned your backs and gone away!” (Verse 57) But he leaves his intent unclear. The sūrah does not mention the reply his people gave, because they relied on their feeling that a man like Abraham could not harm their deities. Hence, they left him and went away.
 
Abraham, however, went ahead with what he intended: “So he broke the idols to pieces, [all] except for the biggest of them, so that they might turn back to him.” (Verse 58) Thus, the idols which were the subject of worship were turned into small, broken pieces of stone and wood. But Abraham left the largest one untouched to see his people’s reaction when they discovered what had happened. They might, for example, have wanted to ask the idol how all this happened and why it did not rise to their defence. They might even have reconsidered the whole issue and realized the absurdity of their beliefs and so begun to think properly.