Surah as-Saffat (Those Lined Up) 37 : 87

Overview (Verses 83 - 93)

Abraham and the Idols
 
The sūrah then depicts two of the main episodes from Abraham’s story. The first shows him advocating faith among his people and destroying their idols, followed by their attempt to kill him and God saving him. This episode is also described in other sūrahs. The second episode however, is only mentioned here. It speaks of Abraham’s dream, his sacrifice and how God released his son. This story is given in detail, speaking of stages and attitudes in a remarkably fine and effective style. It shows the most sublime example of obedience to God, sacrifice and self surrender: Among those who followed his way was Abraham. He turned to his Lord with a sound heart. He said to his father and his people: What is this that you worship? Do you choose false deities instead of God? What, then, do you think of the Lord of all the worlds? (Verses 83-87)
 
Thus the story opens, moving from Noah to Abraham and making it clear that they were related in faith and its advocacy. Thus Abraham is said to belong to Noah’s community despite the long time gap between them. Nonetheless they shared the same divine constitution and message.
 
Abraham’s quality highlighted here is his sound heart, which makes him a man of true faith and clear conscience: “He turned to his Lord with a sound heart.” (Verse 84) This is an image of complete submission as represented in Abraham’s turning to his Lord. Use of the adjective ‘sound’ gives clear impressions, and at the same time it is easy and clear, giving strong connotations of purity, sincerity and straightforward behaviour.
 
Because he had a sound heart, Abraham took exception to the practices of his people. This was motivated by his sound sense which recoiled from any idea or behaviour that conflicted with essential human nature: “He said to his father and his people: What is this that you worship? Do you choose false deities instead of God? What, then, do you think of the Lord of all the worlds?” (Verses 85-87) As he saw them worshipping statues and idols, he disapprovingly asked: ‘What is this that you worship?’ This thing that you worship is not worthy of what you do. In fact, there is no trace of truth in such worship: it is sheer falsehood: “Do you choose false deities instead of God?” (Verse 86) What concept do you have of God? Is it so low that human nature looks with abhorrence at its first sight? “What, then, do you think of the Lord of all the worlds?” (Verse 87)
 
The sūrah does not report their answer or their argument with him. Instead, it moves straight to the second scene, showing what he determined to do to confront this flagrant falsehood:
 
Then he cast a glance at the stars, and said: ‘Indeed I am sick.’ So his people turned away from him and left. He then approached their deities stealthily and said: ‘Will you not eat [your offerings]? What is the matter with you that you do not speak?’ And then he fell upon them, smiting them with his right hand. (Verses 88-93)
 
It is said that Abraham’s people were in the midst of a special festive occasion, which might have been their new year’s day, when they went out to spend the day in gardens and parks. They started, however, by placing fruit in front of their deities for blessing. When they returned, having had their fun, they took their blessed food. Abraham, who had despaired of ever receiving a reasonable response from them, realized that they had gone too far astray, and had made up his mind with regard to his next move. Indeed, he waited until the day when they were sure to be away from their temples. He was so fed up with their error that it pained his heart. Therefore, when he was invited to join them, he looked at the sky and said: ‘I am sick, I cannot join in your festivity. If I come with you, I may spoil your occasion.’
 
He was simply expressing his distress at their practices, so that they would leave him alone. What he said was true; it was no lie. Distress can leave real feelings of illness. Since the people were busy preparing for their celebration, they did not stop to examine his claims. Rather. they left him alone and went away. This was the chance Abraham had waited for.
 
He went straight to their false deities and saw splendid varieties of food and fruit placed in front of them. He said sarcastically: “Will you not eat?” (Verse 91) Needless to say, the statues and idols made no reply. He continued with his sarcasm, while also expressing irritation: “What is the matter with you that you do not speak?” (Verse 92) This is a common psychological situation: a man addressing his words to something he knows will not hear or answer him. It was, however, merely an expression of what Abraham felt towards his people as they engaged in absurd falsehood. Once more, the idols gave him no answer. At this point he moved swiftly to pour out all his frustration in action, not just in mere words: “And then he fell upon them, smiting them with his right hand.” (Verse 93) Thus he cleared his illness and distress by solid action.