Surah Maryam (Mary) 19 : 42

Explanatory Note

It is with such a passionate appeal that Abraham addresses his father, trying to guide him to the goodness God had taught him and to which He had directed him. His appeal is an endearing one, stressing his position as a loving son. He asks him: “Why do you worship something that neither hears nor sees and can be of no avail whatever to you?” (Verse 42) The normal practice is that people address their worship to someone who is more exalted, knowledgeable and stronger than man. Indeed worship is always presented to someone exalted above man’s position. How is it, then, that in this case it is presented to something below the level of man, and indeed below the level of animals; something that does not hear or see anything and can cause no benefit or harm. This was the case of Abraham’s father and community. They worshipped idols, just like the Arabs of the Quraysh who opposed Islam.This is the first point in Abraham’s appeal to his father.