Surah al-Anbiya' (The Prophets ) 21 : 59

Overview (Verses 59 - 68)

A Debate to Open People’s Eyes
 
Abraham’s people returned to find the utter destruction of their idols except this largest one. But they did not question that idol or even ask themselves how their deities could suffer such a fate without defending themselves. Nor did they ask why the large idol did not take it upon itself to defend them all. They could not ask such questions, because the myths in which they believed rendered their minds useless, chaining their power of thought. Essentially, they could not consider the matter objectively, and were unable to ask the most logical question. They were only furious with the one who had brought all this upon their idols. “They said: Who has done this to our gods? He is definitely one of the wrongdoers.” (Verse 59) Then, those who had heard Abraham both object to his father’s and peers’ idol worship and threaten to destroy the same found their answer: “They said: We heard a youth speak of them; he is called Abraham.” (Verse 60)
 
It appears that Abraham (peace he upon him) was still a young man when God bestowed on him the gift of knowing what is right. Hence, he objected to the worship of idols and destroyed them when the chance presented itself. The question arises, however, as to whether he had already been given his message, or whether he acted on an inspiration that led him to the truth before he had received his message. In this latter case, his denunciation of idol worship and his call upon his father to follow his path were the result of that inspiration. This was most probably the case.
 
On the other hand, it is possible that Abraham’s people’s reference to him as ‘a youth’ was meant merely as a slight. This is supported by their words referring to him in the passive voice, ‘he is called Abraham’.
 
They implied that he was unknown, and represented no threat. This is possible, but we think the first explanation to be more probable, viz. that he was only a young man at the time.
 
“They said: Then bring him here in sight of all people, so that they may bear witness.” (Verse 61) They wanted to denounce him in public so that people should know of his deeds and their consequences. And when he was brought before them, they said: “Abraham, was it you who did this to our gods?’” (Verse 62) They continued to describe their idols as gods even when they had been smashed into pieces and formed little more than a heap of rubble. Abraham derided their thinking, and even though he faced them alone, mocked their stupidity. He was looking at the whole thing with an open mind and a clear heart. Hence, he gave them this mocking answer that fits their lowly level of thinking: “He answered: Nay, it was this one, the biggest of them, who did it. But ask them, if they can speak!” (Verse 63)
 
Derision is very clear in his answer. Hence there is no need to describe it as a lie and to try to find some justification for it, as commentators on the Qur’ān have done. The whole thing is much simpler than that. Abraham simply wanted to say to his people: these figures do not know who smashed them to pieces, nor whether it was me or this large idol which is as motionless as they were. All of them are inanimate and have no faculty of recognition. You are also deprived of your faculties, which accounts for your inability to distinguish between what is possible and what is impossible. You cannot even tell whether it was me who broke them or this big one. Hence, ‘ask them, if they can speak!’
 
It seems that his sarcasm shook them into some sort of reflection. “So they turned to themselves, saying, ‘Surely, it is you who are doing wrong.” (Verse 64) This was a good sign: not only were they aware of the absurdity of their stance but also how wrong it was to worship such statues. For once it seemed possible that they would open their eyes and see how untenable their position was.
 
Sadly, it was just a bright flash followed by utter darkness. Their minds seemed to see the light, but they soon sank back into lifelessness: “But then they relapsed into their old position and said, ‘You know very well that these (idols] cannot speak!” (Verse 65)
 
Their first reaction was one of returning to their senses, but their second was a relapse, a tumbling over their heads, as the Qur’ān describes. Initially, something had stirred them to reflect, but soon thereafter they had again lost their senses, lacking clear thought, and logical argument. Had there been any logic, their last statement gives Abraham a forceful argument against them. What more could he argue than the fact that those statues and deities were dumb, unable to speak? Hence, Abraham confronts them with impatience, which incidentally was very uncharacteristic of him. Basically, their absurdity was intolerable even for the most forbearing person: “Said [Abraham]: Do you then worship, instead of God, something that cannot benefit or harm you in any way? Fie upon you and upon all that you worship instead of God! Will you not, then, use your reason?” (Verses 66-67) Here we see Abraham’s patience exhausted, as he expresses his amazement at their absurdity.
 
At this point, they resorted to tyranny which always prevails when tyrants are left speechless, unable to produce a coherent counter- argument. They resorted to brute force, rushing to inflict on him a painful suffering: “They cried: Burn him, and succour your gods, if you are going to do [anything at all].” (Verse 68)
 
Yet what sort of deities are these which need the support of their servants, while they avail themselves of nothing? They are powerless, helpless.