Ibrahim, peace be upon him, grew up among people who bowed to statues they had made with their own hands. One day he broke those statues, all except the largest. Why would a young man do that, and why leave one standing?
This is day eleven of our Qur’an Stories series. Last time we saw what happened to Thamud, who hamstrung the camel. Now we turn to Ibrahim. The English meanings below are our own wording. It is a reflection on meaning, not a ruling.
Quick answer
Short answer: Ibrahim first asked his father and people why they worshipped statues (21:52). They had no reason except that their fathers did it (21:53). He broke the idols and left the biggest so they would come back to it (21:58). When questioned, he told them to ask the idols, and they admitted the idols cannot speak (21:63-65).
Where the story appears
Where Ibrahim and the idols appear in the Qur’an
What did Ibrahim ask first?
He did not begin with an axe. He began with a question. The Qur’an says God had given Ibrahim right guidance from early on (21:51). He asked his father and his people, in meaning (our words): what are these statues you keep devoting yourselves to (21:52)?
To his father Azar he said, in meaning (our words): do you take idols as gods? I see you and your people in clear error (6:74).
What was their reason?
Their whole answer was: we found our fathers worshipping them (21:53). Ibrahim replied that they and their fathers had both been in clear error (21:54).
They could not believe he was serious. They asked whether he had brought the truth or was only joking (21:55). He answered that their Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, who created them, and that he himself was a witness to this (21:56).
The argument God gave him
Surah al-An’am shows Ibrahim reasoning with his people about the star, the moon and the sun. Each one rises, and each one sets.
When the star set, he said, in meaning (our words): I do not love things that set (6:76). When the moon set, he said that without his Lord’s guidance he would be among those who go astray (6:77), and when the sun set, he told his people he was free of what they set up as partners with God (6:78). Then he declared that he turned his face to the One who created the heavens and the earth (6:79).
The Qur’an names this passage itself: it was the argument God gave Ibrahim against his people (6:83). It also says that those who believe and do not mix their faith with wrongdoing are the ones who have safety and are guided (6:82).
Why did he break the idols?
Reflection: words had not moved them, so Ibrahim made the point in a way they could see. He told them he would deal with their idols once they had turned their backs (21:57). When they were gone, he went to the idols and asked, in meaning (our words): will you not eat? Why do you not speak (37:91-92)? Then he struck them (37:93).
He broke them into pieces, except the biggest one, so that they might return to it (21:58).
| They believed | What they saw |
|---|---|
| The idols were gods (21:59) | The idols could not protect themselves |
| The idols deserved devotion (21:52) | They could not eat or speak (37:91-92) |
| Their fathers could not be wrong (21:53) | Their own answer showed the idols were silent (21:65) |
Why leave the biggest idol?
The people came back, saw the damage and asked who had done this to their gods (21:59). Some said they had heard a young man called Ibrahim speaking about them (21:60). They brought him out in front of everyone so that all could witness (21:61).
They asked: was it you who did this to our gods (21:62)? He answered, in meaning (our words): no, this biggest one did it, so ask them, if they can speak (21:63).
For a moment they turned to themselves and said, in meaning (our words): it is you yourselves who are the wrongdoers (21:64). Then they fell back and said, in meaning (our words): you know well these do not speak (21:65). That was the point. Ibrahim asked them why they worshipped, besides God, things that could neither help nor harm them (21:66-67). He also asked whether they worshipped what they had carved themselves, when God created both them and what they make (37:95-96).
Tip
A small habit from this story: before you hold on to something only because “we have always done it”, ask what it actually gives you.
How did it end?
In one line: they decided to burn him to defend their gods, and God commanded the fire to be cool and safe for Ibrahim (21:68-69). Their plan failed and they were the losers (21:70). We will look at the fire more closely in a later story.
Lessons for the heart
- Start with a question. Ibrahim asked before he acted (21:52).
- Habit is not proof. “Our fathers did it” was their only answer (21:53).
- What sets is not worthy of worship. The star, moon and sun all set (6:76-78).
- Faith brings safety. Those who do not mix faith with wrongdoing are secure and guided (6:82).
Reflection: the idols in our lives today are rarely statues. They can be anything we lean on more than God. Ibrahim’s question still works: can it help you, or harm you, without Him?