Page 84 - The Worst Slander: Idolatry

82 THE WORST SLANDER: IDOLATRY

When they are told: "Come to what Allah has sent down
and to the Messenger," they say: "What we found our
fathers doing is enough for us." What! Even if their
fathers did not know anything and were not guided!
(Surat al-Ma'ida: 104)
The idolaters that lived among the communities of many
prophets have been described as ignorant people. Allah
reveals in the Qur'an:

We conveyed the tribe of Israel across the sea, and they
came upon some people who were devoting them-
selves to some idols that they had. They said: "O Moses,
give us an idol, just as these people have idols." He
said: "You are indeed an ignorant people." (Surat al-
A'raf: 138)
Remember the brother of 'Ad [Hud], when he warned
his people by the sand dunes – and warners passed
away before and after him – "Worship no one but Allah.
I fear for you the punishment of a terrible Day." They
said: "Have you come to us to divert us from our
deities? Bring us what you have promised us, if you are
telling the truth." He said: "All knowledge is with Allah. I
only transmit to you that with which I have been sent.
But I see that you are an ignorant people." (Surat al-
Ahqaf: 21-23)
The concept of ignorance expressed in these verses is
highly significant, for it includes not only not knowing, but
also failing to understand the facts even though one sees
and recognizes them. Some Israelites, who knew the
Prophet Moses (pbuh) and the Torah sent down to him, and