Page 54 - The Prophet Abraham (pbuh)
P. 54

The Prophet Abraham (pbuh)





                       After this, the Prophet Abraham (pbuh) may have em-
                  ployed the same method with regard to the Moon, another so-
                  called deity, to show his tribe that it was not divine. He may
                  have used the same logic for the Sun, particularly by empha-
                  sizing that it was the greatest. His explanation that it was not di-

                  vine dealt a major blow to their pagan worldview, because be-
                  yond the Sun there was no greater physical being visible to the
                  tribe.
                       With the words Allah reveals in the Qur'an as "I am not
                  one of the idolaters" (Surat al-An'am: 79), the Prophet
                  Abraham (pbuh) explained that Allah created all of these
                  things, that He was the true Allah, and that he ascribed no part-

                  ners to Him. Given the above, we can see that the Prophet
                  Abraham (pbuh) knew a great deal about his tribe's pagan be-
                  lief system. He put forward all of these examples to spread
                  Allah's message and to expose their defective logic and mis-
                  guided beliefs. In fact, it seems that his tribe sought to debate
                  with him:
                       His tribe argued with him. He said: "Are you arguing with
                       me about Allah, when He has guided me? I have no fear of
                       any partner you ascribe to Him, unless my Lord should
                       will such a thing to happen. My Lord encompasses all
                       things in His knowledge, so will you not pay heed?"
                       (Surat al-An'am: 80)

                       In calling his tribe to the truth, the Prophet Abraham
                  (pbuh) acted upon what He inspired in him. This is clearly ev-
                  ident from the methods he employed and the examples he
                  gave. In the verse "This is the argument We gave to Abraham
                  against his tribe. We raise in rank anyone We will. Your Lord
                  is All-Wise, All-Knowing" (Surat al-An'am: 83), Allah reveals




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