When Ibrahim (a.

When Ibrahim (a.s) felt that his people were incorrigibly adamant in their false beliefs, he thought of giving them a proof of the abject helplessness of the idols. For this, he waited for an opportune moment. The opportunity came when the inhabitants assembled in the wilderness for celebration of a festival and there was not a single soul in the town. He headed for the temple and broke the biggest idol and many smaller ones.

He left the hatchet used for breaking the idols near the neck of the biggest idol. When the people returned to the town, they found that the temple was in utter disarray and the pieces of the broken idols scattered all around. They looked at each other in disbelief and then said that this would be the doing of Ibrahim (a.s) who always talked against the idols. They called Ibrahim (a.s) aside and asked him if he had caused the damage?

He replied: قَالَ بَلْ فَعَلَهُ كَبِيرُهُمْ هَذَا فَاسْأَلُوهُمْ إِنْ كَانُوا يَنطِقُونَ {style="direction:rtl"} This is the doing of their biggest idol. If they have the power of speech, do ask them! (21:63) When the people heard Ibrahim (a.s) say the impossible thing, they said, “O Ibrahim (a.s)! Have the idols ever spoken?” He replied, “How could those who cannot even speak and defend themselves be of any help to anyone.

You consider them your gods and bow to them!” The belief of the idolatrous people was that the idols bring the rains; they help in growing the crops, and give them the means of sustenance and protect them against calamities. Now they found the very idols helplessly shattered. They brooded over the matter and then presented Ibrahim (a.s) at the court of Nimrod. He asked Ibrahim (a.s),” How you dared to harm the idols?

Pride has gone so much to your head that you have challenged my divine authority! “Ibrahim (a.s) replied, “What are your idols? They are the handiwork of human sculptors. They are weaker than the weakest creatures! Then how do you expect me to accept you as a god when you have no authority over your own life and death! “Nimrod was furious hearing these words from Ibrahim (a.s). His own uncle threatened Ibrahim (a.s) to crush him with the stones. Nimrod ordered Ibrahim (a.s) to be burnt on a pyre.

For this purpose a big pyre was lighted. When the flames rose high, Ibrahim (a.s) was thrown into the fire. Not a single hair of his was burnt. It was as if the pyre was a blooming garden. Seeing this miracle, Nimrod was dumb-founded! But his flame of revenge was not extinguished.

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