Topic: Contempt Of For Satan, Idols
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يَٰٓأَبَتِ لَا تَعْبُدِ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنَ ۖ إِنَّ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنَ كَانَ لِلرَّحْمَٰنِ عَصِيًّا
6:143; 24:22; 36:61.
6:143; 24:22; 36:61.
‘Ibadah which is noun-infinitive from the verb ‘Abada does not consist only in prostrating before God or an idol, but also signifies blindly or unthinkingly following a person or accepting an idea or belief without subjecting it to sane and searching criticism. This latter significance of the word is clear from the verse itself because nobody has ever been seen to worship Satan in the sense that he prostrates before him and prays to him.
In this verse, in fact, in the whole Surah, Shirk (idolatry) has been repeatedly denounced and condemned in the strongest and most scathing terms and the Divine attribute Ar-Rahman (The Gracious) has also been mentioned again and again, because Shirk (idolatry) in every shape and form is the direct result of the denial of Rahmaniyyah (Divine Grace).
6:143; 24:22; 36:61.
Commentary:
عبادة which is noun-infinitive from the verb عبد does not consist only in prostrating before God or an idol, but also signifies blindly or unthinkingly following a person or accepting an idea or belief without subjecting it to sane and searching criticism. This significance of the word is clear from the verse itself, because nobody has ever been seen to worship Satan in the sense that he prostrates before him and prays to him. It also appears from this verse that the word شیطان (Satan) here does not mean the 'Devil' or even the idols. Here it only signifies evil inclinations, wrong ideas and beliefs and bad associates and evil spirits. According to these meanings of the words عبادة and شیطان the verse would signify that one should not follow blindly or unthinkingly evil inclinations, wrong beliefs or bad friends or associates. Such an attitude on one’s part is tantamount to giving them Divine status and to worshipping them.
The word عصیا (rebel) also indicates that شیطان in this verse does not signify idols made of wood or stone because idols of stone do not disobey God. From the previous verse one may have been led to think that Abraham had advised his father against idol-worship only. This verse belies that idea and indicates that he advised him also against blindly following evil inclinations, wrong beliefs and association with evil persons. The words الشیطان (Satan) includes all these things.
b
6:143; 24:22; 36:61.
a
6:143; 24:22; 36:61.
2187
Commentary:
عبادة which is noun-infinitive from the verb عبد does not consist only in prostrating before God or an idol, but also signifies blindly or unthinkingly following a person or accepting an idea or belief without subjecting it to sane and searching criticism. This significance of the word is clear from the verse itself, because nobody has ever been seen to worship Satan in the sense that he prostrates before him and prays to him. It also appears from this verse that the word شیطان (Satan) here does not mean the 'Devil' or even the idols. Here it only signifies evil inclinations, wrong ideas and beliefs and bad associates and evil spirits. According to these meanings of the words عبادة and شیطان the verse would signify that one should not follow blindly or unthinkingly evil inclinations, wrong beliefs or bad friends or associates. Such an attitude on one’s part is tantamount to giving them Divine status and to worshipping them.
The word عصیا (rebel) also indicates that شیطان in this verse does not signify idols made of wood or stone because idols of stone do not disobey God. From the previous verse one may have been led to think that Abraham had advised his father against idol-worship only. This verse belies that idea and indicates that he advised him also against blindly following evil inclinations, wrong beliefs and association with evil persons. The words الشیطان (Satan) includes all these things.
b
6:143; 24:22; 36:61.
1774
‘Ibadah which is noun-infinitive from the verb ‘Abada does not consist only in prostrating before God or an idol, but also signifies blindly or unthinkingly following a person or accepting an idea or belief without subjecting it to sane and searching criticism. This latter significance of the word is clear from the verse itself because nobody has ever been seen to worship Satan in the sense that he prostrates before him and prays to him.
1775
In this verse, in fact, in the whole Surah, Shirk (idolatry) has been repeatedly denounced and condemned in the strongest and most scathing terms and the Divine attribute Ar-Rahman (The Gracious) has also been mentioned again and again, because Shirk (idolatry) in every shape and form is the direct result of the denial of Rahmaniyyah (Divine Grace).
إِذْ قَالَ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوْمِهِۦ مَا هَٰذِهِ ٱلتَّمَاثِيلُ ٱلَّتِىٓ أَنتُمْ لَهَا عَٰكِفُونَ
6:75; 19:43; 26: 71.
6:75; 19:43; 26: 71.
The particle ma here denotes contempt and not a question. While talking to idol-worshippers Abraham generally made use of irony. See 6:77,78,79. He seems to say to his people, 'how useless and futile are these images which you worship!' While Abraham used to talk in ironical language, Jesus talked in metaphors.
6:75; 19:43; 26:71.
Important Words:
تـماثیل (images) is the plural of تـمثال which means, an image (Aqrab). See also 2:18; 2:107; 6:39; 13:7 & 14:46.
The particle ما (what) here denotes contempt and derision and not a question.
Commentary:
Everyone has his own style of speech. Abraham too had his peculiar way of talking. While talking to idol-worshippers he generally made use of irony. In the present verse he appears to be asking a question while in reality he is speaking contemptuously of the gods of his people. This special style of Abraham is also apparent from 6:77,78,79. In the present verse he seems to say to his people: "How useless and futile these images are which you worship!" While Abraham used to talk in ironical language, Jesus would talk in metaphors. Several of his sayings quoted in the Quran have been misunderstood because they have been taken literally.
In the expression لـھا (lit. to which) the letter ل is used to denote respect and reverence and also to express emphasis. The word عکف is not generally followed by ل. We say عکف فی المکان i.e. he stayed in the place. عکف علی الامر means, he stuck to the affair (Aqrab).
The word اب beside meaning 'father' also means paternal uncle. The person mentioned in the above verse was Abraham’s uncle and not his father who is said to have died before Abraham was invested with the divine mission of a Prophet. See also 6:75.
The verse points to a very close resemblance between Abraham and the Holy Prophet. The fathers of both had died before they were made Prophets. Both were brought up by their uncles. Both preached the message of Unity of God to their uncles. Both the uncles refused to accept the Divine Message with this difference that whereas Abraham’s uncle opposed and persecuted him, Abu Talib, the Holy Prophet’suncle, though he did not accept his message, stood by him through thick and thin to the last moment of his life and even suffered for him.
d
6:75; 19:43; 26: 71.
a
6:75; 19:43; 26:71.
2392A
Important Words:
تـماثیل (images) is the plural of تـمثال which means, an image (Aqrab). See also 2:18; 2:107; 6:39; 13:7 & 14:46.
The particle ما (what) here denotes contempt and derision and not a question.
Commentary:
Everyone has his own style of speech. Abraham too had his peculiar way of talking. While talking to idol-worshippers he generally made use of irony. In the present verse he appears to be asking a question while in reality he is speaking contemptuously of the gods of his people. This special style of Abraham is also apparent from 6:77,78,79. In the present verse he seems to say to his people: "How useless and futile these images are which you worship!" While Abraham used to talk in ironical language, Jesus would talk in metaphors. Several of his sayings quoted in the Quran have been misunderstood because they have been taken literally.
In the expression لـھا (lit. to which) the letter ل is used to denote respect and reverence and also to express emphasis. The word عکف is not generally followed by ل. We say عکف فی المکان i.e. he stayed in the place. عکف علی الامر means, he stuck to the affair (Aqrab).
The word اب beside meaning 'father' also means paternal uncle. The person mentioned in the above verse was Abraham’s uncle and not his father who is said to have died before Abraham was invested with the divine mission of a Prophet. See also 6:75.
The verse points to a very close resemblance between Abraham and the Holy Prophet. The fathers of both had died before they were made Prophets. Both were brought up by their uncles. Both preached the message of Unity of God to their uncles. Both the uncles refused to accept the Divine Message with this difference that whereas Abraham’s uncle opposed and persecuted him, Abu Talib, the Holy Prophet’suncle, though he did not accept his message, stood by him through thick and thin to the last moment of his life and even suffered for him.
a
6:75; 19:43; 26: 71.
1895
The particle ma here denotes contempt and not a question. While talking to idol-worshippers Abraham generally made use of irony. See 6:77,78,79. He seems to say to his people, 'how useless and futile are these images which you worship!' While Abraham used to talk in ironical language, Jesus talked in metaphors.
أَئِفْكًا ءَالِهَةً دُونَ ٱللَّهِ تُرِيدُونَ
Man is prone to worship false gods in the form of human beings to whom he attributes Divine powers, or objects of nature such as the sun, the moon and the stars, or inanimate things such as gods hewed out of wood and stone, or his own time-worn customs, usages, prejudices and superstitions, his desires, passions, etc.
Commentary:
Man is prone to worship false gods in the form of human beings to whom he attributes Divine powers, such as Jesus, Rama, etc.; or objects of nature such as the sun, the moon and the stars; or inanimate things such as gods hewed out of wood and stone, or his own time-worn customs, usages, prejudices and superstitions, his desires, passions, etc.
3325
Commentary:
Man is prone to worship false gods in the form of human beings to whom he attributes Divine powers, such as Jesus, Rama, etc.; or objects of nature such as the sun, the moon and the stars; or inanimate things such as gods hewed out of wood and stone, or his own time-worn customs, usages, prejudices and superstitions, his desires, passions, etc.
2491
Man is prone to worship false gods in the form of human beings to whom he attributes Divine powers, or objects of nature such as the sun, the moon and the stars, or inanimate things such as gods hewed out of wood and stone, or his own time-worn customs, usages, prejudices and superstitions, his desires, passions, etc.
وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَٰهِيمُ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوْمِهِۦٓ إِنَّنِى بَرَآءٌ مِّمَّا تَعْبُدُونَ
6:79; 9:114; 60:5.
6:79; 9:114; 60:5.
6:79; 9:114; 60:5.
Commentary:
By citing the example of Abraham, the great progenitor of the Arabs, the verse seeks to drive home to them the untenability of the plea of ancestral beliefs and customs. It appears to say to them, "If you do not accept the Message of Islam because by so doing you have to renounce the beliefs of your forefathers, then at least follow Abraham, your own great ancestor who was a strict and sincere believer in the Unity of God."
c
6:79; 9:114; 60:5.
b
6:79; 9:114; 60:5.
3659
Commentary:
By citing the example of Abraham, the great progenitor of the Arabs, the verse seeks to drive home to them the untenability of the plea of ancestral beliefs and customs. It appears to say to them, "If you do not accept the Message of Islam because by so doing you have to renounce the beliefs of your forefathers, then at least follow Abraham, your own great ancestor who was a strict and sincere believer in the Unity of God."
b
6:79; 9:114; 60:5.
إِلَّا ٱلَّذِى فَطَرَنِى فَإِنَّهُۥ سَيَهْدِينِ
26:29.
c
26:29.