HISTORY'S GREAT IDOLS-SMASHER

 FAJR REMINDER: HISTORY'S GREAT IDOLS-SMASHER

By: Umm Affān

Dhū al-Ḥijjah 7, 1447 (24-May-2026)

Da’wah has a methodology. There are people whom you do not need to overwhelm with numerous verses or lengthy proofs. Rather, what is needed is to awaken their intellects and appeal to their reasoning. This was among the approaches employed by Prophet Ibrāhīm (‘Alayhi Salām) when he engaged his people through logical argument and direct confrontation of their false beliefs and polytheism.

How did he do this? Prophet Ibrāhīm (‘Alayhi Salām) openly declared his intention against their idols, and some of his people heard him when he swore: “And by Allāh, I shall plot a plan (to destroy) your idols after you have gone away and turned your backs.” [Sūrah Al-Anbiyā' (21): 57] Later, when his people were heading out for one of their pagan festivals, they invited him to join them. Concerning this, Allāh (ﷻ) says: “And he said: ‘Verily, I am sick’ (with plague. He did this trick to remain in their temple of idols to destroy them and not to accompany them to the pagan's feast).” [Sūrah Aṣ-Ṣāffāt (37): 89] 

By saying this, he remained behind while they all departed for their gathering. Once they had gone, he (‘Alayhi Salām) entered the place where the idols were kept and began addressing them mockingly: “Will you not eat (of the offering before you)? What is the matter with you that you speak not?” [Sūrah Aṣ-Ṣāffāt (37): 91-92] He then proceeded to smash the idols into fragments with his right hand using a hatchet, leaving only the largest idol untouched. He hung the hatchet around it as a clear indication to his people that these so-called gods possessed no ability to protect themselves, let alone benefit or harm others. Allāh (ﷻ) informs: “So he broke them to pieces, (all) except the biggest of them, that they might turn to it.” [Sūrah Al-Anbiyā' (21): 58]

It has also been mentioned that he (‘Alayhi Salām) placed the hammer or hatchet in the hand or around the neck of the largest idol so that the people might assume that it had become angered by the worship of the smaller idols alongside it and had destroyed them out of jealousy. 

When the people returned and witnessed the disgrace and destruction of their idols, they were shocked and disturbed. Their gods had been humiliated, proving clearly that they possessed no divinity whatsoever and exposing the foolishness of those who worshipped them. Allāh (ﷻ) says: “They said: ‘Who has done this to our ‘ālihah (gods)? He must indeed be one of the wrong-doers.’” [Sūrah Al-Anbiyā' (21): 59] Those who had previously heard him (‘Alayhi Salām) speaking against the idols responded: “We heard a young man talking (against) them who is called Ibrāhīm.” [Sūrah Al-Anbiyā' (21): 59]

The intention of Prophet Ibrāhīm (‘Alayhi Salām) was not merely to destroy the idols physically, but to expose the ignorance of his people publicly and make them reflect deeply upon the absurdity of worshipping lifeless objects that could neither defend themselves nor assist anyone else. He wanted them to arrive at the conclusion themselves that these idols could neither speak nor respond because they were inanimate. Thus, he was brought before the people and questioned. Allāh (ﷻ) informs: “They said: ‘Are you the one who has done this to our gods, O Ibrāhīm?’ He said: ‘Nay, this one, the biggest of them (idols) did it. Ask them (i.e. the idols), if they can speak!‘” [Sūrah Al-Anbiyā' (21): 62-63]

Abū Hurayrah (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allāh (ﷺ) said: “Prophet Ibrāhīm (‘Alayhi Salām) never told a lie but only thrice: two times for the Sake of Allāh (for example, his words): ‘I am sick,’ and his words: ‘But it was the big one amongst them which has done that’ and because of Sarah (his wife)...” [Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 3358, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2371]

Allāh willing, we shall continue from this point tomorrow. I beseech Allāh (ﷻ) to keep us firm upon goodness, guidance, and beneficial knowledge. Aameen 

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