150 - Why Prophet Abraham Smashed Idols

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Dr. Shabbir
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150 - Why Prophet Abraham Smashed Idols

Post by Dr. Shabbir »

Prophet Abraham had to make a point, a strong practical statement to an extremely stubborn nation, that the helpless idols could not help anyone. He did it only after all means of reasoning were exhausted.

The Qur'an condemns idol worship since it divides people and lets the priesthood exploit the masses. It has nothing against sculptures and statues as items of decor.

7:32 Say, "Who is there to forbid the beauty and aesthetic niceties that God has brought forth for His servants, and the good things of sustenance?” Say, “On the Day of Resurrection, these things will be only for those who chose to believe in Divine laws during the life of this world.” Thus do We detail Our messages for people who make use of what they learn. [17]

7:33 Say, "My Lord forbids only: Indecent shameful deeds, open or secret, actions that hurt the ‘self’ and drag down the individual and collective human potential, unjust aggression, associating others with God (Shirk), for which He has sent down no authority, and that you say things about God that you do not know.”

The Qur'an protects all temples of worship.

22:39 Permission to fight is granted to those against whom war is wrongfully waged. God is Able to support them -
22:40 Those who have been evicted from their homes unjustly, for no reason other than saying, "Our Lord is God!" For, if God had not enabled some people to repel others, temples, monasteries, churches, synagogues, and Masjids, where the Name of God is oft mentioned, would have been destroyed. And God will certainly help those who help Him. God is Mighty, Powerful.

THE TALIBAN'S DESTRUCTION OF STATUES IN BAMIYAN:

We recall with dismay the huge hue and cry when Taliban destroyed the priceless ancient treasures in Bamiyan. Under the guise of religion, the Taliban insisted that the statues of the Buddha were idols and had to be destroyed. The Taliban based their actions on Islamic beliefs that have actually been absorbed from the Christian Bible. It is a Biblical teaching that graven images must not be made, and if made, they must be destroyed. (Deut 27:15, 4:16).

The Muslims have absorbed these Biblical teachings, and again this reflects the immense capacity of 'Muslims' to learn from the Christian Bible. The Qur’an does not say anywhere that statues or graven images are forbidden or that they must be destroyed. The Christian West has to take account of these truths and give due credit to Islam for giving fresh life to the Biblical teachings. Islam's proximity to the Bible is much deeper than what the Christian West would like to acknowledge.
The Qur’an Does Not Forbid Pictures, Paintings And Sculptures For Décor:

34:13 They worked for him (Prophet Solomon) as he desired, making forts, statues, sculptures, paintings and images, pools, and boilers well-dug into the ground….” [Please note a Prophet of God decorating his kingdom with statues, sculptures, paintings and images. Muslim orthodoxy, unfortunately, declares all fine arts as Forbidden.]
Wassalam,
SA
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