إِذْ قَالَ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوْمِهِۦ مَاذَا تَعْبُدُونَ 85
Translations
[And] when he said to his father and his people, "What do you worship?
Transliteration
Idh qala li-abīhi wa-qawmihi mādhā ta'budūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah depicts Prophet Ibrahim's confrontation with his father and people, wherein he directly questions their religious practices by asking 'What do you worship?' According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this rhetorical question serves as an opening to invite them toward monotheism and away from idolatry, demonstrating Ibrahim's role as a preacher of Tawhid. The question is not merely inquisitive but confrontational and didactic, meant to provoke reflection on the irrationality of their idol worship.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the broader narrative of Surah As-Saffat detailing Ibrahim's life and his rejection of paganism. The context is not tied to a specific historical revelation moment but rather presents the timeless dialogue between Ibrahim and his community, illustrating the prophet's unwavering commitment to calling people to monotheism despite familial and social opposition.
Related Hadiths
The themes of Ibrahim's struggle against idolatry are reflected in Sahih Bukhari (Hadith 3370) where the Prophet Muhammad mentions Ibrahim as one of the resolute messengers (Ulul-'Azm). Additionally, Surah As-Saffat 37:83-84 itself is cited in various hadith collections discussing Ibrahim's righteousness and obedience.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers the importance of directly and courageously questioning false beliefs and inviting others toward truth, regardless of social opposition or family ties. It emphasizes that sincere da'wah begins with making people reflect on their own practices and beliefs through thoughtful inquiry.
Related Ayahs
قُلْ إِنَّمَآ أَنَا۠ بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُكُمْ يُوحَىٰٓ إِلَىَّ أَنَّمَآ إِلَـٰهُكُمْ إِلَـٰهٌ وَٰحِدٌ ۖ فَمَن كَانَ يَرْجُوا۟ لِقَآءَ رَبِّهِۦ فَلْيَعْمَلْ عَمَلًا صَـٰلِحًا وَلَا يُشْرِكْ بِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِۦٓ أَحَدًۢا
Say, "I am only a man like you, to whom has been revealed that your god is one God. So whoever would hope for the meeting with his Lord - let him do righteous work and not associate in the worship of his Lord anyone."
لَوْ كَانَ فِيهِمَآ ءَالِهَةٌ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ لَفَسَدَتَا ۚ فَسُبْحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَرْشِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ
Had there been within them [i.e., the heavens and earth] gods besides Allāh, they both would have been ruined. So exalted is Allāh, Lord of the Throne, above what they describe.
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى يُحْىِۦ وَيُمِيتُ وَلَهُ ٱخْتِلَـٰفُ ٱلَّيْلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ ۚ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ
And it is He who gives life and causes death, and His is the alternation of the night and the day. Then will you not reason?
أَمْ لَهُمْ ءَالِهَةٌ تَمْنَعُهُم مِّن دُونِنَا ۚ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ نَصْرَ أَنفُسِهِمْ وَلَا هُم مِّنَّا يُصْحَبُونَ
Or do they have gods to defend them other than Us? They are unable [even] to help themselves, nor can they be protected from Us.