“We had already granted Abraham sound judgment long before, and We knew him well, when he said to his father and his people, ‘What are these statues to which you remain so devoted?’ They answered, ‘We found our forefathers worshipping them.’ He replied, ‘You and your forefathers have indeed been in clear error.’ They said, ‘Have you brought us the truth, or are you merely jesting?’ He said, ‘No. Your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, who brought them into being, and I am one of those who bear witness to that. And, by Allah, I shall certainly scheme against your idols once you have turned your backs.’ So he smashed them to pieces, all except the largest of them, that they might return to it.” (al-Anbiyāʾ 21:51–58)

(1) These are the verses.

The Exalted also says:

“Recite to them the story of Abraham: when he said to his father and his people, ‘What do you worship?’ They replied, ‘We worship idols, and we remain ever devoted to them.’ He said, ‘Do they hear you when you call? Or do they benefit you or harm you?’ They said, ‘No, but we found our forefathers doing likewise.’ He said, ‘Have you considered what you have been worshipping—you and your earliest forefathers? They are enemies to me, except the Lord of all worlds: the One who created me and therefore guides me, who gives me food and drink, and when I fall ill, He heals me; the One who will cause me to die and then bring me back to life, and from whom I hope that He will forgive me my sin on the Day of Judgment.’” (ash-Shuʿarāʾ 26:69–82)

(2) —to the end of the narrative.

And He, the Exalted, says:

“We brought the Children of Israel across the sea, and they came upon a people who were devoted to their idols. They said, ‘O Moses, make for us a god just as they have gods.’ He said, ‘You are indeed an ignorant people. What those people are engaged in will surely be destroyed, and all that they are doing is false. Shall I seek for you a god other than Allah, while He has favoured you above all peoples?’” (al-Aʿrāf 7:138–140)

(3)

Such is the devotional seclusion of the polytheists, whereas that (4) is the devotional seclusion of the Muslims. The believers seclude themselves in mosques to worship Allah alone, without partner, while the polytheists seclude themselves before whatever they hope for,