(74–83) “And when Abraham said to his father Azar, ‘Do you take idols as gods? I indeed see you and your people in manifest error.’ Thus We showed Abraham the dominion of the heavens and earth, so that he might be one of those with sure faith.” And so on to the end of the account.

Allah Most High says: Remember the story of Abraham, peace be upon him, praising and honoring him as he called to monotheism and forbade polytheism. He said to his father, “Azar, do you take idols as gods?” They can neither benefit nor harm and possess no authority whatsoever. “I indeed see you and your people in manifest error,” for you worship those who deserve no worship whatsoever and have abandoned the worship of your Creator, Provider, and Governor of your affairs.

“Thus”—just as We enabled him to affirm monotheism and call others to it—“We showed Abraham the dominion of the heavens and earth”; that is, so that through his insight he might perceive the decisive proofs and radiant evidence they contain, “and so that he might be one of those with sure faith.” Certainty and complete knowledge of every matter sought are attained in proportion to the strength of the evidence establishing them.

“When night enveloped him” in darkness, “he saw a star.” It may have been an especially bright star, for its being singled out for mention indicates that it surpassed the others. For this reason—and Allah knows best—some have said that it was Venus.

“He said, ‘This is my Lord,’” conceding this for the sake of argument with his opponent. In other words: Let us suppose this is my Lord; come, then, and let us consider whether it deserves lordship and whether any evidence establishes that claim. A rational person should not make his whims his god without any proof or evidence.

“But when it set”—that is, when the star disappeared—“he said, ‘I do not love those that set.’” This means something that disappears and becomes hidden from its worshiper. A deity must attend to the welfare of its worshiper and govern all his affairs. As for something that remains absent for a long time, how could it deserve worship? Is taking it as a god anything but the height of folly and the most baseless of falsehoods?

“Then, when he saw the moon rising,” he observed that its light exceeded that of the stars and differed from them. “He said, ‘This is my Lord,’” again conceding this for the sake of argument. “But when it set, he said, ‘Unless my Lord guides me, I shall surely be among the misguided people.’” He thus recognized his utter need for his Lord’s guidance and knew that if Allah did not guide him, he would have no guide, and if Allah did not help him obey Him, he would have no helper.

“Then, when he saw the sun rising, he said, ‘This is my Lord; this is greater’” than both the star and the moon. “But when it set,” guidance became firmly established and error vanished. He therefore “said, ‘My people, I am free from whatever you associate with Allah,’” for clear and truthful proof had established its falsity.

“I have turned my face toward the One who originated the heavens and earth, devoting myself exclusively to Him”; that is, to Allah alone, turning toward Him and away from all besides Him. “And I am not one of the polytheists.” He thus renounced polytheism, submitted to monotheism, and established the proof for it. [The interpretation we have given of these verses is correct: this is an account of Abraham debating with his people and demonstrating the falsity of the supposed divinity of these heavenly bodies and all other things. As for those who say that this describes an inquiry he undertook during childhood, they have no evidence for it.] (1)

“His people argued with him. He said, ‘Do you argue with me concerning Allah when He has guided me?’” What value can the argument of one (2) to whom guidance has not become clear possibly have? As for one whom Allah has guided and who has attained the highest degrees of certainty, he himself calls people to the truth he follows.

“I do not fear whatever you associate with Him,” for these things can never harm me or prevent any benefit from reaching me. “Unless my Lord wills something. My Lord encompasses all things in knowledge. Will you not then take heed?” Then you would know that He alone is the deity who deserves to be worshiped.

“And how should I fear what you associate with Him,” when those objects are utterly powerless and incapable of bringing any benefit, ⦗263⦘ “while you do not fear that you have associated with Allah that for which He has sent down to you no authority?” You have done so merely by following your whims. “Which of the two parties is more entitled to security, if you know?”