themselves—for which Allah had neither revealed a scripture nor sent a messenger. They were prompted by specious arguments that Satan had embellished through unsound analogies and misguided philosophy. Some claimed that the statues were talismans of the heavenly bodies, the degrees of the celestial sphere, and the higher spirits. Others fashioned them in the likenesses of prophets and righteous people who had lived among them. Others made them for the sake of the lower spirits among the jinn and devils. Still others followed different doctrines. Most merely followed their leaders and turned away from the path of guidance.

Allah then sent His Prophet Noah, peace be upon him, to call them to worship Allah alone, without partners, and forbid them to worship anything besides Him—even if they claimed that they worshipped these beings to draw nearer to Allah through them and take them as intercessors. He remained among them for a thousand years less fifty. When Allah informed him that none of his people would believe except those who had already believed, he prayed against them. In answer to his supplication, Allah Most High drowned the inhabitants of the earth. Messengers came after him in succession, until the religion of the Sabians and polytheists spread throughout the earth, when Nimrods and Pharaohs ruled its eastern and western lands.

Allah Most High then sent the leader of those devoted to pure monotheism, the foundation of the pure faith and the enduring word: Abraham, the close friend of the Most Merciful. He called people away from polytheism to sincere devotion to Allah alone. He forbade them to worship heavenly bodies and idols, saying:

“I have turned my face toward Him who created the heavens and the earth, inclining to truth, and I am not of the polytheists.”

And he said to his people: