Idolatry is the legacy of our forefathers.

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Explanations from Mafuradat The Idolaters Always Give The Same Answers

Among the polytheists of Arabs one group regarded the angels to be the daughters of God and worshipped them. This idea of theirs has been refuted in many ways in the first verse and so it says, “You rejoice on the birth of daughters and are saddened by the birth of sons then why you are so adamant about daughters for God?’ This answer was given according to their mental level .At times the weaknesses in their belief were pointed out to them and then it was said, “Verily we found our forefathers on a creed and verily in their footsteps are we guided.”

Qura’n then addresses the Holy Messenger, that it not just the Arabs who are presenting such an excuse for following the beliefs of their fathers without any objections, “We sent no Warner before you to a town except that the luxurious in it said, “ Verily we found our fathers on a creed and verily in their footsteps are we following.”

So we learn that it was due to blind following that idolatry was transferred from generation to another or their following in the footstep of their forefathers who were wayward without hesitations and objections. They did not use their brains; they did not research for the truth but bowed before the frivolity of their predecessors.

“Mutrafuna” defines the vain and wealthy by the commentators because of their love for the world and the material pleasures, self indulgence, easy life and not taking the trouble to research. These are all the wrong attributes of the wealthy. This blind following and unthinking obedience are the causes which spread waywardness in both the elite as well as the commoner.

Had the wealthy people come out of this darkness then it would not have been difficult to recognize and reach the truth. God says, “The love for the World is the head of all sins” (2)

It is also noteworthy that this verse records that they said, “In their footsteps are we guided.” while in another verse they say, “verily in their footsteps are we following.”

This difference in explanation may be construed as the cause and effect. They want to say that they follow in the footsteps of their forefathers because their system is the truth and a guiding one. But Qura’n continues further and refutes their contention with a solid argument through the words of the previous apostles who admonished the polytheists and said, “ Will you still disbelieve even if we bring to you a better system of life than your forefathers?” they were surprised but replied vainly, “ We reject the laws that you have brought.”

As we will explain later there are many kinds of Taqleed or blind following. The one which is beneficial is the one in which knowledge and art is transferred is transferred from one generation to another. The other Taqleed is the one which is frivolous and foolish and in which baseless ideas, customs, and habits together with fanciful beliefs permeate into the following generations. Each of these has its own particular signs and we will discuss them later.

The second verse describes the argument between the people of Babel and Hazrat Abraham. He asked them in a very dignified manner, “What are these things that you worship?” and they answered, “We worship idols, and to them we are devoted.” They not only admitted to idolatry but were proud about it.

Then Abraham asked them a very strong question and perplexed them, “Do they hear you, when you call? 73. Do they benefit you or do they harm you?” If they are not capable of benefiting or harming you then should have at least heard the chanting of the priests or else what is the use of worshipping them?”

They could not claim that these idols made of stones and wood heard them wail and they had nothing to prove that they could benefit or harm them so they took the help of blind following of their forefathers and said, “But we found our fathers doing so.” Giving such an answer is shameful but they had no other recourse.

Abraham gives a very valid argument and dumbfounds the polytheists in these verses, he says, “These idols that your forefathers worshipped and you worship are all my enemies and I am theirs. I worship Him who is the Lord of all universes. He is the One who is responsible for my birth, my guidance, my sustenance, and he cares for my sickness, and he controls my life and my death. He is the one who will finally judge me and forgive me.” The only entity worth worshipping is the one who is the creator of the universe and the controller of benefits and losses and not the lifeless unheeding idols who cannot help themselves or others.

This same issue has been narrated in the third verse that records the sayings of the Pharaoh and his people. (The people of the Pharaoh spoke to Moses), “Have you come to us to turn us away from that (faith) we found our fathers following and that you two may have greatness in the land?” (3) And since the matter is such, “We are not going to believe you two!”

In fact the only argument they had for their practices were that “This was the way of our forefathers” They accused Moses and Aaron of trying to grab power in the land by opposing idolatry and imposing monotheism. They said they would permit them to do so. It seems that these words belong to the courtiers of the Pharaoh and they insinuated to evil ways against the invitation to Tawhid by Moses and Aaron.

The first was that they fired up the excitement of the ignorant masses and said that their religion was in danger.

Secondly, the created ill will in the masses regarding Moses and Aaron that they wanted to grab power in the land and there was no problem of polytheism and monotheism.

The tyrant and evil rulers take to these two ways or methods to save their own rule and to fool the masses.

Verse 63 of Surah Ta-Ha has described it beautifully, “They said, “Verily these two are magicians who intend to drive you out of your land by their sorcery and

wipe out your most exemplary tradition!”

 


 

1. The word “Ummatun” according to the commentators has been used for a law or commandment. But some Ulema take it to mean a group; we feel that the first meaning is preferred here though the word “Ummah” has been used in different place in the Qura’n to mean a group and sometimes the word is used for sin.
2. This has been discussed in Tafsir Kabeer of Fakhr Razi Vol. 27 Page 206, Tafsir Ruhul Bayan and Tafsir Al Mizan
3. The origin of the word “Litalfetana” is “Laft” and means to remove by some means or to pay heed to. If it is attached to “An” then it means to revert or deny and if it is with “Ila” then it means to be attentive.

 

Explanations from Mafuradat The Idolaters Always Give The Same Answers
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