the biggest one of them did it
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Peace Explorer,
I think no one had doubt Abraham destroyed the statues. If he was lieing for the sake of getting out of the situation, he would come up with something more credible. His lie was an attempt to get people to open their eyes and see that idols are inanimate objects.My thoughts anyway
Al
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Peace Explorer,
I believe it was to make them come to the realisation that they were worshiping statues that had no power. They had to admit to themselves that the big one could not have done it because it cannot speak or do anything and was just an ordinary statue that they set up as their Greatest God. Abraham was not trying to get away with it by blaming it on the big statue. He was trying to get them to think about what they had done.
So basically it was obvious that they knew Abraham was not serious because in their own hearts, they knew that the statues were inanimate.
Peace,
AliEdit spelling error
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After destroying all the statues himself, Abraham said it was the biggest one of them who did it.
2163 He said "It was the biggest one of them here who did it, so ask them, if they do speak!"
I thought Quran advocates "not lying" and "saying just things". But what he uttered was a clear lie. Although he did that to prove his point but still it was a lie.
I am surprised to know that a prophet lied.
So what is a message here? Can we lie in certain situations?
In the grand scheme of things, he did the right thing, but in terms of social justice, he was completely in the wrong. In the Quran, it states that everything the prophet does is to his own loss, and only the good comes from God. So maybe Abraham had such issues (he was young, wasn't he?), but he was responsible for that. God never intervenes even in the messengers' lives, as can be seen from Joseph, Jonah, and here, except when they invent sayings in God's name.
You can see the peoples' reactions in the Quran, he obviously wasn't being a model citizen - according to the idolators
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Salaams Br's,
So who here thinks a prophet can lie go 100% opposite to the Attribute "The Truth"? I don't think so.....
Lord=Rabb isn?t God Almighty always in the quran but can be a man ? check it.
2152
Behold! he said to his father and his people, "What are these beliefs, to which ye are (so assiduously) devoted?"
They said, "We found our fathers serving them."
He said, "Indeed ye have been in manifest error - ye and your fathers."
They said, "Have you brought us the Truth, or are you one of those who jest?"
He said, "Nay, your Lord(Pharoe) the Lord of your qualities and your disposition, He created them (from nothing) and I am a witness to this (Truth).
"And by Allah, I have a plan for your idols/godly ways - after ye turn back in RETREAT"..
So he broke them to pieces/broken their spirits(those arguing with him), (all) but the biggest of them (he wasn?t present ? pharoe), that they may turn to him.The message reaches the biggest one and his mates;
They said, "Who has done this to our gods/godly ways? He must indeed be some man of impiety!"
They said, "We heard a youth talk of them He is called Abraham."
They said, "Then bring him before the eyes of the people, that they may bear witness."Abraham arrives;
They said, "Art thou the one that did this to the godly ways, O Abraham?"
He said "Nay, this was done by - this is their biggest one! Ask them, if they can speak INTELLIGENTLY!" If they can explain themselves!So they turned to themselves and said, "Surely ye are the ones in the wrong!"
Then were they confounded with shame (they said), "Thou know full well that these will not speak (in plea)!"
(Abraham) said, "Do ye then serve, besides Allah, things that can neither be of any good to you nor do you harm?
"Fie upon you, and upon the things that ye serve besides Allah! Have ye no sense?"...
They said, "Burn him and protect your gods/godly ways, if ye do (anything at all)!"Salaams All.
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^ That shows nothing. 2156 refers to God.
Prophets have decieved, and they have been rebuked for it.
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QXP
2151 And, indeed, long before, We showed Abraham his direction and We were Aware of his potential.
2152 He said to his father and his folk, "What are these images and statues that you sit around worshiping?"2153 They responded, "We found our ancestors worshipers of them."
2154 He said, "Indeed you are in plain error as your ancestors were."
2155 They said, "Are you telling us some serious truth or are you one of those jesters?"
2156 He said, "Nay, your Lord is the Sustainer of the heavens and the earth, Who initiated them from nothing. I am of those who bear witness to this truth (on the basis of reason)."2157 "And by God, I have planned to deal with your idols when you turn back and leave the temple?.
2158 Then he reduced them to fragments except the big one, so that they might turn to it.2159 They said, "Who has done this to our gods? He must indeed be of the wrongdoers."
2160 Some said, "We heard a youth talking about them; he is called Abraham."
2161 The custodians of the temple conferred and said, ?Then bring him before the people?s eyes, so that they might bear witness.?
2162 (And when he came) they asked, "Is it you who has done this to our gods, O Abraham?"2163 Abraham grabbed the opportunity of driving home the point, "Whoever did it, did it. This is their chief. Ask them if they speak."
2164 They were taken aback, withdrew, thought and said to one another, ?Surely, you yourselves are the wrongdoers.?
2165 They were utterly confounded in shame, lowered their heads and said to Abraham, "You know that they do not speak."
2166 Abraham said, "Do you then worship instead of God what cannot benefit you or harm you?"2167 ?Despicable it is for you and for all that you worship instead of God. Will you, then, use your sense?"
2168 The priesthood of the temple (in their personal interests) instigated the masses, "Burn him alive and uphold your gods if you are going to take any action."
2169 But We said, "O fire! Be cool, and security for Abraham!" -
QXP
2163 Abraham grabbed the opportunity of driving home the point, "Whoever did it, did it. This is their chief. Ask them if they speak."
I am sorry Yasin, but this translation is completly wrong, because it does not take into consideration the construction of the Arabic sentence
" "
The underlined phrase means "this chief of theirs". If it was "This is their chief", it should have been " ". This construction is universal to the Arabic language respected in classical, modern, spoken, written, colloquial, as well as the language of the quraan. No way would it mean "This is their chief".
I also do not see how " " gets translated as "whoever did it, did it"!! It is "word by word" (He said No/nay Did it This chief of theirs )
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Salaams All,
i think its all about their killing of their eldest children.
Abraham was the only one to stand against this act-thus saved Moses from slaughter.
For standing against this very act and telling them off, the word reaches their leader and he summons Abraham to explain himself, for going against their pious act. But Abraham explains The big man is the one who is keeping up the impious way and he should explain himself and they go blue in the face.
Although the killings then stop - but the big man never is reprimanded for his evil and the Israelites hush it all up until Moses comes after the forty years - thirty he spends with Pharaoh and another ten in midyan.
I think,
God Bless All.
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Peace Samia,
QXP is an Exposition, not a literal translation. It tries to present the Quranic message and the Arabic defintions used, Dr.Shabbir tried to understand the verse in a way that did not point out to Abraham lying as Prophets are rolemodels.
I agree with your translation and I had the same argument, my understanding is that "The biggest one did it" means that Abraham wanted to point out that the biggest one must have allowed it if he truly had power. But this understanding would create the question if this would only enforce the "power" of the biggest one compared to the other statues/idols in the eyes of Abraham's people.
Thus I was partially convinced by Dr.Shabbir's understanding.
Parwez's exposition is more logical in some ways
(For Abraham the time had come to achieve the purpose for which he had done all this. If he had given a simple reply like "Why are you behaving so innocently in asking me all this. Had I not forewarned you how I was going to deal with your deities?? This would surely have aroused people's feelings and the truth would not have manifested itself.) Abraham said, "This may be looked into later; but for the present just reflect over it. You believe that your deities possess lots of powers to fulfill the wishes of their followers and destroy their enemies. In your opinion the powers of the biggest one are unlimited. Now all this has happened in his presence. Why did he not stop the one who has done this by employing his might and saving all the other deities from destruction?"
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Yes Yasin, I understand, but I do not think this is the right way to confirm a principle no matter how noble it is. I personally do not see that he was lying, but rather mocking or it's sarcasm. He knew they knew he did it, because he said he would destroy them
2157 "And by God, I have planned to deal with your idols when you turn back and leave the temple?.
This is very normal language when you want to explain by practice the foolishness of something someone holds as truth.
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Explorer
There is no lie.
Please read up to verse 65. There you understand the point Abraham is making.
He said, 'No; it was this great one of them that did it. Question them; if they are able to speak!'
So they returned one to another, and they said, 'Surely it is you who are the evildoers.'
Then they were utterly put to confusion saying, 'Very well indeed thou knowest these do not speak.'
Please be reminded of the following
So high exalted be God, the true King! And hasten not with the Koran ere its revelation is accomplished unto thee; and say, 'O my Lord, increase me in knowledge.'
Hati
hati
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The message there is that all the messengers are fallible.
I think he was being sarcastic, more like 'will you look at yourselves'
I don't think the rasool is fallible because of its nature.
QXP is an Exposition, not a literal translation. It tries to present the Quranic message and the Arabic defintions used, Dr.Shabbir tried to understand the verse in a way that did not point out to Abraham lying as Prophets are rolemodels.
Prophets are also human.
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^ That shows nothing. 2156 refers to God.
Prophets have decieved, and they have been rebuked for it.
Hi Br,
So Abraham being a witness can only be that he was around when the heavens and the earth was created - how else can he be a witness? very unusual to my understandings.
2156 He said, "Nay, your Lord is the Sustainer of the heavens and the earth, Who initiated them from nothing. I am of those who bear witness to this truth ."
God Bless.
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Hi Br,
So Abraham being a witness can only be that he was around when the heavens and the earth was created - how else can he be a witness? very unusual to my understandings.
2156 He said, "Nay, your Lord is the Sustainer of the heavens and the earth, Who initiated them from nothing. I am of those who bear witness to this truth ."
God Bless.
003.052
YUSUFALI When Jesus found Unbelief on their part He said "Who will be My helpers to (the work of) Allah?" Said the disciples "We are Allah's helpers We believe in Allah, and do thou bear witness that we are Muslims.
PICKTHAL But when Jesus became conscious of their disbelief, he cried Who will be my helpers in the cause of Allah? The disciples said We will be Allah's helpers. We believe in Allah, and bear thou witness that we have surrendered (unto Him).
SHAKIR But when Isa perceived unbelief on their part, he said Who will be my helpers in Allah's way? The disciples said We are helpers (in the way) of Allah We believe in Allah and bear witness that we are submitting ones.003.053
YUSUFALI "Our Lord! we believe in what Thou hast revealed, and we follow the Messenger; then write us down among those who bear witness."
PICKTHAL Our Lord! We believe in that which Thou hast revealed and we follow him whom Thou hast sent. Enrol us among those who witness (to the truth).
SHAKIR Our Lord! we believe in what Thou hast revealed and we follow the messenger, so write us down with those who bear witness.005.082
YUSUFALI Strongest among men in enmity to the believers wilt thou find the Jews and Pagans; and nearest among them in love to the believers wilt thou find those who say, "We are Christians" because amongst these are men devoted to learning and men who have renounced the world, and they are not arrogant.
PICKTHAL Thou wilt find the most vehement of mankind in hostility to those who believe (to be) the Jews and the idolaters. And thou wilt find the nearest of them in affection to those who believe (to be) those who say Lo! We are Christians. That is because there are among them priests and monks, and because they are not proud.
SHAKIR Certainly you will find the most violent of people in enmity for those who believe (to be) the Jews and those who are polytheists, and you will certainly find the nearest in friendship to those who believe (to be) those who say We are Christians; this is because there are priests and monks among them and because they do not behave proudly.005.083
YUSUFALI And when they listen to the revelation received by the Messenger, thou wilt see their eyes overflowing with tears, for they recognise the truth they pray "Our Lord! we believe; write us down among the witnesses.
PICKTHAL When they listen to that which hath been revealed unto the messengers, thou seest their eyes overflow with tears because of their recognition of the Truth. They say Our Lord, we believe. Inscribe us as among the witnesses.
SHAKIR And when they hear what has been revealed to the messenger you will see their eyes overflowing with tears on account of the truth that they recognize; they say Our Lord! we believe, so write us down with the witnesses (of truth). -
Hi Br,
So Abraham being a witness can only be that he was around when the heavens and the earth was created - how else can he be a witness? very unusual to my understandings.
2156 He said, "Nay, your Lord is the Sustainer of the heavens and the earth, Who initiated them from nothing. I am of those who bear witness to this truth ."
2156
Khalifa
He said, "Your only Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, who created them. This is the testimony to which I bear witness.
Yusuf Ali
He said, "Nay, your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, He Who created them (from nothing) and I am a witness to this (Truth).
"Progressive Muslims"
He said "No, your lord is the Lord of heavens and earth, the One who initiated them. And I bear witness to such."http//www.submission.org/efarsi/arabic/Surat21_files/21_56.gif
Abraham's "bearing witness" to the truth.
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Salaams Br?s,
Br. OP,
Some one there is asked to be a witness to a real situation;
We believe in Allah, and do thou bear witness that we are Muslims (those who are peaceful).
They are asking the lord to bear witness to their following the messenger.
Our Lord! we believe in what Thou hast revealed and we follow the messenger, so write us down with those who bear witness.
Now they are asking the lord to bear witness to them accepting the revelation.
And when they listen to the revelation received by the Messenger, thou wilt see their eyes overflowing with tears, for they recognise the truth they pray "Our Lord! we believe; write us down among the witnesses.
And from all the above someone else is being asked to witness a certain event.
And Br.DA,
How on earth does a person witness his own revelation? I think facts are stronger when it?s some one other witnessing.
2156 He said, "Nay, your Lord is the Sustainer of the heavens and the earth, Who initiated them from nothing. I am of those who bear witness to this truth ."
So this translation doesn?t make sense as Abraham is saying he is a witness to the creation of the heaven???
Or he is saying he bears witness to this fact that his lord created the heavens ??..In both cases he isn?t a very weighty witness in any court room on earth ? no evidence!
God Bless.
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Salaams Br?s,
Br. OP,
Some one there is asked to be a witness to a real situation;
They are asking the lord to bear witness to their following the messenger.
Now they are asking the lord to bear witness to them accepting the revelation.And from all the above someone else is being asked to witness a certain event.
And Br.DA,
How on earth does a person witness his own revelation? I think facts are stronger when it?s some one other witnessing.
So this translation doesn?t make sense as Abraham is saying he is a witness to the creation of the heaven???
Or he is saying he bears witness to this fact that his lord created the heavens ??..In both cases he isn?t a very weighty witness in any court room on earth ? no evidence!
God Bless.
if a person cannot be witness to his own revelation ,then what about Quran's authenticity.What is the evidence that it is God's word?
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Salaams Allen,
since childhood we live our lives and for all our actions we receive reactions - we know a lot of these and when someone says the same or even a little more wouldn't you think highly of them, whether you call them God or something other- but with the greatest admiration?
So where was/is the evidence?
In our experiences!
God Bless.