Abraham: Safety amid the fire

Abraham asks his father and his people what the statues they are devoted to are. They respond that they found their ancestors acting in this way. Abraham does not find this answer sufficient and explains that the Lord of the heavens and the earth is the one who created them. The debate is between maintaining a customary practice and questioning its validity.

Abraham breaks the idols and leaves the largest one intact. When his people see the situation, they bring him before the people and ask if he did it. He directs their attention to the large idol, telling them to ask the idols themselves if they are able to speak. This encounter makes the inability of the idols to answer a question visible.

For a moment, they seem to realize their error within themselves; then, they return to their former attitude. When they state that they know the idols do not speak, Abraham questions them for worshiping things that cannot benefit or harm them. He calls upon them to use their intellect.

His people decide to burn him in response to this questioning. However, Allah commands the fire to be cool and a means of safety for Abraham. The plan they devised against him fails. The narrative recounts this special salvation; it is not possible to extract later added details regarding the intensity of the fire or the duration of the preparations from this passage.