പിതാവിന്‍റെ വിഗ്രഹങ്ങള്‍ തകര്‍ത്ത ബാലന്‍

This is a true story about a boy whose father used to manufacture idols. These idols were very popular amongst the people. Most people were worshipping them because this is what they thought the religion of their ancestor’s required. However, this lad thought differently. He began to reason with his people about their age-old practice. Why did they worship idols? Could the idols benefit them in any way? Could the idols even defend themselves if they were attacked? More important, is it not true that the God who made the Heavens and the Earth also made humans? And is it not true that humans make idols? Then it follows that God is greater than all the idols put together. Furthermore, which idol do people call upon if they happen to be at sea, far away from their favorite idol? Do they not call upon the unseen God, who hears every call? The people, could not answer to this clever boy so they shrugged him off.

He reasoned with his father also. But his father also shrugged him off. Now, a picture is worth a thousand words. Since no one paid heed to the boy’s words, he decided to put his words into a dramatic scene. One day, he had his opportunity when the people were all away on a festival. When the people returned they found what for them was not a pretty sight. All the idols were broken except the biggest one, which was still standing tall. An axe was leaning against it. What could this mean? They did not get the message. The lad was their prime suspect. But he answered their questions with this suggestion: why not ask the big idol? Obviously, the weapon of destruction is in his possession. “But that makes no sense,” they protested. They were starting to get the message. “How can we ask the idol? And how could a lifeless idol break the others?” “But then” retorted the boy, “Why do you worship these lifeless idols?” The point was driven home in a dramatic fashion. The boy’s name was Abraham. He grew up to be a Prophet delivering to the people God’s message that they should worship none but the one true unseen God who created the Heavens and the Earth. You can read more about Abraham in the glorious Qur’an, a book that God revealed to a descendant of Abraham: the Prophet Muhammad. May God shower His peace and blessings on both Muhammad and his ancestor Abraham