Surah Ash-Shu'ara — Verse 70

Word Meanings:

• إِذْ قَالَ – "When he said": refers to the time when Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, peace be upon him) addressed his father and his people.
• لِأَبِيهِ – "To his father": his father was Āzar, who was an idol worshipper.
• وَقَوْمِهِ – "And his people": his community and tribe who shared the same idolatrous beliefs.
• مَا تَعْبُدُونَ – "What do you worship?": a rhetorical question meant to provoke thought and reflection about the objects of their worship.

Explanation of the Verse:

In this noble verse, Allah commands His Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to recount to the disbelievers of Makkah the story of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) — a story filled with wisdom and guidance. Ibrahim, the beloved friend of Allah (Khalilullah), turned to his father Āzar and his people with a question that was both gentle and profound: "What do you worship?"

This question was not asked out of ignorance, but as a deliberate method of teaching. Ibrahim (peace be upon him) wanted to make them pause and think deeply about the objects they were devoting their lives, their prayers, and their devotion to. He asked them to reflect: What are these idols you bow down to? What are these statues you sacrifice for? What are these carved stones you call gods?

The question was designed to awaken their natural intellect (fitrah) — the innate disposition within every human being that recognizes the Oneness of Allah. By asking "what" rather than "who," Ibrahim was subtly pointing out that these objects of worship were not even worthy of being described as living beings; they were merely things — lifeless, powerless, and created by human hands.

This verse carries a timeless lesson for all of humanity: the importance of questioning blind following and inherited traditions. Ibrahim (peace be upon him) did not accept the beliefs of his forefathers merely because they were customary. Instead, he used logic, reason, and divine revelation to seek the truth. His question was the first step in a journey that would lead him to become the father of monotheism — the spiritual ancestor of all believers.

A Da'wah Reflection for the Reader:

Dear reader, this verse invites you to examine your own life with the same courage and sincerity that Ibrahim (peace be upon him) displayed. What do you worship today? Is it wealth, status, desires, or the approval of others? Or is it Allah alone — the Creator of the heavens and the earth, the One who gives life and death, the One who sustains you every single moment?

The beauty of Islam is that it calls you to use your God-given intellect. It does not ask you to believe blindly, but to reflect, ponder, and then submit willingly to the truth. When you look around you at the universe — the stars, the oceans, the mountains, the miracle of your own existence — you will find countless signs pointing to One Creator. That is the same truth that Ibrahim (peace be upon him) discovered, and it is the same truth that brings peace to the heart and light to the soul.

So take a moment today to ask yourself the same question Ibrahim asked his people: "What do I truly worship?" If the answer is anything other than Allah, know that the door of repentance is open, and the mercy of Allah is vast. Come back to the pure faith that every prophet preached — the faith of La ilaha illa Allah (there is no god but Allah) — and you will find true success in this life and the next.