فَرَاغَ عَلَيْهِمْ ضَرْبًۢا بِٱلْيَمِينِ 93
Translations
And he turned upon them a blow with [his] right hand.
Transliteration
Farāgha ʿalayhim ḍarban bil-yamīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes Prophet Ibrahim's decisive action of striking the idols with his right hand after his people left for their festival. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain this as Ibrahim's forceful destruction of all the idols except the largest one, upon which he hung the axe, leaving clear evidence of who had destroyed them. This act demonstrated his complete rejection of idolatry and challenged his people's faith, exposing the powerlessness of their gods to defend themselves.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Prophet Ibrahim in Surah As-Saffat, specifically describing the pivotal moment when he destroyed the idols in his people's temple. This story illustrates Ibrahim's unwavering commitment to monotheism and his intellectual and moral courage in confronting widespread idolatry. The context is set within the Meccan period, addressing the pagan Arabs' own idolatrous practices.
Related Hadiths
The story of Ibrahim destroying the idols is referenced in various collections. While no single hadith directly quotes this ayah, the overall narrative is supported in classical tafsir works. A thematically related hadith: 'The best jihad is a word of truth spoken in front of a tyrant' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi) - reflecting Ibrahim's courageous stand against false belief.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true faith requires not only internal conviction but also courageous action against falsehood, even in the face of overwhelming opposition. It reminds believers that standing up for truth may seem lonely, but it demonstrates the strength of genuine belief in Allah and His oneness.