The curtains are drawn on the first category of the people, those who were worshipping celestial bodies. the next situation reveals the second group, those who were practicing idolatry.
Allah gave Abraham (pbuh) the reasoning he needed the first time and every time he argued with his people.
Almighty Allah declared:
“And that was Our Proof which We gave Abraham against his people. We raised whom We will in degrees. Certainly your Lord is All Wise, All Knowing. (Ch 6:83)
Abraham did his best to make his people heedful to the belief in the oneness of Almighty Allah
and to the worship of Him alone. He bade them to firmly renounce the worship of idols. HE said to his father and his people:
“What are these images, to which you are devoted?” they said: “We found our fathers
worshipping them.” He said: “Indeed you and your fathers have been in manifest error.” They said: “Have you brought us the truth, or are you one of those who play about?” He said: “Nay, your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, Who created them and of that I am of the witnesses.” (Ch 21:52-56)
Abraham reasons with his Father
All was finished between Abraham and his people and the struggle began. the most amazed and furious was his father (or his uncle who had raised him), for as it is well known, he not only
worshipped idols but sculpted and sold them as well. Abraham felt that it was his duty as a good son to advise his father against this evil so that he could be saved from Allah’s punishment.
Being a wise son he did not make his father feel foolish, nor did he openly laugh at his conduct.
He told him that he loved him, thereby hoping to generate fatherly love. Then he gently asked him why he worshipped lifeless idols who could not hear, see or protect him. before his father could become angry he hastily added:
“O my father! Verily! There has come to me of knowledge that which came not unto you. So follow me. I will guide you to a Straight Path. O my father! Worship not Satan. Verily! Stan has been a rebel against the Most Beneficent (Allah). O my father! Verily! I fear lest a torment from the Most Beneficent (Allah) overtake you as that you become a companion of Satan (in the Hellfire).” He (the father) said: “Do you reject my gods, O Abraham? If you stop not this, I will indeed stone you. So get away from me safely before I punish you.” Abraham said: “Peace be on you! I will ask Forgiveness of my Lord for you. Verily! He is unto me, Ever Most Gracious. And I shall turn away from you and from those whom you invoke besides Allah.” (Ch 19:43-48)
Abraham debates with the Idolaters
His father’s harsh treatment did not stop Abraham from delivering the message of truth. Angry
and sad to see people prostate before idols, he was determined to stamp out these practices and went to the town to debate with the people knowing full well that he might suffer harm.
Like a wise doctor searching for the cause of a sickness so as to prescribe the proper cure, or like a judge who questioned the accused sharply so that he mighty detect the truth. Abraham asked them: “Do the idols see you when you prostrate before them? Do they benefit you in any way.”
They quickly tried to defend their beliefs. They argued that they knew the idols were lifeless but that their forefathers had worshipped them; to them this was proof enough for their belief.
Abraham explained that their forefathers had been wrong. This angered them and they retorted:
“Are you condemning our gods and our forefathers? Or are you just joking?”
Abraham showed no fear as he replied: “I am serious. I come to you with a true religion. I have
been sent with guidance from our Lord Who alone is worthy of worship, Who is the Creator of
the heavens and the earth, and Who regulates all affairs of life, unlike the dumb idols which are just stone and wood.”
To convince them that the idols could not harm him, he challenged: “I have already condemned them; of they had any power they would have harmed me by now!”
Abraham reasons with the Idolaters, Second Time
Almighty Allah recounted:
“Recite to them the story of Abraham. When he said to his father and his people. “What do you
worship?” They said: “We worship idols, and to them we are ever devoted.” He said: “Do they
hear you when you call on them? OR do they benefit you or do they harm you?” They said:
“Nay but we found our father doing so.”
He said: “Do you observe that which you been worshipping, You and your ancient fathers? Verily! They are enemies to me, save the Lord of the Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists); Who has created me and it is HE Who guides me and it is HE Who feeds me and gives me to drink. And when I am ill, it is He who cures me; and Who will cause me to die and then will bring me to life again and Who I hope will forgive me my faults on the Day of Resurrection.”
(Ch 26:69-82 Quran).
In another surah The Almighty revealed:
“And remember Abraham when he said to his people: “Worship Allah Alone and fear Him that is better for you if you did but know. You worship besides Allah only idols and you only invent
falsehood. Verily, those whom you worship beside Allah have no power to give you provision, so seek your provision from Allah Alone, you will be brought back. And if you deny then nations before you have denied their Messengers. the duty of the Messenger is only to convey the Message plainly.”
See they not how Allah originates creation, then will repent it. Verily, that is easy for Allah.
Say: “Travel in the land and see how Allah originated creation and then Allah will bring forth
(resurrect) the creation of the Hereafter (i.e. resurrection after death) verily, Allah is Able to do
all things.”
He punishes whom HE wills and shows mercy to whom He wills, and to Him you will be
returned. And you cannot escape in the earth or in the heaven. And besides Allah you have neither any Wali (Protector, or guardian) nor any Helper. And those who disbelieve in the Ayat
(proofs, lessons, signs, evidences, verses, revelations etc) of Allah and the Meeting with Him, it is they who have no hope of My Mercy, and it is they who will have a painful torment.
(CH 22:16-23 Quran)