سُوْرَةُ الْاَنْۣبِيَآءِ

Surah Al-Anbiyaa (21) — Ayah 52

The Prophets · Meccan · Juz 17 · Page 326

إِذْ قَالَ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوْمِهِۦ مَا هَـٰذِهِ ٱلتَّمَاثِيلُ ٱلَّتِىٓ أَنتُمْ لَهَا عَـٰكِفُونَ ﴿52﴾
When he said to his father and his people: "What are these images, to which you are devoted?"
إِذْ idh When
قَالَ qāla he said
لِأَبِيهِ li-abīhi to his father
وَقَوْمِهِۦ waqawmihi and his people
مَا What
هَـٰذِهِ hādhihi (are) these
ٱلتَّمَاثِيلُ l-tamāthīlu [the] statues
ٱلَّتِىٓ allatī which
أَنتُمْ antum you
لَهَا lahā to it
عَـٰكِفُونَ ʿākifūna (are) devoted

Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

(Ayah 52) ➊ {اِذْ قَالَ لِاَبِيْهِ وَ قَوْمِهٖ …: ’’ التَّمَاثِيْلُ ‘‘ ’’تِمْثَالٌ‘‘} is the plural of "تِمْثَالٌ" (timthal), an image made in the likeness of any creature of Allah Almighty, a statue. Idol worshipers generally worship statues of humans. This is the understanding that Allah Almighty granted to Ibrahim (peace be upon him) before Musa (peace be upon him), that is, the truth of the oneness of Allah Almighty and the falsehood of idols and all other deities. The people of Ibrahim (peace be upon him) were idol worshipers, they also worshiped stars, the moon, and the sun, and considered the king as lord as well. For the very reasoned, effective, and irrefutable invitation of Ibrahim (peace be upon him) regarding the stars, moon, and sun not being deities, see Surah Al-An'am (76 to 83). For the invitation regarding the king not being lord, see Surah Al-Baqarah (258). Here, the preaching of the idols' powerlessness and its practical demonstration is mentioned.
➋ The reference of {مَا هٰذِهِ التَّمَاثِيْلُ …: ’’ هٰذِهِ ‘‘} is for the contempt of idols. Ibrahim (peace be upon him), acting as if ignorant, mentioned the idols to his father and his people with great contempt, asking: "What are these images to which you are devoted?" As if Ibrahim (peace be upon him) was not even ready to consider them as anything, because they neither hear nor can benefit or harm anyone. See Surah Maryam (42).

Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

52. 1. تَمَاثِیْل is the plural of تِمْثَالُ. It originally refers to an exact replica of something, such as a stone statue or a picture of someone on paper or a wall. Here, it refers to those idols which the people of Ibrahim (علیہ السلام) had made of their deities and which they used to worship. عاکف is the active participle form from عکوف, which means to adhere to something and to sit with devotion and persistence. From this comes اعتکاف, in which a person sits devotedly for the worship of Allah and turns to Him with focus and concentration. Here, it refers to the veneration and worship of idols and sitting as caretakers at their shrines. These تماثیل (idols and pictures) are also common nowadays among grave-worshippers and saint-worshippers, and they are hung in homes and shops as a blessing with great care. May Allah grant them understanding.

Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

When he said to his father and his people, "What are these statues to which you are devoted in worship?" [47]

[47] It was the demand of this wisdom of Ibrahim ؑ that when he saw his father and the people of his community prostrating before lifeless and motionless idols, he immediately began to ponder in his heart: What is the benefit of prostrating before these lifeless stones, which can neither move, nor hear, nor speak? To prostrate before such things is nothing but a complete insult and humiliation of humanity. For a long time, he inwardly grieved and felt aversion towards this inhuman act of his people. Eventually, compelled by the demand of his nature, he finally asked his father and his people this question: Tell me as well, what is the benefit of sitting before these lifeless idols and being engaged in their worship?