سُوْرَةُ الْاَنْۣبِيَآءِ

Surah Al-Anbiyaa (21) — Ayah 57

The Prophets · Meccan · Juz 17 · Page 326

وَتَٱللَّهِ لَأَكِيدَنَّ أَصْنَـٰمَكُم بَعْدَ أَن تُوَلُّوا۟ مُدْبِرِينَ ﴿57﴾
"And by Allâh, I shall plot a plan (to destroy) your idols after you have gone away and turned your backs."
وَتَٱللَّهِ watal-lahi And by Allah
لَأَكِيدَنَّ la-akīdanna surely, I will plan
أَصْنَـٰمَكُم aṣnāmakum (against) your idols
بَعْدَ baʿda after
أَن an [that]
تُوَلُّوا۟ tuwallū you go away
مُدْبِرِينَ mud'birīna turning (your) backs

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 57) ➊ { وَ تَاللّٰهِ لَاَكِيْدَنَّ اَصْنَامَكُمْ … :} After rejecting the idols verbally, Ibrahim (peace be upon him) understood that merely explaining to these people by words was not enough; rather, eradicating the deeply rooted belief in the divinity and problem-solving power of these idols from their minds was not possible without a powerful practical action, through which their helplessness would become clearly evident. Since reaching them and taking action was not easy, he chose the day for this task when, due to everyone going to the festival, there would be an opportunity to act. See Surah As-Saffat (88 to 90).
➋ Before proving the falsehood of the idols through action, Ibrahim (peace be upon him) announced his intention by swearing by Allah. Some people secretly break solid graves, shrines, or idols and go into hiding, and they call this the Sunnah of Ibrahim, but if they are truly followers of the Sunnah of Ibrahim, then they should do this work openly, so that they themselves are responsible for the consequences and show steadfastness like Ibrahim (peace be upon him). It should not be that someone else acts and someone else bears the consequences.
➌ Some commentators have written that Ibrahim (peace be upon him) said this in his heart. Some have written that when everyone had left, he said this in the presence of one or two people. The truth is that all these are Israiliyat. The Holy Quran has clearly mentioned that he said this in front of his father and his people. However, it never occurred to his people that such a thing could happen, so they did not pay any attention to it.

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.

57. 1 This was the resolve that Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) made in his heart; some say that he said it softly with the intention that some people might hear it. The meaning is the practical effort that he wanted to undertake after his verbal admonition, that is, the act of breaking the idols.

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.

And by Allah! After you have gone away, I will surely deal with your idols.

[51] Prophet Ibrahimؑ thought to himself that these people do not understand their misguidance through words alone. Now, there is no choice but to make them understand through a practical demonstration. Therefore, he swore by Allah that when these people are absent from their idols, then he will deal with their so-called helpers. Now, it so happened that the day of their festival of Nowruz, that is, the national fair, was approaching, so all the people went to this fair. And Prophet Ibrahimؑ got the very opportunity he had been waiting for.