The Idols Are Our Intercessors

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The Belief in the source of Intercession.Explanations from Mafuradat

The first verse speaks about the assumptions of the idolaters and says, “And they worship besides God things that hurt them not, nor profit them and they say, “These are our intercessors with God”

The question is how they considered these lifeless statues to be their intercessors before God?’ the answer suggested by the thinkers is that they thought that the idolater believed worshipping the idols was worshipping God and the path to his closeness and this ideology gained ground due to various reasons.

Another group thought that we are not fit to worship God because He is so lofty and this is why we worship the idols and so that we can get close to Him.

Some believed that the angels had a special status with God and we worship the idols that reflect them so we worship the idols of the angels so that they may be the successful sources to attain the closeness to God

Some idolaters said that we worship God and the idols are like the Ka’aba for us like the way the Muslims turn towards it. Some others said that there is a devil near every idol and he fulfills our desires when we worship it. If the idols are not worshipped then that devil by God’s orders deceives us makes us wayward and condemned. These and other frivolous beliefs are what these people believe. (1)

The second verse mentions one assumption of the polytheists, “And they have taken others besides God, hoping that they might be helped (by these so called gods)” They desired that these idols would help them in hardships, wars, and diseases and they should come to their assistance in case of famine and drought and in the hereafter they should come as their supporters. This was a great misconception on their part. The issue was just the opposite because the worshippers came to save the idols when they were threatened and protect them from their enemies. There is the instances in Abraham’s lore as described in verse 68 of Surah Anbiya.; it says, “ They said, “ Burn him and help your gods if you can do (anything at all).

Their idea that the idols would help them was nothing but a conjecture because it had emanated from decadence in belief and thoughts and this in history is the fountain of idolatry.

The same issue is dealt in the third verse but in another manner. It says, “

They have taken gods besides God to give them power and glory!” The word “Izzah” here means power and glory, help and the intercession with God. This too was their conjecture because the chapter then addresses Hazrat Maryam, “When the veils of conjectures are lifted then intelligence will rule and the idolaters will have a great remorse. They will deny having worshipped the idols and will stand up against them. In Surah Anam verse 23 the Book says, “Their excuse would be nothing but their cry, “By God our lord, we were not polytheists.”

In the fourth and last verse it says, “All obeisance is due to God alone.” And then it threatens the idolaters, “Those who take others as guardians besides Him say, “We worship them only so that they may bring us closer to God. “ God will certainly judge between them about what they differ; surely God does not guide a liar and ingrate.” (2)

 


 

1. Balogh-ol-Erab Vol. 2 Page 197
2. Some commentators feel that the word “Wal Lazeena” is the beginning and “God will certainly judge between them” is the news about them. The words “We worship them only so that they may bring us closer to God.” has a gap describing the present situation “They say we do not worship them”

 

The Belief in the source of Intercession.Explanations from Mafuradat
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