۞ We had earlier given Abraham true direction, for We knew him well. 51 Recall, when he said to his father and his people: "What are these images to which you are devoutly clinging?" 52 They answered: "We found our forefathers worshipping them." 53 He said: "Certainly you and your fathers have all been in manifest error." 54 They said: "Are you speaking in earnest, or only jesting?" 55 He said, 'Nay, but your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth who originated them, and I am one of those that bear witness thereunto. 56 And [he added to himself.] "By God, I shall most certainly bring about the downfall of your idols as soon as you have turned your backs and gone away!" 57 And then he broke those [idols] to pieces, [all] save the biggest of them, so that they might [be able to] turn to it. 58 (When they saw the idols in this state) they said: "Who has done this to our gods? Surely he is one of the wrong-doers." 59 Some of them said: "We heard a youth called Abraham speak (ill) of them." 60 They said, "Then bring him before the eyes of the people, that they may bear witness." 61 They said, "Have you done this to our gods, O Abraham?" 62 He answered, "Rather this biggest one of them did it. Ask them, if they can speak." 63 Thereupon they realized their own foolishness and said, "We ourselves are wrong-doers". 64 But then they relapsed into their former way of thinking and said: "Thou knowest very well that these [idols] cannot speak!" 65 He said, "Do you, instead of God, worship things that can neither harm nor benefit you?" 66 Shame on you and on that you worship other than Allah! Have you no understanding' 67 They exclaimed: "Burn him, and [thereby] succour your gods, if you are going to do [anything]!" 68 'O Fire' We said, 'be coolness and safety for Abraham' 69 Then they sought a stratagem against him: but We made them the ones that lost most! 70 And We delivered him and Lot to the land which We had blessed for the worlds. 71 And We bestowed upon him Isaac, and Jacob as a grandson. Each of them We made righteous. 72 And We made them leaders to guide (the people) by Our command; and We inspired them to perform good deeds and observe their moral obligations and pay the zakat; and they obeyed Us. 73 And Lot -- to him We gave judgment and knowledge; and we delivered him from the city that had been doing deeds of corruption; they were an evil people, truly ungodly; 74 And We admitted him to Our Mercy: for he was one of the Righteous. 75