258- DID YOU NOT SEE HE WHO HAD A DISPUTE WITH IBRAHIM CONCERNING HIS LORD, AS IBRAHIM SAID: “MY LORD IS HE WHO GIVES LIFE AND DEATH”. HE SAID: “I GIVE LIFE AND DEATH”. IBRAHIM SAID: “BUT ALLAH BRINGS THE SUN FROM THE EAST, YOU BRING IT FROM THE WEST”. THE DISBELIEVERS WAS CONFOUNDED, AND ALLAH DOES NOT GUIDE THE UNJUST EVIL DOERS.

Allah the Highest is telling us about an even which took place with Ibrahim peace be upon him, the father of the prophets.  He had a conversation with a king the historians believe he was king ‘Nimrod’ of Babylon. 

That king; like many of us who enjoy the bounties of Allah the Highest, particularly being rich and powerful, believe it to be their own making, which fills them with pride and arrogance.  That king considered himself to be a god, like many of those who see themselves as mini gods, expected people including Ibrahim peace upon him to worship him.  When Ibrahim did not bow or prostrate to him, the king asked him about his god, and Ibrahim’s answer was: “MY LORD IS HE WHO GIVES LIFE AND DEATH” meaning the creator or life and death to the egg in the woman’s womb, the seed in the soil and the fish in the water. 

The King ignored this clear fact and argued: “I GIVE LIFE AND DEATH” meaning that he kills whom he wants and let others live through his power and authority.  However this does not make him a god, for people kill people, wild animals kill, and big fish kill and eat small fish.  This does not make them gods. 

Ibrahim peace upon him ended the dispute by challenging the king to change any of God’s creations and phenomenon.  If the king made them, being a god, he should be able to changes them.  He just asked him to let the sun rise from the west instead of the east: “BUT ALLAH BRINGS THE SUN FROM THE EAST, YOU BRING IT FROM THE WEST” 

We note two characteristics in the approach of Ibrahim peace upon him:

1-    He was not argumentative, for prophets and messengers are not.

2-    Ibrahim peace upon him was able to end the dispute decisively by few words. 

3-    Ibrahim peace upon him stood firmly for his believe and did not fear the king.  Allah the Highest did not abandon him either.

The Ayah ends with “AND ALLAH DOES NOT GUIDE THE UNJUST EVIL DOERS” 

What can be more wrong than knowing the truth yet deny it.  They choose their misguidance and disbelieve.  Allah the Highest guides those who seek the guidance, and those who wish for it.  As for those to whom it is apparent and clear yet denied, they are left in the misguidance they choose for themselves. 

Loosing one’s way out of ignorance is one thing, and going down a road one knows where it leads to is another.

We should be cautious not to let ourselves being mini gods if we have wealth, status or both.  Not necessarily demanding being worshiped, but by setting ourselves and our opinions and decisions above every one else.  By considering ourselves always right, never make mistakes, our words are law, and our opinions pearls or wisdom.  This is a sorry state to reach, bad for one’s life in this life and in the Hereafter.