Interpretation of Sura Maryam (Mary) - Verse 46

46. " He said: 'Do you dislike my gods O' Abraham? If you do not desist, I will certainly stone you. Be gone from me for a long time'. "

Commentary

In the former verses, the logical words of Abraham (a.s.) alongside the guidance of 'A-zar which were mixed with a particular compassion and kindness, were referred to. Now, the turn is for the answers of 'A-zar to those words, so that, by comparing them both, the fact may become manifest.

The Qur'an implies that, not only the sympathetic and helpful statements of Abraham did not affect on 'A-zar's heart, but also, by hearing them, he became very angry and said to Abraham whether he hated his gods.

" He said: 'Do you dislike my gods O Abraham? If you do not desist, I will certainly stone you. Be gone from me for a long time'. "

It is interesting that, firstly, 'A-zar was not even willing to hear the denial upon the idols, or to utter any opposition and ill-speaking against them, but he only said: "Do you dislike my gods?" lest the idols be aspersed. Secondly, when 'A-zar wanted to threaten Abraham, he threatened him to stoning, and he emphasized on his action by the word 'certainly'; and we know that stoning is one of the worst kind of slaying. Thirdly, he did not suffice to this conditioned threat, but, at the same time, he considered Abraham as an unbearable being when he told him 'Be gone from me for a long time'. This is a very aspersive meaning that sometimes some angry persons use against their opponents.

The Arabic term /maliyya/ is derived from /'imla'/ in the sense of 'to respite a long time'.

Adopted from the book : "The Light of the Holy Qur'an; Interpretation of Surah Maryam" by : "Sayyid Kamal Faghih Imani and a Group of Muslim Scholars"