Page:Sacred Books of the East - Volume 9.djvu/66

50 We did give to Moses and Aaron the Discrimination, and a light and a reminder to those who fear ; who are afraid of their Lord in secret ; and who at the Hour do shrink.

This is a blessed reminder which we have sent down, will ye then deny it ?

And we gave Abraham a right direction before ; for about him we knew. When he said to his father and to his people, ‘ What are these images to which ye pay devotion ?’ Said they, ‘ We found our fathers serving them.’ Said he, ‘ Both you and your fathers have been in obvious error.’ They said, ‘ Dost thou come to us with the truth, or art thou but of those who play ?’

He said, ‘ Nay, but your Lord is Lord of the heavens and the earth, which He originated ; and I am of those who testify to this ; and, by God ! I will plot against your idols after ye have turned and shown me your backs !’

So he brake them all in pieces, except a large one they had ; that haply they might refer it to that.

Said they, ‘ Who has done this with our gods ? verily, he is of the wrong-doers !’ They said, ‘ We heard a youth mention them who is called Abraham.’ Said they, ‘ Then bring him before the eyes of men; haply they will bear witness.’ Said they, ‘ Was it thou who did this to our gods, O Abraham ?’ Said he, ‘ Nay, it was this largest of them ; but ask them, if they can speak.’

Then they came to themselves and said, ‘Verily, ye are the wrong-doers.’ Then they turned