Ibrahim's people carved idols of stone and worshipped them. The young Ibrahim asked his father and his people: what are these statues you sit before so devotedly? They said: we found our forefathers worshipping them.
Ibrahim said: you and your forefathers have been in clear error. Your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, who created them.
The broken idols
One day, when his people had gone out, Ibrahim broke the idols into pieces — all but the largest, so that they might turn to it.
When they returned they were stunned. Who had done this? Someone said a young man called Ibrahim used to speak against them. He was brought before everyone. They asked: Ibrahim, did you do this to our gods? He said: rather, this largest one did it — ask them, if they can speak!
For a moment they turned to themselves and saw that they were the wrongdoers. Then they hung their heads again: you know these do not speak. Ibrahim said: then do you worship, instead of Allah, what can neither benefit you nor harm you?
The fire
Having no answer, they shouted: burn him and stand up for your gods! A great fire was lit and Ibrahim was thrown into it. Then came Allah's command:
The fire could not burn him. They had plotted to harm him, but Allah made them the greatest losers.