Comparing Light and Darkness to Highlight Truth
Education comparison is among methods that can help in one’s mental and ideological growth.
People are not the same in terms of mental and psychological conditions. What someone enjoys may be a torment for someone else. That is why educational methods for every person may be different from that used for another person.
One of the educational methods Prophet Abraham (AS) used was the method of comparison.
By comparing behaviors, a teacher can create a model in his student’s mind so that the student can automatically find the right path. By comparing behaviors and learning each behavior’s weaknesses and strengths one can also achieve self-confidence and a higher social status.
Imam Ali (AS) says in Hadith 121 of Nahj al-Balagha: “What a difference there is between two kinds of actions: an act whose pleasure passes away but its (ill) consequence remains, and an act whose hardship passes away but its reward stays.”
Abraham (AS) used this method to persuade idolaters to abandon their polytheism. He compared powerless idols to God, worshipping whom will lead humans to salvation:
1- “’Do they hear you when you call on them?’ He (Abraham) asked. ‘Can they benefit you or harm you?’” (Verses 72-73 of Surah Ash-Shuara)
2- “He said: ‘Would you then worship that, instead of Allah, which can neither help nor harm you?’” (Verse 66 of Surah Al-Anbiya)
In interpretation of this verse, Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi writes: Of what use are these gods that cannot speak, have no understanding and power of reasoning, cannot defend themselves and cannot ask for help? Worshipping God is either because He is worthy of being worshipped, and this would be meaningless when it comes to inanimate idols, or because of the benefits that this act of worship brings, and what Abraham (AS) did (by breaking the idols to pieces) shows that they have no benefit or harm.
After showing them that idols have no benefits, Abraham begins the second side of the comparison, proving to them that worshipping God is all benefit and advantage:
“He said: ‘Have you considered what you worship, you and your fathers before you? They are enemies to me except the Lord of all the Worlds, who created me; and He guides me, who created me; and He guides me, and He gives me to eat and drink, who, when I am sick, heals me; who makes me to die and then revives me, and whom I am eager shall forgive me my sins on the Day of Recompense.’”
(Verses 75-82 of Surah Ash-Shuara)
There remains no reason for worshipping idols after this comparison. It is so convoking that no one can reject it, although, unfortunately, there are some in whose heart there is sickness and they refuse to accept the truth and change their path.
