29.16 – And Abraham, when he said to his people: “Serve God, and guard (yourselves) . . .”
Abraham challenges his people about their idol worship in this substantial passage (vv. 16–27) and implores them to acknowledge their Creator. But the people respond with a call to kill Abraham (v. 24).
Stories of Abraham opposing idolatry appear frequently in the Quran, each adding details that are not included in the other versions. The call to burn Abraham and Allah’s subsequent rescue of him from the fire is more fully narrated in 21.68–71. It is not found in the Bible, but a similar story about Abraham appears in Midrāsh Rabbah Genesis – early Jewish commentary dated to the sixth century.