Allah tells us how Ibrahim's people stubbornly and arrogantly disbelieved, and how they resisted the truth with falsehood. After Ibrahim addressed them with his words of clear guidance,

This was because proof had clearly been established against them, so they resorted to using their power and strength.

{They said: "Build for him a building and throw him into the blazing fire!" So they plotted a plot against him, but We made them the lowest.} (37:97-98).

They spent a long time gathering a huge amount of firewood, they built a fence around it, then they set it ablaze until its flames reached up to the sky. No greater fire had ever been lit. Then they went to Ibrahim, seized him and put him into a catapult, then they threw him into the fire. But Allah made it cool and safe for him, and after spending several days in it, he emerged unscathed. For this reason and others, Allah made him an Imam for mankind, for he offered himself to the Most Merciful, he offered his body to the flames, he offered his son as a sacrifice, and he gave his wealth to care for his guests. For all of these reasons he is beloved by the followers of all religions.

{Then Allah saved him from the fire.} means, He rescued him from it by making it cool and safe for him.

Ibrahim, peace be upon him, explains to his people that idols are incapable of doing anything,

Here Ibrahim was rebuking his people for their evil deed of worshipping idols, and telling them: 'You have taken these as gods and you come together to worship them so that there is friendship and love among you in this world,'

{but on the Day of Resurrection,} the situation will be the opposite, and this love and friendship will turn into hatred and enmity. Then

{you shall deny each other,} meaning, you will denounce one another and deny whatever was between you,'

{and curse each other,} means, the followers will curse their...