And when they were in the utmost of glorification for their idols due to their firm standing in ignorance, it never occurred to their imaginations that Ibrahim, peace be upon him, would proceed to do what he said. Based on their estimation of his action, which was impossible in their view, he could not do that. So they turned away to their festival, while he aimed for what he had resolved upon. He exerted himself in accomplishing it in a manner befitting his binding of the oath with the Greatest Name. 'So he made them'—meaning after their turning away—'pieces, shattered fragments, broken and crumbled,' from al-jadh, which means cutting. 'Except for one,' meaning 'for the idols or for their worshippers,' for he did not break it and took the axe with him. 'So that they might return to him alone'—meaning the people of misguidance—'when he compelled them with the question, so that the proof would be established against them. For if he had left another one with it, they might have claimed that each one would attribute the words to the other when questioned for some purpose. So when they returned to their idols and found them in that state, it became clear to them that they must have a tremendous matter at that point. Thus, the narration about him was resumed with the saying: