The Decline Proof: Ibrahim's (AS) Efforts for Divine Monotheism

Throughout history, the most fundamental issue that the divine prophets have tried to invite people to is the principle of monotheism and denial of polytheism (Shirk). Among these efforts are the rational approaches of the Prophet Ibrahim (AS) reflected in the Holy Quran. He drew on an argument to disapprove the divinity of the stars, moon, and so on and prove the divine monotheism while facing the polytheists of his time. The argument has received a variety of explanations. One of these explanations finds the reference of the argument in the Argument of Temporal Beginning, (Burhān-e Ḥudūth). However, this explanation has been criticized by some scholars. Using a documentary-analytic-inferential method, this research first explains the above argument and the scholar's criticisms and then reviews the criticisms. Finally, it provides a new explanation for the above argument, referring the concept of "decline" to "the essential need and existential poverty" so as to account for the criticisms