[21].Al-Anbiya' [The Prophets]: Ayat 51-53

Ayat 51. And indeed We bestowed aforetime on Ibrahim PBUH (Abraham) his (portion of) guidance, and We were Well-Acquainted with him (as to his Belief in the Oneness of Allah, etc.). 

Ayat 52. When he said to his father and his people: "What are these images, to which you are devoted?"

Ayat 53. They said:"We found our fathers worshipping them."

[Tafseer] We bestowed aforetime on Abraham (PBUH) his rectitude of conduct, and well were We acquainted with him. Rushd: right conduct, corresponding in action to the quality expressed in the epithet Hanif (sound or true in Faith) applied to Abraham (PBUH) in Surah Baqrah ayat 135 and elsewhere. Hence Abraham's (PBUH) title "Friend of Allah" (Khalil Allah): 4:125. Behold! he said to his father and his people, "What are these images, to which ye are (so assiduously) devoted?" Reference is made to Abraham (PBUH) in many places. In 19:42-49 it was with reference to his relations to his father: the problem was how a righteous man should deal with his father, when his duty to his father conflicts with his duty to Allah. Here the problem is: how a righteous man should deal with evil and overcome it; how he should fight against evil, and if he is subjected to the fire of persecution, how his firmness draws Allah's Mercy, and the very trouble he is placed in becomes his comfort and joy. They said, "We found our fathers worshipping them." 

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: It was asked, "O Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) ! Who is the most honourable amongst mankind?'' He [SAWW](PBUH) said, "The most honourable of them is one who is the most pious of them.'' They said, "We are not asking about this". He said, "Then, the most honourable of men was Yusuf (Joseph), the Prophet of Allah, the son of Allah's Prophet, who was the son of the Prophet of Allah, who was the son of the Khalil of Allah (i.e., Ibrahim (PBUH))' They said, "We are not asking you about this.'' He enquired, "Are you then asking me about the classes of the Arabs? The best of them in the Pre-Islamic Period of Ignorance are the best of them in Islam, provided they comprehend the religious knowledge". 

[Al-Bukhari Book 05, Chapter 55, Hadith # 572] 

Lesson : as mentioned above in Surah Al-Anbiya' Ayat 51."We bestowed aforetime on Ibrahim" We come to know from this Hadith that the families which enjoyed popularity and prestige for their eminent qualities (like generosity, chivalry, honesty, etc.) in the pre-Islamic period were also credited for these values after their acceptance of Islam. But now their respect was qualified with their religious knowledge and practice. Their capabilities, self-respect and other qualities were turned towards a different direction. These qualities which were previously used for paganism were now devoted for Islam.