Namrud failed to comprehend that the reality of giving life to a lifeless thing means instilling the soul within it and bringing it from a state of non-existence into a state of existence. Similarly, he failed to understand that causing death to a living being means removing the soul from the body while all the limbs remain intact.

Seeing that this line of reasoning could not penetrate the dense skull of Namrud, Hazrat Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) decided to change the style of debate and presented the following argument. He said, “My Allah is the one who causes the sun to rise from the east and set in the west. O Namrud! If you claim to be god, then why don’t you try to reverse the cycle and cause the sun to rise from the west and set in the east?” This argument was such that Namrud was unable to answer and was left dumbfounded and speechless.

In this way, in the arena of debate, Hazrat Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) defeated Namrud and proved that Allah Ta‘ala alone has power over all things and Allah Ta‘ala alone is worthy of worship.

(Qasasul Qur’aan 1/1, Bidaayah wan Nihaayah 1/179)