Namrud was an oppressive, tyrant king who had claimed that he was god and commanded the people to worship him.

When Hazrat Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) went to Namrud and invited him to the oneness of Allah Ta‘ala, Namrud, due to his pride and obstinacy, did not accept and asked Hazrat Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) what his Lord could do.

Hazrat Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) said to Namrud, “Allah Ta‘ala is that being who gives life and causes death.” Namrud, not understanding the reality of giving life and causing death, foolishly responded by saying, “I am also capable of giving life and causing death!” In order to prove his claim, he then called for two people who had been given the death sentence and instructed that one be executed and the other be set free and allowed to live.