Power and Idol Worship: Pharaoh’s People and Contemporary Polytheistic Societies

One of the teachings of Islam is that worship should be directed solely to Allah. However, throughout history, people have fallen into shirk (associating partners with Allah) by deifying material and spiritual powers such as wealth, authority, and influence. In this article, the story of Pharaoh’s people is used to discuss how those in power and societies create false deities, while also examining idol worship and its foundations and the impact of similar societies from the past to the present.
The Qur’an presents Pharaoh’s people as an example of how a person in power can declare themselves divine and turn society into a group of people who worship them. Pharaoh consolidated his rule in Egypt not only through material power but also by establishing spiritual authority. His words, “And I am your most exalted Lord” (An-Nazi'at, 24), provide the clearest example of his self-deification. Those who submitted to Pharaoh’s power were not only the poor people of the society but also prominent bureaucrats of the state. As stated in the Qur’an:
"And Pharaoh said, 'O eminent ones, I know of no deity for you other than me. So, Haman, build for me a tower of clay, perhaps I may reach the God of Moses—though I think he is a liar.'" (Al-Qasas, 38)
This shows that Pharaoh formed a strong alliance with influential figures around him and compelled them to accept his claim of divinity. Those who recognized Pharaoh’s godhood were mostly self-interested, benefiting from his dominion. However, their deviant attitude led them to ruin both in this world and the Hereafter. Allah became angry with Pharaoh and those who submitted to him and condemned them to severe punishment. The fate of Pharaoh’s people is described in the Qur’an:
"And indeed We sent Moses with Our signs and a clear authority to Pharaoh and his leaders. But they followed Pharaoh’s command, and Pharaoh’s command did not lead to truth." (Hud, 96-97)
Those who obeyed Pharaoh ultimately faced curses in this world and the Hereafter. The case of Pharaoh’s people provides a strong example of how those with power and authority can compel people to worship them. Societies may begin to give excessive value to power simply because they revere it. This phenomenon is observable not only in ancient societies but also in the modern world.
Pharaoh’s people, who attributed divine power to him, were actually deluded by and mistaken about Allah’s singular power and might. They worshiped Pharaoh’s apparent power because they did not fully comprehend Allah’s authority. This can also be observed in contemporary society, where individuals create their own idols through economic power, political authority, or social prestige. Today, some political leaders or popular figures can, like Pharaoh, compel people to worship their power. Such figures play a significant role in shaping social values, steering society in line with their own interests.
Idolatry is not limited to physical objects made of stone, metal, or wood. In the Qur’an, when narrating the idol worship of Prophet Abraham’s people, it is stated:
"When he said to his father and people, 'What are these statues to which you are devoted?' They said, 'We found our fathers worshipping them.'" (Al-Anbiya, 52-53)
Here, it is emphasized that idols are not merely physical objects but represent concepts that have been deified. Idols can symbolize power, wealth, women, or fertility. This reflects people’s desire to worship worldly values they long for as if they were divine. Similarly, today, concepts such as power, money, beauty, and popularity can become “idols,” turning people into followers who revere them, just as in Pharaoh’s time and in ancient societies. Modern humans worship not only tangible objects but also abstract ideas. Such worship can lead societies to deviate from moral principles.
The story of Pharaoh’s people is not only a historical example but also a warning for contemporary societies. The fact that those who obeyed Pharaoh created a society worshiping his power instead of Allah’s might reflects how modern societies may follow power-worshiping leaders, living independent of Allah. Even the Kemalist ideology, by idealizing Atatürk’s principles, created a form of idolization in which society began to see him not merely as a human but almost as a deity. This approach represents a thought pattern contrary to Islam and parallels the attitude of Pharaoh’s people.
The examination of Pharaoh’s people demonstrates how those in power can manipulate people and divert them from Allah. This is not only a historical lesson but also a warning for modern societies. According to Islam, the only deity is Allah, and any act of deification is an oppression of one’s own soul. Today, the polytheistic attitudes caused by leaders similar to Pharaoh can still be observed. Therefore, educating societies with correct values, strengthening belief in Allah’s power, and eliminating all false idols play a critical role.