What was the nature of the relationship between the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) and idols before prophethood? And is it true that he never worshipped them, even before prophethood, taking into consideration the Almighty’s saying: "And the defilement shun"?

First: The Almighty’s saying: (And uncleanness shun) [Al-Muddaththir: 5] is among the first verses revealed in the Quran. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, never prostrated to an idol, for he was safeguarded from polytheism and disbelief before his prophethood.

Second: Texts such as the hadith of the "splitting of the chest" indicate his (peace and blessings be upon him) purity from polytheism since childhood. His forbidding Zayd ibn Harithah from touching idols confirms his aversion to them, just as he was safeguarded from swearing by them.

Third: "Ar-Rijz" (uncleanness) means idols, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was commanded to shun them. This command is an affirmation of the continuous shunning and avoidance of them and their people, and it contains a command for all people to do the same. Some interpreted "ar-rijz" as disobedience or everything ugly and repulsive.