The Destruction of Idols and Statues.

Question:
There are those who criticize and condemn the destruction of idols and statues in Muslim lands, claiming that this is the destruction of civilization and the country's culture?

Answer:
Answer: What Allah willed, shirk means shirk. Is shirk civilization? Are idols the country's civilization? This is the talk of either an ignorant person or one who has no discernment in matters of religion. When the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) conquered Makkah, there were three hundred and sixty idols on the Ka'bah. He pointed to them all and said: "The truth has come and falsehood has vanished." They fell on their faces. He (peace and blessings be upon him) then ordered them to be taken out of the mosque and burned at the mosque gate. Can this be called the destruction of civilization? He sent men to al-Lat, al-Uzzah, and Manat to demolish them. Can this be called changing civilization? This is the civilization of shirk, which is not permissible. This is polytheism; it is not civilization.