The starting point of idol worship in the world

The idol worship was ideally started during the period of Nu'h (A.S.).

For many generations Nu'h's (A.S.) people had been worshiping idols.  They believed that these gods(idols) would bring them good, protect them from evil and provide all their needs.  They gave their idols names such as Wadd, Suwa, Yaghut and Nasr, according to the power they thought these gods(idols) possessed.  Originally these were the names of good men who had lived among them.  After the death of these men, statues were erected to keep their memories alive, but people later began to worship these statue.  Later generations did not even know why these statues were erected, but knew that their parents had prayed to them. That is how idol-worshiping developed.  And since they had no understanding of an Almighty God* that would punish them for their evil deeds, they became cruel and immoral.

Footnote:* Shir'k (associating other gods with Allah) is not confined to worshipping of statues or human beings or other objects only but includes anything that is held more dear than Allah or His Commands. (Selected Stories From The Qur'an, by Sheikh A Najaar, imam, muir Street Mosque, Cape Town.)