بَلْ قَالُوا۟ مِثْلَ مَا قَالَ ٱلْأَوَّلُونَ 81
Translations
Rather, they say like what the former peoples said.
Transliteration
Bal qalū mithla mā qāla al-awwalūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah states that the disbelievers of Makkah merely repeated the same false claims and arguments that previous nations before them had uttered in denial of Allah's oneness and the prophethood of His messengers. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this demonstrates the cyclical nature of disbelief throughout history—each generation of rejectors echoes the baseless objections of their predecessors rather than seeking truth through reason and revelation. The ayah emphasizes that such repetitive denial is a sign of spiritual blindness and stubborn adherence to falsehood inherited from ancestral traditions.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within the context of Surah Al-Mu'minun (revealed in Makkah), which contrasts the believers with the disbelievers. The preceding verses discuss the Makkan polytheists' rejection of the message of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), and this ayah specifically addresses how their arguments are not novel but merely echo the refuted claims of earlier nations who rejected their own prophets.
Related Hadiths
The concept relates to the hadith in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet (ﷺ) mentioned that every nation follows the same patterns as previous nations, saying: 'You will follow the ways of those before you.' This reflects the universal pattern of human resistance to divine guidance that this ayah illustrates.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that rejecting truth is not unique but a recurring human tendency, and should inspire confidence that Allah's truth ultimately prevails despite repeated opposition. It also warns against blindly following inherited customs and beliefs without critical examination—a timeless reminder to seek truth independently rather than conforming to societal pressures.
Related Ayahs
لَا تَجْـَٔرُوا۟ ٱلْيَوْمَ ۖ إِنَّكُم مِّنَّا لَا تُنصَرُونَ
Do not cry out today. Indeed, by Us you will not be helped.
إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا رَجُلٌ ٱفْتَرَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ كَذِبًا وَمَا نَحْنُ لَهُۥ بِمُؤْمِنِينَ
He is not but a man who has invented a lie about Allāh, and we will not believe him."
ثُمَّ خَلَقْنَا ٱلنُّطْفَةَ عَلَقَةً فَخَلَقْنَا ٱلْعَلَقَةَ مُضْغَةً فَخَلَقْنَا ٱلْمُضْغَةَ عِظَـٰمًا فَكَسَوْنَا ٱلْعِظَـٰمَ لَحْمًا ثُمَّ أَنشَأْنَـٰهُ خَلْقًا ءَاخَرَ ۚ فَتَبَارَكَ ٱللَّهُ أَحْسَنُ ٱلْخَـٰلِقِينَ
Then We made the sperm-drop into a clinging clot, and We made the clot into a lump [of flesh], and We made [from] the lump, bones, and We covered the bones with flesh; then We developed him into another creation. So blessed is Allāh, the best of creators.
وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ أَن نُّرِيَكَ مَا نَعِدُهُمْ لَقَـٰدِرُونَ
And indeed, We are Able to show you what We have promised them.