إِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِ ءَايَـٰتُنَا قَالَ أَسَـٰطِيرُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ 15
Translations
When Our verses are recited to him, he says, "Legends of the former peoples."
Transliteration
Idha tutla alayhi ayatuna qala asatiru al-awwalīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the rejection of the disbelievers who, when the Quranic verses are recited to them, dismiss them as mere tales and legends of the ancients. Ibn Kathir explains that these arrogant people refused to acknowledge the divine origin of the Qur'an, attributing it instead to Muhammad's (peace be upon him) knowledge of pre-Islamic stories. Al-Tabari notes this reflects their stubborn denial despite clear evidence, as they chose to follow ancestral traditions over rational reflection on the Qur'an's message.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Qalam's broader context in addressing the Meccan polytheists' rejection of the Qur'an. The surah opens with the oath of the Pen and addresses various objections raised by the disbelievers against the Prophet (peace be upon him). This specific verse illustrates one of their primary strategies of rejection—dismissing revelation as folklore rather than engaging with its truth claims.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (4484): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said regarding those who reject signs: 'The example of those who reject the signs of Allah is like the example of animals to which one calls, but they hear nothing except calls and cries.' This reflects the willful deafness described in 68:15.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah warns believers against dismissing divine guidance through cultural relativism or attachment to inherited beliefs. It teaches that true understanding requires an open heart willing to examine the Qur'an's message on its own merit, not through the lens of prejudice or tradition.
Related Ayahs
قَالَ عَمَّا قَلِيلٍ لَّيُصْبِحُنَّ نَـٰدِمِينَ
[Allāh] said, "After a little, they will surely become regretful."
وَإِذَا عَلِمَ مِنْ ءَايَـٰتِنَا شَيْـًٔا ٱتَّخَذَهَا هُزُوًا ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ
And when he knows anything of Our verses, he takes them in ridicule. Those will have a humiliating punishment.
وَٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا صُمٌّ وَبُكْمٌ فِى ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتِ ۗ مَن يَشَإِ ٱللَّهُ يُضْلِلْهُ وَمَن يَشَأْ يَجْعَلْهُ عَلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ
But those who deny Our verses are deaf and dumb within darknesses. Whomever Allāh wills - He sends astray; and whomever He wills - He puts him on a straight path.
ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ كَرِهُوا۟ مَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ فَأَحْبَطَ أَعْمَـٰلَهُمْ
That is because they disliked what Allāh revealed, so He rendered worthless their deeds.