قَالَ فَمَا بَالُ ٱلْقُرُونِ ٱلْأُولَىٰ 51
Translations
[Pharaoh] said, "Then what is the case of the former generations?"
Transliteration
Qala fama balu al-quruni al-ula
Tafsir (Explanation)
Pharaoh responds to Moses' call to worship Allah alone by asking, 'Then what about the former generations?' implying that previous peoples followed different gods and customs, so why should he abandon the religion of his forefathers. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, Pharaoh's question reflects his reliance on ancestral tradition (taqlid) as justification for rejecting monotheism, a common argument used by those who prioritize inherited beliefs over divine truth.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs during the dialogue between Moses and Pharaoh at the beginning of Surah Taha. After Moses presents his message of pure monotheism, Pharaoh responds with this objection, which represents the typical response of those who cling to paganism and reject prophetic guidance. This exchange illustrates the confrontation between truth and falsehood in the context of da'wah (calling to Allah).
Related Hadiths
The concept of following ancestral traditions blindly is referenced in the Quran (43:22-24) where people say 'Nay, we shall follow what we found our forefathers upon.' A relevant hadith from Sahih Bukhari emphasizes that following the Sunnah of the Prophet is superior to following the customs of ancestors.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that tradition and inherited customs are not valid justifications for rejecting divine guidance; believers must evaluate beliefs based on evidence and truth rather than blind adherence to what forefathers practiced. It reminds us that questioning 'but everyone else does it this way' is a weak defense against the call to righteousness.