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.
Related Ayahs
أَنِ ٱقْذِفِيهِ فِى ٱلتَّابُوتِ فَٱقْذِفِيهِ فِى ٱلْيَمِّ فَلْيُلْقِهِ ٱلْيَمُّ بِٱلسَّاحِلِ يَأْخُذْهُ عَدُوٌّ لِّى وَعَدُوٌّ لَّهُۥ ۚ وَأَلْقَيْتُ عَلَيْكَ مَحَبَّةً مِّنِّى وَلِتُصْنَعَ عَلَىٰ عَيْنِىٓ
[Saying], 'Cast him into the chest and cast it into the river, and the river will throw it onto the bank; there will take him an enemy to Me and an enemy to him.' And I bestowed upon you love from Me that you would be brought up under My eye [i.e., observation and care].
إِنَّنِىٓ أَنَا ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنَا۠ فَٱعْبُدْنِى وَأَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ لِذِكْرِىٓ
Indeed, I am Allāh. There is no deity except Me, so worship Me and establish prayer for My remembrance.
لَهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا وَمَا تَحْتَ ٱلثَّرَىٰ
To Him belongs what is in the heavens and what is on the earth and what is between them and what is under the soil.
قَالُوٓا۟ إِنْ هَـٰذَٰنِ لَسَـٰحِرَٰنِ يُرِيدَانِ أَن يُخْرِجَاكُم مِّنْ أَرْضِكُم بِسِحْرِهِمَا وَيَذْهَبَا بِطَرِيقَتِكُمُ ٱلْمُثْلَىٰ
They said, "Indeed, these are two magicians who want to drive you out of your land with their magic and do away with your most exemplary way [i.e., religion or tradition].