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falsehood invented!" And the Unbelievers say of the Truth when it comes to them "This is
nothing but evident magic!" 3854
3854 Apart from the worship of Evil in the guise of the Powers of Light, there is another form of false worship, which
depends on ancestral tradition. "Why" it is said "should we not do as our fathers did?" They reject a new prophet of
Truth simply because his teaching does not agree with the ways of their ancestors. The answer to this is given in
verse 44 below. But meanwhile the rejectors' objection to new Truth is stated in three forms: (1) our ancestors knew
nothing of this; (2) the story of inspiration is false; it is merely an invention; we do not believe in inspiration; (3) when in
some particular points, the new Truth does work wonders in men's hearts, they account for it by saying it is magic.
The third objection is merely traditional. What is magic? If it was merely deception, surely the Truth has proved itself to
be above deception. The second objection is answered by the fact that the Messenger who comes with new spiritual
Truth is acknowledged to be truthful in other relations of life: why should he be false where his preaching brings him
no gain but much sorrow and persecution? For the ancestral objection see next note. (34.43)
36:6 - In order that thou mayest admonish a people whose fathers had received no admonition and
who therefore remain heedless (of the Signs of Allah). 3946
3946 The Quraish had received no Prophet before, and therefore one of themselves was made the vehicle for the universal
Message to the whole world. (36.6)
37:17 - "And also our fathers of old?" 4043
4043 Although the Hereafter, is the most solid facts in our intelligent existence, materialists deny
them. They cannot believe that they could have any existence beyond the grave-still less their
ancestors who died ages and ages ago: how could they ever come to life again? (37.17)
37:69 - Truly they found their fathers on the wrong Path;
43:22 - Nay! they say: "We found Our fathers following a certain religion and We do guide
ourselves by their footsteps." 4627
4627 Then comes the argument about ancestral custom, which was repudiated by Abraham (see verses 26-28 below).
Indeed a good reply to ancestral custom in the case of the Arabs was the example of Abraham, the True in Faith, for
Abraham was the common ancestor of the Arabs and the Israelites. (43.22)
43:23 - Just in the same way whenever We sent a Warner before thee to any people the wealthy
ones among them said: "We found Our fathers following a certain religion and We will certainly
follow in their footsteps." 4628
4628 It is some privileged position, and not ancestral custom, which is really at the bottom of much falsehood and hypocrisy
in the world. This has been again and again in religious history. (43.23)
43:24 - (And the warner) said: What! Even though I bring you better guidance than that ye found
your fathers following? They answered: Lo! in what ye bring we are disbelievers.
43:26 - Behold! Abraham said to his father and his people: "I do indeed clear myself of what ye
worship: 4630
4630 The plea of ancestral ways is refuted by the example of Abraham, in two ways: (1) he gave up the ancestral cults
followed by his father and people, and followed the true Way, even at some sacrifice to himself; and (2) he was an
ancestor of the Arabs, and if the Arabs stood on ancestral ways, why should they not follow their good ancestor
Abraham, rather than their bad ancestors who fell into evil? See n. 4627 above. The incident in Abraham's story
referred to here will be found in xxi. 51-70. (43.26)
45:25 - And when Our Clear Signs are rehearsed to them their argument is nothing but this: they
say "Bring (back) our forefathers if what ye say is true!" 4764
4764 Cf. xliv. 36. It is no argument to say, "If there is a future life, bring back our forefathers and let us see them here and
now!" It is not for a man to raise the dead when and where he pleases. It is for Allah to command. And His promise is
about the general Resurrection for the Day of Judgment. In His hands are the keys of life and death. (45.25)
56:48 - "(We) and our fathers of old?"
Al-Tirmidhi Hadith
Hadith 4927
Abdullah ibn Amr
Narrated by
Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said, "The Lord's good pleasure results from a father's good pleasure, and the Lord's
displeasure results from a father's displeasure."
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