وَإِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَـٰتُنَا قَالُوا۟ قَدْ سَمِعْنَا لَوْ نَشَآءُ لَقُلْنَا مِثْلَ هَـٰذَآ ۙ إِنْ هَـٰذَآ إِلَّآ أَسَـٰطِيرُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ 31
Translations
And when Our verses are recited to them, they say, "We have heard. If we willed, we could say [something] like this. This is not but legends of the former peoples."
Transliteration
Wa-idha tutla AAalayhim ayatuna qalou qad samiAAna law nashaa qulna mithla hatha in hatha illa asatiru al-awwaleen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the arrogant response of the disbelievers when the Quranic verses are recited to them—they claim they have heard such things before and could produce similar words if they wished, dismissively calling the Quran merely 'tales of the ancients.' Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note this reflects the Quraysh's pride and refusal to acknowledge the Quran's inimitability (i'jaz), despite knowing in their hearts its truth. Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that their claim to produce similar verses is an empty boast, as they could never match the Quran's eloquence, wisdom, and miraculous nature.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Anfal's discussion of the attitudes of disbelievers during the early Medinan period. It specifically addresses the response of the Meccan disbelievers to the Quranic message, reflecting their consistent rejection despite clear signs. The broader context involves contrasting the believers' obedience with the disbelievers' stubborn denial.
Related Hadiths
The concept relates to Surah Al-Isra 17:88, which states none can produce something like the Quran even if they gathered together for that purpose. Additionally, Sahih Muslim reports traditions about the Quraysh's baseless accusations against the Prophet ﷺ, including their dismissal of the Quran as 'tales of the ancients' (asatir al-awwaleen).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah warns believers against the danger of spiritual arrogance and closed-mindedness—those who refuse to genuinely listen to divine guidance often resort to dismissal and mockery as defense mechanisms. For modern readers, it teaches that sincere reflection on sacred texts requires humility and openness, not prideful skepticism.
Related Ayahs
إِنَّمَا ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ ٱللَّهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَإِذَا تُلِيَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَـٰتُهُۥ زَادَتْهُمْ إِيمَـٰنًا وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ
The believers are only those who, when Allāh is mentioned, their hearts become fearful, and when His verses are recited to them, it increases them in faith; and upon their Lord they rely -
وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّمَآ أَمْوَٰلُكُمْ وَأَوْلَـٰدُكُمْ فِتْنَةٌ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ عِندَهُۥٓ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ
And know that your properties and your children are but a trial and that Allāh has with Him a great reward.
كَدَأْبِ ءَالِ فِرْعَوْنَ ۙ وَٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۚ كَفَرُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ فَأَخَذَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِذُنُوبِهِمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَوِىٌّ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ
[Theirs is] like the custom of the people of Pharaoh and of those before them. They disbelieved in the signs of Allāh, so Allāh seized them for their sins. Indeed, Allāh is Powerful and severe in penalty.
يُجَـٰدِلُونَكَ فِى ٱلْحَقِّ بَعْدَ مَا تَبَيَّنَ كَأَنَّمَا يُسَاقُونَ إِلَى ٱلْمَوْتِ وَهُمْ يَنظُرُونَ
Arguing with you concerning the truth after it had become clear, as if they were being driven toward death while they were looking on.