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
إِن تَسْتَفْتِحُوا۟ فَقَدْ جَآءَكُمُ ٱلْفَتْحُ ۖ وَإِن تَنتَهُوا۟ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ وَإِن تَعُودُوا۟ نَعُدْ وَلَن تُغْنِىَ عَنكُمْ فِئَتُكُمْ شَيْـًٔا وَلَوْ كَثُرَتْ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
If you [disbelievers] seek the decision [i.e., victory] - the decision [i.e., defeat] has come to you. And if you desist [from hostilities], it is best for you; but if you return [to war], We will return, and never will you be availed by your [large] company at all, even if it should increase; and [that is] because Allāh is with the believers.
ٱلَّذِينَ عَـٰهَدتَّ مِنْهُمْ ثُمَّ يَنقُضُونَ عَهْدَهُمْ فِى كُلِّ مَرَّةٍ وَهُمْ لَا يَتَّقُونَ
The ones with whom you made a treaty but then they break their pledge every time, and they do not fear Allāh.
وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مِنۢ بَعْدُ وَهَاجَرُوا۟ وَجَـٰهَدُوا۟ مَعَكُمْ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ مِنكُمْ ۚ وَأُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَرْحَامِ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلَىٰ بِبَعْضٍ فِى كِتَـٰبِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمٌۢ
And those who believed after [the initial emigration] and emigrated and fought with you - they are of you. But those of [blood] relationship are more entitled [to inheritance] in the decree of Allāh. Indeed, Allāh is Knowing of all things.
وَمَا لَهُمْ أَلَّا يُعَذِّبَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَهُمْ يَصُدُّونَ عَنِ ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ وَمَا كَانُوٓا۟ أَوْلِيَآءَهُۥٓ ۚ إِنْ أَوْلِيَآؤُهُۥٓ إِلَّا ٱلْمُتَّقُونَ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
But why should Allāh not punish them while they obstruct [people] from al-Masjid al-Ḥarām and they were not [fit to be] its guardians? Its [true] guardians are not but the righteous, but most of them do not know.