بَلْ قَالُوا۟ مِثْلَ مَا قَالَ ٱلْأَوَّلُونَ 81
Translations
Rather, they say like what the former peoples said.
Transliteration
Bal qalū mithla mā qāla al-awwalūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah states that the disbelievers of Makkah merely repeated the same false claims and arguments that previous nations before them had uttered in denial of Allah's oneness and the prophethood of His messengers. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this demonstrates the cyclical nature of disbelief throughout history—each generation of rejectors echoes the baseless objections of their predecessors rather than seeking truth through reason and revelation. The ayah emphasizes that such repetitive denial is a sign of spiritual blindness and stubborn adherence to falsehood inherited from ancestral traditions.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within the context of Surah Al-Mu'minun (revealed in Makkah), which contrasts the believers with the disbelievers. The preceding verses discuss the Makkan polytheists' rejection of the message of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), and this ayah specifically addresses how their arguments are not novel but merely echo the refuted claims of earlier nations who rejected their own prophets.
Related Hadiths
The concept relates to the hadith in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet (ﷺ) mentioned that every nation follows the same patterns as previous nations, saying: 'You will follow the ways of those before you.' This reflects the universal pattern of human resistance to divine guidance that this ayah illustrates.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that rejecting truth is not unique but a recurring human tendency, and should inspire confidence that Allah's truth ultimately prevails despite repeated opposition. It also warns against blindly following inherited customs and beliefs without critical examination—a timeless reminder to seek truth independently rather than conforming to societal pressures.