أَوَءَابَآؤُنَا ٱلْأَوَّلُونَ 48
Translations
And our forefathers [as well]?"
Transliteration
Awa abauna al-awwalun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This phrase, part of the disbelievers' argument on the Day of Judgment, translates as 'Or [will it be said], our forefathers of old?' The disbelievers are questioning whether their ancestors will also be resurrected and punished alongside them, expressing doubt and resistance to the concept of resurrection. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain this represents the stubbornness of deniers who cling to ancestral tradition (taqlid) as justification for rejecting the truth, suggesting that if their forefathers were not punished, neither should they be.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within Surah Al-Waqi'ah, a Meccan surah that focuses on the inevitability of the Day of Judgment and the resurrection. The broader context (verses 45-56) depicts the disbelievers' desperate arguments and denials when confronted with the reality of the afterlife, reflecting the skepticism the Quraysh voiced toward Prophet Muhammad's message of resurrection.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'When one of you dies, his deeds are sealed except for three things: ongoing charity, knowledge from which people benefit, and a righteous child who makes dua for him' (Sahih Muslim 1631). This relates to the concept that individuals are responsible for their own deeds, not their ancestors' status.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that we cannot rely on our ancestors' status or deeds for our salvation; each person is individually accountable before Allah. We must examine our beliefs critically rather than blindly following tradition, and recognize that the excuses of disbelievers—whether based on ancestry or custom—will not avail them on the Day of Judgment.