فَقَالَ ٱلْمَلَأُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِن قَوْمِهِۦ مَا نَرَىٰكَ إِلَّا بَشَرًا مِّثْلَنَا وَمَا نَرَىٰكَ ٱتَّبَعَكَ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ أَرَاذِلُنَا بَادِىَ ٱلرَّأْىِ وَمَا نَرَىٰ لَكُمْ عَلَيْنَا مِن فَضْلٍۭ بَلْ نَظُنُّكُمْ كَـٰذِبِينَ 27
Translations
So the eminent among those who disbelieved from his people said, "We do not see you but as a man like ourselves, and we do not see you followed except by those who are the lowest of us [and] at first suggestion. And we do not see in you over us any merit; rather, we think you are liars."
Transliteration
Faqāla al-mala'u alladhīna kafarū min qawmihi mā narāka illā basharan mithlunā wa mā narāka ittaba'aka illā alladhīna hum arādhilunā bādī al-ra'yi wa mā narā lakum 'alaynā min fadlin bal nazunnukum kādhībīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
The disbelieving chiefs of Nuh's people rejected his message by raising three objections: first, they saw him as merely human like themselves with no special status; second, they claimed only the lowly and contemptible followed him without proper consideration; and third, they asserted they saw no superiority in the believers over themselves, suspecting Nuh and his followers of lying. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this ayah exemplifies the arrogance and pride of the disbelievers who refused guidance despite its clarity, using social status and worldly reasoning to reject divine truth.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Nuh's da'wah (preaching) to his people over nine hundred and fifty years. It represents the response of the Meccan polytheists' spiritual ancestors—the people of Nuh—whose rejection mirrors the rejection faced by Prophet Muhammad. The context demonstrates how disbelievers throughout history employ similar tactics: denial of the messenger's uniqueness and contempt for the believers.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad said: 'The best of you are my generation, then those who follow them, then those who follow them' (Sahih Bukhari 2652), which contextually contrasts with the disbelievers' mockery of the 'lowly' followers. Additionally, the Quran states in 34:31 where disbelievers say similar words: 'If we were to follow guidance with you, we would be snatched away from our land,' showing the recurring pattern of this objection.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that spiritual truth is not determined by social status, wealth, or worldly prestige, and that pride and prejudice blind people to divine guidance. Believers should recognize that opposition from the powerful and elite does not invalidate the message, as has been the pattern throughout prophetic history.