قَالُوا۟ يَـٰصَـٰلِحُ قَدْ كُنتَ فِينَا مَرْجُوًّا قَبْلَ هَـٰذَآ ۖ أَتَنْهَىٰنَآ أَن نَّعْبُدَ مَا يَعْبُدُ ءَابَآؤُنَا وَإِنَّنَا لَفِى شَكٍّ مِّمَّا تَدْعُونَآ إِلَيْهِ مُرِيبٍ 62
Translations
They said, "O Ṣāliḥ, you were among us a man of promise before this. Do you forbid us to worship what our fathers worshipped? And indeed we are, about that to which you invite us, in disquieting doubt."
Transliteration
Qāloo yā Sālihū qad kunta fīnā marjuwwan qabla hādhā atanhānā an na'budu mā ya'budu ābaūnā wa-innānā lafī shakkin mimmā tad'ūnanā ilayhi murīb
Tafsir (Explanation)
The people of Thamud respond to Prophet Salih's call to monotheism by acknowledging his former good standing among them, yet they reject his message and accuse him of forbidding them from worshipping idols as their forefathers did. Ibn Kathir explains that their doubt and suspicion (shakk murīb) about Salih's message reflects their spiritual blindness and stubborn adherence to ancestral customs over divine truth, demonstrating how people often cling to falsehood despite recognizing the righteousness of the messenger.
Revelation Context
This verse occurs within the narrative of Prophet Salih and the tribe of Thamud in Surah Hud, which presents the stories of various prophets and their rejection by their peoples. The context illustrates the pattern of disbelief: people initially respect the prophet but then reject the message when it contradicts their traditions and desires. This surah emphasizes themes of warning and patience in the face of rejection.
Related Hadiths
While no single hadith directly addresses this verse, Sahih Bukhari contains numerous hadiths about following the Sunnah over innovations and ancestral customs. Additionally, the general principle reflected here relates to Tirmidhi's collections on how people choose worldly desires over divine guidance, as seen in various traditions about the arrogance of nations who rejected their messengers.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that good reputation and previous standing cannot guarantee acceptance of truth if hearts are hardened by stubbornness and cultural attachment; we must examine beliefs based on evidence and divine guidance rather than inherited customs, and recognize that doubt rooted in worldly desires prevents people from accepting even the clearest messages.