Az-Zukhruf Verse 22

In fact, they say, “We found our forefathers following a ˹particular˺ way, and we are following in their footsteps.”

They rather say, “We found our forefathers on a path, and we are seeking guidance in their footsteps.”

Nay, but they say, 'We found our fathers upon a community, and we are guided upon their traces.'

No indeed! They say, ‘We saw our fathers following this tradition; we are guided by their footsteps.’

Nay! they say: verily we have found our fathers on a certain way, and verily by their footsteps we are guided.

Nay! they say; "We found our fathers following a certain religion, and we do guide ourselves by their footsteps."

Nay; they simply claim: “We found our forefathers on a way, and we continue to find guidance in their footsteps.”

In fact they say: "We found our fathers following a certain way, and are guided by their footprints."

Rather they said, “We found our forefathers upon a religion, and we are following their footsteps.”

No, they said, ‘We found our fathers following a creed, and we are indeed guided in their footsteps.’

Not at all! (Indeed, their only argument is that) they say: "We have found our forefathers following a certain religion, and we are led in their footsteps."

Nay, but they go on saying, `We have found our forefathers on a certain course, and we (while walking) in their footsteps, are following the right course (of true guidance).

But they said: "We (E), we found our fathers on a constitution (set example) , and We (E) on their tracks are guided."

Rather they said, “We found our forefathers upon a religion, and we are following their footsteps.”

Nay! They say, "We found our fathers in a religion, and surely we are guided by their footsteps."

Nay! They say: "We found our fathers following a certain way and religion, and we guide ourselves by their footsteps."

Or have We given them a Book before it so that they hold fast to it?

Nay! they say: We found our fathers on a course, and surely we are guided by their footsteps.

Nay, for they say only: Lo! we found our fathers following a religion, and we are guided by their footprints.

In fact, they say, "We found our fathers following a certain belief and we now follow in their footsteps for our guidance".

No, but they say: 'We found our fathers following a creed, and by following in their footsteps we are guided.

Nay! They say: "We found our fathers following a certain way and religion, and we guide ourselves by their footsteps."

No indeed! They say, "We have found our fathers following a certain course, and we are guided by their footsteps."

But they say, “We found our parents on a course, and we are guided in their footsteps.”

Nay, but they say, `Lo! we found our fathers following a [certain] creed and we are indeed, proceeding, in their footsteps to be guided', by them, for they used to worship other than God.

Nay! They say;

"we found our fathers following a certain way and religion (Ummah), and we guide ourselves by their footsteps."

meaning, they have no grounds for their belief in idolatry apart from the fact that they are imitating their fathers and forefathers who were following a certain Ummah or way, i.e., religion.

The word Ummah is used in a similar manner elsewhere, where Allah says;

إِنَّ هَـذِهِ أُمَّتُكُمْ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً

And verily, this your religion (Ummah) is one religion. (23;52),

and they said;

وَإِنَّا عَلَى اثَارِهِم

and we by their footsteps,

means, behind them.

مُّهْتَدُونَ


We guide ourselves,

This is their claim with no evidence.

Then Allah points out that what these people say was already said by those who were like them among the nations of the past who disbelieved in the Messengers. Their hearts and their words are similar.

كَذَلِكَ مَأ أَتَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ مِّن رَّسُولٍ إِلاَّ قَالُواْ سَـحِرٌ أَوْ مَجْنُونٌ


أَتَوَاصَوْاْ بِهِ بَلْ هُمْ قَوْمٌ طَـغُونَ


Likewise, no Messenger came to those before them but they said;"A sorcerer or a madman!"

Have they transmitted this saying to these?

Nay, they are themselves a people transgressing beyond bounds! (51;52-53)

And Allah says here;

وَكَذَلِكَ مَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ فِي قَرْيَةٍ مِّن نَّذِيرٍ إِلاَّ قَالَ مُتْرَفُوهَا

إِنَّا وَجَدْنَا ابَاءنَا عَلَى أُمَّةٍ وَإِنَّا عَلَى اثَارِهِم مُّقْتَدُونَ