THE RELIGION WE INHERITED FROM OUR ANCESTORS 👂

 👂 THE RELIGION WE INHERITED FROM OUR ANCESTORS

The Religion of the Ancestors and the Universal Warning in the Qur’an

The Qur’an examines humanity’s reactions to divine revelation through the examples of various prophets throughout history. These reactions generally fall into two categories: submission to revelation and adherence to the religion of one’s ancestors.

The positive response is encapsulated in the statement, “We hear and we obey.” (Al-Baqarah 2:285). The negative response, on the other hand, manifests as denial, mockery, and rejection. However, the Qur’an highlights that a common underlying cause of such negative responses is blind adherence to ancestral beliefs.

According to the Qur’an, many communities resisted the prophets’ messages by appealing to the religion of their forefathers:

• People of Noah (as): “We have never heard of this among our forefathers.” (Al-Mu’minun 23:24)

• People of Hud (as): “Shall we abandon what our forefathers worshiped?” (Al-A'raf 7:70)

• People of Salih (as): “Shall we give up what our forefathers used to worship?” (Hud 11:62)

• People during Abraham’s (as) time: “We found our forefathers doing the same.” (Al-Anbiya 21:53; Ash-Shu'ara 26:74)

• People of Moses (as) and Aaron (as): “Have you come to turn us away from what we found our forefathers following?” (Yunus 10:78)

• Time of Joseph (as): “You and your forefathers are merely worshiping names which you have made up.” (Yusuf 12:40)

• Time of Prophet Muhammad (as): “This man wants to turn you away from what your forefathers used to worship.” (Saba 34:43)

The Qur’an presents this behavior as a universal and recurring form of resistance:

“We found our forefathers following a certain way, and we are following in their footsteps.” (Az-Zukhruf 43:23)

The Qur’an explicitly rejects blind devotion to ancestral traditions:

“Even though their forefathers understood nothing and were not guided?” (Al-Ma’idah 5:104)
“Indeed, Allah does not command immorality.” (Al-A'raf 7:28)

Today, a perception of religion based on inherited interpretations and practices—rather than the Qur’an itself—is widespread. Yet the Qur’an calls on people to use reason and follow divine revelation directly:

“This Qur’an is an insight for mankind, a guidance and mercy for people who have certainty.” (Al-Jathiyah 45:20)

In conclusion, according to the Qur’an, salvation lies not in following ancestral traditions but in sincerely adhering to the clear revelation of Allah:

“As for those who strive in Our cause, We will surely guide them to Our ways.” (Al-‘Ankabut 29:69)