Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And when it is said to them: "What is it that your Lord has sent down (unto Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم)?" They say: "Tales of the men of old!"
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَإِذَاwa-idhāAnd when
قِيلَqīlait is said
لَهُمlahumto them
مَّاذَآmādhāWhat
أَنزَلَanzalahas your Lord sent down
رَبُّكُمْ ۙrabbukumhas your Lord sent down
قَالُوٓا۟qālūThey say
أَسَـٰطِيرُasāṭīruTales
ٱلْأَوَّلِينَl-awalīna(of) the ancient
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
“Asātīr” (fables) is the plural of “usṭūrah” {وَاِذَاقِيْلَلَهُمْمَّاذَاۤاَنْزَلَرَبُّكُمْقَالُوْۤا …: ’’ اَسَاطِيْرُ ‘‘ ’’أُسْطُوْرَةٌ‘‘}, just as it is of {’’اَعَاجِيْبُ‘‘ ’’أُعْجُوْبَةٌ‘‘}. What is meant is baseless, false stories and legends. This is the comment of those arrogant disbelievers about the Noble Qur’an, which they used to make among themselves and spread, that this is not the word of Allah, but rather Muhammad (peace be upon him) has heard some tales of the former people from somewhere, and is presenting them to the people under the name of Allah’s word by piecing them together.
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
24. 1. That is, displaying aversion and mockery, these deniers respond: Allah has not sent down anything, and what Muhammad ﷺ recites to us is merely stories of the ancients which he narrates after hearing them from somewhere.
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
24. And when they are asked, "What has your Lord revealed?" they say, "Nothing but tales of the ancients [24]."
[24] The Quran Contains Only Stories of the Ancients:
When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and his message became known beyond the boundaries of Makkah and spread to the surrounding areas, the disbelievers of Makkah, wherever they went, and people asked them what the Prophet who has arisen among you teaches and what he calls to, these people would respond with great indifference and carelessness that he merely tells stories and tales of the ancients. There is nothing new or useful in them, and we have already heard such things many times before.