Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
They said: "We found our fathers worshipping them."
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
قَالُوا۟qālūThey said
وَجَدْنَآwajadnāWe found
ءَابَآءَنَاābāanāour forefathers
لَهَاlahāof them
عَـٰبِدِينَʿābidīnaworshippers
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.
(Ayah 53){ قَالُوْاوَجَدْنَاۤاٰبَآءَنَا …:} The father of Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and his people had no rational or transmitted evidence for worshipping idols, so they resorted to imitation and said that they found their forefathers worshipping them. Indeed, if the forefathers are on the right path, then surely follow them, but if they are on the wrong path, what wisdom is there in continuing to follow the wrong path?
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.
Just as even today, when Muslims entangled in ignorance and superstitions are prevented from innovations and customs of the Age of Ignorance, they respond by saying: How can we abandon these when our forefathers also used to do the same? And this is the same answer given by those who, turning away from the texts of the Book and Sunnah, consider it necessary to cling to the opinions and thoughts of scholars and elders.
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.
They replied, "We found our forefathers [48] worshipping them."
[48] The Condemnation of Following Forefathers:
Now, if there had been any practical benefit in worshipping idols, or if they had any reasonable answer, then surely the people of the nation would have explained it to Prophet Ibrahimؑ and satisfied him. But they had no answer to Prophet Ibrahimؑ’s question except that since they had seen their forefathers doing the same, they too were following them in this practice. It is obvious that this was not a reasonable answer to Prophet Ibrahimؑ’s question. The significance of the question at this point is that the Quraysh of Makkah also worshipped idols, and when they were asked the same question, their answer was exactly the same. Furthermore, they also claimed to be followers of Prophet Ibrahimؑ. Thus, this question, in the sense of “spoken in the story of others,” was also directed at the Quraysh of Makkah.