سُوْرَةُ لُقْمَانَ

Surah Luqman (31) — Ayah 21

Luqman · Meccan · Juz 21 · Page 413

وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمُ ٱتَّبِعُوا۟ مَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ قَالُوا۟ بَلْ نَتَّبِعُ مَا وَجَدْنَا عَلَيْهِ ءَابَآءَنَآ ۚ أَوَلَوْ كَانَ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ يَدْعُوهُمْ إِلَىٰ عَذَابِ ٱلسَّعِيرِ ﴿21﴾
And when it is said to them: "Follow that which Allâh has sent down", they say: "Nay, we shall follow that which we found our fathers (following)." (Would they do so) even if Shaitân (Satan) invites them to the torment of the Fire?
وَإِذَا wa-idhā And when
قِيلَ qīla it is said
لَهُمُ lahumu to them
ٱتَّبِعُوا۟ ittabiʿū Follow
مَآ what
أَنزَلَ anzala Allah (has) revealed
ٱللَّهُ l-lahu Allah (has) revealed
قَالُوا۟ qālū they say
بَلْ bal Nay
نَتَّبِعُ nattabiʿu we will follow
مَا what
وَجَدْنَا wajadnā we found
عَلَيْهِ ʿalayhi on it
ءَابَآءَنَآ ۚ ābāanā our forefathers
أَوَلَوْ awalaw Even if
كَانَ kāna Shaitaan was
ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ l-shayṭānu Shaitaan was
يَدْعُوهُمْ yadʿūhum (to) call them
إِلَىٰ ilā to
عَذَابِ ʿadhābi (the) punishment
ٱلسَّعِيرِ l-saʿīri (of) the Blaze

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 21) ➊ { وَ اِذَا قِيْلَ لَهُمُ اتَّبِعُوْا مَاۤ اَنْزَلَ اللّٰهُ …:} That is, in comparison to the Book of Allah and the guidance of the Prophet (peace be upon him), they present their ignorant forefathers; then what could be a greater misguidance than this? See also Surah Al-Baqarah (170).
{ اَوَ لَوْ كَانَ الشَّيْطٰنُ يَدْعُوْهُمْ اِلٰى عَذَابِ السَّعِيْرِ :} That is, even if Satan is inviting them towards the punishment of the blazing fire, will they still jump with them into the fire of Hell and not even bother to think about where he is leading them?

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.

21-1. That is, they have neither any rational proof, nor any guidance from a guide, nor any evidence from a heavenly book, as if they are fighting without even having a sword in their hand.

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.

And when it is said to them, "Follow what Allah has revealed," they say, "No, we will follow what we found our forefathers upon." Even if Satan is calling them to the punishment [29] of the Blaze?

[29]
Blindly Following Forefathers is Following Satan:

The reality of following forefathers is simply that one of the elders made a mistake, adopted a wrong belief, or started an innovative practice. Then, the later generations, out of reverence for the elders, accepted this mistake as correct and made it common. No one even considered the need to investigate it. In this verse, two things are made clear. First, that blindly following forefathers without investigation and following Satan are one and the same. Second, that the inevitable result of following Satan is the punishment of Hell. It is as if they are being asked: if Satan is leading your forefathers towards Hell, will you still follow your forefathers?