Following forefather in Islam?

Following forefather in Islam?

Posted on March 6, 2012 by admin in Islamic

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem

 

Its common nowadays that many people fall short of substantiating their point of view (of Shirk and Bid’aat) with evidence from Quran and Sunnah, bring about the argument that their forefathers used to do it, and pose a questions “were they all wrong and did not understand the religion?” and you understood it now?

So lets analyze how correct their response is according to Quran & Sunnah.

This question is not a question that people at  this time ask, rather it’s the same argument posed to all prophets by their people:

Similarly, We did not send a Warner to a town before you, but its affluent people said, “We have found our fathers on a certain way, and we are following their footprints.” (43:23)

 

These arguments and not new, and sought by those people who fail to justify their point of view.

In refutation of their claims Allah says:

When it is said to them: “Follow what Allah has sent down,” they say: “Instead, we would follow that (religion) on which we have found our fathers.” Is it so, even though their fathers had no understanding at all, nor had they been on the right path? (2:170)

And Says:

When it is said to them, “Come to what Allah has sent down, and to the Messenger;” they say, “Sufficient for us is that on which we have found our forefathers.” Is it so, even though their forefathers knew nothing, and had no guidance either? (5:104)

 

Only those whose forefathers are on the righteous path, following their footsteps is then desirable. Narrating about the story of Yusuf(PBUH) Allah the Exalted says:

And I have followed the way of my fathers, Ibrahim, Ishaq and Ya‘qub. It is not for us that we associate any partners with Allah. (12:38)

 

This pretext of following forefathers footstep was pervasive among the polytheists and was always raised as a plea against Allah’s Prophets(Peace be upon them All)

About Nuh’s People Quran Says:

Surely, We sent Nuh to his nation. So he said, “My people, worship Allah. You have no god whatsoever other than Him. So, do you not fear Allah?” (23) So, said the disbelieving chiefs from among his nation, “This (man) is nothing but a human being like you. He wishes to impose his superiority over you. Had Allah willed, He would have sent down angels (instead of him). We have not heard of such a thing among our forefathers. (23:24)

 

The people of Salih (PBUH)  used the same argument aswell

Do you (now) forbid us the worship of what our fathers have worshipped? (11:62)

 

The people of Ibrahim (PBUH)  said:

… They said: “Nay, but we found our fathers doing thus…(26:74)

 

Similarly when our beloved prophet Muhammad (PBUH) called the pagan Arabs to Tawheed (Monotheism) they replied:

We never heard of it in the classical faith (of ours). This is nothing but a false invention. (38:7)

 

As we can see this argument doesn’t have any bases but rather its way of the Mushrikeen to avoid the truth.

I ask Allah Subhana Wa Ta’ala to Guide us All. And Accept our deeds.

JazakAllah khair for Reading! Remember us In your Duas :)