Transliteration:( Wa izaa qeela lahumut-tabi'oo maaa anzalal laahu qaaloo bal nattabi'u maa wajadnaa 'alaihi aabaaa'anaa; awalaw kaanash Shaitaanu yad'oohum ilaa 'azaabis sa'eer )
"And when it is said to them: 'Follow [47] what Allah has revealed'. Then they say: 'We shall follow that on which we found [48] our fathers'. What? Even though the Shaitaan may be inviting them towards the punishment of the burning fire [49]."
This command refers to the obligation of following what Allah has revealed, which includes both the Holy Qur’an and the Hadith. The Qur'an, with its words and meanings, is directly revealed by Allah, and the Hadith—though conveyed in the Prophet ﷺ's own words—was inspired by divine guidance placed in his blessed heart and mind.
Thus, divine revelation is not limited to one source, and both the textual guidance (Qur'an) and the practical implementation (Hadith) must be followed to stay on the path of truth.
This part criticizes those who, when asked to follow divine guidance, insist instead on blindly adhering to the customs of their forefathers, even if those customs contradict divine law (Shariah). This behavior is described as the way of the disbelievers, who give precedence to ancestral traditions over the truth.
However, this verse does not condemn the concept of Taqleed (following jurists) in Islamic law. Rather, it distinguishes between:
Following ignorant traditions that contradict revelation (condemned), and
Following the path of the pious and truthful predecessors (praised), as emphasized in the verse: “And be with the truthful” (Surah At-Tawbah 9:119).
Therefore, adopting the way of righteous scholars is virtuous, while blindly imitating misguided forefathers is ignorance.
The verse concludes with a powerful warning: Satan was the one guiding those misguided ancestors toward Hell. Thus, following in their footsteps today is effectively obeying Shaytaan, despite the clear light of Prophethood and divine guidance being available.
It reminds us that:
Following evil people or misguided customs is akin to following the devil,
Even cultural or ancestral practices must be weighed against divine guidance, and
True success lies in following what is revealed, not what is merely inherited.
This verse is a call to break free from cultural inertia, to embrace divinely revealed truth, and to recognize that not all inherited traditions are sacred—especially if they lead away from Allah’s path.
The tafsir of Surah Luqman verse 21 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Luqman ayat 20 which provides the complete commentary from verse 20 through 21.
(31:21) When they are told: “Follow what Allah has revealed,” they say: “We will rather follow that which we have found our forefathers following.” (Will they follow that) even though Satan might invite them to the chastisement of the Blazing Fire?[39]
39. “Whoever surrenders his face to Allah”: Who submits himself wholly to the service of Allah, entrusts all his affairs to Him and makes His guidance the law of his entire life.
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