Popular Translations
Muhammad Asad
But when they are told, "Follow what God has bestowed from on high," some answer, "Nay, we shall follow [only] that which we found our forefathers believing in and doing." Why, even if their forefathers did not use their reason at all, and were devoid of all guidance
Arthur John Arberry
And when it is said to them, 'Follow what God has sent down,' they say, 'No; but we will follow such things as we found our fathers doing.' What? And if their fathers had no understanding of anything, and if they were not guided
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)
When it is said to them: "Follow what Allah hath revealed:" They say: "Nay! we shall follow the ways of our fathers." What! even though their fathers Were void of wisdom and guidance
Arabic
وَإِذَا قِیلَ لَهُمُ ٱتَّبِعُوا۟ مَاۤ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ قَالُوا۟ بَلۡ نَتَّبِعُ مَاۤ أَلۡفَیۡنَا عَلَیۡهِ ءَابَاۤءَنَاۤۚ أَوَ لَوۡ كَانَ ءَابَاۤؤُهُمۡ لَا یَعۡقِلُونَ شَیۡءࣰا وَلَا یَهۡتَدُونَ ١٧٠
Transliteration (2021)
wa-idhā qīla lahumu ittabiʿū mā anzala l-lahu qālū bal nattabiʿu mā alfaynā ʿalayhi ābāanā awalaw kāna ābāuhum lā yaʿqilūna shayan walā yahtadūn