Response to the Prophet's Call to the Quran:
"We Follow Our Ancestors(Fathers)"...
When it is said to them: "Follow what Allah has sent down." They say: "Nay! We shall follow what we found our fathers following." Even though their fathers did not understand anything nor were they guided?
We see from Quranic verses that conforming to the majority or the prevailing view in society is not enough to lead people to the truth. Yet, today, we observe that people have transformed religion into a tradition, accepting many religious beliefs simply because they are commonplace or because someone said so, without investigating their origins or questioning whether these beliefs are part of the faith.
We see the prophets organizing people against traditions and established beliefs that contradict God's religion by encouraging them to think and exercise their intellect. The Quran calls them to examine God's evidence on earth, in the heavens, and among them, and to reason on them. However, those who oppose the Quran claim to adhere to the system they found their ancestors following, that is, tradition, and that they will continue this tradition. Throughout history, the greatest enemy of the prophets' call to reason has been not opposing ideas, but tradition. For many people, imitating the prevailing system—the system followed by their fathers and ancestors—has been more appealing and easier than using their intellect. Traditions, preconceived notions even if socially accepted, and views not confirmed by revelation, even if accepted by the majority, should not guide human life.
And when it is said to them: "Follow that which Allah has sent down", they say: "Nay, we shall follow that which we found our fathers (following)." (Would they do so) even if Shaitan (Satan) invites them to the torment of the Fire.
And when it is said to them: "Come to what Allah has revealed and unto the Messenger." They say: "Enough for us is that which we found our fathers following," even though their fathers had no knowledge whatsoever and no guidance.
And when Our Clear Verses are recited to them, they say: "This (Prophet Muhammad) is naught but a man who wishes to hinder you from that which your fathers used to worship."
And they say: "This is nothing but an invented lie." And those who disbelieve say of the truth when it has come to them: "This is nothing but evident magic!"
21. Or have We given them any Book before this (the Quran), to which they are holding fast?
22. Nay! They say: "We found our fathers following a certain way and religion, and we guide ourselves by their footsteps."
23. And similarly, We sent not a warner before you (Prophet Muhammad) to any town (people) but the luxurious ones among them said: "We found our fathers following a certain way and religion, and we will indeed follow their footsteps."
24. (The warner) said: "Even if I bring you better guidance than that which you found your fathers following?" They said: "Verily, We disbelieve in that with which you have been sent."
66. Indeed My Verses used to be recited to you, but you used to turn back on your heels.
67. In pride, talking evil about it (the Quran) by night.
68. Have they not pondered over(thought) the Word (i.e Quran), or has there come to them what had not come to their fathers of old?
69. Or is it that they did not recognize their Messenger (Prophet Muhammad) so they deny him?
70. Or say they: "There is madness in him?" Nay, but he brought them the truth [i.e. Worshipping Allah Alone in all aspects with The Quran] but most of them (the disbelievers) are averse to the truth.
27.O Children of Adam! Let not Shaitan (Satan) deceive you, as he got your parents [Adam and Hawwa (Eve)] out of Paradise, stripping them of their raiments, to show them their private parts. Verily, he and Qabiluhu (his soldiers) see you from where you cannot see them. Verily, We made the Shayatin (devils) Auliya' (protectors and helpers) for those who believe not.
28.And when they commit a Fahisha (evil deed), they say: "We found our fathers doing it, and Allah has commanded us of it." Say: "Nay, Allah never commands of Fahisha. Do you say of Allah what you know not?
29.Say: My Lord has commanded justice and (said) that you should face Him only (i.e. worship none but Allah and face the Qiblah, i.e. the Ka'bah at Makkah during prayers) in each and every place of worship, in prayers (and not to face other false deities and idols), and invoke Him only making your religion sincere to Him by not joining in worship any partner to Him and with the intention that you are doing your deeds for Allah's sake only. As He brought you (into being) in the beginning, so shall you be brought into being (on the Day of Resurrection) [in two groups, one as a blessed one (believers), and the other as a wretched one (disbelievers)].
30.A group He has guided, and a group deserved to be in error; (because) surely they took the Shayatin (devils) as Auliya' (protectors and helpers) instead of Allah, and consider that they are guided.