170- AND WHAT IT IS SAID TO THEM: “FOLLOW WHAT ALLAH SENT DOWN”, THEY SAY: “BUT WE FOLLOW WHAT WE FOUND OUR FOREFATHERS DO”, EVEN IF THEIR FOREFATHERS DID NOT UNDERSTAND AND WERE NOT GUIDED?

171- THE LIKENESS OF THOSE WHO DISBELIEVE IS THAT OF THOSE WHO SHOUT CALLS AND CREIES THEY DO NOT UNDERSTAND LIKE ANIMALS, DEAF, DUMB AND BLIND, THEY DO NOT UNDERSTAND.

It has been reported that some of the Jews went to see Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him.  When he called them to Islam, their answer was: “We will follow what we found our forefathers do”.  This was Allah’s reply to anyone giving such answer, and also giving us a parable to clarify the issue.

Allah the Highest says that they are like animals which do not have a clear and comprehensible language, but just shouting, calls and cries.  As if their argument and reasoning is as intelligent as the animals shouts and cries.  Allah the Highest however endowed human beings with a mind capable of understanding, thinking and reflecting.  It is the duty of every person to use their mind to consider the most important issues of Faith.  One should not forget that Allah the Highest made us his viceroys on Earth.

Allah the Highest describes the disbelievers as being, deaf, dumb, and blind and have no understanding. 

Deaf as they do not listen to Allah’s word, which is the truth.

Dumb, for what they say is not true and is devoid of good reasoning or wisdom.

Blind, for not seeing the clear signs and evidence, indeed they may not wish to see it.

They have no understanding, not because Allah the Highest deprived them of understanding, for this is given to every one, but because they do not want to understand.

Their sin is willfully and arrogantly committed.