asāṭīr al-awwalīn: dismissing revelation as old tales
أَسَٰطِيرُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ
asāṭīr al-awwalīn — writings of the former ones
In the nine verses given, this phrase is always speech that dismisses what is recited, sent down or promised — recited signs, promises made to them and their forefathers, a promise of being brought out — by labelling it inherited writings of earlier people, and reading the occurrences side by side shows the same formula applied to different content and by different speakers.
The phrase asāṭīr al-awwalīn appears nine times in the verses given, and in each case it is reported speech that reduces something to inherited writings. The thing dismissed varies. In (6:25), (8:31), (68:15) and (83:13) it is what is recited to the speakers — signs or verses — and the phrase follows a listening scene: in (6:25) those who listen attentively then dispute; in (8:31) the speakers add a claim that they could produce something like it themselves; in (68:15) and (83:13) the wording is identical, with a single male addressee saying the phrase when Our signs are recited to him. In (16:24) the dismissal answers a question — “What has your Lord sent down?” — so the phrase is presented as a direct answer about revealed content. In (23:83) and (27:68) the phrase is applied to a promise made to the speakers and their forefathers, with nearly identical wording: both open with “we and our forefathers were promised this before”, but (23:83) has “we and our forefathers” before “this”, while (27:68) has “this” before “we and our forefathers”. In (46:17) the speaker is an individual son answering his two parents, dismissing the promise that he will be brought out after death. In (25:5) alone the phrase is extended by a further accusation: the writings were had written down and dictated to someone morning and evening. In (6:25), (8:31), (23:83), (27:68) and (46:17) the phrase is embedded in the limiting construction “nothing but”, while (16:24), (25:5), (68:15) and (83:13) state it on its own.
Where it occurs
- 6:25 Those who covered [the truth] use the phrase in a dispute after listening, denying that what they heard is anything new.
- 8:31 The speakers dismiss the recited signs as old writings and claim they could say something like it themselves.
- 16:24 The phrase is given as the direct answer to the question of what the Lord has sent down.
- 23:83 The speakers apply the phrase to a promise made to them and their forefathers before.
- 25:5 The phrase heads an extended accusation that the writings were copied down and dictated to someone morning and evening.
- 27:68 The speakers apply the phrase to a promise made to them and their forefathers before.
- 46:17 A son uses the phrase to dismiss his parents' promise that he will be brought out.
- 68:15 A single person says the phrase whenever Our signs are recited to him.
- 83:13 A single person says the phrase whenever Our signs are recited to him.
All Qur'anic expressions