(81–83) “Rather, they say the same as the former peoples said: ‘When we have died and become dust and bones, will we really be resurrected? We and our forefathers were promised this before. This is nothing but fables of the ancients.’”

That is, these deniers followed the path of earlier peoples who denied the resurrection. They deemed it utterly implausible and said: “When we have died and become dust and bones, will we really be resurrected?” That is, according to their claim, this is inconceivable and beyond reason.

“We and our forefathers were promised this before.” That is, we and our forefathers have continually been promised that the resurrection will occur, yet we have neither seen it nor has it come to pass. “This is nothing but fables of the ancients”—that is, their tales and evening stories, recounted for conversation and amusement, but having no basis in reality.

They lied—may Allah disgrace them! Allah has shown them among His signs things greater than the resurrection and things comparable to it: “Surely the creation of the heavens and the earth is greater than the creation of mankind.”

“And he sets forth for Us a comparison, forgetting his own creation. He says, ‘Who will give life to bones after they have decayed?’” and the verses that follow.

“And you see the earth lifeless, but when We send down water upon it, it stirs and swells,” and the verses that follow.