Surah al-Ahqaf (Sand Dunes) 46 : 17

Explanatory Note

The parents are believers, but the child is disobedient. His first characteristic is that of being undutiful to them, addressing them with arrogance and insolence, hurting their feelings: "Fie on you both." He then denies the resurrection, citing the hollow argument that no one from past generations has ever come back to life: "Do you promise me that I shall be resurrected, when generations have passed away before me?'' 

The time of resurrection is determined by God, when all will be resurrected at the same time after this present world has completed its term. No one has ever said that resurrection will take place in instalments, with one generation resurrected during the lifetime of a later one. It is not a game; rather, it is a submitting of final accounts once the journey has come to its final destination.

The parents are shocked by their son's words that mark him out to be a clear disbeliever. They fear the outcome of what he says to God and to them. Therefore, they appeal to him and pray to God for help: "they both implore God for help, [and say to him]: Alas for you! Believe! God's promise always comes true.'" These words give us a clear impression of their dread at the outcome of all this. The child, for his part, however, persists with disbelief and denial, saying: "All this is nothing but fables of ancient times."