In this verse, the Holy Qur’an examines the issue of blind following and imitation, which is a serious disease.

Generally imitation is a natural matter, because when a baby is born, he sees his father, mother and his brother moving their hands, so he moves his, standing, so he stands, as well as sitting, praying and eating so he does the same. So all the child’s first actions are an imitation of his family.

Therefore, generations repeat between parents and children through imitation and inherited habits which children have received from their parents. Nevertheless, Islam has settled rules that are controlled by the mind and Sharia (Islamic Low) to govern the imitation of parents and communities. Hence, if you see anyone who violates the rules of Allah (swt) such as your father, mother or brother, do not imitate them in this violating. So, blind imitation is unacceptable, and appropriate imitation is required for preserving the generations one after the other as well as preserving their values and heritage. Therefore, there is a fine line between imitation and non-imitation among the generations. The generation must preserve the traditions of the pre-generation, but with religious, mental and scientific rules.

Thus, if you want to follow your father or mother or the past generation, you have to follow them within the rules of reason, science and guidance that are part of the Islamic law and beware of blind imitation.