Tafsir of Az-Zukhruf 43:22

Nay! They say: "we found our fathers following a certain way and religion (Ummah), and we guide ourselves by their footsteps.'' meaning, they have no grounds for their belief in idolatry apart from the fact that they are imitating their fathers and forefathers who were following a certain Ummah or way, i.e., religion. The word Ummah is used in a similar manner elsewhere, where Allah says:

إن هذه أمتكم أمة واحدة

And verily, this your religion (Ummah) is one religion. (23:52), and they said;

وإنا على آثارهم

and we by their footsteps, means, behind them.

مهتدون

We guide ourselves, This is their claim with no evidence. Then Allah points out that what these people say was already said by those who were like them among the nations of the past who disbelieved in the Messengers. Their hearts and their words are similar

كذلك ما أتى الذين من قبلهم من رسول إﻻ قالوا سحر أو مجنون

أتواصوا به بل هم قوم طغون

Likewise, no Messenger came to those before them but they said: "A sorcerer or a madman!'' Have they transmitted this saying to these? Nay, they are themselves a people transgressing beyond bounds! (51:52-53) And Allah says here:

وكذلك ما أرسلنا من قبلك في قرية من نذير إﻻ قال مترفوها

إنا وجدنا آباءنا على أمة وإنا على آثارهم مقتدون