Surah Al-Ma'idah Part Two: Verses 41 to 86 | Quran Study Guide

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The Surah · Verses 41 to 86

﴾٤١﴿ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلرَّسُولُ لَا يَحْزُنكَ ٱلَّذِينَ يُسَٰرِعُونَ فِى ٱلْكُفْرِ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا بِأَفْوَٰهِهِمْ وَلَمْ تُؤْمِن قُلُوبُهُمْ ۛ وَمِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ هَادُوا۟ ۛ سَمَّٰعُونَ لِلْكَذِبِ سَمَّٰعُونَ لِقَوْمٍ ءَاخَرِينَ لَمْ يَأْتُوكَ ۖ يُحَرِّفُونَ ٱلْكَلِمَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَوَاضِعِهِۦ ۖ يَقُولُونَ إِنْ أُوتِيتُمْ هَٰذَا فَخُذُوهُ وَإِن لَّمْ تُؤْتَوْهُ فَٱحْذَرُوا۟ ۚ وَمَن يُرِدِ ٱللَّهُ فِتْنَتَهُۥ فَلَن تَمْلِكَ لَهُۥ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ شَيْـًٔا ۚ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَمْ يُرِدِ ٱللَّهُ أَن يُطَهِّرَ قُلُوبَهُمْ ۚ لَهُمْ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا خِزْىٌۭ ۖ وَلَهُمْ فِى ٱلْءَاخِرَةِ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌۭ

Ya ayyuhar Rasulu la yahzukal lazina yusa ri'una fil kufri minal lazina qalu amanna bi afwahihim wa lam tu'min qulubuhum, wa minal lazina hadu samma'una lilkazibi samma'una liqawmin akharina lam yatuka yuharifunal kalima mim ba'di mawadi'ihi yaquluna in utitum haza fakhuzuhu wa il lam tu'tawhu fahzaru, wa many-yuridil lahu fitnatahu falan tamlika lahu minal lahi shai'a, ula 'ikal lazina lam yuridil lahu any-yutahhira qulubahum, lahum fid dunya khizyunw wa lahum fil Aakhirati'azabun 'azim

Messenger, do not let them grieve you who race into disbelief, from those who said we believe with their mouths while their hearts did not believe, and from those who are Jews, listeners to falsehood, listeners for another people who have not come to you. They displace words after they have been put in their places. They say, if you are given this, take it, and if you are not given it, then beware. And whoever Allah wills to test, you have no power for him against Allah at all. Those are the ones Allah did not will to purify their hearts. For them in this world is disgrace, and in the Hereafter a great punishment.

﴾٤٢﴿ سَمَّٰعُونَ لِلْكَذِبِ أَكَّٰلُونَ لِلسُّحْتِ ۚ فَإِن جَآءُوكَ فَٱحْكُم بَيْنَهُمْ أَوْ أَعْرِضْ عَنْهُمْ ۖ وَإِن تُعْرِضْ عَنْهُمْ فَلَن يَضُرُّوكَ شَيْـًۭٔا ۖ وَإِنْ حَكَمْتَ فَٱحْكُم بَيْنَهُم بِٱلْقِسْطِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُقْسِطِينَ

Samma'una lilkazibi akkaluna lissuht, fa in ja'uka fahkum bainahum aw a'rid anhum wa in tu'rid 'anhum falany-yadurruka shai'anw wa in hakamta fahkum bainahum bilqist, innal laha yuhibbul muqsitin

Listeners to falsehood, consumers of unlawful gain. So if they come to you, judge between them or turn away from them. And if you turn away from them, they will not harm you at all. And if you judge, then judge between them with justice. Allah loves those who act justly.

﴾٤٣﴿ وَكَيْفَ يُحَكِّمُونَكَ وَعِندَهُمُ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةُ فِيهَا حُكْمُ ٱللَّهِ ثُمَّ يَتَوَلَّوْنَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ ۚ وَمَآ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ بِٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

Wa kaifa yuhakkimunaka wa 'indahumut Tawratu fiha hukmul lahi summa yatawallawna mim ba'di zalik, wa ma ula'ika bilmu'minin

And how do they make you their judge when they have the Torah, in which is the judgment of Allah, then they turn away after that. Those are not believers.

﴾٤٤﴿ إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَا ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةَ فِيهَا هُدًۭى وَنُورٌۭ ۚ يَحْكُمُ بِهَا ٱلنَّبِيُّونَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسْلَمُوا۟ لِلَّذِينَ هَادُوا۟ وَٱلرَّبَّٰنِيُّونَ وَٱلْأَحْبَارُ بِمَا ٱسْتُحْفِظُوا۟ مِن كِتَٰبِ ٱللَّهِ وَكَانُوا۟ عَلَيْهِ شُهَدَآءَ ۚ فَلَا تَخْشَوُا۟ ٱلنَّاسَ وَٱخْشَوْنِ وَلَا تَشْتَرُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِى ثَمَنًۭا قَلِيلًۭا ۚ وَمَن لَّمْ يَحْكُم بِمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ فَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْكَٰفِرُونَ

Inna anzalnat Tawrata fiha hudanw wa nur, yahkumu bihan Nabiyyunal lazina aslamu lillazina hadu war rabbaniyyuna wal ahbaru bimas tuhfizu min Kitabil lahi wa kanu 'alaihi shuhada', fala takhshawun nasa wakhshawni wa la tashtaru bi ayati samanan qalila, wa mal lam yahkum bima anzalal lahu fa ula'ika humul kafirun

We sent down the Torah, in it guidance and light. The prophets who submitted judged by it for those who were Jews, and so did the rabbis and the scholars, by what they were entrusted with of the Book of Allah, and they were witnesses to it. So do not fear people, and fear Me. And do not sell My signs for a small price. And whoever does not judge by what Allah sent down, those are the disbelievers.

﴾٤٥﴿ وَكَتَبْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ فِيهَآ أَنَّ ٱلنَّفْسَ بِٱلنَّفْسِ وَٱلْعَيْنَ بِٱلْعَيْنِ وَٱلْأَنفَ بِٱلْأَنفِ وَٱلْأُذُنَ بِٱلْأُذُنِ وَٱلسِّنَّ بِٱلسِّنِّ وَٱلْجُرُوحَ قِصَاصٌۭ ۚ فَمَن تَصَدَّقَ بِهِۦ فَهُوَ كَفَّارَةٌۭ لَّهُۥ ۚ وَمَن لَّمْ يَحْكُم بِمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ فَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلظَّٰلِمُونَ

Wa katabna 'alaihim fiha annan nafsa binnafsi wal'aina bil'aini wal anfa bilanfi wal uzuna bil uzuni wassinna bissinni waljuruha qisas, faman tasaddaqa bihi fahuwa kaffaratul lah, wa mal lam yahkum bima anzalal lahu fa ula'ika humuz zalimun

And We wrote for them in it that a life for a life, and an eye for an eye, and a nose for a nose, and an ear for an ear, and a tooth for a tooth, and for wounds there is equal retaliation. But whoever gives it up as charity, it is an atonement for him. And whoever does not judge by what Allah sent down, those are the wrongdoers.

﴾٤٦﴿ وَقَفَّيْنَا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَٰرِهِم بِعِيسَى ٱبْنِ مَرْيَمَ مُصَدِّقًۭا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ مِنَ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةِ ۖ وَءَاتَيْنَٰهُ ٱلْإِنجِيلَ فِيهِ هُدًۭى وَنُورٌۭ وَمُصَدِّقًۭا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ مِنَ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةِ وَهُدًۭى وَمَوْعِظَةًۭ لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ

Wa qaffaina 'ala asarihim bi 'Eesab ni Maryama musaddiqal lima baina yadihi minat Tawrati wa atainahul Injila fihi hudanw wa nurunw wa musaddiqal lima baina yadaihi minat Tawrati wa hudanw wa maw'izatal lilmuttaqin

And We followed in their footsteps with Isa son of Maryam, confirming what came before him of the Torah. And We gave him the Gospel, in it guidance and light, and confirming what came before it of the Torah, and a guidance and an instruction for those conscious of Allah.

﴾٤٧﴿ وَلْيَحْكُمْ أَهْلُ ٱلْإِنجِيلِ بِمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ فِيهِ ۚ وَمَن لَّمْ يَحْكُم بِمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ فَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْفَٰسِقُونَ

Walyahkum Ahlul Injili bima anzalal lahu fih, wa mal lam yahkum bima anzalal lahu fa ula'ika humul fasiqun

And let the people of the Gospel judge by what Allah sent down in it. And whoever does not judge by what Allah sent down, those are the defiantly disobedient.

﴾٤٨﴿ وَأَنزَلْنَآ إِلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ بِٱلْحَقِّ مُصَدِّقًۭا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ مِنَ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ وَمُهَيْمِنًا عَلَيْهِ ۖ فَٱحْكُم بَيْنَهُم بِمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ ۖ وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَآءَهُمْ عَمَّا جَآءَكَ مِنَ ٱلْحَقِّ ۚ لِكُلٍّۢ جَعَلْنَا مِنكُمْ شِرْعَةًۭ وَمِنْهَاجًۭا ۚ وَلَوْ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ لَجَعَلَكُمْ أُمَّةًۭ وَٰحِدَةًۭ وَلَٰكِن لِّيَبْلُوَكُمْ فِى مَآ ءَاتَىٰكُمْ ۖ فَٱسْتَبِقُوا۟ ٱلْخَيْرَٰتِ ۚ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ مَرْجِعُكُمْ جَمِيعًۭا فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ فِيهِ تَخْتَلِفُونَ

Wa anzalna ilaikal Kitaba bilhaqqi musaddiqallima baina yadaihi minal Kitabi wa muhaiminan 'alaihi fahkum bainahum bima anzalal lahu wa la tattabi ahwa'ahum 'amma ja'aka minal haqq, likullin ja'alna minkum shir'atanw wa minhaja, wa law sha'al lahu laja'alakum ummatanw wahidatanw wa lakil liyabluwakum fi ma atakum fastabiqul khairat, ilal lahi arji'ukum jami'an fayunab bi'ukum bima kuntum fihi takhtalifun

And We sent down to you the Book with the truth, confirming what came before it of the Book and standing as a guardian over it. So judge between them by what Allah sent down, and do not follow their desires away from what has come to you of the truth. For each of you We made a law and a way. And if Allah had willed He would have made you one community, but so that He may test you in what He has given you. So race toward the good things. To Allah is the return of all of you, and He will tell you about what you used to differ in.

﴾٤٩﴿ وَأَنِ ٱحْكُم بَيْنَهُم بِمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَآءَهُمْ وَٱحْذَرْهُمْ أَن يَفْتِنُوكَ عَنۢ بَعْضِ مَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَيْكَ ۖ فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَٱعْلَمْ أَنَّمَا يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ أَن يُصِيبَهُم بِبَعْضِ ذُنُوبِهِمْ ۗ وَإِنَّ كَثِيرًۭا مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَفَٰسِقُونَ

Wa anih kum bainahum bima anzalal lahu wa la tattabi' ahwa'ahum wahzarhum ai yaftinuka 'am ba'di ma anzalal lahu ilaika fa in tawallaw fa'lam annama yuridul lahu ai yusibahum biba'di zunubihim, wa inna kasiram minan nasi lafasiqun

And judge between them by what Allah sent down, and do not follow their desires, and beware of them, that they do not tempt you away from some of what Allah has sent down to you. And if they turn away, know that Allah wants to strike them for some of their sins. And many people are defiantly disobedient.

﴾٥٠﴿ أَفَحُكْمَ ٱلْجَٰهِلِيَّةِ يَبْغُونَ ۚ وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ حُكْمًۭا لِّقَوْمٍۢ يُوقِنُونَ

Afahukmal jahiliyyati yabghun, wa man ahsanu minal lahi hukmal liqawminy yuqinun

Is it the judgment of ignorance they want. And who is better than Allah in judgment, for a people who have certainty.

﴾٥١﴿ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَتَّخِذُوا۟ ٱلْيَهُودَ وَٱلنَّصَٰرَىٰٓ أَوْلِيَآءَ ۘ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَآءُ بَعْضٍۢ ۚ وَمَن يَتَوَلَّهُم مِّنكُمْ فَإِنَّهُۥ مِنْهُمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ

Ya aiyuhal lazina amanu la tattakhizul Yahuda wan nasara awliya', ba'duhum awliya'u ba'd, wa mai yatawallahum minkum fa innahu minhum, innal laha la yahdil qawmaz zalimin

You who believe, do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies. They are allies of one another. And whoever among you turns to them is one of them. Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.

﴾٥٢﴿ فَتَرَى ٱلَّذِينَ فِى قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌۭ يُسَٰرِعُونَ فِيهِمْ يَقُولُونَ نَخْشَىٰٓ أَن تُصِيبَنَا دَآئِرَةٌۭ ۚ فَعَسَى ٱللَّهُ أَن يَأْتِىَ بِٱلْفَتْحِ أَوْ أَمْرٍۢ مِّنْ عِندِهِۦ فَيُصْبِحُوا۟ عَلَىٰ مَآ أَسَرُّوا۟ فِىٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ نَٰدِمِينَ

Fataral lazina fi qulubihim maraduny yusari'una fihim yaquluna nakhsha an tusibana da'irah, fa'asallahu ai yatiya bilfathi aw amrim min 'indihi fa yusbihu 'ala ma asarru fi anfusihim nadimin

So you see those in whose hearts is sickness rushing toward them, saying, we fear that a turn of fortune may strike us. So perhaps Allah will bring the victory or a command from Him, and they will become regretful over what they kept secret in themselves.

﴾٥٣﴿ وَيَقُولُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَهَٰٓؤُلَآءِ ٱلَّذِينَ أَقْسَمُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ جَهْدَ أَيْمَٰنِهِمْ ۙ إِنَّهُمْ لَمَعَكُمْ ۚ حَبِطَتْ أَعْمَٰلُهُمْ فَأَصْبَحُوا۟ خَٰسِرِينَ

Wa yaqulul lazina amanu aha'ula'il lazina aqsamu billahi jahda aimanihim innahum lama'akum, habitat a'maluhum fa asbahu khasirin

And those who believed will say, are these the ones who swore by Allah their strongest oaths that they were with you. Their deeds have collapsed, and they have become losers.

﴾٥٤﴿ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مَن يَرْتَدَّ مِنكُمْ عَن دِينِهِۦ فَسَوْفَ يَأْتِى ٱللَّهُ بِقَوْمٍۢ يُحِبُّهُمْ وَيُحِبُّونَهُۥٓ أَذِلَّةٍ عَلَى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَعِزَّةٍ عَلَى ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ يُجَٰهِدُونَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا يَخَافُونَ لَوْمَةَ لَآئِمٍۢ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ فَضْلُ ٱللَّهِ يُؤْتِيهِ مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ وَٰسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ

Ya aiyuhal lazina amanu mai yartadda minkum 'an dinihi fasawfa yatil lahu biqawminy yuhibbuhum wa yuhibbunahu azillatin 'alal mu'minina a'izzatin 'alal kafirina yujahiduna fi sabilil lahi wa la yakhafuna lawmata la'im, zalika fadlul lahi yu'tihi mai yasha', wallahu Wasi'un 'Alim

You who believe, whoever among you turns back from his religion, Allah will bring a people He loves and who love Him, humble toward the believers, firm toward the disbelievers, striving in the way of Allah and not fearing the blame of any blamer. That is the bounty of Allah. He gives it to whom He wills. And Allah is Vast, Knowing.

﴾٥٥﴿ إِنَّمَا وَلِيُّكُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُۥ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَهُمْ رَٰكِعُونَ

Innama waliyyukumul lahu wa Rasuluhu wal lazina amanul lazina yuqimunas Salata wa yu'tunaz Zakata wa hum raki'un

Your ally is only Allah and His Messenger and those who believed, those who establish the prayer and give the zakah while they bow.

﴾٥٦﴿ وَمَن يَتَوَلَّ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ فَإِنَّ حِزْبَ ٱللَّهِ هُمُ ٱلْغَٰلِبُونَ

Wa mai yatawallal laha wa Rasulahu wallazina amanu fa inna hizbal lahi humul ghalibun

And whoever turns to Allah and His Messenger and those who believed, the party of Allah are the ones who prevail.

﴾٥٧﴿ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَتَّخِذُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ دِينَكُمْ هُزُوًۭا وَلَعِبًۭا مِّنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ وَٱلْكُفَّارَ أَوْلِيَآءَ ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ

Ya aiyuhal lazina amanu la tattakhizul lazinat takhazu dinakum huzuwanw wa la'ibam minal lazina utul Kitaba min qablikum walkuffara awliya', wattaqul laha in kuntum mu'minin

You who believe, do not take as allies those who take your religion as mockery and play, from those given the Book before you and the disbelievers. And be conscious of Allah, if you are believers.

﴾٥٨﴿ وَإِذَا نَادَيْتُمْ إِلَى ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ ٱتَّخَذُوهَا هُزُوًۭا وَلَعِبًۭا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَوْمٌۭ لَّا يَعْقِلُونَ

Wa iza nadaitum ilas Salatit takhazuha huzu wan'w wa la'iba, zalika biannnahum qawmul la ya'qilun

And when you call to the prayer they take it as mockery and play. That is because they are a people who do not use their reason.

﴾٥٩﴿ قُلْ يَٰٓأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ هَلْ تَنقِمُونَ مِنَّآ إِلَّآ أَنْ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْنَا وَمَآ أُنزِلَ مِن قَبْلُ وَأَنَّ أَكْثَرَكُمْ فَٰسِقُونَ

Qul ya Ahlal Kitabi hal tanqimuna minna illa an amanna billahi wa ma unzila ilaina wa ma unzila min qablu wa annna aksarakum fasiqun

Say, People of the Book, do you resent us for anything except that we believed in Allah and what was sent down to us and what was sent down before, and that most of you are defiantly disobedient.

﴾٦٠﴿ قُلْ هَلْ أُنَبِّئُكُم بِشَرٍّۢ مِّن ذَٰلِكَ مَثُوبَةً عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ مَن لَّعَنَهُ ٱللَّهُ وَغَضِبَ عَلَيْهِ وَجَعَلَ مِنْهُمُ ٱلْقِرَدَةَ وَٱلْخَنَازِيرَ وَعَبَدَ ٱلطَّٰغُوتَ ۚ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ شَرٌّۭ مَّكَانًۭا وَأَضَلُّ عَن سَوَآءِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ

Qul hal unabbi'ukum bisharrim min zalika masubatan 'indal lah, malla'ana hul lahu wa ghadiba 'alaihi wa ja'ala minhumul qiradata wal khanazira wa 'abadat Taghut, ula'ika sharrum makananw wa adallu 'an Sawa'is Sabil

Say, shall I tell you of something worse than that as a recompense with Allah. Those whom Allah cursed and was angry with, and made some of them apes and swine, and who worshipped the false object. Those are worse in position and further astray from the even way.

﴾٦١﴿ وَإِذَا جَآءُوكُمْ قَالُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا وَقَد دَّخَلُوا۟ بِٱلْكُفْرِ وَهُمْ قَدْ خَرَجُوا۟ بِهِۦ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَكْتُمُونَ

Wa iza ja'ukum qalu amanna wa qad dakhalu bilkufri wa hum qad kharaju bih, wallahu a'lamu bima kanu yaktumun

And when they come to you they say, we believe. And they entered with disbelief and they left with it. And Allah knows best what they were hiding.

﴾٦٢﴿ وَتَرَىٰ كَثِيرًۭا مِّنْهُمْ يُسَٰرِعُونَ فِى ٱلْإِثْمِ وَٱلْعُدْوَٰنِ وَأَكْلِهِمُ ٱلسُّحْتَ ۚ لَبِئْسَ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ

Wa tara kasiram minhum yusari'una fil ismi wal'udwani wa aklihimus suht, labi'sa ma kanu ya'malun

And you see many of them racing into sin and hostility and their consuming of unlawful gain. Evil is what they were doing.

﴾٦٣﴿ لَوْلَا يَنْهَىٰهُمُ ٱلرَّبَّٰنِيُّونَ وَٱلْأَحْبَارُ عَن قَوْلِهِمُ ٱلْإِثْمَ وَأَكْلِهِمُ ٱلسُّحْتَ ۚ لَبِئْسَ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَصْنَعُونَ

Law la yanhahumur rabbaniyyuna wal ahbaru 'an qawlihimul isma wa aklihimus suht, labi'sa ma kanu yasna'un

Why do the rabbis and the scholars not forbid them from their sinful speech and their consuming of unlawful gain. Evil is what they were producing.

﴾٦٤﴿ وَقَالَتِ ٱلْيَهُودُ يَدُ ٱللَّهِ مَغْلُولَةٌ ۚ غُلَّتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَلُعِنُوا۟ بِمَا قَالُوا۟ ۘ بَلْ يَدَاهُ مَبْسُوطَتَانِ يُنفِقُ كَيْفَ يَشَآءُ ۚ وَلَيَزِيدَنَّ كَثِيرًۭا مِّنْهُم مَّآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ طُغْيَٰنًۭا وَكُفْرًۭا ۚ وَأَلْقَيْنَا بَيْنَهُمُ ٱلْعَدَٰوَةَ وَٱلْبَغْضَآءَ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ ۚ كُلَّمَآ أَوْقَدُوا۟ نَارًۭا لِّلْحَرْبِ أَطْفَأَهَا ٱللَّهُ ۚ وَيَسْعَوْنَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَسَادًۭا ۚ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُفْسِدِينَ

Wa qalatil Yahudu Yadullahi maghlulah, ghulla aidihim wa lu'inu bima qalu, bal yadahu mabsu tatani yunfiqu kaifa yasha', wa la yazidanna kasiramm minhum ma unzila ilaika mir Rabbika tughyananw wa kufra, wa alqaina bainahumul 'adawata wal baghda a' ila Yawmil Qiyamah, kullama awqadu naral lilharbi at fa-ahal lah, wa yas'awna fil ardi fasada, wal lahu la yuhibbul mufsidin

And the Jews said, the hand of Allah is tied. Their hands are tied, and they are cursed for what they said. Rather, both His hands are outstretched. He spends how He wills. And what was sent down to you from your Lord will increase many of them in overreaching and disbelief. And We placed enmity and hatred between them until the Day of Standing. Every time they light a fire for war, Allah puts it out. And they strive to cause corruption in the land. And Allah does not love those who cause corruption.

﴾٦٥﴿ وَلَوْ أَنَّ أَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَٱتَّقَوْا۟ لَكَفَّرْنَا عَنْهُمْ سَيِّـَٔاتِهِمْ وَلَأَدْخَلْنَٰهُمْ جَنَّٰتِ ٱلنَّعِيمِ

Wa law anna Ahlal Kitabi amanu wattaqaw lakaffarna 'anhum saiyiatihim wa la adkhalnahu Jannatin Na'im

And if the People of the Book had believed and been conscious of Allah, We would have removed their bad deeds from them and admitted them into gardens of delight.

﴾٦٦﴿ وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ أَقَامُوا۟ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةَ وَٱلْإِنجِيلَ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِم مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ لَأَكَلُوا۟ مِن فَوْقِهِمْ وَمِن تَحْتِ أَرْجُلِهِم ۚ مِّنْهُمْ أُمَّةٌۭ مُّقْتَصِدَةٌۭ ۖ وَكَثِيرٌۭ مِّنْهُمْ سَآءَ مَا يَعْمَلُونَ

Wa law annahum aqamut Tawrata wal Injila wa ma unzila ilaihim mir Rabbihim la akalu min fawqihim wa min tahti arjulihim, minhum ummatum muqta sidatunw wa kasirum minhum sa'a ma ya'malun

And if they had established the Torah and the Gospel and what was sent down to them from their Lord, they would have eaten from above them and from beneath their feet. Among them is a moderate community, and many of them, evil is what they do.

﴾٦٧﴿ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلرَّسُولُ بَلِّغْ مَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ ۖ وَإِن لَّمْ تَفْعَلْ فَمَا بَلَّغْتَ رِسَالَتَهُۥ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْصِمُكَ مِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ

Ya aiyuhar Rasulu balligh ma unzila ilaika mir Rabbika wa il lam taf'al fama ballaghta Risalatah, wallahu ya'simuka minan nas, innal laha la yahdil qawmal kafirin

Messenger, deliver what has been sent down to you from your Lord. And if you do not, then you have not delivered His message. And Allah will protect you from people. Allah does not guide the disbelieving people.

﴾٦٨﴿ قُلْ يَٰٓأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ لَسْتُمْ عَلَىٰ شَىْءٍ حَتَّىٰ تُقِيمُوا۟ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةَ وَٱلْإِنجِيلَ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكُم مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ ۗ وَلَيَزِيدَنَّ كَثِيرًۭا مِّنْهُم مَّآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ طُغْيَٰنًۭا وَكُفْرًۭا ۖ فَلَا تَأْسَ عَلَى ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ

Qul ya Ahlal Kitabi lastum 'ala shai'in hatta tuqimut Tawrata wal Injila wa ma unzila ilaikum mir Rabbikum, wa layazidanna kasiram minhum ma unzila ilaika mir Rabbika tugh yananw wa kufran fala tasa 'alal qawmil kafirin

Say, People of the Book, you stand on nothing until you establish the Torah and the Gospel and what was sent down to you from your Lord. And what was sent down to you from your Lord will increase many of them in overreaching and disbelief. So do not grieve over the disbelieving people.

﴾٦٩﴿ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَٱلَّذِينَ هَادُوا۟ وَٱلصَّٰبِـُٔونَ وَٱلنَّصَٰرَىٰ مَنْ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْءَاخِرِ وَعَمِلَ صَٰلِحًۭا فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ

Innal lazina amanu wallazina hadu was sabi'una wan Nasara man amana billahi wal yawmil Aakhiri wa 'amila salihan fala khawfun 'alaihim wa la hum yahzanun

Those who believed, and those who are Jews, and the Sabians, and the Christians, whoever believed in Allah and the Last Day and did righteous work, there is no fear upon them, and they will not grieve.

﴾٧٠﴿ لَقَدْ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَٰقَ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ وَأَرْسَلْنَآ إِلَيْهِمْ رُسُلًۭا ۖ كُلَّمَا جَآءَهُمْ رَسُولٌۢ بِمَا لَا تَهْوَىٰٓ أَنفُسُهُمْ فَرِيقًۭا كَذَّبُوا۟ وَفَرِيقًۭا يَقْتُلُونَ

Laqad akhazna misaqa Bani Isra'ila wa arsalna ilaihim Rusulan kullama ja'ahum Rasulum bima la tahwa anfusuhum fariqan kazzabu wa fariqany yaqtulun

We took the covenant of the children of Israel and sent messengers to them. Every time a messenger came to them with what their souls did not desire, a group they called liars and a group they killed.

﴾٧١﴿ وَحَسِبُوٓا۟ أَلَّا تَكُونَ فِتْنَةٌۭ فَعَمُوا۟ وَصَمُّوا۟ ثُمَّ تَابَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ ثُمَّ عَمُوا۟ وَصَمُّوا۟ كَثِيرٌۭ مِّنْهُمْ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ بَصِيرٌۢ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ

Wa hasibu alla takuna fitnaun fa'amu wa sammu summa tabal lahu 'alaihim summa 'amu wa sammu kasirum minhum, wallahu basirum bima ya'malun

And they thought there would be no trial, so they became blind and deaf. Then Allah turned to them in mercy. Then many of them became blind and deaf again. And Allah is Seeing of what they do.

﴾٧٢﴿ لَقَدْ كَفَرَ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلْمَسِيحُ ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ ۖ وَقَالَ ٱلْمَسِيحُ يَٰبَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ رَبِّى وَرَبَّكُمْ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ مَن يُشْرِكْ بِٱللَّهِ فَقَدْ حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ ٱلْجَنَّةَ وَمَأْوَىٰهُ ٱلنَّارُ ۖ وَمَا لِلظَّٰلِمِينَ مِنْ أَنصَارٍۢ

Laqad kafaral lazina qalu innal laha Huwal masihub nu Maryama wa qalal Masihu ya Bani Isra'ila budul laha Rabbi wa Rabbakum innnahu many-yushrik ballahi faqad harramal lahu 'alaihil jannata wa ma wahun Naru wa ma lizzalimina min ansar

Those who said that Allah is the Messiah son of Maryam have disbelieved. And the Messiah said, children of Israel, worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord. Whoever associates anything with Allah, Allah has forbidden him the garden, and his shelter is the Fire. And the wrongdoers will have no helpers.

﴾٧٣﴿ لَّقَدْ كَفَرَ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ثَالِثُ ثَلَٰثَةٍۢ ۘ وَمَا مِنْ إِلَٰهٍ إِلَّآ إِلَٰهٌۭ وَٰحِدٌۭ ۚ وَإِن لَّمْ يَنتَهُوا۟ عَمَّا يَقُولُونَ لَيَمَسَّنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِنْهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ

Laqad kafaral lazina qalu innal laha salisu salasah, wa ma min ilahin illa Ilahunw Wahid, wa illam yantahu 'amma yaquluna layamas sannal lazina kafaru minhum 'azabun alim

Those who said that Allah is the third of three have disbelieved. And there is no god except one God. And if they do not stop what they are saying, a painful punishment will touch those of them who disbelieved.

﴾٧٤﴿ أَفَلَا يَتُوبُونَ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَهُۥ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۭ

Afala yatubuna ilal lahi wa yastaghfirunah, wallahu Ghafurur Rahim

Will they not turn to Allah and ask His forgiveness. And Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

﴾٧٥﴿ مَّا ٱلْمَسِيحُ ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ إِلَّا رَسُولٌۭ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِ ٱلرُّسُلُ وَأُمُّهُۥ صِدِّيقَةٌۭ ۖ كَانَا يَأْكُلَانِ ٱلطَّعَامَ ۗ ٱنظُرْ كَيْفَ نُبَيِّنُ لَهُمُ ٱلْءَايَٰتِ ثُمَّ ٱنظُرْ أَنَّىٰ يُؤْفَكُونَ

Mal Masihub nu Maryama illa Rasulun qad khalat min qablihir Rusulu wa ummuhu siddiqatun kana ya kulanit ta'am, unzur kaifa nubaiyinu lahumul Aayati suman zur anna yu'fakun

The Messiah son of Maryam was no more than a messenger. Messengers passed away before him. And his mother was a woman of truth. They both used to eat food. Look how We make the signs clear to them, then look how they are turned away.

﴾٧٦﴿ قُلْ أَتَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا يَمْلِكُ لَكُمْ ضَرًّۭا وَلَا نَفْعًۭا ۚ وَٱللَّهُ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ

Qul ata'buduna min dunil lahi ma la yamliku lakum darranw wa la naf'a, wallahu Huwas Sami'ul 'Alim

Say, do you worship besides Allah what holds no harm or benefit for you. And Allah is the Hearing, the Knowing.

﴾٧٧﴿ قُلْ يَٰٓأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ لَا تَغْلُوا۟ فِى دِينِكُمْ غَيْرَ ٱلْحَقِّ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوٓا۟ أَهْوَآءَ قَوْمٍۢ قَدْ ضَلُّوا۟ مِن قَبْلُ وَأَضَلُّوا۟ كَثِيرًۭا وَضَلُّوا۟ عَن سَوَآءِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ

Qul ya Ahlal Kitabi la taghlu fi dinikum ghairal haqqi wa la tattabi'u ahwa'a qawmin qad dallu min qablu wa adallu kasiranw wa dallu 'an Sawa'is Sabil

Say, People of the Book, do not go beyond the limits in your religion, other than the truth, and do not follow the desires of a people who went astray before and led many astray and strayed from the even way.

﴾٧٨﴿ لُعِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِنۢ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ عَلَىٰ لِسَانِ دَاوُۥدَ وَعِيسَى ٱبْنِ مَرْيَمَ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِمَا عَصَوا۟ وَّكَانُوا۟ يَعْتَدُونَ

Lu'inal lazina kafaru mim Bani isra'ila 'ala lisani Dawuda wa 'Eesab ni Maryam, zalika bima 'asaw wa kanu ya tadun

Those who disbelieved from the children of Israel were cursed on the tongue of Dawud and Isa son of Maryam. That was because they disobeyed and were crossing the limits.

﴾٧٩﴿ كَانُوا۟ لَا يَتَنَاهَوْنَ عَن مُّنكَرٍۢ فَعَلُوهُ ۚ لَبِئْسَ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَفْعَلُونَ

Kanu la yatanahawna 'am munkarin fa'aluhu, labi'sa ma kanu yafa'lun

They did not forbid one another from any wrong they did. Evil is what they were doing.

﴾٨٠﴿ تَرَىٰ كَثِيرًۭا مِّنْهُمْ يَتَوَلَّوْنَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ ۚ لَبِئْسَ مَا قَدَّمَتْ لَهُمْ أَنفُسُهُمْ أَن سَخِطَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ وَفِى ٱلْعَذَابِ هُمْ خَٰلِدُونَ

Tara kasiram minhum yatawallawnal lazina kafaru, labi'sa ma qaddamat lahum anfusuhum an sakhital lahu 'alaihim wa fil 'azabi hum khalidun

You see many of them turning to those who disbelieved as allies. Evil is what their souls have sent ahead for them, that Allah became angry with them, and in the punishment they will remain.

﴾٨١﴿ وَلَوْ كَانُوا۟ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلنَّبِىِّ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِ مَا ٱتَّخَذُوهُمْ أَوْلِيَآءَ وَلَٰكِنَّ كَثِيرًۭا مِّنْهُمْ فَٰسِقُونَ

Wa law kanu yu'minuna billahi wan nabiyyi wa ma unzila ilaihi attakhazuhum awliya'a wa lakinna kasiram minhum fasiqun

And if they had believed in Allah and the Prophet and what was sent down to him, they would not have taken them as allies. But many of them are defiantly disobedient.

﴾٨٢﴿ لَتَجِدَنَّ أَشَدَّ ٱلنَّاسِ عَدَٰوَةًۭ لِّلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱلْيَهُودَ وَٱلَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُوا۟ ۖ وَلَتَجِدَنَّ أَقْرَبَهُم مَّوَدَّةًۭ لِّلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا نَصَٰرَىٰ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّ مِنْهُمْ قِسِّيسِينَ وَرُهْبَانًۭا وَأَنَّهُمْ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ

Latajidanna ashad dan nasi 'adawatal lillazina amanul Yahuda wallazina ashraku wa latajidanna aqrabahum mawaddatal lil lazina amanul lazina qalu inna Nasara, zalika bi anna mminhum qisisina wa ruhbananw wa annahum la yastakbirun

You will find the most hostile of people toward those who believe to be the Jews and those who associated. And you will find the closest of them in affection to those who believe to be those who said, we are Christians. That is because among them are priests and monks, and because they are not arrogant.

﴾٨٣﴿ وَإِذَا سَمِعُوا۟ مَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَى ٱلرَّسُولِ تَرَىٰٓ أَعْيُنَهُمْ تَفِيضُ مِنَ ٱلدَّمْعِ مِمَّا عَرَفُوا۟ مِنَ ٱلْحَقِّ ۖ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَآ ءَامَنَّا فَٱكْتُبْنَا مَعَ ٱلشَّٰهِدِينَ

Wa iza sami'u ma unzila ilar Rasuli tara a'yunahum tafidu minad dam'i mimmma 'arafu minalhaqq, yaquluna Rabbana amanna faktubna ma'ash shahidin

And when they hear what was sent down to the Messenger, you see their eyes overflowing with tears from what they recognized of the truth. They say, our Lord, we believe, so write us among the witnesses.

﴾٨٤﴿ وَمَا لَنَا لَا نُؤْمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ وَمَا جَآءَنَا مِنَ ٱلْحَقِّ وَنَطْمَعُ أَن يُدْخِلَنَا رَبُّنَا مَعَ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ

Wa ma lana la nu'minu billahi wa ma ja'ana minal haqqi wa natma'u ai yudkhilana Rabbuna ma'al qawmis salihin

And why should we not believe in Allah and what has come to us of the truth, and hope that our Lord will admit us with the righteous people.

﴾٨٥﴿ فَأَثَٰبَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِمَا قَالُوا۟ جَنَّٰتٍۢ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَٰرُ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا ۚ وَذَٰلِكَ جَزَآءُ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ

Fa asabahumul lahu bima qalu Jannnatin tajri min tahtihal anharu khalidina fiha, wa zalika jaza'ul muhsinin

So Allah rewarded them for what they said with gardens with rivers flowing beneath them, remaining in them. And that is the payment of those who do good.

﴾٨٦﴿ وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَكَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَآ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلْجَحِيمِ

Wallazina kafaru wa kazzabu bi Aayatina ula'ika Ashabul Jahim

And those who disbelieved and called Our signs a lie, those are the companions of the blaze.

The Tafsir · The Breakdown

What This Part Means

Overview

Judge Between Them by What Allah Sent Down.

This passage is the most misquoted stretch in the Quran, in both directions, and the reason is that people lift verses out of it without reading the ten verses on either side.

It opens with a group bringing a case to the Prophet, peace be upon him, that they had no intention of accepting unless it went their way. Verse 41 records their instruction to each other in their own words: if you are given this, take it, and if you are not given it, then beware. They wanted a ruling, not a judge.

The centre of the passage is verse 48, and it is the widest statement of religious difference in the Quran. For each of you We made a law and a way. And if Allah had willed He would have made you one community, but so that He may test you in what He has given you. Difference is stated as deliberate, and the response commanded is not tolerance and not conquest. It is competition in doing good.

Verse 51 forbids taking Jews and Christians as awliya', and the same chapter, at verse 5, permits eating their food and marrying their chaste women. Both are in the same surah. Whatever verse 51 forbids, it cannot be ordinary friendship, because you do not marry into a community you may not befriend.

And the passage ends at verse 82 by naming which group is closest in affection to the believers, and giving two reasons for it, one of which is simply that they are not arrogant.

Verses 41 to 50

A Law and a Way.

Verse 41 gives a phrase used twice in two verses: sammaun lil-kadhib, listeners to falsehood. It does not say speakers of falsehood. It describes an audience, people whose function in the arrangement is to receive and carry what they are told. And the second half of the phrase in verse 41 is stranger still: listeners for another people who have not come to you. They were attending on behalf of men who stayed away.

Verse 42 gives the Prophet, peace be upon him, a choice that is worth noticing. If they come to you, judge between them or turn away from them. He is permitted to decline the case. And then, if he does judge, one condition: judge between them with justice. There is no third option in which he takes the case and shades the outcome.

Verse 44 sets a standard for anyone who holds religious authority, and it is stated in the negative twice. Do not fear people, and fear Me. And do not sell My signs for a small price. Both failures are the same failure, one paid in safety and the other paid in money. And the price is described as small regardless of the amount, because of what is on the other side of the transaction.

Verse 45 states the law of retaliation in full and then, in one clause, opens the door out of it. But whoever gives it up as charity, it is an atonement for him. The right is real, and the surrender of it is counted as an expiation for the one who surrenders. Not for the offender. For the victim.

Verse 48 then gives the framework. The Book is sent down muhaymin, a guardian over what came before, watching and preserving. And then the statement about difference. For each of you We made a law and a way. And if Allah had willed He would have made you one community. Uniformity was available and was not chosen. What follows is not a call to accept everything, since the same verse orders judgment by what Allah sent down. It is the assignment of a different task: fastabiqu al-khayrat, race toward the good things. The competition is to be conducted in deeds.

Verses 51 to 66

Alliance, and What It Actually Means.

Verse 51 must be read with verse 52, because verse 52 describes the actual behaviour being forbidden. You see those in whose hearts is sickness rushing toward them, saying, we fear that a turn of fortune may strike us. That is hedging. Men positioning themselves with the other side in case their own side lost. The word awliya' is not the word for friends. A wali is a protector, a patron, the party whose protection you are under and whose side you are on. The verse forbids transferring that, and verse 52 names the motive as fear about which way a conflict would go.

Three things in the surrounding text keep this from being read as a blanket rule. First, verse 5 of this same chapter permits eating their food and marrying their chaste women, which is the closest relationship a person can enter. Second, verse 57 narrows the description explicitly to those who take your religion as mockery and play. Third, verse 82 in this same passage says the closest of people in affection to the believers are those who said, we are Christians. A chapter that forbade friendship at verse 51 could not commend affection at verse 82.

Verse 54 is one of the most confident verses in the Quran, and it was revealed to a small community. Whoever among you turns back from his religion, Allah will bring a people He loves and who love Him. The reply to defection is not a warning to the defector. It is a statement that the work will continue without him. And the description of the replacements has four terms: humble toward the believers, firm toward the disbelievers, striving in the way of Allah, and not fearing the blame of any blamer. The last one is the hardest, and it is placed last for that reason.

Verse 63 contains a shift in vocabulary that carries the whole argument. Verse 62 describes the people racing into sin and consuming unlawful gain, and ends, evil is what they were doing. Verse 63 asks why the rabbis and the scholars do not forbid them, and ends, evil is what they were producing. The word changes from doing to producing, from an act to a manufacture. The scholars did not commit the sin. They are described with the heavier word, because silence from the people who know is not a failure to act. It is a thing that gets made.

Verse 64 records the claim that the hand of Allah is tied, meaning the giving has stopped, and answers it with an image. Rather, both His hands are outstretched. He spends how He wills. Two hands, both open, against a claim of one hand shut.

And verse 66 gives the counterfactual. If they had established the Torah and the Gospel and what was sent down to them, they would have eaten from above them and from beneath their feet. Provision from both directions, described as what was on the table. And then, without being asked to, the verse adds: among them is a moderate community. The chapter refuses to let its own criticism become a description of everybody.

Verses 67 to 86

Eyes Overflowing.

Verse 67 is addressed to the Prophet, peace be upon him, in terms used nowhere else. Deliver what has been sent down to you from your Lord. And if you do not, then you have not delivered His message. The construction is total. Withholding any part of it would count as having delivered none of it. Aisha said that whoever claims Muhammad concealed anything of what was revealed to him has told a great lie, and cited this verse. Reported in al-Bukhari and Muslim. And the second half removes the reason a man might hesitate: and Allah will protect you from people.

Verse 70 describes a pattern in one sentence. Every time a messenger came to them with what their souls did not desire, a group they called liars and a group they killed. The trigger is named precisely. Not what contradicted their evidence. What their souls did not desire.

Verse 71 then gives the shape of the relapse. They became blind and deaf. Then Allah turned to them in mercy. Then many of them became blind and deaf again. Forgiveness in the middle of the sentence, and the same failure on both sides of it. The verse does not present this as unusual.

Verses 72 to 75 handle the claims about Isa, peace be upon him, and the argument in verse 75 is not theological. It is physical. Messengers passed away before him. His mother was a woman of truth. They both used to eat food. A being that requires food is a being with a need, and the whole case is closed on that observation.

Verse 77 gives an instruction to the People of the Book that lands on everyone. Do not go beyond the limits in your religion. Ghuluww is excess, exceeding the measure, and the verse identifies it as a religious failure rather than as enthusiasm.

And verses 78 and 79 give the reason for a curse, and the reason is not the wrongdoing. Verse 78 says they were cursed because they disobeyed and were crossing limits. Verse 79 then specifies it: they did not forbid one another from any wrong they did. The curse attaches to a community that had stopped correcting itself. Not to the men committing the wrong, but to everyone who watched it and said nothing.

Then verse 82, and it is worth taking at face value. The closest of people in affection to the believers are those who said, we are Christians. And two reasons are given. Among them are priests and monks, meaning there are people in that community who have organized their lives around worship. And they are not arrogant. That is the whole explanation. Not doctrinal proximity. The presence of people who worship, and the absence of arrogance.

Verse 83 shows what that produced. When they hear what was sent down to the Messenger, you see their eyes overflowing with tears from what they recognized of the truth. The word is recognized, not learned. What moved them was that they already knew it, and met it again.

Structural Summary

Verses Forty-One to Eighty-Six. Judge Between Them by What Allah Sent Down.

Men who wanted a ruling and not a judge. An audience whose job was to carry what it was told. Permission to decline a case and no permission to shade one. Two ways of selling out, both priced small. A right to retaliate and an atonement for surrendering it. Difference made deliberate and answered with a race. Alliance forbidden, and the hedging that gave it away. A community told the work continues without the ones who leave. Silence from the learned described as a thing manufactured. Two open hands against a claim of one shut. A moderate group named without being asked for. A delivery that must be total to count. Rejection triggered by desire rather than evidence. Mercy placed in the middle of a relapse. A case closed by the observation that they ate. A curse attached to a community that stopped correcting itself. And eyes overflowing at something recognized rather than learned.

The Practice · Daily Integration

Verses Forty-One to Eighty-Six. Race Toward the Good Things.

Verse 45 counts the surrender of a legitimate right as an atonement for the one who surrenders it. Name a claim you are entitled to press against someone. Drop it this week and say nothing about having dropped it.

Verse 63 describes silence from the people who know as a thing that gets produced. Identify the wrong in your own circle that you have declined to name because naming it is costly. Say one true sentence about it to the one person who most needs to hear it.

Verse 82 gives absence of arrogance as a reason for nearness. For one week, in every disagreement, concede the strongest point the other side has before making your own.

So race toward the good things.

آمِين

Prepared with discipline · Ameen

Verse-By-Verse · Test Yourself

The Quiz

Two questions per verse. Translation and a key Arabic word. Walk through it slow. The goal is comprehension, not speed.

Verses 41 to 501 / 12

The Instruction

What does verse 41 record them saying to each other about the ruling they were seeking?

Al-Ma'idah · Part Two