Anwar Al-Quran

Verses 46–50

5. Al-Maaida · The Table

Madinan120 verses

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

5:46We followed them with Jesus son of Mary, to confirm that which was before him of the Torah, and We gave him the Evangel containing guidance and light, confirming what was before it of the Torah, and as guidance and advice for the Godwary.1

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

5:47Let the people of the Evangel judge by what Allah has sent down in it. Those who do not judge by what Allah has sent down—it is they who are the transgressors.2

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

5:48We have sent down to you the Book with the truth, confirming what was before it of the Book and as a guardian over it. So judge between them by what Allah has sent down, and do not follow their desires against the truth that has come to you. For each [community] among you We had appointed a code [of law] and a path, and had Allah wished He would have made you one community, but [His purposes required] that He should test you in respect to what He has given you. So take the lead in all good works. To Allah shall be the return of you all, whereat He will inform you concerning that about which you used to differ.

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

5:49Judge between them by what Allah has sent down, and do not follow their desires. Beware of them lest they should beguile you from part of what Allah has sent down to you. But if they turn their backs [on you], then know that Allah desires to punish them for some of their sins, and indeed many of the people are transgressors.

أَفَحُكْمَ ٱلْجَٰهِلِيَّةِ يَبْغُونَ ۚ وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ حُكْمًۭا لِّقَوْمٍۢ يُوقِنُونَ

5:50Do they seek the judgement of [pagan] ignorance? But who is better than Allah in judgement for a people who have certainty?

Tafsir

Commentary on this passage

Verse 49

1.We should know that the Holy Quran has called them infidels, disbelievers and tyrannical persons who judged against the provisional law of Taurat and Injeel. Then what is the result of those who judge against the permanent laws of Quran? The command after sending which, is clearly announced: O’ Messenger! Convey My message, which is revealed, to you from Me. That is the appointment of Ali Ibne Abi Talib (a.s.). Allah told the Prophet (s.a.): If you do not, it would mean you have not completed your missionary work at all. Thus if a Messenger can be counted as one who has not obeyed if he becomes negligent of his work what about those who did not respect this command and became busy in the power game. How can we say they are Muslims, believers or just. It is the duty of the Prophet (s.a.) to solve all the problems according to the commands of Allah and not to care for the desires of people. If after this the people deviate to fulfill their desires, Allah will send His chastisement on them in the world and also punish them in the hereafter. We should know that Islam interprets them as ignorant, those who judged against the divine commands. Thus now we know that after the passing away of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.), by refusing to accept the appointment of Ali (a.s.) as Caliph they were not deciding the government; actually the ways of Ignorance were given a chance to come back into the Muslim society; the results of which are observed even today.

Footnotes

Explanations of words and phrases in these verses

  1. 1

    In the beginning the Injeel is said to be guidance and light. After this it is called moral advice for the guided and pious people. This shows that the Book of Allah provides guidance to all the people, but only those who are pious and righteous can benefit from its teachings. Just like the Quran bas said that it is the guidance for those who guard against evil.

    Benefit: The 46th ayat in the beginning says that Injeel is ‘Feehe Huda’ and in the end it says that it is ‘Huda’ and ‘Moiza’. This shows that Injeel is a guidance for common people and for the pious it is guidance personified like the Quran is the “guidance for those who guard against evil”. However, all this applies to the actual Injeel and it is not for any distorted and tempered book.

  2. 2

    This ayat has referred to those who judge against Divine law as disbelievers, transgressors and unjust. In Islamic religion a Kafir is one who denies belief; and transgressor is one who accepts faith but disobeys Allah. While the ‘unjust’ is applicable to both of them, as both are being unjust on their selves. After this Kufr is sometimes used with regard to deeds and ‘Fisq’ is used in connection with belief. This indicates the enormity of the situation. The use of all three terms in a single instance shows that the problem is really serious. Such a person is liable for all these descriptions and all the punishments.