Tafsir Ibn Kathir (abridged)

Tafsir Ibn Kathir (abridged) — Hafiz Ibn Kathir

Foods that were Prohibited for the Jews Because of their Transgression Allah says, We forbade for the Jews every bird and animal with undivided hoof, such as the camel, ostrich, duck and goose. Allah said here, وَمِنَ الْبَقَرِ وَالْغَنَمِ حَرَّمْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ شُحُومَهُمَآ (and We forbade them the fat of the ox and the sheep...) The Jews used to forbid these types of foods saying that Isra'il, or Ya`qub, used to forbid them for himself so they too forbid them. This was mentioned by As-Suddi. `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas said that, إِلاَّ مَا حَمَلَتْ ظُهُورُهُمَآ (except what adheres to their backs) refers to the fat that clings to their backs. Allah said next, أَوِ الْحَوَايَآ (or their Hawaya) that is, the entrails, according to Abu Ja`far bin Jarir. He also said, "The meaning here is, `And from ox and sheep, We forbade their fat for the Jews, except the fat on their backs and what the entrails carry." `Ali bin Abi Talhah said that, Ibn `Abbas said that the, Hawaya, are the entrails. Similar was reported from Mujahid, Sa`id bin Jubayr and Ad-Dahhak. Allah's statement, أَوْ مَا اخْتَلَطَ بِعَظْمٍ (....or is mixed up with a bone.) means, We allowed the Jews the fat that is mixed with bones. Ibn Jurayj commented, "The fat on the rump that is mixed with the tailbone was allowed for them, and also the fat on the legs, head, eyes and what adheres to the bones." As-Suddi said similarly. Allah said, ذَلِكَ جَزَيْنَـهُم بِبَغْيِهِمْ (Thus We recompensed them for their rebellion.) meaning, We imposed this restriction on them as recompense for their rebellion and defying Our commandments. Allah said in another Ayah, فَبِظُلْمٍ مِّنَ الَّذِينَ هَادُواْ حَرَّمْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ طَيِّبَـتٍ أُحِلَّتْ لَهُمْ وَبِصَدِّهِمْ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ كَثِيراً (For the wrongdoing of the Jews, We made unlawful for them certain good foods which had been lawful for them -- and for their hindering many from Allah's way) 4:160. Allah's statement, وِإِنَّا لَصَـدِقُونَ (And verily, We are Truthful.) means, We were justified in the penalty We gave them. Ibn Jarir commented, "We are Truthful in what We informed you of, O Muhammad; Our forbidding these foods for them, not as they claimed, that Israel merely forbade these things for himself (so they imitated him, they claimed)." The Tricks of the Jews, and Allah's Curse `Abdullah bin `Abbas narrated, "When `Umar bin Al-Khattab was told that Samurah sold liquor, he commented, `May Allah fight Samurah! Did he not know that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, «لَعَنَ اللهُ الْيَهُودَ حُرِّمَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ الشُّحُومُ فَجَمَلُوهَا فَبَاعُوهَا» (May Allah curse the Jews! The fats were forbidden for them, so they melted the fat and sold it.)" This Hadith is recorded in the Two Sahihs. Jabir bin `Abdullah said, "In the year of the victory of Makkah, I heard Allah's Messenger ﷺ saying; «إِنَّ اللهَ وَرَسُولَهُ حَرَّمَ بَيْعَ الْخَمْرِ وَالْمَيْتَةِ وَالْخِنْزِيرِ وَالْأَصْنَام» (Allah and His Messenger have forbidden selling alcoholic drinks (intoxicants), dead animals, swine and idols.) He was asked, `What about the fat of dead animals They are used to dye skins, paint ships and are used as light by the people.' He said, «لَا هُوَ حَرَام» (No, it is still unlawful.) He then said, «قَاتَلَ اللهُ الْيَهُودَ إِنَّ اللهَ لَمَّا حَرَّمَ عَلَيْهِمْ شُحُومَهَا جَمَلُوهُ ثُمَّ بَاعُوهُ وَأَكَلُوا ثَمَنَه» (May Allah fight the Jews! When Allah forbade them the fats of animals, they melted the fat, sold it and ate its price.)" The Group recorded this Hadith.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir (abridged) — Hafiz Ibn Kathir

فَقُل رَّبُّكُمْ ذُو رَحْمَةٍ وَسِعَةٍ (Say: "Your Lord is the Owner of vast mercy...") encouraging them to seek Allah's vast mercy and follow His Messenger, وَلاَ يُرَدُّ بَأْسُهُ عَنِ الْقَوْمِ الْمُجْرِمِينَ (and never will His wrath be turned back from the people who are criminals.) discouraging them from defying the Messenger, the Final Prophet, Muhammad ﷺ. Allah often joins encouragement with threats in the Qur'an. Allah said at the end of this Surah: إِنَّ رَبَّكَ سَرِيعُ الْعِقَابِ وَإِنَّهُ لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ (Surely, your Lord is swift in retribution, and certainly He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.) 6:165 Allah also said, وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَذُو مَغْفِرَةٍ لِّلنَّاسِ عَلَى ظُلْمِهِمْ وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَشَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ (But verily, your Lord is full of forgiveness for mankind in spite of their wrongdoing. And verily, your Lord is (also) severe in punishment.) 13:6, and نَبِّىءْ عِبَادِى أَنِّى أَنَا الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ - وَأَنَّ عَذَابِى هُوَ ٱلْعَذَابُ ٱلْأَلِيمُ (Declare unto My servants, that truly, I am the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful. And that My torment is indeed the most painful torment.) 15:49-50, and غَافِرِ الذَّنبِ وَقَابِلِ التَّوْبِ شَدِيدِ الْعِقَابِ (The Forgiver of sin, the Acceptor of repentance, the Severe in punishment.) 40:3 and, إِنَّ بَطْشَ رَبِّكَ لَشَدِيدٌ - إِنَّهُ هُوَ يُبْدِىءُ وَيُعِيدُ - وَهُوَ الْغَفُورُ الْوَدُودُ (Verily, the punishment of your Lord is severe and painful. Verily, He it is Who begins and repeats. And He is Oft-Forgiving, full of love.)85:12-14. There are many other Ayat on this subject.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir (abridged) — Hafiz Ibn Kathir

A False Notion and its Rebuttal Here Allah mentioned a debate with the idolators, refuting a false notion they have over their Shirk and the things that they prohibited. They said, surely, Allah has full knowledge of the Shirk we indulge in, and that we forbid some kinds of wealth. Allah is able to change this Shirk by directing us to the faith, - they claimed - and prevent us from falling into disbelief, but He did not do that. Therefore - they said Allah indicated that He willed, decided and agreed that we do all this. They said, لَوْ شَآءَ اللَّهُ مَآ أَشْرَكْنَا وَلاَحَرَّمْنَا مِن شَىْءٍ ("If Allah had willed, we would not have taken partners (in worship) with Him, nor would our fathers, and we would not have forbidden anything.") Allah said in another Ayah, وَقَالُواْ لَوْ شَآءَ الرَّحْمَـنُ مَا عَبَدْنَـهُمْ (And they said: "If it had been the will of the Most Gracious (Allah), we should not have worshipped them (false deities)") 43:20. Similar is mentioned in Surat An-Nahl. Allah said next, كَذَلِكَ كَذَّبَ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ (Likewise belied those who were before them,) for by using and relying on this understanding, the misguided ones before them were led astray. This notion is false and ungrounded, for had it been true, Allah would not have harmed them, destroyed them, aided His honorable Messengers over them, and made them taste His painful punishment. قُلْ هَلْ عِندَكُم مِّنْ عِلْمٍ (Say: "Have you any knowledge...") that Allah is pleased with you and with your ways, فَتُخْرِجُوهُ لَنَآ (that you can produce before us.) and make it plain, apparent and clear for us. However, إِن تَتَّبِعُونَ إِلاَّ الظَّنَّ (Verily, you only follow the Zann) doubts and wishful thinking, وَإِنْ أَنتُمْ إِلاَّ تَخْرُصُونَ (and you do nothing but lie) about Allah in the false claims that you utter. Allah said next, قُلْ فَلِلَّهِ الْحُجَّةُ الْبَـلِغَةُ فَلَوْ شَآءَ لَهَدَاكُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ (Say: "With Allah is the perfect proof and argument; had He so willed, He would indeed have guided you all.") Allah said to His Prophet قُلْ (Say) O Muhammad, to them, فَلِلَّهِ الْحُجَّةُ الْبَـلِغَةُ ("With Allah is the perfect proof and argument. ..") the perfect wisdom and unequivocal proof to guide whom He wills and misguide whom He wills. فَلَوْ شَآءَ لَهَدَاكُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ (had He so willed, He would indeed have guided you all.) All of this happens accordng to His decree, His will, and His choice. So in this way, He is pleased with the believers, and angry with the disbelievers. Allah said in other Ayat, وَلَوْ شَآءَ اللَّهُ لَجَمَعَهُمْ عَلَى الْهُدَى (And had Allah willed, He could have gathered them together (all) on true guidance,) 6:35 and وَلَوْ شَآءَ رَبُّكَ لآمَنَ مَن فِى الاٌّرْضِ (And had your Lord willed, those on earth would have believed, all of them together.) 10:99 and, وَلَوْ شَآءَ رَبُّكَ لَجَعَلَ النَّاسَ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً وَلاَ يَزَالُونَ مُخْتَلِفِينَ إِلاَّ مَن رَّحِمَ رَبُّكَ وَلِذلِكَ خَلَقَهُمْ وَتَمَّتْ كَلِمَةُ رَبّكَ لاَمْلاَنَّ جَهَنَّمَ مِنَ الْجِنَّةِ وَالنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ- (And if your Lord had so willed, He could surely have made mankind one Ummah, but they will not cease to disagree. Except him on whom your Lord has bestowed His mercy and for that did He create them. And the Word of your Lord has been fulfilled: "Surely, I shall fill Hell with Jinns and men all together.") 11:118-119 Ad-Dahhak said, "No one has an excuse if he disobeys Allah. Surely, Allah has the perfect proof established against His servants." Allah said, قُلْ هَلُمَّ شُهَدَآءَكُمُ (Bring forward your witnesses,) produce your witnesses, الَّذِينَ يَشْهَدُونَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ حَرَّمَ هَـذَا (who can testify that Allah has forbidden this.) which you have forbidden and lied and invented about Allah in this regard, فَإِن شَهِدُواْ فَلاَ تَشْهَدْ مَعَهُمْ (Then if they testify, do not testify with them.) because in this case, their testimony is false and untrue, وَلاَ تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَآءَ الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُواْ بِآيَـتِنَا وَالَّذِينَ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالاٌّخِرَةِ وَهُم بِرَبِّهِمْ يَعْدِلُونَ (And do not follow the vain desires of those who belie Our Ayat, and such as believe not in the Hereafter, and they hold others as equal with their Lord.) by associating others with Allah in worship and treating them as equals to Him.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir (abridged) — Hafiz Ibn Kathir

A False Notion and its Rebuttal Here Allah mentioned a debate with the idolators, refuting a false notion they have over their Shirk and the things that they prohibited. They said, surely, Allah has full knowledge of the Shirk we indulge in, and that we forbid some kinds of wealth. Allah is able to change this Shirk by directing us to the faith, - they claimed - and prevent us from falling into disbelief, but He did not do that. Therefore - they said Allah indicated that He willed, decided and agreed that we do all this. They said, لَوْ شَآءَ اللَّهُ مَآ أَشْرَكْنَا وَلاَحَرَّمْنَا مِن شَىْءٍ ("If Allah had willed, we would not have taken partners (in worship) with Him, nor would our fathers, and we would not have forbidden anything.") Allah said in another Ayah, وَقَالُواْ لَوْ شَآءَ الرَّحْمَـنُ مَا عَبَدْنَـهُمْ (And they said: "If it had been the will of the Most Gracious (Allah), we should not have worshipped them (false deities)") 43:20. Similar is mentioned in Surat An-Nahl. Allah said next, كَذَلِكَ كَذَّبَ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ (Likewise belied those who were before them,) for by using and relying on this understanding, the misguided ones before them were led astray. This notion is false and ungrounded, for had it been true, Allah would not have harmed them, destroyed them, aided His honorable Messengers over them, and made them taste His painful punishment. قُلْ هَلْ عِندَكُم مِّنْ عِلْمٍ (Say: "Have you any knowledge...") that Allah is pleased with you and with your ways, فَتُخْرِجُوهُ لَنَآ (that you can produce before us.) and make it plain, apparent and clear for us. However, إِن تَتَّبِعُونَ إِلاَّ الظَّنَّ (Verily, you only follow the Zann) doubts and wishful thinking, وَإِنْ أَنتُمْ إِلاَّ تَخْرُصُونَ (and you do nothing but lie) about Allah in the false claims that you utter. Allah said next, قُلْ فَلِلَّهِ الْحُجَّةُ الْبَـلِغَةُ فَلَوْ شَآءَ لَهَدَاكُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ (Say: "With Allah is the perfect proof and argument; had He so willed, He would indeed have guided you all.") Allah said to His Prophet قُلْ (Say) O Muhammad, to them, فَلِلَّهِ الْحُجَّةُ الْبَـلِغَةُ ("With Allah is the perfect proof and argument. ..") the perfect wisdom and unequivocal proof to guide whom He wills and misguide whom He wills. فَلَوْ شَآءَ لَهَدَاكُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ (had He so willed, He would indeed have guided you all.) All of this happens accordng to His decree, His will, and His choice. So in this way, He is pleased with the believers, and angry with the disbelievers. Allah said in other Ayat, وَلَوْ شَآءَ اللَّهُ لَجَمَعَهُمْ عَلَى الْهُدَى (And had Allah willed, He could have gathered them together (all) on true guidance,) 6:35 and وَلَوْ شَآءَ رَبُّكَ لآمَنَ مَن فِى الاٌّرْضِ (And had your Lord willed, those on earth would have believed, all of them together.) 10:99 and, وَلَوْ شَآءَ رَبُّكَ لَجَعَلَ النَّاسَ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً وَلاَ يَزَالُونَ مُخْتَلِفِينَ إِلاَّ مَن رَّحِمَ رَبُّكَ وَلِذلِكَ خَلَقَهُمْ وَتَمَّتْ كَلِمَةُ رَبّكَ لاَمْلاَنَّ جَهَنَّمَ مِنَ الْجِنَّةِ وَالنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ- (And if your Lord had so willed, He could surely have made mankind one Ummah, but they will not cease to disagree. Except him on whom your Lord has bestowed His mercy and for that did He create them. And the Word of your Lord has been fulfilled: "Surely, I shall fill Hell with Jinns and men all together.") 11:118-119 Ad-Dahhak said, "No one has an excuse if he disobeys Allah. Surely, Allah has the perfect proof established against His servants." Allah said, قُلْ هَلُمَّ شُهَدَآءَكُمُ (Bring forward your witnesses,) produce your witnesses, الَّذِينَ يَشْهَدُونَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ حَرَّمَ هَـذَا (who can testify that Allah has forbidden this.) which you have forbidden and lied and invented about Allah in this regard, فَإِن شَهِدُواْ فَلاَ تَشْهَدْ مَعَهُمْ (Then if they testify, do not testify with them.) because in this case, their testimony is false and untrue, وَلاَ تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَآءَ الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُواْ بِآيَـتِنَا وَالَّذِينَ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالاٌّخِرَةِ وَهُم بِرَبِّهِمْ يَعْدِلُونَ (And do not follow the vain desires of those who belie Our Ayat, and such as believe not in the Hereafter, and they hold others as equal with their Lord.) by associating others with Allah in worship and treating them as equals to Him.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir (abridged) — Hafiz Ibn Kathir

A False Notion and its Rebuttal Here Allah mentioned a debate with the idolators, refuting a false notion they have over their Shirk and the things that they prohibited. They said, surely, Allah has full knowledge of the Shirk we indulge in, and that we forbid some kinds of wealth. Allah is able to change this Shirk by directing us to the faith, - they claimed - and prevent us from falling into disbelief, but He did not do that. Therefore - they said Allah indicated that He willed, decided and agreed that we do all this. They said, لَوْ شَآءَ اللَّهُ مَآ أَشْرَكْنَا وَلاَحَرَّمْنَا مِن شَىْءٍ ("If Allah had willed, we would not have taken partners (in worship) with Him, nor would our fathers, and we would not have forbidden anything.") Allah said in another Ayah, وَقَالُواْ لَوْ شَآءَ الرَّحْمَـنُ مَا عَبَدْنَـهُمْ (And they said: "If it had been the will of the Most Gracious (Allah), we should not have worshipped them (false deities)") 43:20. Similar is mentioned in Surat An-Nahl. Allah said next, كَذَلِكَ كَذَّبَ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ (Likewise belied those who were before them,) for by using and relying on this understanding, the misguided ones before them were led astray. This notion is false and ungrounded, for had it been true, Allah would not have harmed them, destroyed them, aided His honorable Messengers over them, and made them taste His painful punishment. قُلْ هَلْ عِندَكُم مِّنْ عِلْمٍ (Say: "Have you any knowledge...") that Allah is pleased with you and with your ways, فَتُخْرِجُوهُ لَنَآ (that you can produce before us.) and make it plain, apparent and clear for us. However, إِن تَتَّبِعُونَ إِلاَّ الظَّنَّ (Verily, you only follow the Zann) doubts and wishful thinking, وَإِنْ أَنتُمْ إِلاَّ تَخْرُصُونَ (and you do nothing but lie) about Allah in the false claims that you utter. Allah said next, قُلْ فَلِلَّهِ الْحُجَّةُ الْبَـلِغَةُ فَلَوْ شَآءَ لَهَدَاكُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ (Say: "With Allah is the perfect proof and argument; had He so willed, He would indeed have guided you all.") Allah said to His Prophet قُلْ (Say) O Muhammad, to them, فَلِلَّهِ الْحُجَّةُ الْبَـلِغَةُ ("With Allah is the perfect proof and argument. ..") the perfect wisdom and unequivocal proof to guide whom He wills and misguide whom He wills. فَلَوْ شَآءَ لَهَدَاكُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ (had He so willed, He would indeed have guided you all.) All of this happens accordng to His decree, His will, and His choice. So in this way, He is pleased with the believers, and angry with the disbelievers. Allah said in other Ayat, وَلَوْ شَآءَ اللَّهُ لَجَمَعَهُمْ عَلَى الْهُدَى (And had Allah willed, He could have gathered them together (all) on true guidance,) 6:35 and وَلَوْ شَآءَ رَبُّكَ لآمَنَ مَن فِى الاٌّرْضِ (And had your Lord willed, those on earth would have believed, all of them together.) 10:99 and, وَلَوْ شَآءَ رَبُّكَ لَجَعَلَ النَّاسَ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً وَلاَ يَزَالُونَ مُخْتَلِفِينَ إِلاَّ مَن رَّحِمَ رَبُّكَ وَلِذلِكَ خَلَقَهُمْ وَتَمَّتْ كَلِمَةُ رَبّكَ لاَمْلاَنَّ جَهَنَّمَ مِنَ الْجِنَّةِ وَالنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ- (And if your Lord had so willed, He could surely have made mankind one Ummah, but they will not cease to disagree. Except him on whom your Lord has bestowed His mercy and for that did He create them. And the Word of your Lord has been fulfilled: "Surely, I shall fill Hell with Jinns and men all together.") 11:118-119 Ad-Dahhak said, "No one has an excuse if he disobeys Allah. Surely, Allah has the perfect proof established against His servants." Allah said, قُلْ هَلُمَّ شُهَدَآءَكُمُ (Bring forward your witnesses,) produce your witnesses, الَّذِينَ يَشْهَدُونَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ حَرَّمَ هَـذَا (who can testify that Allah has forbidden this.) which you have forbidden and lied and invented about Allah in this regard, فَإِن شَهِدُواْ فَلاَ تَشْهَدْ مَعَهُمْ (Then if they testify, do not testify with them.) because in this case, their testimony is false and untrue, وَلاَ تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَآءَ الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُواْ بِآيَـتِنَا وَالَّذِينَ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالاٌّخِرَةِ وَهُم بِرَبِّهِمْ يَعْدِلُونَ (And do not follow the vain desires of those who belie Our Ayat, and such as believe not in the Hereafter, and they hold others as equal with their Lord.) by associating others with Allah in worship and treating them as equals to Him.