salahdin
Junior Member
بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
سُوۡرَةُ الاٴعرَاف
وَقَطَّعۡنَـٰهُمۡ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ أُمَمً۬ا*!ۖ مِّنۡهُمُ ٱلصَّـٰلِحُونَ وَمِنۡہُمۡ دُونَ ذَٲلِكَ*!ۖ وَبَلَوۡنَـٰهُم بِٱلۡحَسَنَـٰتِ وَٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡجِعُونَ (١٦٨) فَخَلَفَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِهِمۡ خَلۡفٌ۬ وَرِثُواْ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ يَأۡخُذُونَ عَرَضَ هَـٰذَا ٱلۡأَدۡنَىٰ وَيَقُولُونَ سَيُغۡفَرُ لَنَا وَإِن يَأۡتِہِمۡ عَرَضٌ۬ مِّثۡلُهُ ۥ يَأۡخُذُوهُ*!ۚ أَلَمۡ يُؤۡخَذۡ عَلَيۡہِم مِّيثَـٰقُ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ أَن لَّا يَقُولُواْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ إِلَّا ٱلۡحَقَّ وَدَرَسُواْ مَا فِيهِ*!ۗ وَٱلدَّارُ ٱلۡأَخِرَةُ خَيۡرٌ۬ لِّلَّذِينَ يَتَّقُونَ*!ۗ أَفَلَا تَعۡقِلُونَ (١٦٩) وَٱلَّذِينَ يُمَسِّكُونَ بِٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ وَأَقَامُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ إِنَّا لَا نُضِيعُ أَجۡرَ ٱلۡمُصۡلِحِينَ (١٧٠)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Al-Araf
And We have sundered them in the earth as (separate) nations. Some of them are righteous, and some far from that. And We have tried them with good things and evil things that haply they might return. (168) And a generation hath succeeded them who inherited the scriptures. They grasp the goods of this low life (as the price of evil-doing) and say: It will be forgiven us. And if there came to them (again) the offer of the like, they would accept it (and would sin again). Hath not the covenant of the Scripture been taken on their behalf that they should not speak aught concerning Allah save the truth? And they have studied that which is therein. And the abode of the Hereafter is better, for those who ward off (evil). Have ye then no sense? (169) And as for those who make (men) keep the Scripture, and establish worship - lo! We squander not the wages of reformers. (170) 7:168-170
Tafsir Ibn Kathir
بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
The Children of Israel scatter throughout the Land
Allah states that He divided the Jews into various nations, sects and groups,
[وَقُلْنَا مِن بَعْدِهِ لِبَنِى إِسْرَءِيلَ اسْكُنُواْ الاٌّرْضَ فَإِذَا جَآءَ وَعْدُ الاٌّخِرَةِ جِئْنَا بِكُمْ لَفِيفًا ]
(And We said to the Children of Israel after him (after Musa died): "Dwell in the land, then, when the final and the last promise comes near, We shall bring you altogether as a mixed crowd (gathered out of various nations).'')[17:104]
[مِّنْهُمُ الصَّـلِحُونَ وَمِنْهُمْ دُونَ ذَلِكَ]
(some of them are righteous and some are away from that), some of them are led aright and some are not righteous, just as the Jinns declared,
[وَأَنَّا مِنَّا الصَّـلِحُونَ وَمِنَّا دُونَ ذَلِكَ كُنَّا طَرَآئِقَ قِدَداً ]
("There are among us some that are righteous, and some the contrary; we are groups having different ways (religious sects).'') [72:11] Allah said here,
[وَبَلَوْنَـهُمْ]
(And We tried them), and tested them,
[بِالْحَسَنَـتِ وَالسَّيِّئَاتِ]
(with good and evil), with times of ease, difficulty, eagerness, fear, well-being and affliction,
[لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ]
(in order that they might turn (to Allah)) Allah said next,
[فَخَلَفَ مِن بَعْدِهِمْ خَلْفٌ وَرِثُواْ الْكِتَـبَ يَأْخُذُونَ عَرَضَ هَـذَا الاٌّدْنَى]
(Then after them succeeded an (evil) generation, which inherited the Book, but they chose (for themselves) the goods of this low life) This Ayah means, after the generation made up of righteous and unrighteous people, another generation came that did not have goodness in them, and they inherited the Tawrah and studied it. Mujahid commented on Allah's statement,
[يَأْخُذُونَ عَرَضَ هَـذَا الاٌّدْنَى]
(They chose (for themselves) the goods of this low life) "They will consume anything they can consume in this life, whether legally or illegally. Yet, they wish for forgiveness,
[وَيَقُولُونَ سَيُغْفَرُ لَنَا وَإِن يَأْتِهِمْ عَرَضٌ مِّثْلُهُ يَأْخُذُوهُ]
(Saying: "(Everything) will be forgiven for us.'' And if (again) the offer of the like came their way, they would (again) seize them.)'' Qatadah commented on Allah's statement,
[يَأْخُذُونَ عَرَضَ هَـذَا الاٌّدْنَى]
(they chose (for themselves) the goods of this low life) "This, by Allah, is an evil generation,
[وَرِثُواْ الْكِتَـبَ]
(which inherited the Book) after their Prophets and Messengers, for they were entrusted with this job by Allah's command to them. Allah said in another Ayah,
[فَخَلَفَ مِن بَعْدِهِمْ خَلْفٌ أَضَاعُواْ الصَّلَـوةَ]
(Then, there has succeeded them a posterity who neglect the Salah (the prayers).) [19:59] Allah said next,
[يَأْخُذُونَ عَرَضَ هَـذَا الاٌّدْنَى وَيَقُولُونَ سَيُغْفَرُ لَنَا]
(They chose the goods of this low life saying: "(Everything) will be forgiven to us.'') They wish and hope from Allah, while deceiving themselves,
[وَإِن يَأْتِهِمْ عَرَضٌ مِّثْلُهُ يَأْخُذُوهُ]
(And if (again) the offer of the like came their way, they would (again) seize them.) Nothing stops them from this behavior, for whenever they are given an opportunity in this life, they will consume regardless of it being allowed or not.'' As-Suddi said about Allah's statement,
[فَخَلَفَ مِن بَعْدِهِمْ خَلْفٌ]
(Then after them succeeded an (evil) generation) until,
[وَدَرَسُواْ مَا فِيهِ]
(and they have studied what is in it (the Book).) "Every time the Children of Israel appointed a judge, he used to take bribes. The best ones among them held a counsel and took covenants from each that they would not take bribes. However, when one of them would take bribes in return for judgment and was asked, `What is the matter with you; you take a bribe to grant judgment', he replied, `I will be forgiven.' So the rest of his people would admonish him for what he did. But when he died, or was replaced, the one who replaced him would take bribes too. Therefore, Allah says, if the others (who admonished him) would have a chance to loot this world, they will take it.''' Allah said,
[أَلَمْ يُؤْخَذْ عَلَيْهِم مِّيثَاقُ الْكِتَـبِ أَن لاَّ يِقُولُواْ عَلَى اللَّهِ إِلاَّ الْحَقَّ]
(Was not the covenant of the Book taken from them that they would not say about Allah anything but the truth) thus, admonishing them for this behavior. Allah took a pledge from them that they would declare the truth to people and not hide it. Allah said in another Ayah,
[وَإِذْ أَخَذَ اللَّهُ مِيثَـقَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ الْكِتَـبَ لَتُبَيِّنُنَّهُ لِلنَّاسِ وَلاَ تَكْتُمُونَهُ فَنَبَذُوهُ وَرَآءَ ظُهُورِهِمْ وَاشْتَرَوْاْ بِهِ ثَمَناً قَلِيلاً فَبِئْسَ مَا يَشْتَرُونَ ]
((And remember) when Allah took a covenant from those who were given the Scripture to make it known and clear to mankind, and not to hide it, but they threw it away behind their backs, and purchased with it some miserable gain! And indeed worst is that which they bought) [3:187]. Ibn Jurayj said that Ibn `Abbas said about the Ayah,
[أَلَمْ يُؤْخَذْ عَلَيْهِم مِّيثَاقُ الْكِتَـبِ أَن لاَّ يِقُولُواْ عَلَى اللَّهِ إِلاَّ الْحَقَّ]
(Was not the covenant of the Book taken from them that they would not say about Allah anything but the truth), "Their claim that Allah will forgive the sins they keep committing without repenting from them.'' Allah said,
[وَالدَّارُ الاٌّخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ لِّلَّذِينَ يَتَّقُونَ أَفَلاَ تَعْقِلُونَ]
(And the home in the Hereafter is better for those who have Taqwa Do not you then understand) Encouraging them to seek Allah's tremendous reward and warning them against His severe torment. Allah says here, `My reward and what I have are better for those who avoid prohibitions, abandon lusts and become active in the obedience of their Lord.'
[أَفَلاَ تَعْقِلُونَ]
(Do not you then understand) Allah says' Do not these people, who preferred this life instead of what is with Me, have any sense to prohibit them from their foolish and extravagant ways' Allah then praises those who adhere to His Book, which directs them to follow His Messenger Muhammad ,
[وَالَّذِينَ يُمَسِّكُونَ بِالْكِتَـبِ]
(And as to those who hold fast to the Book) adhere to it, implement its commands and refrain from its prohibitions,
[وَأَقَامُواْ الصَّلَوةَ إِنَّا لاَ نُضِيعُ أَجْرَ الْمُصْلِحِينَ]
(and perform the Salah, certainly We shall never waste the reward of those who do righteous deeds.)
سُوۡرَةُ الاٴعرَاف
وَقَطَّعۡنَـٰهُمۡ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ أُمَمً۬ا*!ۖ مِّنۡهُمُ ٱلصَّـٰلِحُونَ وَمِنۡہُمۡ دُونَ ذَٲلِكَ*!ۖ وَبَلَوۡنَـٰهُم بِٱلۡحَسَنَـٰتِ وَٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡجِعُونَ (١٦٨) فَخَلَفَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِهِمۡ خَلۡفٌ۬ وَرِثُواْ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ يَأۡخُذُونَ عَرَضَ هَـٰذَا ٱلۡأَدۡنَىٰ وَيَقُولُونَ سَيُغۡفَرُ لَنَا وَإِن يَأۡتِہِمۡ عَرَضٌ۬ مِّثۡلُهُ ۥ يَأۡخُذُوهُ*!ۚ أَلَمۡ يُؤۡخَذۡ عَلَيۡہِم مِّيثَـٰقُ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ أَن لَّا يَقُولُواْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ إِلَّا ٱلۡحَقَّ وَدَرَسُواْ مَا فِيهِ*!ۗ وَٱلدَّارُ ٱلۡأَخِرَةُ خَيۡرٌ۬ لِّلَّذِينَ يَتَّقُونَ*!ۗ أَفَلَا تَعۡقِلُونَ (١٦٩) وَٱلَّذِينَ يُمَسِّكُونَ بِٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ وَأَقَامُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ إِنَّا لَا نُضِيعُ أَجۡرَ ٱلۡمُصۡلِحِينَ (١٧٠)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Al-Araf
And We have sundered them in the earth as (separate) nations. Some of them are righteous, and some far from that. And We have tried them with good things and evil things that haply they might return. (168) And a generation hath succeeded them who inherited the scriptures. They grasp the goods of this low life (as the price of evil-doing) and say: It will be forgiven us. And if there came to them (again) the offer of the like, they would accept it (and would sin again). Hath not the covenant of the Scripture been taken on their behalf that they should not speak aught concerning Allah save the truth? And they have studied that which is therein. And the abode of the Hereafter is better, for those who ward off (evil). Have ye then no sense? (169) And as for those who make (men) keep the Scripture, and establish worship - lo! We squander not the wages of reformers. (170) 7:168-170
Tafsir Ibn Kathir
بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
The Children of Israel scatter throughout the Land
Allah states that He divided the Jews into various nations, sects and groups,
[وَقُلْنَا مِن بَعْدِهِ لِبَنِى إِسْرَءِيلَ اسْكُنُواْ الاٌّرْضَ فَإِذَا جَآءَ وَعْدُ الاٌّخِرَةِ جِئْنَا بِكُمْ لَفِيفًا ]
(And We said to the Children of Israel after him (after Musa died): "Dwell in the land, then, when the final and the last promise comes near, We shall bring you altogether as a mixed crowd (gathered out of various nations).'')[17:104]
[مِّنْهُمُ الصَّـلِحُونَ وَمِنْهُمْ دُونَ ذَلِكَ]
(some of them are righteous and some are away from that), some of them are led aright and some are not righteous, just as the Jinns declared,
[وَأَنَّا مِنَّا الصَّـلِحُونَ وَمِنَّا دُونَ ذَلِكَ كُنَّا طَرَآئِقَ قِدَداً ]
("There are among us some that are righteous, and some the contrary; we are groups having different ways (religious sects).'') [72:11] Allah said here,
[وَبَلَوْنَـهُمْ]
(And We tried them), and tested them,
[بِالْحَسَنَـتِ وَالسَّيِّئَاتِ]
(with good and evil), with times of ease, difficulty, eagerness, fear, well-being and affliction,
[لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ]
(in order that they might turn (to Allah)) Allah said next,
[فَخَلَفَ مِن بَعْدِهِمْ خَلْفٌ وَرِثُواْ الْكِتَـبَ يَأْخُذُونَ عَرَضَ هَـذَا الاٌّدْنَى]
(Then after them succeeded an (evil) generation, which inherited the Book, but they chose (for themselves) the goods of this low life) This Ayah means, after the generation made up of righteous and unrighteous people, another generation came that did not have goodness in them, and they inherited the Tawrah and studied it. Mujahid commented on Allah's statement,
[يَأْخُذُونَ عَرَضَ هَـذَا الاٌّدْنَى]
(They chose (for themselves) the goods of this low life) "They will consume anything they can consume in this life, whether legally or illegally. Yet, they wish for forgiveness,
[وَيَقُولُونَ سَيُغْفَرُ لَنَا وَإِن يَأْتِهِمْ عَرَضٌ مِّثْلُهُ يَأْخُذُوهُ]
(Saying: "(Everything) will be forgiven for us.'' And if (again) the offer of the like came their way, they would (again) seize them.)'' Qatadah commented on Allah's statement,
[يَأْخُذُونَ عَرَضَ هَـذَا الاٌّدْنَى]
(they chose (for themselves) the goods of this low life) "This, by Allah, is an evil generation,
[وَرِثُواْ الْكِتَـبَ]
(which inherited the Book) after their Prophets and Messengers, for they were entrusted with this job by Allah's command to them. Allah said in another Ayah,
[فَخَلَفَ مِن بَعْدِهِمْ خَلْفٌ أَضَاعُواْ الصَّلَـوةَ]
(Then, there has succeeded them a posterity who neglect the Salah (the prayers).) [19:59] Allah said next,
[يَأْخُذُونَ عَرَضَ هَـذَا الاٌّدْنَى وَيَقُولُونَ سَيُغْفَرُ لَنَا]
(They chose the goods of this low life saying: "(Everything) will be forgiven to us.'') They wish and hope from Allah, while deceiving themselves,
[وَإِن يَأْتِهِمْ عَرَضٌ مِّثْلُهُ يَأْخُذُوهُ]
(And if (again) the offer of the like came their way, they would (again) seize them.) Nothing stops them from this behavior, for whenever they are given an opportunity in this life, they will consume regardless of it being allowed or not.'' As-Suddi said about Allah's statement,
[فَخَلَفَ مِن بَعْدِهِمْ خَلْفٌ]
(Then after them succeeded an (evil) generation) until,
[وَدَرَسُواْ مَا فِيهِ]
(and they have studied what is in it (the Book).) "Every time the Children of Israel appointed a judge, he used to take bribes. The best ones among them held a counsel and took covenants from each that they would not take bribes. However, when one of them would take bribes in return for judgment and was asked, `What is the matter with you; you take a bribe to grant judgment', he replied, `I will be forgiven.' So the rest of his people would admonish him for what he did. But when he died, or was replaced, the one who replaced him would take bribes too. Therefore, Allah says, if the others (who admonished him) would have a chance to loot this world, they will take it.''' Allah said,
[أَلَمْ يُؤْخَذْ عَلَيْهِم مِّيثَاقُ الْكِتَـبِ أَن لاَّ يِقُولُواْ عَلَى اللَّهِ إِلاَّ الْحَقَّ]
(Was not the covenant of the Book taken from them that they would not say about Allah anything but the truth) thus, admonishing them for this behavior. Allah took a pledge from them that they would declare the truth to people and not hide it. Allah said in another Ayah,
[وَإِذْ أَخَذَ اللَّهُ مِيثَـقَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ الْكِتَـبَ لَتُبَيِّنُنَّهُ لِلنَّاسِ وَلاَ تَكْتُمُونَهُ فَنَبَذُوهُ وَرَآءَ ظُهُورِهِمْ وَاشْتَرَوْاْ بِهِ ثَمَناً قَلِيلاً فَبِئْسَ مَا يَشْتَرُونَ ]
((And remember) when Allah took a covenant from those who were given the Scripture to make it known and clear to mankind, and not to hide it, but they threw it away behind their backs, and purchased with it some miserable gain! And indeed worst is that which they bought) [3:187]. Ibn Jurayj said that Ibn `Abbas said about the Ayah,
[أَلَمْ يُؤْخَذْ عَلَيْهِم مِّيثَاقُ الْكِتَـبِ أَن لاَّ يِقُولُواْ عَلَى اللَّهِ إِلاَّ الْحَقَّ]
(Was not the covenant of the Book taken from them that they would not say about Allah anything but the truth), "Their claim that Allah will forgive the sins they keep committing without repenting from them.'' Allah said,
[وَالدَّارُ الاٌّخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ لِّلَّذِينَ يَتَّقُونَ أَفَلاَ تَعْقِلُونَ]
(And the home in the Hereafter is better for those who have Taqwa Do not you then understand) Encouraging them to seek Allah's tremendous reward and warning them against His severe torment. Allah says here, `My reward and what I have are better for those who avoid prohibitions, abandon lusts and become active in the obedience of their Lord.'
[أَفَلاَ تَعْقِلُونَ]
(Do not you then understand) Allah says' Do not these people, who preferred this life instead of what is with Me, have any sense to prohibit them from their foolish and extravagant ways' Allah then praises those who adhere to His Book, which directs them to follow His Messenger Muhammad ,
[وَالَّذِينَ يُمَسِّكُونَ بِالْكِتَـبِ]
(And as to those who hold fast to the Book) adhere to it, implement its commands and refrain from its prohibitions,
[وَأَقَامُواْ الصَّلَوةَ إِنَّا لاَ نُضِيعُ أَجْرَ الْمُصْلِحِينَ]
(and perform the Salah, certainly We shall never waste the reward of those who do righteous deeds.)
