Surah Al-Baqarah — Verse 95

Word Meanings:

• Yatamannawnahu (يَتَمَنَّوْهُ): They wish for it or desire it — referring to death.
• Bimā qaddamat aydīhim (بِمَا قَدَّمَتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ): Because of what their hands have sent forth — meaning the deeds they have committed, especially their evil actions. The "hand" is mentioned because most human actions are carried out by it, symbolizing their earned sins.
• Al-Ẓālimīn (الظَّالِمِينَ): The wrongdoers, the unjust — those who transgress against Allah’s commands and harm themselves through disbelief and sin.

Tafsir (Explanation):

In this verse, Allah — the Most High — declares that the Jews who claimed to be the beloved of Allah and the exclusive dwellers of Paradise will never wish for death, not even for a single moment. Why? Because they know deep within themselves that their claim is a lie. They are fully aware of the truth of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the revelation he brought, yet they rejected him out of arrogance and envy. Their own conscience testifies against them.

Moreover, they will never wish for death because of what their hands have sent forth — their accumulated sins of disbelief in Allah, their distortion of the sacred scriptures, their killing of the prophets, and their persistent disobedience. They know that if they were to die and stand before their Lord, they would face a severe reckoning and the fire of Hell. So, despite their boastful claims, they cling desperately to this worldly life, fearing what awaits them in the Hereafter.

Then Allah concludes with a powerful statement: "And Allah is All-Knowing of the wrongdoers." This is a stern warning and a threat. Allah knows every injustice, every act of transgression, and every hidden intention. Nothing escapes His knowledge. He will certainly recompense every wrongdoer according to their deeds — whether they are from the Jews or any other people. This verse serves as a reassurance to the believers that justice will prevail, and as a dire warning to those who persist in oppression and disbelief.

Da'wah Reflection:

Dear reader, reflect on this profound truth: the enemies of truth know the truth, yet they run away from it because they fear its consequences. But the believer — who embraces faith with sincerity — has nothing to fear from death, for it is a gateway to eternal bliss in the presence of the Most Merciful. Allah invites you today to be among those who long for His meeting, not out of despair, but out of love and hope. Purify your deeds, correct your intentions, and let your life be a journey toward His pleasure. For Allah knows all — and He is the Best of Judges.