Surah Al-Maidah — Verse 78

Word Meanings:

• لُعِنَ (Lu'ina): They were cursed, meaning they were cast out from Allah's mercy and grace.
• عَلَىٰ لِسَانِ دَاوُودَ وَعِيسَى ابْنِ مَرْيَمَ: On the tongue of David and Jesus, son of Mary — meaning the curse was pronounced through the words revealed in their scriptures (the Zabur and the Injeel).
• عَصَوا (Asaw): They disobeyed — they transgressed against Allah's commands and rebelled against His laws.
• يَعْتَدُونَ (Ya'tadun): They exceeded the limits — they committed aggression against the sacred boundaries set by Allah, oppressing others and violating His prohibitions.

Explanation of the Verse:

In this profound verse, Allah informs us of a sobering reality: those who rejected faith among the Children of Israel were cast out of Allah's mercy — a curse that was recorded and proclaimed through the tongues of two mighty prophets: Prophet Dawud (David, peace be upon him) and Prophet 'Isa ibn Maryam (Jesus, son of Mary, peace be upon him). This curse was not a mere verbal expression of anger; rather, it was a divine decree of expulsion from Allah's mercy, inscribed in the scriptures revealed to these noble messengers — the Zabur (Psalms) given to Dawud and the Injeel (Gospel) given to 'Isa.

The verse then reveals the root cause of this severe punishment: "That was because they disobeyed and used to transgress." Their disobedience was not a one-time slip or a minor error — it was a persistent pattern of rebellion against Allah's commands. They broke the covenant, distorted the truth, killed the prophets, took usury, and consumed what was forbidden. Their transgression went beyond personal sin; they actively violated the sacred limits of Allah, oppressing others and spreading corruption on earth.

Some scholars of tafsir explain that the curse on the tongue of Dawud specifically referred to the people of Aylah who violated the Sabbath — they were transformed into apes as a punishment. The curse on the tongue of 'Isa referred to those who rejected the truth after the miracle of the heavenly table (al-Ma'idah) — they were transformed into swine. Both punishments were direct consequences of their persistent disobedience and their aggression against Allah's boundaries.

A Call to Reflection and Action:

This verse carries a timeless lesson for all of humanity. It teaches us that Allah's mercy is vast and all-encompassing, but it is not granted to those who persist in arrogance and rebellion. The Children of Israel were a chosen nation, blessed with prophets and divine books, yet their disobedience led them to lose that privilege. How much more careful must we be, as followers of the final Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), to hold fast to obedience and avoid transgression?

The beauty of Islam lies in its balance: we are taught to fear Allah's punishment while hoping for His mercy. This verse reminds us that sin, when left unchecked, accumulates and hardens the heart until it becomes a barrier between the servant and his Lord. But the door of repentance remains open — Allah says in another verse: *"Say, O My servants who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful"* (Az-Zumar 39:53).

Let us take heed from the fate of those who came before us. Let us not be among those who hear the truth but turn away, or who know the right path but choose otherwise. Instead, let us be among those who submit wholeheartedly to Allah, who respect His boundaries, and who strive to embody righteousness in every aspect of our lives. For the one who obeys Allah and stays within His limits will find mercy, honor, and success in this world and the Hereafter — while the one who persists in transgression will face the consequences, as these nations did before us.

May Allah protect us from disobedience and transgression, and may He grant us the strength to remain steadfast on His straight path. Ameen.