Surah Baqarah ayat 213 Tafsir Quran 2:213

﴿كَانَ النَّاسُ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً فَبَعَثَ اللَّهُ النَّبِيِّينَ مُبَشِّرِينَ وَمُنذِرِينَ وَأَنزَلَ مَعَهُمُ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ لِيَحْكُمَ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ فِيمَا اخْتَلَفُوا فِيهِ ۚ وَمَا اخْتَلَفَ فِيهِ إِلَّا الَّذِينَ أُوتُوهُ مِن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَتْهُمُ الْبَيِّنَاتُ بَغْيًا بَيْنَهُمْ ۖ فَهَدَى اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لِمَا اخْتَلَفُوا فِيهِ مِنَ الْحَقِّ بِإِذْنِهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ يَهْدِي مَن يَشَاءُ إِلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ﴾
[ البقرة: 213]

2:213 Mankind was [of] one religion [before their deviation]; then Allah sent the prophets as bringers of good tidings and warners and sent down with them the Scripture in truth to judge between the people concerning that in which they differed. And none differed over the Scripture except those who were given it - after the clear proofs came to them - out of jealous animosity among themselves. And Allah guided those who believed to the truth concerning that over which they had differed, by His permission. And Allah guides whom He wills to a straight path.

People were one community in faith but they fell into disagreement and some believed while others disbelieved; then God sent forth the prophets to them as bearers of good tidings of Paradise for the believers and warners of the Fire for the disbelievers; and He revealed with them the Scripture meaning the Books with the truth bi’l-haqqi ‘with the truth’ is semantically connected to anzala ‘He revealed’ that He might decide according to it between people regarding their differences in religion; and only those who had been given it the Scripture so that some believed while others disbelieved differed about it about religion after the clear proofs the manifest arguments for God’s Oneness had come to them min of min ba‘di ‘after’ is semantically connected to ikhtalafa ‘they differed’ and together with what follows should be understood as coming before the exception illā lladhīna ‘only those’; out of insolence on the part of the disbelievers one to another; then God guided those who believed to the truth regarding which min of min al-haqqi ‘of the truth’ here is explicative they were at variance by His leave by His will; and God guides with His guidance whomever He will to a straight path the path of truth.

Mankind was a single ‘Ummah (Nation) of common descent occupying a definite territory. By natural generation, numbers multiplied and were scattered in various directions and became disunited emotionally and mentally. There and then Allah sent Prophets as a spectacle and warning to all. He equipped them with the Book of Truth guiding into all truth in order to judge between people regarding issues of reason. Yet those who disputed its precepts were the same who were given the Book (Ahl Al-Kitab) imparting enough signs guiding them into illumination and mental enlightenment. But they were no longer disposed to the truth due to their mutual enmity and malignant intention. Nonetheless, Allah will guide the truth-seeking believers to His path. Allah guides whom He will to the path of righteousness

Disputing, after the Clear Signs have come, indicates Deviation Ibn Jarir reported that Ibn `Abbas said, "There were ten generations between Adam and Nuh, all of them on the religion of Truth.
They later disputed so Allah sent the Prophets as warners and bringers of glad tidings." He then said that this is how `Abdullah read the Ayah: كَانَ النَّاسُ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً فَاخْتَلَفُوا The people were one Ummah and they then disputed. Al-Hakim recorded this in his Mustadrak and said, "Its chain of narrators is Sahih, but they ( Al-Bukhari and Muslim ) did not record it." Abu Ja`far Razi reported that Abu Al-`Aliyah said that Ubayy bin Ka`b read the Ayah as: كَانَ النَّاسُ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً فَاخْتَلَفُوا فَبَعَثَ اللهُ النَّبِيِّينَ مُبَشِّرِينَ وُمُنْذِرِينَ The people were one Ummah and they then disputed and Allah sent the Prophets as warners and bringers of glad tidings. `Abdur-Razzaq said that Ma`mar said that Qatadah said that Allah's statement: كَانَ النَّاسُ أُمَّةً وَحِدَةً ( Mankind was one community ) means; "They all had the guidance.
Then: فَاخْتَلَفُوا فَبَعَثَ اللهُ النَّبِيِّينَ They disputed and Allah sent Prophets. The first to be sent was Nuh." `Abdur-Razzaq reported that Abu Hurayrah commented on: فَهَدَى اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لِمَا اخْتَلَفُواْ فِيهِ مِنَ الْحَقِّ بِإِذْنِهِ ( Then Allah by His leave guided those who believed to the truth of that wherein they differed.
) saying that the Prophet said:
«نَحْنُ الآخِرُونَ الْأَوَّلُونَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ، نَحْنُ أَوَّلُ النَّاسِ دُخُولًا الْجَنَّــةَ، بَيْدَ أَنَّهُم أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ مِنْ قَبْلِنا وأُوتِينَاهُ مِن بَعْدِهِمْ، فَهَداَنا اللهُ لِمَا اخْتَلَفُوا فِيهِ مِنَ الْحَقَّ بِإِذْنِهِ، فَهَذَا الْيَوْمُ الَّذِي اخْتَلَفُوا فِيهِ فَهَدَانَا اللهُ لَهُ، فَالنَّاسُ لَنَا فِيهِ تَبَعٌ، فَغدًا لِلْيَهُودِ، وَبَعْدَ غَدٍ لِلنَّصَارَى»
( We are the last (nation ), but the first ( foremost ) on the Day of Resurrection.
We are the first people to enter Paradise, although they ( Jews and Christians ) have been given the Book before us and we after them.
Allah has guided us to the truth wherever they disputed over it.
This is the day ( Friday ) that they disputed about, Allah guided us to it.
So, the people follow us, as tomorrow is for the Jews and the day after is for the Christians.) Ibn Wahb related that `Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam said that his father said about the Ayah: فَهَدَى اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لِمَا اخْتَلَفُواْ فِيهِ مِنَ الْحَقِّ بِإِذْنِهِ ( Then Allah by His leave guided those who believed to the truth of that wherein they differed. ) They disputed about the day of Congregation ( Friday ).
The Jews made it Saturday while the Christians chose Sunday.
Allah guided the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ to Friday.
They also disputed about the true Qiblah.
The Christians faced the east while the Jews faced Bayt Al-Maqdis.
Allah guided the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ to the true Qiblah ( Ka`bah in Makkah ).
They also disputed about the prayer, as some of them bow down, but do not prostrate, while others prostrate, but do not bow down.
Some of them pray while talking and some while walking.
Allah guided the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ to the truth.
They also disputed about the fast; some of them fast during a part of the day, while others fast from certain types of foods.
Allah guided the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ to the truth.
They also disputed about Ibrahim.
The Jews said, `He was a Jew,' while the Christians considered him Christian.
Allah has made him a Haniyfan Musliman.
Allah has guided the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ to the truth. They also disputed about `Isa.
The Jews rejected him and accused his mother of a grave sin, while the Christians made him a god and the son of God.
Allah made him by His Word and a spirit from ( those He created ) Him.
Allah guided the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ to the truth." Allah then said: بِإِذْنِهِ ( ...by His leave ) meaning, `By His knowledge of them and by what He has directed and guided them to,' according to Ibn Jarir.
Also: وَاللَّهُ يَهْدِى مَن يَشَآءُ ( And Allah guides whom He wills ) means from among His creation.
( Allah said: ) إِلَى صِرَطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ ( ...to the straight way ) meaning, He commands the decision and the clear proof.
Al-Bukhari and Muslim reported that `A'ishah narrated that when Allah's Messenger used to wake up at night to pray, he would say:
«اللَّهُمَّ ربَّ جِبْرَائِيلَ وَمِيكَائِيلَ وَإِسْرَافِيلَ، فَاطِرَ السَّموَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ، عَالِمَ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ، أَنْتَ تَحْكُمُ بيْنَ عِبَادِكَ فِيمَا كَانُوا فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ، اهْدِنِي لِمَا اخْتُلِفَ فِيهِ مِنَ الْحَقِّ بِإِذْنِكَ، إِنَّكَ تَهْدِي مَنْ تَشَاءُ إِلى صِرَاطٍ مُسْتَقِيم»
( O Allah, the Lord of (angels ) Jibril, Mika'il and Israfil, Creator of the heavens and earth and Knower of the seen and the unseen.
You judge between Your servants regarding what they have disputed in, so guide me to what have been the subject of dispute of the truth by Your leave.
Indeed, You guide whom You will to the straight path.( A Du`a reads:
«اللَّهُمَّ أَرِنَا الْحَقَّ حَقًّا، وَارْزُقْنَا اتِّبَاعَهُ، وَأَرِنَا الْبَاطِلَ بَاطِلًا، وَارْزُقْنَا اجْتنِاَبَهُ، وَلَا تَجْعَلْهُ مُلْتَبِسًا عَلَيْنَا فَنَضِلَّ، وَاجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا»
( O Allah! Show us the truth as truth, and bestow adherence to it on us.
Show us the evil as evil, and make us stay away from it, and do not confuse us regarding the reality of evil so that we will not be led astray by it, and make us leaders for the believers. )

(2:213) In the beginning all the people followed the same way. (Afterwards there came a change and differences arose). Then Allah sent Prophets to give good tidings to those who followed the Right Way and warnings to those who swerved from it. And He sent down with them the Book based on the Truth so that it should judge between the people concerning their differences. (Differences arose not because people were not given the knowledge of the Truth in the beginning, nay), differences arose between those very people who had been given clear teachings, and (for no other reasons than that) they wanted to tyrannize over one another. *230 So Allah, by His leave, guided those who believed in the Prophets to the Truth about which they had differed; AIIah guides whomever He pleases to the Right Way.

Mankind was [of] one religion [before their meaning

*230).
When ignorant people attempt to trace the history of 'religion' they tend to the view that man began his life in the darkness of polytheisrn and that in the course of time, corresponding to man's progress, this darkness gradually receded and light increased till man arrived at monotheism.

The Qur'anic version, however, proclaims that man began his life in full light of the Truth.
God revealed this Truth to the very first man He created, one to whom He intimated the right way of life for man.
Thereafter the human race remained on the Right Way for some time and lived as one community.
Later, however, people invented deviating ways.
This did not happen because Truth had not been communicated to them.
The cause was rather that some people wilfully sought to acquire privileges, benefits and advantages beyond their legitimate limits, and thus subjected others to injustices.
It was in order to enable people to overcome this corruption that God sent His Prophets.
These Prophets were not sent to found separate religions in their own names and bring new religious communities into existence.
Rather the purpose of the Prophets was to illuminate before people the Truth which they had allowed to be lost, and once again make them into one community.

 

Disputing, after the Clear Signs have come, indicates Deviation Ibn Jarir reported that Ibn `Abbas said, "There were ten generations between Adam and Nuh, all of them on the religion of Truth.
They later disputed so Allah sent the Prophets as warners and bringers of glad tidings." He then said that this is how `Abdullah read the Ayah: كَانَ النَّاسُ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً فَاخْتَلَفُوا The people were one Ummah and they then disputed. Al-Hakim recorded this in his Mustadrak and said, "Its chain of narrators is Sahih, but they ( Al-Bukhari and Muslim ) did not record it." Abu Ja`far Razi reported that Abu Al-`Aliyah said that Ubayy bin Ka`b read the Ayah as: كَانَ النَّاسُ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً فَاخْتَلَفُوا فَبَعَثَ اللهُ النَّبِيِّينَ مُبَشِّرِينَ وُمُنْذِرِينَ The people were one Ummah and they then disputed and Allah sent the Prophets as warners and bringers of glad tidings. `Abdur-Razzaq said that Ma`mar said that Qatadah said that Allah's statement: كَانَ النَّاسُ أُمَّةً وَحِدَةً ( Mankind was one community ) means; "They all had the guidance.
Then: فَاخْتَلَفُوا فَبَعَثَ اللهُ النَّبِيِّينَ They disputed and Allah sent Prophets. The first to be sent was Nuh." `Abdur-Razzaq reported that Abu Hurayrah commented on: فَهَدَى اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لِمَا اخْتَلَفُواْ فِيهِ مِنَ الْحَقِّ بِإِذْنِهِ ( Then Allah by His leave guided those who believed to the truth of that wherein they differed.
) saying that the Prophet said: «نَحْنُ الآخِرُونَ الْأَوَّلُونَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ، نَحْنُ أَوَّلُ النَّاسِ دُخُولًا الْجَنَّــةَ، بَيْدَ أَنَّهُم أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ مِنْ قَبْلِنا وأُوتِينَاهُ مِن بَعْدِهِمْ، فَهَداَنا اللهُ لِمَا اخْتَلَفُوا فِيهِ مِنَ الْحَقَّ بِإِذْنِهِ، فَهَذَا الْيَوْمُ الَّذِي اخْتَلَفُوا فِيهِ فَهَدَانَا اللهُ لَهُ، فَالنَّاسُ لَنَا فِيهِ تَبَعٌ، فَغدًا لِلْيَهُودِ، وَبَعْدَ غَدٍ لِلنَّصَارَى» ( We are the last (nation ), but the first ( foremost ) on the Day of Resurrection.
We are the first people to enter Paradise, although they ( Jews and Christians ) have been given the Book before us and we after them.
Allah has guided us to the truth wherever they disputed over it.
This is the day ( Friday ) that they disputed about, Allah guided us to it.
So, the people follow us, as tomorrow is for the Jews and the day after is for the Christians.) Ibn Wahb related that `Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam said that his father said about the Ayah: فَهَدَى اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لِمَا اخْتَلَفُواْ فِيهِ مِنَ الْحَقِّ بِإِذْنِهِ ( Then Allah by His leave guided those who believed to the truth of that wherein they differed. ) They disputed about the day of Congregation ( Friday ).
The Jews made it Saturday while the Christians chose Sunday.
Allah guided the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ to Friday.
They also disputed about the true Qiblah.
The Christians faced the east while the Jews faced Bayt Al-Maqdis.
Allah guided the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ to the true Qiblah ( Ka`bah in Makkah ).
They also disputed about the prayer, as some of them bow down, but do not prostrate, while others prostrate, but do not bow down.
Some of them pray while talking and some while walking.
Allah guided the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ to the truth.
They also disputed about the fast; some of them fast during a part of the day, while others fast from certain types of foods.
Allah guided the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ to the truth.
They also disputed about Ibrahim.
The Jews said, `He was a Jew,' while the Christians considered him Christian.
Allah has made him a Haniyfan Musliman.
Allah has guided the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ to the truth. They also disputed about `Isa.
The Jews rejected him and accused his mother of a grave sin, while the Christians made him a god and the son of God.
Allah made him by His Word and a spirit from ( those He created ) Him.
Allah guided the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ to the truth." Allah then said: بِإِذْنِهِ ( ...by His leave ) meaning, `By His knowledge of them and by what He has directed and guided them to,' according to Ibn Jarir.
Also: وَاللَّهُ يَهْدِى مَن يَشَآءُ ( And Allah guides whom He wills ) means from among His creation.
( Allah said: ) إِلَى صِرَطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ ( ...to the straight way ) meaning, He commands the decision and the clear proof.
Al-Bukhari and Muslim reported that `A'ishah narrated that when Allah's Messenger used to wake up at night to pray, he would say: «اللَّهُمَّ ربَّ جِبْرَائِيلَ وَمِيكَائِيلَ وَإِسْرَافِيلَ، فَاطِرَ السَّموَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ، عَالِمَ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ، أَنْتَ تَحْكُمُ بيْنَ عِبَادِكَ فِيمَا كَانُوا فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ، اهْدِنِي لِمَا اخْتُلِفَ فِيهِ مِنَ الْحَقِّ بِإِذْنِكَ، إِنَّكَ تَهْدِي مَنْ تَشَاءُ إِلى صِرَاطٍ مُسْتَقِيم» ( O Allah, the Lord of (angels ) Jibril, Mika'il and Israfil, Creator of the heavens and earth and Knower of the seen and the unseen.
You judge between Your servants regarding what they have disputed in, so guide me to what have been the subject of dispute of the truth by Your leave.
Indeed, You guide whom You will to the straight path.( A Du`a reads: «اللَّهُمَّ أَرِنَا الْحَقَّ حَقًّا، وَارْزُقْنَا اتِّبَاعَهُ، وَأَرِنَا الْبَاطِلَ بَاطِلًا، وَارْزُقْنَا اجْتنِاَبَهُ، وَلَا تَجْعَلْهُ مُلْتَبِسًا عَلَيْنَا فَنَضِلَّ، وَاجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا» ( O Allah! Show us the truth as truth, and bestow adherence to it on us.
Show us the evil as evil, and make us stay away from it, and do not confuse us regarding the reality of evil so that we will not be led astray by it, and make us leaders for the believers. )

( Mankind were ) in the times of Noah and Abraham ( one community ) of disbelievers; as it is said that this means: there were in the time of Abraham followers of the true Religion ( Muslims ), ( and Allah sent Prophets ) from the children of Noah and Abraham ( as bearers of good tidings ) of Paradise for whoever believes in Allah ( and as warners ) from hell for whoever does not believe in Allah, ( and revealed therewith the Scripture ) He sent down Gabriel to them with the Scripture, ( with the Truth ) expositing what is true and what is false ( that it might judge ) so that each prophet would judge by his Scripture ( between mankind concerning that wherein they differed ) in Religion; it is also said that this means: so that the Scripture is used as a final authority; and it is also said that this means: so that the Prophet Muhammad ( pbuh ) rules them by the Scripture. ( And only those unto whom (the Scripture ) was given differed concerning it) concerning the Religion and Muhammad ( pbuh ) ( after clear proofs had come unto them ) clear proofs from their own Scripture, ( through hatred one of another ) out of resentful envy from their part and this is why they disbelieved in it. ( And Allah by His will guided those who believe ) by means of the prophets ( unto the Truth of that concerning which they differed ) in Religion. It is also said that this means: Allah protected the believers by means of the prophets from that which they differed over in matters of Religion, and directed them from falsehood to the Truth. ( Allah guideth whom He will ) whomever deserves it; and it is also said that this means: Allah holds firm whomever He wills by His grace and will ( unto a straight path ) unto an established religion that He is pleased with.

Mankind were one community and Allah sent Prophets with glad tidings and warnings, and with them He sent the Scripture in truth to judge between people in matters wherein they differed. And only those to whom (the Scripture) was given differed concerning it after clear proofs had come unto them through hatred, one to another. Then Allah by His Leave guided those who believed to the truth of that wherein they differed. And Allah guides whom He wills to a Straight Path.

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