Surah Maidah ayat 26 Tafsir Quran 5:26

﴿قَالَ فَإِنَّهَا مُحَرَّمَةٌ عَلَيْهِمْ ۛ أَرْبَعِينَ سَنَةً ۛ يَتِيهُونَ فِي الْأَرْضِ ۚ فَلَا تَأْسَ عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْفَاسِقِينَ﴾
[ المائدة: 26]

5:26 [Allah] said, "Then indeed, it is forbidden to them for forty years [in which] they will wander throughout the land. So do not grieve over the defiantly disobedient people."

He God exalted be He said to him ‘Then it the Holy Land shall be forbidden them to enter for forty years; they shall wander lost bewildered in the land — according to Ibn ‘Abbās this land was about nine parasangs sc. 30 miles; so do not grieve for the wicked folk’. It is reported that they would travel throughout the night earnestly but in the morning would find themselves back where they had started. And they would travel all day with the same result until they all perished except those under twenty years of age. It is said that they numbered 600000. Moses and Aaron died in the wilderness and this was a mercy for them and a chastisement for those others. When Moses was on the verge of death he asked his Lord to bring him close to the Holy Land to within a stone’s throw and He did as related in hadīth. Joshua became a prophet sometime after his fortieth year and he was commanded to fight against the giants. So he sallied forth with those that remained by his side and he fought against them; it was a Friday and the sun stopped for him for an hour until he had finished with fighting them. Ahmad b. Hanbal reported in his Musnad the following hadīth ‘The sun was never detained for any human except for Joshua during those days in which he marched towards the Holy House of Jerusalem’.

In response Allah said: Forbidden unto them shall this land be for forty years, wandering restlessly not knowing where to go nor in quest shall they know of what, Therefore, do not grieve O Mussa over those who grow daily more and more wicked

Musa Reminds His People of Allah's Favors on Them; The Jews Refuse to Enter the Holy Land Allah states that His servant, Messenger, to whom He spoke directly, Musa, the son of `Imran, reminded his people that among the favors Allah granted them, is that He will give them all of the good of this life and the Hereafter, if they remain on the righteous and straight path.
Allah said, وَإِذْ قَالَ مُوسَى لِقَوْمِهِ يَـقَوْمِ اذْكُرُواْ نِعْمَةَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ جَعَلَ فِيكُمْ أَنْبِيَآءَ ( And (remember ) when Musa said to his people: "O my people! Remember the favor of Allah to you, when He made Prophets among you,) for whenever a Prophet died, another rose among them, from the time of their father Ibrahim and thereafter.
There were many Prophets among the Children of Israel calling to Allah and warning against His torment, until `Isa was sent as the final Prophet from the Children of Israel.
Allah then sent down the revelation to the Final Prophet and Messenger, Muhammad ﷺ, the son of `Abdullah, from the offspring of Isma`il, the son of Ibrahim, peace be upon them.
Muhammad is the most honorable Prophet of all times.
Allah said next, وَجَعَلَكُمْ مُّلُوكاً ( made you kings ) `Abdur-Razzaq recorded that Ibn `Abbas commented: "Having a servant, a wife and a house." In his Mustadrak, Al-Hakim recorded that Ibn `Abbas said, "A wife and a servant, and, a وَءَاتَـكُمْ مَّا لَمْ يُؤْتِ أَحَداً مِّن الْعَـلَمِينَ ( and gave you what He had not given to any other among the nations (`Alamin ).) means, during their time." Al-Hakim said, "Sahih according to the criteria of the Two Sahihs, but they did not collect it." Qatadah said, "They were the first people to take servants." A Hadith states,
«مَنْ أَصْبَحَ مِنْكُمْ مُعَافًى فِي جَسَدِهِ، آمِنًا فِي سِرْبِهِ، عِنْدَهُ قُوتُ يَوْمِهِ، فَكَأَنَّمَا حِيزَتْ لَهُ الدُّنْيَا بِحَذَافِيرِهَا»
( He among you who wakes up while healthy in body, safe in his family and having the provision for that very day, is as if the world and all that was in it were collected for him. ) Allah's statement, وَءَاتَـكُمْ مَّا لَمْ يُؤْتِ أَحَداً مِّن الْعَـلَمِينَ ( and gave you what He had not given to any other among the nations (Al-`Alamin ).) means, during your time, as we stated.
The Children of Israel were the most honorable among the people of their time, compared to the Greek, Copts and the rest of mankind.
Allah said in another Ayah, وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَا بَنِى إِسْرَءِيلَ الْكِتَـبَ وَالْحُكْمَ وَالنُّبُوَّةَ وَرَزَقْنَـهُمْ مِّنَ الطَّيِّبَـتِ وَفَضَّلْنَـهُمْ عَلَى الْعَـلَمينَ ( And indeed We gave the Children of Israel the Scripture, and the understanding of the Scripture and its laws, and the Prophethood; and provided them with good things, and preferred them above the nations (Al-`Alamin ).) Allah said, لَّهُمْ قَالُواْ يَمُوسَى اجْعَلْ لَّنَآ إِلَـهًا كَمَا لَهُمْ ءَالِهَةٌ قَالَ إِنَّكُمْ قَوْمٌ تَجْهَلُونَ إِنَّ هَـؤُلاءِ مُتَبَّرٌ مَّا هُمْ فِيهِ وَبَـطِلٌ مَّا كَانُواْ يَعْمَلُونَ - قَالَ أَغَيْرَ اللَّهِ أَبْغِيكُمْ إِلَـهًا وَهُوَ فَضَّلَكُمْ عَلَى الْعَـلَمِينَ ( They said: "O Musa! Make for us a god as they have gods." He said: "Verily, you are an ignorant people." Musa added: "Verily, these people will be destroyed for that which they are engaged in (idol worship )." And all that they are doing is in vain.
He said: "Shall I seek for you a god other than Allah, while He has given you superiority over the nations.") Therefore, they were the best among the people of their time.
The Muslim Ummah is more respected and honored before Allah, and has a more perfect legislative code and system of life, it has the most honorable Prophet, the larger kingdom, more provisions, wealth and children, a larger domain and more lasting glory than the Children of Israel.
Allah said, وَكَذَلِكَ جَعَلْنَـكُمْ أُمَّةً وَسَطًا لِّتَكُونُواْ شُهَدَآءَ عَلَى النَّاسِ ( Thus We have made you, a just (the best ) nation, that you be witnesses over mankind.) We mentioned the Mutawatir Hadiths about the honor of this Ummah and its status and honor with Allah, when we explained Allah's statement in Surah Al-`Imran ( 3 ), كُنتُمْ خَيْرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ ( You are the best of peoples ever raised up for mankind... ) Allah states next that Musa encouraged the Children of Israel to perform Jihad and enter Jerusalem, which was under their control during the time of their father Ya`qub.
Ya`qub and his children later moved with his children and household to Egypt during the time of Prophet Yusuf.
His offspring remained in Egypt until their exodus with Musa.
They found a mighty, strong people in Jerusalem who had previously taken it over.
Musa, Allah's Messenger, ordered the Children of Israel to enter Jerusalem and fight their enemy, and he promised them victory and triumph over the mighty people if they did so.
They declined, rebelled and defied his order and were punished for forty years by being lost, wandering in the land uncertain of where they should go.
This was their punishment for defying Allah's command.
Allah said that Musa ordered them to enter the Holy Land, الَّتِى كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ ( which Allah has assigned to you ) meaning, which Allah has promised to you by the words of your father Isra'il, that it is the inheritance of those among you who believe. وَلاَ تَرْتَدُّوا عَلَى أَدْبَـرِكُمْ ( and turn not back ) in flight from Jihad. فَتَنقَلِبُواْ خَـسِرِينَقَالُوا يَامُوسَى إِنَّ فِيهَا قَوْماً جَبَّارِينَ وَإِنَّا لَن نَّدْخُلَهَا حَتَّى يَخْرُجُواْ مِنْهَا فَإِن يَخْرُجُواْ مِنْهَا فَإِنَّا دَخِلُونَ ( ".
..for then you will be returned as losers." They said, "O Musa! In it are a people of great strength, and we shall never enter it, till they leave it; when they leave, then we will enter." ) Their excuse was this, in this very town you commanded us to enter and fight its people, there is a mighty, strong, vicious people who have tremendous physique and physical ability.
We are unable to stand against these people or fight them.
Therefore, they said, we are incapable of entering this city as long as they are still in it, but if they leave it, we will enter it.
Otherwise, we cannot stand against them. The Speeches of Yuwsha` ( Joshua ) and Kalib ( Caleb ) Allah said, قَالَ رَجُلاَنِ مِنَ الَّذِينَ يَخَافُونَ أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمَا ( Two men of those who feared (Allah and ) on whom Allah had bestowed His grace said...) When the Children of Israel declined to obey Allah and follow His Messenger Musa, two righteous men among them, on whom Allah had bestowed a great bounty and who were afraid of Allah and His punishment, encouraged them to go forward.
It was also said that the Ayah reads in a way that means that these men were respected and honored by their people.
These two men were Yuwsha`, the son of Nun, and Kalib, the son of Yufna, as Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, `Ikrimah, `Atiyyah, As-Suddi, Ar-Rabi` bin Anas and several other Salaf and latter scholars stated.
These two men said to their people, ادْخُلُواْ عَلَيْهِمُ الْبَابَ فَإِذَا دَخَلْتُمُوهُ فَإِنَّكُمْ غَـلِبُونَ وَعَلَى اللَّهِ فَتَوَكَّلُواْ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ ( "Assault them through the gate, for when you are in, victory will be yours.
And put your trust in Allah if you are believers indeed." ) Therefore, they said, if you rely on and trust in Allah, follow His command and obey His Messenger, then Allah will give you victory over your enemies and will give you triumph and dominance over them.
Thus, you will conquer the city that Allah has promised you.
This advice did not benefit them in the least, قَالُواْ يَـمُوسَى إِنَّا لَنْ نَّدْخُلَهَآ أَبَداً مَّا دَامُواْ فِيهَا فَاذْهَبْ أَنتَ وَرَبُّكَ فَقَاتِلا إِنَّا هَـهُنَا قَـعِدُونَ ( They said, "O Musa! We shall never enter it as long as they are there.
So go, you and your Lord, and fight you two, we are sitting right here." ) This is how they declined to join Jihad, defied their Messenger, and refused to fight their enemy. The Righteous Response of the Companions During the Battle of Badr Compare this to the better response the Companions gave to the Messenger of Allah during the battle of Badr, when he asked for their advice about fighting the Quraysh army that came to protect the caravan led by Abu Sufyan.
When the Muslim army missed the caravan and the Quraysh army, between nine hundred and one thousand strong, helmeted and drawing closer, Abu Bakr stood up and said something good.
Several more Muhajirin also spoke, all the while the Messenger of Allah saying,
«أشيروا علي أيها المسلمون»
( Advise me, O Muslims! ) inquiring of what the Ansar, the majority then, had to say.
Sa`d bin Mu`adh said, "It looks like you mean us, O Messenger of Allah! By He Who has sent you with the Truth! If you seek to cross this sea and went in it, we will follow you and none among us will remain behind.
We would not hate for you to lead us to meet our enemy tomorrow.
We are patient in war, vicious in battle.
May Allah allow you to witness from our efforts what comforts your eyes.
Therefore, march forward with the blessing of Allah." The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was pleased with the words of Sa`d and was encouraged to march on.
Abu Bakr bin Marduwyah recorded that Anas said that when the Messenger of Allah went to Badr, he asked the Muslims for their opinion, and `Umar gave his.
The Prophet again asked the Muslims for their opinion and the Ansar said, "O Ansar! It is you whom the Prophet wants to hear." They said, "We will never say as the Children of Israel said to Musa, فَاذْهَبْ أَنتَ وَرَبُّكَ فَقَاتِلا إِنَّا هَـهُنَا قَـعِدُونَ ( So go, you and your Lord, and fight you two, we are sitting right here. ) By He Who has sent you with the Truth! If you took the camels to Bark Al-Ghimad ( near Makkah ) we shall follow you." Imam Ahmad, An-Nasa'i and Ibn Hibban also recorded this Hadith.
In the Book of Al-Maghazi and At-Tafsir, Al-Bukhari recorded that `Abdullah bin Mas`ud said, "On the day of Badr, Al-Miqdad said, `O Messenger of Allah! We will never say to you what the Children of Israel said to Musa, فَاذْهَبْ أَنتَ وَرَبُّكَ فَقَاتِلا إِنَّا هَـهُنَا قَـعِدُونَ ( So go, you and your Lord, and fight you two, we are sitting right here. ) Rather, march on and we will be with you.' The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was satisfied after hearing this statement." Musa Supplicates to Allah Against the Jews Musa said, قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّى لا أَمْلِكُ إِلاَّ نَفْسِى وَأَخِى فَافْرُقْ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَ الْقَوْمِ الْفَـسِقِينَ ( "O my Lord! I have power only over myself and my brother, so separate us from the rebellious people!" ) When the Children of Israel refused to fight, Musa became very angry with them and supplicated to Allah against them, رَبِّ إِنِّى لا أَمْلِكُ إِلاَّ نَفْسِى وَأَخِى ( O my Lord! I have power only over myself and my brother' ) meaning, only I and my brother Harun among them will obey, implement Allah's command and accept the call, فَافْرُقْ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَ الْقَوْمِ الْفَـسِقِينَ ( So Ifruq us from the rebellious people! ) Al-`Awfi reported that Ibn `Abbas said, "Meaning, judge between us and them." `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported similarly from him.
Ad-Dahhak said that the Ayah means, "Judge and decide between us and them." Other scholars said that the Ayah means, "Separate between us and them." Forbidding the Jews from Entering the Holy Land for Forty Years Allah said, فَإِنَّهَا مُحَرَّمَةٌ عَلَيْهِمْ أَرْبَعِينَ سَنَةً يَتِيهُونَ فِى الاٌّرْضِ ( Therefore it is forbidden to them for forty years; in distraction they will wander through the land. ) When Musa supplicated against the Jews for refusing to fight in Jihad, Allah forbade them from entering the land for forty years.
They wandered about lost in the land of At-Tih, unable to find their way out.
During this time, tremendous miracles occurred, such as the clouds that shaded them and the manna and quails Allah sent down for them.
Allah brought forth water springs from solid rock, and the other miracles that He aided Musa bin `Imran with.
During this time, the Tawrah was revealed and the Law was established for the Children of Israel and the Tabernacle of the Covenant was erected. Conquering Jerusalem Allah's statement, أَرْبَعِينَ سَنَةً ( for forty years; ) defines, يَتِيهُونَ فِى الاٌّرْضِ ( in distraction they will wander through the land. ) When these years ended, Yuwsha` bin Nun led those who remained among them and the second generation, and laid siege to Jerusalem, conquering it on a Friday afternoon.
When the sun was about to set and Yuwsha` feared that the Sabbath would begin, he said ( to the sun ), "You are commanded and I am commanded, as well.
O Allah! Make it stop setting for me." Allah made the sun stop setting until Yuwsha` bin Nun conquered Jerusalem.
Next, Allah commanded Yuwsha` to order the Children of Israel to enter Jerusalem from its gate while bowing and saying Hittah, meaning, `remove our sins.' Yet, they changed what they were commanded and entered it while dragging themselves on their behinds and saying, `Habbah ( a seed ) in Sha`rah ( a hair )." We mentioned all of this in the Tafsir of Surat Al-Baqarah.
Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Ibn `Abbas commented, فَإِنَّهَا مُحَرَّمَةٌ عَلَيْهِمْ أَرْبَعِينَ سَنَةً يَتِيهُونَ فِى الاٌّرْضِ ( Therefore it is forbidden to them for forty years; in distraction they will wander through the land. ) "They wandered in the land for forty years, during which Musa and Harun died, as well as everyone above forty years of age.
When the forty years ended, Yuwsha` son of Nun assumed their leadership and later conquered Jerusalem.
When Yuwsha` was reminded that the day was Friday and the sun was about to set, while they were still attacking Jerusalem, he feared that the Sabbath might begin.
Therefore, he said to the sun, `I am commanded and you are commanded.' Allah made the sun stop setting and the Jews conquered Jerusalem and found wealth unseen before.
They wanted to let the fire consume the booty, but the fire would not do that.
Yuwsha` said, `Some of you have committed theft from the booty.' So he summoned the twelve leaders of the twelve tribes and took the pledge from them.
Then, the hand of one of them became stuck to the hand of Yuwsha` and Yuwsha` said, `You committed the theft, so bring it forth.' So, that man brought a cow's head made of gold with two eyes made of precious stones and a set of teeth made of pearls.
When Yuwsha` added it to the booty, the fire consumed it, as they were prohibited to keep the booty." There is evidence supporting all of this in the Sahih. Allah Comforts Musa Conforting Musa, Allah said فَلاَ تَأْسَ عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْفَـسِقِينَ ( So do not greive for the rebellious people. ) Allah said: Do not feel sorrow or sadness over My judgment against them, for they deserve such judgment.
This story chastises the Jews, exposes their defiance of Allah and His Messenger, and their refusal to obey the order for Jihad.
They were weak and could not bear the thought of fighting their enemy, being patient, and enduring this way.
This occurred although they had the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and the one whom He spoke to among them, the best of Allah's creation that time.
Their Prophet promised them triumph and victory against their enemies.
They also witnessed the torment and punishment of drowning with which Allah punished their enemy Fir`awn and his soldiers, so that their eyes were pleased and comforted.
All this did not happen too long ago, yet they refused to perform Jihad against people who had less than a tenth of the power and strength than the people of Egypt had.
Therefore, the evil works of the Jews were exposed to everyone, and the exposure was such an enormous one that the night, or the tail, can never cover its tracks.
They were also blinded by their ignorance and transgression.
Thus, they became hated by Allah, and they became His enemies.
Yet, they claim that they are Allah's children and His loved ones! May Allah curse their faces that were transformed to the shape of swine and apes, and may Allah's curse accompany them to the raging Fire.
May Allah make them abide in the Fire for eternity, and He did; all thanks are due to Him.

(5:26) Allah said: 'This land will now be forbidden to them for forty years and they will remain wandering about on the earth. *46 Do not grieve over the condition of these transgressing people. *47

[Allah] said, "Then indeed, it is forbidden meaning

*46).
The details of this incident are found in the Bible in Numbers, Deuteronomy and Joshua.
The essence of the story is that Moses sent twelve heads of Israel to spy out Palestine.
They returned after forty days and said: 'We came to the land to which you sent us; it flows with milk and honey.
Yet the people who dwell in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large; and besides, we saw the descendants of Anak there .
.
.
and all the people that we saw in it are men of great stature.
And there we saw the Nephilim ( the sons of Anak, who come from the Nephilim ); and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them.' Then all the congregation cried out: 'Would that we had died in the land of Egypt; or would that we had died in this wilderness; why does the Lord bring us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become a prey; would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?' At this they were censured for cowardice by two of the twelve heads who had spied out Palestine, Joshua and Caleb.
Caleb suggested that they should go and seize Palestine.
Then both of them said: 'If the Lord delights in us, He will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land which flows with milk and honey.
Only do not rebel against the Lord; and do not fear the people of the land ...
for the Lord is with us; do not fear them' ( Numbers 14: 1-9 ).
But the congregation responded to this by crying out that both ought to be stoned.
This so provoked the wrath of God that He commanded that their bodies would fall dead in the wilderness and that of all their numbers numbered from twenty years old and upward, who had murmured against Him, none would come into the promised land except Caleb and Joshua; that only after an entire generation had passed away and a new generation had sprung up would they be enabled to conquer Palestine.
Because of this divine decree, it took the people of Israel thirty-eight years to reach Transjordan from Paran.
During this period all those who had left Egypt in their youth had perished.
After the conquest of Transjordan Moses died ( Ibid., 14: 10 ff. ).


WANDERINGS OF THE ISRAELITES IN THE SINAI PENINSULA
The Prophet Moses ( peace be on him ) led the Israelites out of Egypt and brought them to Mount Sinai by way of Marah, Elim and Rephaim in the Sinai Peninsula.
Here he stayed for a little over a year and received most of the Commandments of the Torah.
Then he was commanded to lead the Israelites towards Palestine and conquer it, for that land was to be given to them as an inheritance.
So, he led them through Taberah and Nazareth and came to the desert of Paran from where he despatched a deputation of prominent Israelites to spy out Palestine.
The deputation returned after forty days and made their report at Kadesh.
Except for the encouraging picture presented by Joshua and Caleb, the report made by the other members was so disappointing that the Israelites cried out in disgust and refused to march on to Palestine.
Thereupon God decreed that they would wander for forty years in the wilderness and none of their older generation except Joshua and Caleb would see Palestine.
Thus, the Israelites wandered homeless in the wilderness of Paran, Shur and Zin, fighting and struggling against the Amalekites, the Amorites, the Edomites, the Midianites and the Moabites.
When the forty years was about to end, the Prophet Aaron ( peace be on him ) died in Mount Hor, near the border of Edom.
At about this time the Prophet Moses ( peace be on him ) entered Moab at the head of the Israelites, conquered the whole area and reached Heshbon and Shittim.
After him Joshua, his first successor, crossed the River Jordan from the east and captured Jericho, the first Palestinian city to fall to the Israelites.
Later on the whole of Palestine was conquered by them within a short period.

Ailah ( present-day Aqaba ) on this map is the place where probably the well-known incident of the Sabbath-breakers, as mentioned in Surah al-Baqarah 2: 65 and Surah al-A'raf 7: 166, took place.

Later on during the caliphate* ( sic ) of Joshua the Israelites became capable of conquering Palestine.

*47).
The purpose of referring to this event becomes clear if we reflect upon the context.
It seems to be to bring home to the Israelites that the punishment to which they would be subjected if they adopted a rebellious attitude towards Muhammad ( peace be on him ) would be even more severe than the .one to which they had been subjected in the time of Moses.

 

Musa Reminds His People of Allah's Favors on Them; The Jews Refuse to Enter the Holy Land Allah states that His servant, Messenger, to whom He spoke directly, Musa, the son of `Imran, reminded his people that among the favors Allah granted them, is that He will give them all of the good of this life and the Hereafter, if they remain on the righteous and straight path.
Allah said, وَإِذْ قَالَ مُوسَى لِقَوْمِهِ يَـقَوْمِ اذْكُرُواْ نِعْمَةَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ جَعَلَ فِيكُمْ أَنْبِيَآءَ ( And (remember ) when Musa said to his people: "O my people! Remember the favor of Allah to you, when He made Prophets among you,) for whenever a Prophet died, another rose among them, from the time of their father Ibrahim and thereafter.
There were many Prophets among the Children of Israel calling to Allah and warning against His torment, until `Isa was sent as the final Prophet from the Children of Israel.
Allah then sent down the revelation to the Final Prophet and Messenger, Muhammad ﷺ, the son of `Abdullah, from the offspring of Isma`il, the son of Ibrahim, peace be upon them.
Muhammad is the most honorable Prophet of all times.
Allah said next, وَجَعَلَكُمْ مُّلُوكاً ( made you kings ) `Abdur-Razzaq recorded that Ibn `Abbas commented: "Having a servant, a wife and a house." In his Mustadrak, Al-Hakim recorded that Ibn `Abbas said, "A wife and a servant, and, a وَءَاتَـكُمْ مَّا لَمْ يُؤْتِ أَحَداً مِّن الْعَـلَمِينَ ( and gave you what He had not given to any other among the nations (`Alamin ).) means, during their time." Al-Hakim said, "Sahih according to the criteria of the Two Sahihs, but they did not collect it." Qatadah said, "They were the first people to take servants." A Hadith states, «مَنْ أَصْبَحَ مِنْكُمْ مُعَافًى فِي جَسَدِهِ، آمِنًا فِي سِرْبِهِ، عِنْدَهُ قُوتُ يَوْمِهِ، فَكَأَنَّمَا حِيزَتْ لَهُ الدُّنْيَا بِحَذَافِيرِهَا» ( He among you who wakes up while healthy in body, safe in his family and having the provision for that very day, is as if the world and all that was in it were collected for him. ) Allah's statement, وَءَاتَـكُمْ مَّا لَمْ يُؤْتِ أَحَداً مِّن الْعَـلَمِينَ ( and gave you what He had not given to any other among the nations (Al-`Alamin ).) means, during your time, as we stated.
The Children of Israel were the most honorable among the people of their time, compared to the Greek, Copts and the rest of mankind.
Allah said in another Ayah, وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَا بَنِى إِسْرَءِيلَ الْكِتَـبَ وَالْحُكْمَ وَالنُّبُوَّةَ وَرَزَقْنَـهُمْ مِّنَ الطَّيِّبَـتِ وَفَضَّلْنَـهُمْ عَلَى الْعَـلَمينَ ( And indeed We gave the Children of Israel the Scripture, and the understanding of the Scripture and its laws, and the Prophethood; and provided them with good things, and preferred them above the nations (Al-`Alamin ).) Allah said, لَّهُمْ قَالُواْ يَمُوسَى اجْعَلْ لَّنَآ إِلَـهًا كَمَا لَهُمْ ءَالِهَةٌ قَالَ إِنَّكُمْ قَوْمٌ تَجْهَلُونَ إِنَّ هَـؤُلاءِ مُتَبَّرٌ مَّا هُمْ فِيهِ وَبَـطِلٌ مَّا كَانُواْ يَعْمَلُونَ - قَالَ أَغَيْرَ اللَّهِ أَبْغِيكُمْ إِلَـهًا وَهُوَ فَضَّلَكُمْ عَلَى الْعَـلَمِينَ ( They said: "O Musa! Make for us a god as they have gods." He said: "Verily, you are an ignorant people." Musa added: "Verily, these people will be destroyed for that which they are engaged in (idol worship )." And all that they are doing is in vain.
He said: "Shall I seek for you a god other than Allah, while He has given you superiority over the nations.") Therefore, they were the best among the people of their time.
The Muslim Ummah is more respected and honored before Allah, and has a more perfect legislative code and system of life, it has the most honorable Prophet, the larger kingdom, more provisions, wealth and children, a larger domain and more lasting glory than the Children of Israel.
Allah said, وَكَذَلِكَ جَعَلْنَـكُمْ أُمَّةً وَسَطًا لِّتَكُونُواْ شُهَدَآءَ عَلَى النَّاسِ ( Thus We have made you, a just (the best ) nation, that you be witnesses over mankind.) We mentioned the Mutawatir Hadiths about the honor of this Ummah and its status and honor with Allah, when we explained Allah's statement in Surah Al-`Imran ( 3 ), كُنتُمْ خَيْرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ ( You are the best of peoples ever raised up for mankind... ) Allah states next that Musa encouraged the Children of Israel to perform Jihad and enter Jerusalem, which was under their control during the time of their father Ya`qub.
Ya`qub and his children later moved with his children and household to Egypt during the time of Prophet Yusuf.
His offspring remained in Egypt until their exodus with Musa.
They found a mighty, strong people in Jerusalem who had previously taken it over.
Musa, Allah's Messenger, ordered the Children of Israel to enter Jerusalem and fight their enemy, and he promised them victory and triumph over the mighty people if they did so.
They declined, rebelled and defied his order and were punished for forty years by being lost, wandering in the land uncertain of where they should go.
This was their punishment for defying Allah's command.
Allah said that Musa ordered them to enter the Holy Land, الَّتِى كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ ( which Allah has assigned to you ) meaning, which Allah has promised to you by the words of your father Isra'il, that it is the inheritance of those among you who believe. وَلاَ تَرْتَدُّوا عَلَى أَدْبَـرِكُمْ ( and turn not back ) in flight from Jihad. فَتَنقَلِبُواْ خَـسِرِينَقَالُوا يَامُوسَى إِنَّ فِيهَا قَوْماً جَبَّارِينَ وَإِنَّا لَن نَّدْخُلَهَا حَتَّى يَخْرُجُواْ مِنْهَا فَإِن يَخْرُجُواْ مِنْهَا فَإِنَّا دَخِلُونَ ( ".
..for then you will be returned as losers." They said, "O Musa! In it are a people of great strength, and we shall never enter it, till they leave it; when they leave, then we will enter." ) Their excuse was this, in this very town you commanded us to enter and fight its people, there is a mighty, strong, vicious people who have tremendous physique and physical ability.
We are unable to stand against these people or fight them.
Therefore, they said, we are incapable of entering this city as long as they are still in it, but if they leave it, we will enter it.
Otherwise, we cannot stand against them. The Speeches of Yuwsha` ( Joshua ) and Kalib ( Caleb ) Allah said, قَالَ رَجُلاَنِ مِنَ الَّذِينَ يَخَافُونَ أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمَا ( Two men of those who feared (Allah and ) on whom Allah had bestowed His grace said...) When the Children of Israel declined to obey Allah and follow His Messenger Musa, two righteous men among them, on whom Allah had bestowed a great bounty and who were afraid of Allah and His punishment, encouraged them to go forward.
It was also said that the Ayah reads in a way that means that these men were respected and honored by their people.
These two men were Yuwsha`, the son of Nun, and Kalib, the son of Yufna, as Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, `Ikrimah, `Atiyyah, As-Suddi, Ar-Rabi` bin Anas and several other Salaf and latter scholars stated.
These two men said to their people, ادْخُلُواْ عَلَيْهِمُ الْبَابَ فَإِذَا دَخَلْتُمُوهُ فَإِنَّكُمْ غَـلِبُونَ وَعَلَى اللَّهِ فَتَوَكَّلُواْ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ ( "Assault them through the gate, for when you are in, victory will be yours.
And put your trust in Allah if you are believers indeed." ) Therefore, they said, if you rely on and trust in Allah, follow His command and obey His Messenger, then Allah will give you victory over your enemies and will give you triumph and dominance over them.
Thus, you will conquer the city that Allah has promised you.
This advice did not benefit them in the least, قَالُواْ يَـمُوسَى إِنَّا لَنْ نَّدْخُلَهَآ أَبَداً مَّا دَامُواْ فِيهَا فَاذْهَبْ أَنتَ وَرَبُّكَ فَقَاتِلا إِنَّا هَـهُنَا قَـعِدُونَ ( They said, "O Musa! We shall never enter it as long as they are there.
So go, you and your Lord, and fight you two, we are sitting right here." ) This is how they declined to join Jihad, defied their Messenger, and refused to fight their enemy. The Righteous Response of the Companions During the Battle of Badr Compare this to the better response the Companions gave to the Messenger of Allah during the battle of Badr, when he asked for their advice about fighting the Quraysh army that came to protect the caravan led by Abu Sufyan.
When the Muslim army missed the caravan and the Quraysh army, between nine hundred and one thousand strong, helmeted and drawing closer, Abu Bakr stood up and said something good.
Several more Muhajirin also spoke, all the while the Messenger of Allah saying, «أشيروا علي أيها المسلمون» ( Advise me, O Muslims! ) inquiring of what the Ansar, the majority then, had to say.
Sa`d bin Mu`adh said, "It looks like you mean us, O Messenger of Allah! By He Who has sent you with the Truth! If you seek to cross this sea and went in it, we will follow you and none among us will remain behind.
We would not hate for you to lead us to meet our enemy tomorrow.
We are patient in war, vicious in battle.
May Allah allow you to witness from our efforts what comforts your eyes.
Therefore, march forward with the blessing of Allah." The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was pleased with the words of Sa`d and was encouraged to march on.
Abu Bakr bin Marduwyah recorded that Anas said that when the Messenger of Allah went to Badr, he asked the Muslims for their opinion, and `Umar gave his.
The Prophet again asked the Muslims for their opinion and the Ansar said, "O Ansar! It is you whom the Prophet wants to hear." They said, "We will never say as the Children of Israel said to Musa, فَاذْهَبْ أَنتَ وَرَبُّكَ فَقَاتِلا إِنَّا هَـهُنَا قَـعِدُونَ ( So go, you and your Lord, and fight you two, we are sitting right here. ) By He Who has sent you with the Truth! If you took the camels to Bark Al-Ghimad ( near Makkah ) we shall follow you." Imam Ahmad, An-Nasa'i and Ibn Hibban also recorded this Hadith.
In the Book of Al-Maghazi and At-Tafsir, Al-Bukhari recorded that `Abdullah bin Mas`ud said, "On the day of Badr, Al-Miqdad said, `O Messenger of Allah! We will never say to you what the Children of Israel said to Musa, فَاذْهَبْ أَنتَ وَرَبُّكَ فَقَاتِلا إِنَّا هَـهُنَا قَـعِدُونَ ( So go, you and your Lord, and fight you two, we are sitting right here. ) Rather, march on and we will be with you.' The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was satisfied after hearing this statement." Musa Supplicates to Allah Against the Jews Musa said, قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّى لا أَمْلِكُ إِلاَّ نَفْسِى وَأَخِى فَافْرُقْ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَ الْقَوْمِ الْفَـسِقِينَ ( "O my Lord! I have power only over myself and my brother, so separate us from the rebellious people!" ) When the Children of Israel refused to fight, Musa became very angry with them and supplicated to Allah against them, رَبِّ إِنِّى لا أَمْلِكُ إِلاَّ نَفْسِى وَأَخِى ( O my Lord! I have power only over myself and my brother' ) meaning, only I and my brother Harun among them will obey, implement Allah's command and accept the call, فَافْرُقْ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَ الْقَوْمِ الْفَـسِقِينَ ( So Ifruq us from the rebellious people! ) Al-`Awfi reported that Ibn `Abbas said, "Meaning, judge between us and them." `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported similarly from him.
Ad-Dahhak said that the Ayah means, "Judge and decide between us and them." Other scholars said that the Ayah means, "Separate between us and them." Forbidding the Jews from Entering the Holy Land for Forty Years Allah said, فَإِنَّهَا مُحَرَّمَةٌ عَلَيْهِمْ أَرْبَعِينَ سَنَةً يَتِيهُونَ فِى الاٌّرْضِ ( Therefore it is forbidden to them for forty years; in distraction they will wander through the land. ) When Musa supplicated against the Jews for refusing to fight in Jihad, Allah forbade them from entering the land for forty years.
They wandered about lost in the land of At-Tih, unable to find their way out.
During this time, tremendous miracles occurred, such as the clouds that shaded them and the manna and quails Allah sent down for them.
Allah brought forth water springs from solid rock, and the other miracles that He aided Musa bin `Imran with.
During this time, the Tawrah was revealed and the Law was established for the Children of Israel and the Tabernacle of the Covenant was erected. Conquering Jerusalem Allah's statement, أَرْبَعِينَ سَنَةً ( for forty years; ) defines, يَتِيهُونَ فِى الاٌّرْضِ ( in distraction they will wander through the land. ) When these years ended, Yuwsha` bin Nun led those who remained among them and the second generation, and laid siege to Jerusalem, conquering it on a Friday afternoon.
When the sun was about to set and Yuwsha` feared that the Sabbath would begin, he said ( to the sun ), "You are commanded and I am commanded, as well.
O Allah! Make it stop setting for me." Allah made the sun stop setting until Yuwsha` bin Nun conquered Jerusalem.
Next, Allah commanded Yuwsha` to order the Children of Israel to enter Jerusalem from its gate while bowing and saying Hittah, meaning, `remove our sins.' Yet, they changed what they were commanded and entered it while dragging themselves on their behinds and saying, `Habbah ( a seed ) in Sha`rah ( a hair )." We mentioned all of this in the Tafsir of Surat Al-Baqarah.
Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Ibn `Abbas commented, فَإِنَّهَا مُحَرَّمَةٌ عَلَيْهِمْ أَرْبَعِينَ سَنَةً يَتِيهُونَ فِى الاٌّرْضِ ( Therefore it is forbidden to them for forty years; in distraction they will wander through the land. ) "They wandered in the land for forty years, during which Musa and Harun died, as well as everyone above forty years of age.
When the forty years ended, Yuwsha` son of Nun assumed their leadership and later conquered Jerusalem.
When Yuwsha` was reminded that the day was Friday and the sun was about to set, while they were still attacking Jerusalem, he feared that the Sabbath might begin.
Therefore, he said to the sun, `I am commanded and you are commanded.' Allah made the sun stop setting and the Jews conquered Jerusalem and found wealth unseen before.
They wanted to let the fire consume the booty, but the fire would not do that.
Yuwsha` said, `Some of you have committed theft from the booty.' So he summoned the twelve leaders of the twelve tribes and took the pledge from them.
Then, the hand of one of them became stuck to the hand of Yuwsha` and Yuwsha` said, `You committed the theft, so bring it forth.' So, that man brought a cow's head made of gold with two eyes made of precious stones and a set of teeth made of pearls.
When Yuwsha` added it to the booty, the fire consumed it, as they were prohibited to keep the booty." There is evidence supporting all of this in the Sahih. Allah Comforts Musa Conforting Musa, Allah said فَلاَ تَأْسَ عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْفَـسِقِينَ ( So do not greive for the rebellious people. ) Allah said: Do not feel sorrow or sadness over My judgment against them, for they deserve such judgment.
This story chastises the Jews, exposes their defiance of Allah and His Messenger, and their refusal to obey the order for Jihad.
They were weak and could not bear the thought of fighting their enemy, being patient, and enduring this way.
This occurred although they had the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and the one whom He spoke to among them, the best of Allah's creation that time.
Their Prophet promised them triumph and victory against their enemies.
They also witnessed the torment and punishment of drowning with which Allah punished their enemy Fir`awn and his soldiers, so that their eyes were pleased and comforted.
All this did not happen too long ago, yet they refused to perform Jihad against people who had less than a tenth of the power and strength than the people of Egypt had.
Therefore, the evil works of the Jews were exposed to everyone, and the exposure was such an enormous one that the night, or the tail, can never cover its tracks.
They were also blinded by their ignorance and transgression.
Thus, they became hated by Allah, and they became His enemies.
Yet, they claim that they are Allah's children and His loved ones! May Allah curse their faces that were transformed to the shape of swine and apes, and may Allah's curse accompany them to the raging Fire.
May Allah make them abide in the Fire for eternity, and He did; all thanks are due to Him.

( (Their Lord ) said) to Moses: ( For this the land will surely be forbidden them ) i.e. to enter it, after you called them wrong-doing folk ( for forty years that they will wander in the earth, bewildered ) they will be bewildered in the wilderness, confined in an area of seven parasangs, unable to get out of it or be guided to the right way. ( So grieve not over ) do not be saddened about ( the wrong-doing folk ).

(Allah) said: "Therefore it (this holy land) is forbidden to them for forty years; in distraction they will wander through the land. So be not sorrowful over the people who are the Fasiqun (rebellious and disobedient to Allah)."

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