Surah Jumuah ayat 5 Tafsir Quran 62:5

﴿مَثَلُ الَّذِينَ حُمِّلُوا التَّوْرَاةَ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَحْمِلُوهَا كَمَثَلِ الْحِمَارِ يَحْمِلُ أَسْفَارًا ۚ بِئْسَ مَثَلُ الْقَوْمِ الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ ۚ وَاللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ﴾
[ الجمعة: 5]

62:5 The example of those who were entrusted with the Torah and then did not take it on is like that of a donkey who carries volumes [of books]. Wretched is the example of the people who deny the signs of Allah. And Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.

The likeness of those who were entrusted with the Torah those who were charged with implementing it then failed to uphold it then failed to act in accordance with it in what pertains to the descriptions of the Prophet s and so did not believe in him is as the likeness of an ass carrying books in that it does not benefit from them. Evil is the likeness of the people who deny God’s signs those confirming the truth of the Prophet s — the object of rebuke is omitted but is implied to be hādhā’l-mathalu ‘this likeness’. And God does not guide the evildoing folk the disbelievers.

The simile of those who were given AL-Tawrah to carry in their hearts and in their thoughts and it did not reach their innermost being, nor did they absorb it In their minds or profit by it, speaks of a donkey carrying a load of books full of knowledge and learning but the donkey does not understand it nor does it Profit by it. Evil is the simile of a people who have refused to admit the truth of Allahs revelations and signs, and Allah does not impress piety on the hearts of the perverse who are wrongful of actions

Admonishing the Jews and challenging Them to wish for Death Allah the Exalted admonishes the Jews who were entrusted with the Tawrah and were ordered to abide by it.
However, they did not abide by it, and this is why Allah resembled them to the donkey that carries volumes of books.
Surely, when the donkey carries books, it will not understand what these books contain because it is only carrying these books using its strength.
This is the example of those who were entrusted with the Tawrah; they read its letter but did not understand its meanings nor abided by them.
Rather, they even corrupted and changed the Tawrah.
Therefore, they are worse than the donkey, because the donkey cannot understand.
They, on the other hand, could have understood using their minds, but their minds were of no benefit.
This is why Allah the Exalted said in another Ayah, أُوْلَـئِكَ كَالأَنْعَـمِ بَلْ هُمْ أَضَلُّ أُوْلَـئِكَ هُمُ الْغَـفِلُونَ ( They are like cattle, nay even more astray; those! They are the heedless. ) ( 7:179 ), and said, بِئْسَ مَثَلُ الْقَوْمِ الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُواْ بِـَايَـتِ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ لاَ يَهْدِى الْقَوْمَ الظَّـلِمِينَ ( How bad is the example of people who deny the Ayat of Allah.
And Allah does not guide the people who are wrongdoers. ) Allah the Exalted said, قُلْ يأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ هَادُواْ إِن زَعمْتُمْ أَنَّكُمْ أَوْلِيَآءُ لِلَّهِ مِن دُونِ النَّاسِ فَتَمَنَّوُاْ الْمَوْتَ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـدِقِينَ ( Say: "O you Jews! If you pretend that you are friends of Allah, to the exclusion of other people, then long for death if you are truthful." ) meaning, `if you claim that you are on the correct guidance and that Muhammad ﷺ and his Companions are being led astray, then invoke Allah to bring death to the misguided group among the two, if you are truthful in your claim.' Allah said, وَلاَ يَتَمَنَّونَهُ أَبَداً بِمَا قَدَّمَتْ أَيْديهِمْ ( But they will never long for it, because of what their hands have sent before them! ) meaning because of the disbelief, injustice and sins that they commit, وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ بِالظَّـلِمينَ ( And Allah knows well the wrongdoers. ) We mentioned this challenge to the Jews before in Surat Al-Baqarah, where Allah said, قُلْ إِن كَانَتْ لَكُمُ الدَّارُ الاٌّخِرَةُ عِندَ اللَّهِ خَالِصَةً مِّن دُونِ النَّاسِ فَتَمَنَّوُاْ الْمَوْتَ إِن كُنْتُمْ صَـدِقِينَ - وَلَن يَتَمَنَّوْهُ أَبَدًا بِمَا قَدَّمَتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ بِالظَّـلِمينَ - وَلَتَجِدَنَّهُمْ أَحْرَصَ النَّاسِ عَلَى حَيَوةٍ وَمِنَ الَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُواْ يَوَدُّ أَحَدُهُمْ لَوْ يُعَمَّرُ أَلْفَ سَنَةٍ وَمَا هُوَ بِمُزَحْزِحِهِ مِنَ الْعَذَابِ أَن يُعَمَّرَ وَاللَّهُ بَصِيرٌ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ ( Say: "If the home of the Hereafter with Allah is indeed for you specially and not for others, of mankind, then long for death if you are truthful." But they will never long for it because of what their hands have sent forth before them.
And Allah is Aware of the wrongdoers.
And verily, you will find them the greediest of mankind for life and (even greedier ) than those who ascribe partners to Allah.
One of them wishes that he could be given a life of a thousand years.
But the grant of such life will not save him even a little from punishment.
And Allah is Seer of what they do.) ( 2:94-96 ) We explained these meanings there, stating that the challenge was for the Jews to invoke Allah to destroy the misguided group, either they or their enemies.
We also mentioned a similar challenge against the Christians in Surah Al `Imran, فَمَنْ حَآجَّكَ فِيهِ مِن بَعْدِ مَا جَآءَكَ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ فَقُلْ تَعَالَوْاْ نَدْعُ أَبْنَآءَنَا وَأَبْنَآءَكُمْ وَنِسَآءَنَا وَنِسَآءَكُمْ وَأَنفُسَنَا وأَنفُسَكُمْ ثُمَّ نَبْتَهِلْ فَنَجْعَل لَّعْنَتُ اللَّهِ عَلَى الْكَـذِبِينَ ( Then whoever disputes with you concerning him `Isa after (all this ) knowledge that has come to you, say: "Come, let us call our sons and your sons, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves -- then we pray and invoke the curse of Allah upon those who lie.")( 3:61 ) and against the idolators, in Surah Maryam, قُلْ مَن كَانَ فِى الضَّلَـلَةِ فَلْيَمْدُدْ لَهُ الرَّحْمَـنُ مَدّاً ( Say whoever is in error, the Most Gracious will extend circumstances for him. )( 19:75 ) Imam Ahmad, may Allah be pleased with him recorded that Ibn `Abbas said, "Abu Jahl, may Allah curse him, said, `If I see Muhammad ﷺ praying at the Ka`bah, I will step on his neck.' When the Prophet heard of that, he said,
«لَوْ فَعَلَ لَأَخَذَتْهُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ عَيَانًا وَلَوْ أَنَّ الْيَهُودَ تَمَنَّوُا الْمَوْتَ لَمَاتُوا وَرَأَوْا مَقَاعِدَهُمْ مِنَ النَّارِ، وَلَوْ خَرَجَ الَّذِينَ يُبَاهِلُونَ رَسُولَ اللهِصلى الله عليه وسلّم لَرَجَعُوا لَا يَجِدُونَ أَهْلًا وَلَا مَالًا»
( Had he done so, the angels would have snatched him away in public.
Had the Jews wished for death, they would all have perished and saw their seats in Hellfire.
Had those accepted for invoking the curse of Allah with Allah's Messenger ﷺ, they would not have found families or property when they returned home. )" Al-Bukhari, At-Tirmidhi and An-Nasa'i recorded it.
His saying; قُلْ إِنَّ الْمَوْتَ الَّذِى تَفِرُّونَ مِنْهُ فَإِنَّهُ مُلَـقِيكُمْ ثُمَّ تُرَدُّونَ إِلَى عَالِمِ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَـدَةِ فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ ( Say: "Verily, the death from which you flee will surely meet you, then you will be sent back to the Knower of the unseen and the seen, and He will inform you about what you used to do." ) is like His saying in Surat An-Nisa': أَيْنَمَا تَكُونُواْ يُدْرِككُّمُ الْمَوْتُ وَلَوْ كُنتُمْ فِى بُرُوجٍ مُّشَيَّدَةٍ ( Wheresoever you may be, death will overtake you even if you are in fortresses built up strong and high. )

(62:5) The parable of those who were charged with the Torah and then they failed to live up to it *7 is that of a donkey *8 laden with books. Even more evil is the parable of the people who gave the lie to the Signs of Allah. *9 Allah does not direct such wrong-doers to the Right Way.

The example of those who were entrusted meaning

*7) This sentence has two meanings, a general meaning and a special meaning.
The general meaning is that the people who were entrusted with the knowledge and practice of the Torah and with the responsibility of guiding the world according to it, neither understood this reapon:ibility nor discharged it as they should have.
The special meaning is Being the bearers of the Torah these people should have been fore-most to join hands with the Messenger, good news about whose advent had been already given in the Torah, but, instead, they have been in the forefront to oppose him and have thus failed to fulfil the demand of the teaching of the Torah.

*8) That is, just as a donkey loaded with books does not know what it i8 loaded with, so are these people loaded with the Torah and they do not know what this Book was sent for and what are its demands.

*9) That is, they arc even worst than a donkey, who is without sense and therefore excusable.
But these people have intelligence they read and teach the Torah and are fully aware of its meaning Yet they are turning away from its guidance and refusing wilfully to acknowledge and believe in the Prophet who even according to the Torah teaches the truth.
They arc guilty not because of ignorance but because of denying Allah's Revelation deliberately.

 

Admonishing the Jews and challenging Them to wish for Death Allah the Exalted admonishes the Jews who were entrusted with the Tawrah and were ordered to abide by it.
However, they did not abide by it, and this is why Allah resembled them to the donkey that carries volumes of books.
Surely, when the donkey carries books, it will not understand what these books contain because it is only carrying these books using its strength.
This is the example of those who were entrusted with the Tawrah; they read its letter but did not understand its meanings nor abided by them.
Rather, they even corrupted and changed the Tawrah.
Therefore, they are worse than the donkey, because the donkey cannot understand.
They, on the other hand, could have understood using their minds, but their minds were of no benefit.
This is why Allah the Exalted said in another Ayah, أُوْلَـئِكَ كَالأَنْعَـمِ بَلْ هُمْ أَضَلُّ أُوْلَـئِكَ هُمُ الْغَـفِلُونَ ( They are like cattle, nay even more astray; those! They are the heedless. ) ( 7:179 ), and said, بِئْسَ مَثَلُ الْقَوْمِ الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُواْ بِـَايَـتِ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ لاَ يَهْدِى الْقَوْمَ الظَّـلِمِينَ ( How bad is the example of people who deny the Ayat of Allah.
And Allah does not guide the people who are wrongdoers. ) Allah the Exalted said, قُلْ يأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ هَادُواْ إِن زَعمْتُمْ أَنَّكُمْ أَوْلِيَآءُ لِلَّهِ مِن دُونِ النَّاسِ فَتَمَنَّوُاْ الْمَوْتَ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـدِقِينَ ( Say: "O you Jews! If you pretend that you are friends of Allah, to the exclusion of other people, then long for death if you are truthful." ) meaning, `if you claim that you are on the correct guidance and that Muhammad ﷺ and his Companions are being led astray, then invoke Allah to bring death to the misguided group among the two, if you are truthful in your claim.' Allah said, وَلاَ يَتَمَنَّونَهُ أَبَداً بِمَا قَدَّمَتْ أَيْديهِمْ ( But they will never long for it, because of what their hands have sent before them! ) meaning because of the disbelief, injustice and sins that they commit, وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ بِالظَّـلِمينَ ( And Allah knows well the wrongdoers. ) We mentioned this challenge to the Jews before in Surat Al-Baqarah, where Allah said, قُلْ إِن كَانَتْ لَكُمُ الدَّارُ الاٌّخِرَةُ عِندَ اللَّهِ خَالِصَةً مِّن دُونِ النَّاسِ فَتَمَنَّوُاْ الْمَوْتَ إِن كُنْتُمْ صَـدِقِينَ - وَلَن يَتَمَنَّوْهُ أَبَدًا بِمَا قَدَّمَتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ بِالظَّـلِمينَ - وَلَتَجِدَنَّهُمْ أَحْرَصَ النَّاسِ عَلَى حَيَوةٍ وَمِنَ الَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُواْ يَوَدُّ أَحَدُهُمْ لَوْ يُعَمَّرُ أَلْفَ سَنَةٍ وَمَا هُوَ بِمُزَحْزِحِهِ مِنَ الْعَذَابِ أَن يُعَمَّرَ وَاللَّهُ بَصِيرٌ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ ( Say: "If the home of the Hereafter with Allah is indeed for you specially and not for others, of mankind, then long for death if you are truthful." But they will never long for it because of what their hands have sent forth before them.
And Allah is Aware of the wrongdoers.
And verily, you will find them the greediest of mankind for life and (even greedier ) than those who ascribe partners to Allah.
One of them wishes that he could be given a life of a thousand years.
But the grant of such life will not save him even a little from punishment.
And Allah is Seer of what they do.) ( 2:94-96 ) We explained these meanings there, stating that the challenge was for the Jews to invoke Allah to destroy the misguided group, either they or their enemies.
We also mentioned a similar challenge against the Christians in Surah Al `Imran, فَمَنْ حَآجَّكَ فِيهِ مِن بَعْدِ مَا جَآءَكَ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ فَقُلْ تَعَالَوْاْ نَدْعُ أَبْنَآءَنَا وَأَبْنَآءَكُمْ وَنِسَآءَنَا وَنِسَآءَكُمْ وَأَنفُسَنَا وأَنفُسَكُمْ ثُمَّ نَبْتَهِلْ فَنَجْعَل لَّعْنَتُ اللَّهِ عَلَى الْكَـذِبِينَ ( Then whoever disputes with you concerning him `Isa after (all this ) knowledge that has come to you, say: "Come, let us call our sons and your sons, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves -- then we pray and invoke the curse of Allah upon those who lie.")( 3:61 ) and against the idolators, in Surah Maryam, قُلْ مَن كَانَ فِى الضَّلَـلَةِ فَلْيَمْدُدْ لَهُ الرَّحْمَـنُ مَدّاً ( Say whoever is in error, the Most Gracious will extend circumstances for him. )( 19:75 ) Imam Ahmad, may Allah be pleased with him recorded that Ibn `Abbas said, "Abu Jahl, may Allah curse him, said, `If I see Muhammad ﷺ praying at the Ka`bah, I will step on his neck.' When the Prophet heard of that, he said, «لَوْ فَعَلَ لَأَخَذَتْهُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ عَيَانًا وَلَوْ أَنَّ الْيَهُودَ تَمَنَّوُا الْمَوْتَ لَمَاتُوا وَرَأَوْا مَقَاعِدَهُمْ مِنَ النَّارِ، وَلَوْ خَرَجَ الَّذِينَ يُبَاهِلُونَ رَسُولَ اللهِصلى الله عليه وسلّم لَرَجَعُوا لَا يَجِدُونَ أَهْلًا وَلَا مَالًا» ( Had he done so, the angels would have snatched him away in public.
Had the Jews wished for death, they would all have perished and saw their seats in Hellfire.
Had those accepted for invoking the curse of Allah with Allah's Messenger ﷺ, they would not have found families or property when they returned home. )" Al-Bukhari, At-Tirmidhi and An-Nasa'i recorded it.
His saying; قُلْ إِنَّ الْمَوْتَ الَّذِى تَفِرُّونَ مِنْهُ فَإِنَّهُ مُلَـقِيكُمْ ثُمَّ تُرَدُّونَ إِلَى عَالِمِ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَـدَةِ فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ ( Say: "Verily, the death from which you flee will surely meet you, then you will be sent back to the Knower of the unseen and the seen, and He will inform you about what you used to do." ) is like His saying in Surat An-Nisa': أَيْنَمَا تَكُونُواْ يُدْرِككُّمُ الْمَوْتُ وَلَوْ كُنتُمْ فِى بُرُوجٍ مُّشَيَّدَةٍ ( Wheresoever you may be, death will overtake you even if you are in fortresses built up strong and high. )

( The likeness ) the description ( of those who are entrusted with the Law of Moses ) of those who were commanded to apply that which is in the Torah; i.e. they were commanded to reveal the traits and description of Muhammad ( pbuh ) in the Torah, ( yet apply it not ) yet act not upon what they were commanded, i.e. they did not reveal the traits and description of Muhammad ( pbuh ) in the Torah, ( is as the likeness of the ass carrying books ) the ass does not benefit from the books it carries and, similarly, the Jews will not benefit from the Torah. ( Wretched is the likeness of folk who deny the revelations of Allah ) Muhammad ( pbuh ) and the Qur’an. This refers to the Jews. ( And Allah guideth not ) to His religion ( wrong-doing folk ) the Jews; those who are to die following Judaism, as it is in Allah’s pre-eternal knowledge.

The likeness of those who were entrusted with the (obligation of the) Taurat (Torah) (i.e. to obey its commandments and to practise its legal laws), but who subsequently failed in those (obligations), is as the likeness of a donkey who carries huge burdens of books (but understands nothing from them). How bad is the example (or the likeness) of people who deny the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah. And Allah guides not the people who are Zalimun (polytheists, wrong-doers, disbelievers, etc.).

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