Surah Baqarah ayat 87 Tafsir Quran 2:87

﴿وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا مُوسَى الْكِتَابَ وَقَفَّيْنَا مِن بَعْدِهِ بِالرُّسُلِ ۖ وَآتَيْنَا عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ الْبَيِّنَاتِ وَأَيَّدْنَاهُ بِرُوحِ الْقُدُسِ ۗ أَفَكُلَّمَا جَاءَكُمْ رَسُولٌ بِمَا لَا تَهْوَىٰ أَنفُسُكُمُ اسْتَكْبَرْتُمْ فَفَرِيقًا كَذَّبْتُمْ وَفَرِيقًا تَقْتُلُونَ﴾
[ البقرة: 87]

2:87 And We did certainly give Moses the Torah and followed up after him with messengers. And We gave Jesus, the son of Mary, clear proofs and supported him with the Pure Spirit. But is it [not] that every time a messenger came to you, [O Children of Israel], with what your souls did not desire, you were arrogant? And a party [of messengers] you denied and another party you killed.

And We gave Moses the Scripture the Torah and after him We sent successive messengers that is We sent them one after another and We gave Jesus son of Mary the clear proofs that is the miracles of bringing the dead back to life and healing the blind and the leper and We confirmed him We strengthened him with the Holy Spirit the expression rūh al-qudus is an example of annexing in a genitive construction the noun described to the adjective qualifying it in other words al-rūh al-muqaddasa that is Gabriel so described on account of his Jesus’s sanctity; he would accompany him Jesus wherever he went; still you refuse to be upright and whenever there came to you a messenger with what your souls did not desire did not like in the way of truth you became arrogant you disdained to follow him istakbartum ‘you became arrogant’ is the response to the particle kullamā ‘whenever’ and constitutes the interrogative and is meant as a rebuke; and some of them you called liars such as Jesus and some you slay? such as Zachariah and John the present tenses of these verbs are used to narrate the past events as though they were events in the present in other words ‘and some you slew’.

You, Bani Isra‘il, know that We gave Mussa AL-Tawrah and We sent other Prophets sequentially: We sent ‘Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam, with clear revelations and signs guiding out of darkness and superstition of later times and out of want of spiritual and intellectual vision into illumination and enlightenment, and We supported him by giving him countenance by the Holy Spirit. Yet is it not indeed incredible that as often as a Prophet is sent to you with divine principles not to your taste, you become extravagant in your account of yourselves and display inordinate self-confidence? Some you renounce and some you accuse of assuming false character, and others you kill or you conspire their death

The Arrogance of the Jews who denied and killed Their Prophets Allah described the insolence of Children of Israel, their rebelliousness, defiance and arrogance towards the Prophets, following their lusts and desires.
Allah mentioned that He gave Musa the Book, the Tawrah, and that the Jews changed, distorted, and defied its commands, as well as altered its meanings. Allah sent Messengers and Prophets after Musa who followed his law, as Allah stated, إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَا التَّوْرَاةَ فِيهَا هُدًى وَنُورٌ الَّذِينَ أَسْلَمُواْ لِلَّذِينَ هَادُواْ وَالرَّبَّانِيُّونَ وَالاٌّحْبَارُ بِمَا اسْتُحْفِظُواْ مِن كِتَـبِ اللَّهِ وَكَانُواْ عَلَيْهِ شُهَدَآءَ ( Verily, We did reveal the Tawrah (to Musa ), therein was guidance and light, by which the Prophets, who submitted themselves to Allah's will, judged for the Jews.
And the rabbis and the priests ( too judged for the Jews by the Tawrah after those Prophets ), for to them was entrusted the protection of Allah's Book, and they were witnesses thereto) ( 5:44 ).
This is why Allah said here, وَقَفَّيْنَا مِن بَعْدِهِ بِالرُّسُلِ ( And Qaffayna him with Messengers ). As-Suddi said that Abu Malik said that Qaffayna means, "Succeeded", while others said, "Followed".
Both meanings are plausible, since Allah said, ثُمَّ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلَنَا تَتْرَى ( Then We sent Our Messengers in succession ) ( 23:44 ). Thereafter, Allah sent the last Prophet among the Children of Israel, `Isa the son of Mary, who was sent with some laws that differed with some in the Tawrah.
This is why Allah also sent miracles to support `Isa.
These included bringing the dead back to life, forming the shape of birds from clay and blowing into them, afterwhich they became living birds by Allah's leave, healing the sick and foretelling the Unseen, as Ibn `Abbas stated.
Allah also aided him with Ruh Al-Qudus, and that refers to Jibril.
All of these signs testified to the truthfulness of `Isa and what he was sent with.
Yet, the Children of Israel became more defiant and envious of him and did not want to differ with even one part of the Tawrah, as Allah said about `Isa, وَلاٌّحِلَّ لَكُم بَعْضَ الَّذِي حُرِّمَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَجِئْتُكُمْ بِأَيَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ ( And to make lawful to you part of what was forbidden to you, and I have come to you with a proof from your Lord ) ( 3:50 ). Hence, the Children of Israel treated the Prophets in the worst manner, rejecting some of them and killing some of them.
All of this occurred because the Prophets used to command the Jews with what differed from their desires and opinions.
The Prophets also upheld the rulings of the Tawrah that the Jews had changed, and this is why it was difficult for them to believe in these Prophets.
Therefore, they rejected the Prophets and killed some of them.
Allah said, أَفَكُلَّمَا جَآءَكُمْ رَسُولٌ بِمَا لاَ تَهْوَى أَنفُسُكُم اسْتَكْبَرْتُمْ فَفَرِيقًا كَذَّبْتُمْ وَفَرِيقًا تَقْتُلُونَ ( Is it that whenever there came to you a Messenger with what you yourselves desired not,you grew arrogant Some you disbelieved and some you kill ). Jibril is Ruh Al-Qudus The proof that Jibril is the Ruh Al-Qudus is the statement of Ibn Mas`ud in explanation of this Ayah.
This is also the view of Ibn `Abbas, Muhammad bin Ka`b, Isma`il bin Khalid, As-Suddi, Ar-Rabi` bin Anas, `Atiyah Al-`Awfi and Qatadah.
Additionally, Allah said, نَزَلَ بِهِ الرُّوحُ الاٌّمِينُ - عَلَى قَلْبِكَ لِتَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُنْذِرِينَ ( Which the trustworthy Ruh (Jibril ) has brought down.
Upon your heart ( O Muhammad ) that you may be ( one ) of the warners) ( 26:193-194 ). Al-Bukhari recorded `A'ishah saying that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ erected a Minbar in the Masjid on which Hassan bin Thabit ( the renowned poet ) used to defend the Messenger of Allah ﷺ ( with his poems ).
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
«اللَّهُمَّ أَيِّدْ حَسَّانَ بِرُوحِ الْقُدُسِ كَمَا نَافَحَ عَنْ نَبِيِّك»
( O Allah! Aid Hassan with Ruh Al-Qudus, for he defended Your Prophet. ) Abu Dawud recorded this Hadith in his Sunan as did At-Tirmidhi who graded it Hasan Sahih.
Further, Ibn Hibban recorded in his Sahih that Ibn Mas`ud said that the Prophet said,
«إِنَّ رُوحَ الْقُدُسِ نَفَثَ فِي رُوعِي أَنَّهُ لَنْ تَمُوتَ نَفْسٌ حَتَّى تَسْتَكْمِلَ رِزْقَهَا وَأَجَلَهَا، فَاتَّقُوا اللهَ وَأَجْمِلُوا فِي الطَّلَب»
( Ruh Al-Qudus informed me that no soul shall die until it finishes its set provisions and term limit.
Therefore, have Taqwa of Allah and seek your sustenance in the most suitable way. ) The Jews tried to kill the Prophet Az-Zamakhshari commented on Allah's statement, فَفَرِيقًا كَذَّبْتُمْ وَفَرِيقًا تَقْتُلُونَ ( Some you disbelieved and some you kill ), "Allah did not say `killed' here, because the Jews would still try to kill the Prophet in the future, using poison and magic." During the illness that preceded his death, the Prophet said,
«مَا زَالَتْ أَكْلَةُ خَيْبَرَ تُعَاوِدُنِي، فَهذَا أَوَانُ انْقِطَاعِ أَبْهَرِي»
( I kept feeling the effect of what I ate (from the poisoned sheep ) during the day of Khaybar, until now, when it is the time that the aorta will be cut off ( meaning when death is near ).) This Hadith was collected by Al-Bukhari and others

(2:87) And We gave Moses the Book and sent after him a train of Messengers in succession. Then We sent Jesus, son of Mary, with clear Signs and supported him with the Holy Spirit. *93 Then how is it that whenever a Messenger came to you wish that which did not suit your lusts, you grew rebellious against him, and repudiated some and slew others.

And We did certainly give Moses the meaning

*93).
The 'spirit of holiness' signifies the knowledge derived through revelation.
It also signifies the angel Gabriel who brought this revelation.
It also denotes the holy spirit of Jesus, the spirit which God had endowed with angelic character.

The expression 'clear proofs' refers to those signs which are likely to convince a truth-seeking and truth-loving person that Jesus is a Prophet of God.

 

The Arrogance of the Jews who denied and killed Their Prophets Allah described the insolence of Children of Israel, their rebelliousness, defiance and arrogance towards the Prophets, following their lusts and desires.
Allah mentioned that He gave Musa the Book, the Tawrah, and that the Jews changed, distorted, and defied its commands, as well as altered its meanings. Allah sent Messengers and Prophets after Musa who followed his law, as Allah stated, إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَا التَّوْرَاةَ فِيهَا هُدًى وَنُورٌ الَّذِينَ أَسْلَمُواْ لِلَّذِينَ هَادُواْ وَالرَّبَّانِيُّونَ وَالاٌّحْبَارُ بِمَا اسْتُحْفِظُواْ مِن كِتَـبِ اللَّهِ وَكَانُواْ عَلَيْهِ شُهَدَآءَ ( Verily, We did reveal the Tawrah (to Musa ), therein was guidance and light, by which the Prophets, who submitted themselves to Allah's will, judged for the Jews.
And the rabbis and the priests ( too judged for the Jews by the Tawrah after those Prophets ), for to them was entrusted the protection of Allah's Book, and they were witnesses thereto) ( 5:44 ).
This is why Allah said here, وَقَفَّيْنَا مِن بَعْدِهِ بِالرُّسُلِ ( And Qaffayna him with Messengers ). As-Suddi said that Abu Malik said that Qaffayna means, "Succeeded", while others said, "Followed".
Both meanings are plausible, since Allah said, ثُمَّ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلَنَا تَتْرَى ( Then We sent Our Messengers in succession ) ( 23:44 ). Thereafter, Allah sent the last Prophet among the Children of Israel, `Isa the son of Mary, who was sent with some laws that differed with some in the Tawrah.
This is why Allah also sent miracles to support `Isa.
These included bringing the dead back to life, forming the shape of birds from clay and blowing into them, afterwhich they became living birds by Allah's leave, healing the sick and foretelling the Unseen, as Ibn `Abbas stated.
Allah also aided him with Ruh Al-Qudus, and that refers to Jibril.
All of these signs testified to the truthfulness of `Isa and what he was sent with.
Yet, the Children of Israel became more defiant and envious of him and did not want to differ with even one part of the Tawrah, as Allah said about `Isa, وَلاٌّحِلَّ لَكُم بَعْضَ الَّذِي حُرِّمَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَجِئْتُكُمْ بِأَيَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ ( And to make lawful to you part of what was forbidden to you, and I have come to you with a proof from your Lord ) ( 3:50 ). Hence, the Children of Israel treated the Prophets in the worst manner, rejecting some of them and killing some of them.
All of this occurred because the Prophets used to command the Jews with what differed from their desires and opinions.
The Prophets also upheld the rulings of the Tawrah that the Jews had changed, and this is why it was difficult for them to believe in these Prophets.
Therefore, they rejected the Prophets and killed some of them.
Allah said, أَفَكُلَّمَا جَآءَكُمْ رَسُولٌ بِمَا لاَ تَهْوَى أَنفُسُكُم اسْتَكْبَرْتُمْ فَفَرِيقًا كَذَّبْتُمْ وَفَرِيقًا تَقْتُلُونَ ( Is it that whenever there came to you a Messenger with what you yourselves desired not,you grew arrogant Some you disbelieved and some you kill ). Jibril is Ruh Al-Qudus The proof that Jibril is the Ruh Al-Qudus is the statement of Ibn Mas`ud in explanation of this Ayah.
This is also the view of Ibn `Abbas, Muhammad bin Ka`b, Isma`il bin Khalid, As-Suddi, Ar-Rabi` bin Anas, `Atiyah Al-`Awfi and Qatadah.
Additionally, Allah said, نَزَلَ بِهِ الرُّوحُ الاٌّمِينُ - عَلَى قَلْبِكَ لِتَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُنْذِرِينَ ( Which the trustworthy Ruh (Jibril ) has brought down.
Upon your heart ( O Muhammad ) that you may be ( one ) of the warners) ( 26:193-194 ). Al-Bukhari recorded `A'ishah saying that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ erected a Minbar in the Masjid on which Hassan bin Thabit ( the renowned poet ) used to defend the Messenger of Allah ﷺ ( with his poems ).
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, «اللَّهُمَّ أَيِّدْ حَسَّانَ بِرُوحِ الْقُدُسِ كَمَا نَافَحَ عَنْ نَبِيِّك» ( O Allah! Aid Hassan with Ruh Al-Qudus, for he defended Your Prophet. ) Abu Dawud recorded this Hadith in his Sunan as did At-Tirmidhi who graded it Hasan Sahih.
Further, Ibn Hibban recorded in his Sahih that Ibn Mas`ud said that the Prophet said, «إِنَّ رُوحَ الْقُدُسِ نَفَثَ فِي رُوعِي أَنَّهُ لَنْ تَمُوتَ نَفْسٌ حَتَّى تَسْتَكْمِلَ رِزْقَهَا وَأَجَلَهَا، فَاتَّقُوا اللهَ وَأَجْمِلُوا فِي الطَّلَب» ( Ruh Al-Qudus informed me that no soul shall die until it finishes its set provisions and term limit.
Therefore, have Taqwa of Allah and seek your sustenance in the most suitable way. ) The Jews tried to kill the Prophet Az-Zamakhshari commented on Allah's statement, فَفَرِيقًا كَذَّبْتُمْ وَفَرِيقًا تَقْتُلُونَ ( Some you disbelieved and some you kill ), "Allah did not say `killed' here, because the Jews would still try to kill the Prophet in the future, using poison and magic." During the illness that preceded his death, the Prophet said, «مَا زَالَتْ أَكْلَةُ خَيْبَرَ تُعَاوِدُنِي، فَهذَا أَوَانُ انْقِطَاعِ أَبْهَرِي» ( I kept feeling the effect of what I ate (from the poisoned sheep ) during the day of Khaybar, until now, when it is the time that the aorta will be cut off ( meaning when death is near ).) This Hadith was collected by Al-Bukhari and others

( And surely, We gave unto Moses the Scripture ) the Torah ( and We caused a train of messengers to follow after him ) to come after him in succession, ( and We gave unto Jesus son of Mary clear proofs ) commands, prohibitions, wondrous things and signs, ( and We supported him ) strengthened and helped him ( with the holy Spirit ) with Gabriel, the purified. ( Is it ever so, that, when there cometh unto you ) O group of Jews ( a messenger with that which ye yourselves desire not ) which does not agree with your hearts and religion, ( ye grow arrogant ) you disdain believing in him. ( And some ye disbelieve ) you disbelieve in a group of them, namely Muhammad and Jesus, Allah bless them and give them peace ( and some ye slay? ) and some you killed, namely, John the Baptist and Zachariah.

And indeed, We gave Musa (Moses) the Book and followed him up with a succession of Messengers. And We gave 'Iesa (Jesus), the son of Maryam (Mary), clear signs and supported him with Ruh-ul-Qudus [Jibrael (Gabriel)]. Is it that whenever there came to you a Messenger with what you yourselves desired not, you grew arrogant? Some, you disbelieved and some, you killed.

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