Surah Anam ayat 91 Tafsir Quran 6:91

﴿وَمَا قَدَرُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِ إِذْ قَالُوا مَا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَىٰ بَشَرٍ مِّن شَيْءٍ ۗ قُلْ مَنْ أَنزَلَ الْكِتَابَ الَّذِي جَاءَ بِهِ مُوسَىٰ نُورًا وَهُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ ۖ تَجْعَلُونَهُ قَرَاطِيسَ تُبْدُونَهَا وَتُخْفُونَ كَثِيرًا ۖ وَعُلِّمْتُم مَّا لَمْ تَعْلَمُوا أَنتُمْ وَلَا آبَاؤُكُمْ ۖ قُلِ اللَّهُ ۖ ثُمَّ ذَرْهُمْ فِي خَوْضِهِمْ يَلْعَبُونَ﴾
[ الأنعام: 91]

6:91 And they did not appraise Allah with true appraisal when they said, "Allah did not reveal to a human being anything." Say, "Who revealed the Scripture that Moses brought as light and guidance to the people? You [Jews] make it into pages, disclosing [some of] it and concealing much. And you were taught that which you knew not - neither you nor your fathers." Say, "Allah [revealed it]." Then leave them in their [empty] discourse, amusing themselves.

They that is the Jews measured not God with His true measure that is they have not extended Him the grandeur that truly befits Him or it means they have not attained the true knowledge of Him when they said to the Prophet s disputing with him about the Qur’ān ‘God has not revealed anything to any mortal.’ Say to them ‘Who revealed the Book which Moses brought a light and guidance for mankind? You put it in all three instances the verbs may be read either in the third person plural yaj‘alūnahu ‘they put it’; yubdūnahā ‘they reveal it’; wa-yukhfūna ‘and they hide’ or in the second person plural taj‘alūnahu ‘you put it’; tubdūnahā ‘you reveal it’; wa-tukhfūna ‘and you hide’ on parchments that is you write it down on fragments of notes which you disclose that is what you choose to disclose thereof but you hide much of what is in them as in the case of the descriptions of Muhammad (s); and you have been taught O Jews in the Qur’ān what you did not know neither you nor your fathers’ in the Torah through the elucidation therein of what you were confused about and in disagreement over. Say ‘God’ revealed it — and if they do not say it there is no other response — then leave them to play in their discourse their falsehood.

And they* did not credit Allah with the attributes asserted as His own; they failed to ponder His marvels crediting His Omnipotence. They said: Never did Allah disclose divine knowledge to a human being nor did He admit discourse directly or indirectly to His Omnipotence and Authority. Ask them; Who then had sent down the Book you knew that Mussa presented to his people, the Book flowing forth with illumination and enlightenment to illuminate the intellect of mankind; the Book the Jews divided and again broke up into subdivisions and published the parts they planned to disclose and concealed the many parts which would publish their shame and their immorality; the Book which imparted to them divine knowledge and acquainted them intellectually with facts neither they nor their fathers had ever known. Is it not Allah! Let them Muhammad drown themselves in the nonsensical and engage in amusement which is the happiness of those who cannot think. * The Meccan Infidels and the Jews

The Messenger is but a Human to Whom the Book was Revealed by Inspiration Allah says that those who rejected His Messengers did not give Allah due consideration.
Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid and `Abdullah bin Kathir said that this Ayah was revealed about the Quraysh.
It was also said that it was revealed about some Jews. قَالُواْ مَآ أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَى بَشَرٍ مِّن شَىْءٍ ( They said: "Nothing did Allah send down to any human being (by inspiration ).") Allah also, said, أَكَانَ لِلنَّاسِ عَجَبًا أَنْ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَى رَجُلٍ مِّنْهُمْ أَنْ أَنذِرِ النَّاسَ ( Is it a wonder for mankind that We have inspired to a man from among themselves (saying ): "Warn mankind.") 10:2, and, وَمَا مَنَعَ النَّاسَ أَن يُؤْمِنُواْ إِذْ جَآءَهُمُ الْهُدَى إِلاَّ أَن قَالُواْ أَبَعَثَ اللَّهُ بَشَرًا رَّسُولاً - قُل لَوْ كَانَ فِى الاٌّرْضِ مَلَـئِكَةٌ يَمْشُونَ مُطْمَئِنِّينَ لَنَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْهِم مِّنَ السَّمَآءِ مَلَكًا رَّسُولاً ( And nothing prevented men from believing when the guidance came to them, except that they said: "Has Allah sent a man as Messenger" Say: "If there were on the earth, angels walking about in peace and security, We should certainly have sent down for them from the heaven an angel as a Messenger." ) 17:94-95.
Allah said here, وَمَا قَدَرُواْ اللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِ إِذْ قَالُواْ مَآ أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَى بَشَرٍ مِّن شَىْءٍ ( They did not estimate Allah with an estimation due to Him when they said: "Nothing did Allah send down to any human being (by inspiration ).") Allah answered them, قُلْ مَنْ أَنزَلَ الْكِتَـبَ الَّذِى جَآءَ بِهِ مُوسَى نُوراً وَهُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ ( Say : "Who then sent down the Book which Musa brought, a light and a guidance to mankind" ) meaning, say, O Muhammad , to those who deny the concept that Allah sent down Books by revelation, answering them specifically, مَنْ أَنزَلَ الْكِتَـبَ الَّذِى جَآءَ بِهِ مُوسَى ( Who then sent down the Book which Musa brought ) in reference to the Tawrah that you and all others know that Allah sent down to Musa, son of `Imran.
Allah sent the Tawrah as a light and a guidance for people, so that it could shed light on the answers to various disputes, and to guide away from the darkness of doubts.
Allah's statement, . تَجْعَلُونَهُ قَرَطِيسَ تُبْدُونَهَا وَتُخْفُونَ كَثِيراً ( which you have made into (separate ) papersheets, disclosing ( some of it ) and concealing ( much ).) means, you made the Tawrah into separate sheets which you copied from the original and altered, changed and distorted as you wished.
You then said, "this is from Allah," meaning it is in the revealed Book of Allah, when in fact, it is not from Allah.
This is why Allah said here, تَجْعَلُونَهُ قَرَطِيسَ تُبْدُونَهَا وَتُخْفُونَ كَثِيراً ( which you have made into (separate ) papersheets, disclosing ( some of it ) and concealing ( much ).) Allah said; وَعُلِّمْتُمْ مَّا لَمْ تَعْلَمُواْ أَنتُمْ وَلاَ ءَابَاؤُكُمْ ( And you were taught that which neither you nor your fathers knew. ) meaning, Who sent down the Qur'an in which Allah taught you the news of those who were before you and the news of what will come after, that neither you nor your fathers had knowledge of.
Allah's statement, قُلِ اللَّهُ ( Say: "Allah." ) `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas said, "Meaning, `Say, Allah sent it down."' Allah said, ثُمَّ ذَرْهُمْ فِى خَوْضِهِمْ يَلْعَبُونَ ( Then leave them to play in their vain discussions. ) leave them to play in ignorance and misguidance until the true news comes to them from Allah.
Then, they will know whether the good end is theirs or for the fearful servants of Allah.
Allah said, وَهَـذَا كِتَـبٌ ( And this is a Book, ) the Qur'an, أَنزَلْنَـهُ مُبَارَكٌ مُّصَدِّقُ الَّذِى بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَلِتُنذِرَ أُمَّ الْقُرَى ( Blessed, which We have sent down, confirming which came before it, so that you may warn the Mother of Towns ) that is, Makkah, وَمَنْ حَوْلَهَا ( and all those around it... ) refering to the Arabs and the rest of the children of Adam, Arabs and non-Arabs alike.
Allah said in other Ayat, قُلْ يَأَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنِّى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ إِلَيْكُمْ جَمِيعًا ( Say: "O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allah." ) 7:158, and لاٌّنذِرَكُمْ بِهِ وَمَن بَلَغَ ( "that I may therewith warn you and whomsoever it may reach." ) 6:19, and وَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِهِ مِنَ الاٌّحْزَابِ فَالنَّارُ مَوْعِدُهُ ( but those of the sects who reject it, the Fire will be their promised meeting place ) 11:17 and, تَبَارَكَ الَّذِى نَزَّلَ الْفُرْقَانَ عَلَى عَبْدِهِ لِيَكُونَ لِلْعَـلَمِينَ نَذِيراً ( Blessed be He Who sent down the criterion to His servant that he may be a warner to the `Alamin (mankind and Jinn ).) 25:1, and, وَقُلْ لِّلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ الْكِتَـبَ وَالاٍّمِّيِّينَ ءَأَسْلَمْتُمْ فَإِنْ أَسْلَمُواْ فَقَدِ اهْتَدَواْ وَّإِن تَوَلَّوْاْ فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيْكَ الْبَلَـغُ وَاللَّهُ بَصِيرٌ بِالْعِبَادِ ( And say to those who were given the Scripture and to those who are illiterates: "Do you submit yourselves" If they do, they are rightly guided; but if they turn away, your duty is only to convey the Message; and Allah is All-Seer of (His ) servants.) 3:20.
It is recorded in the Two Sahihs, that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
«أُعْطِيتُ خَمْسًا لَمْ يُعْطَهُنَّ أَحَدٌ مِنَ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ قَبْلِي»
( I have been given five things which were not given to any one else before me. ) The Prophet mentioned among these five things,
«وَكَانَ النَّبِيُّ يُبْعَثُ إِلَى قَوْمِهِ خَاصَّةً، وَبُعِثْتُ إِلَى النَّاسِ عَامَّة»
( Every Prophet was sent only to his nation, but I have been sent to all people. ) This is why Allah said, وَالَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالاٌّخِرَةِ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِ ( Those who believe in the Hereafter believe in it, ) meaning, those who believe in Allah and the Last Day, believe in this blessed Book, the Qur'an, which We revealed to you, O Muhammad , وَهُمْ عَلَى صَلاَتِهِمْ يُحَافِظُونَ ( and they are constant in guarding their Salah. ) for they perform what Allah ordered them, offering the prayers perfectly and on time.

(6:91) They did not form any proper estimate of Allah when they said: 'Allah has not revealed anything to any man.' *59 Ask them: 'The Book which Moses brought as a light and guidance for men and which you keep in bits and scraps, some of which you disclose while the rest you conceal, even though through it you were taught that which neither you nor your forefathers knew -who was it who revealed it?' *60 Say: 'Allah!'- and then leave them to sport with their argumentation.

And they did not appraise Allah with meaning

*59).
In the light of the foregoing discussion and commentary, it is quite evident that this statement comes from the Jews.
Since the Prophet ( peace be on him ) had asserted that he was a Prophet and that a Book had been revealed to him, the unbelieving Quraysh and other polytheists of Arabia naturally used to approach the Jews and the Christians - who believed in the Prophets and in the Scriptures - and tried to solicit a candid answer from them as to whether God's words had indeed been revealed to Muhammad ( peace be on him ).
Whatever answer they gave was then disseminated on all sides by the active opponents of the Prophet ( peace be on him ) in order to create revulsion against Islam.
This is the reason for mentioning, and then refuting, this statement by the Jews, which had been used by the opposition as an argument against Islam.

One might wonder how a Jew, who believes in the Torah as a revealed Book of God, could say that God had revealed nothing to anyone.
At times blind obstinacy and bigotry cause people to resort to arguments which strike at the roots of their own belief.
These people were bent upon denying the prophethood of Muhammad ( peace be on him ), and this fanaticism had come to dominate them so much that they went so far as to deny the very institution of prophethood.

To say that peopte have not formed any proper estimate of God means that they have erred grossly in assessing His wisdom and power.
Whoever says that God did not reveal knowledge of Reality and the code for man's guidance has fallen into one of two errors.
Either he considers it impossible for man to become the recipient of God's revelation, and this constitutes a gross misjudgement of God's power, or he thinks that even though God has equipped man with intelligence and with the power to act as he chooses, He has nevertheless made no arrangement for his guidance, but has left him in this world altogether unguided and thus conferred upon him the right to behave in any way he likes.
This is obviously a misjudgement of God's wisdom.

*60).
The revelation of the Torah to Moses ( peace be on him ) is adduced by way of evidence since the Jews, to whom this response is addressed, believed that it had been revealed.
It is obvious that their recognition of the Torah as the Book revealed to Moses negated their standpoint that God had never revealed anything to any human being.
Their belief in the Torah at least proved that revelation to man is possible, and had actually taken place.

 

The Messenger is but a Human to Whom the Book was Revealed by Inspiration Allah says that those who rejected His Messengers did not give Allah due consideration.
Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid and `Abdullah bin Kathir said that this Ayah was revealed about the Quraysh.
It was also said that it was revealed about some Jews. قَالُواْ مَآ أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَى بَشَرٍ مِّن شَىْءٍ ( They said: "Nothing did Allah send down to any human being (by inspiration ).") Allah also, said, أَكَانَ لِلنَّاسِ عَجَبًا أَنْ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَى رَجُلٍ مِّنْهُمْ أَنْ أَنذِرِ النَّاسَ ( Is it a wonder for mankind that We have inspired to a man from among themselves (saying ): "Warn mankind.") 10:2, and, وَمَا مَنَعَ النَّاسَ أَن يُؤْمِنُواْ إِذْ جَآءَهُمُ الْهُدَى إِلاَّ أَن قَالُواْ أَبَعَثَ اللَّهُ بَشَرًا رَّسُولاً - قُل لَوْ كَانَ فِى الاٌّرْضِ مَلَـئِكَةٌ يَمْشُونَ مُطْمَئِنِّينَ لَنَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْهِم مِّنَ السَّمَآءِ مَلَكًا رَّسُولاً ( And nothing prevented men from believing when the guidance came to them, except that they said: "Has Allah sent a man as Messenger" Say: "If there were on the earth, angels walking about in peace and security, We should certainly have sent down for them from the heaven an angel as a Messenger." ) 17:94-95.
Allah said here, وَمَا قَدَرُواْ اللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِ إِذْ قَالُواْ مَآ أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَى بَشَرٍ مِّن شَىْءٍ ( They did not estimate Allah with an estimation due to Him when they said: "Nothing did Allah send down to any human being (by inspiration ).") Allah answered them, قُلْ مَنْ أَنزَلَ الْكِتَـبَ الَّذِى جَآءَ بِهِ مُوسَى نُوراً وَهُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ ( Say : "Who then sent down the Book which Musa brought, a light and a guidance to mankind" ) meaning, say, O Muhammad , to those who deny the concept that Allah sent down Books by revelation, answering them specifically, مَنْ أَنزَلَ الْكِتَـبَ الَّذِى جَآءَ بِهِ مُوسَى ( Who then sent down the Book which Musa brought ) in reference to the Tawrah that you and all others know that Allah sent down to Musa, son of `Imran.
Allah sent the Tawrah as a light and a guidance for people, so that it could shed light on the answers to various disputes, and to guide away from the darkness of doubts.
Allah's statement, . تَجْعَلُونَهُ قَرَطِيسَ تُبْدُونَهَا وَتُخْفُونَ كَثِيراً ( which you have made into (separate ) papersheets, disclosing ( some of it ) and concealing ( much ).) means, you made the Tawrah into separate sheets which you copied from the original and altered, changed and distorted as you wished.
You then said, "this is from Allah," meaning it is in the revealed Book of Allah, when in fact, it is not from Allah.
This is why Allah said here, تَجْعَلُونَهُ قَرَطِيسَ تُبْدُونَهَا وَتُخْفُونَ كَثِيراً ( which you have made into (separate ) papersheets, disclosing ( some of it ) and concealing ( much ).) Allah said; وَعُلِّمْتُمْ مَّا لَمْ تَعْلَمُواْ أَنتُمْ وَلاَ ءَابَاؤُكُمْ ( And you were taught that which neither you nor your fathers knew. ) meaning, Who sent down the Qur'an in which Allah taught you the news of those who were before you and the news of what will come after, that neither you nor your fathers had knowledge of.
Allah's statement, قُلِ اللَّهُ ( Say: "Allah." ) `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas said, "Meaning, `Say, Allah sent it down."' Allah said, ثُمَّ ذَرْهُمْ فِى خَوْضِهِمْ يَلْعَبُونَ ( Then leave them to play in their vain discussions. ) leave them to play in ignorance and misguidance until the true news comes to them from Allah.
Then, they will know whether the good end is theirs or for the fearful servants of Allah.
Allah said, وَهَـذَا كِتَـبٌ ( And this is a Book, ) the Qur'an, أَنزَلْنَـهُ مُبَارَكٌ مُّصَدِّقُ الَّذِى بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَلِتُنذِرَ أُمَّ الْقُرَى ( Blessed, which We have sent down, confirming which came before it, so that you may warn the Mother of Towns ) that is, Makkah, وَمَنْ حَوْلَهَا ( and all those around it... ) refering to the Arabs and the rest of the children of Adam, Arabs and non-Arabs alike.
Allah said in other Ayat, قُلْ يَأَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنِّى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ إِلَيْكُمْ جَمِيعًا ( Say: "O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allah." ) 7:158, and لاٌّنذِرَكُمْ بِهِ وَمَن بَلَغَ ( "that I may therewith warn you and whomsoever it may reach." ) 6:19, and وَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِهِ مِنَ الاٌّحْزَابِ فَالنَّارُ مَوْعِدُهُ ( but those of the sects who reject it, the Fire will be their promised meeting place ) 11:17 and, تَبَارَكَ الَّذِى نَزَّلَ الْفُرْقَانَ عَلَى عَبْدِهِ لِيَكُونَ لِلْعَـلَمِينَ نَذِيراً ( Blessed be He Who sent down the criterion to His servant that he may be a warner to the `Alamin (mankind and Jinn ).) 25:1, and, وَقُلْ لِّلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ الْكِتَـبَ وَالاٍّمِّيِّينَ ءَأَسْلَمْتُمْ فَإِنْ أَسْلَمُواْ فَقَدِ اهْتَدَواْ وَّإِن تَوَلَّوْاْ فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيْكَ الْبَلَـغُ وَاللَّهُ بَصِيرٌ بِالْعِبَادِ ( And say to those who were given the Scripture and to those who are illiterates: "Do you submit yourselves" If they do, they are rightly guided; but if they turn away, your duty is only to convey the Message; and Allah is All-Seer of (His ) servants.) 3:20.
It is recorded in the Two Sahihs, that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, «أُعْطِيتُ خَمْسًا لَمْ يُعْطَهُنَّ أَحَدٌ مِنَ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ قَبْلِي» ( I have been given five things which were not given to any one else before me. ) The Prophet mentioned among these five things, «وَكَانَ النَّبِيُّ يُبْعَثُ إِلَى قَوْمِهِ خَاصَّةً، وَبُعِثْتُ إِلَى النَّاسِ عَامَّة» ( Every Prophet was sent only to his nation, but I have been sent to all people. ) This is why Allah said, وَالَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالاٌّخِرَةِ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِ ( Those who believe in the Hereafter believe in it, ) meaning, those who believe in Allah and the Last Day, believe in this blessed Book, the Qur'an, which We revealed to you, O Muhammad , وَهُمْ عَلَى صَلاَتِهِمْ يُحَافِظُونَ ( and they are constant in guarding their Salah. ) for they perform what Allah ordered them, offering the prayers perfectly and on time.

( And they measure not the power of Allah its true measure ) they do not glorify Allah as He should be glorified ( when they say: Allah hath naught ) no Scripture ( revealed unto a human being ) among the prophets. This verse was revealed about Malik Ibn al-Sayf, the Jew, who claimed that Allah did not reveal any Scripture to human beings. ( Say ) O Muhammad, to Malik: ( Who revealed the Book which Moses brought, a light ) an exposition and enlightenment ( and guidance for mankind ) from error, ( which ye have put ) written ( on parchments which ye show ) many things which do not contain the traits and description of the Prophet ( pbuh ) ( but ye hide much (thereof )) you hide many portions of it which contain the traits and description of Muhammad ( pbuh ) ( and by which ye were taught ) of legal rulings, punishment, the lawful and the unlawful as well as the traits and description of Muhammad ( pbuh ) in the Scripture ( that which ye knew not yourselves nor (did ) your fathers ( know it )) before the revelation of legal rulings and punishments? If they answer and say it was Allah, then fine, if they do not, ( Say: Allah ) revealed it. ( Then leave them to their play of cavilling ) let them indulge in their falsehood: quibbling and lying.

They (the Jews, Quraish pagans, idolaters, etc.) did not estimate Allah with an estimation due to Him when they said: "Nothing did Allah send down to any human being (by inspiration)." Say (O Muhammad SAW): "Who then sent down the Book which Musa (Moses) brought, a light and a guidance to mankind which you (the Jews) have made into (separate) papersheets, disclosing (some of it) and concealing (much). And you (believers in Allah and His Messenger Muhammad SAW), were taught (through the Quran) that which neither you nor your fathers knew." Say: "Allah (sent it down)." Then leave them to play in their vain discussions. (Tafsir Al-Qurtubi, Vol. 7, Page 37).

Page 139 English transliteration