Juz 6: An-Nisāʾ 148 to Al-Māʾidah 81
Section 4 of 16 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
3. The People of the Book and Their Demands
The Jews of Madinah presented numerous challenges to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the Muslim community. During this period, the Jewish tribes often allied themselves with the hypocrites, creating difficulties and discord. Allah (swt) highlights their unreasonable demands and rebellious history in verses 153-156 of Surah An-Nisa.
يَسْأَلُكَ أَهْلُ الْكِتَابِ أَن تُنَزِّلَ عَلَيْهِمْ كِتَابًا مِّنَ السَّمَاءِ فَقَدْ سَأَلُوا مُوسَىٰ أَكْبَرَ مِن ذَٰلِكَ فَقَالُوا أَرِنَا اللَّهَ جَهْرَةً فَأَخَذَتْهُمُ الصَّاعِقَةُ بِظُلْمِهِمْ
“The People of the Book ask you to bring down upon them a book from the heaven. So, they had asked Musa something greater than that when they said, "Show us Allah openly." So, the thunderbolt took them for their wickedness.”
This verse reveals how the Jews demanded a physical book from heaven as proof of prophethood, yet this was not even their most outrageous demand. Allah (swt) reminds us that they had previously asked Prophet Musa (Moses) for something even more audacious – to see Allah openly and directly. For this transgression, they were struck by lightning as punishment for their insolence.
Despite receiving numerous signs and miracles, the Children of Israel repeatedly demonstrated ingratitude and rebellion. Allah (swt) mentions:
ثُمَّ اتَّخَذُوا الْعِجْلَ مِن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَتْهُمُ الْبَيِّنَاتُ فَعَفَوْنَا عَن ذَٰلِكَ وَآتَيْنَا مُوسَىٰ سُلْطَانًا مُّبِينًا
“Then they took the calf (for worship) after clear signs had come to them. Then, We forgave them for that and gave Musa clear authority.”
Even after witnessing Allah's signs, they worshipped the golden calf. Yet Allah (swt) still forgave them and bestowed upon Musa (peace be upon him) clear authority. This pattern of divine mercy in the face of human rebellion demonstrates Allah's compassion.
Allah (swt) continues the narrative by mentioning how He raised Mount Tur above them as they took their covenant, commanded them to enter the gate in prostration, and prohibited them from transgressing the Sabbath. Despite these clear directives, they broke their covenants repeatedly:
فَبِمَا نَقْضِهِم مِّيثَاقَهُمْ وَكُفْرِهِم بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ وَقَتْلِهِمُ الْأَنبِيَاءَ بِغَيْرِ حَقٍّ وَقَوْلِهِمْ قُلُوبُنَا غُلْفٌ بَلْ طَبَعَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهَا بِكُفْرِهِمْ فَلَا يُؤْمِنُونَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا
“Then, (We cursed them) because of their breaking the covenant and their disbelief in the signs of Allah and their slaying of the prophets unjustly and their saying, "Our hearts are covered." Rather, Allah has set a seal upon them for their disbelief, so they do not believe but a little.”
Their major transgressions included breaking covenants, disbelieving in Allah's signs, killing prophets without justification, and claiming their hearts were "covered" (implying they could not understand or accept the message). Allah (swt) explains that it was not that their hearts were naturally impenetrable, but rather that Allah had sealed them because of their persistent disbelief.
Another grievous sin mentioned is their slander against Maryam (Mary):
وَبِكُفْرِهِمْ وَقَوْلِهِمْ عَلَىٰ مَرْيَمَ بُهْتَانًا عَظِيمًا
“And (We cursed them) for their disbelief and for their uttering against Maryam a grievous calumny.”
The Jews falsely accused Maryam (peace be upon her) of immorality, which was a tremendous slander against the pure mother of Prophet Isa (Jesus). This slander, combined with their other transgressions, further illustrates their departure from divine guidance despite receiving countless blessings and opportunities for redemption.
These verses serve as a powerful reminder of how demanding miraculous signs while rejecting existing evidence of divine truth represents spiritual arrogance rather than genuine seeking of guidance. They also highlight Allah's pattern of mercy and forgiveness despite repeated human rebellion.