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Surah 5. Al-Ma'ida

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5:56
وَمَن يَتَوَلَّ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ فَإِنَّ حِزْبَ ٱللَّهِ هُمُ ٱلْغَـٰلِبُونَ Waman yatawalla All a ha warasoolahu wa a lla th eena a manoo fainna h izba All a hi humu algh a liboon a
for, all who ally themselves with God and His Apostle and those who have attained to faith - behold, it is they, the partisans of God, who shall be victorious!
  - Mohammad Asad
Whoever makes Allah, His Rasool and the fellow believers his protecting friends, must know that Allah's party will surely be victorious.
  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik
Whoever allies themselves with Allah, His Messenger, and fellow believers, then it is certainly Allah's party that will prevail.
  - Mustafa Khattab
And whoso taketh Allah and His messenger and those who believe for friend (will know that), lo! the party of Allah, they are the victorious.
  - Marmaduke Pickthall
As to those who turn (for friendship) to Allah His Apostle and the (fellowship of) believers it is the fellowship of Allah that must certainly triumph.
  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

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5:57
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَتَّخِذُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ دِينَكُمْ هُزُوًا وَلَعِبًا مِّنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ وَٱلْكُفَّارَ أَوْلِيَآءَ ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ Y a ayyuh a alla th eena a manoo l a tattakhi th oo alla th eena ittakha th oo deenakum huzuwan walaAAiban mina alla th eena ootoo alkit a ba min qablikum wa a lkuff a ra awliy a a wa i ttaqoo All a ha in kuntum mumineen a
O you who have attained to faith! Do not take for your friends such as mock at your faith and make a jest of it - be they from among those who have been vouchsafed revelation before your time, or [from among] those who deny the truth [of revelation as such] - but remain conscious of God, if you are [truly] believers:
  - Mohammad Asad
O believers! Do not make your protecting friends those, from among the people who were given the Book before you and the unbelievers, who have made your religion a mockery or pastime, fear Allah if you are true believers.
  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik
O believers! Do not seek the guardianship of those given the Scripture before you and the disbelievers who have made your faith a mockery and amusement. And be mindful of Allah if you are 'truly' believers.
  - Mustafa Khattab
O ye who believe! Choose not for friends such of those who received the Scripture before you, and of the disbelievers, as make a jest and sport of your religion. But keep your duty to Allah if ye are true believers.
  - Marmaduke Pickthall
O ye who believe! take not for friends and protectors those who take your religion for a mockery or sport whether among those who received the Scripture before you or among those who reject faith; but fear ye Allah if ye have Faith (indeed). 768
  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

It is not right that we should be in intimate association with those to whom religion is either a subject of mockery or at best is nothing but a plaything. They may be amused, or they may have other motives for encouraging you. But your association with them will sap the earnestness of your Faith, and make you cynical and insincere.

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5:58
وَإِذَا نَادَيْتُمْ إِلَى ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ ٱتَّخَذُوهَا هُزُوًا وَلَعِبًا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَوْمٌ لَّا يَعْقِلُونَ Wai tha n a daytum il a a l ss al a ti ittakha th ooh a huzuwan walaAAiban tha lika biannahum qawmun l a yaAAqiloon a
for, when you call to prayer, they mock at it and make a jest of it - simply because they are people who do not use their reason.
  - Mohammad Asad
When you call for Salah (prayers) they make it as an object of mockery and pastime; this is because they are a people devoid of understanding.
  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik
When you call to prayer, they mock it in amusement. This is because they are a people without understanding.
  - Mustafa Khattab
And when ye call to prayer they take it for a jest and sport. That is because they are a folk who understand not.
  - Marmaduke Pickthall
When ye proclaim your call to prayer they take it (but) as mockery and sport; that is because they are a people without understanding.
  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

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5:59
قُلْ يَـٰٓأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ هَلْ تَنقِمُونَ مِنَّآ إِلَّآ أَنْ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْنَا وَمَآ أُنزِلَ مِن قَبْلُ وَأَنَّ أَكْثَرَكُمْ فَـٰسِقُونَ Qul y a ahla alkit a bi hal tanqimoona minn a ill a an a mann a bi A ll a hi wam a onzila ilayn a wam a onzila min qablu waanna aktharakum f a siqoon a
Say: "O followers of earlier revelation! Do you find fault with us for no other reason than that we believe in God [alone], and in that which He has bestowed from on high upon us as well as that which He has bestowed aforetime? - or [is it only] because most of you are iniquitous?"
  - Mohammad Asad
Tell them: "O people of the Book! What makes you against us other than that we believe in Allah and in what has been revealed to us and what was revealed before? The fact is that most of you are rebellious transgressors."
  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik
Say, 'O Prophet,' 'O People of the Book! Do you resent us only because we believe in Allah and what has been revealed to us and what was revealed before- while most of you are rebellious?'
  - Mustafa Khattab
Say: O, People of the Scripture! Do ye blame us for aught else than that we believe in Allah and that which is revealed unto us and that which was revealed aforetime, and because most of you are evil-livers?
  - Marmaduke Pickthall
Say: "O People of the Book! do ye disapprove of us for no other reason than that we believe in Allah and the revelation that hath come to us and that which came before (us) and (perhaps) that most of you are rebellious and disobedient?" 769
  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

There is the most biting irony in this and the next verse, You People of the Book! Do you hate us because we believe in Allah and not only our scripture, but yours also? Perhaps you hate us because we obey and you are in rebellion against Allah! Why hate us? There are worse things than our obedience and our Faith. Shall I tell you some of them? Our test will be: what treatment Allah meted out to the things I mention. Who were the people who incurred the curse of Allah? (See Deut. xi. 28, and xxviii. 15-68: and numerous passages like Hosea viii. 14, and ix- 1). Who provoked Allah's wrath? (See numerous passages like Deut. i. 34: Matt. iii. 7). Who forsook Allah, and worshipped evil? (See Jeremiah, xvi. 11-13). That is your record. Is that why you hate us?'

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5:60
قُلْ هَلْ أُنَبِّئُكُم بِشَرٍّ مِّن ذَٰلِكَ مَثُوبَةً عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ مَن لَّعَنَهُ ٱللَّهُ وَغَضِبَ عَلَيْهِ وَجَعَلَ مِنْهُمُ ٱلْقِرَدَةَ وَٱلْخَنَازِيرَ وَعَبَدَ ٱلطَّـٰغُوتَ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ شَرٌّ مَّكَانًا وَأَضَلُّ عَن سَوَآءِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ Qul hal onabbiokum bisharrin min tha lika mathoobatan AAinda All a hi man laAAanahu All a hu wagha d iba AAalayhi wajaAAala minhumu alqiradata wa a lkhan a zeera waAAabada a l tta ghooti ol a ika sharrun mak a nan waa d allu AAan saw a i a l ssabeel i
Say: "Shall I tell you who, in the sight of God, deserves a yet worse retribution than these? They whom God has rejected and whom He has condemned, and whom He has turned into apes and swine because they worshipped the powers of evil:77 these are yet worse in station, and farther astray from the right path [than the mockers]."78
  - Mohammad Asad

Contrary to many of the commentators who take this reference to "apes and swine" in a literal sense, the famous tabi'i Mujahid explains it as a metaphorical description (mathal) of the moral degradation which such sinners undergo: they become wildly unpredictable like apes, and as abandoned to the pursuit of lusts as swine (Manar VI, 448). This interpretation has also been quoted by Tabari in his commentary on 2:65 . - As regards the expression "powers of evil" (at-taghut), see surah {2}, note [250].

As is evident from the following verses, the sinners who are even worse than the mockers are the hypocrites, and particularly those among them who claim to be followers of the Bible: for the obvious reason that, having been enlightened through revelation, they have no excuse for their behaviour. Although in verse {64} the Jews are specifically mentioned, the reference to the Gospel in verse {66} makes it clear that the Christians, too, cannot be exempted from this blame.

Ask them: "Should I tell you of those who will have even worse than this in retribution from Allah? They are those whom Allah has cursed; who have incurred His wrath; some of whom were turned into apes and pigs; who worshipped Taghut (forces of Shaitan); these are worse in rank and far more astray from the Right Way."
  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik
Say, 'O Prophet,' 'Shall I inform you of those who deserve a worse punishment from Allah 'than the rebellious'? It is those who earned Allah's condemnation and displeasure- some being reduced to apes and pigs1 and worshippers of false gods. These are far worse in rank and farther astray from the Right Way.'
  - Mustafa Khattab

 Literally or metaphorically. See footnote for 2:65.

Shall I tell thee of a worse (case) than theirs for retribution with Allah? Worse (is the case of him) whom Allah hath cursed, him on whom His wrath hath fallen! Worse is he of whose sort Allah hath turned some to apes and swine, and who serveth idols. Such are in worse plight and further astray from the plain road.
  - Marmaduke Pickthall
Say: "Shall I point out to you something much worse than this (as judged) by the treatment it received from Allah? Those who incurred the curse of Allah and His wrath those of whom some He transformed into apes and swine those who worshipped Evil; these are (many times) worse in rank and far more astray from the even Path! 770
  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

For apes see Q. ii. 65. For men possessed by devils, and the devils being sent into swine, see Matt. viii. 28-32.

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5:61
وَإِذَا جَآءُوكُمْ قَالُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا وَقَد دَّخَلُوا۟ بِٱلْكُفْرِ وَهُمْ قَدْ خَرَجُوا۟ بِهِۦ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَكْتُمُونَ Wai tha j a ookum q a loo a mann a waqad dakhaloo bi a lkufri wahum qad kharajoo bihi wa A ll a hu aAAlamu bim a k a noo yaktumoon a
For, when they come unto you, they say, "We do believe": whereas, in fact, they come with the resolve to deny the truth, and depart in the same state.79 But God is fully aware of all that they would conceal.
  - Mohammad Asad

Lit., "they come in with a denial of the truth and depart with it".

When they come to you they say: "We believe". But in fact, unbelievers they came and unbelievers they depart. Allah knows fully well what they hide in their hearts.
  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik
When they come to you 'believers' they say, 'We believe.' But they are committed to disbelief when they enter and when they leave. And Allah knows what they hide.
  - Mustafa Khattab
When they come unto you (Muslims), they say: We believe; but they came in unbelief and they went out in the same; and Allah knoweth best what they were hiding.
  - Marmaduke Pickthall
When they come to thee they say: "We believe": but in fact they enter with a mind against Faith and they go out with the same: but Allah knoweth fully all that they hide.
  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

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5:62
وَتَرَىٰ كَثِيرًا مِّنْهُمْ يُسَـٰرِعُونَ فِى ٱلْإِثْمِ وَٱلْعُدْوَٰنِ وَأَكْلِهِمُ ٱلسُّحْتَ ۚ لَبِئْسَ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ Watar a katheeran minhum yus a riAAoona fee alithmi wa a lAAudw a ni waaklihimu a l ssu h ta labisa m a k a noo yaAAmaloon a
And thou canst see many of them vie with one another in sinning and tyrannical conduct and in their swallowing of all that is evil.
  - Mohammad Asad
You will see many of them try to beat each other in sin and rancor, and they consume what is unlawful. Evil indeed is what they do.
  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik
You see many of them racing towards sin, transgression, and consumption of forbidden gain. Evil indeed are their actions!
  - Mustafa Khattab
And thou seest many of them vying one with another in sin and transgression and their devouring of illicit gain. Verily evil is what they do.
  - Marmaduke Pickthall
Many of them dost thou see racing each other in sin and rancor and their eating of things forbidden. Evil indeed are the things that they do. 771
  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Eating of things forbidden: may be construed in a literal or a figurative sense. From its juxtaposition with sin and hatred, it is better to construe it in a figurative sense, as referring to their fraudulent misappropriations of other people's property or trust property. "Eating" is used in v. 66 below in the general sense of enjoyment and happiness.

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5:63
لَوْلَا يَنْهَىٰهُمُ ٱلرَّبَّـٰنِيُّونَ وَٱلْأَحْبَارُ عَن قَوْلِهِمُ ٱلْإِثْمَ وَأَكْلِهِمُ ٱلسُّحْتَ ۚ لَبِئْسَ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَصْنَعُونَ Lawl a yanh a humu a l rrabb a niyyoona wa a la h b a ru AAan qawlihimu alithma waaklihimu a l ssu h ta labisa m a k a noo ya s naAAoon a
Why do not their men of God and their rabbis80 forbid them to make sinful assertions and to swallow all that is evil? Vile indeed is what they contrive!
  - Mohammad Asad

According to Baghawi, the rabbaniyun ("men of God" - see surah {3}, note [62]) stand, in this context, for the spiritual leaders of the Christians, and the ahbar for the Jewish scholars ("rabbis"). Regarding the "swallowing of evil", see note [54] above.

Why don't their Rabbis and the Jurists of laws forbid them from uttering sinful words and eating unlawful things? Evil indeed are their deeds.
  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik
Why do their rabbis and scholars not forbid them from saying what is sinful and consuming what is unlawful? Evil indeed is their inaction!
  - Mustafa Khattab
Why do not the rabbis and the priests forbid their evil speaking and their devouring of illicit gain? Verily evil is their handiwork.
  - Marmaduke Pickthall
Why do not the Rabbis and the doctors of laws forbid them from their (habit of) uttering sinful words and eating things forbidden? Evil indeed are their works.
  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

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5:64
وَقَالَتِ ٱلْيَهُودُ يَدُ ٱللَّهِ مَغْلُولَةٌ ۚ غُلَّتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَلُعِنُوا۟ بِمَا قَالُوا۟ ۘ بَلْ يَدَاهُ مَبْسُوطَتَانِ يُنفِقُ كَيْفَ يَشَآءُ ۚ وَلَيَزِيدَنَّ كَثِيرًا مِّنْهُم مَّآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ طُغْيَـٰنًا وَكُفْرًا ۚ وَأَلْقَيْنَا بَيْنَهُمُ ٱلْعَدَٰوَةَ وَٱلْبَغْضَآءَ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۚ كُلَّمَآ أَوْقَدُوا۟ نَارًا لِّلْحَرْبِ أَطْفَأَهَا ٱللَّهُ ۚ وَيَسْعَوْنَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَسَادًا ۚ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُفْسِدِينَ Waq a lati alyahoodu yadu All a hi maghloolatun ghullat aydeehim waluAAinoo bim a q a loo bal yad a hu mabsoo t at a ni yunfiqu kayfa yash a o walayazeedanna katheeran minhum m a onzila ilayka min rabbika t ughy a nan wakufran waalqayn a baynahumu alAAad a wata wa a lbagh da a il a yawmi alqiy a mati kullam a awqadoo n a ran lil h arbi a t faah a All a hu wayasAAawna fee alar d i fas a dan wa A ll a hu l a yu h ibbu almufsideen a
And the Jews say, "God's hand is shackled!" It is their own hands that are shackled; and rejected [by God] are they because of this their assertion.81 Nay, but wide are His hands stretched out: He dispenses [bounty] as He wills. But all that has been bestowed from on high upon thee [O Prophet] by thy Sustainer is bound to make many of them yet more stubborn in their overweening arrogance and in their denial of the truth. And so We have cast enmity and hatred among the followers of the Bible,82 [to last] until Resurrection Day; every time they light the fires of war, God extinguishes them;83 and they labour hard to spread corruption on earth: and God does not love the spreaders of corruption.
  - Mohammad Asad

The phrase "one's hand is shackled" is a metaphorical expression denoting niggardliness just as its opposite - "his hand is stretched out wide" - signifies generosity (Zamakhshari). However, these two phrases have a wider meaning as well, namely, "lack of power" and "unlimited power", respectively (Razi). It would appear that the Jews of Medina, seeing the poverty of the Muslims, derided the latters' conviction that they were struggling in God's cause and that the Qur'an was divinely revealed. Thus, the "saying" of the Jews mentioned in this verse "God's hand is shackled", as well as the parallel one in 3:181 , "God is poor while we are rich", is an elliptical description of their attitude towards Islam and the Muslims - an attitude of disbelief and sarcasm which could be thus paraphrased: "If it were true that you Muslims are doing God's will, He would have bestowed upon you power and riches; but your poverty and your weakness contradict your claim - or else this claim of yours amounts, in effect, to saying that God cannot help you." This outstanding example of the elliptic mode of expression (ijaz) so often employed in the Qur'an has, however, a meaning that goes far beyond the historical circumstances to which it refers: it illustrates an attitude of mind which mistakenly identifies worldy riches or power with one's being, spiritually, "on the right way". In the next sentence the Qur'an takes issue with this attitude and declares, in an equally elliptical manner, that all who see in material success an alleged evidence of God's approval are blind to spiritual truths and, therefore, morally powerless and utterly self-condemned in the sight of God.

Lit., "among them". The personal pronoun refers to the hypocritical followers of the Bible - both the Jews and the Christians - spoken of in verses {57-63} (Tabari); cf. verse {14} of this surah, which makes a similar statement with regard to such of the Christians as "have forgotten much of what they had been told to bear in mind".

I.e., He does not allow any of the warring parties to resolve their conflicts through a final victory. with the result that they continue to live in a state of "enmity and hatred".

The Jews say: Allah's hand is tied up! - Nay! Their own hands will be tied up and they will be cursed for what they utter. Both of His hands are free; However, He spends as He pleases. The fact is that the revelations that have come to you from Allah will surely make many of them increase in their wickedness and unbelief. We have stirred among them enmity and hatred till the Day of Resurrection. Every time they kindle the fire of war, Allah extinguishes it. Now they are striving to spread mischief in the land. Allah does not love those who do mischief.
  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik
'Some among' the Jews said, 'Allah is tight-fisted.'1 May their fists be tied and they be condemned for what they said. Rather, He is open-handed, giving freely as He pleases. That which has been revealed to you 'O Prophet' from your Lord will only cause many of them to increase in wickedness and disbelief. We have stirred among them hostility and hatred until the Day of Judgment. Whenever they kindle the fire of war, Allah puts it out. And they strive to spread corruption in the land. And Allah does not like corruptors.
  - Mustafa Khattab

 lit., Allah’s Hand is tied up ˹with greed˺.

The Jews say: Allah's hand is fettered. Their hands are fettered and they are accursed for saying so. Nay, but both His hands are spread out wide in bounty. He bestoweth as He will. That which hath been revealed unto thee from thy Lord is certain to increase the contumacy and disbelief of many of them, and We have cast among them enmity and hatred till the Day of Resurrection. As often as they light a fire for war, Allah extinguisheth it. Their effort is for corruption in the land, and Allah loveth not corrupters.
  - Marmaduke Pickthall
The Jews say: "Allah's hand is tied up." Be their hands tied up and be they accursed for the (blasphemy) they utter. Nay both His hands are widely outstretched: He giveth and spendeth (of His bounty) as He pleaseth. But the revelation that cometh to thee from Allah increaseth in most of them their obstinate rebellion and blasphemy. Amongst them We have placed enmity and hatred till the Day of Judgment. Every time they kindle the fire of war Allah doth extinguish it; but they (ever) strive to do mischief on earth. And Allah loveth not those who do mischief. 772 773 774 775
  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Cf. v. 12. and ii. 245, for a "beautiful loan to Allah", and iii. 181, for the blasphemous taunt, "Then Allah is poor!" It is another form of the taunt to say, "Then Allah's hands are tied up. He is close-fisted. He does not give!" This blasphemy is repudiated. On the contrary, boundless is Allah's bounty, and He gives, as it were, with both hands outstretched,-a figure of speech for unbounded liberality.

Their jealousy-because Al-Mustafa is chosen for Allah's Message-is so great that it only confirms and strengthens their rebellion and blasphemy.

Cf. v. 14. where the eternal warring of the Christian sects, among themselves and against the Jews, is referred to. The reference is to the whole of the People of the Book, Jews and Christians-their internal squabbles and their external disputes, quarrels, and wars.

The argument of the whole verse may be thus stated. The Jews blaspheme and mock, and because of their jealousy, the more they are taught, the more obstinate they become in their rebellion. But what good will it do to them? Their selfishness and spite sow quarrels among themselves, which will not be healed till the Day of Judgment. When they stir up wars, especially against the innocent, Allah's Mercy is poured down like a flood of water to extinguish them. But their wickedness continues to devise ever new mischief. And Allah loves not mischief or those who do mischief.

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5:65
وَلَوْ أَنَّ أَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَٱتَّقَوْا۟ لَكَفَّرْنَا عَنْهُمْ سَيِّـَٔاتِهِمْ وَلَأَدْخَلْنَـٰهُمْ جَنَّـٰتِ ٱلنَّعِيمِ Walaw anna ahla alkit a bi a manoo wa i ttaqaw lakaffarn a AAanhum sayyi a tihim walaadkhaln a hum jann a ti a l nnaAAeem i
If the followers of the Bible would but attain to [true] faith and God-consciousness, We should indeed efface their [previous] bad deeds, and indeed bring them into gardens of bliss;
  - Mohammad Asad
If instead of this rebellious attitude the people of the Book had believed and become Godfearing, We would certainly have removed their iniquities and admitted them to the gardens of Bliss (Paradise).
  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik
Had the People of the Book only been faithful and mindful 'of Allah', We would have certainly absolved them of their sins and admitted them into the Gardens of Bliss.
  - Mustafa Khattab
If only the People of the Scripture would believe and ward off (evil), surely We should remit their sins from them and surely We should bring them into Gardens of Delight.
  - Marmaduke Pickthall
If only the people of the Book had believed and been righteous We should indeed have blotted out their iniquities and admitted them to gardens of Bliss.
  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

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5:66
وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ أَقَامُوا۟ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةَ وَٱلْإِنجِيلَ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِم مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ لَأَكَلُوا۟ مِن فَوْقِهِمْ وَمِن تَحْتِ أَرْجُلِهِم ۚ مِّنْهُمْ أُمَّةٌ مُّقْتَصِدَةٌ ۖ وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنْهُمْ سَآءَ مَا يَعْمَلُونَ Walaw annahum aq a moo a l ttawr a ta wa a linjeela wam a onzila ilayhim min rabbihim laakaloo min fawqihim wamin ta h ti arjulihim minhum ommatun muqta s idatun wakatheerun minhum s a a m a yaAAmaloon a
and if they would but truly observe the Torah and the Gospel and all [the revelation] that has been bestowed from on high upon them by their Sustainer, they would indeed partake of all the blessings of heaven and earth. Some of them do pursue a right course; but as for most of them - vile indeed is what they do!84
  - Mohammad Asad

The expression "partake of all the blessings of heaven and earth" (lit., "eat from above them and from beneath their feet") is an allusion to the blessing which accompanies the realization of a spiritual truth, as well as to the social happiness which is bound to follow an observance of the moral principles laid down in the genuine teachings of the Bible. It should be borne in mind that the phrase "if they would but truly observe (law annahum aqamu) the Torah and the Gospel", etc. implies an observance of those scriptures in their genuine spirit, free of the arbitrary distortions due to that "wishful thinking" of which the Qur'an so often accuses the Jews and the Christians - such as the Jewish concept of "the chosen people", or the Christian doctrines relating to the alleged divinity of Jesus and the "vicarious redemption" of his followers.

If they would have observed the Laws of Taurat and the Injeel (Gospel) and other Revelations which were sent to them from their Rabb, they would have certainly enjoyed abundance from above and from beneath. Though there are some among them on the moderate course; but most of them do nothing but evil.
  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik
And had they observed the Torah, the Gospel, and what has been revealed to them from their Lord, they would have been overwhelmed with provisions from above and below. Some among them are upright, yet many do nothing but evil.
  - Mustafa Khattab
If they had observed the Torah and the Gospel and that which was revealed unto them from their Lord, they would surely have been nourished from above them and from beneath their feet. Among them there are people who are moderate, but many of them are of evil conduct.
  - Marmaduke Pickthall
If only they had stood fast by the Law the Gospel and all the revelation that was sent to them from their Lord they would have enjoyed happiness from every side. There is from among them a party on the right course; but many of them follow a course that is evil. 776
  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

To eat (akala) is a very comprehensive word, and denotes enjoyment generally, physical, social, mental and moral, and spiritual. "To eat what is forbidden" in verses 62 and 63 referred to taking unlawful profit, from usury or trust funds or in other ways. Here "eating" would seem to mean receiving satisfaction or happiness in this life as well as in the life to come. "From above them" may refer to heavenly or spiritual satifaction, and "from below their feet" to earthly satisfaction. But it is better to take the words as a general idiom, and understand "satisfaction or happiness from every side."

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5:67
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلرَّسُولُ بَلِّغْ مَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ ۖ وَإِن لَّمْ تَفْعَلْ فَمَا بَلَّغْتَ رِسَالَتَهُۥ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْصِمُكَ مِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ Y a ayyuh a a l rrasoolu balligh m a onzila ilayka min rabbika wain lam tafAAal fam a ballaghta ris a latahu wa A ll a hu yaAA s imuka mina a l nn a si inna All a ha l a yahdee alqawma alk a fireen a
O APOSTLE! Announce all that has been bestowed from on high upon thee by thy Sustainer: for unless thou doest it fully, thou wilt not have delivered His message [at all]. And God will protect thee from [unbelieving] men: behold, God does not guide people who refuse to acknowledge the truth.
  - Mohammad Asad
O Rasool! Deliver the message which has been revealed to you from your Rabb, and if you do not, you are not doing justice to your mission. Allah will protect you from the mischief of the people. Rest assured that Allah will not let the unbelievers succeed against you.
  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik
O Messenger! Convey everything revealed to you from your Lord. If you do not, then you have not delivered His message. Allah will 'certainly' protect you from the people. Indeed, Allah does not guide the people who disbelieve.
  - Mustafa Khattab
O Messenger! Make known that which hath been revealed unto thee from thy Lord, for if thou do it not, thou will not have conveyed His message. Allah will protect thee from mankind. Lo! Allah guideth not the disbelieving folk.
  - Marmaduke Pickthall
O Apostle! proclaim the (Message) which hath been sent to thee from thy Lord. If thou didst not thou wouldst not have fulfilled and proclaimed His mission: and Allah will defend thee from men (who mean mischief). For Allah guideth not those who reject faith. 777
  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Muhammad had many difficulties to contend with, many enemies and dangers to avoid. Hismission must be fulfilled. And he must-as he did-go forward and proclaim that Message and fulfil his mission, trusting to Allah for protection, and unconcerned if people who had lost all sense of right rejected it or threatened him.

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5:68
قُلْ يَـٰٓأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ لَسْتُمْ عَلَىٰ شَىْءٍ حَتَّىٰ تُقِيمُوا۟ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةَ وَٱلْإِنجِيلَ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكُم مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ ۗ وَلَيَزِيدَنَّ كَثِيرًا مِّنْهُم مَّآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ طُغْيَـٰنًا وَكُفْرًا ۖ فَلَا تَأْسَ عَلَى ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ Qul y a ahla alkit a bi lastum AAal a shayin h att a tuqeemoo a l ttawr a ta wa a linjeela wam a onzila ilaykum min rabbikum walayazeedanna katheeran minhum m a onzila ilayka min rabbika t ughy a nan wakufran fal a tasa AAal a alqawmi alk a fireen a
Say: "O followers of the Bible! You have no valid ground for your beliefs unless you [truly] observe the Torah and the Gospel, and all that has been bestowed from on high upon you by your Sustainer!"85 Yet all that has been bestowed from on high upon thee [O Prophet] by thy Sustainer is bound to make many of them yet more stubborn in their overweening arrogance and in their denial of the truth. But sorrow not over people who deny the truth:
  - Mohammad Asad

I.e., all the other God-inspired books of the Old Testament which stress the oneness of God and are full of prophecies relating to the advent of the Prophet Muhammad (Razi). This must be understood in conjunction with the oft-repeated Qur'anic statement that the Bible, as it exists now, has undergone many textual changes and corruptions.

Tell them: O people of the Book! You have no ground to stand on unless you observe the Taurat (Torah), Injeel (Gospel) and other revelations that have come to you from your Rabb. This revelation (The Qur'an) which has come to you from your Rabb will surely increase the rebellion and disbelief of many of them but you should not grieve for the disbelievers.
  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik
Say, 'O Prophet,' 'O People of the Book! You have nothing to stand on unless you observe the Torah, the Gospel, and what has been revealed to you from your Lord.' And your Lord's revelation to you 'O Prophet' will only cause many of them to increase in wickedness and disbelief. So do not grieve for the people who disbelieve.
  - Mustafa Khattab
Say: O People of the Scripture! Ye have naught (of guidance) till ye observe the Torah and the Gospel and that which was revealed unto you from your Lord. That which is revealed unto thee (Muhammad) from thy Lord is certain to increase the contumacy and disbelief of many of them. But grieve not for the disbelieving folk.
  - Marmaduke Pickthall
Say: "O People of the Book! ye have no ground to stand upon unless ye stand fast by the Law the Gospel and all the revelation that has come to you from your Lord." It is the revelation that cometh to thee from thy Lord that increaseth in most of them their obstinate rebellion and blasphemy. But sorrow thou not over (these) people without Faith. 778
  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

In v. 26, Moses was told not to sorrow over a rebellious people. Here Muhammad is told not to sorrow over people without Faith. The second situation is even more trying than the first. Rebellion may be a passing phase. Want of faith is an attitude of mind that is well-nigh hopeless. Yet the Prophet patiently reasoned with them and bore their taunts and insults. If, the argument runs, you do not believe in anything, even in the things that you may be expected to believe in, how can you receive in Faith Allah's Message that has come in another form? In fact your jealousy adds to your obstinacy and unbelief.

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5:69
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَٱلَّذِينَ هَادُوا۟ وَٱلصَّـٰبِـُٔونَ وَٱلنَّصَـٰرَىٰ مَنْ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ وَعَمِلَ صَـٰلِحًا فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ Inna alla th eena a manoo wa a lla th eena h a doo wa al ssa bioona wa al nna sa r a man a mana bi A ll a hi wa a lyawmi al a khiri waAAamila sa li h an fal a khawfun AAalayhim wal a hum ya h zanoon a
for, verily, those who have attained to faith [in this divine writ], as well as those who follow the Jewish faith, and the Sabians,86 and the Christians - all who believe in God and the Last Day and do righteous deeds - no fear need they have, and neither shall they grieve.
  - Mohammad Asad

See surah {2}, note [49].

Rest assured that the believers (Muslims), the Jews, the Sabians and the Christians - whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day and does righteous deeds - will have nothing to fear or to regret.
  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik
Indeed, the believers, Jews, Sabians1 and Christians- whoever 'truly' believes in Allah and the Last Day and does good, there will be no fear for them, nor will they grieve.
  - Mustafa Khattab

 See footnote for 2:62.

Lo! those who believe, and those who are Jews, and Sabaeans, and Christians whosoever believeth in Allah and the Last Day and doeth right there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve.
  - Marmaduke Pickthall
Those who believe (in the Qur'an) those who follow the Jewish (Scriptures) and the Sabians and the Christians any who believe in Allah and the Last Day and work righteousness on them shall be no fear nor shall they grieve. 779
  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Here, as in Sura Al-Baqarah (ii. 62), the Qur-an underscores the importance of true and genuine faith, which is to be judged by a sincere belief in Allah and man's accountability to Him backed by a righteous conduct rather than by mere forms or labels. At both the places it repudiates the false claims of the People of the Book that they had a special relationship with Allah for they were the children of Abraham; that they were a chosen people with special privileges, and no matter what they did, their high status would remain unaffected. Here this false notion is refuted and the People of the Book are being reminded that it is through sincere belief and righteous conduct rather than pretentious claims that man can win his Lord's pleasure and achieve ultimate success. The verse does not purport to lay down an exhaustive list of the articles of faith. Nor does it seek to spell out the essentials of a genuine belief in Allah, which has no meaning unless it is accompanied by belief in His Prophets for it is through their agency alone that we know Allah's Will and can abide by it in our practical lives. This is especially true of His final Prophet, Muhammad (peace be on him) whose message is universal, and not confined to any particular group or section of humanity. Belief in the Prophethood of Muhammad (peace be on him) is thus an integral part and a logical corollary of belief in Allah. Moreover, it is also an essential test of genuineness of such belief. This becomes clear when the verse is read in conjunction with other relevant verses of the Qur-an. See, for instance, iv. 170, v. 15, 19, vii. 157, 158, xxi. 107, xxv. I, xxxiii, 40, lxi. 6. See also ii. 40, iii. 31-32, iv. 150-151.

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5:70
لَقَدْ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَـٰقَ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ وَأَرْسَلْنَآ إِلَيْهِمْ رُسُلًا ۖ كُلَّمَا جَآءَهُمْ رَسُولٌۢ بِمَا لَا تَهْوَىٰٓ أَنفُسُهُمْ فَرِيقًا كَذَّبُوا۟ وَفَرِيقًا يَقْتُلُونَ Laqad akha th n a meeth a qa banee isr a eela waarsaln a ilayhim rusulan kullam a j a ahum rasoolun bim a l a tahw a anfusuhum fareeqan ka thth aboo wafareeqan yaqtuloon a
INDEED, We accepted a solemn pledge from the children of Israel, and We sent apostles unto them [but] every time an apostle came unto them with anything that was not to their liking, [they rebelled:] to some of them they gave the lie, while others they would slay,87
  - Mohammad Asad

Lit., "and some they are slaying". Regarding the significance of the change from the past to the present tense (yaqtulun), see surah {2}, note [72].

Certainly We took a covenant from the Children of Israel and sent them Rasools. Whenever there came to them a Rasool with a message that did not suit their fancies, either they called him an impostor or they put him to death.
  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik
Indeed, We took a covenant from the Children of Israel and sent them messengers. Whenever a messenger came to them with what they did not desire, they denied some and killed others.
  - Mustafa Khattab
We made a covenant of old with the Children of Israel and We sent unto them messengers. As often as a messenger came unto them with that which their souls desired not (they became rebellious). Some (of them) they denied and some they slew.
  - Marmaduke Pickthall
We took the Covenant of the Children of Israel and sent them Apostles. Every time there came to them an apostle with what they themselves desired not some (of these) they called impostors and some they (go so far as to) slay. 780
  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Cf. ii. 87, and n. 91.

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