Al-Ma'idah

And on his authority Ibn 'Abbas said regarding Allah's saying: (O ye who believe! Fulfil your undertakings): '(O ye who believe! Fulfil your undertakings) fulfil the pledges that are between you and Allah or between you and other people; it is also said that this means: fulfil the obligations which have been made obligatory upon you and which you accepted on the Day of the Covenant and in this Book. (The beast of cattle is made lawful unto you (for food)) you have a legal dispensation to eat of the meat of game such as wild oxen, wild camels and gazelles (except that which is announced unto you) except that which is recited to you in this surah, (game being unlawful when ye are on pilgrimage) or in the Sacred Precinct. (Lo! Allah ordaineth that which pleaseth Him) He says: He makes lawful and prohibits what He wills whether you are in a state of ritual consecration or not.

(O ye who believe! Profane not Allah's monuments) do not make lawful the abstention from all of Allah's rites (nor the Sacred Month) nor attacking people in the Sacred Month (nor the offerings) nor the taking of offerings which are made to the House (nor the garlands) nor the taking of the garlands which are hung by the advent of the Sacred Month, (nor those repairing to the Sacred House) nor attacking those who head for Allah's Sacred House, i.e. the pilgrims of al-Yamamah-the clan of the idolater Bakr Ibn Wa'il-and the traders of the idolater Shurayh Ibn Dabi'ah, (seeking the grace) provision (and pleasure of Allah) by means of the pilgrimage. It is also said that this means: they seek provision by means of trade and also Allah's pleasure. (But when ye have left the sacred territory) after the days of Tashriq, (then go hunting (if ye will)) if you will, go hunt wild game. (And let not your hatred of a folk) the hatred of the people of Mecca (who (once) stopped your going to the Inviolable Place of Worship) on the Day of al-Hudaybiyyah (seduce you) drive you (to transgress) against the pilgrims of the clan of Bakr Ibn Wa'il; (but help ye one another unto righteousness) acts of obedience (and pious duty) shunning transgressions. (Help not one another unto sin) contraventions (and transgression) against the pilgrims of the clan of Bakr Ibn Wa'il, (but keep your duty to Allah) fear Allah in that which He has commanded and prohibited you. (Lo! Allah is severe in punishment) when He punishes those who abstain from that which He has commanded.

Allah then explained what He made unlawful for them, saying: (Forbidden unto you (for food) are carrion) He says: eating carrion is forbidden for you because He has commanded that it be immolated (and blood) which is shed (and swine flesh, and that which hath been dedicated unto any other than Allah) in purpose, (and the strangled) that which is strangled with a rope until it dies, (and the dead through beating) the beast beaten by a piece of wood until it dies, (and the dead through falling from a height) or in a well and which dies as a consequence, (and that which has been killed by (the goring of) horns, and the devoured of wild beasts) as a prey, (saving that which ye make lawful) except that which you find on the verge of dying and make it lawful by immolating it, (and that which hath been immolated unto idols. And (forbidden is it) that you swear by the divining arrows) He says: He has forbidden your use of divining arrows. They were in the habit of writing on some arrows: " My Lord commands me " , and on others " My Lord forbids me " and then use the divination method associated with it to decide their affairs, and so Allah prohibited them from engaging in such activity. (This) that which I have mentioned to you of transgressions and the unlawful (is an abomination) engaging in them is an abomination and declaring them lawful is an act of disbelief. (This day) the day of the greater pilgrimage, the farewell pilgrimage (are those who disbelieve) the unbelievers of Mecca (in despair of your religion) in despair of you religion reverting to theirs after you left their religion and its laws; (so fear them not) in relation to following the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and opposing them (fear Me!) if you abstain from following Muhammad and his religion and follow them. (This day) the day of the pilgrimage (have I perfected your religion for you) I have elucidated to you the prescriptions of your religion: the lawful and the unlawful, the commands and the prohibitions (and completed My favour unto you) I have completed My blessing upon you in that, after today, no idolater will ever gather with you in 'Arafat, Mina, in the circumambulation around the Ka'bah, and in the coming and going between al-Safa and al-Marwah, (and have chosen for you as religion al-Islam.

(They ask thee) O Muhammad; the people who so asked were Zayd Ibn Muhalhil al-Ta'i and 'Adiyy Ibn Hatim al-Ta'i, both fishermen (what is made lawful for them) of game. (Say: (all) good things) all the immolated ones (are made lawful for you. And those beasts and birds of prey which ye have trained as hounds are trained, ye teach them) to abstain from eating game (that which Allah taught you) as Allah has taught you; (so eat of that which they) the trained dogs (catch for you and mention Allah's name upon it) upon immolating your game; and it is also said: upon sending the trained dogs upon the game, (and observe your duty to Allah) fear Allah about eating the meat of carrion. (Lo! Allah is swift to take account) His punishment is severe; it is also said that this means: when He is swift when He takes people to task.

(This day) the day of the pilgrimage (are (all) good things) that which has been immolated (made lawful for you. The food) the animals immolated (of those who have received the Scripture is lawful for you) as long as it is not prohibited, (and your food) your immolated animals (is lawful for them) both the Jews and Christians can consume that which the Muslims immolate. (And so are the) free (virtuous women of the believers) are lawful for you to marry (and the virtuous women of those who received the Scripture before you) lawful for you to marry (when ye give them their marriage portions) their dowry, in surplus of the price given to the prostitute in exchange for sex (and live with them in honour) in wedlock, (not in) flagrant (fornication, nor taking them as secret concubines.) This was revealed about the women of Mecca when they boasted to the women of Medina. Allah said: (Whoso denieth the faith) Allah's divine Oneness, (his work is vain) in this world (and he will be among the losers in the Hereafter) he will be of those who have been duped since he will be deprived of Paradise and enter hell.

(O ye who believe! When ye rise up for prayer) and you are not in a state of minor ritual purity, He has taught you what to do, saying: (wash your face, and your hands up to the elbows, and lightly rub your heads) as you please (and (wash) your feet) above the sole of the feet (up to the ankles. And if ye are unclean) if you are in a state of major ritual impurity, (purify yourselves) with water. (And if ye are sick) of smallpox or are wounded. This was revealed about 'Abdullah Ibn 'Awf (or on a journey, or one of you cometh from the closet) or one of you has urinated or defecated, (or ye have had (sexual) contact with women) or had sex with women, (and ye find not water) you are unable to use water, (then go to clean, high ground and rub your faces) with the first blow (and your hands) with the second blow (with some of it) i.e. some of the dust. (Allah would not place a burden) constraint (on you, but He would purify you) by means of dry ablution from minor and major ritual impurities (and would perfect His grace) His favour (upon you, that ye may give thanks) for His blessing and legal dispensation.

(Remember Allah's grace) recollect Allah's blessing (upon you) through faith (and His covenant) pledge (by which He bound you) with which He commanded you on the Day of the Covenant (when you said: We hear) Your words, O our Lord, (and we obey) Your command; (and keep your duty to Allah) fear Allah in that which He commanded and prohibited you. (Allah knoweth what is in the breasts (of men)) of loyalty and betrayal.

(O ye who believe! Be steadfast witnesses for Allah in equity) in justice, (and let not hatred of any people) the hatred of Shurayh Ibn Shurahbil (seduce you) drive you (that ye deal not justly) with the pilgrims of the clan of Bakr Ibn Wa'il. (Deal justly) with them, (that is nearer to your duty) justice is nearer to God-fearingness as far as the God-fearing are concerned. (Observe your duty to Allah) fear Allah regarding justice and injustice. (Lo! Allah is Informed of what ye do) whether it is justice or injustice.

(Allah hath promised those who believe) in Muhammad and the Qur'an (and do good works) and do acts of obedience regarding that which is between them and their Lord: (Theirs will be forgiveness) of their sins in this world (and immense reward) in Paradise.

(And they who disbelieve) in Allah (and deny Our revelations) Muhammad and the Qur'an, (such are rightful owners of hell) the dwellers of the Fire.

(O ye who believe!) i.e. Muhammad and his Companions (Remember Allah's favour unto you) recollect Allah's grace by driving away from you the harm of the enemy, (how a people) the people of the Banu Qurayzah (were minded to stretch out their hands against you) to kill you (but He withheld) He prevented (their hands from you) from killing you; (and keep your duty to Allah) fear Allah in relation to that which He has commanded you. (In Allah let believers put their trust) the believers should rely on Allah.

(Allah made a covenant of old with the Children of Israel) the acknowledgement of the Children of Israel in the Torah of Muhammad, that they shall worship none except Allah and that they shall not ascribe partners to Him (and We raised among them twelve chieftains) 12 messengers; and it is said: 12 kings, a king to each tribe: (and Allah said) to these kings: (Lo! I am with you) I will help you. (If you establish worship) if you establish the prayer which has been made obligatory upon you (and pay the poor-due) from your wealth, (and believe in) acknowledge and accept (My messengers) who are sent to you (and support them) and assist them with the sword against the enemy, (and lend unto Allah a kindly loan) genuinely from your heart, (surely I shall remit your sins) other than the enormities, (and surely I shall bring you into Gardens beneath which) beneath its trees and habitations (rivers) rivers of water, milk, wine and honey (flow. Whoso among you disbelieveth after this) after accepting and acknowledging the covenant (will go astray from a plain road) such a person has erred from the road of guidance. Nonetheless, they disbelieved except five of them.

Allah then explained the punishment of those who had disbelieved, saying: (And because of their) i.e. the kings (breaking their covenant, We have cursed them) We punished them through imposing the capitation tax upon them (and made hard) and lightless (their hearts. They change words from their context) they change the traits and description of Muhammad (pbuh) and the legal ruling on stoning [married people who fornicate] after this was exposited upon in the Torah (and forget a part) and leave part (of that whereof they were admonished) they were commanded with in the Torah concerning their following of Muhammad (pbuh) and manifesting his traits and description to others. Allah then showed their betrayal of the Prophet (pbuh) saying: (Thou wilt not) O Muhammad (cease to discover treachery) and contravention (from all) i.e. the Banu Qurayzah (save a few of them) 'Abdullah Ibn Salam and his followers. (But bear with them) and punish them not (and pardon them) and leave them. (Lo! Allah loveth the kindly) towards others.

(And with those who say: " Lo! we are Christians " ), i.e. the Christians of Najran (We made a covenant) in the Gospel that they should follow Muhammad (pbuh) and manifest his traits and not worship anyone or anything except Allah or associate anyone with Him, (but they forgot a part) they left part (of that whereof they were admonished) with which they were commanded. (Therefore We have stirred up) We have cast (enmity) killing and destruction (and hatred) in the hearts (among them) between the Jews and Christians; and it is said between the Nestorians of Najran, the sects known as the Jacobites, the Marqusiyya and the Melkites (till the Day of Resurrection, when Allah will inform them of their handiwork) of their opposition, treachery, concealment, enmity and hatred.

(O people of the Scripture! Now hath Our messenger) Muhammad (pbuh) (come unto you, expositing unto you much of that which ye used to hide in the Scripture) regarding the traits and description of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and the legal ruling on stoning [married fornicators] as well as other things, (and forgiving much) and leave many other things, not mentioning them to you. (Now hath come unto you light) a messenger, i.e. Muhammad (from Allah and a plain Scripture) explaining the lawful and the unlawful,

(Whereby) i.e. through Muhammad and the Qur'an (Allah guideth him who seeketh His good pleasure) His divine Oneness (unto paths of peace) the religion of Islam, and the Peace (al-Salam) is Allah. (He bringeth them out of darkness unto light) He brings them out of disbelief to faith (by His decree) by His command; it is also said that this means: by His given success and grace, (and guideth them unto a straight path) He confirms them on that religion after they accept it.

(They indeed have disbelieved who say: Lo! Allah is the Messiah, son of Mary) this is the claim of the Jacobites. (Say) to these Christians, O Muhammad: (Who then can do aught against Allah) who can save from Allah's punishment, (if He had willed to destroy) to punish (the Messiah son of Mary, and his mother and everyone on earth?) who worshipped her. (Allah's is the Sovereignty of the heavens and the earth) to Him belong the stores of the heavens and earth (and all that is between them) of created things and marvels. (He createth what He will) as He wills, whether a father exists or not. (And Allah is Able to do all things) in terms of creating created beings, rewarding His allies and punishing His enemies.

(The Jews) the Jews of Medina (and Christians) the Christians of Najran (say: We are sons of Allah) we are the sons and prophets of Allah (and His loved ones) who follow His religion; it is also said that this means: we follow Allah's religion as if we were His sons and loved ones; and it is said that this means: we are to Allah like His sons and we are followers of His religion. (Say) to the Jews, O Muhammad; (Why then doth He chastise you for your sins) due to worshipping the calf for 40 days, if you are like sons to Him; have you ever seen a father torturing his sons with fire? (Nay, ye are but mortals) created servants (of His creating) like all His other created beings. (He forgiveth whom He will) whoever repents of Judaism and Christianity, (and chastiseth whom He will) whoever dies professing Judaism or Christianity. (Allah's is the Sovereignty) the stores (of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them) of created beings and marvels, (and unto Him is the journeying) returning to Him is the end result of those who believe and those who do not.

(O people of the Scripture!) O people of the Torah and the Gospel! (Now hath Our messenger) Muhammad (pbuh) (come unto you to make things plain) that with which you have been commanded and that which you have been prohibited (after an interval) of cessation (of the messengers, lest ye should say) so that you will not say on the Day of Judgement: (There came not unto us a messenger of cheer) announcing Paradise (nor any warner) against hell. (Now hath a messenger) Muhammad (pbuh) (of cheer) announcing Paradise (and a warner) against hell (come unto you. Allah is Able to do all things): whether it be sending messengers, rewarding those who follow the messengers or punishing those who do not follow the messengers.

(And (remember) when Moses said unto his people: O my people! Remember Allah's favour) Allah's grace (unto you, how He placed among you) from you (Prophets, and He made you Kings) while you were slaves of Pharaoh before, (and gave you that (which) He gave not to any (other) of (His) creatures) of your time in the wilderness: quails and honey.

(O my people! Go into the holy land) the purified Damascus, Palestine and parts of Jordan (which Allah hath ordained for you) which Allah has gifted to you and made it a bequest of your father Abraham. (Turn not in flight) retreating, (for surely ye turn back as losers) who are punished: Allah will take away from you the quails and honey:

(They said: O Moses! Lo! a giant people) assassins ((dwell) therein, and lo! we go not in) this land of assassins (till they go forth from thence. When they go forth, then we will enter (not till then)).

(Then spoke two of those who feared) two men who feared the assassins (unto whom Allah had been gracious) by bestowing upon them the certainty of inspiration; these two men were Joshua ben Nun and Caleb ben Jephunneh: (Enter in upon them by the gate, for if ye enter by it, lo! ye will be victorious. So put your trust (in Allah)) that you will be victorious (if ye are indeed believers) it is also said that the two men who said this are two men from the assassins who feared Moses and with whom Allah was gracious by bestowing upon them belief in Allah's divine Oneness.

(They said: O Moses! We will never enter (the land)) of the giant people (while they are in it. So go thou and thy Lord) go with your master Aaron (and fight) for your Lord will help you as He did against Pharaoh and his people! (We will sit here) and wait.

(He said: My Lord!) Moses said: O my Lord! (I have control of none but myself and my brother, so distinguish between us) judge between us (and the wrong-doing folk) the contravening folk.

((Their Lord) said) to Moses: (For this the land will surely be forbidden them) i.e. to enter it, after you called them wrong-doing folk (for forty years that they will wander in the earth, bewildered) they will be bewildered in the wilderness, confined in an area of seven parasangs, unable to get out of it or be guided to the right way. (So grieve not over) do not be saddened about (the wrong-doing folk).

(But recite unto them) O Muhammad (with truth) with the Qur'an (the tale of the two sons of Adam, how they offered each a sacrifice, and it was accepted from the one) Abel (of them and it was not accepted from the other) Cain. ((The one)) Cain (said) to Abel: (I will surely kill thee) O Abel. ((The other) answered) why? Because Allah has accepted your offering and rejected mine. And Abel said: (Allah accepteth only from those who ward off (evil)) the sincere in their speech and action, whose hearts are pure, and your heart is not pure.

(Even if thou stretch out thy hand against me to kill me) wrongfully, (I shall not stretch out my hand against thee to kill you) wrongfully, (lo! I fear Allah, the Lord of the Worlds) if I were to kill you wrongfully.

(Lo! I would rather thou shouldst bear the punishment of the sin against me and thine own sin) of shedding my blood (and become one of the owners of the Fire) of the dwellers of hell. (That is the reward of evil-doers) Hell is the reward of those who wrongfully transgress.

(But (the other's) mind imposed on him) his ego permitted him (the killing of his brother, so he slew him and became one of the losers) who deserved punishment.

(Then Allah sent a raven scratching up the ground) turning up the ground to bury a dead raven, (to show him) Cain (how to hide his brother's naked corpse) in the ground. (He said: Woe unto me! Am I not able to be as this raven) in his ability (and so hide my brother's naked corpse) in the ground? (And he became repentant) he was repentant at not being able to cover his brother's naked corpse, but not repentant for having killed him.

(For that) because Cain wrongfully killed Abel (cause We decreed for the Children of Israel) in the Torah (that whosoever killeth a human being for other than man slaughter) i.e. premeditatedly (or corruption in the earth) or because of idolatry, (it shall be as if be had killed all mankind) Hell will be decreed for him for premeditatedly and wrongfully killing a human being, as though he killed all mankind, (and whoso saveth the life of one) whoever abstains from killing a person, (it shall be as if he had saved the life of all mankind) Paradise will be decreed for him for sparing one soul, as though he spared the lives of all mankind. (Our messengers came unto them) i.e. the Children of Israel (of old with clear proofs) with commands, prohibitions and signs, (but afterwards lo! many of them) the Children of Israel (became) after the messengers (prodigals in the earth) ascribing partners to Allah.

The following verse was revealed about the people of Hilal Ibn 'Uwaymir who killed a group of people from the Banu Kinanah. This group wanted to emigrate to Medina to see Allah's Messenger (pbuh) and declare their Islam. However, they were all killed and their belongings taken as booty. Hence, Allah explained the punishment of the people of the Banu Hilal, who were idolaters, saying: (The only reward) requital (of those who make war upon Allah and His messenger) of those who disbelieve in Allah and His messenger (and strive after corruption in the land) and engage in sin in the land, i.e. by wrongfully killing others and taking their properties (will be that they will be killed) He says: the punishment of one who kills and does not take the victim's property is that he be killed (or crucified) He says: the punishment of one who kills a person and also takes his property is that he be crucified, (or have their hands and feet on alternate sides cut off) the right hand and the left leg. He says: the punishment of one who takes another's property but does not kill is that his hand and leg be cut off, (or will be expelled out of the land) or he will be put in prison until he displays righteousness and his repentance becomes apparent. Allah says: the punishment of someone who terrorises people as a highway robber but does not kill or take anyone's property is that he be imprisoned. (Such) that which I have mentioned (will be their degradation) their punishment (in the world, and in the Hereafter theirs will be an awful doom) more severe than their punishment which they suffered in this world, that is, if the person does not repent;

Allah then showed that He pardons those who repent, saying: (Save those who repent) from disbelief and idolatry (before ye overpower them) i.e. before you capture them. (For know that Allah is Forgiving) He pardons, (Merciful) towards him who repents.

(O ye who believe!) in Muhammad and the Qur'an (Be mindful of your duty to Allah) regarding that which He has commanded you, (and seek the way of approach unto Him) seek the highest rank; it is also said that this means: seek with Him high degrees through righteous works, (and strive in His way) in His obedience (in order that ye may succeed) so that you escape His wrath and torment and so that you attain to faith.

(As for those who disbelieve) in Muhammad and the Qur'an, (lo! if all) the wealth (that is in the were theirs, and as much again therewith) and double of it with it, (to ransom them from the doom on the day of Resurrection, it) the ransom (would not be accepted from them. Theirs will be a painful doom).

(They will wish to come forth from the Fire) by changing one state into another, (but they will not come forth from it) from the Fire. (Theirs will be a lasting doom) which will never be interrupted.

(As for the thief, both male) i.e. Tu'mah (and female, cut off their hands) the right hands. (It is the reward of their own deeds) as a punishment for their theft, (an exemplary punishment from Allah) a disgrace for them from Allah. (Allah is Mighty) in showing His anger towards the thief, (Wise) in that He decreed for him the cutting off of his hand.

(But whoso repenteth after his wrong-doing) after his theft and being punished for it (and amendeth) that which is between him and his Lord through repentance, (lo! Allah will relent towards him) Allah will forgive him. (Lo! Allah is Forgiving) He pardons, (Merciful) towards him who repents.

(Knowest thou not) have you not been informed, O Muhammad, in the Qur'an (that Unto Allah belongeth the Sovereignty) the stores (of the heavens and the earth? He punisheth whom He will) whoever deserves to be punished, (and forgiveth whom He will) whoever deserves to be punished. (Allah is Able to do all things): forgiving sins and other things.

(O Messenger!) O Muhammad (Let not them grieve you who vie one with another in the race to disbelief) in allying themselves with the disbelievers in this world and in the Hereafter, (of such as say with their mouths) with their tongues: (�We believe,�) in our hearts (but their hearts believe not) i.e. the hearts of the hypocrites, 'Abdullah Ibn Ubayy and his followers, (and of the Jews) i.e. the Jews of the Banu Qurayzah, Ka'b and his followers: (listeners for the sake of falsehood) listeners of untruth, (listeners on behalf of other folk) the people of Khaybar (who come not unto thee) regarding what happened among them, but Banu Qurayzah asked about them, (changing words) changing the traits and description of Muhammad and the legal ruling on the stoning of married people who commit adultery (from their context) after being exposited in the Torah (and saying) i.e. the leaders to their followers; it is also said: the hypocrites 'Abdullah Ibn Ubayy and his followers: (If this be given unto you) if Muhammad (pbuh) command you to whip [married people who committed adultery], (receive it) accept it from him and act according to it (but if this be not given unto you) if Muhammad does not command you to whip them and instead commands you to stone them, (then beware!) i.e. beware of following him if does not command you to whip them and, instead, commands you to stone them. Allah said: (He whom Allah doometh unto sin) he whom Allah wants to persist in his disbelief and idolatry; it is also said: he whom Allah wants to expose; and it is also said that this means: he whom Allah wants to test, (thou (by thine efforts) will avail him naught against Allah) against Allah's punishment. (Those are) the Jews and the hypocrites (they for whom the will of Allah is that He cleanse not their hearts) from scheming, treachery and persistence in disbelief. (Theirs in the world will be ignominy) punishment through killing and expulsion, (and in the Hereafter an awful doom) more severe than the punishment they suffer in this world;

(Listeners) and ones who utter words (for the sake of falsehood! Greedy for illicit gain!) bribery and that which is unlawful by changing the rulings of Allah. (If then they) i.e. the Banu Qurayzah and the Banu'l-Nadir (have recourse unto thee) O Muhammad (judge between them) between the Banu Qurayzah and the Banu'l-Nadir; and it is also said: between the people of Khaybar (or disclaim jurisdiction) by choice. (If thou disclaimest jurisdiction) and do not judge between them, (then they cannot harm thee at all) they cannot take away anything from you. (But if thou judgest) between the Banu Qurayzah and the Banu'l-Nadir; and it is also said: between the people of Khaybar, (judge between them with equity) with stoning [married people who commit adultery]. (Lo! Allah loveth the equitable) who are fair when they judge with the Book of Allah and who apply the legal ruling of stoning.

(How come they unto thee for judgement) regarding stoning, this is mentioned by way of showing amazement (when they have the Torah, wherein) in the Torah (Allah hath delivered judgement (for them)) the judgement of stoning? (Yet even after that) after the exposition in the Qur'an and the Torah (they turn away. Such (folk) are not believers) in the Torah.

(Lo! We did reveal the Torah) to Moses, (wherein is guidance) from error (and a light) the explanation of stoning, (by which) by the Torah (the Prophets who surrendered (unto Allah)) those who surrendered to Allah from the time of Moses to the time of Jesus, in the interval of which there were 1,000 prophets (judged the Jews) the forefathers who were Jews, (and the rabbis) He says: those who judged between them were the godly men of knowledge and the ascetics (and the priests) all the other men of knowledge ((judged) by such of Allah's Scripture as they were bidden to observe) by that which they acted upon and called other people to, as in the Book of Allah, (and thereunto) i.e. about the legal ruling of stoning (were they witnesses. So fear not mankind) regarding the display of the traits and description of Muhammad and the legal ruling of stoning, (but fear Me) for concealing them. (And barter not My revelations) through concealment of the traits and description of Muhammad (pbuh) and the verse of stoning (for a little gain) for a paltry portion in your means of living. (Whoso judgeth not by that which Allah hath revealed) Allah says: whoever does not show that which Allah has shown in the Torah regarding the traits and description of Muhammad and the verse of stoning: (such are disbelievers) in Allah, the messenger and the Scripture.

(And We prescribed for them) We obligated on the Children of Israel (therein) in the Torah: (The life for the life) that is premeditatedly killed as an expiation for this killing, (and the eye for the eye) that is premeditatedly ruined as an expiation for this ruination, (and the nose for the nose) that is premeditatedly damaged as an expiation for this damage, (and the ear for the ear) that is premeditatedly harmed as an expiation for this harm, (and the tooth for the tooth) that is premeditatedly broken as an expiation for this breaking, (and for wounds retaliation) as a just judgement. (But whoso forgoeth it (in the way of charity)) whoever forgoes retaliating (it shall be expiation for him) i.e. for the harmed person; it is also said: for the person who harmed. (Whoso judgeth not by that which Allah hath revealed) Allah says: whoever does not show what the Qur'an has shown nor act according to it: (such are wrong-doers) who harm themselves with punishment.

(And We caused Jesus, son of Mary, to follow in their footsteps, confirming that which was (revealed) before him in the Torah) as regards the declaration of Allah's divine Oneness and some laws, (and We bestowed on him the Gospel wherein is guidance) from error (and a light) an exposition on stoning, (confirming that which was (revealed) before it in the Torah) regarding Allah's divine Oneness and the legal ruling of stoning (a guidance) from error (and an admonition unto) and a caution for (those who ward off (evil)) those who ward off disbelief, idolatry and indecencies.

(Let the People of the Gospel judge) such that the people of the Gospel elucidate (by that which Allah hath revealed therein) that which Allah has elucidated in the Gospel regarding the traits and description of Muhammad (pbuh) and the legal ruling of stoning. (Whoso judgeth not by that which Allah hath revealed) He says: whoever does not show that which Allah has elucidated in the Gospel; (such are evil-doers) transgressing disbelievers.

(And unto thee have We revealed the Scripture) We have sent you Gabriel with the Qur'an (with the Truth) to make plain the Truth and falsehood, (confirming) the statement of Allah's divine Oneness and some laws (whatever Scripture was before it) whatever Scriptures were before it, (and a watcher over it) a witness upon all the Scriptures before it; it is also said: a witness upon the ruling of stoning; and it is also said: a watcher over all previous Scriptures. (So judge between them) between the Banu Qurayzah and the Banu'l-Nadir and the people of Khaybar (by that which Allah hath revealed) by that which Allah has exposited to you in the Qur'an, (and follow not their desires) regarding the application of whipping and discarding stoning (away from the Truth which hath come unto thee) after the exposition that has come to you. (For each We have appointed a divine law) for each prophet among you We have exposited a divine law (and a traced out way) obligations and practices. (Had Allah willed He could have made you one community) He has made you follow one divine law. (But that He may try you) test you (by that which He hath given you) of Scripture, obligations and practices, such that He says: I have prescribed all this for you, so let not delusion creep into your minds. (So vie one with another in good works) so vie, O Community of Muhammad (pbuh) with other nations, in obligations, practices and righteous works; it is also said that this means: hasten, O Community of Muhammad (pbuh) to perform acts of obedience. (Unto Allah ye will all) all nations (return, and He will then inform you of that wherein ye differ) where you contravene in relation to religion and divine laws.