Translation:
Indeed, We had given Moses the Scripture, but differences arose regarding it. Had it not been for a prior decree from your Lord,11 their differences would have been settled ˹at once˺. They are truly in alarming doubt about it.
Indeed, We had given Moses the Scripture, but differences arose regarding it. Had it not been for a prior decree from your Lord,11 their differences would have been settled ˹at once˺. They are truly in alarming doubt about it.
Translation:
We certainly gave Moses the Book aforetime: but disputes arose therein. Had it not been for a Word 4518 that went forth before from your Lord, (their differences) would have been settled between them: but they remained in suspicious disquieting doubt thereon.
We certainly gave Moses the Book aforetime: but disputes arose therein. Had it not been for a Word 4518 that went forth before from your Lord, (their differences) would have been settled between them: but they remained in suspicious disquieting doubt thereon.
Commentary:
4518 Callousness and self-sufficiency in religion are often illustrated by sects like the Pharisees and Sadducees among the Jews. Where there are honest differences of opinion, they can, in Allah's Plan, lead to greater enquiry and emulation. Where the differences are fractious, there is often even then time left for repentance. In any case the Word or Decree of Allah is for the best good of all, and should not disturb Faith. Cf. 10:19 . A good life, of faith and truth, is in our own interests, and the opposite against our own interests. Allah is never unjust.
Translation:
Thus, too, have We vouchsafed revelation unto Moses aforetime, and thereupon disputes arose about it. 39 And [then, as now,] had it not been for a decree that had already gone forth from thy Sustainer, all would indeed have been decided between them [from the outset]. 40 As it is, behold, they [who will not believe in this divine writ] are in grave doubt, amounting to suspicion, about what it portends. 41
Thus, too, have We vouchsafed revelation unto Moses aforetime, and thereupon disputes arose about it. 39 And [then, as now,] had it not been for a decree that had already gone forth from thy Sustainer, all would indeed have been decided between them [from the outset]. 40 As it is, behold, they [who will not believe in this divine writ] are in grave doubt, amounting to suspicion, about what it portends. 41
Commentary:
39 As was and is the case with the Qur’an, some people accepted the divine message revealed to Moses, and some rejected it (Zamakhshari , Razi), while others disagreed about the import and application of its tenets (Tabari).
40 For an explanation of this passage, as well as of the above parallel between men’s attitudes towards the earlier scriptures and the Qur’an, see the second sentence of 10:19 and the corresponding note 29.
41 Lit., "about it", i.e., doubts as to whether the Quranic approach to problems of man’s spirit and body - and, in particular, its stress on the essential unity of these twin aspects of human life (cf. note 118 on the first sentence of 2:143) - is justified or not. In a wider sense, these doubts of the deniers of the truth relate to the question of whether religion as such is "beneficial" or "injurious" to human society - a question which is posed and answered by them with a strong bias against all religious faith.
39 As was and is the case with the Qur’an, some people accepted the divine message revealed to Moses, and some rejected it (Zamakhshari , Razi), while others disagreed about the import and application of its tenets (Tabari).
40 For an explanation of this passage, as well as of the above parallel between men’s attitudes towards the earlier scriptures and the Qur’an, see the second sentence of 10:19 and the corresponding note 29.
41 Lit., "about it", i.e., doubts as to whether the Quranic approach to problems of man’s spirit and body - and, in particular, its stress on the essential unity of these twin aspects of human life (cf. note 118 on the first sentence of 2:143) - is justified or not. In a wider sense, these doubts of the deniers of the truth relate to the question of whether religion as such is "beneficial" or "injurious" to human society - a question which is posed and answered by them with a strong bias against all religious faith.
11 That He will delay their judgment until the Hereafter.