Clarification of Al-Mumtahinah 60: 13
Question
Title: Clarification of Al-Mumtahinah 60: 13 Question: I have no right to ask about the construction of words in the Qur'an. Just when I read the verse below, I thought there should be some wisdom behind the construction of the words in this verse. Please explain if it is possible for you. "O ye who believe! Be not friendly with a folk with whom Allah is wroth, (a folk) who have despaired of the Hereafter as the disbelievers despair of those who are in the graves." (Qur'an 60: 13) Why is it that the verse is not like: "O ye who believe! Be not friendly with a folk with whom Allah is wroth, (a folk) who have despaired of the Hereafter and those who are in the graves" Or like: "O ye who believe! Be not friendly with a folk with whom Allah is wroth, (a folk) who have despaired of the Hereafter as the disbelievers despaired". My question is, when "the folk whom Allah is wroth" refers to the disbelievers why they are said separately and repeated. Also, why are the people of graves referred here? Is there any wisdom behind this? I would greatly appreciate if you could help me in this regard. Thanks Naina India Answer: Firstly, as per the general usage in the Qur'an, the phrase "الذين غضب الله عليهم" (i.e., 'the people, on whom God is wrathful') or "مغضوب عليهم" (i.e., 'upon whom God is wrathful') is used for the Jews. Secondly, in the context in which the referred verse is placed, the word "الكفار" (i.e., 'these rejecters') is used specifically for the rejecters from among the Polytheists of Arabia (i.e., those from among the Banu Ishmael). Keeping these points in mind, the implication of the referred verse, within the particular context in which it is placed, is as under: Believers, as you have been directed to sever your friendly ties and relationships with the rejecters from among the polytheists, you should neither make friends with these Israelites - upon whom God has been wrathful. These Israelites have, in fact, despaired of the approaching Day of Judgment as much as the rejecters from among the polytheists have despaired of the rising of those, who are in the graves. I hope this would adequately answer your question. Regards, Moiz Amjad June 12, 2002
Answer
Title: Clarification of Al-Mumtahinah 60: 13 Question: I have no right to ask about the construction of words in the Qur'an. Just when I read the verse below, I thought there should be some wisdom behind the construction of the words in this verse. Please explain if it is possible for you. "O ye who believe! Be not friendly with a folk with whom Allah is wroth, (a folk) who have despaired of the Hereafter as the disbelievers despair of those who are in the graves." (Qur'an 60: 13) Why is it that the verse is not like: "O ye who believe! Be not friendly with a folk with whom Allah is wroth, (a folk) who have despaired of the Hereafter and those who are in the graves" Or like: "O ye who believe! Be not friendly with a folk with whom Allah is wroth, (a folk) who have despaired of the Hereafter as the disbelievers despaired". My question is, when "the folk whom Allah is wroth" refers to the disbelievers why they are said separately and repeated. Also, why are the people of graves referred here? Is there any wisdom behind this? I would greatly appreciate if you could help me in this regard. Thanks Naina India Answer: Firstly, as per the general usage in the Qur'an, the phrase "الذين غضب الله عليهم" (i.e., 'the people, on whom God is wrathful') or "مغضوب عليهم" (i.e., 'upon whom God is wrathful') is used for the Jews. Secondly, in the context in which the referred verse is placed, the word "الكفار" (i.e., 'these rejecters') is used specifically for the rejecters from among the Polytheists of Arabia (i.e., those from among the Banu Ishmael). Keeping these points in mind, the implication of the referred verse, within the particular context in which it is placed, is as under: Believers, as you have been directed to sever your friendly ties and relationships with the rejecters from among the polytheists, you should neither make friends with these Israelites - upon whom God has been wrathful. These Israelites have, in fact, despaired of the approaching Day of Judgment as much as the rejecters from among the polytheists have despaired of the rising of those, who are in the graves. I hope this would adequately answer your question. Regards, Moiz Amjad June 12, 2002
Ask a follow-up
A follow-up appears here only after an editor approves it.