فَبَدَّلَ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ قَوْلًا غَيْرَ ٱلَّذِى قِيلَ لَهُمْ فَأَنزَلْنَا عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ رِجْزًا مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَفْسُقُونَ 59
Translations
But those who wronged changed [those words] to a statement other than that which had been said to them, so We sent down upon those who wronged a punishment [i.e., plague] from the sky because they were defiantly disobeying.
Transliteration
Fa-baddala alladhina dhalamoo qawlan ghayra alladhi qila lahum fa-anzalna ala alladhina dhalamoo rijzan mina as-sama'i bima kanu yafsuqun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the Children of Israel who disobeyed Allah's command to enter Jerusalem saying 'Hittah' (forgiveness), but instead mocked the command by changing their words to something else. As a consequence, Allah sent down a punishment (rijz) from the heavens upon those who transgressed. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that this rijz (plague or severe punishment) was sent as divine retribution for their deliberate disobedience and mockery of Allah's clear command.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of a passage (2:58-59) describing the consequences of the Children of Israel's disobedience when they entered the blessed land of Palestine. The broader context of Surah Al-Baqarah addresses the historical narratives of the Israelites and their repeated violations of Allah's covenant, serving as lessons for the Muslim community regarding obedience and accountability.
Related Hadiths
While no single hadith directly references this specific incident, Surah Al-Baqarah itself is mentioned in Sahih Muslim as containing stories of the People of the Book, with the Prophet (peace be upon him) warning against following their path of disobedience.
Themes
Key Lesson
Deliberate disobedience and mockery of Allah's commands—even through seemingly small acts of defiance—incur severe consequences. This teaches us to approach divine guidance with sincere obedience and respect, guarding against arrogance or casual dismissal of Allah's instructions in our own lives.
Related Ayahs
وَلِلْمُطَلَّقَـٰتِ مَتَـٰعٌۢ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ ۖ حَقًّا عَلَى ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ
And for divorced women is a provision according to what is acceptable - a duty upon the righteous.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَٱلَّذِينَ هَادُوا۟ وَٱلنَّصَـٰرَىٰ وَٱلصَّـٰبِـِٔينَ مَنْ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ وَعَمِلَ صَـٰلِحًا فَلَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ
Indeed, those who believed and those who were Jews or Christians or Sabeans [before Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ)] - those [among them] who believed in Allāh and the Last Day and did righteousness - will have their reward with their Lord, and no fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve.
وَأَنفِقُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا تُلْقُوا۟ بِأَيْدِيكُمْ إِلَى ٱلتَّهْلُكَةِ ۛ وَأَحْسِنُوٓا۟ ۛ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ
And spend in the way of Allāh and do not throw [yourselves] with your [own] hands into destruction [by refraining]. And do good; indeed, Allāh loves the doers of good.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ رَبَّكُمُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُمْ وَٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ
O mankind, worship your Lord, who created you and those before you, that you may become righteous -