وَإِذْ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَـٰقَ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ لَا تَعْبُدُونَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ وَبِٱلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا وَذِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَٱلْيَتَـٰمَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَـٰكِينِ وَقُولُوا۟ لِلنَّاسِ حُسْنًا وَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُوا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ ثُمَّ تَوَلَّيْتُمْ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا مِّنكُمْ وَأَنتُم مُّعْرِضُونَ 83
Translations
And [recall] when We took the covenant from the Children of Israel, [enjoining upon them], "Do not worship except Allāh; and to parents do good and to relatives, orphans, and the needy. And speak to people good [words] and establish prayer and give zakāh." Then you turned away, except a few of you, and you were refusing.
Transliteration
Wa-idh akhadhna mīthāqa banī Isrā'īl lā ta'budūn illā Allāh wa-bil-wālidayn ihsān wa-dhī al-qurbā wa-al-yatāmā wa-al-masākīn wa-qūlū lil-nās husnan wa-aqīmū al-salāt wa-ātū al-zakāt thumma tawallaytum illā qalīl minkum wa-antum mu'ridūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the covenant (mīthāq) that Allah took from the Children of Israel, binding them to worship Him alone and to practice virtuous conduct toward parents, relatives, orphans, and the poor, while speaking kindly to people and establishing prayer and giving zakah. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this covenant encapsulates the core obligations of the Torah, reflecting the timeless principles of monotheism and social justice. The closing statement—'then you turned away, except for a few of you, while you were averse'—serves as a rebuke, indicating that the majority of Bani Israel violated this sacred covenant, making it a historical lesson about the consequences of breaking divine promises.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of a Medinan passage that addresses the People of the Book, specifically the Jews in Medina. It contextualizes the failings of Bani Israel by recalling their original covenant with Allah, serving to remind both them and the Muslim community of the fundamental principles that transcend all revelations. The verse is part of a broader thematic section (2:40-103) discussing the relationship between Allah and Bani Israel.
Related Hadiths
1) The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family.' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3895). 2) 'Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak good words or remain silent; and whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should be kind to his neighbor; and whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should be kind to his guest.' (Sahih Bukhari 5672).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah emphasizes that fulfilling covenants with Allah is inseparable from compassion toward the vulnerable and ethical behavior toward all people; modern believers should recognize that true worship encompasses both vertical devotion to Allah and horizontal justice and kindness in society. The warning about turning away from the covenant serves as a reminder that faith without practice is hollow, and that accountability applies equally to all communities throughout history.
Related Ayahs
فَتَلَقَّىٰٓ ءَادَمُ مِن رَّبِّهِۦ كَلِمَـٰتٍ فَتَابَ عَلَيْهِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلتَّوَّابُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
Then Adam received from his Lord [some] words, and He accepted his repentance. Indeed, it is He who is the Accepting of Repentance, the Merciful.
وَلَا تَنكِحُوا۟ ٱلْمُشْرِكَـٰتِ حَتَّىٰ يُؤْمِنَّ ۚ وَلَأَمَةٌ مُّؤْمِنَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِّن مُّشْرِكَةٍ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَتْكُمْ ۗ وَلَا تُنكِحُوا۟ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ حَتَّىٰ يُؤْمِنُوا۟ ۚ وَلَعَبْدٌ مُّؤْمِنٌ خَيْرٌ مِّن مُّشْرِكٍ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَكُمْ ۗ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى ٱلنَّارِ ۖ وَٱللَّهُ يَدْعُوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱلْجَنَّةِ وَٱلْمَغْفِرَةِ بِإِذْنِهِۦ ۖ وَيُبَيِّنُ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ
And do not marry polytheistic women until they believe. And a believing slave woman is better than a polytheist, even though she might please you. And do not marry polytheistic men [to your women] until they believe. And a believing slave is better than a polytheist, even though he might please you. Those invite [you] to the Fire, but Allāh invites to Paradise and to forgiveness, by His permission. And He makes clear His verses [i.e., ordinances] to the people that perhaps they may remember.
فَإِن زَلَلْتُم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ مَا جَآءَتْكُمُ ٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتُ فَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ
But if you slip [i.e., deviate] after clear proofs have come to you, then know that Allāh is Exalted in Might and Wise.
وَإِذَا لَقُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ قَالُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا وَإِذَا خَلَا بَعْضُهُمْ إِلَىٰ بَعْضٍ قَالُوٓا۟ أَتُحَدِّثُونَهُم بِمَا فَتَحَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمْ لِيُحَآجُّوكُم بِهِۦ عِندَ رَبِّكُمْ ۚ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ
And when they meet those who believe, they say, "We have believed"; but when they are alone with one another, they say, "Do you talk to them about what Allāh has revealed to you so they can argue with you about it before your Lord?" Then will you not reason?