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
وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَا مُوسَى ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَقَفَّيْنَا مِنۢ بَعْدِهِۦ بِٱلرُّسُلِ ۖ وَءَاتَيْنَا عِيسَى ٱبْنَ مَرْيَمَ ٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ وَأَيَّدْنَـٰهُ بِرُوحِ ٱلْقُدُسِ ۗ أَفَكُلَّمَا جَآءَكُمْ رَسُولٌۢ بِمَا لَا تَهْوَىٰٓ أَنفُسُكُمُ ٱسْتَكْبَرْتُمْ فَفَرِيقًا كَذَّبْتُمْ وَفَرِيقًا تَقْتُلُونَ
And We did certainly give Moses the Scripture [i.e., the Torah] and followed up after him with messengers. And We gave Jesus, the son of Mary, clear proofs and supported him with the Pure Spirit [i.e., the angel Gabriel]. But is it [not] that every time a messenger came to you, [O Children of Israel], with what your souls did not desire, you were arrogant? And a party [of messengers] you denied and another party you killed.
يُؤْتِى ٱلْحِكْمَةَ مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَمَن يُؤْتَ ٱلْحِكْمَةَ فَقَدْ أُوتِىَ خَيْرًا كَثِيرًا ۗ وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ إِلَّآ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ
He gives wisdom to whom He wills, and whoever has been given wisdom has certainly been given much good. And none will remember except those of understanding.
أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱشْتَرَوُا۟ ٱلْحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنْيَا بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ ۖ فَلَا يُخَفَّفُ عَنْهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ وَلَا هُمْ يُنصَرُونَ
Those are the ones who have bought the life of this world [in exchange] for the Hereafter, so the punishment will not be lightened for them, nor will they be aided.
لِّلَّذِينَ يُؤْلُونَ مِن نِّسَآئِهِمْ تَرَبُّصُ أَرْبَعَةِ أَشْهُرٍ ۖ فَإِن فَآءُو فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
For those who swear not to have sexual relations with their wives is a waiting time of four months, but if they return [to normal relations] - then indeed, Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.