بِئْسَمَا ٱشْتَرَوْا۟ بِهِۦٓ أَنفُسَهُمْ أَن يَكْفُرُوا۟ بِمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ بَغْيًا أَن يُنَزِّلَ ٱللَّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِۦ عَلَىٰ مَن يَشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِۦ ۖ فَبَآءُو بِغَضَبٍ عَلَىٰ غَضَبٍ ۚ وَلِلْكَـٰفِرِينَ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ 90
Translations
How wretched is that for which they sold themselves - that they would disbelieve in what Allāh has revealed through [their] outrage that Allāh would send down His favor upon whom He wills from among His servants. So they returned having [earned] wrath upon wrath. And for the disbelievers is a humiliating punishment.
Transliteration
Bi'sa-ma shtaraw bihi anfusahum an yakfuru bima anzala Allah baghyan an yunazzila Allah min fadlihi ala man yasha min ibadihi; faba'u bi-ghadabin ala ghadab; wa-lil-kafirina adhabun muheen.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah condemns the rejection of Allah's revelation by those who refused to believe out of envy and spite—specifically referencing the Jewish scholars who rejected Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) despite recognizing truth in the Quran. Ibn Kathir explains that they sold their souls to disbelief because they envied that Allah chose to send guidance through Muhammad rather than from among their own people. The phrase 'wrath upon wrath' (ghadab ala ghadab) indicates layered punishment: the original wrath for their disbelief, compounded by additional wrath for their deliberate rejection despite knowledge.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of a broader passage (2:88-90) addressed to the Jewish tribes of Medina, particularly those who rejected the Quran despite earlier covenants with Allah. The revelation context reflects the early Medinan period when the Prophet encountered resistance from Jewish scholars who possessed knowledge of previous scriptures but refused to acknowledge the final revelation. The immediate context addresses their claim that they believed in parts of revelation while rejecting others.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (7:27) - The Prophet said: 'The best among you are those who learn the Quran and teach it,' emphasizing that knowledge combined with faith prevents the arrogance that led to their downfall. Also relevant is the hadith in Tirmidhi regarding envy (hasad) as one of the spiritual diseases that destroys good deeds.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah warns against allowing ego, envy, or tribal/sectarian attachments to blind us to truth, reminding us that deliberate rejection of clear signs incurs compounded divine displeasure. We must examine our hearts to ensure we accept guidance based on its merit rather than its source or our predetermined preferences.
Related Ayahs
ثُمَّ بَعَثْنَـٰكُم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ مَوْتِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
Then We revived you after your death that perhaps you would be grateful.
وَإِن طَلَّقْتُمُوهُنَّ مِن قَبْلِ أَن تَمَسُّوهُنَّ وَقَدْ فَرَضْتُمْ لَهُنَّ فَرِيضَةً فَنِصْفُ مَا فَرَضْتُمْ إِلَّآ أَن يَعْفُونَ أَوْ يَعْفُوَا۟ ٱلَّذِى بِيَدِهِۦ عُقْدَةُ ٱلنِّكَاحِ ۚ وَأَن تَعْفُوٓا۟ أَقْرَبُ لِلتَّقْوَىٰ ۚ وَلَا تَنسَوُا۟ ٱلْفَضْلَ بَيْنَكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ
And if you divorce them before you have touched them and you have already specified for them an obligation, then [give] half of what you specified - unless they forego the right or the one in whose hand is the marriage contract foregoes it. And to forego it is nearer to righteousness. And do not forget graciousness between you. Indeed Allāh, of whatever you do, is Seeing.
ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَٰلَهُمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ثُمَّ لَا يُتْبِعُونَ مَآ أَنفَقُوا۟ مَنًّا وَلَآ أَذًى ۙ لَّهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ
Those who spend their wealth in the way of Allāh and then do not follow up what they have spent with reminders [of it] or [other] injury will have their reward with their Lord, and there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.
وَإِذَا طَلَّقْتُمُ ٱلنِّسَآءَ فَبَلَغْنَ أَجَلَهُنَّ فَلَا تَعْضُلُوهُنَّ أَن يَنكِحْنَ أَزْوَٰجَهُنَّ إِذَا تَرَٰضَوْا۟ بَيْنَهُم بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ ۗ ذَٰلِكَ يُوعَظُ بِهِۦ مَن كَانَ مِنكُمْ يُؤْمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ ۗ ذَٰلِكُمْ أَزْكَىٰ لَكُمْ وَأَطْهَرُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
And when you divorce women and they have fulfilled their term, do not prevent them from remarrying their [former] husbands if they [i.e., all parties] agree among themselves on an acceptable basis. That is instructed to whoever of you believes in Allāh and the Last Day. That is better for you and purer, and Allāh knows and you know not.