Al-Ma'idah · Ayah 78

لُعِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِنۢ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ عَلَىٰ لِسَانِ دَاوُۥدَ وَعِيسَى ٱبْنِ مَرْيَمَ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِمَا عَصَوا۟ وَّكَانُوا۟ يَعْتَدُونَ 78

Translations

Cursed were those who disbelieved among the Children of Israel by the tongue of David and of Jesus, the son of Mary. That was because they disobeyed and [habitually] transgressed.

Transliteration

Lu'ina alladhina kafaroo min banee israaeel ala lisani dawooda wa eesa ibni maryam, dhaalika bima asawoo wa kanu yataadoon

Tafsir (Explanation)

This ayah states that the disbelievers among the Children of Israel were cursed by Allah through the tongues of the Prophets Dawud (David) and 'Isa (Jesus) son of Maryam. According to classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, this curse was specifically directed at those who rejected the signs of Allah and committed transgressions after witnessing clear proofs. The reason for their curse is explicitly stated: their disobedience and continual transgression against the Divine commandments and the teachings of the prophets.

Revelation Context

This ayah is part of Surah Al-Ma'idah (Medinan), which discusses the laws, covenants, and historical narratives of the Children of Israel. The broader context addresses how various groups from Bani Israel rejected the prophets and violated their covenants with Allah. This ayah specifically highlights the spiritual consequences of persistent disobedience and rejection of prophethood.

Related Hadiths

Tirmidhi narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said regarding those who reject the prophets: 'Cursed are those who curse the followers of the prophets.' Additionally, the Qur'an in Surah Al-A'raf (7:176) discusses how some among Bani Israel were led astray despite receiving clear signs.

Themes

Divine curse as consequence of disobedienceRejection of prophets and their messagesBani Israel's covenant violationsTransgressions and their spiritual consequencesAuthority of prophets to invoke Allah's judgment

Key Lesson

This ayah teaches that persistent rejection of divine guidance and transgression against Allah's laws carries severe spiritual consequences. For believers today, it serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience to Allah and His prophets, and that honoring the covenants we make with Allah is essential for remaining in His mercy and protection.

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Related Ayahs

5:72Al-Ma'idah

لَقَدْ كَفَرَ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلْمَسِيحُ ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ ۖ وَقَالَ ٱلْمَسِيحُ يَـٰبَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ رَبِّى وَرَبَّكُمْ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ مَن يُشْرِكْ بِٱللَّهِ فَقَدْ حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ ٱلْجَنَّةَ وَمَأْوَىٰهُ ٱلنَّارُ ۖ وَمَا لِلظَّـٰلِمِينَ مِنْ أَنصَارٍ

They have certainly disbelieved who say, "Allāh is the Messiah, the son of Mary" while the Messiah has said, "O Children of Israel, worship Allāh, my Lord and your Lord." Indeed, he who associates others with Allāh - Allāh has forbidden him Paradise, and his refuge is the Fire. And there are not for the wrongdoers any helpers.

5:19Al-Ma'idah

يَـٰٓأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ قَدْ جَآءَكُمْ رَسُولُنَا يُبَيِّنُ لَكُمْ عَلَىٰ فَتْرَةٍ مِّنَ ٱلرُّسُلِ أَن تَقُولُوا۟ مَا جَآءَنَا مِنۢ بَشِيرٍ وَلَا نَذِيرٍ ۖ فَقَدْ جَآءَكُم بَشِيرٌ وَنَذِيرٌ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

O People of the Scripture, there has come to you Our Messenger to make clear to you [the religion] after a period [of suspension] of messengers, lest you say, "There came not to us any bringer of good tidings or a warner." But there has come to you a bringer of good tidings and a warner. And Allāh is over all things competent.

5:71Al-Ma'idah

وَحَسِبُوٓا۟ أَلَّا تَكُونَ فِتْنَةٌ فَعَمُوا۟ وَصَمُّوا۟ ثُمَّ تَابَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ ثُمَّ عَمُوا۟ وَصَمُّوا۟ كَثِيرٌ مِّنْهُمْ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ بَصِيرٌۢ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ

And they thought there would be no [resulting] punishment, so they became blind and deaf. Then Allāh turned to them in forgiveness; then [again] many of them became blind and deaf. And Allāh is Seeing of what they do.

5:59Al-Ma'idah

قُلْ يَـٰٓأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ هَلْ تَنقِمُونَ مِنَّآ إِلَّآ أَنْ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْنَا وَمَآ أُنزِلَ مِن قَبْلُ وَأَنَّ أَكْثَرَكُمْ فَـٰسِقُونَ

Say, "O People of the Scripture, do you resent us except [for the fact] that we have believed in Allāh and what was revealed to us and what was revealed before and because most of you are defiantly disobedient?"