وَإِذْ أَخَذَ ٱللَّهُ مِيثَـٰقَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ لَتُبَيِّنُنَّهُۥ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَكْتُمُونَهُۥ فَنَبَذُوهُ وَرَآءَ ظُهُورِهِمْ وَٱشْتَرَوْا۟ بِهِۦ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًا ۖ فَبِئْسَ مَا يَشْتَرُونَ 187
Translations
And [mention, O Muḥammad], when Allāh took a covenant from those who were given the Scripture, [saying], "You must make it clear [i.e., explain it] to the people and not conceal it." But they threw it away behind their backs and exchanged it for a small price. And wretched is that which they purchased.
Transliteration
Wa-idh akhadha Allahu mithaaqa alladhina ootoo al-kitaba latabayyinunnahu li-al-nasi wa-la taktumoonahu fanabadhu wa-raa dhuhurihin washtaraw bihi thamenan qalilan fabi'sa ma yashtaroon
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the covenant Allah took with the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) to clarify the Torah and Gospel to people and not conceal its truths, yet they discarded this covenant and sold their knowledge for worldly gain. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note this refers specifically to those who concealed or distorted the signs of the Messiah (Jesus) in their scriptures, prioritizing material benefits over spiritual responsibility. The ayah condemns their betrayal of sacred trust and the contemptible trade they made.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of a broader Medinan section addressing the People of the Book and their relationship with revelation. It comes in the context of Surah Ali 'Imran's discussions about the nature of Jesus, divine guidance, and the failures of previous communities to uphold their covenants. The specific context relates to accusations that Jewish and Christian scholars concealed prophecies about Muhammad from their communities.
Related Hadiths
The principle is reflected in the hadith from Sahih Muslim (2159) where the Prophet ﷺ said: 'Whoever conceals knowledge which Allah has given him, Allah will bridle him with a bridle of fire on the Day of Judgment.' Additionally, Sunan Ibn Majah (220) relates to the obligation of scholars to teach and not hide knowledge.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah emphasizes the grave spiritual responsibility of those entrusted with knowledge—whether religious scholars or community leaders—to share truth transparently rather than suppress it for personal advantage. For modern readers, it serves as a reminder that knowledge is a sacred trust from Allah, and withholding beneficial truth for material or political gain is a serious transgression that invites divine punishment.
Related Ayahs
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَمَاتُوا۟ وَهُمْ كُفَّارٌ فَلَن يُقْبَلَ مِنْ أَحَدِهِم مِّلْءُ ٱلْأَرْضِ ذَهَبًا وَلَوِ ٱفْتَدَىٰ بِهِۦٓ ۗ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ وَمَا لَهُم مِّن نَّـٰصِرِينَ
Indeed, those who disbelieve and die while they are disbelievers - never would the [whole] capacity of the earth in gold be accepted from one of them if he would [seek to] ransom himself with it. For those there will be a painful punishment, and they will have no helpers.
ٱلَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَآ إِنَّنَآ ءَامَنَّا فَٱغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ
Those who say, "Our Lord, indeed we have believed, so forgive us our sins and protect us from the punishment of the Fire,"
لَيْسَ لَكَ مِنَ ٱلْأَمْرِ شَىْءٌ أَوْ يَتُوبَ عَلَيْهِمْ أَوْ يُعَذِّبَهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ ظَـٰلِمُونَ
Not for you, [O Muḥammad, but for Allāh], is the decision whether He should [cut them down] or forgive them or punish them, for indeed, they are wrongdoers.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَن تُغْنِىَ عَنْهُمْ أَمْوَٰلُهُمْ وَلَآ أَوْلَـٰدُهُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ شَيْـًٔا ۖ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمْ وَقُودُ ٱلنَّارِ
Indeed, those who disbelieve - never will their wealth or their children avail them against Allāh at all. And it is they who are fuel for the Fire.