قُلْ يَـٰٓأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ لِمَ تَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ مَنْ ءَامَنَ تَبْغُونَهَا عِوَجًا وَأَنتُمْ شُهَدَآءُ ۗ وَمَا ٱللَّهُ بِغَـٰفِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ 99
Translations
Say, "O People of the Scripture, why do you avert from the way of Allāh those who believe, seeking to make it [seem] deviant, while you are witnesses [to the truth]? And Allāh is not unaware of what you do."
Transliteration
Qul ya ahlal-kitabi lima tasudduna an sabili-llahi man amana tabghawniha iwaja wa antum shuhada wa ma-llahu bi-ghafil in amma ta'malun
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah commands the Prophet (peace be upon him) to ask the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) why they turn believers away from Allah's path and seek to make it crooked, despite being witnesses to the truth themselves. Ibn Kathir notes this refers to their deliberate distortion of religious guidance despite possessing scriptural knowledge, and the ayah emphasizes that Allah is fully aware of their actions and will hold them accountable. Al-Qurtubi highlights that 'twisting' the path (iwaja) refers to their attempts to discourage converts and spread confusion about Islam's straightness and clarity.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the broader Medinan context addressing interactions between the Muslim community and the People of the Book in Medina. It follows verses discussing disputes with Christians and Jews about theological matters, and reflects the historical reality of certain scholars among Ahl al-Kitab actively opposing the Prophet's message despite their knowledge of the Torah and Gospel.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned that some People of the Book know the truth about him 'as they know their own sons' relates to the theme of their culpable knowledge. Additionally, hadiths about the distortion (tahrif) of scriptures by previous communities (Sahih Muslim) contextualize why they might twist the path.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that knowledge without sincere intention becomes a source of accountability rather than salvation, and that attempting to mislead others from truth does not escape Allah's awareness or justice. Believers should remain steadfast in the clear guidance they have been given and not be swayed by those who twist religion for worldly motives.