فَبِظُلْمٍ مِّنَ ٱلَّذِينَ هَادُوا۟ حَرَّمْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ طَيِّبَـٰتٍ أُحِلَّتْ لَهُمْ وَبِصَدِّهِمْ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ كَثِيرًا 160
Translations
For wrongdoing on the part of the Jews, We made unlawful for them [certain] good foods which had been lawful to them, and for their averting from the way of Allāh many [people],
Transliteration
Fabizulmin minalladhina hadoo harramna alayhim tayyibatin uhillat lahum wabiswaddihim an sabil-illahi kathira
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah explains that Allah forbade certain permissible foods to the Jews as a punishment for their wrongdoing and their obstruction of people from the path of Allah. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi note that these restrictions (such as the prohibition of certain fats and animals) were originally imposed in the Torah as consequences of Jewish transgressions, and Allah reiterates this divine punishment in the Quran. The ayah demonstrates that divine law responds to human disobedience with appropriate consequences while maintaining justice.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah An-Nisa (revealed in Medina) and appears in a section addressing the People of the Book, particularly the Jews. It follows the discussion of their breaking of the covenant and provides historical context for the dietary restrictions found in Jewish law, connecting these restrictions to their violations of Allah's commands and their rejection of the prophets.
Related Hadiths
Surah An-Nisa 4:160-161 is referenced in classical tafsir discussions relating to the hadith in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned the dietary laws given to the Jews as part of their covenant. Additionally, hadiths about the consequences of turning away from Allah's guidance (as mentioned in At-Tirmidhi and other collections) relate thematically to 'saddhim an sabil-illahi' (preventing from Allah's path).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that persistent disobedience and obstruction of others from righteousness invite divine consequences, reminding believers that our choices have spiritual repercussions. It also emphasizes the importance of accepting and following divine guidance, as rejection of Allah's path leads to restrictions and hardship in this life and the next.
Related Ayahs
وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكَ لَيَبْعَثَنَّ عَلَيْهِمْ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ مَن يَسُومُهُمْ سُوٓءَ ٱلْعَذَابِ ۗ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَسَرِيعُ ٱلْعِقَابِ ۖ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
And [mention] when your Lord declared that He would surely [continue to] send upon them until the Day of Resurrection those who would afflict them with the worst torment. Indeed, your Lord is swift in penalty; but indeed, He is Forgiving and Merciful.
قُلْ أَرَءَيْتُمْ إِنْ أَهْلَكَنِىَ ٱللَّهُ وَمَن مَّعِىَ أَوْ رَحِمَنَا فَمَن يُجِيرُ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ مِنْ عَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ
Say, [O Muḥammad], "Have you considered: whether Allāh should cause my death and those with me or have mercy upon us, who can protect the disbelievers from a painful punishment?"
أَفَأَمِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ مَكَرُوا۟ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ أَن يَخْسِفَ ٱللَّهُ بِهِمُ ٱلْأَرْضَ أَوْ يَأْتِيَهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ
Then, do those who have planned evil deeds feel secure that Allāh will not cause the earth to swallow them or that the punishment will not come upon them from where they do not perceive?
فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ فَأُعَذِّبُهُمْ عَذَابًا شَدِيدًا فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ وَمَا لَهُم مِّن نَّـٰصِرِينَ
And as for those who disbelieved, I will punish them with a severe punishment in this world and the Hereafter, and they will have no helpers."