فَٱخْتَلَفَ ٱلْأَحْزَابُ مِنۢ بَيْنِهِمْ ۖ فَوَيْلٌ لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِن مَّشْهَدِ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ 37
Translations
Then the factions differed [concerning Jesus] from among them, so woe to those who disbelieved - from the scene of a tremendous Day.
Transliteration
Fakhtalafa al-ahzabu min baynahum fa-waylun lilladhina kafaroo min mashadi yawmin adheem
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how the religious groups (sects and communities) became divided regarding Jesus (Isa), with each group adhering to their own interpretation. The ayah then issues a stern warning of destruction and ruin (wail) for those who disbelieved on the Day of Resurrection, a day of immense significance and majesty. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that the 'groups' (ahzab) refer to the Jews, Christians, and others who disputed about the nature of Jesus, and the warning applies particularly to those who rejected the truth about him and Allah's oneness.
Revelation Context
This ayah concludes the narrative about Jesus (Isa) and his mother Mary in Surah Maryam, a Meccan surah that addresses the polytheists of Mecca and clarifies Islamic doctrine about Jesus. The context addresses the theological divisions that arose among people regarding Jesus's identity and nature—his miraculous birth, his humanity, and his role as a messenger—divisions that persist among different faiths and sects.
Related Hadiths
The hadith of the Seventy-Three Sects narrated in Jami' at-Tirmidhi relates to divisions in the Ummah. Additionally, Sahih Muslim contains hadith about the Day of Judgment being a great and awesome day, emphasizing the severity of standing before Allah unprepared.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that disagreement and division on fundamental truths have serious consequences, and that the ultimate accountability on the Day of Judgment is with Allah alone. It encourages Muslims to hold firm to the clear teachings about Jesus and other matters of faith while warning against arrogance in disbelief.
Related Ayahs
قَالَ إِنِّى عَبْدُ ٱللَّهِ ءَاتَىٰنِىَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَجَعَلَنِى نَبِيًّا
[Jesus] said, "Indeed, I am the servant of Allāh. He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet.
قَالَ كَذَٰلِكَ قَالَ رَبُّكَ هُوَ عَلَىَّ هَيِّنٌ وَقَدْ خَلَقْتُكَ مِن قَبْلُ وَلَمْ تَكُ شَيْـًٔا
[An angel] said, "Thus [it will be]; your Lord says, 'It is easy for Me, for I created you before, while you were nothing.'"
وَإِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَـٰتُنَا بَيِّنَـٰتٍ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَىُّ ٱلْفَرِيقَيْنِ خَيْرٌ مَّقَامًا وَأَحْسَنُ نَدِيًّا
And when Our verses are recited to them as clear evidences, those who disbelieve say to those who believe, "Which of [our] two parties is best in position and best in association?"
يَـٰٓأَبَتِ إِنِّى قَدْ جَآءَنِى مِنَ ٱلْعِلْمِ مَا لَمْ يَأْتِكَ فَٱتَّبِعْنِىٓ أَهْدِكَ صِرَٰطًا سَوِيًّا
O my father, indeed there has come to me of knowledge that which has not come to you, so follow me; I will guide you to an even path.