In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
A summary of the Tafsir of al-Tabari.
Abridged by Dr. Aqil ibn Salim al-Shammari.
Surah al-Baqarah.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
“And when Moses asked for water for his people, We said: Smite with thy staff the rock. And there gushed out therefrom twelve springs (so that) each tribe knew their drinking-place. Eat and drink of that which Allah hath provided, and do not act corruptly, making mischief in the earth.” (2:60)
Then twelve springs gushed forth from it.
Every tribe knew its drinking place.
“And when Moses asked for water for his people, We said: Smite with thy staff the rock. And there gushed out therefrom twelve springs (so that) each tribe knew their drinking-place. Eat and drink of that which Allah hath provided, and do not act corruptly, making mischief in the earth.” (2:60)
And when We asked Musa (peace be upon him) to provide water for his people, while he was among his youth.
We said, "Strike the rock with your staff," referring to the well-known rock.
Which has no fixed place on earth and no path to it except for its owners.
Musa struck it, and twelve springs gushed forth from it.
Every tribe among them knew its drinking place.
For each of those springs, there was a specific spot on the rock.
Known to the tribe that would drink from it.
And it was said to them:
“And when Moses asked for water for his people, We said: Smite with thy staff the rock. And there gushed out therefrom twelve springs (so that) each tribe knew their drinking-place. Eat and drink of that which Allah hath provided, and do not act corruptly, making mischief in the earth.” (2:60)
"Do not commit tyranny, and do not roam the earth causing corruption."
“And when ye said: O Moses! We are weary of one kind of food; so call upon thy Lord for us that He bring forth for us of that which the earth groweth - of its herbs and its cucumbers and its corn and its lentils and its onions. He said: Would ye exchange that which is higher for that which is lower? Go down to settled country, thus ye shall get that which ye demand. And humiliation and wretchedness were stamped upon them and they were visited with wrath from Allah. That was because they disbelieved in Allah's revelations and slew the prophets wrongfully. That was for their disobedience and transgression.” (2:61)
“And when ye said: O Moses! We are weary of one kind of food; so call upon thy Lord for us that He bring forth for us of that which the earth groweth - of its herbs and its cucumbers and its corn and its lentils and its onions. He said: Would ye exchange that which is higher for that which is lower? Go down to settled country, thus ye shall get that which ye demand. And humiliation and wretchedness were stamped upon them and they were visited with wrath from Allah. That was because they disbelieved in Allah's revelations and slew the prophets wrongfully. That was for their disobedience and transgression.” (2:61)
“And when ye said: O Moses! We are weary of one kind of food; so call upon thy Lord for us that He bring forth for us of that which the earth groweth - of its herbs and its cucumbers and its corn and its lentils and its onions. He said: Would ye exchange that which is higher for that which is lower? Go down to settled country, thus ye shall get that which ye demand. And humiliation and wretchedness were stamped upon them and they were visited with wrath from Allah. That was because they disbelieved in Allah's revelations and slew the prophets wrongfully. That was for their disobedience and transgression.” (2:61)
“And when ye said: O Moses! We are weary of one kind of food; so call upon thy Lord for us that He bring forth for us of that which the earth groweth - of its herbs and its cucumbers and its corn and its lentils and its onions. He said: Would ye exchange that which is higher for that which is lower? Go down to settled country, thus ye shall get that which ye demand. And humiliation and wretchedness were stamped upon them and they were visited with wrath from Allah. That was because they disbelieved in Allah's revelations and slew the prophets wrongfully. That was for their disobedience and transgression.” (2:61)
“And when ye said: O Moses! We are weary of one kind of food; so call upon thy Lord for us that He bring forth for us of that which the earth groweth - of its herbs and its cucumbers and its corn and its lentils and its onions. He said: Would ye exchange that which is higher for that which is lower? Go down to settled country, thus ye shall get that which ye demand. And humiliation and wretchedness were stamped upon them and they were visited with wrath from Allah. That was because they disbelieved in Allah's revelations and slew the prophets wrongfully. That was for their disobedience and transgression.” (2:61)
“And when ye said: O Moses! We are weary of one kind of food; so call upon thy Lord for us that He bring forth for us of that which the earth groweth - of its herbs and its cucumbers and its corn and its lentils and its onions. He said: Would ye exchange that which is higher for that which is lower? Go down to settled country, thus ye shall get that which ye demand. And humiliation and wretchedness were stamped upon them and they were visited with wrath from Allah. That was because they disbelieved in Allah's revelations and slew the prophets wrongfully. That was for their disobedience and transgression.” (2:61)
“And when ye said: O Moses! We are weary of one kind of food; so call upon thy Lord for us that He bring forth for us of that which the earth groweth - of its herbs and its cucumbers and its corn and its lentils and its onions. He said: Would ye exchange that which is higher for that which is lower? Go down to settled country, thus ye shall get that which ye demand. And humiliation and wretchedness were stamped upon them and they were visited with wrath from Allah. That was because they disbelieved in Allah's revelations and slew the prophets wrongfully. That was for their disobedience and transgression.” (2:61)
That was because they disobeyed and used to transgress.
And remember when you said, "O Musa, we cannot endure one type of food, which is the manna and the quail."
"So call upon your Lord for us to bring forth for us from what the earth grows: its herbs, its cucumbers, its lentils, and its onions."
As for the *fum*, it is said to be wheat and bread.
And it is said to be garlic.
Musa said to them, "Would you exchange what is inferior for what is better in value and worth?"
Replacing that which is better with that which is worse.
So Musa prayed, and We answered him, and We said to them:
"Go down to a settlement, for you will find there what you have asked for."
Because only cities and towns produce such things.
It is possible it refers to Egypt, and it is possible it refers to the Levant.
And humiliation and wretchedness were imposed and decreed upon them.
They would not be granted safety unless they paid the jizya.
And poverty and need were imposed upon them.
They turned back and returned, bearing the wrath of Allah.
It had become incumbent and binding upon them.
That was the imposition of humiliation and wretchedness upon them.
Because they used to disbelieve in the signs of Allah.
And as a recompense for their killing of the prophets unjustly.
And because of their disobedience to their Lord and their transgression of His limits.
Indeed, those who believe, and those who are Jews, and the Christians, and the Sabeans.
Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day and does righteous deeds.
They shall have their reward with their Lord.
And there shall be no fear upon them, nor shall they grieve.
Indeed, those who believed the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) regarding the truth he brought to them.
And those who are Jews, and the Christians, and the Sabeans.
Those who departed from one religion to another.
Whoever among them believed and affirmed the Resurrection.
And did righteous deeds, obeying Allah.
They shall have the reward of their righteous deeds with their Lord.
And there shall be no fear upon them regarding the horrors of the Day of Resurrection they are approaching.
Nor shall they grieve for what they left behind in the world.
And when We took your covenant and raised the Mount above you.
"Take what We have given you with determination, and remember what is in it, that you may become righteous."
And when We took the covenant, confirmed by an oath or a pledge.
“And (remember) when We made a covenant with the Children of Israel, (saying): Worship none save Allah (only), and be good to parents and to kindred and to orphans and the needy, and speak kindly to mankind; and establish worship and pay the poor-due. Then, after that, ye slid back, save a few of you, being averse.” (2:83)
And We raised the mountain above you and said to you:
"Take what We have commanded you and made obligatory upon you."
And act with diligence and effort, without negligence.
Otherwise, We will cast it upon you.
And remember what is in Our Book of promises, warnings, encouragements, and threats.
Recite it, take heed from it, and contemplate it.
So that you may fear My punishment.
And desist from the disobedience you are currently in.
“Then, even after that, ye turned away, and if it had not been for the grace of Allah and His mercy ye had been among the losers.” (2:64)
“Then, even after that, ye turned away, and if it had not been for the grace of Allah and His mercy ye had been among the losers.” (2:64)
Then you turned away after you had given your Lord the covenants to act and fulfill what He commanded you.
Had it not been for Allah’s grace upon you through repentance.
And His mercy with which He showed you mercy.
And His overlooking of your sin.
You would have been among those who deprive themselves of their share of good.
And among the losers because of the breach of your covenant.
“And ye know of those of you who broke the Sabbath, how We said unto them: Be ye apes, despised and hated!” (2:65)
And you have certainly known those among you who transgressed My limits.
And committed what I forbade them on the Sabbath.
And disobeyed My command.
So We said to them, "Become apes, cast away from goodness, humiliated and despised."
“And We made it an example to their own and to succeeding generations, and an admonition to the Allah-fearing.” (2:66)
We made our punishment for them a deterrent for the sins they had committed before it.
And for those who would come after them, as a punishment for similar sins.
That if anyone were to do as they did, they would be transformed just as they were.
And that the same fate would befall them as befell them.
And We made it a lesson for the righteous.
So that they may take heed, learn a lesson, and remember through it.
“And when Moses said unto his people: Lo! Allah commandeth you that ye sacrifice a cow, they said: Dost thou make game of us? He answered: Allah forbid that I should be among the foolish!” (2:67)
They said, "Do you take us in mockery?"
“And when Moses said unto his people: Lo! Allah commandeth you that ye sacrifice a cow, they said: Dost thou make game of us? He answered: Allah forbid that I should be among the foolish!” (2:67)
And remember also when Musa (peace be upon him) said to his people.
When they disputed regarding the person who was killed.
“And when Moses said unto his people: Lo! Allah commandeth you that ye sacrifice a cow, they said: Dost thou make game of us? He answered: Allah forbid that I should be among the foolish!” (2:67)
They said, "Do you take us in jest and mockery?"
He said, "I seek refuge in Allah from being among the ignorant."
Who attribute lies and falsehood to Allah.
They said, "Call upon your Lord for us to clarify for us what it is."
“They said: Pray for us unto thy Lord that He make clear to us what (cow) she is. (Moses) answered: Lo! He saith, Verily she is a cow neither with calf nor immature; (she is) between the two conditions; so do that which ye are commanded.” (2:68)
"Neither old nor young, but of an age in between that."
"So do what you are commanded."
So the people of Musa (peace be upon him) said, questioning him further.
"Call upon your Lord for us to clarify for us what it is."
He said, "It is a cow, neither old and decrepit."
"Nor young, having never given birth."
"But of an age between the young and the old."
Because it is at the peak of its strength among cattle and beasts.
And in its best condition.
"So slaughter the cow that you were commanded."
They said, "Call upon your Lord for us to clarify for us what its color is."
“They said: Pray for us unto thy Lord that He make clear to us of what colour she is. (Moses) answered: Lo! He saith: Verily she is a yellow cow. Bright is her colour, gladdening beholders.” (2:69)
"Bright in color, pleasing to the beholders."
The people of Musa (peace be upon him) said, out of stubbornness.
"Call upon your Lord for us to clarify for us what the color of the cow is that you commanded us to slaughter."
So he said, as a punishment for them:
"It is a yellow cow."
"Pure and bright in its color."
"This cow amazes the one who looks at it with the beauty of its creation, appearance, and form."
They said, "Call upon your Lord for us to clarify for us what it is."
"For the cow has become confusing to us."
“They said: Pray for us unto thy Lord that He make clear to us what (cow) she is. Lo! cows are much alike to us; and Lo! if Allah wills, we may be led aright.” (2:70)
The people of Musa (peace be upon him) said:
"Call upon your Lord to clarify for us what it is."
"The cow has become ambiguous to us."
"And we, if Allah wills, will be guided to what has become ambiguous and confusing to us."
Regarding the matter of the cow that we were commanded to slaughter.
“(Moses) answered: Lo! He saith: Verily she is a cow unyoked; she plougheth not the soil nor watereth the tilth; whole and without mark. They said: Now thou bringest the truth. So they sacrificed her, though almost they did not.” (2:71)
“(Moses) answered: Lo! He saith: Verily she is a cow unyoked; she plougheth not the soil nor watereth the tilth; whole and without mark. They said: Now thou bringest the truth. So they sacrificed her, though almost they did not.” (2:71)
Musa (peace be upon him) said, "Allah says that the cow I commanded you to slaughter..."
"...is a cow not trained to work, nor to till the earth for cultivation with its hooves."
"Nor does it irrigate the fields for the crops."
"And it is, moreover, sound and free from defects, with no color on it that differs from the color of its hide."
They said, "Now you have brought us the truth," so they understood and knew which cow was specified.
So the people of Musa (peace be upon him) slaughtered the cow that Allah had described to them.
And they had nearly refrained from slaughtering it and abandoned the duty Allah had imposed upon them in that regard.
And remember, O Children of Israel, when you killed a person and disputed and argued about it.
And Allah is the Revealer of what you were concealing regarding the killing of the victim.
“And We said: Smite him with some of it. Thus Allah bringeth the dead to life and showeth you His portents so that ye may understand.” (2:73)
So We said to the people of Musa (peace be upon him) who disputed about the victim, "Strike the victim with a part of the cow."
So they struck him, and he came to life, and I am as I brought him to life in the world.
Just as so, I bring the dead to life after their death, and I will resurrect them on the Day of Resurrection.
So take heed, O you who deny the Resurrection.
And Allah shows you, O disbelievers, His signs and proofs that indicate his prophethood.
So that you may reason and understand that he is truthful and sincere, and thus believe in him and follow him.
“Then, even after that, your hearts were hardened and became as rocks, or worse than rocks, for hardness. For indeed there are rocks from out which rivers gush, and indeed there are rocks which split asunder so that water floweth from them. And indeed there are rocks which fall down for the fear of Allah. Allah is not unaware of what ye do.” (2:74)
And Allah is not unaware of what you do.
Then your hearts became hardened and callous after He brought to life for them the victim they had disputed over.
So your hearts are like stones in hardness, dryness, coarseness, and intensity.
Or even harder than stones.
And indeed, among stones are those from which water gushes forth, from which rivers are formed.
And indeed, among stones are those that split open.
So water comes out of it, becoming a flowing spring and running rivers.
And indeed, among stones are those that fall from the top of a mountain to the earth and the slope out of fear and awe of Allah.
And Allah is not unaware, O assembly of deniers, of what you do of your evil deeds.
But He records them against you.
So He will recompense you for them in the Hereafter.
Or He will punish you for them in this world.