Page 14 Notes

02 Surah Al-Baqarah (continued)

Page 14 Grammar 

Page 14 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

2:89

2:90

2:91

2:92

2:93

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 14 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 14 of the Quran covers verses 89 through 93 of Surah Al-Baqarah. These verses focus heavily on the psychological and theological reasons why certain factions in Medina rejected the Prophet Muhammad despite recognizing him, driven largely by envy (hasad) that the final prophet came from the Arabs rather than the lineage of Israel. The page also revisits historical instances of covenant-breaking, such as the worship of the golden calf (verse 93).

The Hadiths and Sunnah related to these verses provide the explicit historical background of Medina, prophetic insights into the destructive nature of jealousy, and warnings against blind loyalty to lineage over truth.

1. Verses 89–90: Knowing the Truth but Rejecting It Due to Envy

"And when there came to them a Book from Allah confirming that which was with them—although before they used to pray for victory over those who disbelieved—but [then] when there came to them that which they recognized, they disbelieved in it..." (2:89)

The Pre-Islamic Context: Praying for Victory (Istiftah)

Before the Prophet Muhammad migrated to Medina, the Jewish tribes frequently faced conflict with the pagan Arab tribes of Aws and Khazraj. When threatened, they would invoke the coming of the final prophet as a source of future victory.

• The Historical Context (Hadith/Tafsir): The companion Ibn Abbas narrated that the Jewish people of Medina used to make supplications against the pagan Arabs, saying: "O Allah, send us the Prophet that is promised to us in our scripture so that we may defeat them." However, when the Prophet Muhammad arrived, they realized he was an Arab from the lineage of Ishmael rather than Israel. Because of this tribal bias, they rejected him.

• The Hadith of Safiyyah's Father: A vivid behind-the-scenes look at this mindset is preserved by Safiyyah bint Huyayy (who later became the Prophet's wife). She narrated that when the Prophet arrived in Medina, her father (Huyayy ibn Akhtab, a chief rabbi) and her uncle went to see him. When they returned, her uncle asked her father: "Is it really him (the promised Prophet)?" Her father replied: "Yes, by God." The uncle asked: "What do you feel toward him?" Her father answered: "Animosity and enmity, for as long as I live." (Sirat Ibn Hisham / Tafsir Ibn Kathir)

Prophetic Warning Against Envy (Hasad)

Verse 90 highlights that they "sold their souls" out of envy that Allah would send His grace to whomever He willed. The Prophet Muhammad frequently warned his followers that envy destroys faith just as it destroyed the faith of previous communities.

• The Hadith: Zubayr ibn al-Awwam reported that the Messenger of Allah said:
  "The disease of the nations before you has crept upon you: envy and hatred. It is the 'shaver' (destroyer); I do not say it shaves hair, but rather it shaves (destroys) the religion." (Sunan At-Tirmidhi)

2. Verse 91: Killing the Prophets Unjustly

"And when it is said to them, 'Believe in what Allah has revealed,' they say, 'We believe in what was revealed to us.' ... Say, 'Then why did you kill the prophets of Allah before, if you were believers?'" (2:91)

Inheriting the Guilt of Ancestors

The people of Medina during the Prophet's time did not personally kill any prophets, yet Allah addresses them directly: "Why did you kill them?" Islamic jurisprudence and the Sunnah clarify that approving of an evil deed makes a person complicit in it.

• The Hadith Connection: The Prophet Muhammad explained this concept of collective moral responsibility, stating:
  "When a sin is committed on earth, the one who witnesses it and hates it is like one who was absent from it. But the one who is absent from it but approves of it is like one who witnessed it [and took part]." (Sunan Abi Dawud)

• Application: Because the opponents in Medina fiercely defended their ancestors' legacy and rejected the current Prophet out of the same pride, they inherited the moral guilt of their predecessors.

3. Verse 93: The Worship of the Calf

"And [recall] when We took your covenant and raised over you the mountain... But they said, 'We hear and disobey.' And their hearts absorbed [the worship of] the calf because of their disbelief..." (2:93)

The Concept of Spiritual "Absorption" (Ushribu)

The Quran uses a powerful metaphor in verse 93: "Their hearts were made to drink (absorbed) the calf." This indicates a blind, consuming love for a false idol that completely bypasses logic. The Prophet Muhammad used a very similar linguistic framing to warn about how obsessive worldly desires blind human perception.

• The Hadith: Abu al-Darda reported that the Messenger of Allah said:
  "Your love for something makes you blind and deaf." (Sunan Abi Dawud)

• The Sunnah Practice: To protect the heart from absorbing false attachments, the Prophet modeled a daily Sunnah of constantly renewing faith through the phrase: "O Turner of the hearts, keep my heart firm upon Your religion" (Ya Muqallib al-Qulub, thabbit qalbi 'ala dinik) (Sunan At-Tirmidhi).

References

• Sunan At-Tirmidhi, Chapters on the Description of the Day of Judgment (Hadith 2510); Chapters on Supplications (Hadith 3522).

• Sunan Abi Dawud, Book of Jihad (Hadith 4345); Book of Literature / Adab (Hadith 5130).

• Sirat Ibn Hisham & Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Historical accounts documenting Safiyyah bint Huyayy's narrative and the context of Istiftah (praying for victory) in Medina.