وَلَمَّا جَآءَهُمْ رَسُولٌ مِّنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ مُصَدِّقٌ لِّمَا مَعَهُمْ نَبَذَ فَرِيقٌ مِّنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ كِتَـٰبَ ٱللَّهِ وَرَآءَ ظُهُورِهِمْ كَأَنَّهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ 101
Translations
And when a messenger from Allāh came to them confirming that which was with them, a party of those who had been given the Scripture threw the Scripture of Allāh [i.e., the Torah] behind their backs as if they did not know [what it contained].
Transliteration
Wa-lamma jaa'ahum rasoolun min 'indi-Allahi musaddiqun lima ma'ahum nabaza fareequn mina-alladhina ootoo al-kitaba kitaba Allahi wara'a zuhoorihim ka-annahum la ya'lamoon
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how when Prophet Muhammad came to the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) as a messenger from Allah confirming what they already possessed in their scriptures, a group of them rejected and discarded the Book of Allah behind their backs as if they had no knowledge. Ibn Kathir explains this as their deliberate rejection despite recognizing the truth, while Al-Tabari emphasizes their willful ignorance and stubbornness in refusing to accept confirmation of their own scriptures through the Final Prophet.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of a broader Medinan passage addressing the hypocrisy and rejection of the People of the Book, particularly those who refused to recognize Prophet Muhammad despite clear signs. The context concerns the behavior of Jewish tribes in Medina who possessed knowledge of the Torah containing descriptions of the Prophet but chose to deny him out of jealousy and tribal prejudice.
Related Hadiths
Hadith from Sahih Bukhari (4:55:604): The Prophet said regarding the People of the Book, 'They altered their scriptures.' This supports the theme of their rejection and distortion. Also relevant is the hadith in Sahih Muslim about the covenant of the People of the Book to believe in the final messenger.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah warns believers against the spiritual danger of possessing knowledge yet choosing to reject it—true belief requires both intellectual recognition and sincere acceptance. It teaches that God's message brings clarity, and deliberate rejection despite understanding constitutes a grave spiritual offense.