مَثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ حُمِّلُوا۟ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةَ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَحْمِلُوهَا كَمَثَلِ ٱلْحِمَارِ يَحْمِلُ أَسْفَارًۢا ۚ بِئْسَ مَثَلُ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ 5
Translations
The example of those who were entrusted with the Torah and then did not take it on is like that of a donkey who carries volumes [of books]. Wretched is the example of the people who deny the signs of Allāh. And Allāh does not guide the wrongdoing people.
Transliteration
Mathalu alladhina hummilu al-tawrata thumma lam yahmilüha kamathali al-himari yahmiluasfaran. Bi'sa mathalu al-qawmi alladhina kadhdhabo bi-ayati Allah. Wa-Allah la yahdi al-qawma al-dhalimin.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah condemns the Jewish scholars who were entrusted with the Torah but failed to act upon its teachings or convey its message properly, comparing them to a donkey carrying heavy books without understanding or benefiting from them. The verse emphasizes that mere possession of sacred knowledge without implementation is worthless, and those who reject Allah's signs will be deprived of guidance. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note this particularly addresses the Jewish scholars of Madinah who concealed the description of Prophet Muhammad in their scriptures despite possessing the Torah.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Jumu'ah, a Medinan chapter revealed after the establishment of the Muslim community in Madinah. It addresses the reality of the Jewish tribes' relationship with the Qur'an and their rejection of the Prophet ﷺ, forming part of a broader critique of those who received divine knowledge but failed in their responsibility toward it.
Related Hadiths
1) The Prophet ﷺ said: 'The parable of guidance and knowledge with which Allah has sent me is like abundant rain falling on the earth, some of which is good land that absorbs water and brings forth vegetation and herbage in abundance.' (Sahih Bukhari) 2) 'The example of a person who recites the Qur'an is like a citron which has a good taste and pleasant smell, and the example of a person who does not recite the Qur'an is like a date which has no smell but has a good taste.' (Sahih Bukhari)
Themes
Key Lesson
Knowledge is a sacred trust that demands action and sincere adherence to its teachings; merely possessing religious texts or information without living by their principles is meaningless and invites divine displeasure. This ayah reminds believers to embody the Qur'an's teachings in their lives and warns against the grave sin of knowingly concealing or rejecting the truth.