أَفَحُكْمَ ٱلْجَـٰهِلِيَّةِ يَبْغُونَ ۚ وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ حُكْمًا لِّقَوْمٍ يُوقِنُونَ 50
Translations
Then is it the judgement of [the time of] ignorance they desire? But who is better than Allāh in judgement for a people who are certain [in faith].
Transliteration
Afa-hukma al-jahiliyyati yabghun, wa-man ahsanu min-Allahi hukman li-qawmin yuqinun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah rejects the pre-Islamic pagan laws and customs (jahiliyyah), rhetorically questioning why anyone would seek judgment according to ignorant, unguided principles when Allah's law is supreme. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this verse establishes the superiority of Islamic jurisprudence over all human-made systems, and Al-Tabari notes it was revealed to address those who wavered between Islamic and pagan judgment. The rhetorical question 'Who is better than Allah in judgment for a people who are certain (in faith)?' serves as a powerful affirmation that those with true conviction (yaqin) recognize Allah's wisdom as absolute and incomparable.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Ma'idah is predominantly Medinan and addresses legal and social matters of the Muslim community. This ayah appears in the context of judging disputes and establishing Islamic law among the believers, particularly relevant to those who still harbored attachments to pre-Islamic tribal customs and judgments.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever judges between people with knowledge and justice, Allah will grant him the best of gardens' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, 'The best of judges is he who judges according to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah' (related to various sources emphasizing adherence to divine law).
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should recognize that true justice and wisdom come exclusively from Allah's guidance, and submitting to any system of law or custom that contradicts Islamic principles reflects weak faith and spiritual conviction. In modern contexts, this teaches Muslims to critically evaluate contemporary legal systems and social norms through the lens of Quranic values rather than blindly following cultural or secular standards.