وَقَالَتِ ٱلْيَهُودُ يَدُ ٱللَّهِ مَغْلُولَةٌ ۚ غُلَّتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَلُعِنُوا۟ بِمَا قَالُوا۟ ۘ بَلْ يَدَاهُ مَبْسُوطَتَانِ يُنفِقُ كَيْفَ يَشَآءُ ۚ وَلَيَزِيدَنَّ كَثِيرًا مِّنْهُم مَّآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ طُغْيَـٰنًا وَكُفْرًا ۚ وَأَلْقَيْنَا بَيْنَهُمُ ٱلْعَدَٰوَةَ وَٱلْبَغْضَآءَ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۚ كُلَّمَآ أَوْقَدُوا۟ نَارًا لِّلْحَرْبِ أَطْفَأَهَا ٱللَّهُ ۚ وَيَسْعَوْنَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَسَادًا ۚ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُفْسِدِينَ 64
Translations
And the Jews say, "The hand of Allāh is chained." Chained are their hands, and cursed are they for what they say. Rather, both His hands are extended; He spends however He wills. And that which has been revealed to you from your Lord will surely increase many of them in transgression and disbelief. And We have cast among them animosity and hatred until the Day of Resurrection. Every time they kindled the fire of war [against you], Allāh extinguished it. And they strive throughout the land [causing] corruption, and Allāh does not like corrupters.
Transliteration
Wa qalati al-yahūdu yadu Allāhi maghlūlah. Ghullat aydīhim wa lu'inū bimā qālū. Bal yadāhu mabsūṭatān yunfiqu kayfa yashā'. Wa layazīdanna kathīran minhum mā unzila ilayka min rabbika ṭughyānan wa kufran. Wa alqaynā baynahum al-'adāwata wa al-baghḍā'a ilā yawm al-qiyāmah. Kullamā awqadū nāran li-al-ḥarb aṭfā'ahā Allāh. Wa yas'awna fī al-arḍ fasādan. Wa Allāh lā yuḥibbu al-mufsidīn.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses a false Jewish claim that Allah's hand is 'bound' or withheld, implying His stinginess. Allah refutes this by declaring His hands are outstretched in generosity, dispensing provision as He wills. The verse warns that rejection of the Qur'anic revelation will only increase their arrogance and disbelief, and Allah has decreed perpetual enmity and hatred among them until the Day of Judgment—a consequence of their persistent opposition. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note that the metaphor of 'bound hands' represents Allah's perfect knowledge and wisdom in His distribution, not any limitation in His ability or generosity.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in Medina during the period of increasing conflict with the Jewish tribes of Medina who rejected the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and the Qur'an. The specific claim about Allah's 'bound hand' may reference their theological misunderstandings or their stinginess in charity, which the Qur'an uses as an example of their spiritual blindness and rejection of divine truth.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best charity is that given when one is in need yet gives, and the most generous among you is the most generous in character' (Tirmidhi). This relates to the refutation of the false claim about Allah's generosity. Additionally, the hadith about the consequences of rejecting guidance: 'Whoever turns away from my Sunnah is not from me' (Sahih Bukhari) resonates with the theme of increased misguidance from rejection.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that Allah's wisdom and generosity are boundless, and teaches us that persistent rejection of divine guidance inevitably leads to spiritual corruption and separation from truth. It also warns against spreading discord and corruption, as these are among the gravest sins that prevent one from receiving Allah's love and mercy.