لُعِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِنۢ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ عَلَىٰ لِسَانِ دَاوُۥدَ وَعِيسَى ٱبْنِ مَرْيَمَ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِمَا عَصَوا۟ وَّكَانُوا۟ يَعْتَدُونَ 78
Translations
Cursed were those who disbelieved among the Children of Israel by the tongue of David and of Jesus, the son of Mary. That was because they disobeyed and [habitually] transgressed.
Transliteration
Lu'ina alladhina kafaroo min banee israaeel ala lisani dawooda wa eesa ibni maryam, dhaalika bima asawoo wa kanu yataadoon
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah states that the disbelievers among the Children of Israel were cursed by Allah through the tongues of the Prophets Dawud (David) and 'Isa (Jesus) son of Maryam. According to classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, this curse was specifically directed at those who rejected the signs of Allah and committed transgressions after witnessing clear proofs. The reason for their curse is explicitly stated: their disobedience and continual transgression against the Divine commandments and the teachings of the prophets.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Ma'idah (Medinan), which discusses the laws, covenants, and historical narratives of the Children of Israel. The broader context addresses how various groups from Bani Israel rejected the prophets and violated their covenants with Allah. This ayah specifically highlights the spiritual consequences of persistent disobedience and rejection of prophethood.
Related Hadiths
Tirmidhi narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said regarding those who reject the prophets: 'Cursed are those who curse the followers of the prophets.' Additionally, the Qur'an in Surah Al-A'raf (7:176) discusses how some among Bani Israel were led astray despite receiving clear signs.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that persistent rejection of divine guidance and transgression against Allah's laws carries severe spiritual consequences. For believers today, it serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience to Allah and His prophets, and that honoring the covenants we make with Allah is essential for remaining in His mercy and protection.
Related Ayahs
وَكُلُوا۟ مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ حَلَـٰلًا طَيِّبًا ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنتُم بِهِۦ مُؤْمِنُونَ
And eat of what Allāh has provided for you [which is] lawful and good. And fear Allāh, in whom you are believers.
إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ تَابُوا۟ مِن قَبْلِ أَن تَقْدِرُوا۟ عَلَيْهِمْ ۖ فَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
Except for those who return [repenting] before you overcome [i.e., apprehend] them. And know that Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.
قُلْ يَـٰٓأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ لَا تَغْلُوا۟ فِى دِينِكُمْ غَيْرَ ٱلْحَقِّ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوٓا۟ أَهْوَآءَ قَوْمٍ قَدْ ضَلُّوا۟ مِن قَبْلُ وَأَضَلُّوا۟ كَثِيرًا وَضَلُّوا۟ عَن سَوَآءِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ
Say, "O People of the Scripture, do not exceed limits in your religion beyond the truth and do not follow the inclinations of a people who had gone astray before and misled many and have strayed from the soundness of the way."
وَقَالَتِ ٱلْيَهُودُ وَٱلنَّصَـٰرَىٰ نَحْنُ أَبْنَـٰٓؤُا۟ ٱللَّهِ وَأَحِبَّـٰٓؤُهُۥ ۚ قُلْ فَلِمَ يُعَذِّبُكُم بِذُنُوبِكُم ۖ بَلْ أَنتُم بَشَرٌ مِّمَّنْ خَلَقَ ۚ يَغْفِرُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيُعَذِّبُ مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَلِلَّهِ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا ۖ وَإِلَيْهِ ٱلْمَصِيرُ
But the Jews and the Christians say, "We are the children of Allāh and His beloved." Say, "Then why does He punish you for your sins?" Rather, you are human beings from among those He has created. He forgives whom He wills, and He punishes whom He wills. And to Allāh belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them, and to Him is the [final] destination.