Surah Al Ma'idah Tafseer

Allah Mentions `Isa and Praises the Injil

Allah said,

وَقَفَّيْنَا

and We sent...,

meaning, We sent.

عَلَى اثَارِهِم

in their footsteps,

meaning the Prophets of the Children of Israel.

بِعَيسَى ابْنِ مَرْيَمَ مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ مِنَ التَّوْرَاةِ

`Isa, son of Maryam, confirming the Tawrah that had come before him,

meaning, he believed in it and ruled by it.

وَاتَيْنَاهُ الاِنجِيلَ فِيهِ هُدًى وَنُورٌ

and We gave him the Injil, in which was guidance and light,

a guidance that directs to the truth and a light that removes the doubts and solves disputes,

وَمُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ مِنَ التَّوْرَاةِ

and confirmation of the Tawrah that had come before it,

meaning, he adhered to the Tawrah, except for the few instances that clarified the truth where the Children of Israel differed.

Allah states in another Ayah that `Isa said to the Children of Israel,

وَلاُِحِلَّ لَكُم بَعْضَ الَّذِي حُرِّمَ عَلَيْكُمْ

and to make lawful to you part of what was forbidden to you. (3:50)

So the scholars say that the Injil abrogated some of the rulings of the Tawrah.

Allah's statement,

وَهُدًى وَمَوْعِظَةً لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ

a guidance and an admonition for those who have Taqwa.

means, We made the Injil guidance and an admonition that prohibits committing sins and errors, for those who have Taqwa of Allah and fear His warning and torment.

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