Ash-Shuraa 42:14
The Consultation · Meccan · Juz 25 · Page 484
Divided by Envy
وَمَا تَفَرَّقُوٓاْ إِلَّا مِنۢ بَعۡدِ مَا جَآءَهُمُ ٱلۡعِلۡمُ بَغۡيَۢا بَيۡنَهُمۡۚ وَلَوۡلَا كَلِمَةࣱ سَبَقَتۡ مِن رَّبِّكَ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلࣲ مُّسَمࣰّى لَّقُضِيَ بَيۡنَهُمۡۚ وَإِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ أُورِثُواْ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِهِمۡ لَفِي شَكࣲّ مِّنۡهُ مُرِيبࣲ ١٤
And they were not divided until after the knowledge came unto them, through rivalry among themselves; and had it not been for a Word that had already gone forth from thy Lord for an appointed term, it surely had been judged between them. And those who were made to inherit the Scripture after them are verily in hopeless doubt concerning it.
Translation: Marmaduke Pickthall
Meaning
They did not become divided until after knowledge had come to them, out of jealous animosity.
Insight
According to Elmalılı, the division, whether opposing the prophets or the communities splitting into sects, arose not from ignorance but from envy.
Reflect
Remove from your heart an envy that causes division.
This short note is based on Elmalılı Hamdi Yazır’s Turkish commentary and has not yet been reviewed by a scholar.
Elmalılı’s commentary
An English translation of Elmalılı’s full commentary is coming soon. Read the original Turkish ›