Tafsir of Al-Baqarah 2:53

"The Book": It is the Torah, by the consensus of the exegetes.

Regarding "the Criterion" (al-Furqan), there are several opinions:

First: It is also the Torah. The conjunction here is of the type that links attributes to indicate the independence of each, for the Torah possesses two attributes that are applied via gradation: its being a "Book" encompassing what no other revealed scripture—except the Quran—encompassed, and its being a "Criterion," meaning an argument that distinguishes between truth and falsehood. This was stated by al-Zajjaj, and it is supported by the words of the Exalted: "And We had already given Moses and Aaron the Criterion and a light and a reminder."

Second: It is the Law (Sharia) which distinguishes between the lawful and the prohibited. Thus, the conjunction is like that in [the verse]: "The angels and the Spirit descend" (i.e., specifying the Spirit as a subset of the angels). This was stated by Ibn Bahr.

Third: It is the miracles that distinguish between truth and falsehood, such as the staff, the [shining] hand, and others. This was stated by Mujahid.

Fourth: It is the victory that distinguished between the enemy and the ally, and it was a sign for Moses, peace be upon him. From this, the Day of Badr was called "the Day of the Criterion" (Yawm al-Furqan). This was stated by Ibn Abbas, may Allah the Exalted be pleased with them both.

It has also been said: It is the Quran, and the meaning of it being "given" to Moses, peace be upon him, is the revelation of its mention to him until he believed in it. This was reported by Ibn al-Anbari, but it is far-fetched. More far-fetched still is what was reported from al-Farra and Qutrub: that it refers to the Quran, and the discourse implies an omitted object—meaning, "and We gave Muhammad the Criterion."

It is appropriate that the mention of guidance follows the mention of giving Moses "the Book and the Criterion," because guidance is a consequence of them for "whoever lends an ear and is a witness."