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Tafsir of Al-Ma'idah 5:22

Surah Al-Ma'idah 5:22

ﲪ ﲫ ﲬ ﲭ ﲮ ﲯ ﲰ ﲱ ﲲ ﲳ ﲴ ﲵ ﲶ ﲷ ﲸ ﲹ ﲺ

They said, "O Moses, indeed within it is a people of tyrannical strength, and indeed, we will never enter it until they leave it; but if they leave it, then we will enter."

Tafsir

Mafatih al-Ghayb

Verse range: 5:22

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Al-Ma'idah (The Table Spread): Verse 22

Then Allah the Exalted informed us about them, that they said:

**{They said, "O Moses, indeed within it are a people of great might (Jabbārīn).}**

There are two interpretations regarding the meaning of al-Jabbārīn (the mighty ones):

  1. The first interpretation: Jabbār is derived from the root jabara (to compel), meaning one who forces others to do what he wills. This is the choice of Al-Farra' and Al-Zajjaj. Al-Farra' stated: "I have not heard the pattern fa''āl derived from af'ala except in two words: Jabbār from ajbara (to compel), and darrāk from adraka (to reach)."
  2. The second interpretation: It is derived from the saying, "a jabbārah palm tree," when it is tall and lofty, unreachable by hands. A man is also called jabbār if he is tall, great, and strong, likened to the tall palm tree. These people were at the peak of strength and great stature, such that the hands of Moses' people could not reach them, so they were named Jabbārīn for this reason.

Then the people said:

**{And indeed, we will never enter it until they leave it. But if they leave it, then indeed we will be entering.}**

They said this as a statement of impossibility, similar to Allah's saying:

**{And they will not enter Paradise until the camel passes through the eye of a needle.}** (Al-A'rāf: 40)

Then Allah the Exalted said:

**{Said two men from those who feared [Allah], upon whom Allah had bestowed favor, "Enter upon them through the gate, and when you have entered it, then indeed you will be victorious. And rely upon Allah, if you should be believers."}**