ﲼ ﲽ ﲾ ﲿ ﳀ ﳁ ﳂ ﳃ ﳄ ﳅ ﳆ ﳇ ﳈ ﳉ ﳊ ﳋ ﳌ ﳍ ﳎ ﳏ ﳐ ﳑ
Said two men from those who feared [to disobey] upon whom Allah had bestowed favor, "Enter upon them through the gate, for when you have entered it, you will be predominant. And upon Allah rely, if you should be believers."
Tafsir
Verse range: 5:23
**{قال رجلان من الذين يخافون الله وأنعم الله عليهما ادخلا عليهم الباب فإذا دخلتموه فإنكم غالبون وعلى الله فتوكلوا إن كنتم مؤمنين}**
Issue 1: These two men are Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh. They were among those who feared Allah, and Allah had blessed them with guidance, confidence in His divine aid, and reliance on His support.
Al-Qaffal suggested another possibility: The phrase could mean: "Two men from those whom the Israelites feared—namely, the tyrants—spoke, and these two men were among them. Allah blessed them with faith, so they believed. They spoke these words to the people of Moses to encourage them to fight." The reading that pronounces yakhafūna (يَخَافُونَ) with a ḍammah (on the first letter) supports this interpretation.
Issue 2: Regarding the phrase {أنعم الله عليهما} (Allah had blessed them), there are two interpretations:
Issue 3: The statement {ادخلوا عليهم الباب} (Enter upon them through the gate) is an exaggeration emphasizing the promise of victory and triumph. It is as if He were saying: "As soon as you enter the gate of their city, they will be routed, and not a single person will remain blowing a fire or dwelling in a house. Therefore, do not fear them." And Allah knows best.
Issue 4: These two men were certain in their statement {فإذا دخلتموه فإنكم غالبون} (If you enter it, then surely you will be victorious) because they were certain of the prophethood of Moses (peace be upon him). When Moses (peace be upon him) informed them that Allah had said: {ادخلوا الارض المقدسة التى كتب الله لكم} (Enter the Holy Land which Allah has decreed for you) [Al-Ma'idah: 21], they were absolutely certain that victory belonged to them and that triumph was assured on their side.
This is why they concluded their speech with {وعلى الله فتوكلوا إن كنتم مؤمنين} (And upon Allah put your trust, if you are believers). This means: Since Allah has promised you victory, you should not become fearful due to their great strength or large stature. Rather, rely upon Allah for this victory to be achieved, if you are believers—acknowledging the existence of the Capable God and believing in the truthfulness of Moses' prophethood (peace be upon him).
**{قالوا ياموسىإنا لن ندخلهآ أبدا ما داموا فيها فاذهب أنت وربك فقاتلاإنا هاهنا قاعدون}** (They said, "O Moses, indeed we will never enter it as long as they are therein. So go, you and your Lord, and fight; indeed, we will remain here, sitting.")
