Tafsir of Al-Ma'idah 5:47

Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:47)

{And let the People of the Gospel judge by what Allah has revealed therein.}

The verse begins: {And let the People of the Gospel judge by what Allah has revealed therein.}

1. Hamzah's Reading: He recited {وَلْيَحْكُم} (wa-liyahkum) with a kasrah (i) on the lām and a fatḥah (a) on the mīm.
   • Interpretation: This links the command to the preceding statement, {And We conveyed to him the Gospel} (Al-Ma'idah: 46). The meaning becomes: "We gave him the Gospel so that he might judge by it."

2. The Majority Reading: They recited {وَلْيَحْكُم} (wal-yahkum) with a sukūn (absence of vowel) on the lām and the mīm, indicating a command structure.
   • Two Interpretations for the Command:
     • First View: The implied meaning is: "And We said: Let the People of the Gospel judge..." This reports what was obligatory upon them at that time according to the Gospel. The word "said" is omitted because the preceding context of "We revealed" and "We conveyed" implies it. Omitting the verb of saying is common, like in {And the angels will enter upon them from every gate. Peace be upon you} (Ar-Ra'd: 23), where the implied meaning is: "They will say, 'Peace be upon you.'"
     • Second View: The phrase {And let the People of the Gospel judge} is a direct, initial command addressed to the Christians regarding judging by the Gospel.

Objection Raised: How can they be commanded to judge by the Gospel after the Quran was revealed?

Answers (Multiple Perspectives):

1. Al-Asamm's View: They are commanded to judge by what Allah revealed in the Gospel that serves as proofs indicating the prophethood of Muhammad (PBUH).
2. Second View: They are commanded to judge by what Allah revealed in the Gospel that has not been abrogated by the Quran.
3. Third View: The command {And let the People of the Gospel judge by what Allah has revealed therein} is a reprimand against them for distorting and altering the Gospel, similar to what the Jews did by hiding the rulings of the Torah. The meaning is: "Let the People of the Gospel affirm what Allah revealed therein exactly as He revealed it, without distortion or alteration."

{And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed, then it is those who are the defiantly disobedient (Fāsiqūn).}

The commentators differed regarding the application of the three terms used here (and in preceding verses): Unbelievers (Kāfirūn), Wrongdoers (Ẓālimūn), and Defiantly Disobedient (Fāsiqūn).

1. Al-Qaffāl's View (Single Subject): These three terms are merely different attributes describing one single subject (the one who does not judge by what Allah revealed).
   • He argues that using each term separately does not imply a distinct meaning; it is like saying: "Whoever obeys Allah is the Believer," "Whoever obeys Allah is the Righteous," and "Whoever obeys Allah is the Pious." All are different attributes belonging to the same entity.

2. Second View (Distinct Subjects):
   • The first term (Unbelievers) applies to the denier (of the law).
   • The second and third terms (Wrongdoers and Defiantly Disobedient) apply to the one who acknowledges the law but abandons it.

3. Al-Asamm's View (Specific Groups):
   • The first and second terms apply to the Jews.
   • The third term (Defiantly Disobedient) applies to the Christians.

Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:48)

{And We have revealed to you the Book with the truth, confirming what came before it of the Scripture, and as a guardian over it. So judge between them by what Allah has revealed, and do not follow their inclinations away from the truth that has come to you. For every one of you We have appointed a law and a way. And if Allah had willed, He would have made you one nation [united in religion]; but [He willed to test you] in what He gave you. So race each other to good deeds. To Allah is your return, all of you, and He will inform you concerning that over which you used to differ.}