ﲉ ﲊ ﲋ ﲌ ﲍ ﲎ ﲏ ﲐ ﲑ ﲒ ﲓ ﲔ ﲕ ﲖ ﲗ ﲘ ﲙ
But those who wronged among them changed [the words] to a statement other than that which had been said to them. So We sent upon them a punishment from the sky for the wrong that they were doing.
Tafsir
Verse range: 7:161-162
Know that this story is also mentioned with explanation and detail in Surah Al-Baqarah.
It remains to be said that the wording of this verse differs from the wording of the verse in Surah Al-Baqarah in several aspects:
Know that these words are close in meaning, and there is absolutely no contradiction between them. It is possible to mention the benefits of these differing wordings.
Regarding the First Point (Entering vs. Dwelling): In Surah Al-Baqarah, it was {Enter this town}, and here it is {Dwell in this town}. The difference is that entering the town must occur first, and dwelling is the second stage.
Regarding the Second Point (Fa' vs. Waw): In Al-Baqarah: {Enter this town, so eat} (fa'). Here: {Dwell in this town and eat} (waw). The difference is that entering is a specific, momentary action that ceases once completed. One is only "entering" at the very beginning of entry; afterward, it becomes dwelling, not entering.
If this is established, we say: Entering is a completed, transient state; it does not persist. Therefore, it is appropriate to use the conjunction fa' (implying immediate sequence) after it. Hence, He said: {Enter this town}. Dwelling, however, is a continuous, enduring state. Thus, eating occurs concurrently with it, not immediately after it, clarifying the difference.
Regarding the Third Point (Mentioning Raghadan): The mention of {in abundance} (raghadan) in Surah Al-Baqarah relates to the eating that followed immediately upon entering the town. That eating was sweeter because the need for it was more complete and perfect. Since that eating was sweeter, it was appropriate to mention the word {in abundance}. As for the eating during the state of dwelling in the town, it is apparent that it did not occur under such intense need, unless the pleasure was fully realized, so the mention of {in abundance} was omitted here.
Regarding the Fourth Point (Order of Prostration and Supplication): In Surah Al-Baqarah: {and enter the gate prostrating and say, "Hittah"}. In Al-A'raf, the order is reversed. The implication is that it is permissible to present either of these two remembrances before the other. However, since the purpose of both was to glorify God Almighty and show humility and submission, the situation does not differ based on the order of presentation.
Regarding the Fifth Point (Sins: Khaṭāyākum vs. Khaṭī’ātakum): The difference between {your sins (khaṭāyākum)} and {your wrongdoings (khaṭī’ātakum)} indicates that these sins, whether few or many, are forgiven upon performing this supplication and humbling oneself.
Regarding the Sixth Point (Omission of Waw): In Surah Al-Baqarah: {And We will increase} (wa-sana-zīdu) with the waw, but here it is omitted. The benefit of omitting the waw is that it signifies a new, independent clause (a isti'nāf). The meaning is as if someone asked: What happens after forgiveness? And the answer was: {We will increase the doers of good}.
Regarding the Seventh Point (Anzalna vs. Arsalna): The difference between {We sent down} (anzalna) and {We sent} (arsalna) is that sending down does not necessarily imply multiplicity, whereas sending implies it. It is as if God Almighty began by sending down a small amount of punishment, and then He increased it, similar to what we mentioned regarding the difference between {it burst forth} (inbajat) and {it gushed forth} (infajarat).
Regarding the Eighth Point (Yāẓlimūn vs. Yāfsuqūn): The difference between {they were habitually wronging} (yāẓlimūn) and {they were habitually transgressing} (yāfsuqūn) is that they are described as wrongdoers (ẓālimūn) because they wronged themselves, and they are described as transgressors (fāsiqūn) because they departed from obedience to God Almighty. The benefit of mentioning both descriptions is to indicate the occurrence of both matters. This is what came to mind regarding the benefits of these differing wordings, and the complete knowledge of them belongs to God Almighty.
And ask them about the town that was near the sea when they transgressed in the matter of the Sabbath: when their fish came to them openly on the day they observed the Sabbath, but the day they did not observe the Sabbath, their fish did not come to them. Thus did We try them because they were habitually transgressing.
