ﲓ ﲔ ﲕ ﲖ ﲗ ﲘ ﲙ ﲚ ﲛ ﲜ ﲝ ﲞ ﲟ ﲠ ﲡ ﲢ ﲣ ﲤ ﲥ ﲦ ﲧ ﲨ ﲩ ﲪ ﲫ ﲬ ﲭ ﲮ ﲯ ﲰ ﲱ ﲲ
And they did not become divided until after knowledge had come to them - out of jealous animosity between themselves. And if not for a word that preceded from your Lord [postponing the penalty] until a specified time, it would have been concluded between them. And indeed, those who were granted inheritance of the Scripture after them are, concerning it, in disquieting doubt.
Tafsir
Verse range: 42:14
{And they did not become divided} Meaning the People of the Scripture, after their prophets, {except after} they knew that division is misguidance, corruption, and a matter warned against upon the tongues of the prophets.
{And had it not been for a word that preceded from your Lord} Which is the promise of delaying [the judgment] until the Day of Resurrection, {it would have been judged between them} at the time they divided, due to the magnitude of what they committed.
{And indeed, those who were caused to inherit the Scripture after them} They are the People of the Scripture who were present during the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). {Are in doubt} regarding their Scripture; they do not believe in it with true belief.
It is also said: People were one community of believers after Allah destroyed all the inhabitants of the earth in the Flood. When the fathers died, the children differed among themselves, and that was when Allah sent to them the prophets as bringers of good tidings and warners, and knowledge came to them. They only differed out of envy among themselves.
It is also said: The People of the Scripture did not divide except after knowledge came to them regarding the mission of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), similar to the saying of the Exalted: "And those who were given the Scripture did not become divided except after there had come to them clear evidence" (Al-Bayyinah: 4).
And "those who were caused to inherit the Scripture after them" are the polytheists: they were caused to inherit the Quran after the People of the Scripture were caused to inherit the Torah and the Gospel. It has been recited as worithu (were made to inherit) and warithu (inherited).
{So to that, invite, and remain on a right course as you have been commanded, and do not follow their inclinations. And say, "I have believed in what Allah has revealed of the Scripture, and I have been commanded to do justice among you. Allah is our Lord and your Lord. For us are our deeds, and for you your deeds. There is no [need for] argument between us and you. Allah will bring us together, and to Him is the [final] destination."}
