Surah Al-Baqarah 2:109
سُورَةُ البَقَرَةِ · Medinan · Verse 109 of 286
وَدَّ كَثِيرٌۭ مِّنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ لَوْ يَرُدُّونَكُم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ إِيمَٰنِكُمْ كُفَّارًا حَسَدًۭا مِّنْ عِندِ أَنفُسِهِم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُمُ ٱلْحَقُّ ۖ فَٱعْفُوا۟ وَٱصْفَحُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ يَأْتِىَ ٱللَّهُ بِأَمْرِهِۦٓ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ قَدِيرٌۭ
Translation
Even after the truth has become clear to them, many of the People of the Book wish they could turn you back to disbelief after you have believed, out of their selfish envy. Forgive and forbear until God gives his command: He has power over all things.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This verse opens with a profound insight into human nature and divine guidance, addressing the believers directly about the intentions of some among the People of the Book.
The Depth of Their Envy
Allah reveals that "ودَّ كَثِيرٌۭ مِّنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ لَوْ يَرُدُّونَكُم" (wished many of the People of the Book if they could turn you back). The choice of "many" (كَثِيرٌۭ) instead of "all" is significant; as Ibn Ashur notes, it distinguishes between those who might have known the truth and others who were consumed by pure malice. The phrase "يَرُدُّونَكُم" (turn you back) is also precise. Ibn Ashur highlights that "turning back" implies reverting to a prior state. Their desire was not for Muslims to adopt Judaism or Christianity, but to return to their former state of widespread idolatry and polytheism ("كُفَّارًا"), a form of disbelief that even the People of the Book would agree was severe.
This deep wish is explicitly attributed to "حَسَدًۭا مِّنْ عِندِ أَنفُسِهِم" (envy from their very selves). The word "حَسَدًۭا" (envy) is presented as the sole motivation, underscoring its pivotal role. Furthermore, the combination of "مِّنْ" (from) and "عِندِ" (with/at) in "مِّنْ عِندِ أَنفُسِهِم" powerfully emphasizes that this envy is not superficial but deeply rooted within their souls, an inherent and entrenched malice, not a reasoned religious objection, as scholars like Ibn Ashur explain.
Knowing Yet Resisting
Their envy is all the more startling because it arose "مِّنۢ بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُمُ ٱلْحَقُّ" (after the truth had become clear to them). This phrase, as Ibn Ashur and al-Razi highlight, means their ill-will stemmed not from ignorance but from a deliberate rejection despite clear evidence. They knew the truth of Islam, yet their envy prevented them from accepting it and even led them to wish ill upon the believers.
The Divine Command to You
In response to this deep-seated enmity, Allah commands the believers: "فَٱعْفُوا۟ وَٱصْفَحُوا۟" (So pardon and overlook). The particle "فَ" (so/then) signifies that this is the prescribed response to such profound malice. Ibn Ashur carefully distinguishes between "العَفْوُ" (pardon), which is to forgo punishment, and "الصَّفْحُ" (overlook), which is to completely turn away from the offense, not even bringing it up. This latter is a more comprehensive and deeper form of forgiveness, indicating a complete disregard for the offense and a profound generosity of spirit. This command was to be observed "حَتَّىٰ يَأْتِىَ ٱللَّهُ بِأَمْرِهِۦٓ" (until Allah brings His command), indicating a temporary patience, with a divinely appointed end to this phase of interaction, as al-Razi points out. This provided reassurance to the believers that their patience was not endless but held a future purpose.
Allah's Infinite Power
The verse concludes with a powerful affirmation: "إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ قَدِيرٌۭ" (Indeed, Allah is over all things competent/Powerful). This phrase, as Ibn Ashur explains, serves as a profound justification and reminder. It teaches the believers the virtue of pardon by showing that Allah, despite His absolute power, chooses to pardon. It also reassures them that their enemies' machinations are utterly insignificant before Allah's boundless might; He is capable of dealing with them as and when He wills, in His wisdom. This powerful statement underscores that the command to pardon is not a sign of weakness, but an act of strength rooted in reliance on the Almighty.
Sources: Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Jalalayn
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-Baqarah 2:109 is discussed in 16 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
- Christians (Nasara) (key verse)
- Pardon (Afw) (key verse)
- Envy (Hasad) (key verse)
- Debate (Jidal)
- Repelling (Daf')
- Extremism (Ghuluww)
- Disbelief (Kufr)
- Disagreement (Ikhtilaf)
- Reconciliation (Islah)
- Atheism (Ilhad)
- People of the Scripture (Ahl al-Kitab)
- Zakat
- Jews (Yahud)
- Reconciliation (Silm)
- Idolatry (Shirk)
- Purity (Taharah)
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Al-Baqarah 2:109 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.