Surah Al-Baqarah 2:89
سُورَةُ البَقَرَةِ · Medinan · Verse 89 of 286
وَلَمَّا جَآءَهُمْ كِتَـٰبٌ مِّنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ مُصَدِّقٌ لِّمَا مَعَهُمْ وَكَانُوا۟ مِن قَبْلُ يَسْتَفْتِحُونَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُم مَّا عَرَفُوا۟ كَفَرُوا۟ بِهِۦ ۚ فَلَعْنَةُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَى ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ
Translation
When a Scripture came to them from God confirming what they already had, and when they had been praying for victory against the disbelievers, even when there came to them something they knew [to be true], they disbelieved in it: God rejects those who disbelieve.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This verse addresses the Children of Israel (Jews) who were living in the time of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. Allah Himself is speaking, sternly rebuking them for their rejection of the Quran and the Prophet despite their prior knowledge and expectations. The tone is one of severe censure and a declaration of divine curse.
The Clear Expectation
The verse begins with, "And when there came to them a Book from Allah, confirming what was with them..." (وَلَمَّا جَآءَهُمْ كِتَٰبٌۭ مِّنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ مُصَدِّقٌۭ لِّمَا مَعَهُمْ). The words "كِتَٰبٌۭ مِّنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ" (a Book from Allah) emphasize its divine origin, leaving no room for doubt about its authority. Ibn Ashur highlights that the description "مُصَدِّقٌۭ لِّمَا مَعَهُمْ" (confirming what was with them) is crucial. It wasn't a foreign message, but one that validated the core truths they already held in their own scriptures (the Torah). This makes their rejection all the more blameworthy, as they denied something that aligned with their own traditions.
Their Past Posture
The verse then reveals their past state: "and they used to pray for victory over those who disbelieved" (وَكَانُوا۟ مِن قَبْلُ يَسْتَفْتِحُونَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟). The word "يَسْتَفْتِحُونَ" means they sought "فتح" (victory or triumph). Ibn Ashur, al-Zamakhshari, and al-Razi explain that the Jews, when fighting the idolaters, would implore Allah to send the awaited Prophet, through whom they expected to gain triumph. They would even tell their enemies that a prophet was coming who would help them defeat their foes. This detail reveals they weren't just generally hoping for a prophet; they were actively using the promise of his coming as a means of seeking an advantage.
The Irony of Rejection
Then comes the dramatic turn: "But when there came to them what they recognized, they disbelieved in it" (فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُم مَّا عَرَفُوا۟ كَفَرُوا۟ بِهِۦ). The repetition of "لَمَّا جَآءَهُمْ" (when there came to them) powerfully contrasts their earlier anticipation with their eventual rejection, as noted by Ibn Ashur. Significantly, the wording shifts from "كتاب" (a book) to "مَّا عَرَفُوا۟" (what they recognized). Ibn Ashur points out that "ما" (what) is used instead of "من" (who) to encompass both the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. This highlights their deep prior knowledge of the signs and descriptions of the awaited Messenger and Book. They recognized it, not just vaguely, but definitively. Yet, despite this clear recognition, they disbelieved. Al-Zamakhshari suggests this was out of envy and a desire to maintain their leadership.
A Concluding Decree
The verse concludes with a powerful, definitive statement: "So the curse of Allah is upon the disbelievers" (فَلَعْنَةُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَى ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ). The "فَ" (fa) here implies causality; their act of disbelief after such recognition *directly leads* to Allah's curse, which Ibn Ashur explains as Allah's decree and judgment against them. The definite article "ال" in "ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ" (the disbelievers) not only points to the specific group of Jews being addressed but also extends the warning to *all* disbelievers who deny manifest truth, encompassing them as primary examples. This serves as a potent reminder of the severe consequence of rejecting clear guidance, especially when one has prior knowledge and expectation of it.
Sources: Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), al-Jalalayn
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-Baqarah 2:89 is discussed in 12 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Al-Baqarah 2:89 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.