Surah Al-Jumu'ah 62:5
سُورَةُ الجُمُعَةِ · Medinan · Verse 5 of 11
مَثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ حُمِّلُوا۟ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةَ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَحْمِلُوهَا كَمَثَلِ ٱلْحِمَارِ يَحْمِلُ أَسْفَارًۢا ۚ بِئْسَ مَثَلُ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ
Translation
Those who have been charged to obey the Torah, but do not do so, are like asses carrying books: how base such people are who disobey God’s revelations! God does not guide people who do wrong.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This verse offers a profound parable about the people who were given Allah's book but failed to live by its guidance. Allah speaks directly, addressing the Jewish people of that time who possessed the Torah, rebuking them for their inaction and denial of the signs within their own scripture. The tone is one of sharp clarification and warning.
The Burden of Responsibility
The verse begins with "مَثَلُ الَّذِينَ حُمِّلُوا التَّوْرَاةَ" (The example of those who were entrusted with the Torah). The word "حُمِّلُوا" (humilū), meaning "they were made to carry" or "entrusted," implies a responsibility laid upon them. As Ibn Ashur explains, this means they were covenanted with its teachings and obligated by its contents. Al-Razi notes it means they were tasked with acting upon it. The verb is in the passive voice, emphasizing that this burden was given to them. However, the verse immediately contrasts this with "ثُمَّ لَمْ يَحْمِلُوهَا" (then they did not carry it out). This second use of "حَمَلَ" (hamala), now active and negated, highlights their failure to fulfill the trust. They possessed the book, but they did not internalize its message or act according to its commands, especially concerning the prophecies about the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, as noted by al-Jalalayn.
The Donkey and the Books
To illustrate this profound failure, Allah presents a vivid parable: "كَمَثَلِ الْحِمَارِ يَحْمِلُ أَسْفَارًا" (like the example of a donkey carrying large books). Al-Razi gives several reasons why the donkey (al-himār) is specifically chosen here. It's known for carrying burdens, it symbolizes ignorance and dullness, and it represents lowliness. The word "أسفار" (asfār) refers to large, weighty books. Interestingly, al-Razi points out that "safar" (singular of asfār) comes from a root meaning "to reveal," because a book "reveals meaning" when read. The irony is stark: these are books meant to reveal truth, yet they are carried by a creature that gains no benefit or understanding from their contents, only the physical weight. This imagery powerfully conveys that possessing knowledge without acting upon it or understanding its true purpose renders it a mere burden.
A Condemnation and Warning
The verse concludes with a strong condemnation: "بِئْسَ مَثَلُ الْقَوْمِ الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ" (How evil is the example of the people who denied Allah's signs). The word "بِئْسَ" (bi'sa) is a verb of dispraise, emphasizing the wretchedness of their state. Ibn Ashur clarifies that this links their failure to act upon the Torah to their denial of Allah's signs, which include the Quran itself and the prophethood of Muhammad. This is not just about neglecting a book, but about actively rejecting divine guidance. The verse ends with "وَاللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ" (And Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people), underscoring that those who knowingly choose to oppress themselves by disbelieving and failing to act will not be granted divine guidance.
The specific wording powerfully portrays the gravity of having divine revelation but failing to truly embrace and embody its message, turning what should be a source of light into a mere weight.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), al-Jalalayn, Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-Jumu'ah 62:5 is discussed in 6 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-Jumu'ah 62:5 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.