The example of those who were entrusted with the Torah and then did not take it on1687 is like that of a donkey who carries volumes [of books].1688 Wretched is the example of the people who deny the signs of Allāh. And Allāh does not guide the wrongdoing people.
Notes
[1687] i.e., neglected their responsibility towards it by not putting its teachings into practice.
[1688] But does not benefit from their contents.
Verse 5 of Surah Al-Jumu’ah (62:5), a Medinan surah, is in juz 28, on page 553 of the mushaf. Read it in Arabic with its transliteration, translations and tafsir, and listen to it recited by 74 reciters.
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Tafsir of verse 5
Al-Mukhtasar
After Allah mentioned His favour by sending the messenger and revealing the Qur’ān, He mentions the conduct of some of the followers of Moses (peace be upon him) who turned away from practicing on what was contained in the Torah, as a warning to this nation against following them, and He said: The example of the Jews who were charged with carrying out what was contained in the Torah and who left out what they were charged with, is like that of a donkey carrying huge books. It does not know what has been loaded onto it. Is it books or something else? How bad is the example of those who deny Allah’s words. Allah does not guide people who do wrong to reach the truth.
The similitude of those who were given the Torah but failed to uphold it1, is like that of a donkey laden with books2. How terrible is the similitude of those who reject the verses of Allah! And Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.
Notes
[1] i.e., did not put its teachings into practice.
[2] i.e., They carry the physical burden of the books but are unaware of their contents and do not benefit from them.
The likeness of those who were entrusted with the (obligation of the) Taurât (Torah) (i.e. to obey its commandments and to practise its laws), but who subsequently failed in those (obligations), is as the likeness of a donkey which carries huge burdens of books (but understands nothing from them). How bad is the example of people who deny the Ayât (proofs, evidence, verses, signs, revelations) of Allâh. And Allâh guides not the people who are Zâlimûn(polytheists, wrong-doers, disbelievers).
The likeness of those who are entrusted with the Law of Moses, yet apply it not, is as the likeness of the ass carrying books. Wretched is the likeness of folk who deny the revelations of Allah. And Allah guideth not wrongdoing folk.
The similitude of those who were charged with the (obligations of the) Mosaic Law, but who subsequently failed in those (obligations), is that of a donkey which carries huge tomes (but understands them not). Evil is the similitude of people who falsify the Signs of Allah: and Allah guides not people who do wrong.
The likeness of those who were charged with the Taurat, then they did not observe it, is as the likeness of the ass bearing books, evil is the likeness of the people who reject the communications of Allah; and Allah does not guide the unjust people.
The likeness of the ones who have been made to carry the Tawrah, (The Book revealed to Muaa (Moses), of which the extant Torah is a corruption then afterwards they have not carried it, is as the likeness of an ass carrying tomes. Miserable is the likeness of the people who have cried lies to the signs of Allah; and Allah does not guide the unjust people.
And We have certainly created for Hell many of the jinn and mankind. They have hearts with which they do not understand, they have eyes with which they do not see, and they have ears with which they do not hear. Those are like livestock; rather, they are more astray. It is they who are the heedless.
Say, [O Muḥammad], "If the home of the Hereafter with Allāh is for you alone and not the [other] people, then wish for death, if you should be truthful." …
Then whoever argues with you about it after [this] knowledge has come to you - say, "Come, let us call our sons and your sons, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves, then supplicate earnestly [together] and invoke the curse of Allāh upon the liars [among us]."
Say, "Whoever is in error - let the Most Merciful extend for him an extension [in wealth and time] until, when they see that which they were promised - either punishment [in this world] or the Hour [of resurrection] - they will come to know who is worst in position and weaker in soldiers."
Wherever you may be, death will overtake you, even if you should be within towers of lofty construction. But if good comes to them, they say, "This is from Allāh"; and if evil befalls them, they say, "This is from you." Say, "All [things] are from Allāh." So what is [the matter] with those people that they can hardly understand any statement?
Verses with similar wording
They share a sequence of words with this verse: useful for telling them apart when memorising.
Have you made the providing of water for the pilgrim and the maintenance of al-Masjid al-Ḥarām equal to [the deeds of] one who believes in Allāh and the Last Day and strives in the cause of Allāh? They are not equal in the sight of Allāh. And Allāh does not guide the wrongdoing people.
How shall Allāh guide a people who disbelieved after their belief and had witnessed that the Messenger is true and clear signs had come to them? And Allāh does not guide the wrongdoing people.
Have you not considered the one who argued with Abraham about his Lord [merely] because Allāh had given him kingship? When Abraham said, "My Lord is the one who gives life and causes death," he said, "I give life and cause death." Abraham said, "Indeed, Allāh brings up the sun from the east, so bring it up from the west." So the disbeliever was overwhelmed [by astonishment], and Allāh does not guide the wrongdoing people.
Then is one who laid the foundation of his building on righteousness [with fear] from Allāh and [seeking] His approval better or one who laid the foundation of his building on the edge of a bank about to collapse, so it collapsed with him into the fire of Hell? And Allāh does not guide the wrongdoing people.
