And We had already given Moses the Scripture, but it came under disagreement.1399 And if not for a word [i.e., decree]1400 that preceded from your Lord, it would have been concluded between them. And indeed they are, concerning it [i.e., the Qur’ān], in disquieting doubt.
Notes
[1399] An alternative meaning is "he was opposed over it."
[1400] See footnote to 10:19.
Verse 45 of Surah Fussilat (41:45), a Meccan surah, is in juz 24, on page 481 of the mushaf. Read it in Arabic with its transliteration, translations and tafsir, and listen to it recited by 74 reciters.
Listen to verse 45 of Surah Fussilat
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Tafsir of verse 45
Al-Mukhtasar
Verily I gave Moses the Torah and it was disagreed upon. Some believed in it, while others disbelieved in it. Had there not been a promise from Me that there will be judgement passed between the servants on the Day of Judgement in matters they disputed over, judgement would already have been passed upon those who disputed in the Torah. I would have made the ones on the truth clear from those on falsehood and honoured those on the truth whilst disgracing those on falsehood. Indeed, the disbelievers are definitely in suspicious doubts with regards the Qur’ān.
We gave Moses the Scripture, but differences arose concerning it. Were it not for a prior decree20 from your Lord, it would have been judged between them. Surely they are in a disquieting doubt about it.
Notes
[20] That Allah will delay their judgment until Judgment Day.
And indeed We gave Mûsâ (Moses) the Scripture, but dispute arose therein. And had it not been for a Word that went forth before from your Lord, (the torment would have overtaken them) and the matter would have been settled between them. But truly, they are in grave doubt thereto (i.e. about the Qur’ân). [Tafsir Al-Qurtubi].
And We verily gave Moses the Scripture, but there hath been dispute concerning it; and but for a Word that had already gone forth from thy Lord, it would ere now have been judged between them; but lo! they are in hopeless doubt concerning it.
We certainly gave Moses the Book aforetime: but disputes arose therein. Had it not been for a Word that went forth before from thy Lord, (their differences) would have been settled between them: but they remained in suspicious disquieting doubt thereon.
And certainly We gave the Book to Musa, but it has been differed about, and had not a word already gone forth from your Lord, judgment would certainly have been given between them; and most surely they are in a disquieting doubt about it.
And indeed We already brought Musa (Moses) the Book; then they were made to differ concerning it, and had it not been for a Word that had gone before from your Lord, it would indeed have been decreed between them; and surely they are indeed in doubt of it, causing suspicion.
So be patient, [O Muḥammad], as were those of determination among the messengers and do not be impatient for them. It will be - on the Day they see that which they are promised - as though they had not remained [in the world] except an hour of a day. [This is] notification. And will [any] be destroyed except the defiantly disobedient people?
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.
Verses with similar wording
They share a sequence of words with this verse: useful for telling them apart when memorising.
And We had certainly given Moses the Scripture, but it came under disagreement. And if not for a word that preceded from your Lord, it would have been judged between them. And indeed they are, concerning it [i.e., the Qur’ān], in disquieting doubt.
And if not for a word that preceded from your Lord, it [i.e., punishment] would have been an obligation [due immediately], and [if not for] a specified term [decreed].
And mankind was not but one community [united in religion], but [then] they differed. And if not for a word that preceded from your Lord, it would have been judged between them [immediately] concerning that over which they differ.
And We certainly gave Moses the Scripture, so do not be in doubt over his meeting. And We made it [i.e., the Torah] guidance for the Children of Israel.
