And mankind was not but one community [united in religion], but [then] they differed. And if not for a word517 that preceded from your Lord, it would have been judged between them [immediately] concerning that over which they differ.
Notes
[517] Allāh's decree to allow time on earth for His creation or not to punish anyone before evidence has come to him.
Verse 19 of Surah Yunus (10:19), a Meccan surah, is in juz 11, on page 210 of the mushaf. Read it in Arabic with its transliteration, translations and tafsir, and listen to it recited by 74 reciters.
Listen to verse 19 of Surah Yunus
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Tafsir of verse 19
Al-Mukhtasar
People were just one believing, unified nation, then they differed: some of them still had faith, while others disbelieved. If it had not been for the decree of Allah that He would not judge between them in what they differed about, then it would have been made clear which of them were guided and which of them were astray.
The whole of mankind was but a single community, then they differed21. If it had not been for a prior decree from your Lord, a decisive judgment would have been passed between them concerning their differences22.
Notes
[21] Ibn ‘Abbās (رضى الله عنهما) reported: “The time between Adam and Noah was ten centuries. Throughout these, people were on the right path of Allah, but then they started disputing [over matters of Faith, i.e., idol worshiping]. So, Allah sent prophets bearing glad tiding and warning”. [Al-Hākim, Al-Mustadrak: 2:546, cf. Al-Tabarī]
[22] i.e., not to punish anyone before evidence has come to him, or not to judge between them in this life.
Mankind were but one community (i.e. on one religion - Islâmic Monotheism), then they differed (later); and had not it been for a Word that went forth before from your Lord, it would have been settled between them regarding what they differed5.
Notes
[5] (V.10:19) Narrated Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "Every child is born on Al-Fitrah [true faith of Islâmic Monotheism (i.e. to worship none but Allâh Alone)], but his parents convert him to Judaism or Christianity or Magianism, as an animal gives birth to a perfect baby animal. Do you find it mutilated?" (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol.2, Hadith No.467). [See also the Qur’ân, Verse 30:30]
Mankind were but one community; then they differed; and had it not been for a word that had already gone forth from thy Lord it had been judged between them in respect of that wherein they differ.
Mankind was but one nation, but differed (later). Had it not been for a word that went forth before from thy Lord, their differences would have been settled between them.
And people are naught but a single nation, so they disagree; and had not a word already gone forth from your Lord, the matter would have certainly been decided between them in respect of that concerning which they disagree.
And in no way were mankind anything except one nation, then they differed among themselves; and had it not been for a Word that went before from your Lord, wherein they differed, (it) would indeed have been decreed between them. (i.e., what they differed about would nave been settled)
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 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 We had already given Moses the Scripture, but it came under disagreement. And if not for a word [i.e., decree] 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.
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.
