They did not differ until after knowledge came to them...’

Shaykh Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Naasir as-Sa`dee

Reference: Tafseer As-Sa’di [11:93]

Category: Tafseer

Allaah, the Exalted, said:

{Certainly, We settled the Children of Israa’eel in an agreeable settlement and provided them with good things. And they did not differ until after knowledge had come to them. Indeed, your Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that which they used to differ over.} [10:93]

[Certainly, We settled the Children of Israel in an agreeable settlement] Allaah brought them to, and settled them inthe settlements of the People of the Pharaoh; He gave them their land and places of residence.

[...and provided them with good things] from food, drink and other than this.

[and they did not differ] regarding the truth.

[until after knowledge had come to them] this knowledge should have been a cause for their unity and harmony but some from amongst them became oppressive and unjust towards the others. Thus many of them had desires and objectives that opposed the truth and as a result of this, much differing took place between them.

[Indeed, your Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that over which they used to differ] (He will judge them) with a just judgment that stems from His complete knowledge and comprehensive ability.’

The Shaykh (may Allaah have mercy upon him) then said:

‘So this is the disease that afflicts the adherents of the true religion; that when Shaytaan is weakened by them and they do not follow him in leaving the religion in its entirety, he (Shaytaan) then seeks to sow dissention between them and incites enmity and hatred amongst them. Differing occurs due to this (enmity and hatred). After this, some of them misguide others, becoming enemies with one other and all of this is delightful to the Cursed One (Iblees).

Why does this differing take place if indeed their Lord is one, their Messenger is one, their religion is one and their common objectives are the same?

What is the benefit in them differing in such a way that it causes their unity to be divided, their affair to be disarranged and it dissolves their relationships and order. Due to this, untold religious and worldly benefits are lost; anddue to this, parts of their religion die away.

O Allaah, we ask You for kindness to your believing slaves, to unite their affair, to reconcile their divisions and to bring near the one who is far… O Possessor of Majesty and Honour.’

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