The Holy Quran 2:213 — Surah Al-Baqarah

Arabic text

كَانَ ٱلنَّاسُ أُمَّةً وَٰحِدَةً فَبَعَثَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ مُبَشِّرِينَ وَمُنذِرِينَ وَأَنزَلَ مَعَهُمُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ بِٱلْحَقِّ لِيَحْكُمَ بَيْنَ ٱلنَّاسِ فِيمَا ٱخْتَلَفُوا۟ فِيهِ ۚ وَمَا ٱخْتَلَفَ فِيهِ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوهُ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا جَآءَتْهُمُ ٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتُ بَغْيًۢا بَيْنَهُمْ ۖ فَهَدَى ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لِمَا ٱخْتَلَفُوا۟ فِيهِ مِنَ ٱلْحَقِّ بِإِذْنِهِۦ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَهْدِى مَن يَشَآءُ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ

Translation

Mankind was one community (they were all Mu'mineen when man first came to the world and after the flood during the time of Nooh عليه الصلاة والسلام. However, they later divided when some became Kaafiroon). (Therefore) Allaah sent (to them) the Ambiyaa as carriers of good news (to the Mu'mineen that they are heading for Jannah) and as warners (to the Kaafiroon that they are heading for Jahannam) and (Allaah) sent with them (with the Prophets) the Books (divine scriptures) with the truth so that (by the laws contained in the scriptures) He may judge between mankind concerning the matters (of Deen) in which they differed. (However) Because of the animosity (hatred) between them, those to whom it (the scripture) was given differed concerning it (concerning the Deen) after clear proofs (of Towheed) had come to them. By His will, Allaah guided those who had Imaan to the truth of that concerning which they differed. (The Mu'mineen should therefore not become despondent because of the abuse and mischief of the Kuffaar.) Allaah guides whoever He wills to the straight path (to the truth).

Tafsir (excerpt) — Tafsir Usmani

The wisdom of sending prophets and Books: from the time of Adam ﵇ there was one single true religion for a period; after that people introduced differences into the religion, so Almighty Allah sent prophets, who gave the people of faith and obedience glad tidings of reward and warned the people of disbelief and disobedience of punishment.

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