سُوْرَةُ البَقَرَةِ

Surah Al-Baqara (2) — Ayah 146

The Cow · Medinan · Juz 2 · Page 23

ٱلَّذِينَ ءَاتَيْنَـٰهُمُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ يَعْرِفُونَهُۥ كَمَا يَعْرِفُونَ أَبْنَآءَهُمْ ۖ وَإِنَّ فَرِيقًا مِّنْهُمْ لَيَكْتُمُونَ ٱلْحَقَّ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ ﴿146﴾
Those to whom We gave the Scripture (Jews and Christians) recognise him (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم or the Ka‘bah at Makkah) as they recognise their sons. But verily, a party of them conceal the truth while they know it - [i.e. the qualities of Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم which are written in the Taurât (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)].
ٱلَّذِينَ alladhīna (To) those whom
ءَاتَيْنَـٰهُمُ ātaynāhumu We gave [them]
ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ l-kitāba the Book
يَعْرِفُونَهُۥ yaʿrifūnahu they recognize it
كَمَا kamā like
يَعْرِفُونَ yaʿrifūna they recognize
أَبْنَآءَهُمْ ۖ abnāahum their sons
وَإِنَّ wa-inna And indeed
فَرِيقًۭا farīqan a group
مِّنْهُمْ min'hum of them
لَيَكْتُمُونَ layaktumūna surely they conceal
ٱلْحَقَّ l-ḥaqa the Truth
وَهُمْ wahum while they
يَعْلَمُونَ yaʿlamūna know

Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

In the previous verse, it has been stated that the People of the Book knew well that the Ka'bah was the true qiblah, but due to stubbornness and obstinacy, they denied it. Now in this verse, it is being mentioned that just as with the qiblah, the People of the Book have no doubt about the Messenger of Allah ﷺ being the final Prophet, yet even then, a group among their scholars is concealing the truth. It is said "a group" because among the People of the Book, there were some scholars—such as (from the Jews) Abdullah bin Salam, and (from the Christians) Tamim Dari and Suhaib (may Allah be pleased with them)—who, after recognizing the truth of His Prophethood, accepted Islam. (Qurtubi, Ibn Kathir)

Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

146. 1 Here, a group among the People of the Book is declared guilty of concealing the truth because even among them were people like Abdullah bin Salam ؓ, who, due to their sincerity and purity of heart, were honored with Islam.

Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

146. Those to whom We gave the Book (the Torah) recognize this (Ka'bah) as they recognize their own sons [183]. Yet, indeed, a group among them knowingly conceals the truth.

[183]
The Jews Had Complete Knowledge of the First Qiblah:

Among the Arabs, there is an expression that when they have no doubt whatsoever about something, they say that a person recognizes it as he recognizes his own son. The Jewish and Christian scholars knew very well that Prophet Ibrahim, whom they claim to follow and whose community they claim to belong to, built the Ka'bah and appointed it as the Qiblah. Bayt al-Maqdis, on the other hand, was built thirteen hundred years later by Prophet Sulaiman ؑ. Furthermore, there is no mention anywhere in the Torah or the Gospel of Bayt al-Maqdis being appointed as the Qiblah. There was no room for any doubt or uncertainty in this historical fact, and they also knew very well that the first and true Qiblah is the Ka'bah. However, they do not reveal this fact to the public.