سُوْرَةُ المَآئِدَةِ
Surah Al-Maaida (5) — Ayah 82
۞ لَتَجِدَنَّ أَشَدَّ ٱلنَّاسِ عَدَٰوَةً لِّلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱلْيَهُودَ وَٱلَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُوا۟ ۖ وَلَتَجِدَنَّ أَقْرَبَهُم مَّوَدَّةً لِّلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا نَصَـٰرَىٰ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّ مِنْهُمْ قِسِّيسِينَ وَرُهْبَانًا وَأَنَّهُمْ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ ﴿82﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Verily, you will find the strongest among men in enmity to the believers (Muslims) the Jews and those who are Al-Mushrikûn and you will find the nearest in love to the believers (Muslims) those who say: "We are Christians." That is because amongst them are priests and monks, and they are not proud.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
۞ لَتَجِدَنَّ
latajidanna
Surely you will find
أَشَدَّ
ashadda
strongest
ٱلنَّاسِ
l-nāsi
(of) the people
عَدَٰوَةًۭ
ʿadāwatan
(in) enmity
لِّلَّذِينَ
lilladhīna
to those who
ءَامَنُوا۟
āmanū
believe
ٱلْيَهُودَ
l-yahūda
the Jews
وَٱلَّذِينَ
wa-alladhīna
and those who
أَشْرَكُوا۟ ۖ
ashrakū
(are) polytheists
وَلَتَجِدَنَّ
walatajidanna
and surely you will find
أَقْرَبَهُم
aqrabahum
nearest of them
مَّوَدَّةًۭ
mawaddatan
(in) affection
لِّلَّذِينَ
lilladhīna
to those who
ءَامَنُوا۟
āmanū
believe
ٱلَّذِينَ
alladhīna
those who
قَالُوٓا۟
qālū
say
إِنَّا
innā
We
نَصَـٰرَىٰ ۚ
naṣārā
(are) Christians
ذَٰلِكَ
dhālika
That (is)
بِأَنَّ
bi-anna
because
مِنْهُمْ
min'hum
among them
قِسِّيسِينَ
qissīsīna
(are) priests
وَرُهْبَانًۭا
waruh'bānan
and monks
وَأَنَّهُمْ
wa-annahum
and that they
لَا
lā
(are) not
يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ
yastakbirūna
arrogant
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
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.
(Ayah 82) ➊ {لَتَجِدَنَّ اَشَدَّ النَّاسِ عَدَاوَةً …… :} This is because among the Jews there is much stubbornness and denial, enmity towards the truth, arrogance, and a tendency to belittle the people of knowledge and faith. That is why denying the prophets, and even killing them, has been their hallmark. They even plotted several times to kill the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), performed magic on him, and made every reprehensible effort to harm him. The polytheists are the same in this matter. This is truly a reality that can be observed even in this era; even today, the enmity that Jews and polytheists (cow and idol-worshipping Hindus, atheists, and communists) have towards Muslims is, in any case, not found among the Christians. However, those Christians who are dominated by Judaism are indeed severe enemies of Muslims.
➋ {ذٰلِكَ بِاَنَّ مِنْهُمْ قِسِّيْسِيْنَ …… :} The difference mentioned in the enmity of Jews and Christians towards Muslims is due to this reason. Just as the scholar among the Jews is called a "Habr," whose plural is "Ahbar," similarly, the leader and scholar among the Christians are called "Qissis." That is, those who said, "We are Christians," who truly claim to follow the Shariah of Jesus (peace be upon him), are relatively closer to the Muslims, because among them are found knowledge and asceticism, that is, disinterest in the world, and in the Christian religion, the teaching of gentleness and forgiveness holds fundamental importance. Then among them are scholars, worshippers, and ascetic people who adopt humility; they are not afflicted with arrogance and pride like the Jews. Among the Christians, the innovation of monasticism (withdrawal from the world) was prevalent. Allah Almighty has said: «وَ رَهْبَانِيَّةَ ا۟بْتَدَعُوْهَا مَا كَتَبْنٰهَا عَلَيْهِمْ » [الحديد: ۲۷ ] "And monasticism—they invented it themselves; We did not prescribe it for them." Monasticism, no doubt, was commendable compared to the worldliness and hard-heartedness of the Jews, but this does not prove that monasticism is commendable and good in every respect. For these reasons, Christians were considered closer to Muslims than Jews and polytheists. Otherwise, as far as enmity towards Islam and Muslims is concerned, malice and stubbornness are also present among the Christians, as is evident from the centuries-long wars of the Cross and the Crescent, and which continue to this day. Now, both Jews and Christians have united with the polytheists against Islam; that is why the Quran has forbidden Muslims from befriending Jews and Christians as well as polytheists.
➋ {ذٰلِكَ بِاَنَّ مِنْهُمْ قِسِّيْسِيْنَ …… :} The difference mentioned in the enmity of Jews and Christians towards Muslims is due to this reason. Just as the scholar among the Jews is called a "Habr," whose plural is "Ahbar," similarly, the leader and scholar among the Christians are called "Qissis." That is, those who said, "We are Christians," who truly claim to follow the Shariah of Jesus (peace be upon him), are relatively closer to the Muslims, because among them are found knowledge and asceticism, that is, disinterest in the world, and in the Christian religion, the teaching of gentleness and forgiveness holds fundamental importance. Then among them are scholars, worshippers, and ascetic people who adopt humility; they are not afflicted with arrogance and pride like the Jews. Among the Christians, the innovation of monasticism (withdrawal from the world) was prevalent. Allah Almighty has said: «وَ رَهْبَانِيَّةَ ا۟بْتَدَعُوْهَا مَا كَتَبْنٰهَا عَلَيْهِمْ » [الحديد: ۲۷ ] "And monasticism—they invented it themselves; We did not prescribe it for them." Monasticism, no doubt, was commendable compared to the worldliness and hard-heartedness of the Jews, but this does not prove that monasticism is commendable and good in every respect. For these reasons, Christians were considered closer to Muslims than Jews and polytheists. Otherwise, as far as enmity towards Islam and Muslims is concerned, malice and stubbornness are also present among the Christians, as is evident from the centuries-long wars of the Cross and the Crescent, and which continue to this day. Now, both Jews and Christians have united with the polytheists against Islam; that is why the Quran has forbidden Muslims from befriending Jews and Christians as well as polytheists.
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf
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.
82. 1. This is because among the Jews, there is a great tendency towards enmity and obstinacy, turning away from the truth and arrogance, and a spirit of belittling the people of knowledge and faith. This is why killing prophets and denying them has been their hallmark. They even plotted several times to kill the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, performed magic on him, and made every reprehensible effort to harm him in every possible way. And in this matter, the condition of the polytheists is the same.
82. 2. By رُھْبَانُ is meant pious, devout, and secluded people; by قَسِّیْسِیْنَ is meant scholars and preachers, meaning that among these Christians there is knowledge and humility, so they do not have the obstinacy and arrogance like the Jews. Moreover, the religion of the Messiah is distinguished by the teaching of gentleness and forgiveness, to the extent that it is written in their books that if someone strikes you on the right cheek, present the left cheek to them as well, meaning do not fight. For these reasons, they are closer to the Muslims than the Jews. The description of the Christians is in comparison to the Jews; however, as far as enmity towards Islam is concerned, with some difference in degree, this enmity against Islam is also present among the Christians, as is evident from the centuries-long conflict between the Cross and the Crescent, which continues to this day. And now, both Jews and Christians are actively working together against Islam. This is why the Quran has forbidden making friends with both of them.
82. 2. By رُھْبَانُ is meant pious, devout, and secluded people; by قَسِّیْسِیْنَ is meant scholars and preachers, meaning that among these Christians there is knowledge and humility, so they do not have the obstinacy and arrogance like the Jews. Moreover, the religion of the Messiah is distinguished by the teaching of gentleness and forgiveness, to the extent that it is written in their books that if someone strikes you on the right cheek, present the left cheek to them as well, meaning do not fight. For these reasons, they are closer to the Muslims than the Jews. The description of the Christians is in comparison to the Jews; however, as far as enmity towards Islam is concerned, with some difference in degree, this enmity against Islam is also present among the Christians, as is evident from the centuries-long conflict between the Cross and the Crescent, which continues to this day. And now, both Jews and Christians are actively working together against Islam. This is why the Quran has forbidden making friends with both of them.
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
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.
82. You will surely find that the most hostile of people to those who believe are the Jews and the polytheists. And you will surely find that those who say, "We are Christians," are nearest in affection [128] to the believers. That is because among them are priests and monks, and they are not arrogant.
[128]
Comparison of the Character of Jews and Christians:
Allah has mentioned three reasons for the Christians’ lesser enmity towards Muslims and their closer friendship. First, that among them are learned people. (Remember, by “learned” is always meant a learned person who acts upon his knowledge.) Second, among them are elders (spiritual leaders). And third, these Christians are not arrogant, rather they are humble and modest in temperament. Now, in comparison, look at the condition of the Jews: their scholars were those who sold the verses of Allah, concealed the verses and the truth, and plotted conspiracies. Among them, there were no monks or spiritual elders even in name; rather, the entire nation was so engrossed in the love of the world that they would not refrain from usury and consuming the unlawful, and would acquire wealth by every lawful and unlawful means. Then, as an effect of these evils, they became extremely hard-hearted, miserly, and arrogant. All their leaders, such as Ka‘b bin Ashraf, Salam bin Abi al-Huqayq, and Huyayy bin Akhtab, were all arrogant and ill-natured. If, in comparison to them, one studies the character of Heraclius, the Emperor of Rome, Muqawqis, the King of Egypt, and Najashi, the King of Abyssinia, it becomes clear how much closer these people were to Islam and the Muslims compared to the Jews, and despite differences, preferred to maintain friendship with Muslims over others. And the enmity of the Jews towards Islam was such that they themselves tried three times to kill the Prophet of Islam, but each time Allah saved him from their evil. Once by performing a very severe kind of magic, the second time by feeding him poisoned meat of a goat, and the third time by dropping a heavy stone on him from the roof while you were sitting below.
[128]
Comparison of the Character of Jews and Christians:
Allah has mentioned three reasons for the Christians’ lesser enmity towards Muslims and their closer friendship. First, that among them are learned people. (Remember, by “learned” is always meant a learned person who acts upon his knowledge.) Second, among them are elders (spiritual leaders). And third, these Christians are not arrogant, rather they are humble and modest in temperament. Now, in comparison, look at the condition of the Jews: their scholars were those who sold the verses of Allah, concealed the verses and the truth, and plotted conspiracies. Among them, there were no monks or spiritual elders even in name; rather, the entire nation was so engrossed in the love of the world that they would not refrain from usury and consuming the unlawful, and would acquire wealth by every lawful and unlawful means. Then, as an effect of these evils, they became extremely hard-hearted, miserly, and arrogant. All their leaders, such as Ka‘b bin Ashraf, Salam bin Abi al-Huqayq, and Huyayy bin Akhtab, were all arrogant and ill-natured. If, in comparison to them, one studies the character of Heraclius, the Emperor of Rome, Muqawqis, the King of Egypt, and Najashi, the King of Abyssinia, it becomes clear how much closer these people were to Islam and the Muslims compared to the Jews, and despite differences, preferred to maintain friendship with Muslims over others. And the enmity of the Jews towards Islam was such that they themselves tried three times to kill the Prophet of Islam, but each time Allah saved him from their evil. Once by performing a very severe kind of magic, the second time by feeding him poisoned meat of a goat, and the third time by dropping a heavy stone on him from the roof while you were sitting below.
