سُوْرَةُ الْجُمُعَةِ
Surah Al-Jumu'a (62) — Ayah 5
مَثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ حُمِّلُوا۟ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةَ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَحْمِلُوهَا كَمَثَلِ ٱلْحِمَارِ يَحْمِلُ أَسْفَارًۢا ۚ بِئْسَ مَثَلُ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ ﴿5﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
The likeness of those who were entrusted with the (obligation of the) Taurât (Torah) (i.e. to obey its commandments and to practise its laws), but who subsequently failed in those (obligations), is as the likeness of a donkey which carries huge burdens of books (but understands nothing from them). How bad is the example of people who deny the Ayât (proofs, evidence, verses, signs, revelations) of Allâh. And Allâh guides not the people who are Zâlimûn(polytheists, wrong-doers, disbelievers).
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
مَثَلُ
mathalu
(The) likeness
ٱلَّذِينَ
alladhīna
(of) those who
حُمِّلُوا۟
ḥummilū
were entrusted
ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةَ
l-tawrāta
(with) the Taurat
ثُمَّ
thumma
then
لَمْ
lam
not
يَحْمِلُوهَا
yaḥmilūhā
they bore it
كَمَثَلِ
kamathali
(is) like
ٱلْحِمَارِ
l-ḥimāri
the donkey
يَحْمِلُ
yaḥmilu
who carries
أَسْفَارًۢا ۚ
asfāran
books
بِئْسَ
bi'sa
Wretched is
مَثَلُ
mathalu
(the) example
ٱلْقَوْمِ
l-qawmi
(of) the people
ٱلَّذِينَ
alladhīna
who
كَذَّبُوا۟
kadhabū
deny
بِـَٔايَـٰتِ
biāyāti
(the) Signs
ٱللَّهِ ۚ
l-lahi
(of) Allah
وَٱللَّهُ
wal-lahu
And Allah
لَا
lā
(does) not
يَهْدِى
yahdī
guide
ٱلْقَوْمَ
l-qawma
the people
ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
l-ẓālimīna
the wrongdoers
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.
5. 1. Asfaar is the plural of Safr, meaning a large book. When a book is read, a person travels through its meanings, which is why a book is called Safr (Fath al-Qadeer). This is an example given about the unpracticing Jews: just as a donkey does not know what is written in the books loaded on its back, or whether it is carrying books or rubbish, similarly, these Jews carry the Torah, and even interpret, distort, and alter it. Therefore, in reality, they are worse than a donkey, because a donkey is inherently devoid of understanding and intellect, whereas they possess understanding and intellect but do not use it properly. That is why it is further stated that their example is very bad. And in another place it is said, "اُولٰۗىِٕكَ كَالْاَنْعَامِ بَلْ هُمْ اَضَلُّ اُولٰۗىِٕكَ هُمُ الْغٰفِلُوْنَ 179" (7:179) — they are like cattle, rather they are even more astray.. This is also the example of Muslims, and especially the scholars, who read the Quran, memorize it, and understand its meanings and demands, but do not act upon what it requires.
