English Translation of Al-Quran
[42]. Surah Ash-Shura [The Consultation]
Ayat 14. And they divided not till after knowledge had come to them, through selfish transgression between themselves. And had it not been for a Word that went forth before from your Lord for an appointed term, the matter would have been settled between them. And verily, those who were made to inherit the Scripture [i.e. the Tourat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)] after them (i.e. Jews and Christians) are in grave doubt concerning it (i.e. Allah’s true religion Islam or the Qur’an).
Tafseer of Surah Al Shura (Consultation) Ayat 14. And they became divided only after Knowledge reached them, through selfish envy as between themselves. Had it not been for a Word that went forth before from thy Lord, (tending) to a Term appointed, the matter would have been settled between them: But truly those who have inherited the Book after them are in suspicious (disquieting) doubt concerning it. Cf. 2:213. If you reject Truth after it has reached you, it can only be through selfish contumacy or envy. Cf. 10:19. Allah’s decree has allowed a certain Term during which a sinner has the chance of repentance and forgiveness. Were it not so, sin would be punished at once, and the matter would be decided straightaway. So also, when people reject Truth from selfish or contumacious motives, they get rope: perchance they may repent. Cf. 14:9. “Those who have inherited the Book” are the People of the Book, of the ages since the Book or Revelation came to them. Referring to the Jews and Christians contemporary with our Prophet, how true it is that they were broken up into hostile sects which hated and persecuted each other! Islam came to unite them, and it did. For the present phases of Christianity and Judaism are of later growth.
English Translation of Hadith
Hazrat Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ [SAWW](PBUH) said, “During the Miraj (the Night of Ascension), I saw a group of people who were scratching their chests and faces with their copper nails. I asked, `Who are these people, O Jibril?’ Jibril replied: `These are the people who ate flesh of others (by backbiting) and trampled people’s honor.”
[Abu Dawud Hadith # 4878].
Lesson: “These are the people who ate the flesh of others” is a metaphor for backbiting. “To trample people’s honor” is akin to harming their goodwill and honor. The punishment for these things mentioned in Hadith makes their seriousness obvious.
