2:104 Al-Baqara (The Cow)

كان المسلمون يقولون حين خطابهم للرسول عند تعلمهم أمر الدين: { رَاعِنَا } أي: راع أحوالنا, فيقصدون بها معنى صحيحا، وكان اليهود يريدون بها معنى فاسدا, فانتهزوا الفرصة, فصاروا يخاطبون الرسول بذلك, ويقصدون المعنى الفاسد، فنهى الله المؤمنين عن هذه الكلمة, سدا لهذا الباب، ففيه النهي عن الجائز, إذا كان وسيلة إلى محرم، وفيه الأدب, واستعمال الألفاظ, التي لا تحتمل إلا الحسن, وعدم الفحش, وترك الألفاظ القبيحة, أو التي فيها نوع تشويش أو احتمال لأمر غير لائق، فأمرهم بلفظة لا تحتمل إلا الحسن فقال: { وَقُولُوا انْظُرْنَا } فإنها كافية يحصل بها المقصود من غير محذور، { وَاسْمَعُوا } لم يذكر المسموع, ليعم ما أمر باستماعه، فيدخل فيه سماع القرآن, وسماع السنة التي هي الحكمة, لفظا ومعنى واستجابة، ففيه الأدب والطاعة.

نهى الله تعالى عباده المؤمنين أن يتشبهوا بالكافرين في مقالهم وفعالهم وذلك أن اليهود كانوا يعانون من الكلام ما فيه تورية لما يقصدونه من التنقيص عليهم لعائن الله فإذا أرادوا أن يقولوا اسمع لنا يقولوا راعنا ويورون بالرعونة كما قال تعالى "من الذين هادوا يحرفون الكلم عن مواضعه ويقولون سمعنا وعصينا واسمع غير مسمع وراعنا ليا بألسنتهم وطعنا في الدين ولو أنهم قالوا سمعنا وأطعنا واسمع وانظرنا لكان خيرا لهم وأقوم ولكن لعنهم الله بكفرهم فلا يؤمنون إلا قليلا" وكذلك جاءت الأحاديث بالإخبار عنهم بأنهم كانوا إذا سلموا إنما يقولون السام عليكم والسام هو الموت ولهذا أمرنا أن نرد عليهم ب"وعليكم" وإنما يستجاب لنا فيهم ولا يستجاب لهم فينا والغرض أن الله تعالى نهى المؤمنين عن مشابهة الكافرين قولا وفعلا فقال "يا أيها الذين آمنوا لا تقولوا راعنا وقولوا انظرنا واسمعوا وللكافرين عذاب أليم" وقال الإمام أحمد: أخبرنا أبو النضر أخبرنا عبدالرحمن أخبرنا ثابت أخبرنا حسان بن عطية عن أبي منيب الجرشي عن ابن عمر رضي الله عنهما قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم "بعثت بين يدي الساعة بالسيف حتى يعبد الله وحده لا شريك له وجعل رزقي تحت ظل رمحي وجعلت الذلة والصغار على من خالف أمري ومن تشبه بقوم فهو منهم" وروى أبو داود عن عثمان بن أبي شيبة عن أبي النضر هاشم أخبرنا ابن القاسم به "من تشبه بقوم فهو منهم" ففيه دلالة على النهي الشديد والتهديد والوعيد على التشبه بالكفار في أقوالهم وأفعاهم ولباسهم وأعيادهم وعباداتهم وغير ذلك من أمورهم التي لم تشرع لنا ولا نقر عليها وقال ابن أبي حاتم أخبرنا أبي أخبرنا نعيم بن حماد أخبرنا عبدالله بن المبارك أخبرنا مسعر عن ابن معن وعون أو أحدهما أن رجلا أتى عبدالله بن مسعود فقال: اعهد إلي فقال: إذا سمعت الله يقول "يا أيها الذين آمنوا" فارعها سمعك فإنه خير يأمر به أو شر ينهى عنه. وقال الأعمش عن خيثمة قال: ما تقرأن في القرآن "يا أيها الذين آمنوا" فإنه في التوراة يا أيها المساكين. وقال محمد بن إسحق حدثني محمد بن أبي محمد عن سعيد بن جبير أو عكرمة عن ابن عباس "راعنا" أي أرعنا سمعك وقال الضحاك: عن ابن عباس "يا أيها الذين آمنوا لا تقولوا راعنا" قال كانوا يقولون للنبي صلى الله عليه وسلم أرعنا سمعك وإنما راعنا كقولك عاطنا وقال ابن أبي حاتم وروي عن أبي العالية وأبي مالك والربيع بن أنس وعطية العوفي وقتادة نحو ذلك وقال مجاهد "لا تقولوا راعنا" لا تقولوا خلافا وفي رواية لا تقولوا اسمع منا ونسمع منك. وقال عطاء لا تقولوا "راعنا" كانت لغة تقولها الأنصار فنهى الله عنها وقال الحسن: "لا تقولوا راعنا" قال الراعن من القول السخري منه نهاهم الله أن يسخروا من قول محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم وما يدعوهم إليه من الإسلام. وكذا روي عن ابن جريج أنه قال مثله وقال أبو صخر "لا تقولوا راعنا وقولوا انظرنا" قال: كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا أدبر ناداه من كانت له حاجة من المؤمنين فيقول أرعنا سمعك فأعظم الله رسوله صلى الله عليه وسلم أن يقال ذلك له وقال السدى: كان رجل من اليهود من بني قينقاع يدعى رفاعة بن زيد يأتي النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فإذا لقيه فكلمه قال: أرعني سمعك واسمع غير مسمع وكان المسلمون يحسبون أن الأنبياء كانت تفخم بهذا فكان ناس منهم يقولون: اسمع غير مسمع غير صاغر وهي كالتي في سورة النساء فتقدم الله إلى المؤمنين أن لا يقولوا راعنا وكذا قال عبدالرحمن بن زيد بن أسلم بنحو من هذا قال ابن جرير والصواب من القول في ذلك عندنا أن الله نهى المؤمنين أن يقولوا لنبيه صلى الله عليه وسلم راعنا لأنها كلمة كرهها الله تعالى أن يقولها لنبيه صلى الله عليه وسلم نظير الذي ذكر عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم أنه قال: "لا تقولوا للعنب الكرم ولكن قولوا الحبلة ولا تقولوا عبدي ولكن قولوا فتاي" وما أشبه ذلك.

Manners in Speech

Allah forbade His believing servants from imitating the behavior and deeds of the disbelievers. The Jews used to use devious words that hide what they really meant. May Allah's curse be upon them. When they wanted to say, `hear us,' they would use the word Ra`ina, which is an insult (in Hebrew, but means `hear us' in Arabic). Allah said,

مِّنَ الَّذِينَ هَادُواْ يُحَرِّفُونَ الْكَلِمَ عَن مَّوَاضِعِهِ وَيَقُولُونَ سَمِعْنَا وَعَصَيْنَا وَاسْمَعْ غَيْرَ مُسْمَعٍ وَرَعِنَا لَيّاً بِأَلْسِنَتِهِمْ وَطَعْناً فِى الدِّينِ وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ قَالُواْ سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا وَاسْمَعْ وَانْظُرْنَا لَكَانَ خَيْراً لَّهُمْ وَأَقْوَمَ وَلَكِن لَّعَنَهُمُ اللَّهُ بِكُفْرِهِمْ فَلاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ إِلاَّ قَلِيلاً

(Among those who are Jews, there are some who displace words from (their) right places and say: "We hear your word (O Muhammad ) and disobey," and "Hear and let you (O Muhammad ) hear nothing." And Ra`ina with a twist of their tongues and as a mockery of the religion (Islam). And if only they had said: "We hear and obey," and "Do make us understand," it would have been better for them, and more proper; but Allah cursed them for their disbelief, so they believe not except a few) (4:46).

Also, the Hadiths stated that when they would greet Muslims, they would say, `As-Samu `alaykum,' meaning, `death be to you'. This is why we were commanded to answer them by saying, `Wa `alaykum,' meaning, `and to you too', then our supplication against them shall be answered, rather than theirs against us.

Allah forbade the believers from imitating the disbelievers in tongue or deed. Allah said,

يَـأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لاَ تَقُولُواْ رَعِنَا وَقُولُواْ انظُرْنَا وَاسْمَعُواْ وَلِلكَـفِرِينَ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ

(O you who believe! Say not (to the Messenger ) Ra`ina but say Unzurna (make us understand) and hear. And for the disbelievers there is a painful torment) (2:104).

Also, Imam Ahmad narrated that Ibn `Umar said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

«بُعِثْتُ بَيْنَ يَدَيِ السَّاعَةِ بِالسَّيْفِ حَتَّى يُعْبَدَاللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَجُعِلَ رِزْقِي تَحْتَ ظِلِّ رُمْحِي، وَجُعِلَتِ الذِّلَّةُ وَالصَّغَارُ عَلَى مَنْ خَالَفَ أَمْرِي، وَمَنْ تَشَبَّهَ بِقَومٍ فَهُوَ مِنْهُم»

(I was sent with the sword just before the Last Hour, so that Allah is worshipped alone without partners. My sustenance was provided for me from under the shadow of my spear. Those who oppose my command were humiliated and made inferior, and whoever imitates a people, he is one of them.)

Abu Dawud narrated that the Prophet said,

«مَنْ تَشَبَّهَ بِقَوْمٍ فَهُوَ مِنْهُم»

(Whoever imitates a people is one of them.)

These Hadiths indicate, along with their threats and warnings, that we are not allowed to imitate the disbelievers in their statements, deeds, clothes, feasts, acts of worship, etc., whatever actions of the disbelievers that were not legislated for us.

Ad-Dahhak said that Ibn `Abbas commented on the Ayah,

لاَ تَقُولُواْ رَعِنَا

(Say not (to the Messenger ) Ra`ina) "They used to say to the Prophet , Ar`ina samak (which is an insult)." Ibn Abu Hatim said that it was reported that Abu Al-`Aliyah, Abu Malik, Ar-Rabi` bin Anas, `Atiyah Al-`Awfi and Qatadah said similarly. Further, Mujahid said, "`Do not say Ra`ina' means, `Do not dispute'." Mujahid said in another narration, "Do not say, `We hear from you, and you hear from us."' Also, `Ata' said, "Do not say,

رَعِنَا

(Ra`ina), which was a dialect that the Ansar used and which was forbidden from use by Allah."

Also, As-Suddi said, "Rifa`ah bin Zayd, a Jewish man from the tribe of Qaynuqa`, used to come to the Prophet and say to him, `Hear, Ghayr Musma'in (let you hear nothing).' The Muslims used to think that the Prophets are greeted and honored with this type of speech, and this is why some of them used to say, `Hear, let you hear nothing,' and so on, as mentioned in Surat An-Nisa." Thereafter, Allah forbade the believers from uttering the word Ra`ina." `Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam also said similarly.

The extreme Enmity that the Disbelievers and the People of the Book have against Muslims

Allah said next (2:105),

مَّا يَوَدُّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَـبِ وَلاَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ أَن يُنَزَّلَ عَلَيْكُم مِّنْ خَيْرٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ

(Neither those who disbelieve among the People of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) nor Al-Mushrikin (the idolaters), like that there should be sent down unto you any good from your Lord).

Allah described the deep enmity that the disbelieving polytheists and People of the Scripture, whom Allah warned against imitating, have against the believers, so that Muslims should sever all friendship with them. Also, Allah mentioned what He granted the believers of the perfect Law that He legislated for their Prophet Muhammad . Allah said,

وَاللَّهُ يَخْتَصُّ بِرَحْمَتِهِ مَن يَشَآءُ وَاللَّهُ ذُو الْفَضْلِ الْعَظِيمِ

(But Allah chooses for His mercy whom He wills. And Allah is the Owner of great bounty) (2:105).

O you who believe do not say to the Prophet s ‘Observe us’ rā‘inā is an imperative form from murā‘āt which they used to say to him and this was a derogatory term in Hebrew derived from the noun al-ru‘ūna ‘thoughtlessness’. They found this very amusing and used to address the Prophet s in this way and so the believers were forbidden to use it; but say instead ‘Regard us’ that is look at us and give ear to what you are commanded and be prepared to accept it; and for disbelievers awaits a painful chastisement that is the Fire.

Among other perversities, some of the Jews invented a new mischief. When they presented themselves before the Holy Prophet ﷺ they would address him with the word Ra` ina رَ‌اعِنَا ، which, in Arabic, means "be mindful of us", but is, in Hebrew, a curse. The latter is what they intended, but the Arabs, not knowing Hebrew, could not see the point, and some Muslims too, with the Arabic sense of the word in mind, began to address the Holy Prophet ﷺ in the same manner to the great glee of the Jews who had thus found a way of insulting him openly, and had even tricked the Muslims into joining them. In order to frustrate the design of the Jews, the Holy Qur'an commands the Muslims to use the word Unzurna انظُرْ‌نَا instead of Ra'ina رَ‌اعِنَا ، for the meanings of the two words are the same in Arabic. The verse also announces a dire punishment to the Jews for showing disrespect to the Holy Prophet ﷺ and for trying to be clever with him.

The verse describes the insolent Jews as Kafirin کافرون (infidels), which means that being intentionally disrespectful towards a prophet even in an indirect manner constitutes infidelity.

The verse shows that if a perfectly legitimate action on one's part provides room for others to commit illegitimate actions, even the legitimate action no longer remains lawful for one. For example, if a permissible action on the part of a scholar is likely to lead the ignorant into error and to induce them to do impermissible things, that permissible action will then become forbidden for him, provided that the action concerned is not essential according to the Shari'ah and is not included among its objects. The Holy Qur'an and the Hadith provide many instances of this nature. For example, before the advent of Islam the Quraysh قریش had, in rebuilding the Ka'bah کعبہ ، made certain modifications in the design set by Sayyidna Ibrahim (Abraham علیہ السلام). A hadith reports that the Holy Prophet ﷺ wished to demolish the present structure, and to build it again according to the Abrahamic pattern, but he did not do so, for such an action could have led ignorant people into misunderstanding and error.

In the vocabulary of the Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence, such injunctions are described as سدَ الذرایع : Sadd al-Dhara'i: "removing the means (to error) " and are accepted by all the jurists -- those of the Hanbali school being very particular about them. (Qurtubi)

(O ye who believe, say not (unto the Prophet): �Listen to us� [ra�ina] �) [2:104]. Said Ibn �Abbas according to the narration of �Ata�: �This is because the Arabs used to employ this expression [ra�ina], so when the Jews heard them using it with the Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace, they liked it. This same expression in the parlance of the Jews had the connotation of vile abusive language. They said: �Before, we used to abuse Muhammad (s)ecretly. Now, you can abuse him openly because this expression is used in their speech�. Therefore, they used to come to Allah�s Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace, and say: �O Muhammad! ra�ina�, and the they would laugh. A man from the Helpers � Sa�d ibn �Ubadah who understood well the language of the Jews�understood the reason. He said to them: �O enemies of Allah! May Allah�s curse be on you. By Him in Whose Hand is Muhammad�s soul, I will cut the head of any man of you who utters this expression�. They objected, saying: �But do you not use the same expression with him?� And therefore Allah, exalted is He, revealed: (O ye who believe, say not (unto the Prophet): �Listen to us� [ra�ina]) but say �Look upon us� [unzurna]�).