5:64

Salaam all,




Waqalati alyahoodu yadu Allahi maghloolatun ghullat aydeehim waluAAinoo bima qaloo bal yadahu mabsootatani yunfiqu kayfa yashao walayazeedanna katheeran minhum ma onzila ilayka min rabbika tughyanan wakufran waalqayna baynahumu alAAadawata waalbaghdaa ila yawmi alqiyamati kullama awqadoo naran lilharbi atfaaha Allahu wayasAAawna fee alardi fasadan waAllahu la yuhibbu almufsideena

The Aya says:
And the Jews said: “Allah’s hand is handcuffed”. Their hands were handcuffed and they were distanced from mercy by what they said. But instead, His two hands are wide open. He spends however He wills. And indeed, what was descended to you (Muhammad) from your Lord will increase many of them bad actions including rejection, and we casted between them the animosity and hatred till the Day of Judgment. Whenever they ignited a fire for war/discord Allah extinguished it. And they work intently corruption in the land, while Allah does not love the corrupting people.

My personal note:
A statement that starts with “The Jews said” or “any other people said” is a literary feature of Arabic usage of sentences. It does not mean that all the Jews said this, but it does bring the attention to a significant group amongst them which happened to say this kind of this. The aya is specifically talking about some of the Jewish people of Medina o he time who stated such statements and also schemed and at times supported wars against the prophet (pbuh). Of course this Aya is applicable to any Jewish group that fits those descriptions at any point in history as well. The main point is not to misunderstand this form of Arabic literary style as accusing all Jews of the same sin or sins that are mentioned here. That is a common misunderstanding that happens when one reads translation but does not understand the Arabic style of communicating.

The other issue that this Aya brings is the issue of the two hands of God. Muslims have interpreted the hands of God in a range of understandings between negation of their existence to anthropomorphism and any thing in between. Here again, I will share my perspective and that is words, in Arabic and other languages, carry concepts that are general and relatively vague but become more specific and focused and narrow as we know the entity that is talked about.

So, the hands are to be understood conceptually by what they do as in resembling power, something to hold onto or something to hold other entities, things that create and in this context as giving and providing. So, when the Qur’an says that Allah has two hands, it is pointing to the above without indulging in the specifics of what the hands of God should or should not be nor could or could not do. The specifics of God’s hands are with God and we do not know enough about God's nature to venture on that subject. We just accept their existence, their functions as described in the Qur’an, and that they are unlike anything we know without indulging in any further specific points that are based on our limited human assumptions.

Translation of the transliterated words:
Waqalati: and said/ communicated
Note: WA is a letter that links what is before with what is after. This link is through inclusion, either one is included in the other or they are all included in the bigger sentence or bigger picture. WA often corresponds with “and/ addition” but the more encompassing meaning is in inclusion one in another or all in a bigger picture or sentence. QALAT is derived from the root Qaf-W-L and it means saying in any way possible. QALAT is an action that is completed that is derived from the root. It means the action of saying happened by the subject (third person singular or plural pointing to the Jews and Christians). This, in turn means: They said/ communicated.
Alyahoodu: the Jews
Note: the root is H-W-D and it means repentance and return to God. It is used mainly to point to Judaism, often specifically. ALYAHOOD means the Jews.
Yadu: hand of
Note: the root is Y-D and it means hand. It is also used conceptually for anything that shares features or functions of hands or the upper arm. YADU means hand of.
Allahi: Allah
Maghloolatun: closed/ not giving enough/ handcuffed
Note: the root is GHain-L-L and it means in one concrete meaning: the watering of the camels with less than adequate water. In other concrete meaning it points to handcuffing. In a third it points to extreme thirst. As a concept, it can take many meanings including, cheating, as well as retaining bitter feelings as well as placing any form of severe limitation on others or being severely limited. MAGHLOOLATUN in this context means closed hands or hands that are not giving adequately or hands that are unable to have control over themselves.

Ghullat: became handcuffed
Note: the root is GHain-L-L and it means in one concrete meaning: the watering of the camels with less than adequate water. In other concrete meaning it points to handcuffing. In a third it points to extreme thirst. As a concept, it can take many meanings including, cheating, as well as retaining bitter feelings as well as placing any form of severe limitation on others or being severely limited. GHULLAT is an action that is completed. It means: the action of handcuffing happened to the object (AYDEEHIM=their hands) by an undeclared subject. In this context means closed hands or hands that are not giving adequately or hands that are unable to have control over themselves.

Aydeehim: their hands/ their arms
Note: AYDEEHIM is derived from the root Y-D and it means hand or arm. It is also used conceptually for anything that shares features or functions of hands or the upper arm. AYDEE means hands of. HIM means them.
waluAAinoo: and distanced from mercy
Note: WA is a letter that links what is before with what is after. This link is through inclusion, either one is included in the other or they are all included in the bigger sentence or bigger picture. WA often corresponds with “and/ addition” but the more encompassing meaning is in inclusion one in another or all in a bigger picture or sentence. LuAAiNOO is derived from the root L-Ain-N and it means distancing or expelling. It is used to mean curse in the form of distancing or expelling from nearness or mercy. The concrete word is scarecrow because it keeps away or at a distance the undesirable birds from the field. LuAAiNOO is an action that is completed. It means that the action of expelling from mercy or distancing of the object (third person plural) happened by an undeclared subject.

Bima: by what/ with what/ in what
Note: Bi denotes that what comes after is a tool and/or an object or an association with an action that was mentioned. If it is an object of the action then it makes it stronger. MA means what
Qaloo: they said/ communicated
Note: QALOO is derived from the root Qaf-W-L and it means saying in any way possible. QALOO is an action that is completed that is derived from the root. It means the action of saying happened by the subject (third person plural). This, in turn means: they said or they happened to say or communicate.
Bal: but instead
Yadahu: his two hands
Note: AYDEEHIM is derived from the root Y-D and it means hand or arm. It is also used conceptually for anything that shares features or functions of hands or the upper arm. YADAHU means his two hands.

Mabsootatani: both wide open
Note: the root is B-S-TTa and it means open palm of the hand. Conceptually it can mean many things that are related to a wide open palm. MABSOOTATANI means both are wide open. This means conceptually, that He gives without limitation and also He is not limited by any factor.

Yunfiqu: He spends
Note: the root is N-F-Qaf and it means tunnel in the concrete sense. This is then used to mean anything that is tunneled from one place to another as in having an apparent picture that is different from the hidden one. Another is tunneling you money to another destination as in giving some of your money to charity or so forth. In this context it is used for spending or spending under cover. YUNFIQU is an action that is being completed or will be completed. It means: the action of spending or spending under cover is happening or will be happening by the subject (third person singular pointing to Allah).

Kayfa: how
Yashao: He wills/ He entities
Note: the root is SH-Y-Hamza and it means entity for noun and to entity for the action. This means making a non entity become an entity, which also means making what was impossible possible, or what was non existent, existent or what was un-allowed allowed, and so forth. YASHAO is an action that is related to the root that is being completed or will be completed. It means: The entity is happening or will be happening by the subject (third person singular and points to God).

walayazeedanna: and he/it will indeed increase
Note: WA is a letter that links what is before with what is after. This link is through inclusion, either one is included in the other or they are all included in the bigger sentence or bigger picture. WA often corresponds with “and/ addition” but the more encompassing meaning is in inclusion one in another or all in a bigger picture or sentence. LA is here for stressing what comes after it. YAZEEDANNA is an action with emphasis that is derived from root Z-W-D or Z-Y-D and it means the provision of the road or the food that one packs for travel. It has also the conceptual meaning of what is above the need, because one packs a little extra for the road. YAZEEDANNA is an action with emphasis that is being completed or will be completed and it means: the action of making the object (katheeran= many) increase is happening by the subject (third person singular pointing to MA ONZILA ILAYKA= what was descended to you).

Katheeran: a lot/ many
Note: the root is K-TH-R and it means many or numerous in all the planes of thought. KATHEERAN means: numerous or many or a lot.

Minhum: from them/ amongst them
Ma: what
Onzila: was brought/ was descended
Note: the root is N-Z-L and it carries the meaning of arrival to stay and descent. One concrete meaning is the descent of the person from his or her horse or camel as they arrive at the place where they plan to stay. ONZILA is an action that is completed that is derived from the root. It means the action of arrival or descent was happened to the object (ma=what and points to the books that were sent from God) by an undeclared subject.
ilayka: To you (singular)/ towards you
min: from
rabbika: your (singular) nurturing lord
Note: the root is R-B-B and it means nurturing and Lordship as two components of the meaning that can be present together or one at a time according to the context of the sentence. RABBI is nurturing Lord of. KA means singular you.

Tughyanan: rebellion/ bad actions or reactions
Note: TUGHYANANis derived from the root TTa-Ghain-Y and it means overwhelming to bad effect. It is used for the flood waters when they cause damage and destruction and so forth in the concrete sense and for any matter that overwhelms and leads to bad effects. It carries the concept of overwhelming bad action/ reaction or rebellion.

Wakufran: and rejection/ including rejection
Note: WA is a letter that links what is before with what is after. This link is through inclusion, either one is included in the other or they are all included in the bigger sentence or bigger picture. WA often corresponds with “and/ addition” but the more encompassing meaning is in inclusion one in another or all in a bigger picture or sentence. KUFRAN is derived from the root K-F-R and it means burying the seed in the ground for planting This is then used conceptually for many purposes as in discarding and rejecting as well as burying. KUFRAN means rejection or discarding.
Waalqayna: and we casted/ and we threw in
Note: WA is a letter that links what is before with what is after. This link is through inclusion, either one is included in the other or they are all included in the bigger sentence or bigger picture. WA often corresponds with “and/ addition” but the more encompassing meaning is in inclusion one in another or all in a bigger picture or sentence. ALQAYNA is derived from the root L-Qaf-Y and it means receiving as a concept which would be understood more specifically according to the sentence. Concrete uses of the word are a female that gets pregnant easily, therefore she received the sperm well. It is also used for the birds that hunt because they receive the prey easily and so forth. ALQAYNA is an action that is completed. It means the action of making the object (ALAAaDAWATA= the animosity) received by another object (baynahum= between them) was made to happen by the subject (first person plural).

Baynahumu: between them
alAAadawata: the animosity/ the aggression
Note: the root is Ain-D-W and it means running or overstepping boundaries since the running is a form of overstepping a boundary. Conceptually, it is also used to point to animosity since animosity stems from overstepping boundaries or enemies overstep boundaries of each other. ALAAaDAWATA means the animosity or aggression.
Waalbaghdaa: and the hatred/ including the hatred/ugliness.
Note: WA is a letter that links what is before with what is after. This link is through inclusion, either one is included in the other or they are all included in the bigger sentence or bigger picture. WA often corresponds with “and/ addition” but the more encompassing meaning is in inclusion one in another or all in a bigger picture or sentence. Albaghdaa is derived from the root B-Ghayn-Dhad and it means ugliness in all it’s forms and is used to mean hatred since hatred is ugly. ALBAGHDAa mean the hatred or the ugliness.

Ila: until/ towards
Yawmi: day of
Note: YAWMI is derived from the root Y-W-M and it means day. YAWMI means the day of.
Alqiyamati: the standing/ the rising
Note: the root is Q-W-M and it means standing upright. ALQIYAMATI is the standing upright or upright standing. This is a term that is used for the day of judgment because we all stand in front of GOD. YAWMI ALQIYAMATI is the judgment day.
Kullama: Whenever
Awqadoo: they ignited
Note: the root is W-Q-D and the most concrete word is WAQOOD which means fuel or what one ignites fire with. AWQADOO is an action that is completed. It means: the action of making ignition to the object (Naran= fire) happened by the subject (third person plural).
Naran: a fire
Note: the root is N-W-R and it means lighting. This could be lighting light NOOR or lighting fire NAR according to the word and the context. NARAN means a fire.

Lilharbi: for the war/ to the war/ discord/ lack of peace
Note: LI means to or for. ALHARB is derived from the root HA-R-B and it means war or lack of peace. Some concrete uses of the words are: the money of the person, the best room or most secure room in the house and so on. The concept is about lack of peace and about threatening what is cherished. So HARB does not have to be only violent but it is potentially violent.
Atfaaha: He extinguished it
Note: the root is TTA-F-Hamza and it means extinguish a fire. Conceptually, it can then be taken to cover all sorts of extinguishing. ATFAA is an action that is completed. It means: the action of extinguishing the object (HA= her pointing to the war) happened by the subject (third person singular pointing to Allah).
Allahu: Allah

wayasAAawna: including they work intently / and they work intently
Note: WA is a letter that links what is before with what is after. This link is through inclusion, either one is included in the other or they are all included in the bigger sentence or bigger picture. WA often corresponds with “and/ addition” but the more encompassing meaning is in inclusion one in another or all in a bigger picture or sentence. YASAAaWNA is derived from the root S-Ain-Y and it means moving intently or in physical activity. Conceptually, it means the moving rapidly because of limitations of time, it also means work intently to reach a goal or walking in a hurried manner. The cotnext determines which usage applies. YASAAaWNA is an action that is being completed or will be comepleted. It means: the action of working intently to reach a goal is happening by the subject (third person plural)
Fee: in/ on/ in and on
Note: the term carries the meaning of in and on within it’s range. The context can limit the meaning to one or the other or can keep it open as in here, to cover both in and on at the same time.
Alardi: the land/ the earth
Note: the root is Hamza-R-Dhad and it means land or earth. AlARDI is the land or the earth.
fasadan: corruption/ damage/ harm/ injury
Note: the root is F-S-D and it means damage and rot, as in the food that was damaged and so forth. FASADAN is damage or harm or injury and corruption and all those things to lead to harm.
waAllahu: and Allah/ while Allah
la: not
Yuhibbu: loves
Note: the root is Ha-B-B and it means in concrete seed. This word also means love. As if the seed is the product of love or the love will end up in a seed. YUHIBBU is an action that is derived from the root and that is being completed or will be completed. It means: the action of loving is happening or will be happening by the subject (third person singular pointing to Allah) of the object (ALMUFSIDEEN= the ones who cause damage/ harm). LA YUHIBBU means: He does not love.
Almufsideena: the ones who cause harm/ damage/ injury/ the corrupt.
Note: the root is F-S-D and it means damage and rot, as in the food that was damaged and so forth. ALMUFSIDEENA are the ones who cause harm or damage and those are the corrupt.

Salaam all and have a great day.

Hussein