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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Al-mizan an Exegesis of the Qur'an (volume One) Chapter 18 : 2:75-82 Do you then hope that they would believe in you? While a party from among them indeed used to hear the word of Allâh, then altered it after they had understood it, and they know (this) (75).

And when they meet those who believe they say: "We believe"; and when they are alone one with another they say: "Do you talk to them of what Allâh has disclosed to you that they may argue with you by this before your Lord? Do you not then understand?" (76). What! Do they not know that Allâh knows what they conceal and what they proclaim? (77). And there are among them illit­erates who know not the Book but only lies, and they do but conjecture (78).

Woe, then, to those who write the book with their hands and then say: "This is from Allâh ", so that they may sell it for a small price; therefore woe to them for what their hands have written and woe to them for what they earn (thereby) (79). And they say: "Fire shall not touch us but for a few days. " Say: "Have you taken a promise from Allâh, then Allâh will never fail to keep His promise, or do you speak against Allâh what you do not know?" (80). Yea!

whoever earns evil and his sins beset him on every side, these are the inmates of the Fire; in it they shall abide (81). And (as for) those who believe and do good deeds, these are the dwellers of the garden; in it they shall abide (82) COMMENTARY The context shows that the unbelievers, and especially those of Medina, thought that the Jews were the likeliest people to help and support the Apostle of Allâh at his advent.

The pagan tribes of Aws and Khazraj lived with the Jews of Medina, and they knew that the latter followed a divine religion and a revealed book. Thus it was not too much to expect them to believe in the latest in the series of divine religions and books. This was the basis of their hope that the Jews would accept the Apostle of Allâh as the true prophet, and would strengthen the cause of religion, and actively participate in the propagation of truth.

But no sooner did the Prophet migrate to Medina than the Jews showed their latent hostility. The hope was shattered and the expectation turned to disappointment. That is why Allâh addresses the believers, saying: "Do you then hope that they would believe in you?" Concealment of truth and alteration of divine words was their deep-rooted life-pattern.