The initial phrase of the verse...

The initial phrase of the verse: "Ask the Children of Israel" is, in fact, for the reason that the blessing of Allah be confessed by them, and then, it be remarked why they were faced with that adversity: that they scattered wandering in the world.

" Occasion of Revelation: Ibn-Abbas, the famous commentator, says that this holy verse was revealed about the chief leaders of Quraysh, a minority of wealthy people in their disbelieving tribe, who were living in easy circumstances. They used to mock a group of steadfast Muslim believers, who were poor from the point of finances.

These disbelievers said: if the (p.b.u.h.) had really been appointed from the side of God and was a noble prophet, the rich and authoritative ones would have followed him. Then, this verse was revealed and answered their vain statements. Commentary: The occasion of revelation of the verse does not hinder us from taking the verse as a general and common rule, or consider it as the perfecter of the previous verse about the Jews.

The verse says: " The life of this world has been made to seem fair to those who disbelieve, ... " Thus, they were so proud that they ridiculed those believers who were rather poor: " ... and they mock those who believe, ... " 167 Yet, in the meantime, the attention should also be paid to this condition that: " ... but those who guard (against evil) shall be above them on the Day of Judgement ...

" The reason for that condition lies in the coming world where the spiritual ranks will be illustrated in their objective forms and believers will be positioned in such elevated high ranks that these miserable people, comparing them to as if the believers are in high sky of honour, feel themselves in the lowest and deepest earthly abode of disgrace. This is not surprising, of course, because the foregoing detailed condition is the fruit of their own deeds: " ...

and Allah provides with sustenance for whomever He wills without measure.