Admonishing the Jews and challenging Them to wish for Death (Surah Al-Jumu'ah 62: 6-7)

Admonishing the Jews and challenging Them to wish for Death

Say: "O you Jews! If you pretend that you are friends of Allah, to the exclusion of other people, then long for death if you are truthful.''  meaning, `if you claim that you are on the correct guidance and that Muhammad and his Companions are being led astray, then invoke Allah to bring death to the misguided group among the two, if you are truthful in your claim.' Allah said,

But they will never long for it, because of what their hands have sent before them! meaning because of the disbelief, injustice and sins that they commit.

And Allah knows well the wrongdoers.   We mentioned this challenge to the Jews before in Surah Al-Baqarah, where Allah said,

Say: "If the home of the Hereafter with Allah is indeed for you specially and not for others, of mankind, then long for death if you are truthful.'' But they will never long for it because of what their hands have sent forth before them. And Allah is Aware of the wrongdoers. And verily, you will find them the greediest of mankind for life and (even greedier) than those who ascribe partners to Allah. One of them wishes that he could be given a life of a thousand years. But the grant of such life will not save him even a little from punishment. And Allah is Seer of what they do.) (2:94-96) We explained these meanings there, stating that the challenge was for the Jews to invoke Allah to destroy the misguided group, either they or their enemies. We also mentioned a similar challenge against the Christians in Surah Al `Imran,

Then whoever disputes with you concerning him [`Isa] after (all this) knowledge that has come to you, say: "Come, let us call our sons and your sons, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves -- then we pray and invoke the curse of Allah upon those who lie.'')(3:61) and against the idolators, in Surah Maryam,

Say whoever is in error, the Most Gracious will extend [circumstances] for him.)(19:75) Imam Ahmad, may Allah be pleased with him recorded that Ibn `Abbas (Radhi Allahu Anhu) said, "Abu Jahl, may Allah curse him, said, `If I see Muhammad praying at the Ka`bah, I will step on his neck.' When the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) heard of that, he said,

Had he done so, the angels would have snatched him away in public. Had the Jews wished for death, they would all have perished and saw their seats in Hellfire. Had those accepted for invoking the curse of Allah with Allah's Messenger, they would not have found families or property when they returned home.' ' Al-Bukhari, At-Tirmidhi and An-Nasa'i recorded it.


Source: Tafsir ibn Kathir (Abridged)