5. Surah, Al-Ma'idah, Medina 112

The Quranic Text & Ali’s translation

وَكَيْفَ يُحَكِّمُونَكَ وَعِندَهُمُ التَّوْرَاةُ ...

5: 43. But why do they come to thee for decision, when they have (their own) laws before them?

... فِيهَا حُكْمُ اللّهِ...

Therein is the (plain) command of God;

... ثُمَّ يَتَوَلَّوْنَ مِن بَعْدِ ذَلِكَ وَمَا أُوْلَـئِكَ بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ ﴿٤٣﴾

yet even after that, they would turn away.

For they are not (really) People of Faith.

Transliteration Wa kaifa yuhakkimu_naka wa'indahumut taura_tu fiha_ hukmulla_hi summa yatawallauna mim ba'di za_lik(a), wa ma_ ula_'ika bil mu'minin(a).

Other translations:

5: 43 [ al-Maidah, Medina 112 ]

Asad

But how is it that they ask thee for judgment – seeing that they have the Torah, containing God’s injunctions – and therefore turn away [from thy judgment]? Such as these, then, are no [true] believers.

Pickthall How come they unto thee for judgment when they have the Torah, wherein Allah hath delivered judgment (for them)? Yet even after that they turn away. Such (folk) are not believers.

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Ali’s comments:

Ali’s note 749 This is a searching question as to the motive of the Jews in bringing their cases for decision to the Prophet. They came either (1) to ridicule whatever he said, or (2) to deceive him as to facts and snatch a favorable decision which was against equity. If their own Law did not suit their selfish interests, they sometimes twisted it. But Muhammad was always inflexible in his justice. (5.43)