It is He who has sent among the unlettered [Arabs] a Messenger from themselves reciting to them His verses and purifying them and teaching them the Book [i.e., the Qur’ān] and wisdom [i.e., the sunnah] - although they were before in clear error -
The example of those who were entrusted with the Torah and then did not take it on is like that of a donkey who carries volumes [of books]. Wretched is the example of the people who deny the signs of Allāh. And Allāh does not guide the wrongdoing people.
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qul yāayyuhā alladhīna hādū in zaʿamtum annakum awliyāu lillahi min dūni l-nāsi fatamannawū l-mawta in kuntum ṣādiqīna
Say, "O you who are Jews, if you claim that you are allies of Allāh, excluding the [other] people, then wish for death, if you should be truthful."
Say, "Indeed, the death from which you flee - indeed, it will meet you. Then you will be returned to the Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, and He will inform you about what you used to do."
O you who have believed, when [the adhān] is called for the prayer on the day of Jumuʿah [Friday], then proceed to the remembrance of Allāh and leave trade. That is better for you, if you only knew.
But [on one occasion] when they saw a transaction or a diversion, [O Muḥammad], they rushed to it and left you standing. Say, "What is with Allāh is better than diversion and than a transaction, and Allāh is the best of providers."
Surah Al-Jumu'ah (The Congregation, Friday) — Full Text
Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth is exalting Allāh,1 the Sovereign, the Pure, the Exalted in Might, the Wise.2
This surah opens with a cosmic declaration — everything in the heavens and earth glorifies Allah. And then four of His names are listed back to back: the Sovereign, the Holy, the All-Mighty, the All-Wise. It's like a royal introduction before the main message arrives. The idea is that all of creation is already in a state of worship, whether we notice it or not. Every atom, every star, every creature is doing its part. The question this sets up is — are you joining in, or are you sitting it out?
It is He who has sent among the unlettered [Arabs] a Messenger from themselves reciting to them His verses and purifying them and teaching them the Book [i.e., the Qur’ān] and wisdom [i.e., the sunnah] - although they were before in clear error -
Here Allah describes one of His greatest favors — sending the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, to the Arabs, who are described as 'unlettered.' They didn't have a scripture of their own before, and most couldn't read or write. The Prophet came from among them, not as a foreign outsider, but as one of their own. His mission was threefold: reciting Allah's verses to them, purifying them spiritually, and teaching them the Book and wisdom. Before all this, they were in 'clear error' — tribal warfare, burying daughters alive, idol worship. The transformation that followed is one of history's most remarkable turnarounds.
And [to] others of them who have not yet joined them. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.
This ayah extends the Prophet's mission beyond the first generation of Arabs — 'and others among them who have not yet joined them.' This means every Muslim who came after, including you and me, is included in the Prophet's mission. A famous hadith explains this: when the companions asked who these future people were, the Prophet placed his hand on Salman al-Farisi, a Persian, signaling that this message would reach all nations. It's a beautiful reminder that Islam was never meant to be an exclusive Arab club. The message is universal, and every generation inherits it fresh.
That is the bounty of Allāh, which He gives to whom He wills, and Allāh is the possessor of great bounty.
Prophethood, guidance, faith — all of it is described here as Allah's bounty that He gives to whomever He wills. It's not something anyone earns through lineage or status. The Arabs didn't receive the final Prophet because they were inherently superior — it was purely Allah's grace. This ayah humbles everyone equally and reminds us that the greatest gift isn't wealth or power, it's being guided to truth. And Allah is described as the Possessor of Great Bounty, meaning His generosity has no ceiling.
The example of those who were entrusted with the Torah and then did not take it on1 is like that of a donkey who carries volumes [of books].2 Wretched is the example of the people who deny the signs of Allāh. And Allāh does not guide the wrongdoing people.
Now comes one of the Quran's most vivid metaphors. Those who were given the Torah but didn't live by it are compared to a donkey carrying books — the donkey bears the weight but has no idea what's in those volumes. It's a sharp, almost uncomfortable image, and it's meant to be. Having scripture means nothing if you don't engage with it, understand it, and practice it. This wasn't only directed at certain Jewish scholars of that era — it's a warning for Muslims too. If you memorize the Quran but ignore its teachings, you're carrying books you're not reading.
Say, "O you who are Jews, if you claim that you are allies of Allāh, excluding the [other] people, then wish for death, if you should be truthful."
Some Jewish groups in Madinah claimed they were Allah's chosen people and His special allies, exclusive of everyone else. Allah challenges that claim directly — if you really believe you're God's favorites and guaranteed paradise, then wish for death. Why would you fear dying if you're so certain of what's waiting for you on the other side? It's a rhetorical challenge that exposes the gap between what people claim and what they actually believe deep down. True confidence in the afterlife shows in how you live, not just what you say.
But they will not wish for it, ever, because of what their hands have put forth. And Allāh is Knowing of the wrongdoers.
And of course, they won't wish for death — not ever. The reason is telling: 'because of what their hands have sent forth.' Deep down, they know their deeds don't match their claims. This is a universal human phenomenon — we all have moments where our stated beliefs and our actual behavior don't align. The ayah ends by reminding us that Allah is All-Knowing of the wrongdoers. You can fool other people with your religious credentials, but you can't fool the One who sees what's really in your heart.
Say, "Indeed, the death from which you flee - indeed, it will meet you. Then you will be returned to the Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, and He will inform you about what you used to do."
The Prophet is told to deliver a sobering reminder: the death you're running from will find you regardless. There's no escaping it, no outrunning it, no amount of wealth or power that can delay it. And once it catches up, you'll be returned to the One who knows everything — both the seen and the unseen. He'll inform you of exactly what you used to do. This ayah strips away all illusions of control. You can plan your whole life, but you can't plan your way out of mortality. The smart move is to prepare for the meeting rather than pretend it won't happen.
O you who have believed, when [the adhān] is called for the prayer on the day of Jumuʿah [Friday], then proceed to the remembrance of Allāh and leave trade. That is better for you, if you only knew.
This is the ayah that gives Surah Al-Jumu'ah its name. When the call to Friday prayer is made, drop what you're doing and head to the mosque. Leave your business, your transactions, your deals behind. Friday prayer isn't optional for Muslim men — it's a weekly communal gathering that resets your priorities. The phrase 'that is better for you if you know' implies that we often think our business is more important, but the spiritual recharge of Jumu'ah actually benefits us more in ways we might not immediately see. It's about trusting that worship isn't time wasted — it's time invested.
And when the prayer has been concluded, disperse within the land and seek from the bounty of Allāh, and remember Allāh often that you may succeed.
And right after telling you to leave business for prayer, Allah says — once the prayer is done, go back out and seek His bounty. Islam doesn't ask you to abandon the world; it asks you to put things in the right order. Pray first, then hustle. This balance is one of Islam's defining features. You're not a monk who renounces everything, and you're not a workaholic who forgets God. The key addition at the end is 'remember Allah much' — meaning even as you go about your worldly affairs, keep that spiritual awareness alive. Success comes from that combination.
But [on one occasion] when they saw a transaction or a diversion, [O Muḥammad], they rushed to it and left you standing. Say, "What is with Allāh is better than diversion and than a transaction, and Allāh is the best of providers."
This ayah references a specific incident — a trade caravan arrived in Madinah during Friday prayer, and many people rushed out to see the goods, leaving the Prophet standing at the pulpit with only a handful of companions. It was embarrassing, honestly, and Allah addresses it directly. What Allah has for you is better than any entertainment or business deal. This is deeply relevant today when our phones buzz during prayer, when we're mentally calculating deals while supposedly worshipping. Allah is called the Best of Providers here — meaning whatever you think you'll miss by prioritizing worship, He can replace it with something better.