115. In the text the word ‘Jibt’ has been used which means useless thing. Here it means every kind of absurd, superstitious and magical acts which are akin to polytheism, e.g. magic, sorcery witchery, fortune-telling, omen-hunting, etc. It also applies to soothsayers, magicians, idols and false gods.

In a hadith, the Prophet is reported to have said :

“To seek omens from the names of animals, from their voices and from their passing, to forecast by throwing pebbles or drawing lines and every kind of omen-hunting is a kind of ‘Jibt.’ (Mishkat W.R. to Abu Daud)

The relationship of superstition and polytheism is like that of hand and glove and the followers of religion have admitted all kinds of absurdities and superstitions in their religions to a very great extent. But Islam is free from these things. Its foundation is on realities and it has cut superstition at the roots. The absurd and superstitious practices found in the followers of Islam in the present day have no basis in religion and Islam is deadly opposed to them.

116. The word ‘Taghut’ used here in the text has been explained in note No. 418 in Surah Baqarah.

Here especially those religious leaders are meant who lead their followers to false beliefs. Belief in such a person has been called ‘Eeman bit Taghut’ or belief in the false and evil one.

117. The Jews had become so much hostile, towards the Muslims that they considered idolaters more rightly guided than the believers in one God, while thair religious book, Torah, considers idolatry as open straying and waywardness.

O you who believe ! Obey Allah, and obey the messenger, and those who are in authority from among you; then if you dispute about any matter, refer it to Allah and the messenger, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day. This is good and will also bring in good results. (Al-Quran)

118. Means Muslims.

119. That is: If they had their kingdom in Madina, they would have deprived Muslims of all kinds of facilities and benefits on account of their prejudices and hostility but Allah did not give them a chance to do so. For this reason they were in their heart of hearts jealous of Muslims and were unable to tolerate their increasing power.

It may be noted that outside and around Madina the colonies of the Jews were like those of free tribes. Beyond this sphere they had no control or power over the general population of Madina.

120. That is: They are jealous of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and his followers because they could not tolerate the passing off of the prophethood from their own community(Bani Israil) to Bani Ismail (Arabs).

121. Here the idea is to bring home to Bani. Israil that they too are the descendents of Ibrahim and the Arabs (Bani Ismail) too are his progeny, and today if Allah has blessed the Arabs with the Divine Scripture and wisdom, and is also favouring them with granting of power there is no room for being jealous of them. This is Allah’s favour which He bestows on whomsoever He wills. The Jews should not forget that they were also once blessed with the Divine Scripture and wisdom, and were also favoured with the grant of a great kingdom. viz. that of prophet Daud and Prophet Sulaiman (David and Soloman), but they did not appreciate the favours of Allah and proved themselves to be inefficient and ungrateful. Therefore, Allah chose the other branch of the family of Ibrahim. Bani Ismail and blessed it with His great blessings favours and bounties.

122. The idea of mentioning these attributes is to make it clear that Allah has power to inflict such a severe punishment and it is also demanded by His wisdom that the transgressors and rebels should receive such severe punishment. Otherwise the system of this universe would not run smoothly on truth and justice.