The Quran

Preface

وَلَقَد آتَينا موسَى الكِتابَ فَاختُلِفَ فيهِ ۗ وَلَولا كَلِمَةٌ سَبَقَت مِن رَبِّكَ لَقُضِيَ بَينَهُم ۚ وَإِنَّهُم لَفي شَكٍّ مِنهُ مُريبٍ

Yusuf Ali

We certainly gave Moses the Book aforetime: but disputes arose therein. Had it not been for a Word¹ that went forth before from thy Lord, (their differences) would have been settled between them: but they remained in suspicious disquieting doubt thereon.

Callousness and self-sufficiency in religion are often illustrated by sects like the Pharisees and Sadducees among the Jews. Where there are honest differences of opinion, they can, in God’s Plan, lead to greater enquiry and emulation. Where the differences are fractious, there is often even then time left for repentance. In any case the Word or Decree of God is for the best good of all, and should not disturb Faith. Cf. 10:19. A good life, of faith and truth, is in our own interests, and the opposite against our own interests. God is never unjust.