They then differed over the status of this food that was prohibited to the Children of Israel after the Torah was sent down. Al-Suddi said: Allah prohibited for them in the Torah what they had been prohibiting before it was sent down. ‘Atiyyah said: It had only been prohibited to them through Israel’s prohibition, for he had said, “If Allah restores me to health, none of my children shall eat it.” It was not prohibited to them in the Torah. Al-Kalbi said: Allah did not prohibit it for them (1) in the Torah; rather, it was prohibited to them after the Torah because of their wrongdoing, as Allah, exalted is He, says: “So for the wrongdoing of those who became Jews, We forbade them wholesome things that had been lawful for them.” [Sura al-Nisa’, verse 160] And Allah, exalted is He, says: “And upon those who became Jews We prohibited every animal with an uncloven hoof,” until He says: “That is how We recompensed them for their transgression, and indeed, We are truthful.” [Sura al-An‘am, verse 146] Whenever the Children of Israel committed a grave sin, Allah would prohibit some wholesome food to them or afflict them with a scourge—that is, death.

Al-Dahhak said: None of this was forbidden to them, nor did Allah forbid it in the Torah. Rather, they prohibited it to themselves in following their father, then ascribed its prohibition to Allah. So Allah declared them liars and said: “Say, O Muhammad, ‘Then bring the Torah and recite it, if you are truthful,’” so that it may become clear that the matter is as you claim. But they did not bring it. 63/b Then Allah, exalted is He, said:

“So whoever fabricates lies against Allah after that—it is they who are the wrongdoers.

“Say, ‘Allah has spoken the truth. So follow the creed of Abraham, upright in faith; he was not of the polytheists.’

“Indeed, the first House established for mankind was the one at Bakkah: blessed and a guidance for all the worlds. In it are clear signs: the Station of Abraham. Whoever enters it shall be safe. Pilgrimage to the House is a duty owed to Allah by all people who are able to find a way to it. Whoever disbelieves, then Allah is free of need of all the worlds.

“Say, ‘O People of the Scripture, why do you disbelieve in the signs of Allah, while Allah is a witness to what you do?’”

“Say, ‘Allah has spoken the truth. So follow the creed of Abraham, upright in faith; he was not of the polytheists.’” He called them to follow the creed of Abraham only because following the creed of Abraham entails following the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him.

Regarding His words, exalted is He: “Indeed, the first House established for mankind was the one at Bakkah, blessed”: the reason for the revelation of this verse (2) was that the Jews said to the Muslims, “Jerusalem is our direction of prayer. It is superior to the Ka‘bah and more ancient, and it is the place to which the prophets migrated.” The Muslims said, rather, “The Ka‘bah is superior.” So Allah, exalted is He, sent down: “Indeed, the first House established for mankind was the one at Bakkah: blessed and a guidance for all the worlds.”

“In it are clear signs: the Station of Abraham. Whoever enters it shall be safe.” None of these merits belongs to Jerusalem.