(23–25) “We certainly gave Moses the Book, so be in no doubt about the meeting. We made it guidance for the Children of Israel. * We appointed leaders from among them who guided by Our command because they remained steadfast and had certain faith in Our signs. * Indeed, your Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that over which they used to differ.”
After Allah Most High mentioned His signs by which He reminded His servants—namely, the Quran that He revealed to Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him—He stated that it was not unprecedented among scriptures, nor was the one who brought it an unfamiliar figure among the messengers. Allah had already given Moses the Book—namely, the Torah—which confirms the Quran and is itself confirmed by the Quran. Thus, the truth they both contain is in perfect accord, and the proof of both is firmly established. “So be in no doubt about the meeting,” for the proofs and clear evidences of the truth have come in succession, leaving no room for doubt or uncertainty.
“We made it”—that is, the Book We gave Moses—“guidance for the Children of Israel.” Through it they were guided concerning the foundations and subsidiary matters (1) of their religion and through its laws, which were suited to the Children of Israel in that era.
As for this Noble Quran, Allah made it guidance for all people. It guides creation in the affairs of their religion and worldly life until the Day of Resurrection, owing to its perfection and exalted status: “It is indeed in the Mother of the Book with Us, truly exalted and full of wisdom.”
“We appointed leaders from among them”—that is, from among the Children of Israel—“who guided by Our command.” They were scholars of revealed law and the paths of guidance, and were themselves rightly guided; through that same guidance, they guided others. Thus, the Book revealed to them was guidance, and those among them who believed in it fell into two categories: leaders who guided by Allah’s command and followers who were guided by them.
The first category occupies the highest rank after prophethood and messengership: the rank of the steadfast affirmers of truth. They attained this lofty rank only by patiently pursuing knowledge, teaching it, calling to Allah, and enduring harm in His cause. They also restrained their souls from running headlong into sin and yielding freely to desires.
“And they had certain faith in Our signs.” That is, their faith in Allah’s signs reached the degree of certainty, which is complete knowledge that necessarily produces action. They reached this degree of certainty because they learned correctly and studied each matter on the basis of evidence that yields certainty.
They continued learning these matters and adducing numerous proofs for them until they attained that degree. Thus, through patience and certainty, religious leadership is attained.
There were also matters over which the Children of Israel differed. Some were correct, whereas others missed the truth, either unintentionally or deliberately. Allah Most High “will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that over which they used to differ.” ⦗657⦘ This Quran sets forth for the Children of Israel some of the matters over which they differ. Therefore, whenever a dispute arose among them and the Quran confirms one of the two views, that view is the truth, while whatever opposes it is false.