(160) “We divided them”—that is, We separated them—“into twelve tribes as communities”: twelve mutually acquainted and harmonious tribes, with the descendants of each son of Jacob forming one tribe.

“And We revealed to Moses, when his people asked him for water”—that is, they asked him to supplicate Allah Most High to provide water for them and their livestock to drink, because they were—Allah knows best—in a place where water was scarce.

In answer to their request, Allah revealed to Moses: “Strike the stone with your staff.” This may have been a particular stone, or “stone” may be a generic noun encompassing any stone whatsoever. He struck it, “and twelve springs gushed forth”—flowing freely from that stone.

“Each group knew its drinking place.” A spring was allotted to each of those twelve tribes. Each tribe knew its own spring, and they were reassured and relieved of hardship, crowding, and quarrelling. This was part of Allah’s perfect favor upon them.

“And We shaded them with clouds,” which sheltered them from the heat of the sun, “and We sent down to them manna”—a sweet food—“and quail,” the flesh of one of the most delicious kinds of birds. Thus Allah provided them with shade, drink, and wholesome food—both sweets and meat—in comfort and tranquility.

They were told: “Eat of the wholesome things We have provided for you. They did not wrong Us” when they failed to thank Allah and did not fulfill the obligations He had imposed upon them. “Rather, it was themselves they were wronging,” for they deprived themselves of every good and exposed themselves to evil and retribution. This continued throughout their stay in the wilderness.