Al-Shaʿbī said: “There was a dispute between a man from the hypocrites and a man from the Jews. The Jew proposed, ‘Let us take our case to Muhammad,’ knowing that he does not accept bribes. The hypocrite replied, ‘Let us go to the Jews,’ because he knew that they do accept bribes. They therefore agreed to consult a soothsayer from the tribe of Juhaynah and have him arbitrate between them, whereupon the verse was revealed: ‘Have you not seen those who claim…’ (Q 4:60).

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Biographical and lexical notes

• Al-Shaʿbī: ʿĀmir b. Sharāḥīl al-Shaʿbī—or, according to another opinion, ʿĀmir b. ʿAbd Allāh b. Sharāḥīl al-Shaʿbī al-Himyārī, Abū ʿAmr al-Kūfī—was a reliable ḥadīth master and jurist from the Successors. It is said that he died in 103 AH, though other dates have also been cited.

• from the hypocrites: plural of munāfiq (one who outwardly professes Islam while concealing disbelief).

• Jews: plural of Yahūdī, derived from hāda (to turn back in repentance); it is also said to be an ascription to Yehudah son of Jacob.

• dispute: argument and contention.

• bribe: whatever is given to someone in authority so that he will favor the giver—including what one litigant pays a judge to secure a ruling in his favor. The term comes from rishāʾ, the rope used to draw water from a well.

• Juhaynah: a well-known Arab tribe.

• “Thereupon the verse was revealed”: an indication of the occasion of revelation for the noble verse.

General meaning of the report: Al-Shaʿbī relates that the noble verse, “Have you not seen those who claim…” (Q 4:60), was sent down because of a man who professed faith yet sought judgement from someone other than the Messenger ﷺ in order to evade