Tafseer of The Cow · Al-Baqara · 2:52
Then We forgave you after that so perhaps you would be grateful.
Important: The Arabic source text is always authoritative. This translation is a study aid and has not been verified by scholars — do not use it as a basis for religious proof or for deriving rulings (ahkam). When in doubt, always consult the Arabic text and a qualified scholar.
The explanation of the saying of the Exalted — whose mention is exalted —: ثُمَّ عَفَوْنَا عَنْكُمْ مِنْ بَعْدِ ذَلِكَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ (52)
(Then We pardoned you after all that, that perhaps you might be grateful) (2:52)
Abū Jaʿfar said: The explanation of His saying: (Then We pardoned you after all that) — by this is meant: We refrained from striking you immediately with punishment, "after all that," that is to say: after you had taken the calf as a god. As:
927 — Al-Muthannā ibn Ibrāhīm related it to me, he said: Ādam al-ʿAsqalānī related to us, he said: Abū Jaʿfar related to us, on the authority of al-Rabīʿ, on the authority of Abū al-ʿĀliya: (Then We pardoned you after all that) — by this is meant: after you had taken the calf.
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As for the explanation of His saying: (that perhaps you might be grateful) — by this He means: that you might be grateful. The meaning of "laʿalla" ("perhaps") in this place has the meaning of "kay" ("so that"). I have already set forth previously that one of the meanings of "laʿalla" is "kay," in a manner that suffices, so that there is no need to repeat it in this place.¹¹²
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The meaning of the saying is thus: Then We pardoned you after you had taken the calf as a god, that you might be grateful to Me for My pardon to you, since pardon necessitates gratitude in people of intellect and insight.
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Footnotes:
(112) See what has already preceded, volume 1: 364–365.
