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wa-la-qad ʾātaynā mūsā l-kitāba fa-khtulifa fīhi wa-law-lā kalimatun sabaqat min rabbika la-quḍiya baynahum wa-ʾinnahum la-fī shakkin minhu murībin
Certainly We gave Moses the Book, but differences arose about it; and were it not for a prior decree of your Lord, judgement would have been made between them, for they are in grave doubt concerning it.
— Ali Quli Qarai
Surah Fussilat - Verse 45
45. And indeed We gave Moses the Scripture [the Torah], but dispute arose therein. And had it not been for a Word that went forth before from your Lord [regarding granting respite], the matter would have [definitely] been settled between them [and all disputants would have been chastised]. But truly, they are in grave doubt [and suspicion] thereto [the Qur’an].
Familiarity with the history of Prophets is a source of consolation to the Noble Prophet (S) and Muslims. Divine Lordship grants respites to sinners so that they may repent and attain to spiritual growth. God Almighty grants respites to sinners to repent otherwise they had no way to turn to repentance. The blessed Verse is a consolation to the Noble Prophet (S) saying that the disputes concerning the Qur’an amongst Muslims and subjective interpretations thereof is not unprecedented since the people of Moses (as) did the same – some of them acknowledged the Torah as a Divinely Revealed Scripture and some denied his Prophetic Call.
The blessed Verse is saying that had it not been for a Word, i.e. God’s Promise, that went forth before from Him regarding granting them respite, He would have definitely chastised them; however, the fact is that these disbelievers turn away from the Qur’anic Message and they will remain in doubt and suspicion, hence their disbelief.