Context from Tafheem: These verses return to the theme of the People of the Book, specifically their religious scholars, and condemn a specific, grave sin: the deliberate concealment of divine guidance after it has been made clear to them. This contrasts with the previous verse’s validation of open, sincere worship.

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سورة البقرة (Surah Al-Baqarah)

آية 159

القرآن: إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَكْتُمُونَ مَا أَنزَلْنَا مِنَ الْبَيِّنَاتِ وَالْهُدَىٰ مِن بَعْدِ مَا بَيَّنَّاهُ لِلنَّاسِ فِي الْكِتَابِ ۙ أُولَٰئِكَ يَلْعَنُهُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَلْعَنُهُمُ اللَّاعِنُونَ
Translation: Indeed, those who conceal what We have sent down of clear proofs and guidance after We have made it clear for the people in the Scripture – those are cursed by Allah and cursed by those who curse.

Explanation (Tafheemul Quran):
Maududi explains that this verse targets the religious scholars (Ahbar) of the Jews (and by implication, any learned people) who were guilty of a profound betrayal.

· The Sin of Concealment: The crime is not ignorance, but the deliberate concealment (kitman) of the clear proofs and guidance God has revealed. This refers to hiding the prophecies about Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) found in the Torah and the Gospel, as well as distorting other clear commandments to suit their interests.
· The Aggravating Factor: This is done “after We have made it clear for the people in the Scripture.” They are not hiding ambiguous texts; they are suppressing evidence that is explicit and undeniable. This makes it an act of willful disobedience and deception.
· The Double Curse: The punishment is severe:

1. “Cursed by Allah”: They are expelled from God’s mercy and grace.
2. “Cursed by those who curse”: Maududi explains that this means they become deserving of condemnation by all right-thinking people, including the angels, the prophets, and the believers. They are universally condemned.

آية 160

القرآن: إِلَّا الَّذِينَ تَابُوا وَأَصْلَحُوا وَبَيَّنُوا فَأُولَٰئِكَ أَتُوبُ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ وَأَنَا التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ
Translation: Except for those who repent, reform, and make clear. I will accept their repentance, and I am the Accepting of Repentance, the Merciful.

Explanation (Tafheemul Quran):
This verse provides the path of redemption, even for this grave sin. Maududi outlines the three conditions for repentance that must be met together:

1. “Those who repent” (tabu): This is the internal act: feeling genuine remorse and regret in the heart for the sin of concealment, and turning back to God with sincerity.
2. “And reform” (wa aslahu): This is the corrective action in behavior. It means ceasing the act of concealment and aligning one’s future conduct with the truth.
3. “And make clear” (wa bayyanu): This is the crucial, active step of restitution. It is not enough to stop hiding the truth; one must actively disclose and proclaim the very truths they had previously concealed. They must now work to spread the clear guidance they once hid.

The Divine Promise: For those who fulfill these three conditions, God promises: “I will accept their repentance.” This is affirmed by His attributes: “I am the Accepting of Repentance (al-Tawwab), the Merciful (al-Rahim).” Even for the sin of corrupting religious knowledge, the door of mercy remains open for genuine, comprehensive repentance.

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Summary from Tafheemul Quran Perspective (Verses 159-160):

Maududi’s commentary highlights the grave responsibility of religious scholars and those with knowledge:

1. The Ultimate Betrayal: The most severe sin in matters of faith is to possess divine truth and then hide it from people, especially for worldly gain, status, or partisan pride.
2. Universality of the Principle: While addressed to the Jewish scholars, the principle applies to any learned person, including Muslims, who might conceal known truths from the Quran and Sunnah.
3. The Nature of True Repentance: Repentance for a public, damaging sin is not private. It requires public rectification—actively spreading the truth one once suppressed. This restores the benefit to the community.
4. Boundless Mercy: The conclusion reinforces God’s attribute of mercy, showing that no sin is beyond forgiveness if followed by sincere, corrective repentance. This offers hope while establishing a stern warning.