What does being 'despicable' (Khasi'een) mean in Quran 2:65 and 7:166?

In Quran 2:65 and 7:166, 'Khasi'een' (خَاسِئِينَ) means to be despicable, rejected, humbled, and driven away. According to classical scholars like Al-Tabari, it signifies a state of ultimate humiliation. The divine punishment of being turned into apes was the physical manifestation of this despised and rejected state.

Why were the Sabbath-breakers turned into despicable apes?

The Sabbath-breakers were turned into 'despicable apes' as a divine punishment for their cunning disobedience. Tafsir authorities like Ibn Kathir explain they used trickery to circumvent Allah's command to not fish on the Sabbath. The transformation into apes reflected their spiritual state of animalistic greed and mockery of divine law.

Was the transformation into apes literal or metaphorical?

The vast majority of classical Islamic scholars, including Ibn Kathir and Ibn Abbas, hold that the transformation of the Sabbath-breakers into apes was a literal, physical punishment. While a minority view suggested a metaphorical change of character, the dominant scholarly consensus affirms a miraculous physical change as a divine warning.

Despicable (Khasi'een): Quranic Punishment for Transgression

↑Parent: Apes

despicable

Explore Verses Related to despicable

🕌Al-Baqarah2:65 🕋Al-A'raf7:166

At a Glance

According to search-discovered classical Islamic scholarship, the term 'despicable' in the Quran (2:65, 7:166) is a translation of the Arabic word 'Khasi'een' (خَاسِئِينَ), which signifies a state of being utterly rejected, humbled, and driven away. This divine punishment was pronounced upon a group from the Children of Israel, known as the Sabbath-breakers, who used deceitful trickery to violate God's command. Tafsir authorities like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi explain that Allah's decree, 'Be you apes, despicable,' resulted in a literal physical transformation. This metamorphosis was not arbitrary; it was a manifestation of their inner spiritual state, where their human intellect was debased for animalistic greed and mockery of divine law. Thus, 'Khasi'een' is not merely an insult but a divinely enacted state of abasement, serving as a profound lesson ('ibrah) for all time on the severe consequences of arrogant disobedience.

📖 Quranic Context

A specific and severe divine punishment linked to the transformation of the Sabbath-breakers into apes.

Represents a state of being utterly rejected and humbled by Allah as a consequence of arrogant disobedience and deceit.

References: Referenced in 2:65 and 7:166.

💭 Theological Perspective

Demonstrates the potential for human debasement when divine commands are arrogantly transgressed.

The external punishment reflects an internal state of spiritual degradation; their animalistic greed and cunning were manifested in their physical form.

Serves as a profound admonition ('ibrah) and a severe warning (nakal) for all generations against finding loopholes in divine law.

Illustrates the concept of 'maskh' (metamorphosis) as a form of divine punishment for rebellion.

📜 Hadith Perspective

Prophetic traditions confirm the transformed people did not procreate and perished soon after, clarifying that the apes of today are not their descendants.

The story is used to warn against using deceitful means (hilah) to circumvent religious prohibitions.
The communal obligation to forbid evil, as the Quran states that those who actively forbade the evil were saved.

The vast majority of classical scholars, including Ibn Abbas and Qatadah, affirm this was a literal, physical transformation, not merely a metaphorical one.

💎 Deeper Insights

Search grounding reveals the punishment's nature as a perfect mirror of the sin. The transgressors used their human intellect to act with animalistic cunning and mimic obedience; consequently, their physical form was transformed into an animal known for mimicry (apes), making their outward appearance match their inward reality. This is a profound example of divine justice where the punishment fits the crime.

— Ibn Kathir, Al-Qurtubi

A deeper analysis integrating Al-A'raf's narrative shows the community was split into three groups: the sinners, the silent, and the admonishers. The Quran confirms the salvation of the admonishers, making the core lesson not just about individual sin, but about the communal duty to forbid evil. The state of being 'despicable' was thus a consequence of both active transgression and passive complicity.

— Al-Qurtubi, Ibn Kathir

Explore Verses Related to despicable

At a Glance

📖 Quranic Context

💭 Theological Perspective

📜 Hadith Perspective

💎 Deeper Insights

Related Topics

Parent Topic

Topics with Similar Verses (3)