[1] Some of the dangerous causes of blameworthy differing

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Allah, The Most High, said:

كَانَ ٱلنَّاسُ أُمَّةً وَٰحِدَةً فَبَعَثَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلنَّبِيِّۦنَ مُبَشِّرِينَ وَمُنذِرِينَ وَأَنزَلَ مَعَهُمُ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ بِٱلْحَقِّ لِيَحْكُمَ بَيْنَ ٱلنَّاسِ فِيمَا ٱخْتَلَفُوا۟ فِيهِ وَمَا ٱخْتَلَفَ فِيهِ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوهُ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا جَآءَتْهُمُ ٱلْبَيِّنَٰتُ بَغْيًۢا بَيْنَهُمْ فَهَدَى ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لِمَا ٱخْتَلَفُوا۟ فِيهِ مِنَ ٱلْحَقِّ بِإِذْنِهِۦ وَٱللَّهُ يَهْدِى مَن يَشَآءُ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ

Mankind was [of] one religion [before their deviation]; then Allah sent the prophets as bringers of good tidings and warners and sent down with them the Scripture in truth to judge between the people concerning that in which they differed. And none differed over the Scripture except those who were given it – after the clear proofs came to them – out of jealous animosity among themselves. And Allah guided those who believed to the truth concerning that over which they had differed, by His permission. And Allah guides whom He wills to a straight path. [Al-Baqarah 213]

فمعنى قوله جل ثناؤه: ” وما اختلف فيه إلا الذين أوتوه من بعد ما جاءتهم البينات بغيًا بينهم “، من ذلك. يقول: لم يكن اختلاف هؤلاء المختلفين من اليهود من بني إسرائيل في كتابي الذي أنـزلته مع نبييِّ عن جهل منهم به، بل كان اختلافهم فيه، وخلافُ حكمه، من بعد ما ثبتت حجته عليهم، بغيًا بينهم، طلبَ الرياسة من بعضهم على بعض، واستذلالا من بعضم لبعض

Meaning: The disagreement of those Jews amongst the Children of Israel regarding My Book, which I revealed to My Prophet, was not due to ignorance regarding it.

Rather, their disagreement concerning it and their contradiction (opposition) of its ruling came after its proof had been firmly established against them — out of jealous enmity and rivalry among themselves, seeking leadership over one another, and some seeking to dominate and humiliate others.

[Tafsir at-Tabari paraphrased]