Surah Al-Baqarah (2:89)

وَلَمَّا جَآءَهُمۡ كِتٰبٌ مِّنۡ عِنۡدِ اللّٰهِ مُصَدِّقٌ لِّمَا مَعَهُمۡۙ وَكَانُوۡا مِنۡ قَبۡلُ يَسۡتَفۡتِحُوۡنَ عَلَى الَّذِيۡنَ كَفَرُوۡا ۖۚ فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُمۡ مَّا عَرَفُوۡا کَفَرُوۡا بِهٖ فَلَعۡنَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَى الۡكٰفِرِيۡنَ‏ ۝

Walamma jaahum kitabunmin AAindi Allahi musaddiqun lima maAAahumwakanoo min qablu yastaftihoona AAala allatheenakafaroo falamma jaahum ma AAarafoo kafaroobihi falaAAnatu Allahi AAala alkafireen

And when there came to them a Book i.e., the Qur’ān from Allāh confirming that which was with them - although before they used to pray for victory against those who disbelieved - but then when there came to them that which they recognized, they disbelieved in it; so the curse of Allāh will be upon the disbelievers.

Tadabbur (Reflection)

Theme of the Ayat

The Tragedy of Known Truth: Rejecting what they recognized in their own book.

The Insight

When the Qur'an came, confirming the Prophet whom they had long expected based on their own scripture, they disbelieved out of envy and arrogance. Do not let envy or self-interest prevent acceptance of truth. Recognizing something as good or true, yet rejecting it because it benefits a rival or challenges our position, is a profound and inexcusable spiritual failure.