In this verse, Banī Isrāˈīl were prohibited from two matters: (1) to not mix the truth with falsehood and (2) to not conceal the truth.

The word ḥaqq has been used twice in the verse, but what is the meaning of ḥaqq here? Clarifying this, the Quranic commentators say:

نَعْتُ مُحَمَّدٍ صَلَّی اللہُ عَلَیْہِ وَ آلِہٖ وَ سَلَّم فِی التَّوْرَاۃِ

“The meaning of ḥaqq here is the description of the beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم in the Torah.”^[1]

Thus, it was said to Banī Isrāˈīl: O you who claim to believe in the Torah, We have mentioned the description, qualities and virtues of Our beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم in the Torah! It contains mention of his noble face, his blessed mannerisms, the seal of Prophethood, his way of walking, his manner of speaking, his city, his birth, his emigration, his physical departure from the world. In short, his attributes and character have been clearly mentioned therein. So, O people of the Torah, it is incumbent upon you to neither make any additions of your own regarding his description nor to conceal it. Rather, make known his description as much as you can.

سُـبْحٰـنَ الـلّٰــه! Dear Islamic brothers! We learn that publicising the description and excellences of the beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم is something liked by Allah Almighty. So, how fortunate are those who make mention of the beloved Prophet’s characteristics, recite odes in his praise, commemorate his Mawlid, participate in processions, and attain the honour of mentioning him.

Prophetic praise in the heavenly books

Dear Islamic brothers! The People of the Book were commanded to spread the praise of the beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. Those from among them who remained non-Muslims did not attain this honour. Let us gain this honour today. We cannot fully articulate the characteristics and qualities of the beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم that were mentioned in the previous heavenly books, for we do not have the tongues that can mention him as is his right, and