and they broke up their unity out of mutual jealousy only after they had come to know . and had it not been for a decree that had already gone forth from thy sustainer until a term set all would indeed have been decided between them . as it is behold they who have inherited their divine writ from those who preceded them are in grave doubt amounting to suspicion about what it por­tends.
وما تفرقوا إلا من بعد ما جاءهم العلم بغيا بينهم ولولا كلمة سبقت من ربك إلى أجل مسمى لقضي بينهم وإن الذين أورثوا الكتاب من بعدهم لفي شك منه مريب