And unto those who are Jews, We forbade every (animal) with undivided hoof

Question :

Please clarify the meaning of this verse:
"And unto those who are Jews. We forbade every (animal) with undivided hoof, and We forbade them the fat of the ox and the sheep except what adheres to their backs or their entrails, or is mixed up with the bone. Thus We recompensed them for their rebellion. And verily, We are Truthful."

Answer:

The hooves of some animals are divided - such as the goat and cow-and the hooves of other animals are not divided - such as the camel. In this verse, Allah Almighty forbade the Jews from the latter category of animals. Next, Allâh Almighty forbade them from the fat of the ox and the sheep, with the exception of the following, which is permissible for them:
"Except what adheres to their backs or their entrails, or is mixed up with the bone."

Allâh Almighty clarified that this prohibition was because of their transgression and wrongdoing, and from another verse we learn that Allah Almighty prohibited them from pure, good things because of their wrongdoing:
"For the wrongdoing of the Jews, We made unlawful to them certain good foods which has been lawful to them, and for their hindering many from Allah's Way."

It was a form of punishment for them in this world:
"Thus We recompensed them for their rebellion. And verily, We are Truthful."

The last pronoun, "We," refers to Allah Almighty, and the plural is used to glorify Him Almighty, the most truthful of speakers, and the most just of judges.

But we shouldn't only understand here that the Jews were forbidden from lawful, good things because of their wrongdoing; we may also be forbidden from lawful, good things if we do wrong; we won't be forbidden by revelation, but we may be prevented by decree. How so? After a person has performed. certain sins, he may be afflicted with a sickness that prevents him from eating certain foods, or Allah Almighty may afflict a sinning people with drought and famine. And if people obey Allâh Almighty and His Messenger, then this is what Allah Almighty says:

"And if the people of the towns had believed and had piety, certainly, We should have opened for them blessings from the heaven and the earth."

We ask Allah Almighty to help us realize both faith and piety.