What does 2:104 in the Qur'an mean?

Question

2:104: O you who believe, do not say, "Raa`ena" (be our shepherd). Instead, you should say, "Unzurna" (watch over us), and listen.

Answer 1

First why you don't look in tafsir websites; I think its the most proper way to look for Quran meanings.

For this time I looked for you :
Chapter 2 verse 104
" O you who believe! Say not (to the Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم) Râ‘ina [1] but say Unzurna (make us understand) and hear. And for the disbelievers there is a painful torment"

The meaning is :

Then Allah mentions His prohibition to the believers not to use the same vocabulary used by the Jews, saying: (O ye who believe) in Muhammad and the Qur'an, (say not) to Muhammad: ( " Listen to us " ) lend us your ear (but say " Look upon us, " ) look at us and hear us, and it is for this reason that Allah forbade the believers to use the Jews' vocabulary (and be ye listeners) to what you have been commanded to do and obey. (For disbelievers) for the Jews (is a painful doom) which will extend to their hearts.

Chapter 4 verse 46
" Among those who are Jews, there are some who displace words from (their) right places and say: "We hear your word (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم and disobey," and "Hear and let you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) hear nothing." And Râ‘ina [1] with a twist of their tongues and as a mockery of the religion (Islâm). And if only they had said: "We hear and obey", and "Do make us understand," it would have been better for them, and more proper; but Allâh has cursed them for their disbelief, so they believe not except a few."

The meaning is :
(Some of those who are Jews) Malik Ibn al-Sayf and his friends (change words from their context) they change the traits and description of Muhammad after these were exposited upon in the Torah, and then come to Muhammad (and say: “We hear) your words, O Muhammad (and disobey) your command, when he is not around them; and we (hear thou) O Muhammad (as one who heareth not” and “Listen to us!” distorting with their tongues and slandering religion. If they had said: “We hear) your saying, O Muhammad (and we obey) your command; (hear you) hear from us, (and look at us” it had been better for them) than their insults and defamation, (and more upright) and more correct. (But Allah hath cursed them) punishes them by making them pay the capitation tax (for their disbelief) as a punishment for their disbelief, (so they believe not, save a few) among them who have accepted Islam such as 'Abdullah Ibn Salam and his friends.

I got it from :

http://www.altafsir.com/
http://www.qurancomplex.org

For tafsir of the meaning of the Quran :

http://www.altafsir.com/
http://www.elsharawy.com/
http://www.alazhr.com/

May God lead us to the right way

Answer 2

Replies of 'Ummagnoon' and 'Amine B' are correct. Jews used the word in Arabic, but with the Hebrew meaning, which is disrespectful to Prophet Mohammed (pbuh), Muslims are told in this verse not to use this word. Muslims were not even allowed to call Mohammed: "Mohammed", God ordered them to call him "Prophet of Allah". This shows that respecting a Prophet (any Prophet by his people) is a must.

Answer 3

{ يَاأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ لاَ تَقُولُواْ رَاعِنَا وَقُولُواْ ٱنْظُرْنَا وَٱسْمَعُواْ وَلِلكَافِرِينَ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ }


O you who believe, do not say, to the Prophet (s), 'Observe us,' (rā'inā is an imperative form from murā'āt), which they used to say to him, and this was a derogatory term in Hebrew, derived from the noun al-ru'ūna ['thoughtlessness']. They found this very amusing and used to address the Prophet (s) in this way, and so the believers were forbidden to use it; but say, instead, 'Regard us', that is, look at us, and give ear, to what you are commanded and be prepared to accept it; and for disbelievers awaits a painful chastisement, that is, the Fire

Answer 4

It means to be beware of using words that sound complimentary, but in fact contain empty flattery. We should speak in terms of honesty and straightforwardness rather than trying to impress with words of vanity. Insincerity rings hollow and Allah knows who is True and who is False.

Answer 5

it means chapter 2 verse number 104

Answer 6

Kill Jews!