The Eternal Curse for Those Who hide Religious Commandments

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَكۡتُمُونَ مَآ أَنزَلۡنَا مِنَ ٱلۡبَيِّنَـٰتِ وَٱلۡهُدَىٰ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ مَا بَيَّنَّـٰهُ لِلنَّاسِ

عَلَيۡہِمۡ‌ۚ وَأَنَا ٱلتَّوَّابُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

Verily, those who conceal the clear proofs, evidences and the guidance, which We have sent down, after We have made it clear for the People in the Book, they are the ones cursed by Allah and cursed by the cursers. Except those who repent and do righteous deeds, and openly declare (the truth which they concealed). These, I will accept their repentance. And I am the One Who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful. (2:159-160)

Tafsir (Ibn Kathir)

The Eternal Curse for Those Who hide Religious Commandments

These Ayat sternly warn against those who hide the clear signs that the Messengers were sent with, which guide to the correct path and beneficial guidance for the hearts, after Allah has made such aspects clear for His servants through the Books that He revealed to His Messengers. Certainly, just as everything asks for forgiveness for a scholar, even the fish in the sea and the bird in the air, then those who hide knowledge are cursed by Allah and by the cursers. Abu Hurayrah narrated that Allah’s Messenger said:

“Whoever was asked about knowledge that one has, but he hid it, then a bridle made of fire will be tied around his mouth on the Day of Resurrection.”

It is also recorded by Al-Bukhari that Abu Hurayrah said, “If it was not for an Ayah in Allah’s Book, I would not have narrated a Hadith for anyone: Verily, those who conceal the clear proofs, evidences and the guidance, which We have sent down”

(and cursed by the cursers) means that the angels and the believers will curse them. Moreover, a Hadith states that everything, including the fish in the sea, asks for forgiveness for the scholars. The Ayah (2:159 above) states that those who hide the knowledge will be cursed, (in this life and) on the Day of Resurrection, by Allah, the angels, all humanity, and those who curse (including the animals) each in its own distinct way. Allah knows best.

From this punishment, Allah excluded all who repent to Him:

(Except those who repent and do righteous deeds, and openly declare (the truth which they concealed)

This Ayah refers to those who regret what they have been doing and correct their behavior and, thus, explain to the people what they have been hiding.

(These, I will accept their repentance. And I am the One Who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful.)

This Ayah also indicates that those who used to call to innovation, or even disbelief, and repent to Allah, then Allah will forgive them.

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