The Sabbath is the source of the saying of the Jews when they magnified their Sabbath. The meaning is that the burden of the Sabbath, which is transformation, was placed upon those who differed regarding it. Their difference was that they permitted hunting on it at times and prohibited it at other times. It was obligatory upon them to agree on its prohibition with one voice after Allah had decreed upon them patience from hunting on it and its magnification.

The meaning in mentioning this is similar to the meaning in striking the example of the village that disbelieved in the favors of Allah, and other than what has been mentioned, which is a warning of Allah's wrath upon the disobedient and those who oppose His commands and who cast off the yoke of His obedience. If you say:

What is the meaning of judging between them if they are all either permissive or prohibitive? I say: Its meaning is that He will reward them according to their differing actions in being permissive at times and prohibitive at other times. Another aspect is that Moses, peace be upon him, commanded them to designate a day for worship during the week, and that the day be Friday. They refused him and said: We want the day on which Allah completed the creation of the heavens and the earth, which is Saturday, except for a few among them who were pleased with Friday. This is their difference regarding the Sabbath because some chose it while others chose Friday over it. So Allah permitted them on the Sabbath and tested them by prohibiting hunting on it. Those who were pleased with Friday obeyed Allah's command and did not hunt on it, while their descendants did not remain patient regarding hunting, so Allah transformed them while sparing those who obeyed. He will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection, and each one of the two groups will be rewarded according to what they deserve. The meaning of making the Sabbath is that it was imposed upon them to magnify it and to refrain from hunting on it. It has been recited: 'Indeed, the Sabbath was made,' in the active voice. And Abdullah recited: 'Indeed, We sent down the Sabbath.'