the language of the Jews was a word by which [some of them would insult others]. So they said: 'Let us go and insult Muhammad.' They [made clear] the insult to him, and they would come to him and say: 'O Muhammad, ra'ina (listen to us),' and they would laugh. A man from the Ansar who knew their language realized this and said: 'O enemies of God, upon you is the curse of God. By the One in whose hand is my soul, if I hear any man among you repeating this after this gathering of mine, I will surely strike his neck.' They said: 'Are you not saying it to the Prophet?' Thus, God said to those who believed: 'Do not say' to Muhammad: 'ra'ina,' but rather say: 'unzurna (look at us/wait for us),' meaning: wait for us so we may understand. The believers then said: 'Now, if you hear a man from the Jews saying to your Prophet: ra'ina, then beat him severely.' The Jews refrained from it after that.
Muhammad said: Others besides Yahya mentioned that the Muslims used to say to the Messenger of God, peace and blessings of God be upon him: 'ra'ina' and 'ar'ina sam'ak' (lend us your hearing). The root of the word is from 'ra'aytu al-rajul' (I observed the man), meaning: I scrutinized him and learned his state, [and from this it is said: 'ar'ini sam'ak' (lend me your hearing)]. The Jews used to say it to the Messenger of God, peace and blessings of God be upon him, while it was an insult in their language, and they would distort it toward what was in their hearts of insult to the Messenger of God, peace and blessings of God be upon him, and disparagement of him.
His saying, the Exalted: 'wa-isma'u' (and listen), meaning: listen to what the Messenger of God, peace and blessings of God be upon him, commands you. Do not be like the disbelievers who do not say: 'unzurna,' and do not listen to the word of the Messenger of God, peace and blessings of God be upon him. ''adhabun alim' (a painful punishment), meaning: agonizing. [Verse 105]
