174- THOSE CONCEALING WHAT ALLAH SENT DOWN OF THE BOOK AND SELL IT FOR A MISERELY PRICE.  WHAT THEY EAT INTO THEIR BELLIES IS BUT THE FIRE.  ALLAH DOES NOT SPEAK AT THEM ON THE DAY OF RESURRECTION, DOES NOT PURIFY THEM, AND THEY SHALL HAVE PAINFUL PUNISHMENT.

175- THEY ARE THOSE WHO EXCHANGED GUIDANCE FOR MISGUIDANCE AND FORGIVENESS FOR PUNISHMENT.  VERY PATIENT THEY WILL HAVE TO BE WHEN SUFFERING THE FIRE.

176- BECAUSE ALLAH SENT THE BOOK DOWN WITH THE TRUTH, WHILE THOSE DISPUTING CONCERNING IT ARE EXTREMELY APART FROM THE TRUTH.

The Jews of the Medina knew about the coming of a prophet from Allah whom they expected to be one of them, and they used to tell the Arabs about it.  When the prophet came from the Arabs, they denied it.

Whenever Allah the Highest gives someone and people knowledge, it is a trust which has to be passed on to others.  Hiding this knowledge is a serious form of lying. 

This concealment usually happens for some form of gain.  It might be wealth, status or power, or favour to someone in power.  Regardless, what they gain, will lead them to the Hell-Fire.  Allah the Highest is giving a Parable here, simulating what they gain with swallowing fire into their bellies.  Indeed, this is likely to happen to them in reality in the Hell-Fire.  A similar image was drawn of people who devour others money illegally, having their money heated in the fire to burn them with.  Allah the Highest said: “THE DAY WHEN IT WILL BE HEATED IN THE FIRE OF GAHANAM, AND THEIR FACES, SIDES, AND BACKS SHALL BE BURNED WITH IT.  THIS IS WHAT YOU TREASURE FOR YOURSELVES, SO TASTE WHAT YOU TREASURED”.  (S: 9 A: 35)

Allah not speaking to and turning away from people shows His anger with them.  Purifying people on the Day of Resurrection is forgiving people their sins in order to grant them the Paradise.  On the Day of Resurrection, they are rejected and despised.

They are trading the guidance given to them for the misguidance they speak and follow, which misguides others too.  They are trading the Reward of the Paradise they shall have if they follow this guidance for the Punishment they shall suffer for following the misguidance.

As they knowingly persevered with their misguidance and with their ways, they shall have to be patient in tolerating the Punishment.  The difference is that in this life they have a choice while in the Hereafter, they do not.  Their punishment will not be lightened, nor will they be reprieved.

Then, closing statement that the truth is in our Book, the Quran, and Teaching of Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him.  To go astray of the Right. 

This warning applies to Muslims as much as to others.  We have Allah’s teachings, Allah’s guidance.  To hide it or parts of it for any reason or gain, or even to save ourselves suffering, is something we shall have to answer for to the Almighty.  Our responsibility is greater not less.