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Qur'aanic Studies - Volume II
by
Mohammad Shafi
PREFACE
Below the Arabic text of every verse of the Qur'aan, is its transliteration, followed by translation and Chapter Notes, if any, essentially based on the Qur'aan itself. Please remember that the Arabic text is divine and, therefore, sacrosanct, but the transliteration, translation and the Notes are human and, therefore, subject to correction. Please also remember that the human-made Notes cannot, and do not, explain the divine verses. They seek to explain the human translation only and/or to relate the verse to present circumstances or to divine explanations given in other verses of the Qur'aan.
I have adopted the transliteration method employed by the Muslim Students' Association (MSA) of the University of Southern California. And, in this regard, I may usefully quote from their site:
"MSA-USC would like to thank muslimnet.net for making their transliteration of the Qur'an publicly available.
'We would like to emphasize that this [transliteration] text is not a substitute for the original Arabic Qur'an. It is only an attempt to help those who are trying to learn to read the Arabic text, since it is as close to the written text as possible.
It is important to practice pronouncing the letters as directed in the transliteration table, especially the underlined letters, before starting to read. It will be helpful if an Arabic speaker can help you.
This work is free for use to everyone as long as no changes that might distort it are done to it. We request from those who benefit from it to pray for us. We pray to Almighty Allah to help you learn to read the Holy Qur'an, and to do every good thing.'"
I present this humble work in the earnest hope that it will prompt my Readers to try and understand the divine Message in its original Arabic text. They should remember that no translation however meticulously done can ever equal the original Arabic text in its divine grandeur and pristine clarity.
One may wonder why this yet another addition to the existing plethora of Translations and Commentaries! The answer to this question lies in the beauty of the fact that the divine Message of the Qur'aan remains valid for all times and ages since its revelation until the Last Day. The Message therefore needs to be studied from time to time in the changing perspectives of the changing times. It would be absolutely wrong to confine this universal Message for mankind to the circumstances and situations of a particular period in the past. Unfortunately, however, most of the commentators so far have based their understanding of the Qur'aan in the strict perspective of the circumstances and situations prevailing at the time of its revelation way back in 7th century A.D. The Muslim mindset generally has thus got stagnated and therefore unable to cope with the changing situations of the changing times. This humble attempt of mine is to help Muslims generally to come out, Allah willing, of that crippling stagnation.
This Volume of my Qur'aanic Studies covers Al-Baqarah Verses 79 to 141.
Mohammad Shafi
Mumbai, INDIA,
24th August, 2006
سورة البقرة
Chapter 2: The Cow
| 79 |
فَوَيْلٌ لِّلَّذِينَ يَكْتُبُونَ الْكِتَابَ بِأَيْدِيهِمْ ثُمَّ يَقُولُونَ هَـٰذَا مِنْ عِندِ اللَّهِ لِيَشْتَرُوا بِهِ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًا ۖ فَوَيْلٌ لَّهُم مِّمَّا كَتَبَتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَوَيْلٌ لَّهُم مِّمَّا يَكْسِبُونَ |
79. Fawaylun lillatheena yaktuboona alkitaba bi-aydeehim thumma yaqooloona hatha min AAindi Allahi liyashtaroo bihi thamanan qaleelan fawaylun lahum mimma katabat aydeehim wawaylun lahum mimma yaksiboona
79. Woe then104 unto those who write the book with their own hands, but claim it to be from Allah so as to trade it for a little gain! Woe then unto them for what their hands wrote, and woe unto them for what they earn.105
104. There is obvious connection here to the earlier Verse 77 wherein people are reminded that Allah knows all that they reveal and all that they conceal. This 79th verse has relevance too to the immediately preceding Verse 78, the unlettered people spoken of wherein could easily be led astray by man-written books falsely publicised as divine.
105. The divine condemnation contained in this verse should not be misconstrued - as some people seem to do - as condemnation of all those who write books on religious topics and market them for a price. What is condemned here is knowingly passing off of a personal opinion or view falsely as a divine edict, without adequate evidence therefor from a truly and purely divine source, uncontaminated by human interpolations. The Qur'aan is the only such source available to us now! It is the only source, moreover, enjoying divine guarantee of protection [Q: 15.9].
| 80 |
وَقَالُوا لَن تَمَسَّنَا النَّارُ إِلَّا أَيَّامًا مَّعْدُودَةً ۚ قُلْ أَتَّخَذْتُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ عَهْدًا فَلَن يُخْلِفَ اللَّهُ عَهْدَهُ ۖ أَمْ تَقُولُونَ عَلَى اللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ |
80. Waqaloo lan tamassana alnnaru illa ayyaman maAAdoodatan qul attakhathtum AAinda Allahi AAahdan falan yukhlifa Allahu AAahdahu am taqooloona AAala Allahi ma la taAAlamoona
80. And they say, "The Fire shall not touch us, but for a few days." Say, "Have you taken from Allah a pledge, which He would not breach? Or is it that you say of Allah what you know not?!"106
106. It may be remembered that this is a continuation of a narrative about the Jews. And it was the Jews who were the original authors of the arrogant statement that the Fire would not touch them, but for a few days if at all! But now, the Jews are not alone in this arrogance! The Christians are sure that, whatever be their sins, their belief in the divinity of Jesus (peace be upon him) will fetch them the passport to Paradise. And the Muslims! Well, most of them are sure that, whatever be their sins, Muhammad (peace be upon him) will intercede on their behalf to get them into Paradise.
| 81 |
بَلَىٰ مَن كَسَبَ سَيِّئَةً وَأَحَاطَتْ بِهِ خَطِيئَتُهُ فَأُولَـٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ |
81. Bala man kasaba sayyi-atan waahatat bihi khatee-atuhu faola-ika as-habu alnnari hum feeha khalidoona
81. Nay! Whosoever earns evil and his errror has engulfed him, he would be among dwellers of the Fire, therein to abide!
| 82 |
وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ أُولَـٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ الْجَنَّةِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ |
82. Waallatheena amanoo waAAamiloo alssalihati ola-ika as-habu aljannati hum feeha khalidoona
82. And those who believe and do righteous deeds! Those shall be the dwellers of Paradise, therein to abide!107
107. Allah, in verse 81, categorically denies the arrogant claim, be it from the Jews, the Christians, the nominal Muslims or any other community. HE lays down the criteria, in verses 81 and 82, for anyone to be welcomed into Paradise, or to be thrown into Hell-fire!
| 83 |
وَإِذْ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَاقَ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ لَا تَعْبُدُونَ إِلَّا اللَّهَ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا وَذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْيَتَامَىٰ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَقُولُوا لِلنَّاسِ حُسْنًا وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ ثُمَّ تَوَلَّيْتُمْ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا مِّنكُمْ وَأَنتُم مُّعْرِضُونَ |
83. Wa-ith akhathna meethaqa banee isra-eela la taAAbudoona illa Allaha wabialwalidayni ihsanan wathee alqurba waalyatama waalmasakeeni waqooloo lilnnasi husnan waaqeemoo alssalata waatoo alzzakata thumma tawallaytum illa qaleelan minkum waantum muAAridoona
83. And when We made a covenant with Children of Israel that they shall not worship anyone but Allah and shall be good to parents, near ones, the orphans and the poor, that they shall speak to the people nicely, establish proper prayer108 & 109 and give the Zakaat110! You then - except for a few of you - went back on your promises. And you are people wont to slide back to bad habits!
108. Please see Chapter Note 4 in this context. We have seen there, in Qur'aanic light, what saying/establishing proper prayers would mean. Besides the verses quoted in that Note, other Qur'aanic verses command us to be devout (2.238), humble (23.2) and constant (70.23) in our prayers. We are instructed to offer our prayers at fixed times (4.103) and to be neither too loud nor muted while saying the prayers (17.110). Allah categorically tells us to establish prayers solely for His rememberance (20.14). HE asks us to guard our prayers (2.238, 23.9) obviously against satanic deviations from these divine instructions and commands and against saying the prayers in divinely abhorred manners described in verses 4.142, 8.35 and 9.54.
109. Although the divine instructions mentioned in the foregoing Note, for proper conduct of prayers, are from the Qur'aan, the instructions in the Torah, for Children of Israel, ought to be essentially similar as both the Books are by the same Author. And the later divine Book confirms the earlier.
110. In verse 30.39, the Qur'aan defines Zakaat as anything given away, seeking only Allah's pleasure.
| 84 |
وَإِذْ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَاقَكُمْ لَا تَسْفِكُونَ دِمَاءَكُمْ وَلَا تُخْرِجُونَ أَنفُسَكُم مِّن دِيَارِكُمْ ثُمَّ أَقْرَرْتُمْ وَأَنتُمْ تَشْهَدُونَ |
84. Wa-ith akhathna meethaqakum la tasfikoona dimaakum wala tukhrijoona anfusakum min diyarikum thumma aqrartum waantum tashhadoona
84. And when We made a covenant with you that you shall not shed your blood and shall not drive your own people out of your homes! You then affirmed. And you do bear witness!
| 85 |
ثُمَّ أَنتُمْ هَـٰؤُلَاءِ تَقْتُلُونَ أَنفُسَكُمْ وَتُخْرِجُونَ فَرِيقًا مِّنكُم مِّن دِيَارِهِمْ تَظَاهَرُونَ عَلَيْهِم بِالْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ وَإِن يَأْتُوكُمْ أُسَارَىٰ تُفَادُوهُمْ وَهُوَ مُحَرَّمٌ عَلَيْكُمْ إِخْرَاجُهُمْ ۚ أَفَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِبَعْضِ الْكِتَابِ وَتَكْفُرُونَ بِبَعْضٍ ۚ فَمَا جَزَاءُ مَن يَفْعَلُ ذَٰلِكَ مِنكُمْ إِلَّا خِزْيٌ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا ۖ وَيَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ يُرَدُّونَ إِلَىٰ أَشَدِّ الْعَذَابِ ۗ وَمَا اللَّهُ بِغَافِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ |
85. Thumma antum haola-i taqtuloona anfusakum watukhrijoona fareeqan minkum min diyarihim tathaharoona AAalayhim bial-ithmi waalAAudwani wa-in ya/tookum osara tufadoohum wahuwa muharramun AAalaykum ikhrajuhum afatu/minoona bibaAAdi alkitabi watakfuroona bibaAAdin fama jazao man yafAAalu thalika minkum illa khizyun fee alhayati alddunya wayawma alqiyamati yuraddoona ila ashaddi alAAathabi wama Allahu bighafilin AAamma taAAmaloona
85. Yet, it is you who kill your own people and drive a section from among you out of their homes, aiding and abetting in sin and hostility against them. And if they come to you as captives, you ransom them, and it is, in the first place, unlawful for you to drive them out! Do you then believe in part of the Scripture while you suppress another part thereof? Recompense to whoever does so amongst you, is nothing but ignominy in this world. And on Resurrection Day, they will be condemned to intense torment. And Allah is not unaware of what they do111 & 112.
111. Here's another indirect divine warning for us Muslims, the nominal followers of the Qur'aan! We swear by the Qur'aan, as the Jews swear by the Torah. And like the Jews' suppressing parts of the Torah, we do ignore and blatantly act, knowingly or unknowingly, against divine commands in the Qur'aan. There are examples galore; but, here, I would like to throw light on just one - a glaring one.
112. In verse 17.110, as pointed out in Note 108 above, Allah Ta'ala instructs us not to be too loud in our prayers. But here, in my part of the world, I do often hear Masaajid loudspeakers broadcasting even the prayers, besides the Azaan! Not only are the non-Muslims around disturbed by this, but it disturbs even the Muslims praying in nearby Masjid. This apart, what is more disturbing, inscrutable and universal is the blatant disobedience of the other part of the divine edict. This other part ordains that the prayers should neither be muted or of too low and feeble sound. Even so, it's a great mystery as to why we say parts of our prayers, like those of Zuhr and Asr, in absolute silence! No wonder then, that ignominy has hit us - and hit us badly, all around the world.
| 86 |
أُولَـٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ اشْتَرَوُا الْحَيَاةَ الدُّنْيَا بِالْآخِرَةِ ۖ فَلَا يُخَفَّفُ عَنْهُمُ الْعَذَابُ وَلَا هُمْ يُنصَرُونَ |
86. Ola-ika allatheena ishtarawoo alhayata alddunya bial-akhirati fala yukhaffafu AAanhumu alAAathabu wala hum yunsaroona
86. Those are the people who have purchased the life of this world for the Hereafter! So then the severity of the torment shall not be lessened for them; nor shall they be helped.
| 87 |
وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا مُوسَى الْكِتَابَ وَقَفَّيْنَا مِن بَعْدِهِ بِالرُّسُلِ ۖ وَآتَيْنَا عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ الْبَيِّنَاتِ وَأَيَّدْنَاهُ بِرُوحِ الْقُدُسِ ۗ أَفَكُلَّمَا جَاءَكُمْ رَسُولٌ بِمَا لَا تَهْوَىٰ أَنفُسُكُمُ اسْتَكْبَرْتُمْ فَفَرِيقًا كَذَّبْتُمْ وَفَرِيقًا تَقْتُلُونَ |
87. Walaqad atayna moosa alkitaba waqaffayna min baAAdihi bialrrusuli waatayna AAeesa ibna maryama albayyinati waayyadnahu biroohi alqudusi afakullama jaakum rasoolun bima la tahwa anfusukumu istakbartum fafareeqan kaththabtum wafareeqan taqtuloona
87. And We did give Moses the Book; and, after him, We caused a succession of Messengers to follow him in his track. And We gave Jesus, son of Mary, clear signs and fortified him with the Holy Spirit113-116. Didn't you become arrogant and behave haughtily whenever a messenger came to you with what wasn't in accord with your carnal desires? You then accused some of being false; and some, you killed!
113. In verses 2.253 and 5.110 too, it is similarly stated that Jesus was fortified with the Holy Spirit. And in verse 16.102, it is stated that the Holy Spirit (Roohul Qudus) brought the Qur'aan down from the Lord in Truth. In verses 26.192-194, the Trustworthy Spirit (Roohul Ameen) is stated to have brought the Qur'aan down upon Prophet Muhammad's mind/consciousness. In verse 58.22, it is stated that the Believers too are fortified with the Spirit (Rooh) from Him.
114. In verses 59.23 and 62.1, one of Allah's attributes mentioned is Quddoos (Holy). Besides, the Qur'aan states: (i) when Allah fashioned Adam from clay, He breathed into it His Spirit (15.29 & 38.71-72), (ii) when He fashioned Adam's progeny from 'contemptible water', He breathed into it from His Spirit (32.9), (iii) "We sent to her (Mary) Our Spirit", who appeared before her as a real man (19.17), whereafter, miraculously, without the agency of a man, Mary gave birth to Jesus, who was Allah's Word and a Spirit from Him (4.171), (iv) the Angels and the Spirit ascend to Him in a period of time, the measure whereof is fifty thousand years (70.4); and they (the Spirit and the Angels) would stand in attention, in rows, on the Resurrections Day (78.38), (v) the Spirit is one of Allah's Commands, and mankind has been given but little knowledge (17.85)!
115. From the Qur'aan thus, what we know, for certain, is that the Spirit or the Holy Spirit is an entity very close to Allah - so close that He calls it My or Our Spirit. This Spirit it is with which are all human lives kindled. Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) was especially fortified with it so that he could talk to people even while in his cradle and perform many miraculous deeds. All believers are also additionally fortified with it so that they keep to the right path. It was through this Spirit that Allah revealed the Qur'aan to Prophet Muhammad (peace and Allah's blessings be upon him). The Spirit nevertheless is subservient to Allah and would be standing in respectful attention, on the Resurrection Day, before Him!
116. We should be content with the info that the Qur'aan gives us on the Rooh, the Roohul Qudus or the Roohul Ameen. These Qur'aanic terms are beyond the scope of our human understanding (mutashabihaat). We should not therefore speculate over their meanings further with our own human opinions.
| 88 |
وَقَالُوا قُلُوبُنَا غُلْفٌ ۚ بَل لَّعَنَهُمُ اللَّهُ بِكُفْرِهِمْ فَقَلِيلًا مَّا يُؤْمِنُونَ |
88. Waqaloo quloobuna ghulfun bal laAAanahumu Allahu bikufrihim faqaleelan ma yu/minoona
88. And they say, "Our minds117 are closed." Nay! Allah has cursed118 them because of their suppression of the Truth. Few then are those who do believe!
117. It has been the practice in almost all the languages, that I know of, (Arabic and English, both included) to attribute the functions of the mind to the heart! It may be a human error, continued by default, from days of ignorance. But Allah can make no mistakes. I have therefore preferred 'minds' in the translation over 'hearts', both of which figure among the meanings, of the Arabic word qulub, given in the dictionary.
118. The divine curse is unlike one human being cursing another. The divine curse could constitute just the withdrawal of Allah's hand of mercy and guidance, without which no human being can ever tread the Right Path. It was such divine curse which rendered the minds of the Children of Israel closed to Allah's messages that came to them through His Messengers.
| 89 |
وَلَمَّا جَاءَهُمْ كِتَابٌ مِّنْ عِندِ اللَّهِ مُصَدِّقٌ لِّمَا مَعَهُمْ وَكَانُوا مِن قَبْلُ يَسْتَفْتِحُونَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا فَلَمَّا جَاءَهُم مَّا عَرَفُوا كَفَرُوا بِهِ ۚ فَلَعْنَةُ اللَّهِ عَلَى الْكَافِرِينَ |
89. Walamma jaahum kitabun min AAindi Allahi musaddiqun lima maAAahum wakanoo min qablu yastaftihoona AAala allatheena kafaroo falamma jaahum ma AAarafoo kafaroo bihi falaAAnatu Allahi AAala alkafireena
89. And when there came to them a Book from Allah confirming that which is with them - and they had earlier been praying for victory over those who suppressed the Truth - and when there came to them that which they recognised119, they suppressed it! So Allah's curse on those who suppress the Truth.
119. This is divine confirmation that the Jews, at the time of the revelation of this verse, knew in their consciences that the Qur'aan is divine.
| 90 |
بِئْسَمَا اشْتَرَوْا بِهِ أَنفُسَهُمْ أَن يَكْفُرُوا بِمَا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ بَغْيًا أَن يُنَزِّلَ اللَّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِ عَلَىٰ مَن يَشَاءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ ۖ فَبَاءُوا بِغَضَبٍ عَلَىٰ غَضَبٍ ۚ وَلِلْكَافِرِينَ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ |
90. Bi/sama ishtaraw bihi anfusahum an yakfuroo bima anzala Allahu baghyan an yunazzila Allahu min fadlihi AAala man yashao min AAibadihi fabaoo bighadabin AAala ghadabin walilkafireena AAathabun muheenun
90. Disgusting is what they120 sell their own selves for! They suppress the truth about Allah's revelations, rebelliously, just because Allah, in His Grace, bestows His revelations upon whomsoever He wills among His worshippers121. They have thus incurred wrath upon wrath122. And for the suppressors of Truth is a disgaceful punishment!
120. I.e. the Jews. This verse is in continuation of the immediately preceding ones.
121. In verse 5.18, we are informed that both Jews and Christians boasted, "We are the children of Allah and His loved ones." The Jews were obviously irked therefore that the Qur'aan was revealed on an outsider! Their arrogance was akin to that of Iblees when he rebelliously disobeyed Allah's order to prostrate before Adam. See Chapter Notes 27 to 30.
122. The Jews incurred the double wrath obviously for (i) their rebellious rejection of the Truth in the Qur'aan and (ii) their lie against Allah that they are a special race among mankind, deserving His Love and Patronage exclusively for themselves.
| 91 |
وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ آمِنُوا بِمَا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ قَالُوا نُؤْمِنُ بِمَا أُنزِلَ عَلَيْنَا وَيَكْفُرُونَ بِمَا وَرَاءَهُ وَهُوَ الْحَقُّ مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا مَعَهُمْ ۗ قُلْ فَلِمَ تَقْتُلُونَ أَنبِيَاءَ اللَّهِ مِن قَبْلُ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ |
91. Wa-itha qeela lahum aminoo bima anzala Allahu qaloo nu/minu bima onzila AAalayna wayakfuroona bima waraahu wahuwa alhaqqu musaddiqan lima maAAahum qul falima taqtuloona anbiyaa Allahi min qablu in kuntum mu/mineena
91. And when it is said to them, "Believe in what Allah has sent down," they say, "We believe in that which has been sent down upon us." And they suppress the Truth in what has been sent down thereafter. And what has been sent down thereafter is the Truth, confirming what is with them! Say, "Why then did you kill Allah's Prophets afore, if you indeed were believers?"123
123. As we have already seen, in verse 2.84, the Jews had solemnised a covenant with Allah that they would not resort to bloodshed among themselves. Allah here exposes the hollowness of the Jews' claim that they believed in what was sent down to them. Had they really believed in their own scriptures, they wouldn't have killed the Jewish Prophets - their own people!
| 92 |
۞ وَلَقَدْ جَاءَكُم مُّوسَىٰ بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ ثُمَّ اتَّخَذْتُمُ الْعِجْلَ مِن بَعْدِهِ وَأَنتُمْ ظَالِمُونَ |
92. Walaqad jaakum moosa bialbayyinati thumma ittakhathtumu alAAijla min baAAdihi waantum thalimoona
92. And indeed did Moses come to you with clear signs; then you took to the Calf124 & 125 thereafter! And you were wicked.
124. This episode about the Calf, in Jewish history, is also mentioned, as we have already seen, in Verses 51 and 54 of this Qur'aanic Chapter (refer also to Chapter Note 54 in this context). It has been mentioned again in verses 7.148 and 7.152. This repeated reference to the same episode - as to many other episodes also - should not be misconstrued as unnecessary. There is nothing unnecessary or redundant in things divine; those who ponder shall discover the divine purpose. Repetition helps in creating a more lasting impression on the human mind. And, in the Qur'aan, repetitions are often accompanied by elaborations and explanations in varied ways.
125. In verse 7.152, for example, while making a repeated mention of this episode, Allah tells us, in no uncertain terms, that those who invent lies like that of the Calf shall incur Allah's wrath and may suffer humiliation in this world itself. Allah knew beforehand that the so-called Muslims in today's world would have their own 'Calves' in the shapes of shrines built over graves of dead persons, whom they call upon for redressal of their individual sufferings or for fulfilment of their individual worldly dreams! No wonder then that the Muslims, generally, all around the world, are suffering humiliation now, in this world itself. It's a prophecy come true.
| 93 |
وَإِذْ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَاقَكُمْ وَرَفَعْنَا فَوْقَكُمُ الطُّورَ خُذُوا مَا آتَيْنَاكُم بِقُوَّةٍ وَاسْمَعُوا ۖ قَالُوا سَمِعْنَا وَعَصَيْنَا وَأُشْرِبُوا فِي قُلُوبِهِمُ الْعِجْلَ بِكُفْرِهِمْ ۚ قُلْ بِئْسَمَا يَأْمُرُكُم بِهِ إِيمَانُكُمْ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ |
93. Wa-ith akhathna meethaqakum warafaAAna fawqakumu alttoora khuthoo ma ataynakum biquwwatin waismaAAoo qaloo samiAAna waAAasayna waoshriboo fee quloobihimu alAAijla bikufrihim qul bi/sama ya/murukum bihi eemanukum in kuntum mu/mineena
93. And when We made a Covenant with you and raised the Mount over you, "Hold fast to that which We have given you and listen!"126, they said, "We hear; and we obey not!" Their minds were drunk with the thought of the Calf because of their suppresssion of the Truth. Say, "What you order therewith is harming your belief, if you do indeed believe!"127
126. Refer Verse 2.63 and Chapter Note 70 in this context.
127. Just as the Calf did harm the belief of the Jews, the Shrines built by the Muslims on graves of some dead persons whom they invoke besides Allah, is now harming the belief of the Muslims.
| 94 |
قُلْ إِن كَانَتْ لَكُمُ الدَّارُ الْآخِرَةُ عِندَ اللَّهِ خَالِصَةً مِّن دُونِ النَّاسِ فَتَمَنَّوُا الْمَوْتَ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ |
94. Qul in kanat lakumu alddaru al-akhiratu AAinda Allahi khalisatan min dooni alnnasi fatamannawoo almawta in kuntum sadiqeena
94. Say, "Were the abode in the Hereafter close to Allah, exclusively for you among all Mankind, pine you for death if you truly believe so."
| 95 |
وَلَن يَتَمَنَّوْهُ أَبَدًا بِمَا قَدَّمَتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ بِالظَّالِمِينَ |
95. Walan yatamannawhu abadan bima qaddamat aydeehim waAllahu AAaleemun bialththalimeena
95. And they shall never do that because of the deeds they have sent ahead. And Allah is fully aware of the wicked people!128
128. Muslims today need to do a deep introspection whether, like the Jews, they too are not indulging in the wishful thinking that they (Muslims) would be the ones close to Allah in the Hereafter. They need to examine critically whether the deeds they send ahead are such that Allah may, in His mercy, be pleased to grant them that enviable position.
| 96 |
وَلَتَجِدَنَّهُمْ أَحْرَصَ النَّاسِ عَلَىٰ حَيَاةٍ وَمِنَ الَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُوا ۚ يَوَدُّ أَحَدُهُمْ لَوْ يُعَمَّرُ أَلْفَ سَنَةٍ وَمَا هُوَ بِمُزَحْزِحِهِ مِنَ الْعَذَابِ أَن يُعَمَّرَ ۗ وَاللَّهُ بَصِيرٌ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ |
96. Walatajidannahum ahrasa alnnasi AAala hayatin wamina allatheena ashrakoo yawaddu ahaduhum law yuAAammaru alfa sanatin wama huwa bimuzahzihihi mina alAAathabi an yuAAammara waAllahu baseerun bima yaAAmaloona
96. And you will indeed find them129 to be persons greedy for life - more so even than the polytheists! Everyone of them longs for a life of a thousand years. But no long life can serve as a saviour for him/her from the punishment. And Allah is vigilant over all they do.130
129. This Qur'aanic verse is in continuation of a narrative about the Jews. The pronoun 'them' here therefore stands for the Jews.
130. Here's some more food for thought for the Muslims of today. Aren't we ourselves, likewise, greedy for long lives? We do pray to Allah to grant us long lives. But for what purpose? If we search our minds honestly, we may find that the purpose is mostly mundane in nature - to gain and enjoy some worldly benefits! We tend to forget that our Creator has granted us a fixed span of life in this world. We tend to forget the Hereafter. We tend to forget that the life in this world is only a test, a trial. It's a test to see if we are worthy of happiness in the Hereafter. And if our desire for longer life is only for enjoying some illusory fruits of this world, chances are, we may end up worsening our prostpects for the everlasting Hereafter!
| 97 |
قُلْ مَن كَانَ عَدُوًّا لِّجِبْرِيلَ فَإِنَّهُ نَزَّلَهُ عَلَىٰ قَلْبِكَ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَهُدًى وَبُشْرَىٰ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ |
97. Qul man kana AAaduwwan lijibreela fa-innahu nazzalahu AAala qalbika bi-ithni Allahi musaddiqan lima bayna yadayhi wahudan wabushra lilmu/mineena
97. Say, "Whoever is an enemy of Gabriel," - He indeed it is who brings down upon your mind, with Allah's permission, this which confirms what preceded it, and which is guidance and harbinger of good tidings for the believers131 -
131. By comparing this parenthetic statement in this verse with verses 16.102 and 26.192-194, it is apparent that Jibreel (Gabriel), Roohul Qudus and Roohul Ameen are, all three, one and the same entity. (Refer also to Chapter notes 113 to 116 in this context).
| 98 |
مَن كَانَ عَدُوًّا لِّلَّهِ وَمَلَائِكَتِهِ وَرُسُلِهِ وَجِبْرِيلَ وَمِيكَالَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَدُوٌّ لِّلْكَافِرِينَ |
98. Man kana AAaduwwan lillahi wamala-ikatihi warusulihi wajibreela wameekala fa-inna Allaha AAaduwwun lilkafireena
98. 132"Whoever is an enemy of Allah, of His Angels, of His Messengers, of Gabriel and of Michael133, Allah is certainly then enemy of the suppressors of Truth!"134
132. The quote, interrupted with the parenthetic explanation about Gabriel in the preceding verse, is completed here in this verse.
133. The All-knowing Allah has obviously considered it unnecessary to give any fuller details about this Unseen Being in the Qur'aan. What He is pleased to disclose by implication is that this Being is one of those close to Allah, like Gabriel and the Angels.
134. As this address of the Prophet to the Jews was begun initially - in the preceding verse - with the specific mention of Gabriel, it is apparent that the Jews had been harbouring some grouse and enmity especially towards this Being close to Allah.
| 99 |
وَلَقَدْ أَنزَلْنَا إِلَيْكَ آيَاتٍ بَيِّنَاتٍ ۖ وَمَا يَكْفُرُ بِهَا إِلَّا الْفَاسِقُونَ |
99. Walaqad anzalna ilayka ayatin bayyinatin wama yakfuru biha illa alfasiqoona
99. And indeed have We sent down to you clear verses. And none do suppress the Truth thereof, except the rebels.135
135. Allah thus reassures the Prophet of the clarity and truthfulness of the verses sent down to him, whatever may be the Jews' opinion thereof. The clarity of its verses is reiterated at several places throughout the Qur'aan (refer also Chapter Note 17). It is unfortunate for the Muslim Ummah that even so, many of their own members harbour doubts about some of the Qur'aanic verses being clear! They therefore seek clarification and explanation therefor in man-influenced ahaadheeth and in man-made fatwas! And in terms of this verse presently under our study, non-belief in the clarity of such Qur'aanic verses is kufr, and persons indulging in such kufr are rebels! [For a comprehensive meaning of aayaat (translated here as verses), please see Chapter Notes 150 and 151.]
| 100 |
أَوَكُلَّمَا عَاهَدُوا عَهْدًا نَّبَذَهُ فَرِيقٌ مِّنْهُم ۚ بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ |
100. Awa kullama AAahadoo AAahdan nabathahu fareequn minhum bal aktharuhum la yu/minoona
100. Every time they made a covenant, didn't a section among them throw it over? Nay! Believe they not - do many of them!!136
136. This verse is in continuation of the divine narration of a brief history of the Children of Israel. The narration started at Verse 40 of this Qur'aanic Chapter. The brief history highlights, in ample measure, the perfidious nature of those people, at Prophet Moses' time. This verse (2.100) encapsulates that nature. It also provides the raison d'être for anyone or any group of people having such a nature. The raison d'être is lack of Faith - primarily in Allah and in the Hereafter.
| 101 |
وَلَمَّا جَاءَهُمْ رَسُولٌ مِّنْ عِندِ اللَّهِ مُصَدِّقٌ لِّمَا مَعَهُمْ نَبَذَ فَرِيقٌ مِّنَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ كِتَابَ اللَّهِ وَرَاءَ ظُهُورِهِمْ كَأَنَّهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ |
101. Walamma jaahum rasoolun min AAindi Allahi musaddiqun lima maAAahum nabatha fareequn mina allatheena ootoo alkitaba kitaba Allahi waraa thuhoorihim kaannahum la yaAAlamoona
101. And when there came to them a Messenger from Allah, confirming what is with them, a section of those, who were given the Book, threw Allah's Book behind their backs137, 138 as if they knew nothing!
137. The meaning of this metaphoric phrase 'threw Allah's Book behind their backs' is evident in what follows: 'as if they knew nothing!' Obviously, the Jews feigned ignorance about the divine Book revealed for them (i.e. the Torah) containing the same Truths as are revealed in the Qur'aan.
138. It is interesting - nay, saddening - to take note how we, the present day Muslims, only literally follow the implied Qur'aanic injunction against 'throwing the Book behind our backs'. In any congregational, ritual reading of the Qur'aan (mostly without understanding the contents, of course), we take abundant care to see that we are not reading the Holy Book behind anybody's back!! And we remain blissfully ignorant that we're woefully and blatantly throwing the Qur'aan behind our backs when it comes to implementing the divine commands contained in the Book!!!
| 102 |
وَاتَّبَعُوا مَا تَتْلُو الشَّيَاطِينُ عَلَىٰ مُلْكِ سُلَيْمَانَ ۖ وَمَا كَفَرَ سُلَيْمَانُ وَلَـٰكِنَّ الشَّيَاطِينَ كَفَرُوا يُعَلِّمُونَ النَّاسَ السِّحْرَ وَمَا أُنزِلَ عَلَى الْمَلَكَيْنِ بِبَابِلَ هَارُوتَ وَمَارُوتَ ۚ وَمَا يُعَلِّمَانِ مِنْ أَحَدٍ حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَا إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ فِتْنَةٌ فَلَا تَكْفُرْ ۖ فَيَتَعَلَّمُونَ مِنْهُمَا مَا يُفَرِّقُونَ بِهِ بَيْنَ الْمَرْءِ وَزَوْجِهِ ۚ وَمَا هُم بِضَارِّينَ بِهِ مِنْ أَحَدٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ ۚ وَيَتَعَلَّمُونَ مَا يَضُرُّهُمْ وَلَا يَنفَعُهُمْ ۚ وَلَقَدْ عَلِمُوا لَمَنِ اشْتَرَاهُ مَا لَهُ فِي الْآخِرَةِ مِنْ خَلَاقٍ ۚ وَلَبِئْسَ مَا شَرَوْا بِهِ أَنفُسَهُمْ ۚ لَوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ |
102. WaittabaAAoo ma tatloo alshshayateenu AAala mulki sulaymana wama kafara sulaymanu walakinna alshshayateena kafaroo yuAAallimoona alnnasa alssihra wama onzila AAala almalakayni bibabila haroota wamaroota wama yuAAallimani min ahadin hatta yaqoola innama nahnu fitnatun fala takfur fayataAAallamoona minhuma ma yufarriqoona bihi bayna almar-i wazawjihi wama hum bidarreena bihi min ahadin illa bi-ithni Allahi wayataAAallamoona ma yadurruhum wala yanfaAAuhum walaqad AAalimoo lamani ishtarahu ma lahu fee al-akhirati min khalaqin walabi/sa ma sharaw bihi anfusahum law kanoo yaAAlamoona
102. And, during the reign of Solomon139, they followed what the satanic folk140 recited to them. And Solomon did not suppress the Truth, but the satanic folk did. They taught the people sorcery and what came down at Babylon upon the two Angels, Haaroot and Maaroot. And the two did not teach it to anyone till they informed him/her, "We are but a test for you. Don't you then suppress the Truth." Even then, people learnt from the two that with which they could bring about separation between man and his wife - and they could not harm anyone therewith except by Allah's leave141 - and they learnt what harmed, and not what benefited, them. And they did know that whoever bought it, would have no share of happiness in the Hereafter. And vile indeed was what they traded their own selves for, if only they knew!
139. The Qur'aan informs us that Solomon (Sulaiman) was one of the great Prophets upon whom Allah had sent His revelations (4.163). He was the heir to David, another great Prophet-king, and had been taught the language of birds (27.16). Allah had granted him wisdom and knowledge (21.79). HE had made even the wind subservient to him and had made Jinns work for him (34.12)!
140. Refer Chapter notes 33 and 34 for a more detailed explanation of the Arabic term shayaateen.
141. It's a general, universal truth, for all times, that Allah declares here. No malafide act of anyone against any other, can affect the latter unless Allah so wills. It is important that we understand this truth correctly and carefully. Allah is much too exalted and sublime to will any harm to come to any of His creatures unjustly. If any human being is afflicted at any time, it may be for either of two reasons. One, Allah may be putting him/her through a test for eligibility to award of better things by His grace. Two, He may be giving the person a punishment, in this world itself, for some past sin/sins committed, so that the person and/or others take heed and man-generated crimes do not cross safety limits.
| 103 |
وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ آمَنُوا وَاتَّقَوْا لَمَثُوبَةٌ مِّنْ عِندِ اللَّهِ خَيْرٌ ۖ لَّوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ |
103. Walaw annahum amanoo waittaqaw lamathoobatun min AAindi Allahi khayrun law kanoo yaAAlamoona
103. And had they indeed believed and observed piety, better surely would be their lot with Allah - if only they knew!142,143
142. But. alas! The satanic folk, during Solomon's time, refused to know what would really benefit them - and so do, most of us, in the present age. We refuse to believe in the One and Only Creator of the entire universe that includes mankind. We refuse to believe that He has granted us our present lives on this earth, only as a long-drawn-out test. We refuse to believe that He would resurrect us, after our deaths, to stand before Him in trial for what we did here. We refuse to believe that He would punish us severely then for our acts of omission and commission, on this earth, in disobedience to His commands.
143. So we continue to indulge in the sort of things the satanic folk did, during Solomon's time. We get satanic pleasure in harming others, even when the others did nothing to harm us! A topical example: the cyber-crime of spreading computer viruses and of spamming. I have myself also fallen a victim, moreover, to the cyber-theft of my email ID to spread around, in my name, political views which I do not subscribe to! (In fact, I have not written any political article.) Such satanic folk of our time fail to realise that the Creator is watching them closely and constantly. Oh! If only they knew - knew that they are proceeding, inexorably, towards their own doom!!
| 104 |
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَقُولُوا رَاعِنَا وَقُولُوا انظُرْنَا وَاسْمَعُوا ۗ وَلِلْكَافِرِينَ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ |
104. Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo la taqooloo raAAina waqooloo onthurna waismaAAoo walilkafireena AAathabun aleemun
104. O you who believe! Say not, "Raayinaa"144, but say, "Anzurnaa"144 and listen. And for those who suppress the Truth145: a grievous punishment!
144. The Arabic root word Ra'aa means 'to take care of', 'to attend to' or 'to listen to'. The believers, obviously, did use it in this sense to draw the Prophet's attention to them when they said 'Raayinaa' (listen to us). But the root word also means 'to graze cattle'. And in verse 4.46, the Qur'aan informs us that the Jews, during the time of Prophet Muhammad (may peace and Allah's blessings be upon him), took a word out of its context and used to say the word Raayinaa twisting their tongues to imply a taunt on the Religion of Islam! Allah therefore admonishes the believers to use the alternative word Anzurnaa (look at us).
145. It is obviously implied here that the people, who used the word Raayinaa just to taunt at the Religion of Islam, were among those who suppressed the Truth!
| 105 |
مَّا يَوَدُّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ وَلَا الْمُشْرِكِينَ أَن يُنَزَّلَ عَلَيْكُم مِّنْ خَيْرٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ يَخْتَصُّ بِرَحْمَتِهِ مَن يَشَاءُ ۚ وَاللَّهُ ذُو الْفَضْلِ الْعَظِيمِ |
105. Ma yawaddu allatheena kafaroo min ahli alkitabi wala almushrikeena an yunazzala AAalaykum min khayrin min rabbikum waAllahu yakhtassu birahmatihi man yashao waAllahu thoo alfadli alAAatheemi
105. Neither do those who suppress the Truth among the people of the Book146, 147, nor do the polytheists wish for any good to come down upon you148 from your Lord. And Allah graces whomsoever He wishes, with His Favours.149 And Allah is the Benefactor, Supreme!
146. People of the Book are the groups of people generally known to be following divinely revealed Books. Of such Books, those, that are most often mentioned in the Qur'aan, are: the Qur'aan itself, the Torah (Tauraat) and the Gospel (Injeel). The Psalms (Zabur), revealed upon Prophet David, is also mentioned, but rarely (Q: 4.163 & 21.105) - and any separate group of people, following the Psalms only, are not well-known. The People known to be following the Qur'aan, the Torah and the Gospel are of course the Muslims, the Jews and the Christians respectively. Those nominal (hypocritical) Muslims, Jews and Christians, who do not believe in and do not follow their respective Books, as originally revealed, are described here in this verse as those 'who suppress the Truth among people of the Book' (alladheena kafaru min ahl-il-kitaabi).
147. We should however remember in this context that Allah had sent His Messenger to every nation (Q: 10.47). Some of the Messengers are mentioned in the Qur'aan, and some are not (Q 4.164). But all the Messengers had of course received divine revelations. It may therefore be safely inferred that there could have been other divinely revealed Books - other than those specifically mentioned in the Qur'aan.
148. We should remember that the addressees, of these two divine verses taken for our study in this Part, are the believers (see the beginning of the preceding verse 104). The pronoun 'you' here therefore connotes 'the believers', and not just the Prophet.
149. Allah here negates the fond assumptions of every group, be they Muslims, Christians, Jews or any other religious/ethnic group, that their own respective group alone are Allah's favourites. Refer verse 2.111 in this context.
| 106 |
۞ مَا نَنسَخْ مِنْ آيَةٍ أَوْ نُنسِهَا نَأْتِ بِخَيْرٍ مِّنْهَا أَوْ مِثْلِهَا ۗ أَلَمْ تَعْلَمْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ |
106. Ma nansakh min ayatin aw nunsiha na/ti bikhayrin minha aw mithliha alam taAAlam anna Allaha AAala kulli shay-in qadeerun
106. Against that which do We abrogate of a verse150, 151, or do We cause it to be forgotten, We bring forth a better one or one that is similar to it.152, 153 Are you not aware that, certainly, Allah is in control of everything?
150. Proper understanding of the meaning, of the Qur'aanic word aayat (plural: aayaat) used, is necessary for the proper understanding of the divine statement made in this verse 106. The Arabic word is translated here as 'verse', following a long-standing tradition in this regard. However, the common connotation of the English word 'verses' in our minds are the short, numbered divisions of the Qur'aan, a la the Bible. Consequently, we have generally come to understand aayaat to mean only the short, numbered divisions of the Qur'aan, just as this aayat 106 is one of the over 6000 such aayaat constituting the entire divine Book.
151. But aayat/aayaat has been given a much wider meaning in the Qur'aan. The word is used at over 200 places throughout therein. In our on-going Studies of the Qur'aan, so far, we have come across this word in verses 2.39, 2.41, 2.61 and 2.99. And we have seen that the word aayaat is used therein to denote the verses of not only the Qur'aan, but also the earlier divine Messages. The meaning of the word is not restricted to divisions of the divine Messages either. As can be seen from verse 2.164, the word covers natural phenomena like the heavens and the earth, the alternation of night and day, the ship sailing on the sea, the rains, the winds etc., also. It covers miraculous signs like those with which Prophet Moses was sent to Pharaoh (7.103), and it (in its singular form) covers the entire divine Message (20.47) as well. In short, it covers the numbered divisions of any divine Message, any divine Message itself, any natural phenomenon, any miraculous sign and any other offering from Allah that is meant to help His human creatures understand the Reality - the Reality of His existence and of the Hereafter!
152. Under the influence of the restricted meaning of aayat as one of the short, numbered divisions only of the Qur'aan, some people think that there were some abrogated Qur'aanic verses which find no place in the Qur'aan, as we find it today. And some others think that the Qur'aan, as we find it today, does contain some abrogated verses also. Were either of these two presumptions correct, it would lead us to an absurd conclusion that the All-knowing and Almighty Allah, like the authors among His human creatures, needs drafting, correcting and redrafting before finalising His Book of guidance to these creatures!
153. If, on the other hand, we take into account the broad meaning of aayat, as delineated in Note 151 above in Qur'aanic light, the meaning of the verse becomes clear. The context, in which the word is used here, itself suggests its meaning to be a divine Message, like the Torah or the Injeel, given in an earlier age to a particular community, or to be a particular divine Law given in those earlier Books. All divine Messages were essentially the same, but Allah did give different commands (for implementing the same basic principles of religion) to different people at different points of time to suit the different conditions they were in. And at the threshold of the world becoming virtually a global village, so to say, He issued His final commands, in the form of the Qur'aan, for the entire mankind. It is this change, effected from time to time, in the divine commands for implementation of the same basic principles, that is hinted at here when Allah says He abrogates or causes to be forgotten min aayat (of a verse). 'min aayat' may well be translated, in Qur'aanic light (see Note 151 above), as 'of a divine Message sent to people earlier'. This interpretation squarely fits into the context of the immediately preceding verse 105 mentioning the people (Jews and Christians) of the Book disliking any good (in the form of a better or superceding divine Message) coming to people other than themselves.
| 107 |
أَلَمْ تَعْلَمْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ لَهُ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۗ وَمَا لَكُم مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ مِن وَلِيٍّ وَلَا نَصِيرٍ |
107. Alam taAAlam anna Allaha lahu mulku alssamawati waal-ardi wama lakum min dooni Allahi min waliyyin wala naseerin
107. Are you not aware that, certainly, it is Allah who has sovereignty over the heavens and the earth? And none is there for you, other than Allah, as a wali154 nor anyone who can help!155
154. I find it difficult to find an appropriate English word for this Qur'aanic word, wali (plural: awliya). Some translators have rendered it as 'guardian' or 'protector'. But in verse 10.62, the Qur'aan has called some good human beings as awliya of Allah. Surely it would be preposterous to call human beings as 'guardians' or 'protectors' of Allah! Let us therefore go to the literal meaning of the three-letter Arabic root word wali, which is to be close or near. It is used in the Qur'aan in that very sense. So when the Qur'aan says that good Allah-fearing persons are awliya of Allah, it means that Allah is so pleased with such persons that He has kept them spiritually close to Himself. In verse 2.257 we are told that Allah is the wali of the believers. In other words, Allah is so very close to the believers that He protects and guides them at every step they take in their worldly lives. In verse 60.9 Allah forbids the believers from being close to (tawallaw) only those who fight with them on religion, etc. It is in this sense that in verse 5.51 Allah asks believers not to take Jews and Christians as awliya. Otherwise, Allah makes it clear in verse 60.8, that He does not forbid the believers to have normal good relations with them if they do not fight with them (the believers) in religious matters, etc.
155. In the Qur'aanic light delineated in the preceding Note, the obvious meaning of the latter part of this verse is that if anyone were not to accept Allah as his/her wali, there could be no one else who could be that person's wali or helper. If one accepts, without any reservations whatsoever, Allah as one's wali, then there could be one's other awliya among living believers, by way of being one's confidants, advisors and helpers in worldly and spiritual matters. But there could be no question of any person, dead or martyred, or of any unseen being (jinn) of becoming a wali or helper of a living person. If one takes such a being as one's wali or helper, besides Allah, one is committing the sin of shirk (polytheism). Alas! A majority of the Muslims today are openly indulging in this unpardonable sin. Allah asks, "Do then those who suppress the Truth think that, other than Me, they can take My worshippers as awliya? ..." [Q: 18.102]
| 108 |
أَمْ تُرِيدُونَ أَن تَسْأَلُوا رَسُولَكُمْ كَمَا سُئِلَ مُوسَىٰ مِن قَبْلُ ۗ وَمَن يَتَبَدَّلِ الْكُفْرَ بِالْإِيمَانِ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ سَوَاءَ السَّبِيلِ |
108. Am tureedoona an tas-aloo rasoolakum kama su-ila moosa min qablu waman yatabaddali alkufra bial-eemani faqad dalla sawaa alssabeeli
108. Or156, do you want to question your Messenger just as was Moses questioned157 before? And the one, who exchanges Faith for suppression of the Truth, has indeed gone astray from the Right Path.158
156. This conjunction obviously connects this verse to the preceding ones. In the preceding verses, mention is made of the 'people of the Book' and of the thinking of the Muslims influenced by those people.
157. Refer in this context to verses 55, 61 and 67 to 71 of this Qur'aanic Chapter. You may also go through Chapter Notes 78 to 84. The questions that the Children of Israel bothered their Prophet Moses with, were prompted more out of mischief than by any genuine desire to acquire knowledge.
158. And we have seen, in our on-going Qur'aanic Studies so far, the divine condemnation Moses' people received for their mischievous questionings. Their questions betrayed their lack of Faith. The modern-day Muslim has a lesson to learn therefrom. His seeking of spiritual guidance from sources other than, and at variance with, the Qur'aan betrays his lack of Faith in the divine Book.
| 109 |
وَدَّ كَثِيرٌ مِّنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ لَوْ يَرُدُّونَكُم مِّن بَعْدِ إِيمَانِكُمْ كُفَّارًا حَسَدًا مِّنْ عِندِ أَنفُسِهِم مِّن بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الْحَقُّ ۖ فَاعْفُوا وَاصْفَحُوا حَتَّىٰ يَأْتِيَ اللَّهُ بِأَمْرِهِ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ |
109. Wadda katheerun min ahli alkitabi law yaruddoonakum min baAAdi eemanikum kuffaran hasadan min AAindi anfusihim min baAAdi ma tabayyana lahumu alhaqqu faoAAfoo waisfahoo hatta ya/tiya Allahu bi-amrihi inna Allaha AAala kulli shay-in qadeerun
109. Many among the people of the Book159, after what rendered the Truth manifest unto them, would wish, out of their own jealousy, that if only they could turn you back after your attaining to Faith!160 Forgive and forget for now, until further orders from Allah161 & 162. Surely, Allah is in control of everything163.
159. Please see Notes 146 and 147 above for a comprehensive understanding of what the term 'people of the Book' (ahl-il-kitaab) means.
160. Reflected here is the mentality of a group of people fully aware of the Truth being on the other side. But they would not admit this fact, out of sheer jealousy! This sort of mentality is one of the major causes of friction and conflict in this world, often leading to unnecessary bloodshed.
161. Some commentators say that this provision of the verse has been abrogated by verse 9.29. We shall, inshaAllah, consider the provision under verse 9.29 when we come to study that verse. But here, the moot question for our consideration is whether any existing verse of the Qur'aan can be considered as abrogated! The Qur'aan, that is divinely authored! The Qur'aan that is divinely protected!! The Qur'aan that is divinely claimed to contain no contradictions!!! To impute that such a Book could contain, by mistake, an abrogated verse would be nothing less than blasphemy. No human being can have the authority to declare any divine verse as abrogated. Today one person may declare one verse as abrogated. Tomorrow another person may say the same thing about another verse. In fact, the person who says this betrays his/her lack of faith in the Book being divine.
162. Just the existence of the verse in the divinely protected Qur'aan, is proof enough that it is not abrogated! Its provisions are still relevant. Let us analyse why and how. You see, it is Allah, with His absolute knowledge of the secret intentions in the minds of the ahl-il-kitaab at the time of the revelation of the Qur'aan, Who is informing the Believers here of those secret intentions. The secret intentions were yet to be translated into actual acts of any offence against the believers. It was in such a situation that Allah asked the believers to forgive and forget. This divine instruction is valid even now. It wouldn't be right for any group of persons to take any overt or covert offensive action against any other group just on the suspicion that the latter had bad intentions against the former. [You may also go through Chapter Notes 150 to 153 regarding verse 106, above]
163. And Allah thus reassures the believers that they need not be unduly perturbed about the ahl-il-kitaab harbouring bad intentions against them. HE is in control of everything and the believers should be rest assured that He will give them the protection as and when needed. The immediately following verse 110 of this Qur'aanic Chapter is in continuation of this divine reassurance to the believers. If only they (the believers) would perform their duties assigned to them by their Lord, they need have no fear. HE will assuredly take due care of them! [For a proper understanding of what is meant by 'the establishment of proper prayer' and by 'the Zakaat' mentioned in verse 110, please refer Chapter Notes 4, 108 and 110]
| 110 |
وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ ۚ وَمَا تُقَدِّمُوا لِأَنفُسِكُم مِّنْ خَيْرٍ تَجِدُوهُ عِندَ اللَّهِ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ |
110. Waaqeemoo alssalata waatoo alzzakata wama tuqaddimoo li-anfusikum min khayrin tajidoohu AAinda Allahi inna Allaha bima taAAmaloona baseerun
110. And establish the proper prayer and give the Zakaat! And whatever good you send forth for your own selves, you'll find it with Allah. Surely, Allah is well aware of what you do!
| 111 |
وَقَالُوا لَن يَدْخُلَ الْجَنَّةَ إِلَّا مَن كَانَ هُودًا أَوْ نَصَارَىٰ ۗ تِلْكَ أَمَانِيُّهُمْ ۗ قُلْ هَاتُوا بُرْهَانَكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ |
111. Waqaloo lan yadkhula aljannata illa man kana hoodan aw nasara tilka amaniyyuhum qul hatoo burhanakum in kuntum sadiqeena
111. And they164 say, "None shall enter the Paradise except for one who has been a Jew/Christian!" That is what they just desire. Say, "Produce your evidence, if you are truthful!"
164. From their statement, that follows, it is obvious that the pronoun 'they' here stands for the Jews or the Christians.
| 112 |
بَلَىٰ مَنْ أَسْلَمَ وَجْهَهُ لِلَّهِ وَهُوَ مُحْسِنٌ فَلَهُ أَجْرُهُ عِندَ رَبِّهِ وَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ |
112. Bala man aslama wajhahu lillahi wahuwa muhsinun falahu ajruhu AAinda rabbihi wala khawfun AAalayhim wala hum yahzanoona
112. But yes, indeed! Anyone who surrenders one's self for Allah and is a doer of righteous deeds165 besides - for such a one is one's reward with one's Lord. And no fear shall such people have, nor shall they grieve!
165. If we compare this verse (2.112) with Verse 2.62 conveying almost the same divine message, we see that in place of the Arabic term amila saalihan there (in verse 2.62) the word used here is muhsin. In keeping with its way of explaining things variously, the Qur'aan here thus gives the meaning of muhsin to be one who has acted righteously (amila saalihan). And to understand what constitutes righteous acts in the Qur'aanic light, please see Note 68 above.
| 113 |
وَقَالَتِ الْيَهُودُ لَيْسَتِ النَّصَارَىٰ عَلَىٰ شَيْءٍ وَقَالَتِ النَّصَارَىٰ لَيْسَتِ الْيَهُودُ عَلَىٰ شَيْءٍ وَهُمْ يَتْلُونَ الْكِتَابَ ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ قَالَ الَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ مِثْلَ قَوْلِهِمْ ۚ فَاللَّهُ يَحْكُمُ بَيْنَهُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فِيمَا كَانُوا فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ |
113. Waqalati alyahoodu laysati alnnasara AAala shay-in waqalati alnnasara laysati alyahoodu AAala shay-in wahum yatloona alkitaba kathalika qala allatheena la yaAAlamoona mithla qawlihim faAllahu yahkumu baynahum yawma alqiyamati feema kanoo feehi yakhtalifoona
113. And say the Jews, "Not on any base are the Christians!" And say the Christians, "Not on any base are the Jews!" And recite the Book, they do!! Thus - in statements similar to theirs - did those, who knew not, speak.166 Then, on the Day of Resurrection, shall Allah judge between them in matters in which they differed.
166. And alas! In statements similar to theirs, the bulk of the so-called Muslims today speak. And they do read the Qur'aan! Without understanding - without even trying to understand. They are therefore more like those who know not! They know not that by merely calling themselves Muslims - without fulfilling the criterion divinely laid down in verse 112 herein above read with verse 2.62 - is of no value for attainment of salvation.
| 114 |
وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن مَّنَعَ مَسَاجِدَ اللَّهِ أَن يُذْكَرَ فِيهَا اسْمُهُ وَسَعَىٰ فِي خَرَابِهَا ۚ أُولَـٰئِكَ مَا كَانَ لَهُمْ أَن يَدْخُلُوهَا إِلَّا خَائِفِينَ ۚ لَهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا خِزْيٌ وَلَهُمْ فِي الْآخِرَةِ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ |
114. Waman athlamu mimman manaAAa masajida Allahi an yuthkara feeha ismuhu wasaAAa fee kharabiha ola-ika ma kana lahum an yadkhulooha illa kha-ifeena lahum fee alddunya khizyun walahum fee al-akhirati AAathabun AAatheemun
114. And who can do a greater wrong than one who forbids anyone, in places for prostrating to Allah167, from eulogizing His Name therein, and who works for their ruin/desertion? Those places! They ought not to have entered those places, except in awe!! For them, in this world, disgrace; and for them, in the Hereafter, severe punishment!!!
167. In verse 22.40, monastries, churches and synagogues are mentioned, besides masaajids, wherein Allah's Name is remembered frequently. This verse (2.114) we are presently studying, is therefore applicable to all places where Allah is eulogised, albeit under different Names (like, for example, God). This divine command and grave warning, here, are equally applicable to anyone (including a Muslim) who may work for the devastation of places of worship of other religions, as those are applicable to anyone working for the devastation of the masaajids.
| 115 |
وَلِلَّهِ الْمَشْرِقُ وَالْمَغْرِبُ ۚ فَأَيْنَمَا تُوَلُّوا فَثَمَّ وَجْهُ اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ |
115. Walillahi almashriqu waalmaghribu faaynama tuwalloo fathamma wajhu Allahi inna Allaha wasiAAun AAaleemun
115. And for Allah is the East and the West. So, whichever way you turn, there the divine Face of Allah168! Allah is indeed all-encompassing, all-knowing!
168. The Arabic term used is wajhu-Allah. We find similar terms used in verses 2.272 & 76.9 (wajhi-Allah), 30.38 & 30.39 (wajha-Allah). In all those four verses, the term is, obviously in the context of the contents of those verses, used in the meaning of 'pleasure/approval of Allah'. But, obviously again, the same rendering would not quite fit into the context of this verse 2.115. Resorting therefore to the literal meanings of wajha, we find 'face', 'front', 'aspect', 'prominent personage' 'style' to be among those meanings. In the context of this word being used as an attribute of the One and Only Divine Being, I have rendered wajhu-Allah as 'divine Face of Allah'. Whatever any human being does, whatever lifestyle he/she adopts, there is no escape route for him/her from being closely observed by Allah. The divine Face would always be towards him/her.
| 116 |
وَقَالُوا اتَّخَذَ اللَّهُ وَلَدًا ۗ سُبْحَانَهُ ۖ بَل لَّهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۖ كُلٌّ لَّهُ قَانِتُونَ |
116. Waqaloo itakhatha Allahu waladan subhanahu bal lahu ma fee alssamawati waal-ardi kullun lahu qanitoona
116. And they169 say, "Allah has a son!" HE is much too glorified to have one!! HIS, on the other hand, is everything that is in the heavens and the earth!!! Everything submits unto Him.
169. In verse 9.30, the Qur'aan informs us that the Jews and the Christians say so. And we know of other religious groups too, who have this purely man-conceived concept of their Creator having a family, a la a human being!
| 117 |
بَدِيعُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۖ وَإِذَا قَضَىٰ أَمْرًا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُ كُن فَيَكُونُ |
117. BadeeAAu alssamawati waal-ardi wa-itha qada amran fa-innama yaqoolu lahu kun fayakoonu
117. Originator of the heavens and the earth! And when He decides to accomplish anything, He just tells it, "Be!" And, it is!!170
170. And thus, in these two divine verses (2.116 and 2.117), does the Creator logically demolish that man-conceived concept!! Everything in the heavens and the earth is His creation. He just has to say "Be", and anything, He wishes, comes into existence. Why would He then come down to the level of His creatures to beget a son?! A human being may need a son to support him when he becomes weak in his old age, or to inherit and look after his worldly property when he is no more. But that obviously is not the case with Allah! There is no question of He ever becoming weak or being 'no more'!! The idea of a 'divine son' is therefore nothing but a figment of man's imagination. This idea places him on an entirely false, and therefore wrong, footing that would inevitably lead him astray in this world and make him completely lost in the next!
| 118 |
وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ لَوْلَا يُكَلِّمُنَا اللَّهُ أَوْ تَأْتِينَا آيَةٌ ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ قَالَ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِم مِّثْلَ قَوْلِهِمْ ۘ تَشَابَهَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ ۗ قَدْ بَيَّنَّا الْآيَاتِ لِقَوْمٍ يُوقِنُونَ |
118. Waqala allatheena la yaAAlamoona lawla yukallimuna Allahu aw ta/teena ayatun kathalika qala allatheena min qablihim mithla qawlihim tashabahat quloobuhum qad bayyanna al-ayati liqawmin yooqinoona
118. And those, who know not, said, "Unless does Allah speak to us or a sign come to us!"171 Likewise did those, who lived earlier to them, say things similar to what these people said. Their mind-sets are alike. WE have certainly made the signs clear to the people who have been firm in their Faith.
171. This was the condition put forth by the ignorant, for their belief in Allah! How stupid of them!! This stupidity flew from their ignorance of the grand divine purpose for creating mankind. Unlike other creations, mankind was given freedom of choice. The divine purpose is to test human beings whether they would come to recognise and submit unto the One and Only Creator, without actually seeing or speaking to Him. As regards the signs to help mankind come to an unshakeable Belief in His existence, there are a good many - a galore - in and around every human being. But unfortunately, under satanic influence, most of mankind ignore these signs or wilfully suppress their existence - to their own ultimate doom!
| 119 |
إِنَّا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ بِالْحَقِّ بَشِيرًا وَنَذِيرًا ۖ وَلَا تُسْأَلُ عَنْ أَصْحَابِ الْجَحِيمِ |
119. Inna arsalnaka bialhaqqi basheeran wanatheeran wala tus-alu Aaan as-habi aljaheemi
119. WE have indeed sent you, in Truth, to give glad tidings, and to warn! And you will not be subjected to any inquisition as regards the dwellers of the blazing Fire.172
172. The addressee, of this divine speech, is obviously the Prophet (may peace and Allah's blessings be upon him!) The divine address was by way of a reassurance to the Propet. He was reassured that despite the disbelief shown to him by certain sections of people, he is no doubt the accredited Messenger of Allah! He should therefore continue, unmindful, in his given task of giving the glad tidings of Paradise to those who abide by the divine Message, and of warning those who do not, of Hell Fire! The Prophet perhaps worried about people who, despite his best efforts to convince them, did still not believe. He worried that such people would go to Hell. Allah therefore absolves him of any responsibility for the dwellers of the Fire. The Prophet's responsibility was to warn them; and the Prophet had very well fulfilled that responsibility!
| 120 |
وَلَن تَرْضَىٰ عَنكَ الْيَهُودُ وَلَا النَّصَارَىٰ حَتَّىٰ تَتَّبِعَ مِلَّتَهُمْ ۗ قُلْ إِنَّ هُدَى اللَّهِ هُوَ الْهُدَىٰ ۗ وَلَئِنِ اتَّبَعْتَ أَهْوَاءَهُم بَعْدَ الَّذِي جَاءَكَ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ ۙ مَا لَكَ مِنَ اللَّهِ مِن وَلِيٍّ وَلَا نَصِيرٍ |
120. Walan tarda AAanka alyahoodu wala alnnasara hatta tattabiAAa millatahum qul inna huda Allahi huwa alhuda wala-ini ittabaAAta ahwaahum baAAda allathee jaaka mina alAAilmi ma laka mina Allahi min waliyyin wala naseerin
120. And the Jews shall not be pleased with you, and nor shall the Christians, till you follow their religion.173 Say, "Allah's guidance - it is the174 Guidance!"175 And, if you were to follow their desires, after what has come to you of knowledge, shall there be none to patronise you, nor anyone to help you, against Allah.
173. Although the addressee here is the Prophet (peace and Allah's blessings be upon him), the divine statement has connotations for all followers of Islam in general. And history is witness to this divine prophecy in general terms. The long-drawn-out Crusades of the middle ages and the recent Arab-Israeli conflicts are evidences enough.
174. Please take note of the emphasis placed on Guidance by the definite article 'the' (al in Arabic). This is divine reiteration of the fact that Allah is the Sole Source of all guidance for mankind. And logically so! HE is, after all, the Sole Creator of everything. And, logically too, it follows that His Book of Guidance, the Qur'aan, epitomises that Sole Source. And the Qur'aan contains the divine confirmation: "... We have neglected nothing in the Book ..." [Q: 6.38] The golden rule, therefore, for us to follow in the conduct of our worldly lives is that we should reject anything that is contrary to the Qur'aanic guidance.
175. And in the context in which the Prophet was asked to say this to the Jews and the Christians, those two groups of people were thus plainly told that the Prophet would not be following their guidance. He (the Prophet) would be following the only real guidance - the divine Guidance - that came to him! All other guidance, at variance with the divine Guidance, is misleading because it emanates from personal desires/bias of persons giving that guidance.
| 121 |
الَّذِينَ آتَيْنَاهُمُ الْكِتَابَ يَتْلُونَهُ حَقَّ تِلَاوَتِهِ أُولَـٰئِكَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِ ۗ وَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِهِ فَأُولَـٰئِكَ هُمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ |
121. Allatheena ataynahumu alkitaba yatloonahu haqqa tilawatihi ola-ika yu/minoona bihi waman yakfur bihi faola-ika humu alkhasiroona
121. Those, upon whom We have bestowed the Book, recite and follow it as it ought to be recited and followed176. Those are the ones who believe therein! And those who wantonly suppress and deny the Truth thereof177 - those are the ones, doomed!
176. In the original Arabic text, the word used is tilaawat. This Arabic word is commonly understood to mean 'reading' or 'reciting'. But when I say that I have read a novel, I mean that I have read and understood it. Nobody reads a novel just for the sake of reading and not for understanding the gripping story that runs through it. Unfortunately, however, we, modern-day Muslims, assume that just reading the Qur'aan, without taking the trouble of understanding what we read, fetches us enough thawaab (reward) from Allah Ta'ala. We are under a grievous misconception that has contributed a lot to our downfall. In this Qur'aanic verse, Allah pricks that balloon of our false assumptions. The word tilaawat also connotes 'meditation'; and the root word ta la wa means 'to follow'. And it needs no great intelligence to know what the right way of tilaawat of the Qur'aan (haqqa tilaawatihi) is. We have to ponder over what we read in order to understand it, and then to follow the instructions scrupulously.
177. As a Muslim, I ought to follow all Qur'aanic instructions applicable to me. And if I do (nauzubillah) wantonly not follow any such instruction, I do thereby be among those who suppress and/or deny the Truth thereof (yakfur bihi). I'm sure to be doomed then! I pray Allah to save me, and save all my Muslim brothers/sisters, from this certain doom! Amen!!
| 122 |
يَا بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ اذْكُرُوا نِعْمَتِيَ الَّتِي أَنْعَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَأَنِّي فَضَّلْتُكُمْ عَلَى الْعَالَمِينَ |
122. Ya banee isra-eela othkuroo niAAmatiya allatee anAAamtu AAalaykum waannee faddaltukum AAala alAAalameena
122. O Children of Israel! Remember My Favour which I bestowed upon you. And remember that I gave you preference over the Worlds.
وَاتَّقُوا يَوْمًا لَّا تَجْزِي نَفْسٌ عَن نَّفْسٍ شَيْئًا وَلَا يُقْبَلُ مِنْهَا عَدْلٌ وَلَا تَنفَعُهَا شَفَاعَةٌ وَلَا هُمْ يُنصَرُونَ
123. Waittaqoo yawman la tajzee nafsun AAan nafsin shay-an wala yuqbalu minha AAadlun wala tanfaAAuha shafaAAatun wala hum yunsaroona
123. And fear the Day when none can be of any avail on anything to another; nor any ransom accepted from any. And no intercession shall benefit any one; nor shall they be helped!178
178. These two verses (2.122 & 2.123) are almost exactly the same as verses 2.47 and 2.48. Please go through Chapter Notes 51 to 53 thereon. As regards the question as to why this repetition, please see Chapter Note 124. And, moreover, what follows in the next verse, provides the immediate justification for the repetition.
| 124 |
۞ وَإِذِ ابْتَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ رَبُّهُ بِكَلِمَاتٍ فَأَتَمَّهُنَّ ۖ قَالَ إِنِّي جَاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِمَامًا ۖ قَالَ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِي ۖ قَالَ لَا يَنَالُ عَهْدِي الظَّالِمِينَ |
124. Wa-ithi ibtala ibraheema rabbuhu bikalimatin faatammahunna qala innee jaAAiluka lilnnasi imaman qala wamin thurriyyatee qala la yanalu AAahdee alththalimeena
124. And when his Lord put Abraham to trial with Commands, and he fulfilled those Commands, He said, "I am going to make you a leader for mankind." He (Abraham) said, "And from among my offspring?" HE said, "MY word (of promise) extends not to the wicked!"179
179. The implication of the divine reply to Abraham (peace and Allah's blessings be upon him), obviously, is that Allah-approved leadership among human beings would not be bestowed upon the progeny of Abraham if the progeny go against divinely laid down law. In the context of the earlier verse, addressed to the Children of Israel (a progeny of Abraham), this progeny is thus being told, in unmistakable terms, that merely being the progeny of a Prophet would not help them get leadership of mankind. Nor shall that fact by itself get them salvation in the Hereafter! No intercession - not even of Abraham - would help them, if they go against divine law. Herein is a lesson also for us, Muslims of today. But alas! We won't take heed. We insist on treading the trodden path of Bani Israel!! [Please also refer Chapter Note 181 below as regards Abraham.]
| 125 |
وَإِذْ جَعَلْنَا الْبَيْتَ مَثَابَةً لِّلنَّاسِ وَأَمْنًا وَاتَّخِذُوا مِن مَّقَامِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ مُصَلًّى ۖ وَعَهِدْنَا إِلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ أَن طَهِّرَا بَيْتِيَ لِلطَّائِفِينَ وَالْعَاكِفِينَ وَالرُّكَّعِ السُّجُودِ |
125. Wa-ith jaAAalna albayta mathabatan lilnnasi waamnan waittakhithoo min maqami ibraheema musallan waAAahidna ila ibraheema wa-ismaAAeela an tahhira baytiya liltta-ifeena waalAAakifeena waalrrukkaAAi alssujoodi
125. And behold! WE made the House180 a secure place of assembly for mankind. - And take the place where Abraham181 stood182 as a place of worship! - And We bade Abraham and Ishmael183 to cleanse My184 House for those who would go around it and spend some time there in devotion, and who would bow and prostrate.
180. In verse 3.96, the Qur'aan informs us that the first House set up for mankind is the one at Bakkah (Mecca). Pilgrimage thereto is a duty unto Allah, for those who are in a position to undertake the journey (3.97). It is described as al-Baital-haraam (the sacred House) in verses 5.2 and 5.97, and as al-Baitil-ateeq (the ancient House) in 22.29 and 22.33. From verse 14.37, we learn that Abraham had settled some of his offspring in the uncultivable terrain near Allah's sacred House and had prayed for their provision. And from verse 22.26, we learn that it was Allah who guided Abraham to the site of His sacred House. In some other verses of the Qur'aan, like in verse 2.144, the House has been also called as al-Masjidil-haraam.
181. We have already seen this Prophet and Messenger of Allah mentioned as a leader of men, in verse 2.124. In verse 2.127, we are informed that it was he, along with his son, who had raised the foundation of the House of Allah. He has been described as a haneef (an upright man, one who professes the true religion) whom Allah has taken as a khaleel (a beloved one), and whose religion believers are commanded to follow [4.125]. And Allah Ta'ala speaks highly of him at many other places throughout in the Qur'aan!
182. In verse 3.97, we are informed that one of the clear signs in the House of Allah is the place where Abraham stood.
183. We learn from verse 14.39 that Ishmael was one of the two sons Allah gave Abraham in his old age. He too was a Messenger, a Prophet (19.54).
184. Those who would wonder as to why this sudden change in the same sentence from the plural We to the singular My, may well reflect that the conveyance of the divine command might have been made through the angels. So the plural 'We' was used. But the House was for devotion to Allah exclusively. Hence the singular 'My'.
| 126 |
وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ رَبِّ اجْعَلْ هَـٰذَا بَلَدًا آمِنًا وَارْزُقْ أَهْلَهُ مِنَ الثَّمَرَاتِ مَنْ آمَنَ مِنْهُم بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ ۖ قَالَ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَأُمَتِّعُهُ قَلِيلًا ثُمَّ أَضْطَرُّهُ إِلَىٰ عَذَابِ النَّارِ ۖ وَبِئْسَ الْمَصِيرُ |
126. Wa-ith qala ibraheemu rabbi ijAAal hatha baladan aminan waorzuq ahlahu mina alththamarati man amana minhum biAllahi waalyawmi al-akhiri qala waman kafara faomattiAAuhu qaleelan thumma adtarruhu ila AAathabi alnnari wabi/sa almaseeru
126. And when Abraham prayed "O my Lord! Make this land185 safe, secure and peaceful, and make provisions for its residents - for those who believe in Allah and in the Hereafter", Allah replied, "And, for a while, I shall keep contented the one who suppresses the Truth and then shall draw him/her to punishment by the Fire!186 And how vile a destination!!
185. In some translations, the Arabic word balad is rendered as City. But, obviously, during Abraham's time there was no city around the House of Allah. It would therefore be illogical for Abraham to call the place near the House, a City. The place was uncultivable, and few other settlers could have been there at that time besides a part of Abraham's family, whom Allah had led thereto. It might have been the open arid state of the land which prompted Abraham to make the prayer.
186. Please note that Abraham had prayed for the safety and well-being of those future residents of the land who believed in Allah and in the Hereafter. But Allah would allow suppressors of Truth to enjoy life for a while, before giving them the ultimate punishment! Believers should therefore not allow themselves to be led astray by the apparent lives of prosperity that some suppressors of Truth lead in this world!
| 127 |
وَإِذْ يَرْفَعُ إِبْرَاهِيمُ الْقَوَاعِدَ مِنَ الْبَيْتِ وَإِسْمَاعِيلُ رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ |
127. Wa-ith yarfaAAu ibraheemu alqawaAAida mina albayti wa-ismaAAeelu rabbana taqabbal minna innaka anta alssameeAAu alAAaleemu
127. And while raising the foundations of the House, Abraham and Ishmael prayed, "O our Lord! May You accept this187 from us. Surely, You are the One Who listens, the One Who knows!
187. Accept what? Accept the service rendered by father and son in raising the foundations of the House? Or, accept the prayer that they are about to make? The context of the divine Name As-Sameeoo (the One Unseen who listens to His creatures' prayers) clearly suggests that it was their ensuing prayers that the two were entreating Allah to accept.
| 128 |
رَبَّنَا وَاجْعَلْنَا مُسْلِمَيْنِ لَكَ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِنَا أُمَّةً مُّسْلِمَةً لَّكَ وَأَرِنَا مَنَاسِكَنَا وَتُبْ عَلَيْنَا ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ |
128. Rabbana waijAAalna muslimayni laka wamin thurriyyatina ommatan muslimatan laka waarina manasikana watub AAalayna innaka anta alttawwabu alrraheemu
128. "O our Lord! Turn us into persons who submit unto You;188 and out of our progeny, make a community that would submit unto You. And show us the rites that would symbolise our submitting to You.189 And accept our repentance.190 Surely, You are the One to accept repentance, the One Merciful!
188. Submitting to the One Lord - the Creator - is the solid base on which a true Muslim - a Muslim not only in name, but in deed also - firmly stands. Like Abraham, he observes the innumerable Signs that his Lord has furnished to him. Like Abraham, he uses his Allah-given intelligence to recognise that these are unmistakable Signs of His existence. The true Muslim does not allow the limited powers of his intelligence to go to his head and make him think erroneously that he is the lord of all he surveys. Abraham did truly symbolise a true Muslim! That's why, perhaps, the Lord preserved the place where he once stood in the House (the Kaaba) - literally, his footsteps - as a manifest Sign for all true Muslims to follow (3.97). That's why the Lord ordered us, in Verse 2.125, to take maqaam-e-Ibrahim as a musalla for us.
189. We observe fasts during the month of Ramadhaan, primarily because Allah has asked us to do so. We have similarly to observe all other religious rites, divinely prescribed in the Qur'aan, without any reservations whatsoever! If we do not observe them, we are not, nauzubillah, submitters to Allah then - we are not Muslims. That's as simply clear as that! So, our observations of Allah-prescribed religious rites - our manaasik - are, so to say, symbols of our complete submitting to Allah, our Lord!
190. Yes, we ought to observe all our manaasik, strictly and without exception. But human beings are weak. They are vulnerable to satanic temptations. And, despite our best intentions, we fail sometimes to observe our manaasik. We should therefore follow the leader. We should follow Abraham in constantly seeking Allah's indulgence, His merciful forbearance of our shortcomings.
| 129 |
رَبَّنَا وَابْعَثْ فِيهِمْ رَسُولًا مِّنْهُمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِكَ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ |
129. Rabbana waibAAath feehim rasoolan minhum yatloo AAalayhim ayatika wayuAAallimuhumu alkitaba waalhikmata wayuzakkeehim innaka anta alAAazeezu alhakeemu
129. "O our Lord! Raise among them191 a Messenger from amonst themselves to recite to them Your verses, to teach to them the Book and the Wisdom and to purify them.192 Surely, You are the One Almighty, the One Wise!"
191. In the context of the preceding verse, 'them' here obviously stands for the progeny of Abraham through his son Ishmael. And their progeny around the Kaaba are obviously the Arab people.
192. And we are aware that this prayer was heard, and responded to by the Wise and Almighty Allah several centuries later! HE did raise Prophet Muhammad (peace and Allah's blessings be upon him) for the very task Abraham and Ishmael had prayed for. During the intervening centuries, the Arab people had come to forget what their great forefather and Allah's Khaleel, Abraham, had stood for. They had fallen back to idol-worship, which Abraham had valiantly and steadfastly fought against! By Allah's grace, Prophet Muhammad recited His verses to his people. He taught them the Book of the divine verses, the Qur'aan, for 23 long years through numerous trials and tribulations. He thus convinced them of the wisdom of abiding by the divine commands contained in those verses. He thus, through Allah's grace, purified a non-descript and utterly backward people into the most potent force that shook the entire world and brought about an ideological, moral and intellectual renaissance therein!
| 130 |
وَمَن يَرْغَبُ عَن مِّلَّةِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِلَّا مَن سَفِهَ نَفْسَهُ ۚ وَلَقَدِ اصْطَفَيْنَاهُ فِي الدُّنْيَا ۖ وَإِنَّهُ فِي الْآخِرَةِ لَمِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ |
130. Waman yarghabu AAan millati ibraheema illa man safiha nafsahu walaqadi istafaynahu fee alddunya wa-innahu fee al-akhirati lamina alssaliheena
130. And who would turn away from Abraham's creed, but one who has made a fool of oneself? And We did indeed select him in this world. And, of course, in the Hereafter, he shall be among the righteous!193
193. It would indeed be foolish of anyone to be averse to a lifestyle that the Creator approved of and that got the one leading such a lifestyle an assured place of honour in the Hereafter. Doomed indeed would be the one who does not follow, or does not at least try to follow, Abraham's lifestyle!
| 131 |
إِذْ قَالَ لَهُ رَبُّهُ أَسْلِمْ ۖ قَالَ أَسْلَمْتُ لِرَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ |
131. Ith qala lahu rabbuhu aslim qala aslamtu lirabbi alAAalameena
131. When his Lord told him, "Submit", he obeyed: "I submit to the Lord of the worlds!"194
194. And that, in essence, was Abraham's lifestyle! It is indeed the essence of the Allah-approved Religion of Islam. Complete submission to His Will! Let us take particular note of the Name, Allah made Abraham choose here, from among His various Names: Rabbil aalameen. Lord of the worlds! (Please refer to Note 1.5 to understand the comprehensive Qur'aanic meaning of the term aalameen.) Every person is a khalifa (representative) of Allah to his/her individual world, where he/she has to take his/her own decisions. It is the nature of these decisions that make or mar that person. If he/she is deluded into thinking that he/she is the lord of all he/she surveys and makes his/her decisions accordingly, then he/she is doomed. If, on the other hand, he/she realises that Allah is the real Rabb (see Note 1.4) of his own world as well as of all other individual worlds, makes his/her decisions Allah-fearingly and submits completely to the results that follow as being from Allah, he/she would be the one to get befitting reward from the Lord.
| 132 |
وَوَصَّىٰ بِهَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بَنِيهِ وَيَعْقُوبُ يَا بَنِيَّ إِنَّ اللَّهَ اصْطَفَىٰ لَكُمُ الدِّينَ فَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنتُم مُّسْلِمُونَ |
132. Wawassa biha ibraheemu baneehi wayaAAqoobu ya baniyya inna Allaha istafa lakumu alddeena fala tamootunna illa waantum muslimoona
132. And Abraham did advise his sons in this regard195, and so did Jacob196, "O my sons! Surely has Allah chosen the Religion for you. Die you not then except in the state of complete surrender unto Him!"197
195. In regard to, that is, Allah's command and Abraham's obedience thereof, mentioned in the preceding Verse 2.131.
196. From verse 11.71, we learn that Jacob (Yaqoub) was a progeny of Abraham, the glad tidings of whom the Angels gave to Abraham's old wife. Jacob was promised to her as one who would come after her son, Isaac. And from verse 12.68, we gather that Jacob was the father of Prophet Joseph.
197. And since death is subject to the sweet wishes of no man, however big or well-placed, and is liable to occur at any time, the advice to the sons could only mean that they should never ever allow themselves to deviate from Islam, the Religion of Abraham.
| 133 |
أَمْ كُنتُمْ شُهَدَاءَ إِذْ حَضَرَ يَعْقُوبَ الْمَوْتُ إِذْ قَالَ لِبَنِيهِ مَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن بَعْدِي قَالُوا نَعْبُدُ إِلَـٰهَكَ وَإِلَـٰهَ آبَائِكَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِسْحَاقَ إِلَـٰهًا وَاحِدًا وَنَحْنُ لَهُ مُسْلِمُونَ |
133. Am kuntum shuhadaa ith hadara yaAAqooba almawtu ith qala libaneehi ma taAAbudoona min baAAdee qaloo naAAbudu ilahaka wa-ilaha aba-ika ibraheema wa-ismaAAeela wa-ishaqa ilahan wahidan wanahnu lahu muslimoona
133. Or198, were you the witnesses when death approached Jacob and he asked his sons, "Whom will you worship after I am gone?" Said they, "We shall worship the One, you have worshipped, and your forefathers, Abraham, Ishmael and Isaac, had worshipped - the One and Only, deserving to be worshipped - and we do indeed submit unto That One!"
198. This word connects the various episodes concerning the lives of Abraham and his progeny, described in all the verses right from verse 2.124. These anecdotes are connected for the divine statement that follows in verse 2.134. The obvious implication is that the people for whom these Qur'aanic verses were revealed did not exist when those episodes occurred, and therefore were unaware thereof. Allah is the One aware of all things, past, present and future. And He it is Who supplies us the necessary information, out of His infinite knowledge, for our guidance.
| 134 |
تِلْكَ أُمَّةٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ ۖ لَهَا مَا كَسَبَتْ وَلَكُم مَّا كَسَبْتُمْ ۖ وَلَا تُسْأَلُونَ عَمَّا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ |
134. Tilka ommatun qad khalat laha ma kasabat walakum ma kasabtum wala tus-aloona AAamma kano yaAAmaloona
134. That was a community, now dead and gone! To it what it earned, and to you what you have earned. And you shall not be questioned on what they did!199
199. Important implications of this divine statement are:
- Divine assessment of people would not be based on the performance of their forefathers, but on what they themselves do individually.
- No one can claim to be one of God's chosen people, and hence exempt from assessment of one's own performance.
- We need not just ape what the Islamic religious scholars in the past said and did! For, we shall not be questioned on what they said or did. But we shall certainly be questioned on what we do in compliance of the divine commands contained in the divinely preserved Qur'aan.
| 135 |
وَقَالُوا كُونُوا هُودًا أَوْ نَصَارَىٰ تَهْتَدُوا ۗ قُلْ بَلْ مِلَّةَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ حَنِيفًا ۖ وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ |
135. Waqaloo koonoo hoodan aw nasara tahtadoo qul bal millata ibraheema haneefan wama kana mina almushrikeena
135. And they200 say, "Be a Jew, or a Christian, to be rightly guided." Say, "Nay! Be of Abraham's Creed, devoutly.201 And he was not one from among the polytheists202."
200. In the context of the quote that immediately follows, it is obvious that 'they' here stands for either the Jews or the Christians.
201. Let us re-read in this context Verse 2.130, wherein anyone turning away from Abraham's creed is virtually called a fool. Let us also again go through Verse 2.131, which informs us of the essence of Abraham's creed.
202. Allah thus indirectly tells the Jews and the Christians, of that period at the revelation of the Qur'aan, that they have both strayed away from the pure Abrahamic creed and fallen into polytheism. Are the Jews and the Christians - or the Muslims, for that matter - of the present time, generally, any better than those Jews and Christians addressed in this verse?
| 136 |
قُولُوا آمَنَّا بِاللَّهِ وَمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْنَا وَمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَالْأَسْبَاطِ وَمَا أُوتِيَ مُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ وَمَا أُوتِيَ النَّبِيُّونَ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّنْهُمْ وَنَحْنُ لَهُ مُسْلِمُونَ |
136. Qooloo amanna biAllahi wama onzila ilayna wama onzila ila ibraheema wa-ismaAAeela wa-ishaqa wayaAAqooba waal-asbati wama ootiya moosa waAAeesa wama ootiya alnnabiyyoona min rabbihim la nufarriqu bayna ahadin minhum wanahnu lahu muslimoona
136. You say203, "We do believe in Allah. And we do believe in what has been sent down to us, and in what had been sent down upon Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and the descendent Tribes. And we do believe in what had been given to Moses and Jesus, and to the Prophets from their Lord. We differentiate not between any of them. And we do submit unto Him."204
203. Since the verb used here is in the plural form, the addressees of this divine command are obviously all the believers.
204. This divinely dictated Declaration of Faith, that every believer has solemnly to make, categorically proclaims the Unity of Faith. We are made to declare specifically that we do not hold any of the Prophets above the others. And yet, in practice, we do just the opposite! We hold our Prophet above the other Prophets. Just like the Jews, the Christians and the others hold their own Prophets above the others. They, of course, go to the extent of deifying their Prophets. But, alas, we are not lagging far behind them!
| 137 |
فَإِنْ آمَنُوا بِمِثْلِ مَا آمَنتُم بِهِ فَقَدِ اهْتَدَوا ۖ وَّإِن تَوَلَّوْا فَإِنَّمَا هُمْ فِي شِقَاقٍ ۖ فَسَيَكْفِيكَهُمُ اللَّهُ ۚ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ |
137. Fa-in amanoo bimithli ma amantum bihi faqadi ihtadaw wa-in tawallaw fa-innama hum fee shiqaqin fasayakfeekahumu Allahu wahuwa alssameeAAu alAAaleemu
137. If they205 then believe in what, and in the manner in which, you have believed206, they certainly are on right guidance. And if they turn away, then they indeed are on the other side of the divide. Allah will suffice you against them. And He is the One Who hears all, the One Who knows all!207
205. That is those who wanted the believers to be Jews or Christians so as to be on the right path [ref: Verse 2.135].
206. Refer Verse 2.136.
207. Allah thus reassures the believers of His help in the event of any hostility on the part of those who do not believe as the believers do. We should however remember that the divine help is contingent on our strictly adhering to and abiding by the Declaration of Faith dictated to us by Allah in Verse 2.136.
| 138 |
صِبْغَةَ اللَّهِ ۖ وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ مِنَ اللَّهِ صِبْغَةً ۖ وَنَحْنُ لَهُ عَابِدُونَ |
138. Sibghata Allahi waman ahsanu mina Allahi sibghatan wanahnu lahu AAabidoona
138. Allah has done the painting!208 And who could be better than Allah in painting? And worship Him, we209 do!
208. Allah has done - and is, in fact, continuously re-doing - the painting on His infinitely vast canvas stretching the entire Universe. We, the creatures, are of course unable to see the full picture. But whatever parts of it we can see, make us marvel at the exquisite mingling of colours to produce the breath-takingly beautiful pictures of natural sceneries. No human artist can ever hope to come even remotely near the perfection divinely executed. Our heads ought to automatically bow in recognition of and in utter submission to the Great, Inimitable Artist.
209. And who could the pronoun 'we' here, stand for? The context of this verse and the preceding one, suggests that it is the Angels conveying the Qur'aanic verses that 'we' refers to here. It is the Angels, moreover, who can have a better view of the infinitely large divine Painting than we, humans, and therefore can appreciate its gradeur, better. It is this better appreciation that makes them sincerely worship Allah.
| 139 |
قُلْ أَتُحَاجُّونَنَا فِي اللَّهِ وَهُوَ رَبُّنَا وَرَبُّكُمْ وَلَنَا أَعْمَالُنَا وَلَكُمْ أَعْمَالُكُمْ وَنَحْنُ لَهُ مُخْلِصُونَ |
139. Qul atuhajjoonana fee Allahi wahuwa rabbuna warabbukum walana aAAmaluna walakum aAAmalukum wanahnu lahu mukhlisoona
139. Say210, "Do you quarrel, on Allah, with us? And He is our Lord as well as yours! And to us, our work and to you, yours. And we do sincerely submit to Him!"
210. The context makes it obvious that this is a divine command to the Prophet to confront the Jews and the Christians with the reasoned argument that follows. It is with such cogent arguments throughout, appealing to human reason, that the Qur'aan presents the Reality to the human race at large!
| 140 |
أَمْ تَقُولُونَ إِنَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَالْأَسْبَاطَ كَانُوا هُودًا أَوْ نَصَارَىٰ ۗ قُلْ أَأَنتُمْ أَعْلَمُ أَمِ اللَّهُ ۗ وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن كَتَمَ شَهَادَةً عِندَهُ مِنَ اللَّهِ ۗ وَمَا اللَّهُ بِغَافِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ |
140. Am taqooloona inna ibraheema wa-ismaAAeela wa-ishaqa wayaAAqooba waal-asbata kanoo hoodan aw nasara qul aantum aAAlamu ami Allahu waman athlamu mimman katama shahadatan AAindahu mina Allahi wama Allahu bighafilin AAamma taAAmaloona
140. 211"Or say you that Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes were but Jews or Christians?" Say, "Is it you who know or is it Allah Who knows? And who can be more wicked than one who suppresses the evidence, from Allah, that is with him?! And Allah is not unaware of what you do."212
211. This is in continuation of the address, to the Jews and Christians, that Allah commanded the Prophet to give (see the preceding Verse).
212. Allah nails the lie, of both the Jews and the Christians, of Abraham having been a Jew/Christian, by pointing out in verse 3.65 that the Torah (for the Jews) and the Gospel (for the Christians) were not revealed till after he (Abraham) had passed away! And in verse 3.67 it is reiterated that Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian. Like Abraham, all those others mentioned in this verse (2.140) too had passed away before the revelation of the said divine Books. The Jews and the Christians were suppressing these facts. They were also suppressing the mention of Prophet Muhammad (peace and Allah's blessings be upon him) in their own Books, the Torah and the Gospel [Q: 7.157]!
| 141 |
تِلْكَ أُمَّةٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ ۖ لَهَا مَا كَسَبَتْ وَلَكُم مَّا كَسَبْتُمْ ۖ وَلَا تُسْأَلُونَ عَمَّا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ |
141. Tilka ommatun qad khalat laha ma kasabat walakum ma kasabtum wala tus-aloona AAamma kanoo yaAAmaloona
141. That was a community, now dead and gone! To it, what it earned and to you what you have earned. And you shall not be questioned on what they did!213
213. The contents of this verse (2.141) could well be part of the Prophet's address to the Jews and the Christians started in Verse 2.139 and continued in verse 2.140. But this verse (2.141) is verbatim the same as Verse 2.134. Since verse 2.134 is obviously addressed to the believers in the Qur'aan, the addressees of this verse (2.141) are, no doubt, the believers as well. Please refer to Chapter Note 199 above in this regard.
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"... This day, I (God) have pefected your Way of Life for you,
completed my favour upon you,
and have chosen for you Islam as your Way of Life. ..."
[Qur'aan: Chapter 5, Verse 3]
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