Punishment against belief in a plurality of God

Quran 2 - 54 (Lesson – 85)

Punishment against belief in a plurality of God

Surah ‘Al-Baqarah (The Cow) – Chapter – 2) 

BisMIllaahir-Rahmaanir-Rahiim

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

54.  And when Moses said unto his people: O my people! Ye have wronged yourselves by your choosing of the calf (for worship), so turn in penitence to your Creator, and kill (the guilty) yourselves. That will be best for you with your Creator and He will relent toward you. Lo! He is the Relenting, the Merciful.

54.  Wa ‘iz qaala Muusaa li-Qawmihii  yaa-qawmi  ‘innakum zalamtum  ‘anfusa-kum  bit-tikhaazikumul-‘ijla  fatuubuuu  ‘ilaa  Baari-‘ikum faqtuluuu  ‘anfusakum.  Zaalikum khay-rul-lakum ‘inda  Baari-‘ikum  Fataaba ‘alaykum ‘Innahuuu Huwat-Tawwaa-bur-Rahiim.

Lesson

                  

Li-Qawmihii – (unto his people, to His nation), in this verse aim from li-Qawmihii is particularly those persons who fell prostrate before the calf supposing their worshiped. 

Zalamtum – (you have wronged, you have lost) it means that they involved again in plurality leaving the Oneness of God Almighty. How might be more than it loss of an individual over himself?

Faqtuluuu  ‘anfusakum – So kill (the guilty) yourselves. It signifies towards the people who did not fall prostrate before the calf that they should kill them who fell prostrate before it. The scholars have commented that there were three groups in the Children of Israel:

·         Those people who did not fall prostrate before the calf and forbade others not to do so. They were pious persons. 

·         Those people who fell prostrate.

·         It was a group of people who did not fall prostrate themselves but they did not forbid others from falling prostrate.

So the pious people were commanded to kill them who fell prostrate. In fact; the afterward two groups deserved the punishment.

Khay-rul-lakum – it is best for you. It aims that when you will kill one another; you will become chaste from the stench of sin and will acquire absolution and freedom.

In this verse, God Almighty tells the Children of Israel, “You could not remain on the straight path in the absence of Prophet (peace be upon Him), involved in plurality and idol worshiping. You have lost much due to this deed of yours. Now it is its punishment that you should kill one another yourselves. When the Children of Israel obeyed the order of God Almighty, then they were relented and God, the Most high accepted their penitence. Success in this world and on the Day of Resurrection for the human being is in obeying the Commandments of God Almighty whether he knows or doesn’t know its philosophy and advisability. And if he has mistaken with error, by forgetting or unintentionally, then he should be ready every time for acceptance and correctness.  

Transliterated Holy Qur’an in Roman Script & Translated from Arabic to English by Marmaduke Pickthall, Published by Paak Company, 17-Urdu Bazaar, Lahore, Lesson collected from Dars e Qur’aan published By Idara Islaah wa Tableegh, Lahore (translated Urdu to English by Muhammad Sharif) - https://youtu.be/ww2S5qsSJQg

Quran 2 - 53 (Lesson – 84) The Scripture and Standard of Judging

Quran 2 - 53 (Lesson – 84)

The Scripture and Standard of Judging

Surah ‘Al-Baqarah (The Cow) – Chapter – 2)

Stage – 1, Verse – 53 of 286, Section – 6 of 40 (Part - 1)

  

BisMIllaahir-Rahmaanir-Rahiim

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

53.  And when We gave unto Moses the Scripture and the Criterion (of right and wrong) that ye might be led aright.

53.  Wa ‘iz ‘aatayNaa Muusal- Kitaaba  wal-Furqaana  la-‘al-lakum  tahtaduun.

Lesson

         

Al-Furqaan – the Standard of Judging, the Orders, Commandments or Mandates, which separate, disunite. This word has been derived from the word faraqa, the word tafriiq is also from the same origin, which means “to divide or distinguish” the Holy Books (as distinguishing or separating the truth from falsehood). The Commentators of the Religion have different sayings about Furqaan:

·         Those Miracles which were bestowed to the Prophet Moses (peace be upon Him) from God, the Most High.

·         Such victory and overcoming which was gained by the children of Israel against the Army of Pharaoh.

·         The Jews understand also from this word, those verbal teachings which were revealed upon the Prophet Moses (peace be upon Him) besides Torah.

·         ‘Al-Furqaan is the name of Holy Qur’aan too as well as other Heavenly Books are called Furqaan also, because these Commandments differentiate between the Right and the Wrong.

In this verse ‘al-Furqaan means the Orders and Commandments by which the true and the false, the right and the wrong, and the goodness and the evil may be separated from one another and there may not remain any accommodation for doubt and suspicion. 

When the repentance of the Children of Israel was accepted, the Prophet Moses (peace be upon Him) went again to the Mount Sinai (Koh –i – Toor) and brought many Commandments from God Almighty which were written on the Tablets. The Collection of those Orders is called Torah.

God Almighty is reminding the Children of Israel His Favors in this verse. He commands them, “You disobeyed Our Orders and began worshiping the Calf, but We forgave you with Our kindness. Then We revealed upon Prophet Moses (peace be upon Him) such Scripture, which contained complete Law of Divine and a Guide (Torah), so that you may pass your lives according to its instructions. By that Scripture, it was easy to distinguish between just and absurd, lawful and unlawful, good and bad.”

It is known from this lesson that the Holy Book revealed from Allah Almighty and the Measure (Miizaan) among the just and the absurd is a great blessing for the human being. The Guidance can be obtained from it only and only those individuals are successful, who act upon the Holy Word of God Almighty, and take guidance from the Balance of true and false. It is incumbent on us that we should correct our words and deeds in the light of Holy Qur’aan and Sayings of the last Prophet Muhammad (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon Him), grow the virtue of distinguishing among the true and the false into ourselves and don’t consider the good and the bad equal. We should keep distinction between lawful and unlawful before us every time.

Transliterated Holy Qur’an in Roman Script & Translated from Arabic to English by Marmaduke Pickthall, Published by Paak Company, 17-Urdu Bazaar, Lahore, Lesson collected from Dars e Qur’aan published By Idara Islaah wa Tableegh, Lahore (translated Urdu to English by Muhammad Sharif)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pfEYlMoGvY

Announcement of Forgiveness - (L- 83), 2:52

Announcement of Forgiveness - (L- 83), 2:52

 

Surah ‘Al-Baqarah (The Cow) – Chapter – 2)

Stage – 1, Verse – 52 of 286, Section – 6 of 40 (Part - 1)

BisMIllaahir-Rahmaanir-Rahiim

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

52.  Then, even after that, We pardoned you in order that ye might give thanks.

52.  Summa ‘afawNaa ‘ankum-mim- ba’-di zaalika  la-‘allakum  tash-kuruun.

Lesson

         

Tash-kuruun – (ye might give thanks). This word has been derived from the word Shukar. Shukar means thanks, gratitude and just an appreciation. Aim of the Shukar in Islam is a just appreciation for the favors of God Almighty by the human being. An individual should use His favors and Grants in a right and sound manner. He should not be thankless or disesteem.

  

It was discussed in the previous lesson that Prophet Moses (peace be upon Him) went on the Mount Sinai in obedience of God Almighty, so that he should worship Him there and bring from Him a Guide Book for their nation. After the expiry of thirty days, he was commanded to stay there ten more days, and he (peace be upon Him) was late.   

In the absence of the Prophet Moses (peace be upon Him), Saamrii, who was a wicked juggler, created a calf (a sound used to come out from its mouth), produced it before the Children of Israel and told, “this calf is the worshiped of yours and Moses (peace be upon Him), so you should worship it”. Then immediately, save a few people, the entire nation fell prostrate before the calf and began to worship it with extremely lowness.

When Prophet Moses (peace be upon Him) returned from the Mount of Sinai, He saw that the entire Children of Israel have been misled. He filled with fury and threw away those Tablets of Commandments, which He had brought with Him and asked His brother Aaron furiously. Aaron (peace be upon Him) stated the entire story and told about His own helplessness.

Finally, God Almighty ordered, “Throw the calf into the sea and kill one another because it is the only way to accept your repentance.” So, two thousand persons were slain in a day. At last Prophet Moses (peace be upon Him) prayed from God, the Most High and they received the commandment of forgiveness.

It is the Mercy and Grace of God Almighty only that the mankind errs but God Almighty overlooks from them. As soon as the human being admits his negligence and promises to abstain from evils in future, God Almighty forgives. If any individual does not admit His kindness upon even it; then it will be infinite thankless and worthlessness. This error is not forgivable.

Transliterated Holy Qur’an in Roman Script & Translated from Arabic to English by Marmaduke Pickthall, Published by Paak Company, 17-Urdu Bazaar, Lahore, Lesson collected from Dars e Qur’aan published By Idara Islaah wa Tableegh, Lahore (translated Urdu to English by Muhammad Sharif)   https://youtu.be/OSX2JPLxzdc

Beginning of worshiping a calf by the Jews - (L- 82)

Beginning of worshiping a calf by the Jews - (L- 82)

 

Surah ‘Al-Baqarah (The Cow) – Chapter – 2)

Stage – 1, Verse – 51 of 286, Section – 6 of 40 (Part - 1)

BisMIllaahir-Rahmaanir-Rahiim

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

51.  And when We did appoint for Moses forty nights (of solitude), and then ye chose the calf, when he had gone from you, and ye were wrongdoers.

51.  Wa ‘iz waa-‘adNaa Muusaaa ‘arba-iina lay-latan-  summat-takhaztu-mul-‘ijla mim- ba’-dihii wa ‘antum zaalimuun.

Lesson

         

Muusaaa – (Moses) was a great, glorious and favorite Prophet (peace be upon Him) of God Almighty. Mostly the Commentators of the religion imagine that the word ‘Moses’ has been derived from Hebrew language. Some scholars say that it is an Egyptian word which means a child or a son. Father’s name of the Prophet Moses (peace be upon Him) was Imran. His sister’s name was Mary and Brother Aaron. They both were elder than Him. The Time of Moses (peace be upon Him) is stated as 1500 B.C. or 1300 B.C. He drove the children of Israel away from the slavery of Pharaoh and his folk.

In this verse God, the Most High narrated the events of Prophet Moses (peace be upon Him) and His nation, which happened after the crossing of Red Sea. When Moses (peace be upon Him) reached near the Mountain Sinai (famous place for the conversation between Moses and God Almighty) after crossing the sea, God Almighty commanded Him to worship for forty nights on the Mountain Sinai (Koh-i-Tuur). Prophet Moses (peace be upon Him) went for worship on the Mountain Sinai obeying this order and detailed His brother, Aaron to look after the nation in His absence.

After the departure of Moses (peace be upon Him) obstinacy and liberty grew in the nation (the Children of Israel). In the presence of even Aaron (peace be upon Him) they did not incline toward the worship of God. It is known as they did not forget still then the Idol-worshiping of the Egyptians. They were simpleton. Out of them a conjurer named ‘Saamrii’ (who was a story teller) reaped advantage of their weakness (simplicity) and made a calf of the gold. Whenever it blew, a meaningless sound came out of the mouth of calf. That sound was wonderful for them, as though the children may get different sounds from the ordinary toys of animals. The entire Children of Israel began worshiping the calf except a few persons from them.

The Prophet Aaron (peace be upon Him) caused His best to understand them but they did not turn unto God-worshiping. As though they could not remain on the straight path in the forty days’ absence of Prophet Moses (peace be upon Him). And leaving God Almighty they started worshiping the calf, which was lifeless and false. It was their much bigger weakness and till today some nations are involved in this error.   

Transliterated Holy Qur’an in Roman Script & Translated from Arabic to English by Marmaduke Pickthall, Published by Paak Company, 17-Urdu Bazaar, Lahore, Lesson collected from Dars e Qur’aan published By Idara Islaah wa Tableegh, Lahore (translated Urdu to English by Muhammad Sharif)

https://youtu.be/xQ-BFq1ZOUw

Tyrannies and Pharaoh drowned in water (L- 81)

Tyrannies and Pharaoh drowned in water (L- 81)

Surah ‘Al-Baqarah (The Cow) – Chapter – 2)

Stage – 1, Verses – 50 of 286, Section – 6 of 40 (Part - 1)

  

BisMIllaahir-Rahmaanir-Rahiim

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

50.  And when We brought you through the sea and rescued you, and drowned the folk of Pharaoh in your sight.

50.  Wa ‘iz faraqNaa bikumul-bahra fa-‘anjay-Naakum  wa ‘agraq-Naaa ‘Aala- Fir-‘awna wa ‘antum   tanzuruun.

Lesson

         

Al-bahra – (Sea) here, aim from al-bahra is the Red Sea (Arabian Gulf). It is also called a deep sea. Through this sea the Egypt meets with Syria and Siena. The Children of Israel entered in Peninsula of Siena after crossing this Sea and got freedom from Pharaoh and folks of Egypt.  

FaraqNaa bikumul-bahra - (We brought you through the Sea). It points towards the event mentioned in this verse that when the Children of Israel began crossing the Red Sea, God Almighty created for them a way to cross the sea. It was a Miracle of Prophet Moses (peace be upon Him) that when He beat His stick on the water of sea, the earth in the sea became dry and now there was a path for the Children of Israel to cross the sea. As per historians this event was occurred nearly during 1447 B.C.

Wa ‘antum tanzuruun – (And you were looking). The Children of Israel are being told that they had seen with their open eyes the infamy and disgraced death of their greatest cruel and despotic king.

The Children of Israel used to bear the cruelties of their tyrant kings of Egypt for many years. After all, they devised that they should leave the Egypt and go to their ancestor’s native country Syria and Palestine under the supervision of Prophet Moses (peace be upon Him). Because the government of Egypt was not agreeing to permit them leaving the Egypt, so they started their journey at night. They had fear of following by the Egyptian government, grief on leaving their homes and utter darkness of night. Due to fear and confusion they forgot the correct path.

On the other side, the Pharaoh had known that the Children of Israel had run away. He followed with his Army and reached near them. Now the Jews were entirely helpless. In front of them there was sea in the east and behind them a great Egyptian Army. The Children of Israel were very confused as they had been surrounded. At that time, Prophet Moses (peace be upon Him) beat His stick in the sea according to the commandment of God Almighty. The sea was cracked and the dry land appeared. Caravan of the Children of Israel crossed the sea. Meanwhile the Army of Pharaoh reached there. They saw dried path and dropped down. But they were still in the middle of the way that the water became in a level and met mutually itself. Pharaoh drowned along with his Army. The Children of Israel looked the show of drowning their enemy helplessly with their eyes. Above mentioned verse signifies towards such story.

Transliterated Holy Qur’an in Roman Script & Translated from Arabic to English by Marmaduke Pickthall, Published by Paak Company, 17-Urdu Bazaar, Lahore, Lesson collected from Dars e Qur’aan published By Idara Islaah wa Tableegh, Lahore (translated Urdu to English by Muhammad Sharif)

https://youtu.be/gWQ19isMwRg

Afflictions on the Children of Israel (L- 80)

Afflictions on the Children of Israel (L- 80)

Surah ‘Al-Baqarah (The Cow) – Chapter – 2)

Stage – 1, Verse – 49 of 286, Section – 6 of 40 (Part - 1)

  

BisMIllaahir-Rahmaanir-Rahiim

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

49.  And (remember) when We did deliver you from Pharaoh’s folk, who were afflicting you with dreadful torment, slaying your sons and sparing your women. And that was a tremendous trial from your Lord.

49.  Wa ‘iz najjay-Naakum-min –‘Aali- Fir-‘awna yasuu-muuna- kum  suuu-‘al-‘azaabi yuzab-bihuuna ‘abnaaa-‘akum wa yas-tah-yuuna nisaaa-‘akum.  Wa fii zaalikum balaaa-‘um-mir-Rabbikum ‘aziim.

Lesson

         

‘Aali- Fir-‘awna – (Folk, people, near relatives, religion fellows, servants and children of Pharaoh), Pharaoh was title of the King of Egypt. Usually the people imagine a king of the Egypt who was named as Pharaoh. In fact it was not the name of one person. Moreover it was surname of the entire kings of Egypt as the title of the king of China was ‘Khaqaan’ (Emperor) and the surname of the King of Rome was ‘Caesar’.

Prophet Joseph (Peace be upon Him) brought and populated the Israelite in the Egypt. They lived in the Egypt hundreds of the years and their population reached in hundred thousands. The King of Egypt made them his slaves and treated them extremely disgracefully and contemptibly.

Once, the King dreamed at night. He gathered the soothsayers and asked them to interpret his dream in the morning, “I have seen a fire coming from the Temple of Jerusalem. It has besieged the Egypt and begun to burn the ‘Qabtees’ (Egyptians) choosing one by one”. Listening to it the soothsayers told the King that a child would be born in the Israelite that would become the cause of your death and fall of the Emperor.

The Pharaoh collected all the nurses and midwives of the country and ordered them, “Whenever any ‘son’ comes into the world by birth in the Israelite, kill him at once. However the girls be left alive.” Due to the orders of the King thousands of the sons of Israelite were killed. After all, the leaders of the Egypt thought, “If all the Israelite are killed in this manner, who will serve us?”

Listening to it, the Pharaoh ordered, “Continue killing process for one year and stop it for the next year regularly”. The year in which killing process was postponed, in that year Prophet Aaron (peace be upon Him) was born and in the year killing process was in force, during that period Prophet Moses (Peace be upon Him) came in this world but God, the Most High saved his life with His sound policy and he could not be slain.

The above mentioned verse indicates towards such event. The nation of Pharaoh had put the children of Israel in so much difficult calamity and labor. Finally God Almighty set them free from these disasters through His Prophet Moses (Peace be upon Him). 

Transliterated Holy Qur’an in Roman Script & Translated from Arabic to English by Marmaduke Pickthall, Published by Paak Company, 17-Urdu Bazaar, Lahore, Lesson collected from Dars e Qur’aan published By Idara Islaah wa Tableegh, Lahore (translated Urdu to English by Muhammad Sharif)

What will be of use in the Hereafter (L- 79)

What will be of use in the Hereafter (L- 79)

Surah ‘Al-Baqarah (The Cow) – Chapter – 2)

Stage – 1, Verses – 48 of 286, Section – 6 of 40 (Part - 1)

BisMIllaahir-Rahmaanir-Rahiim

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

48.  And guard yourselves against a Day when no soul will in aught avail another, nor will intercession be accepted from it, nor will compensation be received from it, nor will they be helped.

48.  WattaquuYawmal-laa tajzii nafsun ‘an-nafsin- shay-‘anw-wa laa yuqbalu minhaa shafaa-‘atunw-wa  laa  yu’-khazu minhaa  ‘ad-lunw-wa laa  hum yun-saruun.

Lesson

         

Yawmun – (the Day), here it aims the Day of Resurrection. It is necessary for giving up the worldly amusements and performing good deeds that the Faith in the Day of Resurrection or Rewards and punishment on one’s deeds should exist in the religion, so that the people would have to leave their evils and bad acts due to the concept of that Day and do good works having the hope of rewards. With the passage of time, the Belief in the Day of Resurrection had been exterminated from the hearts of the Jews, so they are being warned of the Day of Judgment.

‘Ad-lun – (justice, revenge, reward, exchange, equality, accuracy, rivalry etc.), if remuneration or compensation is given for anything, that is considered equal to the capital. So the word ‘ad-lun is used as the exchange. It also means justice or equity because by doing justice among two parties, it becomes equity.

It was the concept of the Jews, “As how much we commit evils and sins, we shall not be punished because our forefathers were Prophets (peace be upon them). They will cause to forgive us”. God Almighty commands that such faith of theirs was totally false. The guilty would have to be punished for his sins properly.

Usually, there are four forms to set the criminal free:

·         Any other individual should admit that the crime was committed by him (instead of the actual guilty).

·         Set the guilty free on anyone’s recommendations.

·         Let him off by paying some compensation (cash).

·         Get him free violently.

There is no any such form out of the above, which may be of use for the evildoer on the Day of Judgment.

On the Day of Resurrection, every individual will think about him/herself only. Nobody will be able to recommend any other without the permission of God Almighty. He does not need any wealth and property that the ransom may be accepted by Him. There is no such power in the heavens and the earth, who may compel God Almighty and set the sinners free from Him, Who is the Most High.

Allah Almighty rendered the faith of the Jews null and void by revealing the verse under discussion and caused to know them that they should come back towards the straight path having fear of the Day of Resurrection.

Transliterated Holy Qur’an in Roman Script & Translated from Arabic to English by Marmaduke Pickthall, Published by Paak Company, 17-Urdu Bazaar, Lahore, Lesson collected from Dars e Qur’aan published By Idara Islaah wa Tableegh, Lahore (translated Urdu to English by Muhammad Sharif)