God says: Remember Me, I will remember you

God says: Remember Me, I will remember you

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

Stage – 1, Verse – 152 of 286, Section –19 of 40 (Part - 2)

BisMIllaahir-Rahmaanir-Rahiim

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful 

Therefore remember Me, I will remember you; and give thanks to Me, and do not be ungrateful to Me.

Faz-kuruuniii  ‘az-kurkum  washkuruu  lii  wa laa takfu-ruun.

Lesson

Faz-kuruuniii – (So you remember Me), origin of this word is Zikr, which means remember, recitation, memory, prayer, talk and mention. Accordingly, counting on rosary (count the beads) is called the Zikr, because it is source of remembrance to God Almighty.

                                                             

‘Ashkuruu  lii – (give thanks to Me), shukr means thanks and gratitude. Purpose of it is that use of the powers and blessings bestowed by God Almighty should be according to the just, true, right and on proper places, and should abstain from under-esteeming, which is called ingratitude of a favor also.

The principles regarding improvement of the Muslim Ummah (Nation) have been described in the earlier verses, so now it is necessary that the people, who admit the invitation of Holy Qur’an, be guided to act in accordance with those principles and tell them to do with zeal, keeping in view these matters. So they are being commanded first of all: Remember God Almighty every moment.

Meaning of the ‘remember’ to Lord Almighty, is that every individual should go the path, guided by Him with full fondness and courage. He should keep the liking and assent of God Almighty on priority in every work, as during standing, sitting, walking, wondering, waking, and sleeping. Particularly, the way of worship has been selected too to remember Him. It is our duty to keep our footing on it. As its reward, Allah Almighty commands: I shall continue raining over you My particular favors and blessings in this world, as well as on the Judgment Day, and you will be bestowed with new and fresh kindness and mercies. 

Secondly, the Muslim nation is being commanded: Give thanks to Me. The best form of giving Thanks to God Almighty is that; His favors and blessings be determined for His works according to His commands and should work in the limitations, which have been ordered by our Lord to perform by the human beings. With it, His blessings and favors increase. This enlargement and increase is called blessings and fortune.

The third command, delivered by means of Holy Qur’an is, “Esteem highly the entire powers, blessings and strength; granted by God Almighty. Due to ungratefulness; not only the favor is snatched, but the severe punishment and strong agony is also awarded.

God Almighty has appointed the Muslims for teaching and guidance of the nations. It was necessary to perform this duty successfully that at first; morality, manners and courtesy of superior quality and needful excellence be produced in to them. Out of them, three excellence have been mentioned in the today’s lesson, which are foundation (base) of the entire excellence. That is to say, we should worship Allah Almighty and obey His orders, spend the favors, blessings and powers; granted by Him, according to His commands and do not use the strength, powers and causes, He gifted us in His disobedience.   

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)