Wrongdoers cannot be heirs of the Prophetic Leadership

Wrongdoers cannot be heirs of the Prophetic Leadership

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

Stage – 1, Verse –124b of 286, Section – 15 of 40 ( Part - 1)

BisMIllaahir-Rahmaanir-Rahiim

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful 

(Abraham) said: And of my offspring (will there be leaders)? He said: My covenant includeth not wrongdoers.

Qaala  wa min-zurriyyatii.  Qaala laa yanaalu  ‘abdiz-zaa-limiin.

Lesson

Zurriyyatii – (my offspring, my children, my generation), the word zurriyyatun has very vast meanings. That is to say; the children, children of the children and so on; all are included in it. Prophet Abraham (peace be upon Him) had two sons, Prophet Ishmael and Prophet Isaac (peace be upon them). Race of these two Prophets (peace be upon them) became zurriyyatun of the Prophet Abraham (peace be upon Him). God Almighty blessed very much to this dynasty. Countless Prophets (peace be upon Them) were born in this family.

The Children of Israel were very proud of their racial superiority. They used to say that they belonged to the race of Prophet Abraham (peace be upon Him) and it was written in the Torah that God Almighty has blessed and favored them. It has been cleared through this verse that:

•                      The children of Prophet Ishmael (peace be upon Him) are also included in this racial superiority and pride, blessings and favors.

•                      The covenant of God Almighty was only for the persons who had good character; not for those who were of bad character. Those people, who have lost the felicity of belief and good deeds, racial superiority cannot become reason of distinction for them.

After straying the ancient nations God Almighty is laying a foundation of the nation (the followers) of His Last Prophet and Messenger Muhammad (glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him) for the dignity of leadership and guidance. So it was necessary that spiritual history of manifestation of the invitation of Holy Qur’an be mentioned.

The glorious and respectable Prophet Abraham (peace be upon Him) was tried with many different ways by God Almighty. He (peace be upon Him) was put in tests, troubles and calamities but He (peace be upon Him) succeeded in all the trials, never gave up patience and firmness. Due to result of this success, God Almighty appointed Him (peace be upon Him) as a Leader for the guidance of the people. Prophet Abraham (peace be upon Him) asked about His children (offspring) that “will they be also leaders”? God Almighty commanded that: My covenant does not include the wrongdoers. That is to say; this office will be bestowed to your race but with the condition that while they will not be cruel, disobedient and violent. If they adopted this path then this commission “leadership” will be snatched from them.

During a long period, the leadership remained in the race of the children of Prophet Abraham’s one son (Jacob) i.e. the Children of Israel, who was son of Prophet Isaac (peace be upon Them). While they went astray, they did not pay the Right, then this leadership was handed over to the Last Messenger Muhammad (glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him), who was from the Children of Prophet Ishmael, the second son of the Prophet Abraham (peace be upon Them). Now it is responsibility of the Muslims to prove themselves that they are able to hold this rank “leadership”.     

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)