Guard yourselves against a Day in which ye will be brought back to God

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

Stage – 1, Verses – 280 & 281 of 286, Section – 39 of 40 (Part - 3)

BisMIllaahir-Rahmaanir-Rahiim

In the name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful

280.  And if the debtor is in straitened circumstances, then (let there be) postponement to (the time of) ease. And that ye remit the debt as almsgiving would be better for you if ye did but know. 281.  And guard yourselves against a Day in which ye will be brought back to Allah. Then every soul will be paid in full that which it hath earned, and they will not be wronged.

280.  Wa  ‘in-kaana  zuu- ‘us-ratin  fa-nazi-ratun  ‘ilaa  maysarah.  Wa  ‘an-  tasaddaquu  khayrul-lakum  ‘inkuntum  ta’-lamuun. 281.  Wattaquu  Yawman-turja- ‘uuna  fiihi   ‘ilAllaah.  Summa  tuwaffaa  kullu  nafsim-maa  kasabat  wa  hum  laa-  yuzlamuun.

  

Lesson

The commands regarding the Interest and usury were being described with effect from the Verse # 275 to onward. Until now, it has been explained clearly that the Usury is forbidden. The people, who do the business of interest, whenever (on the Day of Resurrection) they will attend the Court of Allah Almighty, their condition will be like the mad. They will not be able also to stand firmly. Allah Almighty has made announcement to forgive all previous corruption radically by His Grace, and urged strictly that this business should be finished completely in future. The necessities of the needy people should be fulfilled with alms and charity in place of interest/usury. He commanded also that if anybody would not refrain even now, then it would be understood that he is rebel of God Almighty. Therefore, he should be ready for war with Allah Almighty and His Messenger (grace, glory, blessings and peace of Allah be upon him).

 

These verses are after those commands and guidance, which are part of this lesson. It is the Divine’s Description, “Give time till his easy circumstances and expansion, if the debtor is poor. So that he may return the principal easily. But, it is much better to forgive him, who cannot pay”. This incitement of forgiveness has been described in the words, “And if you remit the debt as alms-giving, it would be better for you”. 

‘inkuntum  ta’-lamuun  - (if you did but know), it is considerable that apparently the debtor will get the benefit of forgiveness, whereas, Allah Almighty commands, “‘inkuntum  ta’-lamuun”  (if you have understanding), then its benefit is really for you. 

At the end, Allah Almighty put us in perception of the perfect God-fearing and liability of our deeds on the Day of Resurrection in the words, “Guard yourselves against a Day in which you will be brought back to Allah. Then every soul will be paid in full that which it has earned, and they will not be wronged”.

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)