God’s wrath due to disbelief and slaying the Prophets wrongfully

God’s wrath due to disbelief and slaying the Prophets wrongfully

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

Stage – 1, Verse –61b of 286, Section – 7 of 40 (Part - 1)

BisMIllaahir-Rahmaanir-Rahiim

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

And humiliation and wretchedness were stamped upon them and they were visited with wrath from Allah.

Wa zuribat ‘alayhimuz-zillatu  wal-mas-kanah; wa baaa’uu bi-gazabim- minAllaah.

Lesson

Zuribat – (stamped, struck, hit, hammered) in this verse this word is used for ‘stamped upon them’ (humiliation).

Zillatun – (humiliation, disgrace, insult)

Mas-kanatun – (wretchedness, poverty, needs, destitution) it is said usually that the Jews as a nation are the richest but it is a deception and misunderstanding. The wealth and property which the Jews have, that is limited only to their some superior people, otherwise, public and common people are weak financially.

God Almighty bestowed many kinds of blessings and kindness but they did not thank Him. They used to disobey the Laws of God Almighty. They were given Manna and Quails for their food but they had not patience on this favor and claimed for ignoble items like vegetables, cucumbers and corn etc.  

Due to their ingratitude behavior, the wrath of God Almighty appeared upon them. So, humiliation was affixed upon them. So this nation remained subordinate to the Muslims and the Christians always. During May 1949 their Government was established with the name of “State of Israel” but that was established with the help of Western Governments and even now their existence is due to injustice behavior of the western countries.

Besides humiliation, wretchedness and poverty were sticking together upon them also. There are only some individuals, who are fortunate; otherwise maximum people of the Jews are very poor. The people who suppose it their native country and if they are rich, they are involved in avarice and the love of wealth. They have ambition, lust and greed of wealth surpassing everything.

It is known from this lesson that an individual should be thankful to God Almighty always for His blessings, so that the blessings are remained forever, because till the time any nation thanks God for His blessings, He bestows His favors. And no individual should criticize the religion of God Almighty because the human being is ignorant from the result of goodness, betterment and virtue of anything. 

     

That was because they disbelieved in Allah’s Revelations and slew the Prophets wrongfully. That was for their disobedience and transgression.

Zaalika bi-‘annahum kaanuu yakfuruuna bi-‘AayaaTIllaahi wa yaq-tuluunan-nabiy-yiina bi-gayril-haq. Zaalika bimaa ‘asaw-wa kaanuu ya’-taduun.

Lesson

Yakfuruuna – (Disbelieved) this word has been derived from the word kafara. Literal meaning of kafara is ‘not to believe, to hide’. Technically, “not to believe in the Oneness of God and Prophet-hood is called infidelity. So Kaafir means “the Infidel”. It aims in this verse that the Children of Israel had become habitual of infidelity and denial.  

‘Aayaatillaahi – (Allah’s Revelations, verses, tokens, signs), it signifies also toward the Miracles of the Prophets (peace be upon Them), Heavenly Scriptures, Orders and Commands of God Almighty too.  

Yaq-tuluuna – (Slew, murdered, killed) the Children of Israel used to kill the Prophets (peace be upon Them) crossing the limits of infidelity and violence. They committed slaying of the Prophets John, Zachariah, Yasa’-yaa’ and Yarmiaa (peace be upon Them).

As we have read in the previous lessons that the Children of Israel suffered the wrath of God Almighty. Humiliation and wretchedness were affixed upon them. Causes of wrath are being narrated in this verse.

God Almighty commands that the Children of Israel had become guilty of two main crimes:

·         They did not act upon the Commands of God Almighty whole heartily. Moreover they used to find faults willing or not willing, and criticize in each matter unreasonably with improper arguments.

·         They used to slay their Prophets (peace be upon Them). After the Prophet Moses, God Almighty sent many Prophets (peace be upon Them) but they did not listen to anyone of Them. Moreover they became their (Prophets) enemies. Some of them were blamed and some were slain.

Causes of these guilt have been narrated also in this verse that they used to disobey the Orders of God Almighty and Instructions of His Prophets (peace be upon Them), and had become habitual to cross the prescribed limits of the Religion. It was the result that as they turned their faces from the Revelations of God Almighty and slew the Prophets (peace be upon Them), so they would have to suffer the wrath of God Almighty. 

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

Gushing out springs for and demand of different foods by the Jews

Gushing out springs for and demand of different foods by the Jews

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

Stage – 1, Verses – 60 & 61a of 286, Section – 6 of 40 (Part - 1)

BisMIllaahir-Rahmaanir-Rahiim

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

And when Moses asked for water for his people, We said: Smite with thy staff the rock. So there gushed out therefrom twelve springs (so that) each tribe knew their drinking-place. Eat and drink of that which Allah hath provided, and do not act corruptly, making mischief in the earth.

Wa ‘izis-tasqaa Muusaa li-qawmihii faqulNazrib- bi- ‘Asaakal-hajar. Fan-fajarat min-husnataa ‘ashrata ‘aynaa  Qad ’alima kullu ‘unaasim-mashrabahum. Kuluu wash-rabuu mir-rizQIllaahi wa laa ta’-saw fil-‘arzi mufsidiin.

Lesson

‘Asaa – (staff, stick, club) It has been mentioned in many verses of Holy Qur’aan about the stick of Prophet Moses (peace be upon Him). This stick was bestowed to Him as a miracle. To cross the sea, a path was appeared by this stick, twelve springs began to flow by smiting the rock of stone with this staff, and it swallowed the snakes and scorpions of the magicians of Pharaoh after becoming a dragon.

‘Isnataa ‘ashrata ‘aynaa – (twelve springs) after wandering confused in the desert and barren wilderness of the peninsula of Sinai the Children of Israel reached such place where water was not available. When after searching they did not find water they enraged upon the Prophet Moses (peace be upon Him). The Prophet (peace be upon Him) begged from God Almighty. He was commanded to smite the rock with His staff, so twelve springs gushed out therefrom (so that) each tribe might know their drinking-place.

It was the favor of God Almighty only that they were provided the water in a dry desert and were ordered, “Eat and drink of that which Allah hath provided, and do not spread mischief and dissension in the earth”.

It is found from this narration that whenever we do not see any support or source for eating and drinking, God, the Most High arranges and provides eatables and drinkable with His Mercy and Power. It is the duty of human being that he should beg from Him only and he should not be hopeless from His Mercy. God Almighty is “the Merciful and Kind”. If any individual disobeys, he gets loss for himself only and which the wrath descends that is due to his own evildoing.

      

And when ye said: O Moses! We are weary of one kind of food; so call upon thy Lord for us that He brings forth for us of that which the earth groweth – of its herbs and its cucumbers and its corn and its lentils and its onions. He said: Would ye exchange that which is higher for that which is lower? Go down to settled country, thus ye shall get that which ye demand.

Wa ‘iz qultum yaa-Muusaa lan-nasbira ‘alaa ta-‘aa-minw-waahidin  fad-‘u lanaa Rabbaka yukh-rij lanaa mim-maa tumbitul-‘arzu mim- baqli-haa wa qissaaa-‘ihaa wa fuu-mihaa wa ‘adasihaa wa basali-haa.  Qaala ‘atas-tabdiluunal-lazii huwa ‘adnaa billazii huwa khayr. ‘Ih-bituu misran- fa-‘inna lakum- maa sa- ‘altum.

Lesson

Misran – (city) Here, the aim from misran is any city of peninsula Sinai or in its surroundings. Literal meaning of Misr is a city of which demarcation would have been completed. However, it does not mean the country presently Egypt.

This incident was also happened in the desert and wilderness of the Peninsula of Sinai. The Children of Israel used to eat heavenly food ‘Manna and Quails’ with much taste for a long time but they became weary from this food. Although these foods were being provided to them without labor and free of cost. They said to their Prophet (peace be upon Him), “O Moses! We are weary of one kind of food; so call upon thy Lord for us that He bring forth for us of that which the earth groweth – of its herbs and its cucumbers and its corn and its lentils and its onions”. They requested to bring them toward some other place from this wilderness where all kinds of city and country foods, vegetables must be available for them.

The Prophet Moses (peace be upon Him) admonished them first of all that their demand was not well. The heavenly food, which they were getting without working hard, it was much better than those things which needed hard work. But the Children of Israel resisted on their saying. Then the Prophet Moses (peace be upon Him) said, “Go and live in any settled city. You will attain there the food of your choice”.  

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

Children of Israel entered in the township, disobeying the Commands of God

Children of Israel entered in the township, disobeying the Commands of God

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

Stage – 1, Verses – 58 & 59 of 286, Section – 6 of 40 (Part - 1)

BisMIllaahir-Rahmaanir-Rahiim

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

And when We said: Go into this township and eat freely of that which is therein, and enter the gate prostrate, and say: “Repentance”. We will forgive you your sins and will increase (reward) for the right doers.

Wa ‘iz qulnad-khuluu haazihil-qaryata fakuluu minhaa haysu shi’-tum ragadanw-wad-khulul-baaba sujjadanw-wa quuluu hittatun, nagfir-lakum khataa-yaakum. Wa sanaziidul-Muh-siniin.

Lesson

                                           

Al-Qaryata – (Township) the Historians have told that this colony was a famous city of Palestine named ‘Areehaa’. It was conquered by the Children of Israel during the period of Prophet Yusha (peace be upon Him) after death of Prophet Moses (peace be upon Him).

Hittatun – (Repentance) it is abbreviation of a sentence that means, “O our Lord! Forgive our mistakes”. The Children of Israel were instructed to say with their tongues the word hittatun, (Repentance), while entering the city.

Muh-siniin – (Right doers) this word is made from ‘ahsaan, which means to favor, kindness and well doing.

God Almighty did show the entire land of “Kin’aan” carrying Prophet Moses (peace be upon Him) up to the river bank of Jordan and told, “I give this country to the Children of Israel and you will conquer this city Areehaa in near future. While you enter in it you will get favors of God Almighty and different kinds of fruit. So at the time of entering in the gate they should fall prostrate, and say: hittatun “Repentance” and not to be proud and haughty. We shall forgive their sins and increase (reward) for the right doers.

The Children of Israel did not obey God Almighty whole heartily despite they began to disobey, so they were entitled of the wrath of God. Complete detail will be discussed in forthcoming verses.

The time becomes very difficult for the nations when they get favors of God Almighty and do not give thank to Him. Instead of thanking God they choose the path of violence. They suffer agony and do not take it as warning but become more intoxicated. They get guidance and do not adopt the straight path but begin to violate.      

But those who did wrong changed the word which had been told them for another saying, so We sent down upon the evildoers wrath from heaven for their evildoing.

Fabadda-lallaziina zala-muu qaw-lan gay-rallazii qiila lahum fa-‘anzalNaa ‘alallaziina  zalamuu rijzam-minas-samaaa-‘i  bimaa kaanuu yaf-suquun.

Lesson

Badda-la – (changed) the words which had been told them for saying, they changed them and adopted those words in which the meanings of buffoonery and laughter were hidden instead of forgiveness. 

Rijzun – (wrath) Wrath of God Almighty comes in different forms over the persons who become evildoer, disloyal, mutineer or rebel. This word is used for every type of torture also. The commentators of the religion have told that the word ‘wrath’ mentioned in this verse, was in the form of Plague on the children of Israel. 

Bimaa kaanuu yaf-suquun – (because they were evildoers, they used to disobey).  This word has been derived from the word fisq that means disobeying, corruption, adulteration or fornication. So the individual who is evildoer or who disobeys the Order of God Almighty is called Faasiq (adulterer, fornicator and corrupt). This sentence signifies that the Children of Israel had not abstained physically due to which the Plague spread over them. But they used to disobey the orders of God Almighty continuously; resultant they were punished with the disease plague.

When the Children of Israel conquered the city of Areehaa during the period of Prophet Yusha’ (peace be upon Him) these people became evildoers instead of thanking God Almighty and changing His Commands, began to deride, fun, joke and buffoonery. So instead of using the word ‘hittatun‘(Begging for Mercy or Grace) they entered in the city saying ‘hintatun fii sha’-ratin’ (grain in the spike of corn) and instead of falling prostrate, they entered from the gate of city by dragging themselves.

 They were punished with the Plague disease due to this disobedience and God Almighty says, “We sent down wrath upon the evildoers from heaven due to their evil deeds”. It was the result that nearly seventy thousand Children of Israel became victim of the Plague.     

God Almighty is reminding the Children of Israel His favors over them so that they might bear in their mind and come towards the straight path giving Him thanks.

We learnt from this verse that due to His favors, we should thank God, the Most High. Many nations are ruined due to haughtiness and proud.

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

Life after death and provision of food

Life after death and provision of food

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

Stage – 1, Verses – 56 & 57 of 286, Section – 6 of 40 (Part - 1)

BisMIllaahir-Rahmaanir-Rahiim

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

Then We revived you after your extinction, that ye might give thanks.

Summa ba-‘asNaakum-mim-ba’-di mawtikum  la-‘allakum tash-kuruun.

Lesson

         

God Almighty is causing to remember His favors one by one to the Children of Israel, so that they should give up evil deeds keeping these favors in view and come back on the straight path.

 

In this verse, previous incident is being explained constantly. When a group from the Children of Israel said to the Prophet Moses (peace be upon Him), “We will see Allah Almighty with our apparent and material eyes manifestly”, the lightning seized them due to this arrogance and they all died. When Prophet Moses (peace be upon Him) saw them dead, He called upon God Almighty and begged, “O my Lord! I brought these people to witness before the Children of Israel. Now they have expired. What shall I reply the nation and produce them the argument? Then Allah Almighty brought them to life again. 

God Almighty has drawn their attention towards that fact in this verse and Commanded that they should remember His favor: Then We revived you after your extinction, that ye might give thanks”. There is only way to give thanks to God Almighty, “Obey His Commands leaving the path of infidelity and depravity.”

It appears from this incident that arrogance in the Court of God Almighty and unreasonable demands from Him is biggest sin and its punishment is very painful. Those people wished to see God Almighty with their materialistic eyes whereas, it was impossible for the human being till the time living in this world and they were punished due to this arrogance.

So, we should accept and believe in every command and order of Allah Almighty and His last Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon Him) without any doubt and dispute. We should never try to grow any fault finding, criticism and argument in it, because it becomes habit of the human being to find faults in every matter. The individuals who become habitual of finding faults, they shirk work always. They are rich of talking only.

And We caused the cloud to overshadow you and sent down on you the manna and the quails, (saying); Eat of the good things which We have provided you. They wronged Us not, but they did wrong themselves.

Wa zallalnaa ‘alaykumul-gamaama wa ‘anzalnaa ‘alay-kumul-Manna was-Salwaa. Kuluu min- tayyi-baati maa razaqnaa-kum. Wa maa zala-muunaa wa laakin- kaanuuu ‘anfusahum yazlimuun.

Lesson

         

Manna – It was a sweet moist thing for eating which was available on searching by the Children of Israel. It was a great favor of God Almighty for their lives during wandering in the desert of Peninsula of Sinai. Different forms of Manna have been explained. Some people have told that it was like a particular kind of gum. Some others have stated it ‘Honey’. Nowadays a delicious pudding named ‘Manna’ is being prepared in the Egypt. This pudding is favorite food of the Jews.

Salwaa – It is a bird like a small partridge (quail). It is found in peninsula Sinai. It does not fly on too much height and is tired soon. It becomes victim easily. The sea-breeze used to bring them flying towards the camp of the Children of Israel. They used to go hunting these birds and make them their delicious food. 

Commentators of the Religion (compliments for them) have told that after leaving the Egypt, the Children of Israel used to wander confused in the barren desert of the Peninsula of Sinai for forty years. Due to non availability of shade, shadow or shelter, they were confused from the sunlight and requested the Prophet Moses (peace be upon Him) to search the means for saving them from this suffering (sunlight). He (peace be upon Him) prayed from God Almighty, which was approved and a cloud used to remain over their heads during the entire day to overshadow them. God, the Most High commanded them, “And We caused the cloud to overshadow you and sent down on you the manna and the quails, (saying); Eat of the good things which We have provided you”. They were also instructed that they should not store these heavenly favors and take only according to their needs, however the food may be taken for two days only on Friday.

They disobeyed the Command of God Almighty and began to store the food. Resultant, provision of these favors was stopped. So God Almighty reveals, “They wronged Us not, but they did wrong themselves”.

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

Children of Israel were punished at first against worship of calf, then demand to look God

Children of Israel were punished at first against worship of calf, then demand to look God

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

Stage – 1, Verses – 54 & 55 of 286, Section – 6 of 40 (Part - 1)

BisMIllaahir-Rahmaanir-Rahiim

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

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.

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 Commands of God Almighty whether he knows or doesn’t know its philosophy and expedience. And if with error, forgetfulness or unintentionally he has mistaken, then he should be ready every time for acceptance and correctness.  

And when ye said: O Moses! We will not believe in thee till we see Allah manifestly; and even while ye gazed the lightning seized you.

Wa ‘iz  qultum  yaa-Muusaa lan-nu’-mina laka hattaa narAllaaha  jahratan- fa-‘akhazat-kumus-saa-‘iqatu   wa ‘antum tanzuruun.

Lesson

         

Naraa – (we will see). The Prophet Moses (peace be upon Him) brought chosen seventy persons from the Children of Israel on the Mountain Sinai for listening to the Speech of God Almighty. When they listened to the Speech they said, “O Moses! We do not believe in listening from the veil. Show us with open eyes.

‘Akhazat-kumus-saa-‘iqatu – (the lightning seized you). The Children of Israel were falsifying the words of Prophet Moses (peace be upon Him) and claiming that they desired to see God manifestly, otherwise they would not believe in Him. So they were punished as the lightning fell suddenly upon them due to which their eyes were dazzled and their eyesight became unable to see anything.

It has been discussed earlier that when Prophet Moses (peace be upon Him) went on the Mountain Sinai for obtaining Guide Book (Torah) for the Children of Israel, then they began worshiping the calf in His absence and involved in plurality of God. When He returned, it was announced by God Almighty that they should kill one another as punishment of plurality with God. Then they began killing one another. At that time God, the Most High relented and their penitence was accepted.

After that, seventy old-men from the Children of Israel demanded that they would go on the Mount of Sinai with the Prophet Moses to hear the Speech of God Almighty. Prophet Moses brought them with Himself. He instructed them to stay in the feet of Mountain and went on the Mountain Himself. God Almighty spoke with the Prophet Moses (peace be upon Him) and after returning He told them. Then they said, “We wish to see God Almighty with our sight”.

Due to their opposing and refusal openly, they were punished and the lightning fell down upon them, and they expired. After looking how big miracles and getting favors of God Almighty the Children of Israel could not give up their old bad habits. They wished to see God Almighty with these material eyes which is impossible. So they were punished like this. 

 

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