Wa ‘aqiimus-Salaata wa ‘aatuz-Zakaata warka-‘uu ma-‘ar-raaki-‘iin

Wa  ‘aqiimus-Salaata wa   ‘aatuz-Zakaata  warka-‘uu  ma-‘ar-raaki-‘iin  

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

Stage – 1, Verses – 43 & 44 of 286, Section – 5 of 40 (Part - 1)

BisMIllaahir-Rahmaanir-Rahiim

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

43.  And establish worship and pay the poor-due, and bow your heads with those who bow (in worship). 44.  Enjoin ye righteousness upon mankind while ye yourselves forget (to practice it)? And ye are readers of the Scripture! Have ye then no sense?

43.  Wa  ‘aqiimus-Salaata wa   ‘aatuz-Zakaata  warka-‘uu  ma-‘ar-raaki-‘iin. 44.  ‘Ata’-muruunan-naasa bil-birri  wa  tansawna ‘anfusakum  wa  ‘antum  tatluunal-Kitaab. ‘Afalaa  ta’-qiluun.

Lesson

         

Az-Zakaata – A particular alms given away by the Muslims at the rate of 2.5 p.c. on net property especially in the month of Ziqa’d. And the other meaning of it is chastity, purity, cleanliness. Really after paying Zakaat (Poor-due), the property becomes pure. Prayer and Zakaat are the two duties, which remained part of worship always in every religion; however, difference remained among their forms and propositions.

Arka-‘uu – (bow), it is used usually as for the whole prayer too because it is a part of the prayer. Sometimes the word ‘Asjuduu (fall prostrate) has come along with it. 

God Almighty commanded the Jews to correct at first their faith and belief at the time of inviting them for Islam, and that they should produce the real teachings of God before the people in its original form, and not to mix up (neither reduce nor increase) anything with it at their own.

Now they are being taught for acts. So it is commanded that they should habituate themselves for offering prayers, do this duty punctually and regularly. The prayer is the most superior worship from entire others bodily worships and the best way of recognizing God Almighty and pleasing Him.

After the prayer, they are being instructed to give Zakaat (pay the poor-due) in accordance with the rules. They should pay a particular part of their wealth (2.5%) every year to the poor, meek, deserving and needy people for the sake of God Almighty. They should spend the wealth given by Allah Almighty on useful national works of welfare. The Jews were very rich because maximum people were merchants and artificers, so it was dangerous for them that boundless love for wealth might be born in their hearts. Its remedy is attainable with offering prayers and giving Alms and poor-dues to the poor and needy people with sympathy and knowledge about their necessities. So they were commanded to offer the prayers in the Masjid with those who offer prayers and bow when they bow (congregational), and pay the poor-due to the deserving persons.

 Al-birri – meanings of this word are goodness, favor, polite, worship with full sincerity, good manners and kindness. Opposite of this word are errors, evils and sins.  

Al-Kitaab – here ‘al-Kitaab means “Torah” in which all instructions regarding good deeds, worships and religious matters were narrated for the Jews.

Whenever the days for destruction of any nation come, then among them, greedy for wealth, idle scholars and leaders grow, who apparently preach every time to correct their habits, sympathize with other people with truth and faith at the time of negotiation, not to tell a lie, not to deceive any person, offer prayers, keep fasting, serve the people. But the preachers do not act upon their preaching themselves. Except comfort and pleasure of this world, they have no concern with anything. They wish only the effect of their preaching over others, so that they may get maximum rewards, tributes and offering at the name of alms, so that they may get maximum chances to be addicted to pleasure.

In this verse, the scholars are being ashamed, “what do you do this? You guide the people to be good and pious with your tongues every time, whereas personally you are much away from the Truth. Do you desire only that people should admit you their leader and spiritual guide and serve you always? Alas! You read the Torah and still you are convinced of showiness and indolent from correction of yourself. It is the first demand of the wisdom that a person should show himself as example for others in the truth. Against the facts, you are guilty of deceiving the people. If you are sincere in advising the people, at first, you should act too yourselves on your sayings.”

It could not be much useful to admonish and frighten the Jews, however there is a hidden advice for the scholars who believe that Holy Qur’aan is a true Book, “They should arrange to correct themselves who want to correct others because becoming a hypocrite, treacherous, in-sincere and cheat is forerunner of destruction and ruin of the nation.             

 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)

Concealing the truth and confounding it with falsehood is prohibited

Concealing the truth and confounding it with falsehood is prohibited

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

Stage – 1, Verse – 42 of 286, Section – 5 of 40 (Part - 1)

BisMIllaahir-Rahmaanir-Rahiim

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

And confound not truth with falsehood, and do not conceal the truth knowingly.

Wa laa talbisul-Haqqa bil-baatili  wa taktumul-Haqqa  wa ‘antum  ta’-lamuun.

Lesson

           

Laa talbisu – (do not confound). This word has been derived from labasa. It means to mix up a thing with any other, so that, it may become difficult to distinguish among them i.e. to expose the false as true or to coat the lie as such that it appears like really true.

Taktumu - do not conceal. This word has come out from the word katama. Meaning of katama is to conceal. There are two ways for changing the Commands of God Almighty, which are as under:

•        Changing the meaning or the word itself.

•        Concealing the truth.

The Children of Israel used both methods to change the foretelling about teachings of the Heavenly Scriptures and the last Messenger, Muhammad (grace, glory, blessing and peace be upon Him). Due to waste of Torah, some commands of God Almighty had been disappeared or lost, then which commands were remained, those were changed by these people for the sake of good and proper for the time being.

At the time of ascent of Islam, the scholars from the Children of Israel had ruined the remaining form of their religion. They used to change the orders of those Celestial Scriptures according to their wishes, which had been lost. They had produced self written books upon the names of Heavenly Books. Often, after writing paraphrase and explanation, these were mixed with the original text and did not use to mark the difference between the two. The scholar, priest or monk, who had the Heavenly Instructions, he used to reduce or increase it for the sake of any worldly temptation or earnings greed.

All the signs and tokens regarding the birth and prophet-hood of the last Messenger, Muhammad (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon Him) did exist in their Holy Books. But when He was born, they began to hide these all signs and tokens due to burning in the fire of their jealousy and used to narrate from some of them topsy. So God Almighty commanded, “Confound not truth with falsehood, and do not conceal the truth knowingly. Due to your depravity, other people go astray also.”

Cause of discussion regarding important events of the history in respect of the Children of Israel is that the Jews might be informed about their evils on one side, and on the other hand to admonish the Muslims properly that there is no scope in the religion for these kinds of misguidance. So we should think about these events, which our Lord, Allah Almighty has revealed for us in the Holy Qur’aan, and the rising and wretchedness of the Children of Israel. We should not cause to grow the badness and evils in ourselves 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)

Part not with God’s Revelations for a trifling price and keep your duty unto Him

Part not with God’s Revelations for a trifling price and keep your duty unto Him

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

Stage – 1, Verse – 41 of 286, Section – 5 of 40 (Part - 1)

BisMIllaahir-Rahmaanir-Rahiim

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

And believe in that which I have revealed, confirming that which ye possess already (of the Scripture), and be not first to disbelieve therein, and part not with My Revelations for a trifling price, and keep your duty unto Me.

Wa  ‘aaminuu  bimaaa  ‘an-zaltu  musaddiqal-limaa  ma-‘a-kum  wa  laa  takuunuuu ‘aw-wala  kaafirim-bih. Wa  laa tash-taruu  bi-‘Aayaati samanan  qaliilaa;  wa ‘iyyaaya  fattaquun.

Lesson

           

Maaa ‘an-zaltu – (which I have revealed) it signifies toward Holy Qur’aan, which was revealed on the last Prophet (Peace be upon Him). This is the last Holy Word of God Almighty.

Maa ma-‘a-kum – (which you have), it aims the Holy Scripture Torah which was revealed on the Prophet Moses (Peace be upon Him). Its truth and religious rules are approved by Holy Qur’aan.

The Children of Israel are the people, who have been invited first of all to believe in Holy Qur’aan. These people were the most famous out of the Believers of Heavenly Scripture. They used to live in the vicinity of Madinah. This principle was also in accord with the rule that invitation of goodness should be begun from the relatives and neighbors first. In the previous verse Allah Almighty reminded them His rewards and blessings upon them and commanded to fulfill the covenant, which they had promised with Him.

The covenant which is being asked to be fulfilled is, believing in this Scripture “Holy Qur’aan”, which is revealed upon the Last Messenger, Muhammad (Peace Be upon Him). So they should believe in It and act upon Its Instructions. This Scripture, “Holy Qur’aan” authenticates the Principles of their Holy Scripture too.

After this, it is being admonished that anyhow they shouldn’t be the first disbelievers of the Holy Qur’aan from the people, who know the Religion of God Almighty. As much knowledge regarding acquaintance of the last Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be upon Him) and truth of Holy Qur’aan you have, no other nation has so much. Therefore, it is expected from you that you will not become an example of infidelity and refusal for others. But as you are being invited first out of the learned men (the persons who believe in one of the four inspired Books of God), you will become cause of temptation for others by believing it first, that they admit and believe in it observing you. You shouldn’t be afraid that if you will believe in this last Holy Word and last Messenger (Peace be upon Him), you will lose your worldly dignity, influence and impression. Moreover you will see that all badness will perish due to blessings of Islam. This world will become comfortable for you and in the next life, on the Day of Resurrection, you will be avoided from punishment.

Samanan qaliila- (a trifling price) it means that you should not become desirous of wealth giving up the Right. The world is a contemptible and undervalued thing comparing to the Right and the Truth, whether it seems how great apparently because it is temporary and frail.

Wa ‘iyyaaya fattaquun – (and keep your duty unto Me). It’tiqaa means “to save oneself from the badness (evils)”. Here it aims “the fear of agony of God should be cause of avoiding the badness”. As though, the individual who has fear of Allah in his heart, he can save himself from the act of badness”.

 

As Holy Qur’aan has behaved softly with the Jews and as invited them toward Islam fairly that it is also a proof about Holy Qur’aan that it is the Word of God. Manner of declaring the events and method of addressing shows respect of the Jews. Nothing is narrated like that, which may provoke them. It is the miracle of Holy Qur’aan which created proper environment for declaration of the Truth. If we, the Muslims follow at least some of it, then all the fears of the world will be finished.

The behavior which the Jews adopted with Islam, its foundation seems nothing but stubbornness and misunderstanding. The aim from selling the verses of God is that “the Jewish Scholars changed the Commands of God (Torah) for casual benefits of this world, issued self invented religious decrees for some money, and hid the Orders of God and committed them inter-mixed for hiding their own badness. When scholars of any nation indulge in these types of defects, then it is difficult for that nation to save herself from the destruction.

 

In this lesson Allah Almighty caused much to understand about the good conduct. The Life in this world and its benefits are for a few days. Due to this reason, He advised the Jews not to take decisions by changing His Orders for the sake of contemptible rewards. Because the reward of telling correctly about My orders is better for the both worlds (this life and on the Day of Resurrection) than these casual advantages and some compensations.

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)

God says: O Israelite! Remember My Favor, fulfil your covenant and fear Me

God says: O Israelite! Remember My Favor, fulfil your covenant and fear Me

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

Stage – 1, Verse – 40 of 286, Section – 5 of 40 (Part - 1)

BisMIllaahir-Rahmaanir-Rahiim

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

O Children of Israel! remember  My favour wherewith I favoured you, and fulfil your (part of the) covenant, I shall fulfil My (part of the) covenant, and fear Me.

Yaa-Baniii- ‘Israaa-‘iilaz-kuruu  ni’-matiallatiii  ‘an-‘amtu-‘alaykum  wa  ‘awfuu  ‘bi-‘Ahdiii  ‘uufi   bi-‘Ahdikum. Wa  ‘iyyaa-ya  farhabuun.

Lesson

           

Now with effect from the fifth section of this Surah, explanation regarding history of the Children of Israel (Israelite), their high positions (dignity), their errors, evils and snatching of favors begins. This portion of Holy Qur’aan needs special attention to study. There are many occasions of warning and advice for Muslims in the history of Israelite so that we may save ourselves from those errors, slips and mistakes, due to which, this splendid nation was ruined and became the target of God’s wrath. 

Baniii- (children) ‘Israaa- (servant) ‘Iil (God) – (Children of Israel)

Israel was the surname of Prophet Jacob (Peace be upon Him), so His children and dynasty was given the title of “Baniii- ‘Israaa-‘iil”. They are called the Jews too.

Actually chain of Baniii- ‘Israaa-‘iil begins from Prophet Abraham (Peace be upon Him), Who had two sons:

(1)    Prophet Ishmael (Peace be upon Him) populated Hijaz (Makkah) and the last Messenger of God, Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon Him) was born in His dynasty.

(2)      Second son was Prophet Isaac (peace be upon Him). His son’s name was Jacob (Peace be upon Him) who was named as Baniii- ‘Israaa-‘iil. His children were populated in Palestine (Jerusalem).

These people engaged themselves in the fights and quarrels. After some time, Egyptians overcame them, kept them as slaves and tyrannized them. At last, Prophet Moses (Peace be upon Him) was born and He made away this nation from the slavery of Egyptians toward Siena Valley.

After some time, these people returned to their native land Kin’aan. The best era of this nation was the period of Prophets David and Suleiman (Peace be upon Them). After Them this dynasty became victim of calamities due to enmity with the Prophets (Peace be upon Them), opposing the religion and disunion among themselves.

This nation was attacked severely two times and so much ruined that they were compelled to leave their native land, so they ran away hither and thither. But sorry to say! They didn’t abstain from their wickedness and badness. Till now these evils exist into that nation.

Ni’-matii - (My favor), it means those favors and blessings of Allah Almighty, which He had bestowed on Jews, for example; He caused to set them free from torment of the slavery, drowned their enemy pharaoh, made their way to cross the red sea, provided them “Mann-o- Salwaa” the delicious food without any hard work and labor, helped them Unseen in hardships etc.

‘Ahdiii  - My (part of the) covenant.  Covenant is a promise between two parties. Here covenant means the promise which servants (Human beings) finalized with their Creator (Allah) before coming in this world. As Allah Almighty bestowed wisdom and sense to humankind, granted power to consider about Signs of His Omnipotence and then the human being took responsibility that he will recognize his Creator, will believe in the Prophets sent by God Almighty and will follow the Guidance of Allah. In return Allah Almighty promised that the believer will be sent to the Heaven.

Farhabuun – {you should (fear Me,) observe your duty} it means that you should not fear any other than Allah Almighty.

Allah Almighty promised with Adam after his birth and sending on earth that He will send his Prophets for his children according to the occasions and will convey His own Guidance and Instructions through Them to His servants. Prophets (peace be upon them) came according to this covenant. Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon Him) was sent as the last of all. The religion bestowed to Him is a universal religion. So, from this section, the series of the teachings of the Religion - Islam begins.

The Jews were aware of the religion of God Almighty, so they are being addressed particularly first of all. And they are being reminded that their ancestors have seen the blessings of God’s religion and they know about it very well. Now they should believe in this last Prophet (Peace and blessings upon Him), so that they may be eligible to obtain the same blessings again. If they will do so then it will be considered that they have fulfilled their covenant and in return Allah will fulfill His covenant: Your sins will be forgiven and you will be bestowed success in this world and on 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 Bazar, Lahore, Lesson collected from Dars e Qur’aan published By Idara Islaah wa Tableegh, Lahore (translated Urdu to English by Muhammad Sharif)

Following the Guidance of God for success

Following the Guidance of God for success

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

Stage – 1, Verses – 38 & 39 of 286, Section – 4 of 40 (Part - 1)

BisMIllaahir-Rahmaanir-Rahiim

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

38.  We said: Go down, all of you, from hence; but verily  there cometh unto you from Me a Guidance; and whoso followeth My Guidance, there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve. 39.  But they who disbelieve, and   deny Our Revelation, such are rightful owners of the Fire. They will abide therein for ever.

38.  QulNah-bituu  minhaa  jamii-‘aa.  Fa-‘imma   ya’-ti-yan-nakum-minNii  Hudan- famantabi-‘a   Hudaa-ya  falaa khaw-fun  ‘alay-him  wa  laa  hum  yah-zanuun. 39.  Wallaziina  kafaruu  wa Kazzabuu  bi-‘AayaatiNaaa  ‘ulaaa-‘ika   ‘As-haabun-Naar.  Hum  fiihaa   Khaaliduun.

Lesson

           

Ih-bituu – Go down. This Command is not being delivered to Adam (peace be upon Him) and His generation as a punishment. Error of Adam (peace be upon Him) was forgiven. But command to go down on the earth remained as usual because He was appointed as Viceroy of the earth. Aim to keep them in the earth was that the people who will obey God Almighty, they will be sent in the Garden and who will disobey they will be kept out from the Garden.

Khaw-fun – (Fear) means perception of forthcoming loss or pain in future. Here it signifies that the Believers and pious people will not be punished on the Doomsday. 

Laa hum yah-zanuun - Neither shall they grieve. The believers and good people will not repent on their lives they passed in this world (their first lives).

God Almighty commanded Adam (peace be upon Him) ) and His children, “Go down, all of you, from here and don’t be sorrowful. I shall look upon you with Kindness in the earth”. But they were also told, “My Guidance will reach continuously through the Prophets and Messengers (peace be upon them), and whoso will follow My Guidance, there shall be no fear for them to be thrown in the Hell, and neither they shall feel grievance to be got out from the Paradise. They will be entered again in the Paradise. But they who disbelieve, and deny Our Revelation, such people are rightful owners of the Fire. They will abide therein for ever”.

As-haabun-Naar - rightful owners of the Fire. As though the people who falsify and deny the Divines Law of God Almighty, they have connected their relationship with the Hell. 

 

When Adam and Eve (peace be upon Them) came in this world, Allah Almighty taught them the Rules of residing here and to go back again in the Paradise. It signifies that God Almighty will send His Messages towards them as and when He will feel necessary, which will be the main source of Guidance. He will arrange Prophets and Messengers (peace be upon Them) for Guidance of the children of Adam. Human being cannot find the Straight Path with his sense and wisdom only. It is important for him to turn towards God Almighty, Who is Creator of his nature. The people who will admit His Guidance whole hearted, think about His sent Tokens and act upon His commands, they will get freedom from all kinds of sorrow and grief, and after their present lives, they will enter into the Paradise, where they will obtain all types of comfort and rest for ever. However those people who will deny His Guidance, who will disobey His commands, they will go astray for ever due to their un-expert conscientious objections. They will be thrown in the Fire after death, where they will become fuel of the Fire and will be involved in different types of agony.

It is clear from this discussion that if the human being wishes to get spiritual peace and rest, then he can get it only through acting upon the Guidance of Allah Almighty. Without it, it is impossible. We should pray from God Almighty for penitence of all the previous sins, request Him for forgiveness, and act upon the Guidance (Holy Qur’aan and Sayings of the Messenger (peace be upon Him)

Let us join those people who act upon the Guidance of Allah Almighty and become the successors of the Garden. Now there is only one way that we should admit the teachings of the Last Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon Him) whole heartily, act upon it honestly with the faith that it is the last teachings, this Prophet (Muhammad) is the last Prophet (peace be upon Him) and that, after Him no Prophet or Messenger will come in this world.

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)

Our Lord is the Relenting, the Merciful

Our Lord is the Relenting, the Merciful

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

Stage – 1, Verse – 37 of 286, Section – 4 of 40 (Part - 1)

BisMIllaahir-Rahmaanir-Rahiim

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

Then Adam received from his Lord words (of revelation), and He relented towards him. Lo! He is the Relenting, the Merciful.

Fata-laqqaaa   ‘Aadamu mir-Rabbihii  Kalimaatin,  fa-taaba   ‘alayh.  ‘Innahuu Huwat-Tawwaa-bur-Rahiim.

Lesson

           

   

Fata-laqqaaa – (Then learnt, received from Lord)., this word has been derived from talaqqii (mulaaqaat is from it too), which means “to meet, to find or get something”.

Kalimaatin – Words (of Revelation). It is plural of Kalimah, which means “a word, a speech, a part of speech”. God Almighty taught Adam (Peace be upon Him) the words of penitence with His great Mercy and Kindness. Here, the words of penitence signify towards the following verse of Holy Qur’aan which were revealed at another place, “They said: Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If Thou forgive us not and have not mercy on us, surely we are of the lost”. (VII: 23 - The Heights) (Qaalaa Rabbanaa zalamnaaa ‘anfu-sanaa Wa ‘il-lam tagfir-lanaa wa  tar-hamnaa   lanakuu-nanna minal-khaa-siriin.)” (7: 23 – Al-‘Aa’-raaf). These words were spoken by the both i.e. Adam and His wife (peace be upon them).

Fa-taaba – so He relented, engaged His attention. This word is made from Tawbah, which means “To turn toward someone, paying attention, to return”. Penitence means repentance for sins, sorrow for wrongdoing, and return toward the straight path. praying for forgiveness from the sins is called penitence because the mankind admits with the perception of sins and promises that he will abstain from the sins.

When Adam (peace be upon Him) and His wife were ordered to leave the Garden, then they perceived about their error, regretted a lot on it, used to weep in the condition of distress on their mistake and wandered repentant restlessly. Ultimately God Almighty had compassion on them and revealed some words of asking forgiveness in their hearts. They prayed with those words and God Almighty accepted their penitence because certainly He is the Relenting and Merciful upon His servants in every situation.

Three things are necessary for the penitence (Tawbah):

•                The human being should admit that he has done wrong and grieve on his sin.

•                He should intend strongly that he will never commit it again.

•                He should never repeat this sin in future.

The injunction regarding Tawbah (Repentance) has come many times in the Holy Qur’aan and the Sayings of the Messenger (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon Him). We should renounce for forgiveness of every type of wrongdoing, (known or un-known, minor or major) from 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)