Surah 3 (Âli-‘Imrân), Verses 110-120 (Y6)

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters.

Summary

Today’s selection is from Surah 3, Âli-‘Imrân or the Family of Imran, verses 110-120. These verses assert that the Muslim Nation is the best designed to enjoin good and forbid evil. It discusses some of the righteous among the People of the Book, condemns hypocritical charity and claims that intimate friendship should only exist among believers.

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Verses

Bis-millahi ar-rahman, ar-raheem.
In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful.

You are the best nation which has ever been raised for the guidance of mankind. You enjoin good, forbid evil, and believe in Allah. Had the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) believed, it would surely have been better for them; among them some are believers but most of them are transgressors.[110] Anyhow, they can do no harm to you except a trifling annoyance; if they do fight against you, they will turn their backs and run, getting no help from anywhere.[111] Disgrace will be branded on them wherever they are found except when they get refuge under the favor of Allah or the patronage of other people; they have incurred the wrath of Allah and have been branded with misery because they disbelieved Allah’s revelations and slew His prophets unjustly and because they disobeyed and transgressed the limits.[112] Yet, they are not all alike: there are some among the People of the Book who are upright, who recite the revelations of Allah all night long and then prostrate before Him;[113] they believe in Allah and the Last Day, they enjoin good and forbid evil and rush in emulating each other in good deeds. These are the righteous people.[114] Whatever good they do, its reward will not be denied to them; Allah knows the righteous.[115] 3:[110-115]

Surely for those who are unbelievers, neither their wealth nor their children shall in the least protect them from the wrath of Allah; they will be the inmates of the hellfire and live therein forever.[116] What they spend in this life (hypocritical charity) may be compared to a freezing wind which strikes and destroys the tillage of people who have wronged themselves (it is the lack of faith which makes their reward null and void); Allah is not unjust to them; it is they who have done injustice to their own souls.[117] O believers! Do not make intimate friendships with any but your own people. The unbelievers will not miss any opportunity to corrupt you. They desire nothing but your destruction: their malice has become evident from what they say; and what they conceal in their hearts is far worse. We have made Our revelations plain to you, if you want to comprehend.[118] Whereas you love them, they do not love you even though you believe in their Holy Books (the Psalms, the Torah, and the Gospels). When they meet you they say “We also believe in your prophet and your Qur’an;” but when they are alone, they bite their fingertips in rage against you. Say to them: “May you perish in your rage;” surely Allah knows all the secrets of the heart.[119] When you are blessed with good fortune they grieve; but if some misfortune overtakes you they rejoice. If you are patient and guard yourself against evil, their schemes will not harm you in any way. Surely Allah encompasses all their actions.[120] 3:[116-120]

Ameen.

This concludes today’s episode of the 17 Verses Podcast. I hope that this selection has helped increase your understanding of the holy Qur’an just a little bit.

Thank you and be well.