As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters.
Summary
Today’s selection concludes Surah 2, Al-Baqarah or the Cow, verses 87-96. These verses tell of the advent of Prophet Jesus. It recounts how the Jews knowingly rejected the truth, their love for the calf outpacing their love for God, the nature of their beliefs and how their claim of exclusive right to inherit paradise has been put to the test.
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Verses
Bis-millahi ar-rahman, ar-raheem.
In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful.To Moses, We gave the Torah and sent after him other Messengers in succession; then We gave Jesus, the son of Mary, clear Signs and strengthened him with the Holy Spirit (Gabriel). Why is it that whenever there came to you a Messenger with a message which did not suit your desires, you became so arrogant that to some of them you called impostors and others you killed![87] They say: “Our hearts are in secure wrappers;” but the fact of the matter is that Allah has cursed them for their disbelief, so little is that which they believe.[88] 2:[87-88]
Now when there has come to them a Book from Allah confirming the Holy Books of the Torah and the Gospel which they already have – even though before this they used to pray for victory against the unbelievers – when there came to them that which they very well recognize, they knowingly rejected it; Allah’s curse is on such disbelievers.[89] Ridiculous is the price for which they have sold away their souls, that they deny Allah’s revelation merely because of their grudge, that Allah should send His grace only on whom He pleases from His servants! They have drawn on themselves wrath upon wrath, and for such disbelievers there is a disgraceful punishment.[90] 2:[89-90]
When they are asked to believe in what Allah has revealed, they reply: “We only believe in what Allah has sent to us (Torah), and we reject what is beside that,” while it is the truth confirming their own scriptures! Well, ask them, “If you sincerely believe in what was sent to you , why did you kill the Prophets of Allah who were sent to you from among yourselves before?”[91] Moses came to you with clear Signs, no sooner was he away from you, than you committed evil by worshiping the calf.[92] 2:[91-92]
Remember when We took a Covenant from you and We lifted the Mount Tür over your heads saying: “Take what We have given you firmly and listen to Our Commandments,” you replied: “we have heard but we will not obey.” So much was the love of that calf in their hearts due to their unbelief. Tell them: “If you are real believers, then why does your faith prompt you to do such evil things?”[93] 2:[93]
Say O Muhammad: “If the Home of the Hereafter is exclusively for you and not for the rest of mankind, then wish for death if you are true in your claim!”[94] But they will never wish for death, because they are fully aware of the consequences of what they have sent before them for the Hereafter. And Allah knows the mentality of the wrongdoers.[95] You will find them the greediest of men for life, even greedier than the mushrikïn (those who associate other deities with Allah); each one of them wishes to be given a life of a thousand years; but the grant of such a life will not save them from the punishment, for Allah is watching whatever they do.[96] 2:[94-96]
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.