As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters.
Summary
Today’s selection is from Surah 3, Âli-‘Imrân or the Family of Imrân, verses 72-91. These verses assert that among Jews & Christians, there are hypocrites, bad people and good people. It assert that some of them cheat in quoting their holy books and that Prophet Jesus never instructed them to worship him. It discusses the covenant of God with the other Prophets concerning the appearance of the Last Prophet (Muhammad), peace be upon him, and ties them all together. Those who disbelieve in Allah will be cursed by Allah, the Angels and all mankind.
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Verses
Bis-millahi ar-rahman, ar-raheem.
In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful.Some of the People of the Book say to one another: “Believe in what is revealed to the believers in the morning and deny it in the evening; so that they (the Muslims) may follow suit and abandon their faith.[72] Do not follow anyone except the one who follows your own religion.” O Muhammad, tell them: “The only true guidance is the guidance of Allah.” These people of the Book do not believe that revelation could be sent to anyone besides themselves, like that which has been sent to you; or that they will ever argue with you in the presence of your Lord. Tell them: “For sure, grace is in the hands of Allah: He bestows it on whom He pleases; Allah has boundless knowledge.”[73] He chooses for His mercy whom He pleases, Allah is the Owner of mighty grace.[74] 3:[72-74]
Among the People of the Book there are some who, if you trust them with a heap of gold, will readily return it back; and there are others who, if you trust them with a single dinãr (silver coin) will not return it back unless you constantly keep on demanding; because they say, “We are not going to be called to account for our behavior with the illiterates (non Jews or Christians).” Thus they deliberately ascribe a lie to Allah – knowing well that He never permitted such wrongdoing.[75] In fact, those who keep their promise and guard themselves against evil are His beloved, for Allah loves only those who guard themselves against such evils.[76] In fact, those who sell the covenants of Allah and their own oaths for a petty price, shall have no portion in the hereafter. Allah will neither speak to them nor even look at them nor cleanse them from their sins on the Day of Judgment. They shall have painful punishment.[77] There are some among them who twist their tongues pretending a quote from their Holy Book; so that you may think that what they read is a part of the Book, whereas, in fact it is not a part of the Book. They also assert, “It is from Allah” whereas, in fact it is not from Allah. Thus they deliberately ascribe a lie to Allah.[78] 3:[75-78]
It is not possible for a man whom Allah has given the Book, the Wisdom and the Prophethood, that he would say to the people: “Worship me instead of Allah.” On the contrary he would say: “Be devoted worshippers of your Lord in accordance with the Holy Book you have been teaching and reading.”[79] He would never ask you to take angels and prophets as your lords. Would he ask you to become an unbeliever (kafir) after you have become a believer?[80] 3:[79-80]
Allah took a covenant with the Prophets, saying: “Now that you have been given the Book and Wisdom; there will come to you a Messenger who will confirm that which is with you, you will have to believe in him and help him in his mission.” Then He said “Do you affirm this covenant and agree to take this heavy responsibility?” The Prophets replied, “Yes, we do affirm.” Allah said, “Very well, bear witness to this and I too bear witness with you.”[81] Now if anyone turns back after this, he will become the transgressor.[82] 3:[81-82]
Are they looking for a religion other than the Deen (religion and Way of Life) of Allah knowing well that everything in the heavens and in the earth, willingly or unwillingly, has submitted to Him? And to Him they shall all return.[83] O Prophet, say: “We believe in Allah and what is revealed to us and what was revealed to Ibrãhïm (Abraham), Isma`il (Ishmael), Ishãq (Isaac), Ya’qoob (Jacob) and their descendants; and in that which was given to Musa (Moses), Isa (Jesus) and other Prophets from their Lord; we do not discriminate between any one of them, and to Allah do we submit in Islam.”[84] If anyone is looking for a religion other than Islam, then let it be known that it will not be accepted from him; and in the Hereafter he will be among the losers.[85] 3:[83-85]
How can it be that Allah would guide those people who commit Kufr (reject faith) after their Imãn (acceptance of faith), acknowledge that the Messenger is true, and clear proofs have come to them? Allah does not guide such wrongdoers.[86] The reward of such people is that upon them is the curse of Allah, the angels and all mankind.[87] They shall remain under it forever; neither will their punishment be lightened nor will they be given respite.[88] However, those who repent after this and mend their ways, verily Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.[89] However, those who disbelieve after their acceptance of Islam then go on adding to their disbelief, their repentance will never be accepted; because they intentionally chose to go astray.[90] As to those who are unbelievers and die while they were unbelievers, if they were to fill the whole earth with gold and offer it as a ransom for each one of them, that would not be accepted. These are the ones who shall have the painful punishment, and shall have no helpers.[91] 3:[86-91]
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.