As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters.
Summary
Today’s selection is from Surah 3, Âli-‘Imrân or the Family of Imran, verses 92-101. These verses cover the criteria of righteousness, lawful and unlawful food for the Children of Israel, the first House of Allah on Earth, the disbelief of Jews & Christians, and lastly, a warning not to obey the Jews or Christians.
Tafseer for this selection concerns the “religion of Abraham” mentioned in verse 95.
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Verses
Bis-millahi ar-rahman, ar-raheem.
In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful.You can never attain righteousness unless you spend in the cause of Allah that which you dearly cherish; and whatever you spend, surely it is known to Allah.[92] 3:[92]
All food, that is lawful in Islamic Law, was also lawful for the children of Israel except what Israel (Ya’qoob/Jacob) made unlawful for himself before the Taurãt (Torah) was revealed to Moses. Ask them: “Bring the Torah and read a passage from it in support of your objection, if what you say is true.”[93] Then whoever fabricates a lie against Allah after this, will indeed be unjust.[94] Say: “Allah has declared the truth. If you are sincere then follow the faith of Abraham (Ibrãhïm); he was upright and not of the Pagans.”[95] 3:[93-95]
Undoubtedly the first House for the worship of Allah ever built for mankind is the one at Bakka (Makkah), a blessed site and a guidance for all the worlds.[96] In it are clear signs and the Station of Abraham (Abraham) where he used to worship. Whoever enters it is safe. Performance of Hajj (pilgrimage) to this House is a duty to Allah for all who can afford the journey to it; and the one who disobeys this commandment should know that Allah is self-sufficient, beyond the need of any from the worlds.[97] 3:[96-97]
Say: “O people of the Book! Why do you deny the revelations of Allah? Allah Himself is a witness to your actions.”[98] Say: “O people of the Book! Why do you obstruct the believers from the path of Allah and desire that they follow the crooked way while you yourselves are witnesses to Allah’s Covenant? Allah is not unmindful of what you do.”[99] O believers! If you were to obey a group of those who were given the Book, they would turn you back from belief to unbelief.[100] Just think, how can you turn away from belief on their statements, when Allah’s revelations are being recited to you and Allah’s Messenger is among you? Whoever holds fast to Allah, will indeed be guided towards the Right Way.[101] 3:[98-101]
Ameen.
Tafseer
Concerning the “religion of Abraham” mentioned in verse 95:
The greater freedom of Islam in the matter of the ceremonial law, compared with the Mosaic Law, is not a reproach but a recommendation. We go back to an older source than Judaism – the institution of Abraham. By common consent, his Faith was sound, and he was certainly not a pagan, a term contemptuously applied to the Arabs by the Jews.
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.