As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters.
Summary
Today’s selection is from Surah 2, Al-Baqarah or the Cow, verses 40-59. These verses deal with Allah’s covenants with the Children of Israel, how God delivered them from Pharaoh and their trials and tribulations afterwards. This includes the period when they worshiped the calf, repented, and then questioned the Lord again.
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Verses
Bis-millahi ar-rahman, ar-raheem.
In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful.O children of Israel! Remember My favors which I bestowed upon you; fulfill your covenant (firm commitment) with Me and I will fulfill My covenant with you, and fear none but Me.[40] Believe in My revelations, which are confirming your scriptures; do not be the first one to deny My revelations, and do not sell them for a petty price, fear Me and Me Alone.[41] Do not mix the Truth with falsehood, or knowingly conceal the truth.[42] Establish Salah (prayers); give Zakah (charity); and bow down with those who bow down in worship.[43] 2:[40-43]
Would you ask others to be righteous and forget to practice it yourselves? Even though you read your Holy Book? Have you no sense?[44] 2:[44]
Seek Allah’s help with patience and Salah; it is indeed hard to be punctual in offering Salah except for those who fear Allah,[45] who are certain in their mind that they are going to meet their Rabb and that they are going to return to Him for final judgment.[46] 2:[45-46]
O’ Children of Israel! Remember My favors which I bestowed upon You; that I preferred you to all other nations of your time for My message.[47] Guard yourselves against the Day on which one soul shall not avail another – no intercession shall be accepted, no ransom shall be taken and no help shall be given.[48] 2:[47-48]
Remember, when We delivered you from the people of Fir‘aun (Pharaoh): they had subjected you to severe torment, killing your sons and sparing your daughters; you were facing a tremendous trial from your Lord.[49] And when We parted the Sea for you, taking you to safety, and drowned Fir‘aun’s people before your very eyes.[50] 2:[49-50]
Remember, when We made an appointment of forty nights with Musa (Moses), in his absence you took the calf for worship, thus committing a wicked transgression.[51] Even then We forgave you, so that you might become grateful.[52] 2:[51-52]
Remember, when We gave Musa (Moses) the Holy Book (Torah) and the criterion of right and wrong so that you might be rightly guided.[53] Remember, when Musa returned with the Divine Book, he said to his people: “O my people! You have indeed grievously wronged yourselves by taking the calf for worship; so turn in repentance to your Creator and slay the culprits among you; that will be best for you in His sight.” He accepted your repentance; surely, He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.[54] 2:[53-54]
Remember, when you said: “O Musa (Moses)! We shall never believe you until we see Allah with our own eyes,” a thunderbolt struck you while you were looking on and you fell dead.[55] Then We raised you up after your death; so that you might be grateful.[56] We even provided you the shade of clouds and sent down to you al-manna (sweet dish) and al-salwâ (quail’s meat) saying: “Eat of the good things, We have provided for you;” inspite of these favors your forefathers violated our commandments. However, by violating our commandments, they did not harm Us, but they harmed their own souls.[57] 2:[55-57]
Remember, when We said: “Enter this town and eat whatever you wish to your hearts’ content; make your way through the gates, with humility saying; ‘we repent.’ We shall forgive you your sins and We shall increase the provisions for the righteous among you.[58] But the wrongdoers changed Our Words from that which they were asked to say, so We sent down a scourge from heaven as a punishment for their transgression.[59] 2:[58-59]
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.