As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters.
Summary
Today’s 17 Verses episode is from Surah 5, Al-Mâ‘idah or the Repast, verses 20-34. This selection informs us of the behavior of the people of Prophet Moses towards their Messenger and the curse which God placed on the Jews for 40 years. Next, the story of Adam’s sons, one of whom committed murder. Lastly, the decree of God regarding the killing of another human being and the punishment for waging war against God and his Messenger.
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Verses
Bis-millahi ar-rahman, ar-raheem.
In the name of God, most gracious, most merciful.Ponder upon the incident when Moses (Musa) said to his people: “O my people! Remember the favors which God has bestowed upon you. He has raised Prophets from among you, made you kings and gave you that which had not been given to anyone in the worlds.”[20] “O my people! Enter the holy land which God has assigned for you. Do not turn back, because if you do, you will become losers.”[21] They said: “O Moses! A nation of giants live in there, we will not set our foot in it until they leave. As soon as they leave, we will be ready to enter.”[22] Thereupon two God-fearing men upon whom Allah had bestowed His Grace said: “Attack directly at the city gate, once you enter it, you will surely be victorious. Put your trust in God if you are really believers.”[23] They replied, “O Moses! We will never enter it so long as they remain therein. Therefore, both you and your Lord should go and fight, we will stay here.”[24] Hearing this Moses prayed, “O my Lord! I have no control over anyone except myself and my brother. Please, set us apart from these disobedient people.”[25] Allah responded, “Very well, they are forbidden this land for forty years, during this time they will wander homeless on the earth, so do not grieve for these disobedient people.”[26] 5:[20-26]
Recite to them in all truth the story of Adam’s two sons: How each offered a sacrifice, and how the offering of one was accepted while that of the other was not. The latter said: “I will kill you.” The former replied: “God only accepts the sacrifice from the righteous.[27] Even if you stretch your hand to kill me, I shall not stretch my hand to slay you, for I fear Allah, the Lord of the worlds.[28] I intend to let you bear the burden of my sins as well as yours and thus become an inmate of the Fire which is the reward for wrongdoers.”[29] The latter’s soul prompted him to kill his brother; he killed him and thus became one of the losers.[30] (He carried around the dead body of his brother and did not know what to do with it). Then God sent a raven, which dug the ground to show him how to bury the dead body of his brother. “Alas!” He cried, “I failed even to be like this raven to find some way to dispose of the dead body of my brother!” So he became full of regrets.[31] 5:[27-31]
On account of that incident, We ordained for the Children of Israel that whoever kills a person, except as a punishment for murder or mischief in the land, it will be written in his book of deeds as if he had killed all the human beings and whoever will save a life shall be regarded as if he gave life to all the human beings. Yet, even though Our Messengers came to them one after the other with clear revelations, it was not long before, many of them committed excesses in the land.[32] 5:[32]
The punishment for those who wage war against God and His Messenger and strive to create mischief in the land, is death or crucifixion or the cutting off of their hands and feet from opposite sides or exile from the land based on the gravity of their offense. This will be their humiliation in this world and in the hereafter they will have grievous punishment,[33] except those who repent before you apprehend them, in such a case, you should know that Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.[34] 5:[33-34]
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.