Saturday 13 August 2011

surah baqarah verse 112-122

112. Yes, but whoever submits his face (himself) to Allah (i.e. follows Allah's Religion of Islamic Monotheism) and he is a Muhsin (good-doer i.e. performs good deeds totally for Allah's sake only without any show off or to gain praise or fame, etc., and in accordance with the Sunnah of Allah's Messenger Muhammad Peace be upon him ) then his reward is with his Lord (Allah), on such shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.

113. The Jews said that the Christians follow nothing (i.e. are not on the right religion); and the Christians said that the Jews follow nothing (i.e. are not on the right religion); though they both recite the Scripture. Like unto their word, said (the pagans) who know not. Allah will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection about that wherein they have been differing.

114. And who is more unjust than those who forbid that Allah's Name be glorified and mentioned much (i.e. prayers and invocations, etc.) in Allah's Mosques and strive for their ruin? It was not fitting that such should themselves enter them (Allah's Mosques) except in fear. For them there is disgrace in this world, and they will have a great torment in the Hereafter.

115. And to Allah belong the east and the west, so wherever you turn yourselves or your faces there is the Face of Allah (and He is High above, over His Throne). Surely! Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs, All-Knowing.

116. And they (Jews, Christians and pagans) say: Allah has begotten a son (children or offspring). Glory be to Him (Exalted be He above all that they associate with Him). Nay, to Him belongs all that is in the heavens and on earth, and all surrender with obedience (in worship) to Him.

117. The Originator of the heavens and the earth. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it : "Be!" - and it is.

118. And those who have no knowledge say: "Why does not Allah speak to us (face to face) or why does not a sign come to us?" So said the people before them words of similar import. Their hearts are alike, We have indeed made plain the signs for people who believe with certainty.

119. Verily, We have sent you (O Muhammad Peace be upon him ) with the truth (Islam), a bringer of glad tidings (for those who believe in what you brought, that they will enter Paradise) and a warner (for those who disbelieve in what you brought, they will enter the Hell-fire). And you will not be asked about the dwellers of the blazing Fire.
120. Never will the Jews nor the Christians be pleased with you (O Muhammad Peace be upon him ) till you follow their religion. Say: "Verily, the Guidance of Allah (i.e. Islamic Monotheism) that is the (only) Guidance. And if you (O Muhammad Peace be upon him ) were to follow their (Jews and Christians) desires after what you have received of Knowledge (i.e. the Qur'an), then you would have against Allah neither any Wali (protector or guardian) nor any helper.
121. Those (who embraced Islam from Bani Israel) to whom We gave the Book [the Taurat (Torah)] [or those (Muhammad's Peace be upon him companions) to whom We have given the Book (the Qur'an)] recite it (i.e. obey its orders and follow its teachings) as it should be recited (i.e. followed), they are the ones that believe therein. And whoso disbelieves in it (the Qur'an), those are they who are the losers.
122. O Children of Israel! Remember My Favour which I bestowed upon you and that I preferred you to the 'Alamin (mankind and jinns) (of your time-period, in the past).

Explanation
those who surrender and submit themselves to Allah and perform good deeds for the Sole purpose of pleasing Allah rather than to show off and attain fame and praises of people, his rewards will be with Allah and he need not fear.
the christians felt that they were the loved ones of Allah and that the Yahood were worth nothing. On the other hand, the Yahoods felt that they were on the right path and the christians were astray. The christians said that since the Yahood had tried to kill Hazrat Isa and had not accepted him as the messenger of Allah, hence they cannot be the loved ones of Allah. Then those who had no knowledge of the Book(the habitants of Makkah at that time) , they used to talk in a similar manner. they considered themselves to be pious and from the progeny of Hazrat Ibrahim and hence they considered the Yahood and the christians to be worthless in the eyes of Allah. for them reading and conveying the message of the book was not important, rather for them the good deeds were limited to performing hajj, providing water for the pilgrims and looking after the House of Allah. hence everyone(those who read the Book of Allah and those who didnt) were all at the same level.
when the Christians took over Bait ul Muqaddas, they kicked out all the Yahoods and even when Hazrat Umer conquered it, at the time of handing over the keys, this condition was stated that the Yahoods should not be allowed there.
The people of Makkah made Holy Prophet(pbuh) and his companions leave Makkah and at the time of Hudaibiya when the Holy Prophet wanted to perform Tawaaf of Kaaba, the people of Makkah refused and told him to come next year.
Allah says there no one can be more unjust and unfair than those who stop people from coming to Allah's house of worship and prevent them from the worship of Allah. for such people there is severe disgrace in this world and torment in the hereafter. (the disgrace of the world has been witnessed already when in 8th hijri Makkah got conquered and the people of Makkah lost their control over the House of Kaaba which had been their cause of arrogance. Similarly rome was ruled by christians but when it was conquered during the time of Hazrat Umer it put an end to their era of rule and control even of the Bait ul Muqadddas.)
although it is compulsory to turn the face towards Qibla for the obligatory prayers but Allah says that no matter whichever direction you turn in, you will find Allah. This verse is a starter for the change of Qibla to be explained ahead. the qibla was going to change from jerusalem to Kaaba and conspiracies and issues were bound to arise, hence Allah says here that be it east or west, every direction belongs to Allah Himself. The fixing of qibla is only for convenience so that there is unanimity and unity among the muslim ummah whereby they face the same direction no matter wherever in the world in they are.
The christians used to say that Hazrat Isa is the son of Allah (nauzubillah). To this Allah replies that He is pure, He owns everything in the heavens and the earth and He is above all to whom everyone surrenders in obedience and submission.
Then its said that Allah created everything from scratch i.e. everything has been created out of nothing. there was nothing to create it from yet He kept creating and He is the creator of the heavens and the earth from nothing. He just says "Be" and it becomes. His command is sufficient and all that is required.
Then Allah talks about the people of Makkah that they complained that why does Allah not speak to them, why do they not receive any signs or miracles.all the people to whom Allah sent His messengers,they all said they same thing. for those who believe there are clear signs and guidance through Holy Prophet pbuh who brought the Truth to everyone with the glad tidings of Heaven for those who believe in the word of Allah and warns the disbelievers about hell being their abode. and the Holy Prophet (pbuh) will not be questioned about the disbelievers because they had been given the option and they chose to become the dwellers of Hell.
Then Allah is telling the Holy Prophet pbuh that the christians and the yahoods would never believe in the message of Allah he brings to them, unless he accepts their ways and beliefs. their arrogance would never let them follow the ways of the Prophet so he should not expect them to do so.Allah tells the Holy Prophet(pbuh) that even after acquiring the Truth if SUPPOSEDLY the Holy Prophet manages to get dissuaded by their scholars and their people then he should remember that there is no bigger protector, guardian and friend other than Allah.
those who have been blessed with the Book of Allah and who read it like its supposed to be read are the true believers. how is it supposed to be read is the real question. there are certain rights of the Quran which need to be given:
  • belief in it that indeed it is the Book of Allah.
  • reciting it with proper pronounciations (tajweed, makharij etc)
  • understanding the meaning
  • pondering over whatever is being said in the Book
  • acting on it. implementing its commandments in daily life
  • spreading the word and knowledge to others

and those who disbelieve in Quran and do not give it its proper rights, they will suffer losses.
althought originally this verse was for the Christians and Yahood (where Torah, Zaboor and Injeel would be the Book in question) but it refers to Muslims as well( where the Book in question is Quran).
At the end Allah once again reminds the Bani Israel of the numerous blessings of Allah on them. they were made rulers, prophets came from within them, they were blessed with the book of Allah(Torah) and most importantly Allah chose them for spreading His message to the world, to work for His religion.

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