[Al-Quran 50:6-8] Have they not looked at the heaven above them - how We structured it and adorned it and how it has no rifts? And the earth - We spread it out and cast therein firmly set mountains and made grow therein [something] of every beautiful kind, Giving insight and a reminder for every servant who turns [to Allah].

Showing posts with label wealth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wealth. Show all posts

Saturday, April 5, 2025

atTayyabaatu (الطَّيِّبَاتُ) vs alKhabais (الْخَبَائِثَ)

Pure vs Impure 

The Light (24:26)

ٱلْخَبِيثَـٰتُ لِلْخَبِيثِينَ وَٱلْخَبِيثُونَ لِلْخَبِيثَـٰتِ ۖ وَٱلطَّيِّبَـٰتُ لِلطَّيِّبِينَ وَٱلطَّيِّبُونَ لِلطَّيِّبَـٰتِ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ مُبَرَّءُونَ مِمَّا يَقُولُونَ ۖ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌۭ وَرِزْقٌۭ كَرِيمٌۭ ٢٦

Corrupt women are for corrupt men, and corrupt men for corrupt women. Good women are for good men, and good men for good women. They are innocent of the calumnies people utter.1 There shall be forgiveness for them and a generous provision.

— A. Maududi (Tafhim commentary)

[1]This verse enunciates a fundamental principle. Impure men are a fit match for impure women and pious men are a fit match for pious women. It never happens that a man is good in all other aspects but is addicted to a solitary vice. As a matter of fact, his very habits, manners and demeanor, all contain a number of evil traits, which sustain and nourish that single vice. It is impossible that a man develops a vice all of a sudden without having any trace of its existence in his demeanor and way of life. This is a psychological truth which everybody experiences in the daily lives of the people. How is it then possible that a man who has all along lived a pure and morally clean life, will put up and continue to live for years in love with a wife who is adulterous? Can a woman be imagined who is an adulteress, but she does not manifest her evil character through her talk, gait, manners and deportment? Is it possible for a virtuous man of high character to live happily with a woman of this type? What is being suggested here is that people in future should not credulously put their belief in any rumor that reaches them. They should carefully see as to who is being accused and on what account and whether the accusation fairly sticks on the person or not. And when there exists no trace of evidence to support the accusation, people cannot believe it just because a foolish or wicked person has uttered it.

Women impure are for men impure, and men impure for women impure and women of purity are for men of purity, and men of purity are for women of purity: these are not affected by what people say: for them there is forgiveness, and a provision honourable.

— A. Yusuf Ali

Bad statements are for bad people (or bad women for bad men) and bad people for bad statements (or bad men for bad women). Good statements are for good people (or good women for good men) and good people for good statements (or good men for good women): such (good people) are innocent of (every) bad statement which they say; for them is Forgiveness, and Rizqun Karîm (generous provision i.e. Paradise).

— Al-Hilali & Khan

خبیث عورتیں خبیث مردوں کے لیے ہیں اور خبیث مرد خبیث عورتوں کے لیے۔ پاکیزہ عورتیں پاکیزہ مردوں کے لیے ہیں اور پاکیزہ مرد پاکیزہ عورتوں کے لیے۔ ان کا دامن پاک ہے اُن باتوں سے جو بنانے والے بناتے ہیں، 1 ان کے لیے مغفرت ہے اور رزقِ کریم

— Tafheem e Qur'an - Syed Abu Ali Maududi

[1] اس  آیت میں ایک اصولی بات سمجھائی گئی ہے کہ خبیثوں کا جوڑ خبیثوں ہی سے لگتا ہے ،  اور پاکیزہ لوگ پاکیزہ لوگوں ہی سے طبعی مناسبت رکھتے ہیں۔ ایک بد کار آدمی صرف  ایک ہی برائی نہیں کیا کرتا ہے کہ اور تو سب حیثیتوں سے وہ بالکل ٹھیک ہو مگر بس  ایک برائی میں مبتلا ہو۔ اس کے تو اطوار، عادات، خصائل ہر چیز میں بہت سی برائیاں ہوتی  ہیں جو اس کی ایک بڑی برائی کو سہارا دیتی اور پرورش کرتی ہیں۔ یہ کسی طرح ممکن  نہیں ہے کہ ایک آدمی میں یکایک کوئی ایک برائی کسی از غیبی گولے کی طرح پھٹ پڑے جس  کی کوئی علامت اس کے چال چلن میں اور اس کے رنگ ڈھنگ میں نہ پائی جاتی ہو، یہ ایک  نفسیاتی حقیقت ہے جس کا تم ہر وقت انسانی زندگیوں میں مشاہدہ کرتے رہتے ہو۔ اب کس  طرح تمہاری سمجھ میں یہ بات آتی ہے کہ ایک پاکیزہ انسان جس کی ساری زندگی سے تم  واقف ہو، کسی ایسی عورت سے نباہ کر لے اور برسوں نہایت محبت کے ساتھ نباہ کیے چلا  جاتا رہے جو زنا کار ہو۔ کیا تم تصور کر سکتے ہو کہ کوئی عورت ایسی بھی ہو سکتی ہے  جو بد کار بھی ہو اور پھر اس کی رفتار ، گفتار، انداز، اطوار ، کسی چیز سے بھی اس  کے برے لچھن ظاہر  نہ ہوتے ہوں ؟ یا ایک  شخص پاکیزہ نفس اور بلند اخلاق بھی ہو اور پھر ایسی عورت وے خوش بھی رہے جس کے یہ  لچھن ہوں ؟ یہ بات یہاں اس لیے سمجھائی جا رہی ہے کہ آئندہ اگر کسی پر کوئی الزام  لگایا جائے تو لوگ اندھوں کی طرح اسے بس سنتے ہی نہ مان لیا کریں بلکہ آنکھیں کھول  کر دیکھیں کہ کس پر الزام لگایا جا رہا ہے ، کیا الزام لگایا جا رہا ہے ، اور وہ  کسی طرح وہاں چسپاں بھی ہو تا ہے یا نہیں ؟ بات لگتی ہوئی ہو تو آدمی ایک حد تک اسے  مان سکتا ہے ، یا کم از کم ممکن اور متوقع سمجھ سکتا ہے۔ مگر ایک انوکھی بات جس کی  صداقت کی تائید کرنے والے آثار کہیں نہ پائے جاتے ہوں صرف اس لیے کیسے مان لی جائے  کہ کسی احمق یا خبیث نے اسے منہ سے خارج کر دیا ہے۔ 

        بعض  مفسرین نے اس آیت کا یہ مطلب بھی بیان کیا ہے کہ بری باتیں برے لوگوں کے لیے ہیں (یعنی  وہ ان کے مستحق ہیں ) اور بھلی باتیں بھلے لوگوں کے لیے ہیں اور بھلے لوگ اس سے پاک  ہیں کہ وہ باتیں ان پر چسپاں ہوں جو بد گو اشخاص ان کے بارے میں کہتے ہیں۔ بعض  دوسرے لوگوں نے اس کا مطلب یہ لیا ہے کہ برے اعمال برے ہی لوگوں کے کرنے کی ہیں اور  بھلے لوگ بھلی باتیں ہی کیا کرتے ہیں۔ بھلے لوگ اس سے پاک ہیں کہ وہ اس طرح کی  باتیں کریں جیسی یہ افترا پرواز لوگ کر رہے ہیں۔ آیت کے الفاظ میں ان سب تفسیروں کی  گنجائش ہے۔ لین ان الفاظ کو پڑھ کر پہلا مفہوم جو ذہن میں آتا ہے وہ وہی ہے جو ہم  پہلے بیان کر چکے ہیں اور موقع و محل کے لحاظ سے بھی جو معنویت اس میں ہے وہ ان  دوسرے مفہومات میں نہیں ہے۔


خبیث عورتیں خبیث مردوں کے ليے ہیں اور خبیث مرد خبیث عورتوں کے لیے ہیں  اور پاکیزہ عورتیں پاکیزہ مردوں کے ليے ہیں اور پاکیزہ مرد پاکیزہ عورتوں کے ليے وہ لوگ بَری ہیں ان باتوں سے جو یہ کہتے ہیں  ان کے ليے بخشش ہے اور عزت کی روزی ہے

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

https://quran.com/24/26


The Quran uses the terms 'Tayyab' and 'khabees'. 

Tayyab generally translates to pure, good, clean, pleasant, suitable, ... 

Khabees generally translates to impure, bad, unclean, evil, unsuitable, ... 

It refers to people who are 'Tayyab', food that is 'Tayyab', land that is 'Tayyab', soil that is 'Tayyab', spoils of war that are 'Tayyab', rizq that is 'Tayyab', statement that is 'Tayyab', wealth that is 'Tayyab', speech that is 'Tayyab', earning that is 'Tayyab', offspring that is 'Tayyab', and home that is 'Tayyab': [list of ayaat]. 

Similarly, the root خ ب ث is used to describe land, wealth, people, statements, actions: [list of ayaat].

In this world, we see that there seems to be a mixture of khabees and Tayyab. The good news is that Allah will not leave the believers in such a state: 

Family of Imran (3:178-179)

3:178

وَلَا يَحْسَبَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ أَنَّمَا نُمْلِى لَهُمْ خَيْرٌۭ لِّأَنفُسِهِمْ ۚ إِنَّمَا نُمْلِى لَهُمْ لِيَزْدَادُوٓا۟ إِثْمًۭا ۚ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌۭ مُّهِينٌۭ ١٧٨

And let not those who disbelieve ever think that [because] We extend their time [of enjoyment] it is better for them. We only extend it for them so that they may increase in sin, and for them is a humiliating punishment.

— Saheeh International

And let not the disbelievers think that Our postponing of their punishment is good for them. We postpone the punishment only so that they may increase in sinfulness. And for them is a disgracing torment.

— Al-Hilali & Khan

اور جو لوگ کفر کر رہے ہیں ، وہ یہ خیال نہ کریں کہ ہم جو ان کو مہلت دے رہے ہیں یہ ان کے حق میں بہتر ہے ہم تو بس اس ليے مہلت دے رہے ہیں کہ وہ جرم میں اور بڑھ جائیں اور ان کے ليے ذلیل کرنے والا عذاب ہے

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

3:179

مَّا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ لِيَذَرَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَىٰ مَآ أَنتُمْ عَلَيْهِ حَتَّىٰ يَمِيزَ ٱلْخَبِيثَ مِنَ ٱلطَّيِّبِ ۗ وَمَا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ لِيُطْلِعَكُمْ عَلَى ٱلْغَيْبِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَجْتَبِى مِن رُّسُلِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُ ۖ فَـَٔامِنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِۦ ۚ وَإِن تُؤْمِنُوا۟ وَتَتَّقُوا۟ فَلَكُمْ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌۭ ١٧٩

Allāh would not leave the believers in that [state] you are in [presently] until He separates the evil from the good. Nor would Allāh reveal to you the unseen. But [instead], Allāh chooses of His messengers whom He wills, so believe in Allāh and His messengers. And if you believe and fear Him, then for you is a great reward.

— Saheeh International

Allâh will not leave the believers in the state in which you are now, until He distinguishes the wicked from the good. Nor will Allâh disclose to you the secrets of the Ghaib (unseen), but Allâh chooses of His Messengers whom He wills. So believe in Allâh and His Messengers. And if you believe and fear Allâh, then for you there is a great reward.

— Al-Hilali & Khan

اللہ ايسا نہیں کہ وه مومنوں کواس حالت پر چھوڑ دے جس پر کہ تم اب ہو جب تک کہ وہ ناپاک کو پاک سے جدا نہ کرلے اور اللہ ايسا نہیں کہ وه تم کو غیب سے باخبر کردے بلکہ اللہ چن لیتا ہے اپنے رسولوں میں سے جس کو چاہتا ہے پس تم ایمان لاؤ اللہ پر اور اس کے رسولوں پر اور اگر تم ایمان لاؤ اور پرہیزگاری اختیار کرو تو تمھارے ليے بڑا اجر ہے

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

https://quran.com/3/178-179


Meanwhile, in this world, the Believers must strive to reform themselves and their society. The Deen of Allah, and the Shariah revealed by Him, should be the Law of the Land. The Messenger of Allah came with the Truth: 

The Heights (7:157)

ٱلَّذِينَ يَتَّبِعُونَ ٱلرَّسُولَ ٱلنَّبِىَّ ٱلْأُمِّىَّ ٱلَّذِى يَجِدُونَهُۥ مَكْتُوبًا عِندَهُمْ فِى ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةِ وَٱلْإِنجِيلِ يَأْمُرُهُم بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَىٰهُمْ عَنِ ٱلْمُنكَرِ وَيُحِلُّ لَهُمُ ٱلطَّيِّبَـٰتِ وَيُحَرِّمُ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْخَبَـٰٓئِثَ وَيَضَعُ عَنْهُمْ إِصْرَهُمْ وَٱلْأَغْلَـٰلَ ٱلَّتِى كَانَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ فَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ بِهِۦ وَعَزَّرُوهُ وَنَصَرُوهُ وَٱتَّبَعُوا۟ ٱلنُّورَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ مَعَهُۥٓ ۙ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ ١٥٧

“˹They are˺ the ones who follow the Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whose description they find in their Torah and the Gospel.[1] He commands them to do good and forbids them from evil, permits for them what is lawful and forbids to them what is impure, and relieves them from their burdens and the shackles that bound them. ˹Only˺ those who believe in him, honour and support him, and follow the light sent down to him will be successful.”

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

[1] Some Muslim scholars cite Deuteronomy 18:15-18 and 33:2, Isaiah 42, and John 14:16 as examples of the description of Prophet Muḥammad in the Bible. However, Bible scholars interpret these verses differently. The name of Prophet Muḥammad () appears several times in the Gospel of Barnabas, which is deemed apocryphal by Christian authorities.

those who follow the Messenger, the Ummiyy (unlettered) prophet whom they find written with them in the Torah and the Injīl , and who bids them what is fair and forbids what is unfair, and makes lawful for them good things, and makes unlawful for them impure things, and relieves them of their burden, and of the shackles that were upon them. So, those who believe in him and support him, and help him and follow the light sent down with him, - those are the ones who are successful.”

— T. Usmani

Those who follow the messenger, the Prophet who can neither read nor write, whom they will find described in the Torah and the Gospel (which are) with them. He will enjoin on them that which is right and forbid them that which is wrong. He will make lawful for them all good things and prohibit for them only the foul; and he will relieve them of their burden and the fetters that they used to wear. Then those who believe in him, and honour him, and help him, and follow the light which is sent down with him: they are the successful.

— M. Pickthall

وہ لوگ جو پیروی کرتے ہیں اس رسول کی جو نبی امی ہے [1] کہ جس کو پاتے ہیں لکھا ہوا اپنے پاس توریت اور انجیل میں [2] وہ حکم کرتا ہے ان کو نیک کام کا اور منع کرتا ہے برے کام سے اور حلال کرتا ہے انکے لئے سب پاک چیزیں اور حرام کرتا ہے ان پر ناپاک چیزیں اور اتارتا ہے ان پر سے ان کے بوجھ اور وہ قیدیں جو ان پر تھیں [3] سو جو لوگ اس پر ایمان لائے اور اسکی رفاقت کی اور اس کی مدد کی اور تابع ہوئے اس نور کے جو اسکے ساتھ اترا ہے [4] وہی لوگ پہنچے اپنی مراد کو

— Shaykh al-Hind Mahmud al-Hasan(with Tafsir E Usmani)

[1]لفظ اُمّی کی تشریح:امی یا تو ام (بمعنی والدہ) کی طرف منسوب ہے۔ جس طرح بچہ ماں کے پیٹ سے پیدا ہوتا ہے اور کسی کا شاگرد نہیں ہوتا نبی کریم ﷺ نے ساری عمر کسی مخلوق کے سامنے زانوئے تملذ تہ نہیں کیا۔ اس پر کمال یہ ہے کہ جن علوم و معارف اور حقائق و اسرار کا آپ نے افاضہ فرمایا۔ کسی مخلوق کا حوصلہ نہیں کہ اس کا عشر عشیر پیش کر سکے۔ پس 'نبی امی' کا لقب اس حیثیت سے آپ کے لئے مایہ صد افتخار ہے اور یا امی کی نسبت  'ام القریٰ' کی طرف ہو جو مکہ معظمہ کا لقب ہے جو آپ کا مولد شریف تھا۔

[2]تورات و انجیل میں آنحضرت صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کا تذکرہ:یعنی آپ کی تشریف آوری کی بشارات اور نعوت و صفات کتب سماویہ سابقہ  میں مذکور ہیں۔ حتٰی کہ اس وقت سے لے کر آج تک ساڑھے تیرہ سو برس کی کاٹ چھانٹ کے بعد بھی موجودہ بائبل میں بہت سی بشارات و اشارات پائے جاتے ہیں۔ جن کو ہر زمانہ کے علماء بحوالہ کتب دکھلاتے چلے آئے ہیں۔ وللہ الحمد علیٰ ذلک۔

[3]نور سے مراد وحی ہے متلو ہو یا غیر متلو۔ یعنی قرآن و سنت۔

[4]آنحضرت کا دین آسان ہے:یعنی یہود پر جو سخت احکام تھے اور کھانے کی چیزوں میں ان کی شرارتوں کی وجہ سے تنگی تھی فَبِظُلۡمٍ مِّنَ الَّذِیۡنَ ہَادُوۡا حَرَّمۡنَا عَلَیۡہِمۡ طَیِّبٰتٍ اُحِلَّتۡ لَہُمۡ (نساء۔۱۶۰) اس دین میں وہ سب چیزیں آسان ہوئیں اور جو ناپاک چیزیں مثلاً لحم خنزیر  یا گندی باتیں مثلًا سود خوری وغیرہ انہوں نے حلال کر رکھی تھیں۔ ان کی حرمت اس پیغمبر  نے ظاہر فرمائیں۔ غرض ان سے بہت سے بوجھ ہلکے کر دیے اور بہت سی قیدیں اٹھا دی گئیں۔ جیسا کہ حدیث میں فرمایا۔ بعثت بالحنیفَۃِ السَّمْحَۃِ

https://quran.com/7/157


Surah azZumar is about sincerity to Allah's Deen. Among the concluding ayaat is a scene from the Day of Qiyamah. Regarding the Companions of the Gardens, it states: 

The Troops (39:73)

وَسِيقَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوْا۟ رَبَّهُمْ إِلَى ٱلْجَنَّةِ زُمَرًا ۖ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءُوهَا وَفُتِحَتْ أَبْوَٰبُهَا وَقَالَ لَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَا سَلَـٰمٌ عَلَيْكُمْ طِبْتُمْ فَٱدْخُلُوهَا خَـٰلِدِينَ ٧٣

And those who were mindful of their Lord will be led to Paradise in ˹successive˺ groups. When they arrive at its ˹already˺ open gates, its keepers will say, “Peace be upon you! You have done well, so come in, to stay forever.”

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

But those who feared their Lord will be driven to Paradise in groups until, when they reach it while its gates have been opened and its keepers say, "Peace be upon you; you have become pure; so enter it to abide eternally therein," [they will enter].[1]

— Saheeh International

[1]In such honor and joy that is beyond description - thus, the omission of this conclusion in the Arabic text.

And those who used to fear their Lord will be led towards Jannah (Paradise) in groups, until when they reach it, while its gates will be (already) opened (for them), and its keepers will say to them, “Salāmun-’alaikum (peace be on you). How good are you! So, enter it to live here forever.”

— T. Usmani

اور لے جایا جائے گا ان لوگوں کو جنت کی طرف جو اپنے رب کا تقویٰ اختیار کیے رہے تھے گروہ در گروہ یہاں تک کہ جب وہ وہاں پہنچیں گے اور اس کے دروازے (پہلے ہی) کھولے جا چکے ہوں گے اور اس کے داروغہ ان سے کہیں گے : آپ پر سلام ہو آپ لوگ کتنے پاکباز ہیں اب داخل ہوجائیے اس میں ہمیشہ ہمیش رہنے کے لیے

 (بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد —

https://quran.com/39/73


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Also Read: 

Monotheism & Legal Reforms 

Major Sins & True Repentance 

Maroof & Munkar 

Generating The Evidence 

Salaam, The Significance of the Spoken Word! 


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Wednesday, March 5, 2025

The Second Chance

the first death and then this life 




قَالُوا۟ رَبَّنَآ أَمَتَّنَا ٱثْنَتَيْنِ وَأَحْيَيْتَنَا ٱثْنَتَيْنِ فَٱعْتَرَفْنَا بِذُنُوبِنَا فَهَلْ إِلَىٰ خُرُوجٍۢ مِّن سَبِيلٍۢ ١١

They will say, "Our Lord, You made us lifeless twice and gave us life twice, and we have confessed our sins. So is there to an exit any way?"
— Saheeh International

They will say, “Our Lord, You gave us death twice and You gave us life twice. Now we confess our sins. So, is there any way to come out of here?”
— T. Usmani

ذَٰلِكُم بِأَنَّهُۥٓ إِذَا دُعِىَ ٱللَّهُ وَحْدَهُۥ كَفَرْتُمْ ۖ وَإِن يُشْرَكْ بِهِۦ تُؤْمِنُوا۟ ۚ فَٱلْحُكْمُ لِلَّهِ ٱلْعَلِىِّ ٱلْكَبِيرِ ١٢

[They will be told], "That is because, when Allāh was called upon alone, you disbelieved; but if others were associated with Him, you believed. So the judgement is with Allāh, the Most High, the Grand."
— Saheeh International

(The reply will be, “No.) This is because whenever Allah alone was invoked, you used to disbelieve, and if partners were associated with Him, you used to believe. Now the decision lies with Allah, the High, the Great.”
— T. Usmani

[Al-Quran 40:11-12]

The Quran informs us that we have been given life twice. This is our second chance. We are here on probation. We have been given another chance to accept Allah as the One and Only God, and submit to His Deen (Religion, Law of Recompense), sincerely. 

So, how do we know that this life is our second chance? We were dead before we were given this life. After this life, we will be returned to Allah: 

كَيْفَ تَكْفُرُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَكُنتُمْ أَمْوَٰتًۭا فَأَحْيَـٰكُمْ ۖ ثُمَّ يُمِيتُكُمْ ثُمَّ يُحْيِيكُمْ ثُمَّ إِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ ٢٨

How can you disbelieve in Allāh when you were lifeless and He brought you to life; then He will cause you to die, then He will bring you [back] to life, and then to Him you will be returned.
— Saheeh International

“How is it that you deny Allah, while you were lifeless and He gave you life; then He will make you die, and then He will make you live again, and then to Him you will be returned?
— T. Usmani

[Al-Quran 2:28]


Moreover, The Quran also informs us about the Ratified Covenant taken from the Prophets (Q33:7). The last two ayaat of the same surah (Q33:72-73) inform us of a Trust that the Human undertook, a Trust which was offered to the Skies, the Earth, and the Mountains, but they were afraid to undertake. That is the reason why the hypocrites and the polytheists must be punished: 

إِنَّا عَرَضْنَا ٱلْأَمَانَةَ عَلَى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱلْجِبَالِ فَأَبَيْنَ أَن يَحْمِلْنَهَا وَأَشْفَقْنَ مِنْهَا وَحَمَلَهَا ٱلْإِنسَـٰنُ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ ظَلُومًۭا جَهُولًۭا ٧٢

Indeed, We offered the Trust to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, and they declined to bear it and feared it; but man [undertook to] bear it. Indeed, he was unjust and ignorant.
— Saheeh International

We did offer the Trust to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, but they refused to bear its burden and were afraid of it, and man picked it up. Indeed he is unjust (to himself), unaware (of the end).
— T. Usmani

لِّيُعَذِّبَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمُنَـٰفِقِينَ وَٱلْمُنَـٰفِقَـٰتِ وَٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ وَٱلْمُشْرِكَـٰتِ وَيَتُوبَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنَـٰتِ ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورًۭا رَّحِيمًۢا ٧٣

[It[1] was] so that Allāh may punish the hypocrite men and hypocrite women and the men and women who associate others with Him and that Allāh may accept repentance from the believing men and believing women. And ever is Allāh Forgiving and Merciful.
— Saheeh International

The result (of all this) is that Allah will punish the hypocrites, men and women, and the Mushriks, men and women, and will accept the repentance of the believing men and women. Surely Allah is Most-Forgiving, Very-Merciful.
— T. Usmani

[Al-Quran 33:72-73]


The Quran also informs us that Allah is generating the evidence, for/against us, through trials in this life: 


أَحَسِبَ ٱلنَّاسُ أَن يُتْرَكُوٓا۟ أَن يَقُولُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا وَهُمْ لَا يُفْتَنُونَ ٢

Do the people think that they will be left to say, "We believe" and they will not be tried?
— Saheeh International

Do people think that they will be left (at ease) only on their saying, “We believe” and will not be put to any test?
— T. Usmani

وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۖ فَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا۟ وَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ ٱلْكَـٰذِبِينَ ٣

But We have certainly tried those before them, and Allāh will surely make evident those who are truthful, and He will surely make evident the liars.
— Saheeh International

Indeed We have tested those who were before them. So Allah will surely know the ones who are truthful, and He will surely know the liars.
— T. Usmani

[Al-Quran 29:2-3

Allah is the Real King, to whom truly belongs the Kingdom of Skies and Earth and all in between.  A King owns His Realm, and governs His Realm. The King decrees Laws to maintain His Kingdom. Those who keep the Law are law-abiding citizens. Those who do not keep the Law are criminals. Crime must be eliminated for the purpose of peace. A Peaceful Realm flourishes with the blessings of The King. Allah will declare Peace upon the Inhabitants of Gardens of the Hereafter. For the purpose of Peace, the criminals will be contained in the Fires of the Hereafter.   


۞ قُلْ إِنِّى نُهِيتُ أَنْ أَعْبُدَ ٱلَّذِينَ تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ لَمَّا جَآءَنِىَ ٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتُ مِن رَّبِّى وَأُمِرْتُ أَنْ أُسْلِمَ لِرَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ ٦٦

Say, [O Muḥammad], "Indeed, I have been forbidden to worship those you call upon besides Allāh once the clear proofs have come to me from my Lord, and I have been commanded to submit to the Lord of the worlds."
— Saheeh International

Say, “I have been ordered not to worship those whom you invoke beside Allah when clear signs from my Lord have (already) come to me, and I have been ordered that I should submit to the Lord of the worlds.”
— T. Usmani

[Al-Quran 40:66]


The Quran speaks about the purpose of creation of death and life, which is to test who is the best in deeds (Q67:1-2). The Quran also informs us that all the progeny of the sons of Adam were taken out of their backs, and made to testify upon their nafs  that Allah is their Rabb (Lord Sustainer) (Q7:172-175). Each nafs is in pledge for what it earns. There was a time when the nafs of both Adam and his wife was in a state of Nur. This was before Adam's Fall. Since then, the nafs of each one of us is in Zulm (darkness). We cannot see it, and we cannot locate it. We know it is there. We know it desires. We know it whispers. We know it commands. We know it inclines towards sin. We know we need to control it. We have been given guidance about it. If we heed to Allah's guidance, He promises to restore our nafs to its original state of Nur. We cannot enter the Gardens of the Hereafter without our nafs reinstalled in our body and restored to its state of Nur. Those who lose their nafs on the Day of Judgement will lose their families and be made to enter the Fires of the Hereafter. That is the clear loss. 

We have a choice: 
  • do we want citizenship of the Gardens of Eternity, inheritance of the Gardens of Eternity, restoration of health and wealth, and an honourable place in the The True King's Realm? 
          or
  • do we want to lose our freedom and our inheritance, lose our health and wealth, and be chained and imprisoned forever in the Fires of Eternity? 
There is no compulsion. We are free to choose. Our Eternity depends on whether we choose to submit to The True King, and be protected from the Fire of Eternity by Allah, or do we choose the clear loss? 


قُلْ إِنِّىٓ أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَعْبُدَ ٱللَّهَ مُخْلِصًۭا لَّهُ ٱلدِّينَ ١١

Say, “I am commanded to worship Allah, being sincerely devoted to Him ˹alone˺.

وَأُمِرْتُ لِأَنْ أَكُونَ أَوَّلَ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ ١٢

And I am commanded to be the first of those who submit ˹to His Will˺.”

قُلْ إِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ إِنْ عَصَيْتُ رَبِّى عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍۢ ١٣

Say, “I truly fear—if I were to disobey my Lord—the torment of a tremendous Day.”

قُلِ ٱللَّهَ أَعْبُدُ مُخْلِصًۭا لَّهُۥ دِينِى ١٤

Say, “It is ˹only˺ Allah that I worship, being sincere in my devotion to Him.

فَٱعْبُدُوا۟ مَا شِئْتُم مِّن دُونِهِۦ ۗ قُلْ إِنَّ ٱلْخَـٰسِرِينَ ٱلَّذِينَ خَسِرُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَأَهْلِيهِمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۗ أَلَا ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلْخُسْرَانُ ٱلْمُبِينُ ١٥

Worship then whatever ˹gods˺ you want instead of Him.” Say, “The ˹true˺ losers are those who will lose themselves and their families on Judgment Day. That is indeed the clearest loss.”

لَهُم مِّن فَوْقِهِمْ ظُلَلٌۭ مِّنَ ٱلنَّارِ وَمِن تَحْتِهِمْ ظُلَلٌۭ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ يُخَوِّفُ ٱللَّهُ بِهِۦ عِبَادَهُۥ ۚ يَـٰعِبَادِ فَٱتَّقُونِ ١٦

They will have layers of fire above and below them. That is what Allah warns His servants with. So fear Me, O  My servants!

[Al-Quran 39:11-16, Translation: Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran]

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Time, and the Passing of Time 

Looking up the occurrence of the translation 'twice', and use of its Arabic root, it seems to lend meanings to both time and passing:
  • Where the Believer is granted permission to divorce his wife, he has a right to revert his decision for two passages of time. If the decision is not taken back before the third period expires, the divorce is finalised. Upon completion of the third and final period, she must leave his home. The marriage contract which they had ratified becomes void. The nikah is annulled. He is no longer her 'qawwam'. He does not have any financial or protection responsibilities towards her, with the exception of if she is carrying his baby.  
  • The bani Israel did great corruption in the Earth twice, and were punished twice, before the revelation of The Quran. They were the chosen people. They had ratified a covenant with Allah. They were granted The Torah. They were given The Ten Commandments. They were shown many miracles.  


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Also read: 










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Last updated on: March 7, 2025




Monday, February 4, 2019

The Case against the Bani Israel

Abstract 
The Quran on the Bani Israel, the chosen people, and their responsibility regarding The Torah, as per the covenant they ratified with God, and the consequences.   



Full Text 

ظَهَرَ الْفَسَادُ فِي الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِي النَّاسِ 

لِيُذِيقَهُم بَعْضَ الَّذِي عَمِلُوا لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ

Has appeared the corruption in the land and the sea for what have earned (the) hands (of) people, 
so that He may let them taste a part (of) that which they have done so that they may return. 
[Al-Quran 30:41]

The Quran is a divine revelation, and so are the scriptures revealed before it. They contain guidance for those who wish to keep their duty. Among the qualities of such people is their believe in all the scriptures. The Quran begins with a prayer for guidance, a description of the believers and the rejectors, and then attention is drawn to the corrupters: 

وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ لَا تُفْسِدُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ قَالُوا إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ مُصْلِحُونَ

أَلَا إِنَّهُمْ هُمُ الْمُفْسِدُونَ وَلَٰكِن لَّا يَشْعُرُونَ

When they are told, "Do not cause corruption in the land," they say, "But we are reformers!"
They are truly corrupters and do not realize it.
[Al-Quran 2:11-12, Translation: Safi Kaskas]

Our Creator does not like corruption of His creation. Human activities have wreaked much havoc on this planet, destroying many species, and harming many others, including our own selves. Divine revelations are meant to guide us away from all that we do wrong, so that we can return to God, repenting from our sins, our ignorant and unjust ways, and seeking forgiveness. God, in His Mercy, promises to forgive us, reform us and grant us The Gardens of Eternity as an inheritance.   


The Chosen People 
The Quran reminds the Bani Israel of their covenant:

يَا بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ اذْكُرُوا نِعْمَتِيَ الَّتِي أَنْعَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ 

وَأَوْفُوا بِعَهْدِي أُوفِ بِعَهْدِكُمْ 

وَإِيَّايَ فَارْهَبُونِ

O CHILDREN of Israel! Remember those blessings of Mine with which I graced you, 
and fulfil your promise unto Me, [whereupon] I shall fulfil My promise unto you; 
and of Me, of Me stand in awe! 
[Al-Quran 2:40, Translation: Muhammad Asad]
Note: عَهْدِ means covenant, a formal, binding, solemn agreement

Adam was under a covenant, and so he is mentioned early on in The Quran, with the emphasis on the knowledge taught to him by God Himself, his being made a khalifa, and how Satan made him slip! God acceptance of Adam's repentance, and conditional pardon is mentioned thus:

فَتَلَقَّىٰ آدَمُ مِن رَّبِّهِ كَلِمَاتٍ فَتَابَ عَلَيْهِ إِنَّهُ هُوَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ
قُلْنَا اهْبِطُوا مِنْهَا جَمِيعًا فَإِمَّا يَأْتِيَنَّكُم مِّنِّي هُدًى فَمَن تَبِعَ هُدَايَ فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ
وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَكَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا أُولَٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ

Then learnt Adam from his Lord words of inspiration, and his Lord Turned towards him; for He is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful.
We said: "Get ye down all from here; and if, as is sure, there comes to you Guidance from me, whosoever follows My guidance, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.
"But those who reject Faith and belie Our Signs, they shall be companions of the Fire; they shall abide therein."
[Al-Quran 2:37-39, Translation: Yusuf Ali]


Immediately after narrating Adam's story, the Bani Israel are reminded of their covenant:

Screenshots from alim.org translation: Asad


There onwards, we can read a list of favours the Almighty Allah favoured them with, their trials, their their failures, the numerous times they were forgiven, the covenants they ratified with God, ... , the major events in their collective history. The Quran extensively discusses the Bani Israel, the chosen people, across the text in several surahs. They are under a ratified covenant with God to hold fast to The Torah, which is a guidance for all people, to observe it themselves, first and foremost, and also to make it known to all people:

وَإِذْ أَخَذَ اللَّهُ مِيثَاقَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ

لَتُبَيِّنُنَّهُ لِلنَّاسِ

وَلَا تَكْتُمُونَهُ 

فَنَبَذُوهُ وَرَاءَ ظُهُورِهِمْ وَاشْتَرَوْا بِهِ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًا فَبِئْسَ مَا يَشْتَرُونَ

And when Allah took ratified a Covenant taken (from) those who were given the Book,
"You certainly make it clear to the mankind
and (do) not conceal it.
Then they threw it behind their backs and they exchanged [with] it (for) a little price. And wretched (is) what they purchase. 
[Al-Quran 3:187, Translation edited (in italics)] 


However, not all People of the Book are the same. Some of them do keep their duty, and Allah will reward them. Surah Aal-e-Imran concludes thus: 

وَإِنَّ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ لَمَن يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكُمْ وَمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِمْ خَاشِعِينَ لِلَّهِ لَا يَشْتَرُونَ بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًا أُولَٰئِكَ لَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ سَرِيعُ الْحِسَابِ

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اصْبِرُوا وَصَابِرُوا وَرَابِطُوا وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ

And lo! of the People of the Scripture there are some who believe in Allah and that which is revealed unto you and that which was revealed unto them, humbling themselves before Allah. They purchase not a trifling gain at the price of the revelations of Allah. Verily their reward is with their Lord. Lo! Allah is swift to take account.
 O ye who believe! Endure, outdo all others in endurance, be ready, and observe your duty to Allah, in order that ye may succeed.
[Al-Quran 3:199-200, Translation: M. M. Pickthal]


In fact, Surah Al-Ara`f informs us that Muhammad is mentioned in their scriptures:

الَّذِينَ يَتَّبِعُونَ الرَّسُولَ النَّبِيَّ الْأُمِّيَّ الَّذِي يَجِدُونَهُ مَكْتُوبًا عِندَهُمْ فِي التَّوْرَاةِ وَالْإِنجِيلِ يَأْمُرُهُم بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَاهُمْ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَيُحِلُّ لَهُمُ الطَّيِّبَاتِ وَيُحَرِّمُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْخَبَائِثَ وَيَضَعُ عَنْهُمْ إِصْرَهُمْ وَالْأَغْلَالَ الَّتِي كَانَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ فَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِهِ وَعَزَّرُوهُ وَنَصَرُوهُ وَاتَّبَعُوا النُّورَ الَّذِي أُنزِلَ مَعَهُ أُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ

Those who follow the Messenger-Prophet, the Ummi, whom they find written down with them in the Taurat and the Injeel (who) enjoins them good and forbids them evil, and makes lawful to them the good things and makes unlawful to them impure things, and removes from them their burden and the shackles which were upon them; so (as for) those who believe in him and honor him and help him, and follow the light which has been sent down with him, these it is that are the successful.
[Al-Quran 7:157, Translation: Shakir]


The Torah

نَزَّلَ عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَأَنزَلَ التَّوْرَاةَ وَالْإِنجِيلَ

He hath revealed unto thee (Muhammad) the Scripture with truth, confirming that which was (revealed) before it, even as He revealed the Torah and the Gospel.
[Al-Quran 3:3, Translation: M. M. Pickthal] 


إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَا التَّوْرَاةَ فِيهَا هُدًى وَنُورٌ يَحْكُمُ بِهَا النَّبِيُّونَ الَّذِينَ أَسْلَمُوا لِلَّذِينَ هَادُوا وَالرَّبَّانِيُّونَ وَالْأَحْبَارُ بِمَا اسْتُحْفِظُوا مِن كِتَابِ اللَّهِ وَكَانُوا عَلَيْهِ شُهَدَاءَ فَلَا تَخْشَوُا النَّاسَ وَاخْشَوْنِ وَلَا تَشْتَرُوا بِآيَاتِي ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًا وَمَن لَّمْ يَحْكُم بِمَا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْكَافِرُونَ

Verily We sent down the Taurat wherein was a guidance and a light. By it the prophets who submitted themselves judged those who were judaised, and so did the divines and the priests by that wherewith they were entrusted of the Book of Allah and they had become witnesses thereof. Wherefore fear not the mankind but fear Me, and barter not My revelations for a small price, And whosoever judgeth not by that which Allah hath sent down - those then they are the infidels.
[Al-Quran 5:44, Translation: Abdul Majid Daryabadi] 


وَلَقَدْ مَنَنَّا عَلَىٰ مُوسَىٰ وَهَارُونَ
...
وَآتَيْنَاهُمَا الْكِتَابَ الْمُسْتَبِينَ

THUS, INDEED, did We bestow Our favour upon Moses and Aaron;
...
And We gave them the divine writ that made [right and wrong] distinct, 
[Al-Quran 37:114-117, Translation: Muhammad Asad] 


وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا مُوسَى الْهُدَىٰ وَأَوْرَثْنَا بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ الْكِتَابَ

And, indeed, We bestowed aforetime [Our] guidance on Moses, and [thus] made the children of Israel heirs to the divine writ [revealed to him] 
[Al-Quran 40:53, Translation: Muhammad Asad] 


Negligence of The Torah 

مَثَلُ الَّذِينَ حُمِّلُوا التَّوْرَاةَ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَحْمِلُوهَا كَمَثَلِ الْحِمَارِ يَحْمِلُ أَسْفَارًا بِئْسَ مَثَلُ الْقَوْمِ الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ

The example of those who were entrusted to uphold the Torah, but then failed to uphold it, is that of a donkey carrying volumes of knowledge. Terrible is the example of the people who reject the signs of God. God does not guide the unjust People. 
[Al-Quran 62:5, Translation: Safi Kaskas]


A Brief History 
From The Bible and The Quran, we learn:

وَآتَيْنَا مُوسَى الْكِتَابَ وَجَعَلْنَاهُ هُدًى لِّبَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ أَلَّا تَتَّخِذُوا مِن دُونِي وَكِيلًا
ذُرِّيَّةَ مَنْ حَمَلْنَا مَعَ نُوحٍ إِنَّهُ كَانَ عَبْدًا شَكُورًا
وَقَضَيْنَا إِلَىٰ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ فِي الْكِتَابِ لَتُفْسِدُنَّ فِي الْأَرْضِ مَرَّتَيْنِ وَلَتَعْلُنَّ عُلُوًّا كَبِيرًا
فَإِذَا جَاءَ وَعْدُ أُولَاهُمَا بَعَثْنَا عَلَيْكُمْ عِبَادًا لَّنَا أُولِي بَأْسٍ شَدِيدٍ فَجَاسُوا خِلَالَ الدِّيَارِ وَكَانَ وَعْدًا مَّفْعُولًا
ثُمَّ رَدَدْنَا لَكُمُ الْكَرَّةَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَأَمْدَدْنَاكُم بِأَمْوَالٍ وَبَنِينَ وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ أَكْثَرَ نَفِيرًا
إِنْ أَحْسَنتُمْ أَحْسَنتُمْ لِأَنفُسِكُمْ وَإِنْ أَسَأْتُمْ فَلَهَا فَإِذَا جَاءَ وَعْدُ الْآخِرَةِ لِيَسُوءُوا وُجُوهَكُمْ وَلِيَدْخُلُوا الْمَسْجِدَ كَمَا دَخَلُوهُ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ وَلِيُتَبِّرُوا مَا عَلَوْا تَتْبِيرًا
عَسَىٰ رَبُّكُمْ أَن يَرْحَمَكُمْ وَإِنْ عُدتُّمْ عُدْنَا وَجَعَلْنَا جَهَنَّمَ لِلْكَافِرِينَ حَصِيرًا
إِنَّ هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنَ يَهْدِي لِلَّتِي هِيَ أَقْوَمُ وَيُبَشِّرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ الَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ الصَّالِحَاتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ أَجْرًا كَبِيرًا
وَأَنَّ الَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْآخِرَةِ أَعْتَدْنَا لَهُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا

We gave unto Moses the Scripture, and We appointed it a guidance for the children of Israel, saying: Choose no guardian beside Me.
(They were) the seed of those whom We carried (in the ship) along with Noah. Lo! he was a grateful slave.
And We decreed for the Children of Israel in the Scripture: Ye verily will work corruption in the earth twice, and ye will become great tyrants.
So when the time for the first of the two came, We roused against you slaves of Ours of great might who ravaged (your) country, and it was a threat performed.
Then we gave you once again your turn against them, and We aided you with wealth and children and made you more in soldiery.
(Saying): If ye do good, ye do good for your own souls, and if ye do evil, it is for them (in like manner). So, when the time for the second (of the judgments) came (We roused against you others of Our slaves) to ravage you, and to enter the Temple even as they entered it the first time, and to lay waste all that they conquered with an utter wasting.
It may be that your Lord will have mercy on you, but if ye repeat (the crime) We shall repeat (the punishment), and We have appointed hell a dungeon for the disbelievers.
Lo! this Qur'an guideth unto that which is straightest, and giveth tidings unto the believers who do good works that theirs will be a great reward.
And that those who believe not in the Hereafter, for them We have prepared a painful doom. 
[Al-Quran 17:2-10, Translation: M. M. Pickthal]




Surah al-Isra, also known as Surah Bani Israel, begins with the celebration of the perfection of Allah who took Prophet Muhammad ﷺ on a journey to show him some signs (ayaat), from al-Masjid al-Haraam (in Makkah, where The Kaaba is located) to al-Masjid al-Aqsa (the farthest mosque, probably where Bait-ul-Mamoor is located). The very next ayat (sign) then draws attention to the corruptions of the Bani Israel after they had been given The Book. Q17:8 offers them hope of their Lord's mercy and sternly warns them! 

   
Gathered Together 
Towards the end of the surah, the proofs that were being demanded from Prophet Muhammad ﷺ regarding his ascension are quoted. The surah includes the following remarks about the Bani Israel among its last few ayaat: 

وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا مُوسَىٰ تِسْعَ آيَاتٍ بَيِّنَاتٍ فَاسْأَلْ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ إِذْ جَاءَهُمْ فَقَالَ لَهُ فِرْعَوْنُ إِنِّي لَأَظُنُّكَ يَا مُوسَىٰ مَسْحُورًا
قَالَ لَقَدْ عَلِمْتَ مَا أَنزَلَ هَٰؤُلَاءِ إِلَّا رَبُّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ بَصَائِرَ وَإِنِّي لَأَظُنُّكَ يَا فِرْعَوْنُ مَثْبُورًا
فَأَرَادَ أَن يَسْتَفِزَّهُم مِّنَ الْأَرْضِ فَأَغْرَقْنَاهُ وَمَن مَّعَهُ جَمِيعًا
وَقُلْنَا مِن بَعْدِهِ لِبَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ اسْكُنُوا الْأَرْضَ فَإِذَا جَاءَ وَعْدُ الْآخِرَةِ جِئْنَا بِكُمْ لَفِيفًا
وَبِالْحَقِّ أَنزَلْنَاهُ وَبِالْحَقِّ نَزَلَ وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا مُبَشِّرًا وَنَذِيرًا

And verily We gave unto Moses nine tokens, clear proofs (of Allah's Sovereignty). Do but ask the Children of Israel how he came unto them, then Pharaoh said unto him: Lo! I deem thee one bewitched, O Moses.
He said: In truth thou knowest that none sent down these (portents) save the Lord of the heavens and the earth as proofs, and lo! (for my part) I deem thee lost, O Pharaoh.
And he wished to scare them from the land, but We drowned him and those with him, all together.
And We said unto the Children of Israel after him: Dwell in the land; but when the promise of the Hereafter cometh to pass We shall bring you as a crowd gathered out of various nations.
With truth have We sent it down, and with truth hath it descended. And We have sent thee as naught else save a bearer of good tidings and a warner. 
[Al-Quran 17:101-105, Translation: M. M. Pickthal] 


Men of Strength and Vision 


وَاذْكُرْ عِبَادَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ أُولِي الْأَيْدِي وَالْأَبْصَارِ
إِنَّا أَخْلَصْنَاهُم بِخَالِصَةٍ ذِكْرَى الدَّارِ
وَإِنَّهُمْ عِندَنَا لَمِنَ الْمُصْطَفَيْنَ الْأَخْيَارِ
وَاذْكُرْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ وَالْيَسَعَ وَذَا الْكِفْلِ وَكُلٌّ مِّنَ الْأَخْيَارِ
هَٰذَا ذِكْرٌ وَإِنَّ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ لَحُسْنَ مَآبٍ

And commemorate Our Servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, possessors of Power and Vision.
Verily We did choose them for a special (purpose)- proclaiming the Message of the Hereafter.
They were, in Our sight, truly, of the company of the Elect and the Good.
And commemorate Isma'il, Elisha, and Zul-Kifl: Each of them was of the Company of the Good.
This is a Message (of admonition): and verily, for the righteous, is a beautiful Place of (Final) Return,-
[Al-Quran 38:45-49, Translation: Yusuf Ali]


Surah Saad mentions Jacob (Israel) and his ancestors (Isaac and Abraham), powerful men who were chosen, and who kept their duty, citing them as examples of excellence. Prior to that, the surah quotes the advise given to Prophet-King David:


يَا دَاوُودُ إِنَّا جَعَلْنَاكَ خَلِيفَةً فِي الْأَرْضِ فَاحْكُم بَيْنَ النَّاسِ بِالْحَقِّ وَلَا تَتَّبِعِ الْهَوَىٰ فَيُضِلَّكَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَضِلُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ بِمَا نَسُوا يَوْمَ الْحِسَابِ

O David! We did indeed make thee a vicegerent on earth: so judge thou between men in truth (and justice): Nor follow thou the lusts (of thy heart), for they will mislead thee from the Path of Allah: for those who wander astray from the Path of Allah, is a Penalty Grievous, for that they forget the Day of Account.
[Al-Quran 38:26, Translation: Yusuf Ali]


Repent and Reform 

اصْبِرْ عَلَىٰ مَا يَقُولُونَ وَاذْكُرْ عَبْدَنَا دَاوُودَ ذَا الْأَيْدِ إِنَّهُ أَوَّابٌ

Bear with what they say, and remember Our bondman David, lord of might, Lo! he was ever turning in repentance (toward Allah).
[Al-Quran 38:17


وَوَهَبْنَا لِدَاوُودَ سُلَيْمَانَ نِعْمَ الْعَبْدُ إِنَّهُ أَوَّابٌ

And We bestowed on David, Solomon. How excellent a slave! Lo! he was ever turning in repentance (toward Allah).
[Al-Quran 38:30


وَخُذْ بِيَدِكَ ضِغْثًا فَاضْرِب بِّهِ وَلَا تَحْنَثْ إِنَّا وَجَدْنَاهُ صَابِرًا نِّعْمَ الْعَبْدُ إِنَّهُ أَوَّابٌ

And (it was said unto him): Take in thine hand a branch and smite therewith, and break not thine oath. Lo! We found him steadfast, how excellent a slave! Lo! he was ever turning in repentance (to his Lord).
[Al-Quran 38:44

Surah Saad narrates about the trials and repentance of three powerful men from the Bani Israel: David, Solomon and Job. Highlighted in Surah Saad is their repentance to God after they erred. This contrasts sharply with Iblis (Satan)'s defiant disobedience, mentioned at the end of the surah.


The Defiantly Disobedient 


لُعِنَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِن بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ عَلَىٰ لِسَانِ دَاوُودَ وَعِيسَى ابْنِ مَرْيَمَ ذَٰلِكَ بِمَا عَصَوا وَّكَانُوا يَعْتَدُونَ

Curses were pronounced on those among the Children of Israel who rejected Faith, by the tongue of David and of Jesus the son of Mary: because they disobeyed and persisted in excesses.
[Al-Quran 5:78, Translation: Yusuf Ali]


Surah as-Sajdah (The Prostration) declares that the Believers and the Defiantly Disobedient are not alike; and then we read about the two punishments for the defiantly disobedient:

أَفَمَن كَانَ مُؤْمِنًا كَمَن كَانَ فَاسِقًا لَّا يَسْتَوُونَ
أَمَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ فَلَهُمْ جَنَّاتُ الْمَأْوَىٰ نُزُلًا بِمَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ
وَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ فَسَقُوا فَمَأْوَاهُمُ النَّارُ كُلَّمَا أَرَادُوا أَن يَخْرُجُوا مِنْهَا أُعِيدُوا فِيهَا وَقِيلَ لَهُمْ ذُوقُوا عَذَابَ النَّارِ الَّذِي كُنتُم بِهِ تُكَذِّبُونَ
وَلَنُذِيقَنَّهُم مِّنَ الْعَذَابِ الْأَدْنَىٰ دُونَ الْعَذَابِ الْأَكْبَرِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ
وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن ذُكِّرَ بِآيَاتِ رَبِّهِ ثُمَّ أَعْرَضَ عَنْهَا إِنَّا مِنَ الْمُجْرِمِينَ مُنتَقِمُونَ

Is he who is a believer like unto him who is an evil-liver? They are not alike.
But as for those who believe and do good works, for them are the Gardens of Retreat - a welcome (in reward) for what they used to do.
And as for those who do evil, their retreat is the Fire. Whenever they desire to issue forth from thence, they are brought back thither. Unto them it is said: Taste the torment of the Fire which ye used to deny.
And verily We make them taste the lower punishment before the greater, that haply they may return.
And who doth greater wrong than he who is reminded of the revelations of his Lord, then turneth from them. Lo! We shall requite the guilty. 
[Al-Quran 32:18-22, Translation: M. M. Pickthal]


The Day of Victory 
The Surah then concludes with the mention of the Bani Israel and the Day of Victory promised to the Believers: 

وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا مُوسَى الْكِتَابَ فَلَا تَكُن فِي مِرْيَةٍ مِّن لِّقَائِهِ وَجَعَلْنَاهُ هُدًى لِّبَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ
وَجَعَلْنَا مِنْهُمْ أَئِمَّةً يَهْدُونَ بِأَمْرِنَا لَمَّا صَبَرُوا وَكَانُوا بِآيَاتِنَا يُوقِنُونَ
إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ يَفْصِلُ بَيْنَهُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فِيمَا كَانُوا فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ
أَوَلَمْ يَهْدِ لَهُمْ كَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا مِن قَبْلِهِم مِّنَ الْقُرُونِ يَمْشُونَ فِي مَسَاكِنِهِمْ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ أَفَلَا يَسْمَعُونَ
أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا أَنَّا نَسُوقُ الْمَاءَ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ الْجُرُزِ فَنُخْرِجُ بِهِ زَرْعًا تَأْكُلُ مِنْهُ أَنْعَامُهُمْ وَأَنفُسُهُمْ أَفَلَا يُبْصِرُونَ
وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَىٰ هَٰذَا الْفَتْحُ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ
قُلْ يَوْمَ الْفَتْحِ لَا يَنفَعُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا إِيمَانُهُمْ وَلَا هُمْ يُنظَرُونَ
فَأَعْرِضْ عَنْهُمْ وَانتَظِرْ إِنَّهُم مُّنتَظِرُونَ

We verily gave Moses the Scripture; so be not ye in doubt of his receiving it; and We appointed it a guidance for the Children of Israel.
And when they became steadfast and believed firmly in Our revelations, We appointed from among them leaders who guided by Our command.
Lo! thy Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that wherein they used to differ.
Is it not a guidance for them (to observe) how many generations We destroyed before them, amid whose dwelling places they do walk? Lo! therein verily are portents! Will they not then heed?
Have they not seen how We lead the water to the barren land and therewith bring forth crops whereof their cattle eat, and they themselves? Will they not then see?
And they say: When cometh this victory (of yours) if ye are truthful?
Say (unto them): On the day of the victory the faith of those who disbelieve (and who then will believe) will not avail them, neither will they be reprieved.
So withdraw from them (O Muhammad), and await (the event). Lo! they (also) are awaiting (it). 
[Al-Quran 32:23-30, Translation: M. M. Pickthal]



Guidance for Believers


يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَآمِنُوا بِرَسُولِهِ يُؤْتِكُمْ كِفْلَيْنِ مِن رَّحْمَتِهِ وَيَجْعَل لَّكُمْ نُورًا تَمْشُونَ بِهِ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

لِّئَلَّا يَعْلَمَ أَهْلُ الْكِتَابِ أَلَّا يَقْدِرُونَ عَلَىٰ شَيْءٍ مِّن فَضْلِ اللَّهِ وَأَنَّ الْفَضْلَ بِيَدِ اللَّهِ يُؤْتِيهِ مَن يَشَاءُ وَاللَّهُ ذُو الْفَضْلِ الْعَظِيمِ

O you who have believed, fear Allah and believe in His Messenger; He will [then] give you a double portion of His mercy and make for you a light by which you will walk and forgive you; and Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
[This is] so that the People of the Scripture may know that they are not able [to obtain] anything from the bounty of Allah and that [all] bounty is in the hand of Allah ; He gives it to whom He wills. And Allah is the possessor of great bounty.

[Al-Quran 57:28-29, Translation: Sahih International]



يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَتَوَلَّوْا قَوْمًا غَضِبَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ قَدْ يَئِسُوا مِنَ الْآخِرَةِ كَمَا يَئِسَ الْكُفَّارُ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ الْقُبُورِ

O you who have believed, do not make allies of a people with whom Allah has become angry. They have despaired of [reward in] the Hereafter just as the disbelievers have despaired of [meeting] the inhabitants of the graves. 
[Al-Quran 60:13, Translation: Sahih International]


As custodians of The Quran, we Muslims have been entrusted with a huge responsibility. There are many lessons of faith, submission, guarding and sharing to be learnt from the history of the Bani Israel. May Allah grant us the good fortune to keep our duty and may Allah be well-pleased with us. 


وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ قَوْلًا مِّمَّن دَعَا إِلَى اللَّهِ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا وَقَالَ إِنَّنِي مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ

وَلَا تَسْتَوِي الْحَسَنَةُ وَلَا السَّيِّئَةُ ادْفَعْ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ فَإِذَا الَّذِي بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَهُ عَدَاوَةٌ كَأَنَّهُ وَلِيٌّ حَمِيمٌ

وَمَا يُلَقَّاهَا إِلَّا الَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا وَمَا يُلَقَّاهَا إِلَّا ذُو حَظٍّ عَظِيمٍ

And who is better in speech than one who invites to Allah and does righteousness and says, "Indeed, I am of the Muslims."
And not equal are the good deed and the bad. Repel [evil] by that [deed] which is better; and thereupon the one whom between you and him is enmity [will become] as though he was a devoted friend.
But none is granted it except those who are patient, and none is granted it except one having a great portion [of good].
[Al-Quran 41:33-35, Translation: Sahih International]