2-100
What! whenever they agreed for an agreement, a party of them cast it aside. No! most of them do not believe.
“Same as Verse No. 99”
Al-Baqarah (The Cow)
2-101
And when a messenger came to them from Allah, confirming that which was with them, a party of those who were given the book, cast the book of Allah behind their backs as if they did not know,
“Same as Verse No. 99”
2-102
and followed that which the devils read (and taught) against the (miraculous) power of Sulaiman. And Sulaiman did not reject but the devils rejected, teaching people magic and that which was sent down upon the two angels Harut and Marut at Babel. And they (the two angels) did not teach anyone until they said, “”We are only a trial, so do not be infidels.”” Then they learnt from these two (angels) that which caused division between a man and his wife, and they did not harm anyone with it except with the permission of Allah; and they learnt that which harmed them and not that which profited them. And they surely knew that whoever purchased it, he had no share for himself in the hereafter. And evil was the price for which they sold themselves, had they but known.
“Instead of following the Quran they followed that which the evil persons who had lived during Sulaiman’s (PBH) period had read and taught about the miraculous powers of Sulaiman (PBH), who was given knowledge, wisdom and the power to perform miracles, by Allah (SWT). The miracles witnessed during Sulaiman’s (PBH) period were: – the violent wind blew by his command covering one month’s journey in one morning or in one evening, armies of jinn, men and birds were at his disposal, he knew the speech of birds, the throne of the Queen of Saba was brought into his court instantly by one of his courtiers who was bestowed with knowledge etc. (Chapter: 21 Verses: 78–82, Chapter: 27 Verses: 15–44, Chapter: 34 Verses: 12–14, Chapter: 38 Verses: 36– 40). These evil persons probably taught people that the miracles performed by Sulaiman (PBH) were magic which is falsehood, deception and hiding the truth i.e. ‘Kufr’. Contrary to this Allah (SWT) had given to Sulaiman (PBH) the power to perform miracles which were real and factual. Sulaiman (PBH) did not practice magic, had he done so he would have followed falsehood and deception and thus hided the truth. It is therefore clarified here that Sulaiman (PBH) did not hide or reject the truth but the evil persons rejected it, the proof of which is that they themselves taught people magic. A party from among the Jews rejected the Quran by ignoring it and got deeply involved in magic and evil practices associated with it such as charms, spells etc, which they had inherited from the evil persons who had lived during the period of Sulaiman (PBH). Two angels Harut and Marut were sent to Babel probably to tempt and test the Jews. The people of Lut (PBH) were also tested through angels in the form of young boys. (Chapter: 11 Verses: 77–81). These two angels warned before teaching anyone anything that they were sent for their trial therefore by getting tempted they should not become infidels, doing something against the orders of Allah (SWT). Inspite of this warning the evil persons learnt from these two angels the art of causing division between man and wife which is a devilish act (narrated in a Hadis in Mishkat page No. 31). They thus fell into the temptation and practiced magic i.e. falsehood which amounts to going against the orders of Allah i.e. infidelity or ‘Kufr’. Through these evil practices, they could not harm anyone i.e. magic, charms, spells, witchcraft etc. without the permission of Allah (SWT), i.e. they could not harm anyone they liked. Thus, they learnt something harmful to them and not beneficial. They knew that by doing this they were preparing themselves for hell and not paradise, this was an evil price they were paying for learning and teaching magic and harming others. On the contrary, had they believed and guarded against evil, then the reward from Allah (SWT) in the form of paradise would certainly be better, had they but realized.”
2-103
And had they believed and guarded (against evil), then reward from Allah would have certainly been better, had they but known. (R 12)
“Same as Verse No. 102”
2-104
O you who believe! do not say, “”Listen to us {12},”” but say, “”Look at us and listen,”” and for the infidels there is a painful punishment.
“The word ‘Ra’ina’ translated as ‘Listen to us’, with a twist of the tongue means ‘He is foolish’, therefore believers are instructed to use other words while addressing Prophet Muhammed (PBH) who is to be given respect to such an extent that even words with ambiguous meaning are to be avoided. It appears that the infidels twisted their tongues while pronouncing the word ‘Ra’ina’ they are therefore warned of a painful punishment.”
Ra’ina:
The word ‘Ra’ina’ translated as “Listen to us”, with a twist of the tongue means, “He is foolish”, therefore an unambiguous word is suggested in its place.
2-105
Neither those who are infidels from among the owners of the book nor the polytheists like that any good should be sent down upon you from your Fosterer, but Allah chooses for His mercy whomever He wills and Allah is the Possessor of great grace.
“Those persons from among the owners of the book (i.e. Jews and Christians) who did not accept prophet Muhammed (PBH) as the messenger of Allah and the Quran as the message of Allah and the polytheists, both were and are the enemies of the Muslims, consequently they do not like that Muslim’s should receive any good from Allah (SWT), be it in the field of religion or worldly provisions. Allah (SWT) informs them that He being the Possessor of great grace the choice of showering His mercy on someone is His and not theirs.”
2-106
Whatever We abolish from Our signs (Divine revelations) or cause to be forgotten, We bring (something) better than it or like it. Did you not know that Allah has power over everything?
“Divine messages were communicated to all prophets right from Adam (PBH) to Muhammed (PBH). From these Divine messages, Allah (SWT) either abolished or caused to be forgotten some statements or laws and later replaced them by better or similar statements or laws, probably keeping in view the changing circumstances with time. Allah (SWT) can do this because He has power over everything being the King of His creation. The Quran is an exception to this because it is the final Divine revelation and therefore it will remain unchanged till the end of the world Insha Allah (Chapter: 15 Verse 9, Chapter: 41 Verse 42) Allah (SWT) inform us that besides Him we have neither a guardian nor a helper and this should convince us to accept Him as our only Guardian and Helper and stop us from bowing down before others.”
2-107
Did you not know that Allahs is the kingdom of the skies and the earth, and (that), besides Allah, there is neither a guardian nor a helper for you?
“Same as Verse No. 106”
2-108
Do you intend to question your messenger as Musa was questioned earlier? And anyone who seeks to exchange belief for infidelity, he has surely gone astray from the balanced way.
“Bani Israel had questioned Musa (PBH) in connection with the slaughtering of a cow (Chapter: 2 Verses: 67–71) and by their repeated questioning they had themselves made the selection and search of the specific cow very difficult. Had they obeyed the very first order of Allah (SWT) and not put any questions, they could have slaughtered any cow and the matter would have been very easy for them. Allah (SWT) is addressing the Muslims and asking them whether they too would put questions to prophet Muhammed (PBH) like Bani Israel because of their reluctance to obey the orders of Allah (SWT). He then informs them that one who exchanges belief with infidelity has surely gone astray from the balanced path i.e. the path leading to paradise.”
2-109
Many of the owners of the book wish to turn you to infidelity after your belief, out of envy on their part (and) after the truth having become clear to them, so pardon and overlook till Allah (comes out) with His command (in this regard), Allah certainly has power over everything. (P ¾)
“Jews and Christians were jealous of Muslims that the last messenger of Allah was not in the Israeli lineage but an Arab in the Ismaeli lineage. The truth of his prophethood had also become clear to them. Inspite of this, just due to their jealousy, many of them wanted the Muslims to reject this truth i.e. the prophethood of Muhammed (PBH) and the Quran, after they had already believed and accepted Islam and thus become infidels, Allah (SWT) is instructing the Muslims to pardon them and overlook till He gives His decision in this affair, knowing that He has power over everything. He further advises them that instead of getting involved in such pity things it is better for them to concentrate on establishing worship (i.e. Salat) and giving charity (i.e. Zakat). He assures them that whatever good they do in this life they will find it with Him in the form of reward because He sees i.e. He knows all that they do.”
2-110
And establish worship (salat) and give charity (zakat) and whatever good you send before for yourselves, you will find it with Allah, Allah is certainly the Seer of what you do.
“Same as Verse No. 109”
2-111
And they say, “”No one can ever enter the garden except he who is a Jew or a Christian.”” This is their desire, say, “”Bring your proof if you are truthful.””
“Jews and Christian claim that except them no one else would enter paradise. Allah (SWT) rejects their claim stating that this is only their desire and orders them to produce the proof for this claim of theirs, if they are truthful then the rule for entry to paradise is announced: Whoever submits himself, i.e. his attention defined as concentrated consciousness, i.e. his total conscious self, to Allah (SWT) and does good i.e. obeys Allah (SWT) and His messenger (PBH) being engulfed in this submissive feeling or attitude, his reward is with Allah (SWT) in the form of paradise wherein there will neither be any fear nor any grief. How else could peace be defined: A fearless and a griefless life paradise.”
2-112
Why not! whoever submits himself to Allah and he is a doer of good, then for him, his reward is with his Fosterer, and there will neither be any fear on them nor will they grieve. (R 13)
“Same as Verse No. 111”
2-113
And the Jews say, “”The Christians are on nothing.”” And the Christians say, “”The Jews are on nothing,”” and they read the book. Thus, similar to their saying is the saying of those who have no knowledge, therefore Allah will judge between them on the day of resurrection concerning that in which they differ.
“The Jews and the Christians read their respective books Torah and Injeel in which there must have been cross references about each others religion. Even then they make adverse comment against each other like those who had no knowledge. Allah (SWT) will pronounce His judgment on the day of judgment, in matters in which they differed.”
2-114
And who is more unjust than one who prevents (people from) the mosques of Allah, that His name should be remembered in them and strives to ruin them. (In fact) it was not fit for them to enter the (mosques) except in fear. There is disgrace for them in the world and there is a great punishment for them in the hereafter.
“Mosques are meant for offering Salat with the aim of remembering Allah (SWT) (Chapter: 20 Verse 14). Enemies of Islam probably thought that they could turn away Muslims from Islam either by stopping them from entering Mosques or directly ruining the Mosques. So Allah (SWT) is questioning as to who is more unjust than one who does this when it was actually required of them to enter Mosques fearing Him, He therefore declares that for such people there will be disgrace in this world and severe punishment in the hereafter.”
2-115
And Allahs is the east and the west, so in which ever direction you turn, then there (you have) Allah’s Person (Attention). Allah is certainly Omnipresent, Knowing.
“If Muslims are stopped from visiting Mosques or if Mosques are destroyed, even then, because Allah (SWT) is present everywhere paying attention to everything, all the time. He knows one who pray to or remembers Him. He is Omni present and Omniscient. The point that is probably stressed here is that one who is determined to remember Allah (SWT), totally submitting to Him, can do so anywhere and anytime in case he is stopped from worshipping in Mosques or if Mosques are destroyed i.e. these evil deeds of the enemies of Islam cannot and should not turn away Muslims from Islam. “
2-116
And they say, “”Allah has taken a son for Himself,”” Glory be to Him (He is far above this). No! whatever is in the skies and the earth is His, all are obedient to Him.
“Human beings have attachments with their relatives and the maximum attachment they have is with their children. This attachment is so strong that in some cases parents become partial towards their children while executing justice and even adopt wrong practices for their welfare. Besides, parents in their old age become dependent on their children, specially on sons. A son is therefore liable to make his father act unjustly and also dependable on him in his (i.e. father’s) old age. Contrary to this everything in the Universe obeys Allah (SWT) (Chapter: 20 Verse 116). He is Independent (Chapter: 10 Verse 68), the whole creation depends on Him (Chapter: 112 Verse 2) and He is the Best of all judges (Chapter: 95 Verse 8), it therefore neither befits His majesty to have a son (Chapter: 19 Verse 92) nor does He need one, Isa (PBH) was a messenger of Allah and not His son (Chapter: 4 Verse 171, Chapter: 6 Verse 101). Many people considered and still consider Isa (PBH) as son of Allah (SWT) probably because he was born without a father. This doubt of such people is clarified by Allah (SWT) that He is the Originator of the Universe, having brought it into existence from nothing. This confirms the latest finding of scientists that the Universe was created from nothing reported in the Indian newspaper ‘The Hindu dated 11 April 1996. When Allah (SWT) intends to create something He just says ‘Be’to it and it is created. This appears to be the manner in which the whole Universe was created and later on Isa (PBH) was created (Chapter: 19 Verse 35). When Zakariyya (PBH), on being informed of the birth of a son Yahya (PBH) had asked Allah (SWT) as to how he could have a son when his wife was barren and he was extremely old, He had replied, “It is easy for Me and I had created you before when you were nothing. “ (Chapter: 19 Verses: 8-9). Therefore, the birth of Isa (PBH) without the agency of a father was just a miracle performed by Allah (SWT). Isa (PBH) was created in response to the order ‘Be’, of Allah (SWT) communicated through Jibraeel (PBH) to Maryam (PBH) and he was not His son.”
2-117
The Originator of the skies and the earth, and when He decrees an affair, then He says to it only, “”BE,”” so it is.
“Same as Verse No. 116”
2-118
And those who have no knowledge say, “”Why does Allah not speak to us or there (does not) come to us a sign?”” Thus did those before them say, their sayings are similar, their hearts are alike. We have surely made the signs clear for a people who are certain.
“Prophet Muhammed (PBH) was sent with the Quran containing the truth, to give good news of paradise to the believers and warn the sinners that they would be punished in hell. But the ignorant people demanded that instead of a human being Allah (SWT) Himself should come and directly speak to them or prophet Muhammed (PBH) should perform a miracle to prove the truth of his prophethood. Similar demands were made by people who lived earlier and to whom Prophets were sent because their mentalities are similar. Musa and Isa (PBT) had come to them with clear signs in the form of miracles as proofs of their Prophet hood (Chapter: 2. Verses: 87 and 92). There is information in the Torah and the Injeel that Prophet Muhammed (PBH) is the messenger of Allah then why do they not believe. Besides, all the statements in the Quran are clear signs that the book is of Divine origin. No human being can give such precise and correct information on topics ranging from history to science. These are clear signs of Muhammed (PBH) being the messenger of Allah and the Quran being the message of Allah (SWT) for people who are certain of the existence of Allah (SWT), His angels, His books, His messengers, accountability of deeds in the life after death and destiny. Prophet Muhammed (PBH) is not answerable for those who did not respond to him and the message he was sent with i.e. the Quran.”
2-119
We have certainly sent you with the truth, as a conveyer of good news and a warner, and you will not be questioned about the inhabitants of the hell fire.
“Same as Verse No. 118”