How Bani Israeel dealt with their Book as mentioned in Surah Al-Baqarah
Position #4 - Verse 89
Allah says regarding the Jews who lived in Madinah:
"And when there came to them (the Jews), a Book (this Quran) from Allah confirming what is with them [the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)], although aforetime they had invoked Allah (for coming of Muhammad Peace be upon him ) in order to gain victory over those who disbelieved, then when there came to them that which they had recognised, they disbelieved in it. So let the Curse of Allah be on the disbelievers."
"و كانوا من قبل يستفتحون على الذين كفروا"
In the Days of Ignorance, there was a lot of war between the polytheists of the Arabs (The Aws and Khazraj) in Madinah. Whenever there was a fight, the Jews would ask Allah to send them the promised Messenger. And they used to say that when the Messenger came, they would fight alongside him against the Arabs.
The Jews who lived in Madinah originally came from Sham, because this is where Allah sent Moses and Jesus. They moved from Sham to Madinah because in their Books it foretold of a Messenger coming from a mountainous place with palm trees. Allah said in Surah Al-Baqarah [2:146]:
"Those to whom We gave the Scripture (Jews and Christians) recognise him (Muhammad or the Ka'bah at Makkah) as they recongise their sons. But verily, a party of them conceal the truth while they know it - [i.e. the qualities of Muhammad which are written in the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)]."
After all this knowledge they had: "فلما جاءهم ما عرفوا كفروا به" - Then when there came to them that which they recognized, they disbelieved in it
Verse 90:
"How bad is that for which they have sold their ownselves, that they should disbelieve in that which Allah has revealed (the Quran), grudging that Allah should reveal of His Grace unto whom He will of His slaves. So they have drawn on themselves wrath upon wrath. And for the disbelievers, there is disgracing torment."
"بئسما اشتروا به أنفسهم" - How Bad is that for which they have sold their ownselves
When they reject the Book of Allah and the Da'wah of the Prophet ﷺ, they are selling their Hereafter for the Dunya.
Why did they disbelieve in Allah's Messenger?
"بغيا أن ينزل الله من فضله على من يشاء" - Grudging that Allah should reveal of His Grace unto whom He Wills
They had envy in their heart, because Allah sent a Messenger from the Arabs and not from them, although Allah sends His favour upon whomever He wills.
"فباء بغضب على غضب"- So they have drawn on themselves wrath upon wrath
They incurred one wrath because of their disbelief, another because they killed the Messengers, and so on. Sins accumulated upon them, so they deserved the Anger of Allah.
What are some of the lessons we conclude from the attitude of the Jews?
Ibn Othaimeen رحمه الله said that whoever rejects the truth from amongst this nation because so-and-so and brought it, who is lesser than him in degree, has resembled the Jews. One should know the truth with the truth, not with the men.
This happens a lot nowadays. The truth could come from anyone. As long as it is the truth and complies with the Quran and Sunnah, then accept, regardless who it comes from.
Knowledge is one of Allah's bounties, He confers upon it to whomever He wills. Whomever Allah has given knowledge should be grateful to Allah. As Allah's grace increases, as the person should increase in gratitude towards Allah. He should increase in his obedience to Allah and compliance to the command of Allah.
Allah favoured Bani Israeel with many blessings. Instead of complying with the command of Allah, they refused to and disobeyed Him. They had knowledge, but instead of thanking Allah for it, they rejected the truth out of stubbornness and jealousy.
This is what we are afraid of. We were ignorant and Allah taught us. We should not be like Bani Israeel after having knowledge. The Prophet ﷺ would establish the night with night prayer until his feet were swollen, and he would say:
أَفَلاَ أَكُونُ عَبْدًا شَكُورًا
Should I not be a grateful slave? [Bukhari]
There are many people who are deceived with what Allah has given them of knowledge. They show stubbornness and arrogance and do not accept the truth, advising others to not listen to certain speakers.
We do not advise the laymen to listen to just anyone, but students of knowledge can listen and take what is the truth and reject what is not the truth. However, do not advise the common people to, because they will not be able to distinguish between the right and wrong of what the person is saying.
E.g. Al-Qurtubi's Tafseer is good, however we do not take from his interpretation of the Names and Attributes of Allah. We do not reject him totally, because we are rejecting a lot of knowledge which is beneficial.
E.g. There are some Muffasireen of the Quran who are Mu'tazilah, but are experts in the Arabic Language. We take the part which is beneficial to us from them, but we do not tell the common people to use their Tafseer.
The companions never sought the faults of people. Some people attend classes just to find out the mistakes in the Manhaj of the person. We take the truth no matter who is bringing it, and we reject falsehood no matter who is bringing it.
Verse 91:
"And when it is said to them (the Jews), "Believe in what Allah has sent down," they say, "We believe in what was sent down to us." And they disbelieve in that which came after it, while it is the truth confirming what is with them. Say (O Muhammad Peace be upon him to them): "Why then have you killed the Prophets of Allah aforetime, if you indeed have been believers?"
Allah said regarding the Jews, "و إذا قيل لهم آمنوا" - And when it is said to them: Believe in what what sent down (the Quran)
They say:
"نؤمن بما أنزل علينا و يكفرون بما وراءه" - 'We believe in what was sent down to us', and they disbelieve in that which came after it
Although, whatever had come after the Torah is "حق مصدق لما معهم" - The truth confirming what is with them
"قل فلم تقتلون أنبياء من قبل إن كنتم مؤمنين" - Say: Why then have you killed the Prophets of Allah aforetime, if you have indeed been believers?
It is in their Books that they should not kill the Prophets.
Whoever is called to the truth from among this nation and says, "I follow such and such Madhab" is doing exactly as the Jews did. They say we do not believe in what you have; we believe in what we have, although the truth has come to them from the Quran and Authentic Sunnah.
If you give them clear evidence and they say, "I am Hanafi" then they have resembled the Jews. It is obligatory to say "سمعنا و اطعنا" (We hear and obey) and not reject the truth because of a School of Thought, of so and so, of this and that sect, etc.
Nowadays the Muslims behave in the same way they Jews behaved before. You find people rejecting the truth from the Prophet ﷺ with a statement of Abu Hanifa, although Imam Abu Hanifa رحمه الله himself said that if truth has come to you then accept it and leave his statement.
Surah AlJinn - سورة الجن
This is a Makkan Surah; it had been revealed to the Prophet ﷺ before his emigration to Madinah.
Recap: Verses 1 to 17
When this group of Jinn heard the Quran, they said that it is a wonderful speech and it guides to the Rushd, so they believed in it and said they would never commit Shirk. They sanctified Allah from having a wife or offspring.
What made them commit Shirk? Some of the foolish among the Jinn said a شطط about Allah, and they thought that never would the Jinn or Men say a lie about Allah.
Instead of seeking refuge in Allah, men would seek refuge in the Jinn like them.
And the Jinn used to sit listening in the sky to the news, and now they had been prevented, so they do know whether Allah intends good or evil for the people of the earth. They showed good manners with Allah when they did not attribute evil to Him.
They also affirmed power and strength to Allah, saying that they can neither cause fail to Him in the land, nor in flight. When they believed in Allah's Greatness and encompassment of anything, they realized they can never run away from Allah. They are under the power of Allah and can never escape from His dominion.
Among them are Muslims and among them are Qaasitoon. Who are the Muslims? Those who submit and surrender to Allah. Those who sought the right path.
Then the Speech of the Jinn finish, and Allah talks. Allah says that if the Qaasitoon had taken the right path, He would have surely given them abundant water to drink. But this abundant provision is a test at the same time.
Verse 18:
"And the mosques are for Allah (Alone), so invoke not anyone along with Allah."
This is a new topic.
Belief in Allah:
الله - This is mentioned twice
Belief in the Messenger
"فلا تدعوا مع الله أحدا"
Allah is addressing the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his nation, commanding them to not commit Shirk in their supplication.
Command:
"فلا تدعوا مع الله أحدا"
Verse 19:
"(It has been revealed to me that) When the slave of Allah (Muhammad) stood up invoking (his Lord Allah) in prayer to Him they (the jinns) just made round him a dense crowd as if sticking one over the other (in order to listen to the Prophet's recitation)."
"أنه"
Belief in Allah
الله
Belief in the Messengers
"عبد الله"
This is إضافة مخلوق إلى الخالق. It most probably refers to the Prophet ﷺ but we do not confirm yet. This is an honour for him.
We believe that the Messenger is a slave of Allah, and he was invoking Allah.
Repeated Words
"يدعوا"
What happened when he stood up invoking Allah?
"كادوا يكونن عليه لبدا" - They made around him a dense crowd as if sticking one over the other
This is most probably the Jinn, but we do not confirm yet.
Verse 20:
"Say (O Muhammad): "I invoke only my Lord (Allah Alone), and I associate none as partners along with Him."
This is a transition into a new topic.
Allah is commanding the Prophet ﷺ to "Say:'"
Repeated Words:
أدعوا - This is repeated for the third time
أشرك - This is repeated for the second time
أحدا - This is repeated for the fourth time
Comparison of this Verse with Verse 6:
Shirk in Isti'aadhah is mentioned in Verse 6. Istiaadhah is a type of طلب; you are seeking protection from someone. In Verse 20, it mentions that the Prophet ﷺ does not commit Shirk in supplication. If he asks, he asks Allah.
Belief in Allah
ربي
Belief in the Messengers
Allah commanded the Prophet ﷺ to say that he only invokes Allah and does not commit Shirk.
Verse 21:
"Say: "It is not in my power to cause you harm, or to bring you to the Right Path."
Belief in the Messengers
Allah commands the Prophet ﷺ to say again.
لكم - It is as if the Prophet ﷺ is talking to someone and says he does not have the power to cause harm or bring benefit. He wants to confirm that he is a powerless slave of Allah.
Repeated Words
رشدا - This is repeated for the fourth time. It was said three times on the tongue of the Jinn, and one time on the tongue of the Prophet ﷺ.
You wonder at those who go to Madinah, to the grave of the Prophet ﷺ and invoke him, whilst they read this verse.
Verse 22:
"Say (O Muhammad): "None can protect me from Allah's punishment (if I were to disobey Him), nor should I find refuge except in Him."
يجير = protect
Belief in the Messengers:
قل - Allah commands the Prophet ﷺ to say
The Prophet ﷺ is still affirming Tawheed; that no one can protect him except Allah. And He confirms that there is no refuge, except in Allah. These are all the beliefs we have to have. This Surah began talking about Shirk and people seeking refuge with the Jinn, and the Prophet ﷺ says this, as if this is an answer to the verses that came in the beginning of the Surah.
Belief in Allah:
الله
قل
Repeated Words
أحد is mentioned for the fifth time
Verse 23:
"(Mine is) but conveyance (of the truth) from Allah and His Messages (of Islamic Monotheism), and whosoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, then verily, for him is the Fire of Hell, he shall dwell therein forever."
"إلا" is أداة الإستثناء (Article of Exception)
The Prophet ﷺ does not do any of the aforementioned except this: "بلاغ من الله و رسالته" - Conveyance (of the truth) from Allah and His Messages
"و من يعص الله ر رسوله فإن له نار جهنم خالدين فيها أبدا"
Belief in Allah:
الله
رسالاته - Allah has messages He sent the Messengers with
Belief in the Messengers:
"و رسوله"
Belief in the Day of Judgement:
"فإن له نار جهنم خالدين فيها أبدا"
Hellfire is a recompense for whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, where they will abide forever.
When many, like the Khawarij, come to a verse like this, they say if anyone disobeys Allah with any kind of sin there is no forgiveness for him and he deserves Hellfire, therefore their blood and honour is not sacred. So what type of معصية (sin) is deserving of eternity in Hellfire? This verse was mentioned in the context of Shirk.
Belief in the Books
"رسالات"
Belief in Allah
Allah has messages which He sent the Messengers with
Our Aqeedah in the Prophet ﷺ from these Verses:
-> He is a slave of Allah
-> He does not associate with Allah in his supplication
-> He has no power to cause harm or benefit to people
-> None can protect him from Allah except Allah
This Surah affirms our belief in Tawheed, Shirk, and in the Prophet ﷺ.
Verse 24:
"Till, when they see that which they are promised, then they will know who it is that is weaker concerning helpers and less important concerning numbers."
"حتى" - Until
This is a continuation of the previous verse.
"إذا رأوْا ما يوعدون فسيعلمون من أضعف ناصر و أقل عدد"
Who are they? The People in Hellfire.
When will they see? On the Day of Judgement
At that time they will know who is weaker in help and less in number.
What is the wisdom behind this statement? It is as if these people of Hell have claimed something whilst in this life, therefore Allah answered them with this verse.
تدبر is to go and come back and find the links between the verses in order we understand, not to just read through the verse.
Belief in the Day of Judgement
ما يوعدون - What they are promised
Verse 25:
"Say (O Muhammad): "I know not whether (the punishment) which you are promised is near or whether my Lord will appoint for it a distant term."
"قل"
Allah is still commanding the Prophet ﷺ to "Say"
Belief in Allah
قل - Allah is commanding the Prophet ﷺ to say
يجعل - This is an Action of Allah. Allah makes an appointed term for what they are promised.
Belief in the Messengers
"إن أدري" - The Prophet ﷺ does not know when what Allah promised is going to happen. He generally has no knowledge of the unseen.
After this, Allah mentions His Noble Attributes:
Verse 26:
"(He Alone) the All-Knower of the Gha'ib (unseen), and He reveals to none His Gha'ib (unseen)."
Names of Allah:
"عالم الغيب"
This Name is only mentioned in this Surah, suitable to context of the Surah. The Jinn are the unseen. Any Name of Allah mentioned in the Surah is suitable to the theme and title of the Surah.
This is an اسم مقيد (Restricted Name) because it is restricted to the غيب (unseen).
"فلا يظهر"
This is a negated action of Allah. Allah does not show His unseen to anyone. So those who claim they know
the unseen do not know, and even the Jinn do not know.
Repeated Words
أحدا is mentioned for the sixth time.
Verse 27:
"Except to a Messenger (from mankind) whom He has chosen (He informs him of unseen as much as He likes), and then He makes a band of watching guards (angels) to march before him and behind him."
"إلا من ارتضى من رسول"
This is a continuation. Allah does not show his unseen to anyone except to whom He is pleased with from the Messengers. No one can claim he has knowledge of the unseen.
Belief in Allah
Allah is عالم الغيب; He does not show His Ghaib to anyone except those whom He chooses and is pleased with.
ارتضى - This is an Action of Allah.
يسلك - This is an Action of Allah.
Belief in the Messengers
Allah does not show His Ghaib except to a Messenger; whomever He wills - not just anyone. And He does not show all the unseen, just part of it.
Verse 28:
"[He (Allah) protects them (the Messengers)], till He sees that they (the Messengers) have conveyed the Messages of their Lord (Allah). And He (Allah) surrounds all that which is with them, and He (Allah) keeps count of all things (i.e. He knows the exact number of everything)"
"ليعلم" - In order for him to know.
This is a continuation of the previous verse.
The context of the previous verse is about Allah so this could refer to Him, but we do not confirm until we go to the Tafseer Books.
Belief in Allah
"يعلم"
If this text is all about Allah, then what kind of علم (knowledge)? We believe that Allah's Knowledge has preceded everything before its occurrence.
There are two kinds of the knowledge of Allah. This is the second type and is called علم الظهور (Knowledge that is Apparent). Allah knows everything before its occurrence and we are not accountable for that. When Allah wills for it to happen, it happens and is apparent. When we see it and know it, we are now accountable for it.
"ربهم"
"أحاط" - This is an action of Allah. Allah surrounds everything with His knowledge. Nothing escapes the knowledge of Allah.
"أحصى" - This is an action of Allah. Allah has enumerated everything by number.
All this is related to the attribute of the knowledge of Allah.
Assignment:
-> We have to form an Aqeedah from the repeated words.
E.g. Repeated Word
Verse ____
Verse ____
Write the verses in one page in front of you and reflect and contemplate. You will find a connection between the verses and the meaning of that word. Sometimes it is clear, other times it is not. If it is not you can delay it until the end of the Stage of Study.
-> Divide the Surah into Topics
-> Find the Connection between the Beginning and End of the Surah and the Title
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