believe only in what was revealed to us (Israel).” They deny everything else even though it be the Truth which confirms what they possess. Say (to them): “If indeed you are believers, why is it that in the past you killed the Prophets of Allah (who were from Israel)?” (92) Moses came to you with clear proofs and yet you were so wont to wrong-doing that as soon as he was gone you took to worshipping the calf. (93) Recall the covenant We made with you and caused the Mount to tower above you, stressing: “Hold to what We have given you with full strength and give heed to it.” But their forefathers said: “We hear, but we disobey” – for their hearts were overflowing with love for the calf because of their unbelief. Say: “If you are people of faith, then evil are the things that your faith enjoins upon you.”
(94) Say to them: “If indeed the Last Abode with Allah is yours, in exclusion of other people, then long for death if you are truthful.” (95) But they shall never long for it because of the (evil) deeds they have committed; ▶
26
Al-Baqarah 2: 96–8
Allah is well aware of the wrong-doers. (96) You will certainly find them most eager to cling on to life, indeed even more eager than those who associate others with Allah in His Divinity. Each one of them wishes to live a thousand years although the bestowal of long life cannot remove him from chastisement. Allah sees whatever they do.
(97) Say: “Whoever is an enemy to Gabriel34 (should know that) he revealed this (Qur’an) to your heart by Allah’s leave: it confirms the Scriptures revealed before it, and is a guidance and good tiding to the people of faith. (98) (And if this is the cause of their hostility to Gabriel, let them know) whoever is an enemy to Allah, His Angels and His Messengers and to Gabriel and Michael will surely find Allah an enemy to such unbelievers.”
34 The Jews not only reviled the Prophet (peace be on him) and his followers but also God’s chosen angel, Gabriel, denouncing him as their enemy, and branding him as the angel of curse rather than of blessing.
27
Al-Baqarah 2: 99–102
(99) We surely sent down to you clear verses that elucidate the Truth, (verses) which only the transgressors reject as false. (100) Is it not that every time they made a covenant with Allah a party of them set it aside? The truth is that most of them do not truly believe. (101) And whenever a Messenger from Allah came to them, confirming what they already possessed, a party of those who had been given the Scripture flung the Book of Allah behind their backs as if they knew nothing, (102) and then followed what the evil ones falsely attributed to the Kingdom of Solomon even though Solomon had never disbelieved; it is the evil ones who disbelieved, teaching people magic. And they followed what had been revealed to the two angels in Babylon – Harut and Marut – although these two (angels) never taught it to anyone without first declaring: “We are merely a means of testing people; so, do not engage in unbelief.”35 ▶
35 There are various opinions on the interpretation of this verse. My own conclusion is that at the time when the whole Israelite nation was chained in
28
Al-Baqarah 2: 103–4
And yet they learned from them what might cause division between a man and his wife. They could not cause harm to anyone except by the leave of Allah, and still they learned what harmed rather than profited them, knowing well that he who bought it will have no share in the World to Come. Evil indeed is what they sold themselves for. Had they but known! (103) Had they believed and been God- fearing Allah’s reward would have been better! Had they but known!
(104) O you who believe! Do not say (to the Prophet): Ra[ina (Lend ear to us), but say Unzurna (Favour us with your attention) and pay heed (to him).36 ▶
slavery and captivity in Babylonia, God sent two angels in human form in order to test the Jews. In the same way as angels were sent to the people of Lot in the form of handsome youth (see Surah Hud 11: 69 ff. Ed.), they were presumably sent to Israel in the form of divines who could work magic and sorcery. These angels at once began working their magical wonders but they warned the people that their presence among them was designed to test their faith, and that they ought not to jeopardize their prospects in the After-Life by practising magic. Despite the warning it seems that the Israelites had become so fond of their magical artifices that they continued to pounce upon the talismans and sorcery they taught.
36 When the Jews visited the Prophet (peace be on him) they tried to vent their spite by using ambiguous expressions in their greetings and conversation. They
29
Al-Baqarah 2: 105–7
A painful chastisement awaits the unbelievers. (105) The unbelievers, be they the People of the Book or those who associate others with Allah in His Divinity, do not wish that any good should be sent down upon you from your Lord. But Allah chooses for His mercy whomsoever He wills. Allah is Lord of Abounding Bounty.
(106) For whatever verse We might abrogate or consign to oblivion, We bring a better one or the like of it.37 Are you not aware that Allah is All- Powerful? (107) Are you not aware that the dominion of the heavens and the earth belongs to Allah, ▶
used words which had double meanings, one innocent and the other offensive. The particular expression referred to here – which the Muslims were asked to avoid using since it lent itself to abuse – was employed by the Jews when they conversed with the Prophet (peace be on him). Whenever they wanted to request a short pause in which to finish whatever they wanted to say, they used the expression ra[ina, which meant “kindly indulge us” or “kindly lend (your) ear to us.” It is, however, because of the possibility of the word also being used in other meanings, some of which were evil and irreverential, that Muslims were asked to avoid it and to use instead the straightforward expression unzurna, meaning “kindly favour us with your attention” or “kindly grant us a moment to follow (what you are saying).”
37 This is in response to a doubt which the Jews tried to implant in the minds of Muslims. If both the earlier Scriptures and the Qur’an were revelations from God, why was it – they asked – that the injunctions found in the earlier scriptures had been replaced by new ones in the Qur’an?
30
Al-Baqarah 2: 108–10
and that none apart from Allah is your protector or helper?
(108) Or would you ask your Messenger in the manner Moses was asked before?38 And whoever exchanges faith for unbelief has surely strayed from the Right Way. (109) Out of sheer envy many People of the Book would be glad to turn you back into unbelievers after you have become be- lievers even though the Truth has become clear to them. Nevertheless, forgive and be indulgent towards them until Allah brings forth His decision. Surely Allah is All-Powerful. (110) Establish Prayer and dispense Zakah. Whatever good deeds you send forth for your own good, you will find them with Allah. Surely Allah sees all that you do.
38