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Revelation of Mystery (Kashf Al Mahjub)

By

Ali B. Uthman Al-Jullabi

Al-Hujwiri,

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Introduction and Summary

This Surah is cognate to Surah 2, but the matter is here treated from a different point of view. The reference to Badr (Ramadan A.H. 2) and Uhud (Shawwal A.H. 3) give a clue to the dates of those passages.

Like Surah 2, it takes a general view of the religious history of mankind, with special reference to the people of the Book, proceeds to explain the birth of the new people of Islam and their ordinances, insists on the need of struggle and fighting in the cause of Truth, and exhorts those who have been blessed with Islam to remain constant in Faith, pray for guidance, and maintain their spiritual hope for the future.

The new points of view developed are:

1.     The emphasis is here laid on he duty of the Christians to accept the new light; the Christians are here specially appealed to, as the Jews were specially appealed to in the last Surah;

2.     The lessons of the battles of Badr and Uhud are set out for the Muslim community; and

3.     the responsibilities of that community are insisted on both internally and in their relations to those outside.

Summary- Allah having revealed His Book, confirming previous revelations, we must accept it in all reverence, try to understand its meaning, and reject the base motives which make truth unacceptable to those who reject Faith (3:1-20, and C 54).

The People of the Book had only a portion of the Book, and if they reject the complete Book, the People of Faith must part company with them, and their day is done (3:21-30, and C. 55).

The story of the family of ‘Imran (the father of Moses) leads us from the Mosaic Dispensation to the miracles connected with the birth of Jesus and his ministry (3:31-63, and C 56).

Allah's revelation being continuous, all people are invited to accept its completion in Islam, and controversies are deprecated. The Muslims are asked to hold together in union and harmony, and are promised security from harm from their enemies, and enjoined to seek friendship among their own people (3:64-120, and C. 57).

The battle of Badr showed how Allah helps and upholds the virtuous, and how patience, perseverance, and discipline find their reward; on the other hand, the lessons of Uhud must be learnt, not in despair, but in the exercise of the higher; virtues and in contempt of pain and death (3:121-148, and C. 58).

The misfortunes at Uhud are shown to be due to the indiscipline of some, the indecision and selfishness of others, and cowardice on the part of the hypocrites, but no enemy can hurt Allah's Cause (3:149-180, and C. 59).

The taunts of the enemy should be disregarded, and sincere prayer offered on Allah Who would grant His servants success and prosperity (3:181-200, and C. 60).

C.54 (The running Commentary, in Rhythmic Prose)

(3:1-20)

The Quran revelation has, step by step,

Confirmed the Law of Moses and the Gospel

Of Jesus. It is a guide from Allah,

And appeals to reason and understanding.

Let us understand it rightly, in reverence

And truth, unswayed by those who reject

Faith, and seeking ever the reward

Of the pleasure of Allah, through firmness,

Patience, discipline, and charity, ad offering others

The light which we have ourselves received.

الم ﴿١﴾  

1.     A.L.M.

C342. See n. 25 to 2:1.

اللّهُ لا إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ ﴿٢﴾  

2.     Allah! there is no Allah but He, the Living, the Self-Subsisting, Eternal.

C343. Cf. 2:255.

نَزَّلَ عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ مُصَدِّقاً لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ ...

3.     It is He Who sent down to thee (step by step), in truth, the Book, confirming what went before it;

... وَأَنزَلَ التَّوْرَاةَ وَالإِنجِيلَ ﴿٣﴾

and He sent down Law (of Moses) and the Gospel (of Jesus).

C344. In some editions the break between verses 3 and 4 occurs here in the middle of the sentence, but in the edition of Hafiz Uthman, followed by the Egyptian Concordance Fath-ur-Rahman, the break occurs at the word Furqan.

In verse-divisions our classicists have mainly followed rhythm. As the word Furqan from this point of view is parallel to the word Intiqam, which ends the next verse. I have accepted the verse-division at Furqan as more in consonance with Quranic rhythm. It makes no real difference to the numbering of the verses, as there is only a question of whether one line should go into verse 3 or verse 4. (R).

مِن قَبْلُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَأَنزَلَ الْفُرْقَانَ ...  

4.     Before this, as a guide to mankind,

and He sent down the Criterion (of judgment between right and wrong).

C345. Criterion: Furqan: for meaning see 2:53 n. 68.

...إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ بِآيَاتِ اللّهِ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ...

Then those who reject Faith in the Signs of Allah will suffer the severest penalty,

...وَاللّهُ عَزِيزٌ ذُو انتِقَامٍ ﴿٤﴾

and Allah is Exalted in Might, Lord of Retribution.

إِنَّ اللّهَ لاَ يَخْفَىَ عَلَيْهِ شَيْءٌ فِي الأَرْضِ وَلاَ فِي السَّمَاء ﴿٥﴾

5.     From Allah, verily nothing is hidden on earth or in the heavens.

هُوَ الَّذِي يُصَوِّرُكُمْ فِي الأَرْحَامِ كَيْفَ يَشَاء...  

6.     He it is Who shapes you in the wombs as He pleases.

C346. Who can penetrate the mystery of life when a new life is just being born, except Allah?

The reference to the mystery of birth prepares us for the mystery of the birth of Jesus mentioned in 3:41 and the following verses.

...لاَ إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ ﴿٦﴾

There is no god but He, the Exalted in Might, the Wise.

هُوَ الَّذِيَ أَنزَلَ عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ مِنْهُ آيَاتٌ مُّحْكَمَاتٌ...

7.     He it is Who has sent down to thee the Book: in it are verses basic or fundamental (of established meaning);

...هُنَّ أُمُّ الْكِتَابِ وَأُخَرُ مُتَشَابِهَاتٌ ...

they are the foundation of the Book: others are allegorical.

C347. This passage gives us an important clue to the interpretation of the Holy Quran. Broadly speaking it may be divided into two portions, not given separately, but intermingled: viz.

1.     the nucleus or foundation of the Book, literally "the mother of the Book".

2.     the part which is not entirely clear.

It is very fascinating to take up the latter, and exercise our ingenuity about its meaning, but it refers to such profound matters that are beyond human language and though people of wisdom may get some light from it, no one should be dogmatic, as the final meaning is known to Allah alone.

The Commentators usually understand the verses "of established meaning" (muhkam) to refer to the categorical orders of the Shariah (or the Law), which are plain to everyone's understanding. But perhaps the meaning is wider:

-        the "mother of the Book" must include the very foundation on which all Law rests, the essence of Allah's Message, as distinguished from the various illustrative parables, allegories, and ordinances. (R).

...فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ في قُلُوبِهِمْ زَيْغٌ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ مَا تَشَابَهَ ...

But those in whose hearts is perversity follow the part there of that is allegorical,

...مِنْهُ ابْتِغَاء الْفِتْنَةِ وَابْتِغَاء تَأْوِيلِهِ ...

seeking discord, and searching for its hidden meanings,

...وَمَا يَعْلَمُ تَأْوِيلَهُ إِلاَّ اللّهُ ...

but no one knows its hidden meanings except Allah

...وَالرَّاسِخُونَ فِي الْعِلْمِ يَقُولُونَ ...

and those who are firmly grounded in knowledge say:

C348. One reading, rejected by the majority of Commentators, but accepted by Mujahid and others, would not make a break at the point here marked Waq Lazim, but would run the two sentences together.

In that case the construction would run:

"No one knows its hidden meanings except Allah and those who are firm in knowledge. They say", etc.

... آمَنَّا بِهِ كُلٌّ مِّنْ عِندِ رَبِّنَا...

"We believe in the Book; the whole of it is from our Lord;"

...وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ إِلاَّ أُوْلُواْ الألْبَابِ ﴿٧﴾  

and none will grasp the Message except men of understanding.

رَبَّنَا لاَ تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا وَهَبْ لَنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً...  

8.     "Our Lord!" (they say),

"Let not our hearts deviate now after Thou hast guided us, but grant us mercy from Thine own Presence;

...إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْوَهَّابُ ﴿٨﴾

for Thou art the Grantor of bounties without measure."

رَبَّنَا إِنَّكَ جَامِعُ النَّاسِ لِيَوْمٍ لاَّ رَيْبَ فِيهِ...  

9.     "Our Lord!

Thou art He that will gather mankind together against a day about which there is no doubt:

...إِنَّ اللّهَ لاَ يُخْلِفُ الْمِيعَادَ ﴿٩﴾

for Allah never fails in His promise."

C349. This is the prayer of those who are firmly grounded in knowledge. The more they know the more they realise how little they know.

But they have Faith. The glimpses they get of Truth they wish to hold fast in their hearts, and they pray to Allah to preserve them from deviating even from what light they have got.

They are sure of their eventual return to Allah, when all doubts will be solved.

Section 2

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لَن تُغْنِيَ عَنْهُمْ أَمْوَالُهُمْ وَلاَ أَوْلاَدُهُم مِّنَ اللّهِ شَيْئًا...  

10.  Those who reject faith, neither their possessions nor their (numerous) progeny will avail them aught against Allah:

...وَأُولَـئِكَ هُمْ وَقُودُ النَّارِ ﴿١٠﴾  

they are themselves but fuel for the fire.

كَدَأْبِ آلِ فِرْعَوْنَ وَالَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ...

11.  (Their plight will be) no better than that of the people of Pharaoh, and their predecessors:

C350. From the beginning of the world, sin, oppression, arrogance, and want of Faith have gone together.

The Pharaoh of the time of Moses relied upon his power, his territory, his armies, and his resources to mock at Moses the messenger of Allah and to oppress the people of Moses. Allah saved the Israelite and punished their oppressors through many plagues and calamities. (R).

...كَذَّبُواْ بِآيَاتِنَا فَأَخَذَهُمُ اللّهُ بِذُنُوبِهِمْ ...

they denied Our Signs, and Allah called them to account for their sins.

وَاللّهُ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ ﴿١١﴾

For Allah is strict in punishment.

قُل لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ ...

12.  Say to those who reject Faith:

... سَتُغْلَبُونَ وَتُحْشَرُونَ إِلَى جَهَنَّمَ وَبِئْسَ الْمِهَادُ ﴿١٢﴾  

"Soon will ye be vanquished and gathered together to hell, an evil bed indeed (to lie on)!

C351. As Moses warned the Egyptians, so the warning is here sounded to the Pagan Arabs, the Jews and the Christians, and all who resisted Faith, that their resistance would be in vain.

Already the battle of Badr (referred to in the next verse) had been a warning how Faith must conquer with the help of Allah. The next few decades saw the Byzantine and the Persian Empires overthrown because of their arrogance and their resistance to the Law of Allah.

قَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ آيَةٌ فِي فِئَتَيْنِ الْتَقَتَا...  

13.  "There has already been for you a Sign in the two armies that met (in combat):

C352. This refers to the battle of Badr in Ramadhan in the second year of the Hijrah.

The little exiled community of Makkan Muslims, with their friends in Madinah had organized themselves into a God-fearing community, but were constantly in danger of being attacked by their Pagan enemies of Makkah in alliance with some of the disaffected elements (Jews and Hypocrites) in or near Madinah itself.

The design of the Makkans was to gather all the resources they could, and with an overwhelming force, to crush and annihilate Muhammad and his party. To this end Abu Sufyan was leading a richly-laden caravan from Syria to Makkah. He called for armed aid from Makkah,

The battle was fought in the plain of Badr, about 150 kilometers south-west of Madinah. The Muslim force consisted of only about 313 men, mostly ill-armed, but they were led by Muhammad, and they were fighting for their Faith.

The Makkan army, well-armed and well-equipped, numbered over a thousand and had among its leaders some of the most experienced warriors of Arabia, including Abu Jahl, the inveterate foe and persecutor of Islam.

Against all odds the Muslims won a brilliant victory, and many of the enemy leaders, including Abu Jahl, were killed. (R).

...فِئَةٌ تُقَاتِلُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ وَأُخْرَى كَافِرَةٌ يَرَوْنَهُم مِّثْلَيْهِمْ رَأْيَ الْعَيْنِ ...

one was fighting in the Cause of Allah, the other resisting Allah; these saw with their own eyes twice their number.

C353. It was impossible, without the miraculous aid of Allah, for such a small and ill-equipped force as was the Muslim band, to defeat the large and well-found force of the enemy. But their Faith firmness, zeal, and discipline won them divine aid.

Enemy prisoners stated that the enemy ranks saw the Muslim force to be many times larger than it was.

...وَاللّهُ يُؤَيِّدُ بِنَصْرِهِ مَن يَشَاء...

But Allah doth support with His aid whom He pleaseth.

...إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَعِبْرَةً لَّأُوْلِي الأَبْصَارِ﴿١٣﴾  

In this is a warning for such as have eyes to see."

زُيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ حُبُّ الشَّهَوَاتِ مِنَ النِّسَاء وَالْبَنِينَ...  

14.  Fair in the eyes of men is the love of things they covet: women and sons;

C354. The pleasures of this world are first enumerated:

-        women for love;

-        sons for strength and pride;

-        hoarded riches, which procure all luxuries;

-        the best and finest pedigree horses;

-        cattle, the measure of wealth in the ancient world, as well as the means and symbols of good farming in the modern world; and

-        broad acres of well-tilled land.

By analogy, we may include, for our mechanized age, machines of all kinds -tractors, motor-cars, aeroplanes, the best internal-combustion engines, etc.

...وَالْقَنَاطِيرِ الْمُقَنطَرَةِ مِنَ الذَّهَبِ وَالْفِضَّةِ ...

heaped-up hoards of gold and silver;

In "heaped-up hoards of gold and silver," the Arabic word translated hoards is qaintir plural of qintar, which literally means a Talent of 1.200 ounces of gold.  (R).

...وَالْخَيْلِ الْمُسَوَّمَةِ وَالأَنْعَامِ وَالْحَرْثِ...

horses branded (for blood and excellence); and (wealth of) cattle and well-tilled land.

...ذَلِكَ مَتَاعُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا...

Such are the possessions of this world's life;

...وَاللّهُ عِندَهُ حُسْنُ الْمَآبِ ﴿١٤﴾  

but in nearness to Allah is the best of the goals (to return to).

قُلْ أَؤُنَبِّئُكُم بِخَيْرٍ مِّن ذَلِكُمْ ...

15.  Say: shall I give you glad tidings of things far better than those?

...لِلَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ جَنَّاتٌ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا...

For the righteous are gardens in nearness to their Lord, with rivers flowing beneath; therein is their eternal home;

...وَأَزْوَاجٌ مُّطَهَّرَةٌ وَرِضْوَانٌ مِّنَ اللّهِ...

with companions pure (and holy), and the good pleasure of Allah.

C355. Cf. 2:25 and n. 44.

...وَاللّهُ بَصِيرٌ بِالْعِبَاد ِ﴿١٥﴾  

For in Allah's sight are (all) His servants.

الَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا إِنَّنَا آمَنَّا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ ﴿١٦﴾

16.  (Namely), those who say:

"Our Lord! we have indeed believed: forgive us, then, our sins, and save us from the agony of the fire."

الصَّابِرِينَ ...

17.  Those who show patience, firmness and self-control;

C356. Sabr (Sabirin) includes many shades of meaning: I have specified three here, viz., patience, firmness, and self-control.

See 2:45 and 2:153 and notes 61 and 157.

... وَالصَّادِقِينَ وَالْقَانِتِينَ وَالْمُنفِقِينَ وَالْمُسْتَغْفِرِينَ بِالأَسْحَارِ ﴿١٧﴾

who are true (in word and deed);

who worship devoutly;

who spend (in the way of Allah);

and who pray for forgiveness in the early hours of the morning.

C357. True servants of Allah are described in 3:16 and 17. They have faith, humility, and hope (3:16); and they have certain virtues (3:17) viz.,

1.     patience, steadfastness, self-restraint, and all that goes under the full definition of Sabr;

this shows a certain attitude of mind:

2.     in all their dealings they are true and sincere as they are also in their promises and words;

this marks them out in social conduct:

3.     further, their spiritual worship is earnest and deep, an inner counterpart of their outward conduct;

4.     their worship of Allah shows itself in their love of their fellow-men, for they are ready and liberal in charity: and

5.     their self-discipline is so great that the first thing they do every morning is humbly to approach their God.

شَهِدَ اللّهُ أَنَّهُ لاَ إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ وَالْمَلاَئِكَةُ وَأُوْلُواْ الْعِلْمِ قَآئِمَاً بِالْقِسْطِ...  

18.  There is no god but He: that is the witness of Allah, His angels, and those endued with knowledge, standing firm on justice.

C358. Allah Himself speaks to us through His revelations (through angels) and through His Creation, for all Nature glorifies Allah.

No thinking mind, if it only judges the matter fairly, can fail to find the same witness in his own heart and conscience.

All this points to the Unity of Allah, His exalted nature, and His wisdom.

...لاَ إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ ﴿١٨﴾  

There is no god but He, the Exalted in Power, the Wise.

إِنَّ الدِّينَ عِندَ اللّهِ الإِسْلاَمُ ...

19.  The Religion before Allah is Islam (submission to His will):

...وَمَا اخْتَلَفَ الَّذِينَ أُوْتُواْ الْكِتَابَ إِلاَّ مِن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءهُمُ الْعِلْمُ بَغْيًا بَيْنَهُمْ...

nor did the People of the Book dissent therefrom except through envy of each other, after knowledge had come to them.

C359. Baghyan:

-         through envy,

-         through selfish contumacy or obstinacy,

-         through sheer contrary-mindedness, or desire to resist or rebel.

Cf. 2:90, and 2:213.

...وَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِآيَاتِ اللّهِ فَإِنَّ اللّهِ سَرِيعُ الْحِسَابِ ﴿١٩﴾  

But if any deny the Signs of Allah, Allah is swift in calling to account.

فَإنْ حَآجُّوكَ فَقُلْ أَسْلَمْتُ وَجْهِيَ لِلّهِ وَمَنِ اتَّبَعَنِ ...

20.  So if they dispute with thee, say:

"I have submitted my whole self to Allah and so have those who follow me." .

C360. Wajh: whole self.

See n. 114 to 2:112.

...وَقُل لِّلَّذِينَ أُوْتُواْ الْكِتَابَ وَالأُمِّيِّينَ أَأَسْلَمْتُمْ ...

And say to the People of the Book and to those who are unlearned: "Do ye (also) submit yourselves?"

C361. The People of the Book may be supposed to know something about the previous religious history of mankind. To them the appeal should be easy and intelligible, as all Religion is one, and it is only being renewed in Islam.

But the appeal is also made to the Pagan Arabs, who are unlearned, and who can well be expected to follow the example of one of their own, who received divine enlightenment, and was able to bring new knowledge to them.

A great many of both these classes did so. But the few who resisted Allah's grace, and actually threatened and persecuted those who believed, are told that Allah will look after His own.

...فَإِنْ أَسْلَمُواْ فَقَدِ اهْتَدَواْ وَّإِن تَوَلَّوْاْ فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيْكَ الْبَلاَغُ ...

If they do, they are in right guidance, but if they turn back, thy duty is to convey the Message;

...وَاللّهُ بَصِيرٌ بِالْعِبَادِ ﴿٢٠﴾  

and in Allah's sight are (all) His servants.

C362. Note the literary skill in the argument as it proceeds.

The mystery of birth faintly suggests that we are coming to the story of Jesus.

The exposition of the Book suggests that Islam is the same religion as that of the People of the Book.

Next we are told that the People of the Book made their religion one-sided, and through the priesthood of the family of Imran, we are brought to the story of Jesus, who was rejected by a body of the Jews as Muhammad was rejected by a body of both Jews and Christians.

C.55 (The running Commentary, in Rhythmic Prose)

(3:21-30)

If the people who received

Earlier revelations confine themselves

To partial truths, and in their pride

Shut their eyes to the whole of the Book

Of Allah, their day is done

Let the Muslims seek the society

And friendship of their own, and trust

In Allah, who knows all, and holds

Every soul responsible for its own deeds.

Section 3

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَكْفُرُونَ بِآيَاتِ اللّهِ وَيَقْتُلُونَ النَّبِيِّينَ بِغَيْرِ حَقٍّ ...

21.  As to those who deny the Signs of Allah, and in defiance of right, slay the Prophets,

C363. Right; haqq has many shades of meaning;

1.      right, in the sense of having a right to something;

2.      right, in the sense of straight conduct, as opposed to wrong;

3.      truth;

4.      justice.

All these shades are implied here.

...وَيَقْتُلُونَ الِّذِينَ يَأْمُرُونَ بِالْقِسْطِ مِنَ النَّاسِ فَبَشِّرْهُم بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ ﴿٢١﴾  

and slay those who teach just dealing with mankind, announce to them a grievous penalty.

C364. Examples of the Prophets slain were:

-        "the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar": Matt. 23:35.

Cf. 2:61. n. 75.

-        Again, John the Baptist (Yahya, noble, chaste, a prophet, of the goodly company of the righteous. 3:39), was bound, imprisoned, and beheaded, and his head presented to a dancing harlot: Matt. 14:1-11.

أُولَـئِكَ الَّذِينَ حَبِطَتْ أَعْمَالُهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالآخِرَةِ...  

22.  They are those whose works will bear no fruit in this world and in the Hereafter,

C365. Cf. 2:217.

...وَمَا لَهُم مِّن نَّاصِرِينَ ﴿٢٢﴾  

nor will they have anyone to help.

أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ أُوْتُواْ نَصِيبًا مِّنَ الْكِتَابِ...  

23.  Hast thou not turned thy vision to those who have been given a portion of the Book?

C366. A portion of the Book: I conceive that Allah's revelation as a whole throughout the ages is "The Book".

The Law of Moses, and the Gospel of Jesus were portions of the Book. The Quran completes the revelation and is par excellence the Book of Allah.

...يُدْعَوْنَ إِلَى كِتَابِ اللّهِ لِيَحْكُمَ بَيْنَهُمْ ثُمَّ يَتَوَلَّى فَرِيقٌ مِّنْهُمْ وَهُم  مُّعْرِضُونَ ﴿٢٣﴾

They are invited to the Book of Allah, to settle their dispute, but a party of them turn back and decline (the arbitration).

C367. The Commentators mention a particular incident when a dispute was submitted by the Jews for arbitration to the Holy Prophet. He appealed to the authority of their own books, but they tried to conceal and prevaricate.

The general lesson is that the People of the Book should have been the first to welcome in Muhammad the living exponent of the Message of Allah as a whole, and some of them did so: but others turned away from guilty arrogance, relying on corrupted texts and doctrines forged out of their own fancies, though they were not conformable to reason and good sense.

ذَلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَالُواْ لَن تَمَسَّنَا النَّارُ إِلاَّ أَيَّامًا مَّعْدُودَاتٍ...  

24.  This because they say: "The fire shall not touch us but for a few numbered days;"

C368. Cf. 2:80.

...وَغَرَّهُمْ فِي دِينِهِم مَّا كَانُواْ يَفْتَرُونَ ﴿٢٤﴾  

for their forgeries deceive them as to their own religion.

فَكَيْفَ إِذَا جَمَعْنَاهُمْ لِيَوْمٍ لاَّ رَيْبَ فِيهِ...  

25.  But how (will they fare) when We gather them together against a day about which there is no doubt,

...وَوُفِّيَتْ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَّا كَسَبَتْ وَهُمْ لاَ يُظْلَمُونَ ﴿٢٥﴾

and each soul will be paid out just what it has earned, without (favor or injustice)?

قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ مَالِكَ الْمُلْكِ...  

26.  Say:

"O Allah! Lord of Power (and Rule),

...تُؤْتِي الْمُلْكَ مَن تَشَاء وَتَنزِعُ الْمُلْكَ مِمَّن تَشَاء...

thou givest Power to whom Thou pleasest, and Thou strippest off power from whom Thou pleasest,

...وَتُعِزُّ مَن تَشَاء وَتُذِلُّ مَن تَشَاء...

thou enduest with honor whom thou pleasest, and thou bringest low whom Thou pleasest;

...بِيَدِكَ الْخَيْرُ ...

in Thy hand is all Good.

C369. Another glorious passage, full of meaning. The governing phrase in it all is: "In Thy hand is all Good."

What is the standard by which we may judge Good?

It is Allah's Will. Therefore when we submit to Allah's Will, and real Islam illuminates us, we see the highest Good.

There has been and is much controversy as to what is the Highest Good.

To the Muslim there is no difficulty: it is the Will of Allah. He must ever strive to learn and understand that Will. But once in that fortress, he is secure. He is not troubled with the nature of Evil.

... إِنَّكَ عَلَىَ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ ﴿٢٦﴾

Verily, over all things thou hast power.

تُولِجُ اللَّيْلَ فِي الْنَّهَارِ وَتُولِجُ النَّهَارَ فِي اللَّيْلِ...  

27.  "Thou causest the Night to gain on the Day, and Thou causest the Day to gain on the Night;

C370. True in many senses.

In every twenty-four hours, night merges into day, and day into night, and there is no clear boundary between them.

In every solar year, the night gains on the day after the summer solstice, and the day gains on the night after the winter solstice.

But further, if light and darkness are viewed as symbols of;

a.      knowledge and ignorance,

b.      happiness and misery,

c.     spiritual insight and spiritual blindness,

Allah's Plan or Will works here too as in the physical world, and in His hand is all Good.

...وَتُخْرِجُ الْحَيَّ مِنَ الْمَيِّتِ وَتُخْرِجُ الَمَيَّتَ مِنَ الْحَيِّ...

Thou bringest the Living out of the Dead, and thou bringest the Dead out of the Living;

C371. We can interpret Dead and Living in even more senses than Day and Night: death physical, intellectual, emotional, spiritual.

Life and Death may also apply to collective, group, or national life. And who has ever solved the mystery of Life? But Faith refers it to Allah's Will and Plan.

...وَتَرْزُقُ مَن تَشَاء بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ ﴿٢٧﴾  

and Thou givest sustenance to whom Thou pleasest without measure."

C372. Again true in all the senses suggested in the two previous notes. The only Eternal Reality is Allah. All else has its basis and sustenance in Him. Lest our little minds create fear out of "nicely calculated less or more", we are told at once that Allah's bounty is without measure or account.

لاَّ يَتَّخِذِ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الْكَافِرِينَ أَوْلِيَاء مِن دُوْنِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ...  

28.  Let not the believers take for friends or helpers unbelievers rather than believers;

...وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَلِكَ فَلَيْسَ مِنَ اللّهِ فِي شَيْءٍ إِلاَّ أَن تَتَّقُواْ مِنْهُمْ تُقَاةً ...

if any do that, in nothing will there be help from Allah; except by way of precaution, that ye may guard yourselves from them.

C373. If Faith is a fundamental matter in our lives our associations and friendships will naturally be with those who share our Faith.

"Evil communications corrupt good manners": and evil company may corrupt Faith.

In our ordinary every-day affairs of business, we are asked to seek the help of Believers rather than Unbelievers. Only in this way can our community be strong in organisation and unity. But where there is no question of preference, or where in self-defence we have to take the assistance of those not belonging to our Faith, that is permissible.

In any case we must not weaken our Brotherhood: we must try to make it stronger if possible.

...وَيُحَذِّرُكُمُ اللّهُ نَفْسَهُ وَإِلَى اللّهِ الْمَصِيرُ ﴿٢٨﴾

But Allah cautions you (to remember) Himself, for the final goal is to Allah.

قُلْ إِن تُخْفُواْ مَا فِي صُدُورِكُمْ أَوْ تُبْدُوهُ يَعْلَمْهُ اللّهُ...  

29.  Say:

"Whether ye hide what is in your hearts or reveal it, Allah knows it all.

...وَيَعْلَمُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الأرْضِ...

He knows what is in the heavens, and what is on earth.

...وَاللّهُ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ ﴿٢٩﴾

And Allah has power over all things."

يَوْمَ تَجِدُ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَّا عَمِلَتْ مِنْ خَيْرٍ مُّحْضَرًا...  

30.  "On the day when every soul will be confronted with all the good it has done,

...وَمَا عَمِلَتْ مِن سُوَءٍ تَوَدُّ لَوْ أَنَّ بَيْنَهَا وَبَيْنَهُ أَمَدًا بَعِيدًا...

and all the evil it has done, it will wish there were a great distance between it and its evil.

...وَيُحَذِّرُكُمُ اللّهُ نَفْسَهُ وَاللّهُ رَؤُوفُ بِالْعِبَادِ ﴿٣٠﴾

But Allah cautions you (to remember) Himself.

And Allah is full of kindness to those that serve Him."

C.56 (The running Commentary, in Rhythmic Prose)

(3:31-63)

Allah's truth is continuous, and His Prophets

From Adam, through Noah and Abraham,

Down to the last of the Prophets, Muhammad,

From one brotherhood. Of the progeny

Of ‘Imran, father of Moses and Aaron,

Sprang a woman, who devoted

Her unborn offspring to Allah.

The child was Mary the mother of Jesus,

Her cousin was the wife of the priest

Zakariya, who took charge of Mary.

To Zakariya, in his old age, was born

A son Yahya, amid prodigies;

Yahya was the herald of Jesus

The son of Mary, and was known

As John the Baptist. Jesus was of virgin birth,

And performed many miracles.

But those to whom he came as Prophet

Rejected him, and plotted for his death.

Their plots failed, for Allah's Plan

Is above man’s plots. So will it be

With Islam, the Truth from all eternity.

Section 4

قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ ...

31.  Say:

"If ye do love Allah, follow me: Allah will love you, and forgive you your sins,

...وَاللّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿٣١﴾

for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."

قُلْ أَطِيعُواْ اللّهَ وَالرَّسُولَ ...

32.  Say: "Obey Allah and His Messenger;"

...فإِن تَوَلَّوْاْ فَإِنَّ اللّهَ لاَ يُحِبُّ الْكَافِرِينَ ﴿٣٢﴾

but if they turn back, Allah loveth not those who reject Faith.

إِنَّ اللّهَ اصْطَفَى آدَمَ وَنُوحًا وَآلَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَآلَ عِمْرَانَ عَلَى الْعَالَمِينَ ﴿٣٣﴾

33.  Allah did choose Adam and Noah, the family of Abraham and the family of Imran above all people.

ذُرِّيَّةً بَعْضُهَا مِن بَعْضٍ ...

34.  Offspring, one of the other;

C374. The Prophets in the Jewish-Christian-Muslim dispensation form one family literally. But the argument is wider. All men of God form spiritually one family. If you love and obey Allah, love and obey His Messenger; your love, obedience and discipline will be the test of your Faith.

... وَاللّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ ﴿٣٤﴾

and Allah heareth and knoweth all things.

إِذْ قَالَتِ امْرَأَةُ عِمْرَانَ ...

35.  Behold! a woman of Imran said:

C375. Now we begin the story of Jesus.

As a prelude we have the birth of Mary and the parallel story of John the Baptist, Yahya the son of Zakariya.

Yahya's mother Elisabeth was a cousin of Mary the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:36), and therefore John and Jesus were cousins by blood, and there was a spiritual cousinhood in their birth and career.

Elisabeth was of the daughters of Aaron (Luke 1:5), of a priestly family which went back to Aaron the brother of Moses and son of Imran. Her husband Zakariya was actually a priest, and her cousin Mary was presumably also of a priestly family.

By tradition Mary's mother was called Hannah (in Latin, Anna, and in English, Anne), and her father was called Imran. Hannah is therefore both a descendant of the priestly house of Imran and the wife of Imran,-"a woman of Imran" in a double sense,

... رَبِّ إِنِّي نَذَرْتُ لَكَ مَا فِي بَطْنِي مُحَرَّرًا فَتَقَبَّلْ مِنِّي...

"O my Lord!

I do dedicate unto thee what is in my womb for Thy special service, so accept this of me,

C376. Muharrar: freed from all worldly affairs and specially dedicated to Allah's service.

She expected a son, who was to be a special devotee, a miraculous son of the old age of his parents, but Allah gave her instead a daughter. But that daughter was Mary the mother of Jesus, the chosen one among the women: 3:42.

...إِنَّكَ أَنتَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ ﴿٣٥﴾

for Thou hearest and knowest all things."

فَلَمَّا وَضَعَتْهَا قَالَتْ رَبِّ إِنِّي وَضَعْتُهَا أُنثَى ...

36.  When she was delivered, she said: "O my Lord! behold! I am delivered of a female child!"

...وَاللّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا وَضَعَتْ ...

And Allah knew best what she brought forth --

C377. The mother of Mary expected a male child. Was she disappointed that it was a female child?

No, for she had Faith, and she knew that Allah's Plan was better than any wishes of hers.

Mary was no ordinary girl: only Allah knew what it was that her mother brought forth.

... وَلَيْسَ الذَّكَرُ كَالأُنثَى...

"And nowise is the male like the female.

C378. The female child could not be devoted to Temple service under the Mosaic law, as she intended. But she was marked out for a special destiny as a miracle-child, to be the mother of the miracle-child Jesus.

She was content to seek Allah's protection for her against all evil. There is a certain sense of pride in the girl on the part of the mother.

...وَإِنِّي سَمَّيْتُهَا مَرْيَمَ وِإِنِّي أُعِيذُهَا بِكَ وَذُرِّيَّتَهَا مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ ﴿٣٦﴾  

I have named her Mary, and I commend her and her offspring to Thy protection from the Evil One, the Rejected."

فَتَقَبَّلَهَا رَبُّهَا بِقَبُولٍ حَسَنٍ وَأَنبَتَهَا نَبَاتًا حَسَنًا وَكَفَّلَهَا زَكَرِيَّا...  

37.  Right graciously did her Lord accept her: He made her grow in purity and beauty;

to the care of Zakariya was she assigned.

...كُلَّمَا دَخَلَ عَلَيْهَا زَكَرِيَّا الْمِحْرَابَ وَجَدَ عِندَهَا رِزْقاً...

Every time that he entered (her) chamber to see her, he found her supplied with sustenance.

...قَالَ يَا مَرْيَمُ أَنَّى لَكِ هَـذَا...

He said: "O Mary! whence (comes) this to you?"

...قَالَتْ هُوَ مِنْ عِندِ اللّهِ...

She said: "From Allah:

...إنَّ اللّهَ يَرْزُقُ مَن يَشَاء بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ ﴿٣٧﴾

for Allah provides sustenance to whom He pleases, without measure."

C379. Mary grew under Allah's special protection. Her sustenance, under which we may include both her physical needs and her spiritual food, came from Allah, and her growth was indeed a "goodly growth" which I have tried to express in the Text by the words "purity and beauty".

Some apocryphal Christian writings say that she was brought up in the Temple to the age of twelve like a dove, and that she was fed by angels.

هُنَالِكَ دَعَا زَكَرِيَّا رَبَّهُ ...  

38.  There did Zakariya pray to his Lord,

...قَالَ رَبِّ هَبْ لِي مِن لَّدُنْكَ ذُرِّيَّةً طَيِّبَة ...

saying:

"O my Lord! grant unto me from Thee a progeny that is pure;

...إِنَّكَ سَمِيعُ الدُّعَاء ﴿٣٨﴾  

for Thou art He that heareth prayer!"

C380. The birth of Mary, the mother of Jesus, of John the Baptist, the precursor of Jesus, and of Jesus, the prophet of Israel, whom Israel rejected, occurred in that order chronologically, and are told in that order.

They are all inter-connected. Zakariya prayed for no ordinary son. He and his wife were past the age of parenthood. Seeing the growth of Mary, he prayed for some child from Allah,- "from Thee, a progeny that is pure".

To his surprise, he is given a son in the flesh, ushered in by a special Sign. (R)

فَنَادَتْهُ الْمَلآئِكَةُ وَهُوَ قَائِمٌ يُصَلِّي فِي الْمِحْرَابِ ...

39.  While he was standing in prayer in the chamber, the angels called unto him:

... أَنَّ اللّهَ يُبَشِّرُكَ بِيَحْيَـى... 

"Allah doth give thee glad tidings of Yahya,

...مُصَدِّقًا بِكَلِمَةٍ مِّنَ اللّهِ ...

witnessing the truth of a Word from Allah,

C381. Notice: "a Word from Allah", not "the Word of Allah", the epithet that mystical Christianity uses for Jesus.

As stated in 3:59 below, Jesus was created by a miracle, by Allah's word "Be", and he was.

... وَسَيِّدًا وَحَصُورًا وَنَبِيًّا مِّنَ الصَّالِحِينَ ﴿٣٩﴾

and (be besides) noble, chaste, and a Prophet, of the (goodly) company of the righteous."

قَالَ رَبِّ أَنَّىَ يَكُونُ لِي غُلاَمٌ وَقَدْ بَلَغَنِيَ الْكِبَرُ وَامْرَأَتِي عَاقِرٌ...  

40.  He said: "O my Lord! how shall I have a son, seeing I am very old, and my wife is barren?"

...قَالَ كَذَلِكَ ...

"Thus," was the answer,

... اللّهُ يَفْعَلُ مَا يَشَاء ﴿٤٠﴾

"doth Allah accomplish what He willeth."

قَالَ رَبِّ اجْعَل لِّيَ آيَةً...  

41.  He said: "O my Lord! give me a sign!"

...قَالَ آيَتُكَ أَلاَّ تُكَلِّمَ النَّاسَ ثَلاَثَةَ أَيَّامٍ إِلاَّ رَمْزًا...

"Thy Sign," was the answer, "shall be that thou shalt speak to no man for three days but with signals.

...وَاذْكُر رَّبَّكَ كَثِيرًا وَسَبِّحْ بِالْعَشِيِّ وَالإِبْكَارِ ﴿٤١﴾

Then celebrate the praises of thy Lord again and again, and glorify Him in the evening and in the morning."

Section 5

وَإِذْ قَالَتِ الْمَلاَئِكَةُ يَا مَرْيَمُ إِنَّ اللّهَ اصْطَفَاكِ وَطَهَّرَكِ...  

42.  Behold! the angels said:

"O Mary! Allah hath chosen thee and purified thee;

...وَاصْطَفَاكِ عَلَى نِسَاء الْعَالَمِينَ ﴿٤٢﴾

chosen thee above the women of all nations.

C382. Mary the mother of Jesus was unique, in that she gave birth to a son by a special miracle, without the intervention of the customary physical means. This of course does not mean that she was more than human, any more than that her son was more than human. She had as much need to pray to Allah as anyone else.

The Christian dogma, in all sects except the Unitarian, holds that Jesus was God and the son of God.

The worship of Mary became the practice in the Roman Catholic Church, which calls Mary the Mother of God. This seems to have been endorsed by the Council of Ephesus in 431, in the century before Muhammad was born to sweep way the corruptions of the Church of Christ.

For 'alamin as meaning all nations, see 3:96, n. 423.

يَا مَرْيَمُ اقْنُتِي لِرَبِّكِ وَاسْجُدِي وَارْكَعِي مَعَ الرَّاكِعِينَ ﴿٤٣﴾

43.  "O Mary! worship thy Lord devoutly; prostrate thyself, and bow down (in prayer) with those who bow down."

ذَلِكَ مِنْ أَنبَاء الْغَيْبِ نُوحِيهِ إِلَيكَ ...

44.  This is part of the tidings of the things unseen, which We reveal unto thee (O Prophet!) by inspiration;

C383. Things unseen: belong to a realm beyond the reach of human perception and therefore it would be unseemly to dispute or speculate about them. (R)

...وَمَا كُنتَ لَدَيْهِمْ إِذْ يُلْقُون أَقْلاَمَهُمْ ...

thou wast not with them when they cast lots with arrows,

C384. Literally, reeds: aqalam.

For the Arab custom of casting lots with arrows, see 2:219, n. 241.

... أَيُّهُمْ يَكْفُلُ مَرْيَمَ ...

as to which of them should be charged with the care of Mary;

...وَمَا كُنتَ لَدَيْهِمْ إِذْ يَخْتَصِمُونَ ﴿٤٤﴾

nor wast thou with them when they disputed (the point).

C385. Christian apocryphal writings mention the contention between the priests as to the honor of taking charge of Mary, and how it was decided by means of rods or reeds in favour of Zakariya.

إِذْ قَالَتِ الْمَلآئِكَةُ يَا مَرْيَمُ إِنَّ اللّهَ يُبَشِّرُكِ بِكَلِمَةٍ مِّنْهُ...  

45.  Behold! the angels said

"O Mary! Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a Word from Him:

...اسْمُهُ الْمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ ...

his name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary,

C386. Christ: Greek, Christos=anointed: kings and priests were anointed to symbolize consecration to their office.

The Hebrew and Arabic form is Masih.

... وَجِيهًا فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالآخِرَةِ وَمِنَ الْمُقَرَّبِينَ ﴿٤٥﴾

held in honor in this world and the Hereafter and of (the company of) those nearest to Allah.

C387. Nearest to Allah: Muqarrabin. Cf. 56:11.

وَيُكَلِّمُ النَّاسَ فِي الْمَهْدِ وَكَهْلاً ...

46.  "He shall speak to the people in childhood and in maturity,

C388. The ministry of Jesus lasted only about three years, from 30 to 33 years of his age, when in the eyes of his enemies he was crucified.

But the Gospel of Luke (2:46) describes him as disputing with the doctors in the Temple at the age of 12, and even earlier, as a child, he was "strong in spirit, filled with wisdom" (Luke 2:40).

Some apocryphal Gospels describe him as preaching from infancy.

... وَمِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ ﴿٤٦﴾

and he shall be (of the company) of the righteous."

قَالَتْ رَبِّ أَنَّى يَكُونُ لِي وَلَدٌ وَلَمْ يَمْسَسْنِي بَشَرٌ...  

47.  She said: "O my Lord! how shall I have a son when no man hath touched me?"

C389. She was addressed by angels, who gave her Allah's message.

In reply she speaks as to Allah. In reply, apparently an angel gives Allah's message.

...قَالَ كَذَلِكِ اللّهُ يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَاء...

He said: "Even so: Allah createth what He willeth;

...إِذَا قَضَى أَمْرًا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُ كُن فَيَكُونُ ﴿٤٧﴾

when He hath decreed a plan, He but saith to it 'Be',

and it is!

وَيُعَلِّمُهُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَالتَّوْرَاةَ وَالإِنجِيلَ ﴿٤٨﴾

48.  "And Allah will teach him the Book and Wisdom, the Law and the Gospel.

وَرَسُولاً إِلَى بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ ...

49.  "And (appoint him) a Messenger to the Children of Israel, (with this message):

... أَنِّي قَدْ جِئْتُكُم بِآيَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ...

I have come to you, with a sign from your Lord,

...أَنِّي أَخْلُقُ لَكُم مِّنَ الطِّينِ كَهَيْئَةِ الطَّيْرِ فَأَنفُخُ فِيهِ فَيَكُونُ طَيْرًا بِإِذْنِ اللّهِ...

in that I make for you out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, and breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by Allah's leave;

C390. This miracle of the clay birds is found in some of the apocryphal Gospels; those of curing the blind and the lepers and raising the dead are in the canonical Gospels.

The original Gospel (see 3:48) was not the various stories written afterwards by disciples, but the real Message taught direct by Jesus.

...وَأُبْرِىءُ الأكْمَهَ والأَبْرَصَ وَأُحْيِـي الْمَوْتَى بِإِذْنِ اللّهِ...

and I heal those born blind, and the lepers, and I quicken the dead, by Allah's leave;

...وَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا تَأْكُلُونَ وَمَا تَدَّخِرُونَ فِي بُيُوتِكُمْ ...

and I declare to you what ye eat, and what ye store in your houses.

C391. This clause refers generally to a prophetic knowledge of what is not known to other people.

...إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لآيَةً لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ ﴿٤٩﴾

Surely therein is a Sign for you if ye did believe.

وَمُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيَّ مِنَ التَّوْرَاةِ وَلِأُحِلَّ لَكُم بَعْضَ الَّذِي حُرِّمَ عَلَيْكُمْ...  

50.  "(I have come to you), to attest the Law which was before me, and to make lawful to you part of what was (before) forbidden to you;

...وَجِئْتُكُم بِآيَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ فَاتَّقُواْ اللّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ ﴿٥٠﴾

I have come to you with a Sign from your Lord.

So fear Allah, and obey me.

إِنَّ اللّهَ رَبِّي وَرَبُّكُمْ فَاعْبُدُوهُ هَـذَا صِرَاطٌ مُّسْتَقِيمٌ ﴿٥١﴾

51.  "It is Allah who is my Lord and your Lord; then worship Him.

This is a way that is straight."             

فَلَمَّا أَحَسَّ عِيسَى مِنْهُمُ الْكُفْرَ قَالَ مَنْ أَنصَارِي إِلَى اللّهِ ...

52.  When Jesus found unbelief on their part he said:

"Who will be my helpers to (the work of) Allah?"

...قَالَ الْحَوَارِيُّونَ نَحْنُ أَنصَارُ اللّهِ...

Said the Disciples:

"We are Allah's helpers,

...آمَنَّا بِاللّهِ وَاشْهَدْ بِأَنَّا مُسْلِمُونَ ﴿٥٢﴾

we believe in Allah, and do thou bear witness that we are Muslims.

C392. The story of Jesus is told with special application to the time of the Prophet Muhammad. Note the word helpers (Ansar) in this connection, and the reference to plotters in 3:54.

It was the one Religion-the Religion of Allah, which was in essence the religion of Abraham, Moses, and Jesus.

The argument runs: who do ye then now make divisions and reject the living Teacher?

Islam is: bowing to the Will of Allah. All who have faith should bow to the Will of Allah and be Muslims.

رَبَّنَا آمَنَّا بِمَا أَنزَلَتْ وَاتَّبَعْنَا الرَّسُولَ فَاكْتُبْنَا مَعَ الشَّاهِدِينَ ﴿٥٣﴾  

53.  "Our Lord! we believe in what thou hast revealed, and we follow the Messenger; then write us down among those who bear witness."

وَمَكَرُواْ وَمَكَرَ اللّهُ...

54.  And (then unbelievers) plotted and planned, and Allah too planned,

C393. The Arabic Makara has both a bad and a good meaning, that of making an intricate plan to carry out some secret purpose. The enemies of Allah are constantly doing that.

But Allah -in whose hands is all good- has His plans also, against which the evil ones will have no chance whatever.

...وَاللّهُ خَيْرُ الْمَاكِرِينَ ﴿٥٤﴾  

and the best of planners is Allah.

Section 6

إِذْ قَالَ اللّهُ يَا عِيسَى إِنِّي مُتَوَفِّيكَ وَرَافِعُكَ إِلَيَّ ...

55.  Behold! Allah said:

"O Jesus! I will take thee and raise thee to Myself

C394. Read this with 4:157, where it is said that "whereas they slew him not nor they crucified him but it was made dubious unto them.

The guilt of the Jews remained, but Jesus was eventually taken up to Allah.

... وَمُطَهِّرُكَ مِنَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ... 

and clear thee (of the falsehoods) of those who blaspheme;

C395. Jesus was charged by the Jews with blasphemy as claiming to be Allah or the son of Allah.

The Christians (except a few early sects which were annihilated by persecution, and the modern sect of Unitarians), adopted the substance of the claim, and made it the cornerstone of their faith.

Allah clears Jesus of such a charge or claim.

...وَجَاعِلُ الَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوكَ فَوْقَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ ...

I will make those who follow thee superior to those who reject Faith, to the Day of Resurrection;

C396. Those who follow thee refers to both Muslims (insofar as they truly follow the basic teachings of Jesus) and Christians (who claim to follow him). [Eds].

...ثُمَّ إِلَيَّ مَرْجِعُكُمْ فَأَحْكُمُ بَيْنَكُمْ فِيمَا كُنتُمْ فِيهِ تَخْتَلِفُونَ ﴿٥٥﴾

then shall ye all return unto Me, and I will judge between you of the matters wherein ye dispute.

C397. All the controversies about dogma and faith will disappear when we appear before Allah.

He will judge not by what we profess but by what we are.

فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ فَأُعَذِّبُهُمْ عَذَابًا شَدِيدًا فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالآخِرَةِ...  

56.  "As to those who reject faith, I will punish them with terrible agony in this world and in the Hereafter,

...وَمَا لَهُم مِّن نَّاصِرِينَ ﴿٥٦﴾

nor will they have anyone to help.

وَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُواْ الصَّالِحَاتِ فَيُوَفِّيهِمْ أُجُورَهُمْ ...

57.  "As to those who believe and work righteousness, Allah will pay them (in full) their reward;

...وَاللّهُ لاَ يُحِبُّ الظَّالِمِينَ ﴿٥٧﴾

but Allah loveth not those who do wrong.

ذَلِكَ نَتْلُوهُ عَلَيْكَ مِنَ الآيَاتِ وَالذِّكْرِ الْحَكِيمِ ﴿٥٨﴾

58.  "This is what We rehearse unto thee of the Signs and the Message of Wisdom."

إِنَّ مَثَلَ عِيسَى عِندَ اللّهِ كَمَثَلِ آدَمَ ...

59.  This similitude of Jesus before Allah is as that of Adam:

C398. After a description of the high position which Jesus occupies as a prophet, we have a repudiation of the dogma that he was Allah, or the son of Allah, or anything more than a man.

If it is said that he was born without a human father, Adam was also so born. Indeed Adam was born without either a human father or mother. As far as our physical bodies are concerned they are mere dust.

In Allah's sight Jesus was as dust just as Adam was or humanity is. The greatness of Jesus arose from the divine command "Be": for after that he was-more than dust - a great Prophet and teacher.

...خَلَقَهُ مِن تُرَابٍ ثِمَّ قَالَ لَهُ كُن فَيَكُونُ ﴿٥٩﴾

He created him from dust, then said to him:

"Be",

and he was.

الْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ فَلاَ تَكُن مِّن الْمُمْتَرِينَ ﴿٦٠﴾

60.  The truth (comes) from Allah alone; so be not of those who doubt.

C399. The truth does not necessarily come from priests, or from the superstitions of whole peoples. It comes from Allah, and where there is a direct revelation, there is no room for doubt.

فَمَنْ حَآجَّكَ فِيهِ مِن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءكَ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ ...

61.  If anyone disputes in this matter with thee, now after (full) knowledge hath come to thee,

...فَقُلْ تَعَالَوْاْ نَدْعُ أَبْنَاءنَا وَأَبْنَاءكُمْ وَنِسَاءنَا وَنِسَاءكُمْ وَأَنفُسَنَا وأَنفُسَكُمْ ...

say:

"Come! let us gather together, our sons and your sons, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves:

...ثُمَّ نَبْتَهِلْ فَنَجْعَل لَّعْنَةُ اللّهِ عَلَى الْكَاذِبِينَ ﴿٦١﴾

then let us earnestly pray, and invoke the curse of Allah on those who lie!"

C400. In the year of Deputations, 10th of the Hijrah, came a Christian embassy from Najran (towards Yemen, about 150 miles north of Sanaa). They were much impressed on hearing this passage of the Quran explaining the true position of Christ, and they entered into tributary relations with the new Muslim State. But ingrained habits and customs prevented them from accepting Islam as a body.

The Holy Prophet, firm in his faith, proposed a Mubahalah, i.e., a solemn meeting, in which both sides should summon not only their men, but their women and children, earnestly pray to Allah, and invoke the curse of Allah on those who should lie. Those who had a pure and sincere faith would not hesitate.

The Christians declined, and they were dismissed in a spirit of tolerance with a promise of protection from the State in return for tribute.

إِنَّ هَـذَا لَهُوَ الْقَصَصُ الْحَقُّ ...  

62.  This is the true account:

C401. We are now in a position of deal with the questions which we left over at 2:87. Jesus is no more than a man.

It is against reason and revelation to call him Allah or the son of Allah. He is called the son of Mary to emphasize this. He had no human father, as his birth was miraculous. But it is not this which raise him to his high position as a prophet, but because Allah called him to his office.

The praise is due to Allah, Who by His word gave him spiritual strength-"strengthened him with the Holy spirit. The miracles which surround his story relate not only to the "Clear Signs" which he brought.

It was those who misunderstood him who obscured his clear Signs and surrounded him with mysteries of their own invention. (R).

... وَمَا مِنْ إِلَـهٍ إِلاَّ اللّهُ...

there is no god except Allah;

...وَإِنَّ اللّهَ لَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ ﴿٦٢﴾

and Allah -- He is indeed the Exalted in Power, the Wise.

فَإِن تَوَلَّوْاْ فَإِنَّ اللّهَ عَلِيمٌ بِالْمُفْسِدِينَ ﴿٦٣﴾

63.  But if they turn back, Allah hath full knowledge of those who do mischief.

C.57 (The running Commentary, in Rhythmic Prose)

(3:64-120)

Islam doth invite all people

To the Truth; there is no cause

For dissembling or disputing

False are the people who corrupt

Allah's truth, or hinder men

From coming to Allah. Let the Muslims

Hold together in unity and discipline,

Knowing that they have a mission

Of righteousness for humanity

No harm can come to them.

Though there are good men and true

In other Faiths, Muslims must

Be true to their own Brotherhood.

They should seek help and friendship

From their own, and stand firm

In constancy and patient perseverance.

Section 7

قُلْ يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ تَعَالَوْاْ إِلَى كَلَمَةٍ سَوَاء بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمْ ...

64.  Say:

"O People of the Book!

come to common terms as between us and you:

...أَلاَّ نَعْبُدَ إِلاَّ اللّهَ وَلاَ نُشْرِكَ بِهِ شَيْئًا وَلاَ يَتَّخِذَ بَعْضُنَا بَعْضاً أَرْبَابًا مِّن دُونِ اللّهِ...

that we worship none but Allah;

that we associate no partners with Him;

that we erect not, from among ourselves, Lords and patrons other than Allah."

C402. In the abstract the People of the Book would agree to all three propositions. In practice they fail.

Apart from doctrinal lapses from the unity of the One True God, there is the question of a consecrated Priesthood (among the Jews it was hereditary also), as if a mere human being-Cohen, or Pope, or Priest, or Brahman, could claim superiority apart from his learning and the purity of his life, or could stand between man and Allah in some special sense.

The same remarks apply to the worship of saints. They may be pure and sincere, but no one can protect us or claim Lordship over us except Allah.

For Rabb, see note 20 to 1:2.

Abraham was a true Prophet of Allah, but he could not be called a Jew or a Christian as he lived long before the Law of Moses or the Gospel of Jesus was revealed.

...فَإِن تَوَلَّوْاْ فَقُولُواْ اشْهَدُواْ بِأَنَّا مُسْلِمُونَ ﴿٦٤﴾

If then they turn back, say:

"Bear witness that we (at least) are Muslims (bowing to Allah's will)."   

يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ لِمَ تُحَآجُّونَ فِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ ...

65.  Ye People of the Book! why dispute ye about Abraham,

...وَمَا أُنزِلَتِ التَّورَاةُ وَالإنجِيلُ إِلاَّ مِن بَعْدِهِ أَفَلاَ تَعْقِلُونَ ﴿٦٥﴾

when the Law and the Gospel were not revealed till after him?

Have ye no understanding?

هَاأَنتُمْ هَؤُلاء حَاجَجْتُمْ فِيمَا لَكُم بِهِ عِلمٌ ...

66.  Ah! ye are those who fell to disputing (even) in matters of which ye had some knowledge!

C403. The number of sects among the Jews and Christians shows that they wrangled and disputed even about some of the matters of their own religion, of which they should have had some knowledge. But when they talk of Father Abraham, they are entirely out of court, as he lived before their peculiar systems were evolved.

... فَلِمَ تُحَآجُّونَ فِيمَا لَيْسَ لَكُم بِهِ عِلْمٌ...

but why dispute ye in matters of which ye have no knowledge?

...وَاللّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لاَ تَعْلَمُونَ ﴿٦٦﴾

It is Allah Who knows, and ye who know not!

مَا كَانَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ يَهُودِيًّا وَلاَ نَصْرَانِيًّا وَلَكِن كَانَ حَنِيفًا مُّسْلِمًا ...

67.  Abraham was not a Jew nor yet a Christian, but he was true in faith, and bowed his will to Allah's (which is Islam),

...وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ ﴿٦٧﴾

and he joined not gods with Allah.

C404. Cf. 2:135 and the whole argument in that passage.

إِنَّ أَوْلَى النَّاسِ بِإِبْرَاهِيمَ لَلَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوهُ وَهَـذَا النَّبِيُّ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ...  

68.  Without doubt, among men the nearest of kin to Abraham are those who follow him, as are also this Prophet and those who believe;

...وَاللّهُ وَلِيُّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ﴿٦٨﴾

and Allah is the Protector of those who have faith.

وَدَّت طَّآئِفَةٌ مِّنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ لَوْ يُضِلُّونَكُمْ ...

69.  It is the wish of a section of the People of the Book to lead you astray.

...وَمَا يُضِلُّونَ إِلاَّ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَمَا يَشْعُرُونَ ﴿٦٩﴾

But they shall lead astray (not you), but themselves and they do not perceive!

يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ لِمَ تَكْفُرُونَ بِآيَاتِ اللّهِ وَأَنتُمْ تَشْهَدُونَ ﴿٧٠﴾

70.  Ye People of the Book!

why reject ye the Signs of Allah, of which ye are (yourselves) witnesses?

يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ لِمَ تَلْبِسُونَ الْحَقَّ بِالْبَاطِلِ وَتَكْتُمُونَ الْحَقَّ وَأَنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ ﴿٧١﴾

71.  Ye People of the Book!

why do ye clothe truth with falsehood, and conceal the truth, while ye have knowledge?

C405. There are many ways of preventing the access of people to the truth. One is to temper with it, or trick it out in colours of falsehood: half-truths are often more dangerous than obvious falsehoods. Another is to conceal it altogether.

Those who are jealous of a prophet of Allah, whom they actually see before them, do not allow his credentials or virtues to be known, or vilify him, or conceal facts which would attract people to him.

When people do this of set purpose, against their own light ("of which ye are yourselves witnesses"), they are descending to the lowest depths of degradation, and they are doing more harm to themselves than to anyone else.

Section 8

وَقَالَت طَّآئِفَةٌ مِّنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ ...

72.  A section of the People of the Book say:

...آمِنُواْ بِالَّذِيَ أُنزِلَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَجْهَ النَّهَارِ وَاكْفُرُواْ آخِرَهُ ...

"Believe in the morning what is revealed to the believers, but reject it at the end of the day;

C406. Wajh here has the sense of "beginning", early part.

The cynics who plotted against Islam actually asked their accomplices to join the believers and then repudiate them.

...لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ ﴿٧٢﴾

perchance they may (themselves) turn back.

وَلاَ تُؤْمِنُواْ إِلاَّ لِمَن تَبِعَ دِينَكُمْ ...

73.  "And believe no one unless he follows your religion."

...قُلْ إِنَّ الْهُدَى هُدَى اللّهِ أَن يُؤْتَى أَحَدٌ مِّثْلَ مَا أُوتِيتُمْ ...

Say:

"True guidance is the guidance of Allah; (fear ye) lest a revelation be sent to someone (else) like unto that which was sent unto you.

C407. The two clauses following have been variously construed, and some translations leave the sense ambiguous.

I have construed the conjunction "an" to mean "lest", as it undoubtedly does in 7:172. 'an taqulu", etc.

... أَوْ يُحَآجُّوكُمْ عِندَ رَبِّكُمْ...

Or that those (receiving such revelation) should engage you in argument before your Lord."

C408. Cf. 2:76.

The People of the Book were doubly annoyed at the Muslims:

-        that they should (being outside their ranks) receive Allah's revelations, and

-        that having received such revelations, they should be able to convict them out of their own scriptures before their Lord!

... قُلْ إِنَّ الْفَضْلَ بِيَدِ اللّهِ يُؤْتِيهِ مَن يَشَاء...

Say: "All bounties are in the hand of Allah: He granteth them to whom He pleaseth;

...وَاللّهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ ﴿٧٣﴾

and Allah careth for all, and He knoweth all things."

يَخْتَصُّ بِرَحْمَتِهِ مَن يَشَاء وَاللّهُ ذُو الْفَضْلِ الْعَظِيمِ ﴿٧٤﴾

74.  For His Mercy He specially chooseth whom He pleaseth:

for Allah is the Lord of bounties unbounded.

وَمِنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ مَنْ إِن تَأْمَنْهُ بِقِنطَارٍ يُؤَدِّهِ إِلَيْكَ...  

75.  Among the People of the Book are some who, if entrusted with a hoard of gold, will (readily) pay it back;

C409. Hoard of gold: qintar: a talent of 1,200 ounces of gold. See 3:14. n. 354. (R).

...وَمِنْهُم مَّنْ إِن تَأْمَنْهُ بِدِينَارٍ لاَّ يُؤَدِّهِ إِلَيْكَ إِلاَّ مَا دُمْتَ عَلَيْهِ قَآئِمًا...

others, who, if entrusted with a single silver coin, will not repay it unless thou constantly stoodest demanding,

C410. Silver coin: dinar. In the later Roman Empire, the denarius was a small silver coin. It must have been current in Syria and the markets of Arabia in the time of the Prophet.

It was the coin whose name is translated in the English Bible by the word penny. Matt. 22:19: hence the abbreviation of penny is d (= denarius).

The later Arabian coin dinar coined by the Umayyad, was a gold coin after the pattern of the Byzantine (Roman) denarius aureus and weighed about 66349 grains troy.

...ذَلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَالُواْ لَيْسَ عَلَيْنَا فِي الأُمِّيِّينَ سَبِيلٌ...

because, they say, "There is no call on us (to keep faith) with these ignorant (pagans)."

C411. Every race imbued with race arrogance resorts to this kind of moral or religious subterfuge. Even if its members are usually honest or just among themselves, they are contemptuous of those outside their circle, and cheat and deceive them without any qualms of conscience.

This is a "lie against Allah."

...وَيَقُولُونَ عَلَى اللّهِ الْكَذِبَ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ ﴿٧٥﴾

But they tell a lie against Allah, and (well) they know it.

بَلَى مَنْ أَوْفَى بِعَهْدِهِ وَاتَّقَى فَإِنَّ اللّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُتَّقِينَ ﴿٧٦﴾

76.  Nay.

Those that keep their plighted faith and act aright, verily Allah loves those who act aright.

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَشْتَرُونَ بِعَهْدِ اللّهِ وَأَيْمَانِهِمْ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلاً ...  

77.  As for those who sell the faith they owe to Allah and their own plighted word for a small price,

C412. All our duties to our fellow creatures are referred to the service and faith we owe to Allah. But in the matter of truth an appeal is made to our self-respect as responsible beings: is it becoming that we should be false to our own word, to ourselves?

And then we are reminded that the utmost we can gain by falsifying Allah's word or being untrue to ourselves is but a miserable price. We get at best something very paltry as the price for selling our very souls.

... أُوْلَـئِكَ لاَ خَلاَقَ لَهُمْ فِي الآخِرَةِ...

they shall have no portion in the hereafter:

...وَلاَ يُكَلِّمُهُمُ اللّهُ وَلاَ يَنظُرُ إِلَيْهِمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَلاَ يُزَكِّيهِمْ ...

nor will Allah (deign to) speak to them or look at them on the Day of Judgment, nor will He cleanse them (of sin);

C413. Even on sinners -ordinary sinners- Allah will look with compassion and mercy: He will speak words of kindness and cleanse them of their sins.

But those who are in active rebellion against Allah and sin against their own light, -what mercy can they expect?

...وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ ﴿٧٧﴾

they shall have a grievous penalty.

وَإِنَّ مِنْهُمْ لَفَرِيقًا يَلْوُونَ أَلْسِنَتَهُم بِالْكِتَابِ لِتَحْسَبُوهُ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ وَمَا هُوَ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ...  

78.  There is among them a section who distort the Book with their tongues; (as they read) you would think it is a part of the Book, but it is no part of the Book;

...وَيَقُولُونَ هُوَ مِنْ عِندِ اللّهِ وَمَا هُوَ مِنْ عِندِ اللّهِ...

and they say, "That is from Allah,"

but it is not from Allah:

...وَيَقُولُونَ عَلَى اللّهِ الْكَذِبَ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ ﴿٧٨﴾

it is they who tell a lie against Allah, and (well) they know it!

مَا كَانَ لِبَشَرٍ أَن يُؤْتِيَهُ اللّهُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحُكْمَ وَالنُّبُوَّةَ...  

79.  It is not (possible) that a man, to whom is given the Book, and Wisdom, and the prophetic office,

...ثُمَّ يَقُولَ لِلنَّاسِ كُونُواْ عِبَادًا لِّي مِن دُونِ اللّهِ ...

should say to people: "Be ye my worshippers rather than Allah's;

C414. It is not in reason or in the nature of things that Allah's messenger should preach against Allah.

Jesus came to preach and convey the true message of Allah. (R).

...وَلَـكِن كُونُواْ رَبَّانِيِّينَ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تُعَلِّمُونَ الْكِتَابَ وَبِمَا كُنتُمْ تَدْرُسُونَ ﴿٧٩﴾

on the contrary (he would say): "Be ye worshippers of Him Who is truly the Cherisher of all, for ye have taught the Book and ye have studied it earnestly."

وَلاَ يَأْمُرَكُمْ أَن تَتَّخِذُواْ الْمَلاَئِكَةَ وَالنِّبِيِّيْنَ أَرْبَابًا...  

80.  Nor would he instruct you to take angels and prophets for Lords and Patrons.

C415. Jesus was a prophet, and the Holy Spirit "with which he was strengthened" was the Angel who brought the revelations to him.

...أَيَأْمُرُكُم بِالْكُفْرِ بَعْدَ إِذْ أَنتُم مُّسْلِمُونَ ﴿٨٠﴾

What! would he bid you to unbelief after ye have bowed your will (to Allah in Islam)?

Section 9

وَإِذْ أَخَذَ اللّهُ مِيثَاقَ النَّبِيِّيْنَ ...

81.  Behold! Allah took the Covenant of the Prophets, saying:

C416. Cf. 2:63. n. 78.

The argument is:

You (People of the Book) are bound by your own oaths, sworn solemnly in the presence of your own Prophets. In the Old Testament as it now exists, Muhammad is foretold in Deut. 18:18: and the rise of the Arab nation in Isaiah. 42:11. for Kedar was a son of Ismail and the name is used for the Arab nation: in the New Testament as it now exists.

Muhammad is foretold in the Gospel of St. John. 14:16, 15:26, and 16:7:

the future Comforter cannot be the Holy Spirit as understood by Christians, because the Holy Spirit already was present, helping and guiding Jesus.

The Greek word translated "Comforter" is "Paracletos", which is an easy corruption from "Periclytos", which is almost a literal translation of "Muhammad" or "Ahmad": see 61:6.

Further, there were other Gospels that have perished, but of which traces still remain, which were even more specific in their reference to Muhammad; e.g., the Gospel of St. Barnabas, of which an Italian translation is extant in the State Library at Vienna. It was edited in 1907 with an English translation by Mr. Lonsdale and Laura Ragg.

.... لَمَا آتَيْتُكُم مِّن كِتَابٍ وَحِكْمَةٍ ...

"I give you a Book and Wisdom;

...ثُمَّ جَاءكُمْ رَسُولٌ مُّصَدِّقٌ لِّمَا مَعَكُمْ لَتُؤْمِنُنَّ بِهِ وَلَتَنصُرُنَّهُ...

then comes to you a Messenger confirming what is with you; do ye believe him and render him help."

...قَالَ أَأَقْرَرْتُمْ وَأَخَذْتُمْ عَلَى ذَلِكُمْ إِصْرِي...

Allah said: "Do ye agree, and take this My Covenant as binding on you?"

...قَالُواْ أَقْرَرْنَا...

They said: "We agree."

...قَالَ فَاشْهَدُواْ وَأَنَاْ مَعَكُم مِّنَ الشَّاهِدِينَ ﴿٨١﴾

He said: "Then bear witness, and I am with you among the witnesses."

فَمَن تَوَلَّى بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ فَأُوْلَـئِكَ هُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ ﴿٨٢﴾

82.  If any turn back after this, they are perverted transgressors.

أَفَغَيْرَ دِينِ اللّهِ يَبْغُونَ...  

83.  Do they seek for other than the Religion of Allah?

...وَلَهُ أَسْلَمَ مَن فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ طَوْعًا وَكَرْهًا ...

While all creatures in the heavens and on earth have, willing or unwilling, bowed to His Will (accepted Islam),

C417. Allah's Truth is manifest, and all that is good and true and sane and normal accepts it with joy.

But even where there is "disease in the heart" (2:10), or judgment is obscured by perversity, every creature must eventually see and acknowledge Allah and His power (