Surah 2. Al-Baqarah - The Cow

(They had followed conjecture in the past as well.) Some satanic folk spread a rumor in the Kingdom of Solomon. Solomon never disbelieved in the Divine Laws, but the satanic folk did. They fabricated a story that two angels Haaroot and Maaroot had descended in Babylon and taught magic to some people; and that they used to warn people, “We are only a temptation, therefore be not oblivious to the rational Divine Laws.” The rumor further stated that people learned magic from both of them and learned how to create discord between a man and his wife. They could harm none against the Divine Laws. And what they try to learn only harms them and does not profits them. Indeed, they ought to know that any person indulging in this trade (the socalled occult sciences) will be a loser in the long run, and shall have no portion in the Hereafter. And certainly, evil is the price for which they sell their humanity, if they only knew better.

[The entire story of Haaroot Maaroot was Hazaliat (nonsense). Magic, amulets, ghoul, demonpossession, exorcism, witchcraft, evil eye, fortune telling, astrology, palm reading, clairvoyance, knowledge of the future, Voodoo, are nothing but conjecture. These things can neither harm nor benefit anyone since nothing happens in the Universe contrary to the immutable Divine Laws in Nature. However, superstitions can harm people by becoming selffulfilling prophecies. 3:123-127, 6:73, 7:54, 45:22]

If they had believed (in the immutability of the Divine Laws) and remained mindful (of this fact), the reward for their actions would have been far better from God’s Presence. This is so because they would have, then, used this knowledge.

[Divine Laws never change 33:62, 35:43, 48:23, and you will never find even a slight turn in them 17:77]

O You who have chosen to be graced with belief! Never say to the Prophet, “Raaina listen to us.” Instead, say, “Unzurna!” �(Grant us attention). And then listen intently. There is a painful consequence for the rejecters of Divine Commands.

[Ya ayyuhallazeena aamanu is generally, but inaccurately, translated as “O You who believe!”, “O Believers!”, “O You of faith! O Faithfuls!” etc. Firstly, aamanu is a verb. Secondly, attaining to belief must be an act consciously undertaken after due reflection and with free will. ‘Passive’ faith such as claiming to be a ‘believer by birth’ has no merit in the Sight of God. See 4:136, 12:108. Also, choosing to believe in Truth is a great blessing of God. Hence, my rendition: O You who have chosen to be graced with belief! Ra’ina with a slight twist of the tongue and in very similar Hebrew words has derogatory meanings to it, e.g. “Be our shepherd”, “O Our proud one!”, “May deafness befall you.” Some Jews resorted to these kinds of insults to the Prophet (4:46). The Lesson is this: Be not ambiguous and speak words straight to the point. 33:70]

Neither the deniers from among the People of the Book nor the idolaters love that any good thing should be bestowed upon you from your Lord. But God chooses for His Grace (of Revelation) whom He wills. For, God is the (nondiscriminating) Lord of Infinite Bounty. [3:70-71, 16:30]

Any Message (of aforetime) that We revoke or cause to be lost to history, We replace it with a better or similar one. Do you not know that God is the Supreme Controller of all things and events?

[Some of the People of the Book question why a new Revelation was necessary. The evolution of human civilization has now come to a point where the Final Message for all mankind can be given, implemented and preserved forever. So, the Qur’an is now the perfected Message for all mankind at all times; its exact preservation guaranteed by none but the Almighty Himself. 5:48, 6:115-116, 15:9, 16:101, 22:52]

Do you not know that to God belongs the Kingdom of the heavens and the earth? And (if you defy His Commands you will find that) you have no patron or helper besides God. [He is fully Cognizant of your needs, and knows the messages and timings of His revelations]

Would you demand of your Messenger what was demanded of Moses in the past? But whoever chooses the darkness of Ignorance instead of the Light of Faith has already strayed from the Right Way.

[2:67-71. Instead of reflecting on the evidence of the Truth, the people of Moses demanded him to bring God face to face! 4:153. And they kept asking him vain questions 5:101, and kept making excuses. 5:24]

Out of their envy, many among the People of the Book wish to make you revert back to denying the Truth after you have attained belief; even though the Truth has become clear unto them. Pardon them, bear with them, and leave them with their ways until God issues His decision. Certainly, God has power over all things, and all events take place within the framework of His Laws.

[Qadeer = Appointer of Laws = Supreme Controller = Able to do all things = Powerful = Almighty. 5:13, 15:85, 73:10, 74:11. Shayi = Thing = Derived meaning, event. Ethnic and nationalistic prejudices give rise to envy. 2:111, 5:18]

So, establish the Divine System, and set up the Just Economic Order of Zakaat in the society. Whatever good you send forth for yourselves you will find it with God. Remember, God is Seer of all that you do.

[2:3. Inn = Surely, Indeed, Note, Remember, Certainly, Recall, Verily, Ponder]

Nay, whoever submits his whole being to God, and he is a doer of good to humanity, his reward is with his Lord. Then, no fear shall come upon them nor shall they grieve.

[2:62, 7:180-181, 41:40. They have fulfilled the purpose of life that is, to serve the Creator by serving His creation, thereby developing their personalities in this life, and thus, attaining true immortality with further progress in the life to come]