Surah 2. Al-Baqarah - The Cow

If you are traveling and a scribe is not available, a collateral of some value may serve the purpose, or a bond shall be posted to guarantee repayment. If one is trusted in this manner, he shall return the collateral or the bond when due, and be mindful of God, his Lord. Do not withhold any testimony by concealing what you have witnessed. Anyone who withholds a testimony will be harming his own ’self’, loading his heart with a dragging violation. God is Aware of all you do.

To God belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth. Whether you reveal what is in your mind or conceal it, God will bring you to account for it. He forgives and punishes according to his Laws. God has Power over all things and events and He has appointed due measure for everything.

[He has appointed Laws of forgiveness and retribution. 3:31, 8:29, 33:70-71, 57:28, 61:11-12, 64:17, 71:3. Wallahu ‘ala kulli shaiyin Qadeer = God has Power over all things and events = God has appointed due measure for everything = God is Able to do all things. Shayi = Thing = Derived meaning, event]

The Messenger has full conviction in what is revealed unto him from his Lord and so do the believers. Each one of them believes in God, His angels, His Books and His messengers. (They say), “We make no distinction between any of His messengers.” And they say, “We hear and we obey, so grant us the protection of forgiveness, our Lord. The final destination of all journeys is unto You.” [No distinction since all of them were sent by the same Creator and they were one in Purpose. 2:253, 17:55]

God does not take to task (and does not expect from) anyone more than one’s capacity. Any challenges that come your way, afford you a chance to develop your ’self’. For the ’self’ is what it earns and against it is only what it deserves. Pray, “Our Lord! Take us not to task if we forget or miss the mark! Our Lord! Protect us from placing extra burden on us as those before us caused to be placed on them. Our Lord! Impose not on us anything beyond our strength. (And if we falter) pardon us, absolve our faults, and bestow Grace upon us. You are our Supreme Master, so help us prevail over the community of deniers.” [9:51, 10:30. Calling religious leaders as ‘Maulana’ (Our Master) is a very common but deplorable form of Shirk, associating others with God]