Favour Of God On The Children Of Israel

LESSON # 55 HOLY QUR’AAN

BAQARAH - 2

 Favour Of God On The Children Of Israel

Verse –40 of 286, section - 5

O Children of Israel! Remember My favour wherewith I favoured you, and fulfil your (part of the) covenant, I shall fulfil My (part of the) covenant, and fear Me.

Yaa-Baniii- ‘Israaa-‘iilaz-kuruu ni’-matiyallatiii  ‘an-‘amtu-‘alaykum wa ‘awfuu ‘bi-‘Ahdiii ‘uufi  bi-‘Ahdikum. Wa ‘iyyaa-ya farhabuun.

Lesson

Now with effect from the fifth section of this Surah explanation regarding history of the children of Israel (Israelite), their high positions (ranks), their errors, sins and snatch of favours begins. This portion of Holy Qur’aan needs special attention to study. There are many opportunities of warning and advice for Muslims in the history of Israelite so that we may save ourselves from those errors, slips and mistakes due to which this splendid nation was ruined and became the target of calamity of God Almighty.  

Baniii- (children) ‘Israaa- (servant) ‘iil (God) – (Children of Israel)

Israel was the surname of Prophet Jacob (Peace be upon Him) so His children and dynasty was given the title of “Baniii- ‘Israaa-‘iil”. They are also called Jews.

Race of Baniii- ‘Israaa-‘iil actually starts from the Prophet Abraham (Peace be upon Him). He had two sons:

(1)  Prophet Ishmael (Peace be upon Him) populated Hijaz (Makkah) and the last Messenger of God Muhammad (Peace and blessings upon Him) was born in His dynasty.

(2)  Second son was Prophet Isaac (peace be upon Him). His son’s name was Jacob (Peace be upon Him) who was named as Baniii- ‘Israaa-‘iil. His children were populated in Palestine (Jerusalem).

These people engaged themselves in the fights and quarrels. After some time Egyptians overcame them, kept them as slaves and tyrannized them. At last the Prophet Moses (Peace be upon Him) was born and He made away this nation from the slavery of Egyptians towards Siena Valley.

After some time these people returned to their native land Kin’aan. The best era of this nation was the period of Prophets David and Suleiman (Peace be upon Them). After Them this dynasty became victim of calamities due to enmity with the Prophets (Peace be upon Them), opposing the religion and disunion between themselves.

This nation was attacked severely twice and even destructed that they were forced to leave their native country, ran away here and there. But with sorrow they didn’t abstain from their depravity and badness. Till now these evils are present in that nation.

Ni’-mati (My favour) means those favours and blessings of Allah, which He had bestowed on Jews, for example, caused to get free from torment of the slavery, drowned their enemy pharaoh, made their way to cross the red sea, provided them “Mann-o- Salwaa” the delicious food without any hard work and labor, helped them unseen in hardships etc.

‘Ahdiii  - My (part of the) covenant.  Covenant is a promise between two parties. Here covenant means the promise which servants (Human beings) finalized with their Creator before coming in this world. As Allah Almighty bestowed wisdom to humans, granted power to consider about signs of His nature and then the human has taken responsibility of knowing his Creator, will believe on the Prophets sent by God Almighty and will follow the guidance of Allah. In return Allah Almighty promised that they will be bestowed Heaven.

Farhabuun - (fear from Me) means fear none but Allah Almighty and keep it in mind.

Allah Almighty promised with Adam after his birth and sending on earth that He will send his Prophets for his children according to the occasions and will convey His own guidance and instructions through Them to his servants. Prophets (peace be upon them) came according to this covenant. Hadrat Muhammad (peace be upon Him) was sent as the last of all. The religion bestowed to Him is a universal religion. So from this section the series of the preaching of religion Islam begins. Jews were aware of the religion of God Almighty, so they are being addressed particularly first of all. And they are being reminded that their elders have seen blessings of the religion of Allah and they know about it. Now believe on this last Prophet (Peace and blessings upon Him), so that you may be eligible for the same blessings again. If you will do this then it will be considered that you have fulfilled your covenant and in return Allah will fulfill His covenant. Your sins will be forgiven and you will be bestowed success in this world and on the day of Resurrection.

 Transliteration in Roman Script, English Translation by Marmaduke Pickthall, Published by Paak Company, 17-Urdu Bazar, Lahore and Paraphrase collected from Dars e Qur’aan published By Idara Islah wa Tableegh, Lahore (translated by Muhammad Sharif Fauji)