Surah 1-2 - YasSarNal QuR'aN

Al-Baqarah (The Cow) | COVENANTS BREACHED ALL THE TIMEA Long List of ContradictionsThe sūrah then confronts the Israelites with their record of how they treated God’smessages and messengers, including their own prophets: “We gave Moses the Book andcaused a succession of messengers to follow him. To Jesus, son of Mary, We gave clear proofand supported him with the Holy Spirit. Why is it that every time a messenger comes to youwith a message that does not suit your fancies, you glory in your arrogance, charging some(messengers) with lying and slaying others?” (Verse 87)The Israelites’ main argument for not accepting Islam was that they were inpossession of a great many such teachings that had been given to them by their ownprophets. The Qur’ān, however, rejects that claim and exposes the disgracefulmanner in which they had received those prophets and their teachings.We have already been told of their encounter with Moses (peace be upon him),and here we learn of more prophets coming after him and receiving similartreatment, right up to Jesus, the son of Mary. Jesus (peace be upon him) came to themwith clear evidence of the truth, including the performance of miracles, and wassupported by the Holy Spirit, the Archangel Gabriel. But what was their attitudetowards him? Their own Scriptures testify to a sad tale of rejection, denunciation andappalling ingratitude towards all the prophets who were sent to them: “Why is it thatevery time a messenger comes to you with a message that does not suit your fancies, you gloryin your arrogance, charging some (messengers) with lying and slaying others?” (Verse 87)The human tendency to manipulate rules and set double standards in order toachieve selfish ethnocentric, nationalist or sectarian objectives is a well-knownphenomenon in society. It usually surfaces in corrupt societies that have lost the basichuman sense of justice and fair-play. Laws, principles and standards ought to stemfrom a neutral, objective and a fair source that is not susceptible to the influence ofhuman desires or prejudices. This agency must transcend human frailty and selfinterest.God relates these accounts of Israelite history as a warning to Muslims to avoidthose pitfalls, to preserve their position of leadership on earth and live up to the trustGod has placed in them. Thus we find that whenever Muslims have deviated from orabandoned the rule of Islam and persecuted the advocates of true faith, rejectingsome and killing others, they have met a fate similar to that of the Israelites. Theybecame weak, divided and humiliated, wallowing in ignominy and misery. This sadstate will persist until they respond to the call of God and His messengers, submit toHis will, and fulfil their covenant with God with clear resolve and determination.Having confronted the Israelites with their attitude towards their own Prophets,the sūrah tackles their response to the new message, Islam, and its bearer, ProphetMuĥammad (peace be upon him):98