Surah 1-2 - YasSarNal QuR'aN

Al-Baqarah (The Cow) | CAUSING LIFE AND DEATHAn Easily Settled ArgumentThe first verse in this passage relates an argument between the Prophet Abrahamand a contemporary king who disputed his belief in God. The sūrah does not mentionthe king’s name, because mentioning it will not add to the moral of the story. Thisargument is related to the Prophet and the Muslim community in a way that invitesamazement at this person who disputes the truth of God. We listen as though theargument is taking place now, before our eyes: “Are you not aware of him who arguedwith Abraham about his Lord simply because God had given him kingship? Abraham said,My Lord gives life and causes death.’ I, too,’ said he, give life and cause death.’ Abraham said,‘Well, God causes the sun to rise in the east; cause it, then, to rise in the west.’ Thus theunbeliever was dumbfounded. God does not guide the wrongdoers.” (Verse 258)We learn from the text that the king who argued with Abraham did not, in fact,deny God’s existence, but he denied that He was the only God or that He had solesovereignty and control over mankind’s affairs. This belief was prevalent among theArabs during their Dark Ages, or Jāhiliyyah. They assigned lesser gods as partners toGod and denied that God had any concern with, or authority over, worldly and dailyhuman affairs.The arrogant, stubborn king denies God for the very reason that he shouldacknowledge Him, as it was God who had made it possible for him to become kingand ruler, in the first place. Power in the hands of those who do not believe orappreciate God’s grace and generosity corrupts and leads to tyranny and despotism.Rulers govern by God’s authority, and He never empowers them to enslave andoppress their people, or impose their own ideas and laws. Like their subjects, theyare servants of God and subject to His authority. Their power is delegated by Him.They have no right to initiate or devise teachings and legislation of their own.The king’s attitude seems to evoke astonishment, as the interrogative formindicates. How could one who is given power and sovereignty by God arrogate tohimself the right to question those of God, or claim independent powers of his own?Abraham challenged the king, saying: “My Lord gives life and causes death.” (Verse258) Life and death are two of the greatest wonders of this world which we witnessevery day. Thinking about them compels the human mind to seek a non-humancause behind them. There is, therefore, no escaping the conclusion that the supremeomnipotent power of God, and no other, lies behind the secrets of life and death. Weremain ignorant of the true essence of life and death, but we perceive theirmanifestations in the world around us, and we are forced to seek their origin andcause with a power unlike any power known to man, and that is the power of GodAlmighty.Abraham’s reply, “My Lord gives life and causes death,” (Verse 258) cites an attribute356