Surah 1-2 - YasSarNal QuR'aN

Al-Baqarah (The Cow) | ONE DIVINE MESSAGEanother in the matter of accountability. Once people appreciate this principle, eachand every one of them becomes a positive and active force in society. They becomeresponsible human beings ready to defend God’s right over them, unwilling toconcede it to anyone else. They will resist submission to temptation, tyranny,transgression and corruption, and submit their whole physical and spiritual being toGod Almighty. Those who give in to powers other than God’s, except those peoplesubjected to duress or coercion, have only themselves to blame and shall have to facethe full consequences of their actions.On the Day of Judgement, no one shall intercede on behalf of anyone else, andeveryone shall stand alone to face God’s judgement. This inspires healthyindividualism, spurring every member of society to fulfil his or her obligationstowards the community, which derive from their obligations towards God.Individuals are obliged to share their wealth, labour and wisdom, and theresponsibility to bring about good and fight evil and falsehood, and earn theirrespective reward individually and directly from God Almighty.A Final PrayerAs the believers understand and appreciate the significance and implications ofthese principles, they make their earnest plea to God. The Qur’ān, in its fine andhighly expressive style, quotes their moving, passionate prayer. The reader canalmost see the multitudes of believers reciting in unison throughout the generationsthis prayer, evoked by a dual feeling of hope and fear: “Our Lord, do not take us to taskif we forget or unwittingly do wrong. Our Lord, do not lay on us a burden such as that Youlaid on those before us. Our Lord, do not burden us with what we do not have the strength tobear. Pardon us, and forgive us our sins, and bestow Your mercy on us. You are our LordSupreme; grant us victory against the unbelievers.” (Verse 286)It is a prayer that clearly defines the relationship between the believers and theirLord. In its soft tone and poignant rhythm it implies an admission of weakness andhelplessness, and a recognition of the need for God’s aid, support, forgiveness andgrace.“Our Lord, do not take us to task if we forget or unwittingly do wrong.” (Verse 286)Error and forgetfulness are two defining characteristics of human behaviour. Inrecognition of this, a Muslim never boasts of his faults, nor deliberately exploitsthem, nor places himself above God’s will, but always seeks God’s help and turns toHim in repentance. The answer to this prayer is given by the Prophet who says:“God has pardoned my followers anything they do through a genuine mistake,forgetfulness or by compulsion.” [Related by al-Ţabarānī and others]“Our Lord, do not lay on us a burden such as that You laid on those before us.” (Verse412