Surah 1-2 - YasSarNal QuR'aN

Al-Baqarah (The Cow) | MAN IN CHARGE OF THE EARTHappropriate. Various other episodes of the story of the Israelites are related in othersūrahs, revealed earlier in Makkah, but for a different purpose. The aim there was toinspire and reassure that small group of the early Muslims in Makkah, and showthem how to cope with their situation and learn from the strong faith and courage ofearlier believers.In the present context, however, the aim is to expose the real intentions and plansof the Jews, to describe their methods, and to warn the Muslim community abouttheir scheming, as well as against repeating their mistakes. The difference betweenthe Makkan and Madinan styles of the Qur’ān, which will become clear later whenwe study the Makkan sūrahs, is reflected in the emphasis and the presentation of thesame topics.On reviewing the passages where the story of the Israelites occurs in the Qur’ān,one finds that the details fit perfectly into the context to reinforce the argument or thepoint that is being made. It is also the case in this instance, as already explained.The story of the Israelites is the one most frequently mentioned in the Qur’ān. Thespecial care and attention with which it is told is indicative of God’s great wisdom inthe way He deals with the Muslim community and how He prepares it to assume theall important task of the leadership of mankind.God’s Covenant with the IsraelitesChildren of Israel! Remember My favour which I have bestowed on you. Fulfil yourcovenant with Me and I will fulfil Mine with you; and of Me alone stand in awe.Believe in what I have revealed, confirming that which you already have, and be notthe first to reject it. Do not barter away My revelations for a paltry price, and fear Mealone. Do not overlay the truth with falsehood, nor knowingly suppress the truth.Attend regularly to your prayers, pay your zakāt, and bow down in prayers with thosewho bow down. How can you bid others to be righteous and forget yourselves, evenwhen you read the Scriptures? Do you not understand? Seek strength in patientperseverance and in prayer, which is indeed a demanding task except for the devout,who know that they shall meet their Lord and to Him they shall ultimately return.(Verses 40-46)Any review of Jewish history would immediately fill one with amazement at thehost of favours and blessings God has bestowed on these people. Nor could one failto be amazed at how persistently they have shown total ingratitude in return. In thisopening announcement, God makes a general reference to those special favoursbefore going on to speak about some of them in greater detail. As He does so, Godagain calls on the Israelites to fulfil their pledges and the commitments they made toHim. If they do, He will bless them with more favour and grace.68