LESSON # 463 - Covenant Of The People Of The Scripture

LESSON # 463 FROM HOLY QUR’AN

Covenant Of The People Of The Scripture

Surah ‘Aali ‘Imran (The Family Of ‘Imran, Chapter - 3)

Verses –187 of 200, Section –19 (Part – 4)

And (remember) when Allah took a solemn covenant from those who had received the Scripture (He said): Ye are to expound it to mankind and not to hide it; but they flung it behind their backs and bought thereby a little gain. Verily evil is that which they have gained thereby.

Wa  ‘iz  ‘akhazallaahu  Miisaaqallaziina  ‘uutul-Kitaaba  latubayyi-nunnahuu  linnaasi  wa  laa  taktumuunah.  Fana-bazuuhu  waraaa-‘a  zuhuurihim  wash-taraw  bihii  samanan-  qaliilaa.  Fabi’-sa  maa  yash-taruun.

Lesson

Miisaaqa – (a solemn covenant), it also means engagement, stipulation, agreement, bond, treaty, vow, promise, contract, time, period, reign and obligation. It is being mentioned here that Allah Almighty took two covenants from the People of the Scripture:

• They would have to expound entire truths, facts and orders stated in the Scripture before the mankind.

• They would neither hide anything from the Scripture and nor tell the people something wrong.

It has been described in this verse that a solemn covenant was taken from the scholars of the Scripture that, “Those entire orders and glad tidings which exist in the Scripture of Allah Almighty, were required to be delivered in front of the people very clearly. In addition, they were forbidden to hide anything and neither they were to differentiate in the meanings of Its verses. But they did not care, broke their covenant with Allah Almighty for the sake of a little, contemptible and abject gain of the world, changed the words and meanings of the Scripture, and orders of Allah Almighty. They tried their best to hide the glad tiding regarding the last Messenger of Allah Almighty (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon him). As they used to hoard their wealth and revenue, like this they also were misers in spreading the Knowledge. They aimed only to collect the assets and property of the world. The scholars of the Muslims have been warned too through this verse that they should not do such deed for the worldly rank and wealth.

An admonitory lesson exists in this verse also for the Muslim commentators and interpreters that they should not become criminals of hiding the verses and tokens of Allah Almighty like those who had received the Scripture (the scholars of the Jews and the Christians). Islam is a universal truth and it is not possible to hide this truth. Anyhow, this truth shall become public and overcome upon entire false religions.

Allah Almighty has told the facts and events of previous nations for the purpose that we should get warning from them. That, which happened with others, can be with us too. Divine nature, that is to say; the Law of Truth remained always only one, while Allah Almighty has commanded Himself, “Laa  tab-diila  li-khal-qillaah”.   

  Transliterated Holy Qur’an in Roman Script & Translated from Arabic to English by Marmaduke Pickthall, Published by Paak Company, 17-Urdu Bazar, Lahore, Lesson collected from Dars e Qur’an published By Idara Islah wa Tableegh, Lahore and translated Urdu to English  by Muhammad Sharif.