Lesson # 647 - Among Christians, there are Priests and Monks

Lesson # 647 From Holy Qur’aan

Among Christians, there are Priests and Monks

‘Al-Maaa-‘idah (the Table Spread) – Chapter – 5)–Stage - 2

Verse – 82 of 120, Section – 11 of 16 (Part - 6)

BisMIllaahir-Rahmaanir-Rahiim

In the name of Allaah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

Thou will find the most vehement of mankind in hostility to those who believe (to be) the Jews and the idolaters. And Thou will find the nearest of them in affection to those who believe (to be) those who say: Lo! We are Christians. That is because there are among them priests and monks, and because they are not proud.

Lataji-danna  ‘ashaddannaasi  ‘adaawatal-lil-laziina  ‘aamanul- Yahuuda  wallaziina  ‘ashrakuu.  Wa  latajidanna  ‘aqrabahum-ma-wad-datal-lillaziina  ‘aamanul-laziina  qaaluuu  ‘innaa  Nasaaraa.  Zaalika  bi-‘anna  minhum  Qissii-siina  wa  Ruhbaananw-wa  ‘annahum  laa  yas-takbiruun.

                                                                                                                           

Lesson

Many enemies had been born as soon as the religion Islam came into existence. Its main cause was that these people were desirous of only worldly gains. They wished, “Only we would have to remain excelling above all. Others should serve us under our command and as we say, they would have to do”. There was no any better result of this desire other than that they used to quarrel with one another every time and obtain the commodities of necessity by snatching from other people.

Islam wanted to remove these badness and mischief, and to lead them towards the way of mutual brotherhood by assembling all of them on one thought. The selfish people observed their death in it. Everyone conceived, “Opportunity of our leadership can never come by living in such a cordial manner”.

The most selfish out of them were the Jews. So they were the most vehement of Islam in hostility. After them there were the Idolaters of the Arab. They were ignorant and illiterate. While educated people, like the Jews began to oppose, then how could they had to remain behind? They quarreled against the Muslims as much as they could. Reason of these circumstances has been revealed for information of the Messenger of Allaah Almighty (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon him). It is commanded that the most vehement of the Muslims in hostility are the Jews and the Idolaters because they are consummate selfish.

However the Christians are not too much mortal foe, as the Christian King Negus of Ethiopia gave shelter to the Muslims. Other Christian Kings like Rome etc. did not do insolence of the Messages sent by the Messenger (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon him). On the contrary, the Jews troubled the Muslims very much, poisoned the Messenger of Allaah Almighty (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon him) and tried to kill Him intentionally, when He was careless. They supported the Idolaters during war. So it is known that the Jews and the Idolaters are more hard-hearted, and on their opposite the Christians are more soft-hearted and sensible.

Qissii-siina – is plural of Qissiis, which means ‘a Scholar’ as you can say ‘a Clergyman, a Chaplain or a Missionary’. Ruhbaanu – is plural of Raahib, which means ‘a Priest, a Saint or a Dervish’.

As it has been mentioned above, “the most vehement of Muslims in hostility are the Jews and the Idolaters. On the contrary, there are those people, who say: “We are Christians”. Allaah Almighty commanded about them, “Thou will find the nearest of them in affection”. Someone might understand from it that the Jews and the Idolaters would be enemies of the Muslims forever, and the Christians can be friends forever. But it has been cleared at the end of the verse that it is not true to make it a rule. Moreover, dependence of the foe or the friend with Muslims is on some virtues.

When the Holy Qur’aan was revealed, these virtues did not exist in the Jews and the Idolaters, while in the Christians existed. If ever these virtues would not remain in the Christians, they can also be the enemies of the Muslims. In today’s lesson, two virtues have been described. Detail of remaining virtues will be disclosed in next verses.

It is commanded that reason of enmity of the Jews and the Idolaters with the Muslims and proportionately nearness of the Christians, is that the Christians do not have disease of considering themselves most superior to entire other people. Here it is necessary to be understood that the Jews of that time were entirely untutored from the correct knowledge of the religion.

At variance to them, the Christians disclosed on many situations that they have more knowledge about the religious matters. It has appeared from all this discussion that the Jews were hard-hearted and stubborn. It is the sign of ignorance and folly. They were very avaricious of wealth and property, and used to remain every time in the wish of their own interest. It is the token of worldly love. They considered themselves most superior directly. It is evident that they had fallen in haughtiness. That person will be enemy of good people, who would have these qualities, whether he is a Jew, a Christian or an Idolater. Moreover, if any Muslim has also involved in these evils, he will become foe too of the good Muslim brothers. 

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 Islaah wa Tableegh, Lahore (translated Urdu to English by Muhammad Sharif)