Following the story of Adam, which established the principles of guidance, test, and accountability for all humanity, the discourse now turns to a specific, historical case study: the Children of Israel (Bani Isra’il). They were the bearers of a great divine covenant and recipients of countless favors, yet their history is marked by repeated breaches of faith. This address serves as both a lesson for them and a warning for the new Muslim nation forming under Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) about the pitfalls to avoid.

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سورة البقرة (Surah Al-Baqarah)

آية 40

القرآن: يَا بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ اذْكُرُوا نِعْمَتِيَ الَّتِي أَنْعَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَأَوْفُوا بِعَهْدِي أُوفِ بِعَهْدِكُمْ وَإِيَّايَ فَارْهَبُونِ
Translation: O Children of Israel! Remember My favour which I bestowed upon you, and fulfil your covenant (with Me) and I shall fulfil My covenant (with you), and of Me alone be afraid.

Explanation (Tafheemul Quran):
Maududi explains that this address marks a pivotal shift. The Children of Israel are being directly reminded of their unique historical status.

· “Remember My favour…”: This is a call to recall the countless blessings—deliverance from Pharaoh, parting of the sea, manna and quails, the Covenant at Mount Sinai—that formed their national identity. Forgetfulness of divine blessings, Maududi notes, is the first step towards ingratitude and transgression.
· The Mutual Covenant: The core of the relationship is presented as a bilateral covenant. “Fulfil your covenant… I shall fulfil Mine.” Their covenant was to obey God’s law and uphold their prophetic mission. God’s covenant was to grant them leadership, security, and prosperity. Their history of suffering is framed not as divine abandonment, but as a consequence of their own breach of contract.
· The Essence of Piety: The verse concludes with the fundamental principle: “and of Me alone be afraid.” True piety (Taqwa) is fear of God’s displeasure alone, not fear of other powers, peoples, or losses. Much of their later corruption stemmed from fearing other nations more than God.

آية 41

القرآن: وَآمِنُوا بِمَا أَنزَلْتُ مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا مَعَكُمْ وَلَا تَكُونُوا أَوَّلَ كَافِرٍ بِهِ ۖ وَلَا تَشْتَرُوا بِآيَاتِي ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًا وَإِيَّايَ فَاتَّقُونِ
Translation: And believe in what I have sent down (the Qur’an), confirming that which is with you (the Torah), and be not the first to disbelieve in it. And do not exchange My signs for a small price, and fear Me alone.

Explanation:
This verse applies the general covenant to the immediate context: their duty regarding the new revelation, the Quran, brought by Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).

· Belief in the Quran: Since the Quran confirms the essential truths in their own scripture (the Torah), logic and fidelity demand they believe in it. Maududi states that their scholars (Ahbar) recognized the prophecies about Muhammad (ﷺ) but concealed them.
· “Be not the first to disbelieve in it”: This is a severe warning. As the people of the Book, they should have been the first to accept a prophet confirming their own. To be the first to reject him would be a supreme betrayal of their own legacy.
· The Great Corruption: “Do not exchange My signs for a small price” is, in Maududi’s view, the central accusation. This refers to sacrificing truth for worldly gain—using their religious knowledge for social status, wealth, or political power, and thus rejecting the truth of the Quran to protect their vested interests. True Taqwa is presented as the antidote to this corruption.

آية 42

القر Quran: وَلَا تَلْبِسُوا الْحَقَّ بِالْبَاطِلِ وَتَكْتُمُوا الْحَقَّ وَأَنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
Translation: And do not mix the truth with falsehood, nor conceal the truth while you know.

Explanation:
Maududi identifies this as the specific method of their corruption.

· Mixing Truth with Falsehood: This refers to distorting religion by blending divine revelation with human interpretations, superstitions, and fabricated traditions, making it difficult for common people to distinguish pure guidance.
· Concealing the Truth: This points directly to their scholars’ sin of hiding the clear prophecies about Muhammad (ﷺ) found in their own scriptures. They “know” the truth but suppress it for ulterior motives. This combination—distortion and concealment—corrupts religion from within.

آية 43

القرآن: وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ وَارْكَعُوا مَعَ الرَّاكِعِينَ
Translation: And establish prayer and give zakah and bow with those who bow [in worship and obedience].

Explanation:
After detailing their failures, the call returns to core, universal acts of worship that were also central to their own law.

· Establish Prayer & Give Zakah: These are the pillars of individual piety and social responsibility, common to all Abrahamic faiths.
· “Bow with those who bow”: Maududi emphasizes this is a direct call to join the Muslim community (Ummah) in collective worship and submission. It is an invitation to move from theoretical recognition to practical alignment with the new bearers of divine truth.

آية 44

القرآن: أَتَأْمُرُونَ النَّاسَ بِالْبِرِّ وَتَنسَوْنَ أَنفُسَكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ تَتْلُونَ الْكِتَابَ ۚ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ
Translation: Do you order righteousness of the people and forget yourselves, while you recite the Scripture? Then will you not reason?

Explanation:
Maududi highlights this verse as a devastating critique of their religious leadership (rabbis and priests).

· The Hypocrisy of the Leaders: They would exhort others to good deeds and to follow the truth (including, implicitly, the truth about Muhammad), yet they themselves would not act upon it due to worldly concerns. They had “knowledge” (they recited the Book) but it did not translate into personal commitment.
· A Call to Reason: The verse ends with “Then will you not reason?” exposing the irrationality of knowing the truth but refusing to follow it—a spiritual and intellectual bankruptcy.

آية 45

القرآن: وَاسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلَاةِ ۚ وَإِنَّهَا لَكَبِيرَةٌ إِلَّا عَلَى الْخَاشِعِينَ
Translation: And seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, it is a burden except for the humble—

Explanation:
This verse offers the spiritual solution to the weaknesses just exposed.

· The Two Aids: For the difficult task of surrendering pride, abandoning vested interests, and following the truth, God prescribes two aids: “patience” (Sabr) – steadfastness in the face of hardship, ridicule, or loss; and “prayer” (Salat) – the constant connection to God that provides strength and humility.
· The Condition for Ease: Submitting to this truth feels “burdensome” only to those whose hearts are not humble. For “the humble (Khashi’un)”—those whose hearts are softened before God’s greatness—this submission becomes a source of peace and relief, not a burden. This directly contrasts with the arrogance (Kibr) of Iblis and the Jewish leaders.

آية 46

القرآن: الَّذِينَ يَظُنُّونَ أَنَّهُم مُّلَاقُو رَبِّهِمْ وَأَنَّهُمْ إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ
Translation: Who are certain that they will meet their Lord and that they will return to Him.

Explanation:
Maududi concludes that this verse defines the essence of “the humble” mentioned in the previous verse. Their humility and consequent ability to bear the “burden” stem from one foundational conviction:

· Certainty of the Hereafter: They live with the unwavering certainty (“Yazunnun” here meaning certainty, not doubt) that they will meet their Lord and be returned to Him for accountability. This profound awareness of the afterlife makes worldly pride, status, and petty gains insignificant, enabling true submission to God’s commands.

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Summary from Tafheemul Quran Perspective (Verses 40-46):

This section, according to Maududi, serves as a powerful diagnosis and prescription:

· Diagnosis: It exposes the spiritual diseases that afflicted the previous People of the Book: forgetfulness of blessings, breaching covenants, valuing worldly gain over truth, hypocrisy of religious leaders, and mixing truth with falsehood.
· Prescription: It calls them (and by extension, the new Muslim nation) back to the core: remembrance of God’s favors, fulfilling covenants, fearing God alone, and embodying sincerity between knowledge and action. The ultimate cure lies in the certainty of the Hereafter, which fosters the humility needed to accept truth and the patience to uphold it.

Would you like me to continue with the next thematic section of this address (verses 47-61)?

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سورة البقرة (Surah Al-Baqarah)

آية 35

القرآن: وَقُلْنَا يَا آدَمُ اسْكُنْ أَنتَ وَزَوْجُكَ الْجَنَّةَ وَكُلَا مِنْهَا رَغَدًا حَيْثُ شِئْتُمَا وَلَا تَقْرَبَا هَٰذِهِ الشَّجَرَةَ فَتَكُونَا مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ
Translation: And We said, “O Adam, dwell, you and your wife, in Paradise and eat therefrom in [ease and] abundance from wherever you will. But do not approach this tree, lest you be among the wrongdoers.”

Explanation (Tafheemul Quran):
Maududi explains that this verse introduces the first test for humanity in its primordial state. Adam and his wife were placed in Paradise (Al-Jannah), an abode of bliss and ease.

· “Eat therefrom in abundance from wherever you will”: This signifies the complete provision and freedom granted to them, highlighting God’s initial grace and the absence of hardship.
· The Sole Prohibition: Amidst this boundless provision, they were given one clear prohibition: not to approach a certain tree. Maududi notes that the nature of the tree is not specified in the Quran, indicating the lesson is not about the tree itself but about the test of obedience.
· The Consequence: The warning, “lest you be among the wrongdoers (al-Zalimin)” is key. Zulm (wrongdoing) here means to wrong oneself by transgressing a clear boundary set by God, thereby forfeiting a state of grace. This sets the stage for the moral choice that defines the human condition.

آية 36

القرآن: فَأَزَلَّهُمَا الشَّيْطَانُ عَنْهَا فَأَخْرَجَهُمَا مِمَّا كَانَا فِيهِ ۖ وَقُلْنَا اهْبِطُوا بَعْضُكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ عَدُوٌّ ۖ وَلَكُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ مُسْتَقَرٌّ وَمَتَاعٌ إِلَىٰ حِينٍ
Translation: But Satan caused them to slip therefrom and removed them from that [state] in which they had been. And We said, “Go down, [all of you], as enemies to one another, and you will have upon the earth a place of settlement and provision for a time.”

Explanation:

· The Slip and its Agent: “Satan caused them to slip…” Maududi clarifies that Iblis, now an avowed enemy after his refusal to prostrate, succeeded in his deception. The verb azalla implies causing to slip or stumble, indicating that they were tempted and succumbed, committing an error of judgment that led to disobedience.
· The Immediate Result: They were removed from the state of blissful ease in Paradise. This marks the transition from a state of perfect harmony to one of struggle.
· The Decree for Earthly Life: God’s command “Go down…” applies to Adam, his wife, and Iblis. The phrase “as enemies to one another” establishes the enduring conflict: the enmity between humanity and Satan, and the potential for enmity among humans themselves due to Satan’s whispers.
· Earth as a Temporary Abode: The verse concludes by defining the earth as a “place of settlement and provision for a time.” Maududi emphasizes that this makes earthly life a testing ground, a temporary phase with a clear terminus, not the final destination.

آية 37

القرآن: فَتَلَقَّىٰ آدَمُ مِن رَّبِّهِ كَلِمَاتٍ فَتَابَ عَلَيْهِ ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ
Translation: Then Adam received from his Lord [some] words, and He accepted his repentance. Indeed, it is He who is the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful.

Explanation:
This verse contains a crucial spiritual lesson.

· “Adam received from his Lord [some] words”: Maududi explains that after realizing his error, Adam did not despair. He turned to God in sincere remorse, and God, in His mercy, taught him the words of repentance and supplication. This shows the correct response to sin is not hiding or despairing, but turning back to God.
· “He accepted his repentance”: God, whose attributes are “the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful,” forgave Adam. This establishes the principle of Tawbah (repentance) as the means of returning to God’s grace after a fall. Adam’s story is thus one of error, followed by repentance and forgiveness, not one of eternal damnation.

آية 38

القرآن: قُلْنَا اهْبِطُوا مِنْهَا جَمِيعًا ۖ فَإِمَّا يَأْتِيَنَّكُم مِّنِّي هُدًى فَمَن تَبِعَ هُدَايَ فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ
Translation: We said, “Go down from it, all of you. And when guidance comes to you from Me, whoever follows My guidance – there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.”

Explanation:

· This repeats and elaborates on the command to descend, now addressing the collective human condition.
· The central promise of earthly life is revealed: “when guidance comes to you from Me.” Maududi states that this refers to the Prophets and the revealed Books God would send throughout history. Life on earth is not a state of abandonment; it is accompanied by continuous divine guidance.
· The Promise: For “whoever follows My guidance” the ultimate outcome is absolute security: “no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.” This directly connects back to the promise for the believers in verse 2:25, framing all of human history as a test of heeding divine guidance.

آية 39

القرآن: وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَكَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا أُولَٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ
Translation: But those who disbelieve and deny Our signs – those will be the companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally.”

Explanation:

· This verse presents the other, dire consequence of the test. In contrast to the followers of guidance, those who choose disbelief (Kufr) and deny Our signs—the clear proofs and revelations—have a fixed destination.
· Maududi links this back to the arrogance of Iblis and the nature of Kufr as a willful rejection. Their fate is to be “companions of the Fire” in a state of eternal abode. This concludes the foundational narrative by presenting the two ultimate, divergent paths for humanity that emerge from the test on earth.

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Summary from Tafheemul Quran Perspective:

Maududi’s commentary on these verses draws out these core lessons:

1. The Human Test Begins: Life is a test of obedience to clear divine commands amidst freedom and provision.
2. The Reality of Error & Repentance: Falling into error is part of the human experience; the critical response is sincere repentance (Tawbah), which God accepts.
3. Earth as the Arena of Choice: Humanity’s descent to earth was not merely a punishment but the beginning of its appointed role (Khilafah) in the arena of trial.
4. The Constant of Divine Guidance: God did not leave humanity aimless. The sending of guidance through prophets is a mercy and the criterion for success.
5. The Two Eternal Outcomes: The narrative culminates by defining the only two permanent destinations: security and bliss for followers of guidance, and the Fire for those who reject it, mirroring the descriptions given in verses 24-25. This completes the framework for understanding human history and individual accountability.

We offered the trust to the heavens, the earth & the mountains,

Quran 33:72 (Surah Al-Ahzab)

English Translation:
We offered the trust to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, but they refused to carry it and were afraid of doing so; but man carried it. Surely he is wrong-doing, ignorant.

Tafseer (Commentary by Syed Abul Ala Maududi):
In the end, Allah wants man to realize his real position in the world; if in that position he regarded the life of the world as mere fun and sport and adopted a wrong attitude carelessly, he would only be working for his own doom.

Here, the word “amanat” (trust) implies khilafat (caliphate) which, according to the Quran, man has been granted in the earth. The inevitable result of the freedom given to man to choose between obedience and disobedience, and the powers and authority granted him over countless creations for using that freedom, is that he himself be held responsible for his voluntary acts and should deserve rewards for his righteous conduct and suffer punishment for his evil conduct. Since man has not attained these powers by his own efforts but has been granted these by Allah, and he is answerable before Allah for their right or wrong use, these have been described by the word khilafat at other places in the Quran, and by amanat here.

In order to give an idea of how important and heavy this “trust” (amanat) is, Allah says that the heavens and the earth, in spite of their glory and greatness, and the mountains, in spite of their size and firmness, could not have the power and courage to bear it. But man, the weak and frail man, has borne this heavy burden on his tiny self.

The presentation of the trust before the earth and the heavens and their refusal to bear it and their being afraid of it may be true literally, or it may have been said so metaphorically. We can neither know nor can comprehend Allah’s relationship with His creations. The earth and the sun and the moon and the mountains are dumb, deaf and lifeless for us but they may not be so for Allah. Allah can speak to each of His creations and it can respond to Him, though its nature is incomprehensible for us. Therefore, it is just possible that Allah, in fact, might have presented this heavy trust before them, and they might have shuddered to see it, and they might have made this submission before their Master and Creator.

“Lord, we find our good and our convenience only in remaining as Your powerless servants: we do not find courage to ask for the freedom to disobey and do justice to it, and then suffer Your punishment in case we cannot do justice to it.” Likewise, it is also quite possible that before this present life Allah might have given another kind of existence to mankind and summoned it before Himself, and it might have willingly undertaken to accept the delegated powers and authority. We have no rational argument to regard this as impossible. Only such a person, who might have made a wrong estimate of his mental and intellectual powers and capabilities, can think of regarding it as impossible.

However, this is also equally possible that Allah may have said so allegorically. In order to give an idea of the extraordinary importance of the matter, He may have depicted the scene as if the earth and the heavens and the mountains like the Himalayas were present before Him on one side and a 5 to 6 foot man, on the other. Then Allah might have asked:

“I want to invest someone of My creation with the power that being a subject of My Kingdom, it may acknowledge My Supremacy and obey My commands of its own free will; otherwise it will also have the power to deny Me, even rebel against Me. After giving him this freedom I shall so conceal Myself from him as if I did not exist at all. And to exercise this freedom I shall invest him with vast powers, great capabilities, and shall give him dominion over countless of My creations so that he may raise any storm that he may in the universe. Then I shall call him to account at an appointed time. The one who will have misused the freedom granted by Me, will be made to suffer a most terrible punishment; and the one who will have adopted My obedience in spite of all chances and opportunities for disobedience, will be raised to such high ranks as no creation of Mine has ever been able to attain. Now tell, which of you is ready to undergo this test?”

Hearing this discourse a hush might have prevailed for a while all through the universe. Then one huge creation after the other might have bowed down and submitted that it should be excused from the severe test. Then, at last, this frail creation might have risen and submitted: “O my Lord, I am ready to undergo this test. I shall brave all the dangers inherent in the freedom and independence only in the hope that I shall be blessed with the highest office in Your Kingdom if I pass the test.”

By imagining this scene through his heart’s eye only can man judge exactly what delicate position he holds in the universe. Allah in this verse has called the person unjust and ignorant, who lives a carefree life in the place of test, and has no feeling at all of how great a responsibility he is shouldering, and what consequences he will encounter of the right or wrong decisions that he makes in choosing and adopting an attitude for himself in the life of the world. He is ignorant because the fool holds himself as responsible to no one; he is unjust because he is himself preparing for his doom and is also preparing the doom of many others along with him. 10

Footnotes:
In the end, Allah wants man to realize his real position in the world; if in that position he regarded the life of the world as mere fun and sport and adopted a wrong attitude carelessly, he would only be working for his own doom. (This echoes the main tafseer above.) 10

Quran 33:73 (Surah Al-Ahzab)

English Translation:
(The consequence of man’s carrying the trust is) that Allah may chastise hypocritical men and hypocritical women and accept the repentance of believing men and believing women. He is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Tafseer (Commentary by Syed Abul Ala Maududi):
The verse 33:73 is directly tied to the consequence of man’s carrying the trust in 33:72, as stated in the translation. No separate commentary is provided for this verse beyond this linkage in the translation and the overall context of the surah, which emphasizes divine justice and mercy in response to human responsibility. 10

Footnotes:
None specific to this verse; it is explained in the context of the trust (amanat) from verse 72, leading to punishment for hypocrites and polytheists and forgiveness for believers. 10

Tafseer ibn katheer

Quran 33:72 (Surah Al-Ahzab)

Arabic Text:
إِنَّا عَرَضْنَا الاٌّمَانَةَ عَلَى السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرْضِ وَالْجِبَالِ فَأبَيْنَ أَن يَحْمِلْنَهَا وَأَشْفَقْنَ مِنْهَا وَحَمَلَهَا الإِنْسَـنُ إِنَّهُ كَانَ ظَلُوماً جَهُولاً

English Translation:
Truly, We did offer the Amanah to the heavens and the earth, and the mountains, but they declined to bear it and were afraid of it. But man bore it. Verily, he was unjust and ignorant.

Tafseer (Commentary by Ibn Kathir):
These verses explain the concept of Al-Amanah (the trust or responsibility) that Allah offered to the heavens, earth, and mountains, but they refused to carry it due to fear of its consequences. Instead, it was borne by humankind (Al-Insan), described as unjust (Zaloom) and ignorant (Jahool), meaning he underestimated the weight of this responsibility, which involves obedience to Allah, fulfilling obligatory duties (Al-Fara’id), and accepting commands and prohibitions with their rewards and punishments.

Interpretations of Al-Amanah include:

• Obedience to Allah (reported from Ibn Abbas).
• Obligatory duties such as prayer, fasting, and ritual purification (Zayd bin Aslam).
• Religion, duties, and prescribed punishments (Qatadah).
• Responsibility for chastity in women (Ubayy bin Ka’b).
• A combination of these, encompassing trust, truthfulness, good character, and moderation (Hadith from Abdullah bin ‘Amr). 10

Quran 33:73 (Surah Al-Ahzab)

Arabic Text:
لِّيُعَذِّبَ اللَّهُ الْمُنَـفِقِينَ وَالْمُنَـفِقَـتِ وَالْمُشْرِكِينَ وَالْمُشْرِكَـتِ وَيَتُوبَ اللَّهُ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَـتِ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُوراً رَّحِيماً

English Translation:
So that Allah will punish the hypocrites, men and women, and the men and women who are idolators. And Allah will pardon the believers, men and women. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Tafseer (Commentary by Ibn Kathir):
Humankind accepted this Amanah despite its demands, leading to consequences: Allah will punish the hypocrites (Munafiqeen/Munafiqat), who feign faith outwardly while hiding disbelief, and the idolators (Mushrikeen/Mushrikat), who associate others with Allah in worship. Conversely, Allah will pardon and show mercy to the believers (Mumineen/Muminat), who truly believe in Allah and His Messengers and obey Him. Allah is described as Ghafur (Oft-Forgiving) and Rahim (Most Merciful). 10

This passage presents the Parable of the Two Gardens, a powerful story about the dangers of arrogance, ingratitude, and forgetting Allah in the face of worldly wealth and success.

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Arabic Text (Verses 18:32-44)

وَاضْرِبْ لَهُم مَّثَلًا رَّجُلَيْنِ جَعَلْنَا لِأَحَدِهِمَا جَنَّتَيْنِ مِنْ أَعْنَابٍ وَحَفَفْنَاهُمَا بِنَخْلٍ وَجَعَلْنَا بَيْنَهُمَا زَرْعًا
كِلْتَا الْجَنَّتَيْنِ آتَتْ أُكُلَهَا وَلَمْ تَظْلِم مِّنْهُ شَيْئًا ۚ وَفَجَّرْنَا خِلَالَهُمَا نَهَرًا
وَكَانَ لَهُ ثَمَرٌ فَقَالَ لِصَاحِبِهِ وَهُوَ يُحَاوِرُهُ أَنَا أَكْثَرُ مِنكَ مَالًا وَأَعَزُّ نَفَرًا
وَدَخَلَ جَنَّتَهُ وَهُوَ ظَالِمٌ لِّنَفْسِهِ قَالَ مَا أَظُنُّ أَن تَبِيدَ هَٰذِهِ أَبَدًا
وَمَا أَظُنُّ السَّاعَةَ قَائِمَةً وَلَئِن رُّدِدتُّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّي لَأَجِدَنَّ خَيْرًا مِّنْهَا مُنقَلَبًا
قَالَ لَهُ صَاحِبُهُ وَهُوَ يُحَاوِرُهُ أَكَفَرْتَ بِالَّذِي خَلَقَكَ مِن تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ مِن نُّطْفَةٍ ثُمَّ سَوَّاكَ رَجُلًا
لَّٰكِنَّا هُوَ اللَّهُ رَبِّي وَلَا أُشْرِكُ بِرَبِّي أَحَدًا
وَلَوْلَا إِذْ دَخَلْتَ جَنَّتَكَ قُلْتَ مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ لَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ ۚ إِن تَرَنِ أَنَا أَقَلَّ مِنكَ مَالًا وَوَلَدًا
فَعَسَىٰ رَبِّي أَن يُؤْتِيَنِ خَيْرًا مِّن جَنَّتِكَ وَيُرْسِلَ عَلَيْهَا حَسَبَانًا مِّنَ السَّمَاءِ فَتُصْبِحَ صَعِيدًا زَلَقًا
أَوْ يُصْبِحَ مَاؤُهَا غَوْرًا فَلَن تَسْتَطِيعَ لَهُ طَلَبًا
وَأُحِيطَ بِثَمَرِهِ فَأَصْبَحَ يُقَلِّبُ كَفَّيْهِ عَلَىٰ مَا أَنفَقَ فِيهَا وَهِيَ خَاوِيَةٌ عَلَىٰ عُرُوشِهَا وَيَقُولُ يَا لَيْتَنِي لَمْ أُشْرِكْ بِرَبِّي أَحَدًا
وَلَمْ تَكُن لَّهُ فِئَةٌ يَنصُرُونَهُ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ وَمَا كَانَ مُنتَصِرًا
هُنَالِكَ الْوَلَايَةُ لِلَّهِ الْحَقِّ ۚ هُوَ خَيْرٌ ثَوَابًا وَخَيْرٌ عُقْبًا

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Translation (English – Approximate Meaning)

32. And present to them the parable of two men: We granted one of them two gardens of grapevines, and We bordered them with palm trees and placed crops between them.
33. Both gardens yielded their produce in full and did not fall short thereof in any way. And We caused a river to gush forth between them.
34. And he had abundant fruits, so he said to his companion while conversing with him, “I am greater than you in wealth and stronger in manpower.”
35. And he entered his garden while wronging himself [with pride]. He said, “I do not think this will ever perish.”
36. “And I do not think the Hour will ever occur. And even if I am returned to my Lord, I will surely find better than this as a return.”
37. His companion said to him while conversing with him, “Have you disbelieved in He who created you from dust, then from a sperm-drop, then fashioned you into a man?”
38. “But as for me, He is Allah, my Lord, and I do not associate with my Lord anyone.”
39. “And why, when you entered your garden, did you not say, ‘What Allah wills [will occur]; there is no power except in Allah’? Although you see me less than you in wealth and children,”
40. “It may be that my Lord will give me something better than your garden and will send upon it a calamity from the sky, and it will become a smooth, dusty ground,”
41. “Or its water will become sunken [into the earth], so you would never be able to seek it.”
42. And his fruits were encompassed [by ruin], so he began to turn his hands [in dismay] over what he had spent on it, while it had collapsed upon its trellises, and he was saying, “Oh, I wish I had not associated with my Lord anyone.”
43. And there was for him no company to aid him other than Allah, nor could he defend himself.
44. At that time, [all] protection is from Allah, the True. He is best in reward and best in outcome.

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Explanation & Commentary (Based on Tafheem-ul-Qan)

Verses 32-33: The Setup of the Parable

· Allah instructs the Prophet (pbuh) to give this parable to the arrogant disbelievers of Mecca (like Walid ibn al-Mughirah, ‘Aas ibn Wa’il) who took pride in their wealth and mocked the poor believers.
· The two gardens are described as perfectly fruitful, well-irrigated, and lush. This represents maximum worldly success and prosperity.

Verse 34: The Arrogance of Wealth

· The wealthy man, impressed by his own possessions, boasts to his believing companion. His pride is twofold: in wealth and in worldly strength (family, tribe, supporters). This mirrors the attitude of the Quraysh chiefs.

Verses 35-36: The Core Denial

· “He entered his garden while wronging himself.” His very entry, filled with arrogance, was an act of spiritual self-harm.
· His statement reveals his twofold disbelief:

1. Denial of the World’s Impermanence: “I do not think this will ever perish.” He believes his wealth is eternal and immune to loss.
2. Denial of the Hereafter: “I do not think the Hour will occur.” This is the root of his arrogance. Even if he pays lip service to a return to God, he arrogantly assumes he’ll get something even better there, showing he has no real understanding of accountability.

Verses 37-38: The Believer’s Firm Reply

· The companion, poor but wise, immediately points to the fundamental truth: their origin (from dust, then a lowly drop). How can a creature of such humble origins be arrogant before its Creator?
· He makes a clear declaration of pure monotheism (Tawheed): “He is Allah, my Lord, and I do not associate anyone with Him.” His identity and security are tied to Allah, not possessions.

Verses 39-41: The Lesson of Gratitude and Reliance

· The believer gives the crucial lesson: The correct attitude upon seeing one’s blessings is to say: “Mā shā’a Allāh, lā quwwata illā billāh” (What Allah wills; there is no power except with Allah).
· “Mā shā’a Allāh” acknowledges that all blessings are by Allah’s will, not one’s own merit.
· “Lā quwwata illā billāh” acknowledges that the power to retain those blessings also lies only with Allah.
· He warns that Allah can take it all away in an instant—through a storm, a drought, or by making the water vanish—turning the lush garden into barren waste.

Verses 42-43: The Inevitable Outcome

· The parable shifts to show the warning coming true. The garden is destroyed completely.
· The wealthy man is now helpless. He wrings his hands in regret, realizing his folly. His meaningless wish—”I wish I had not associated anyone with my Lord”—comes too late. His “partners” (his wealth, his tribe) are of no help.
· This scene embodies the ultimate helplessness that follows worldly arrogance when divine decree strikes.

Verse 44: The Eternal Verdict

· “At that time, [all] protection is from Allah, the True.” In the final moment, only Allah’s protection matters. All other supports (wealth, power, tribe) vanish.
· “He is best in reward and best in outcome.” True success, the best return, belongs only to those who ally themselves with Allah, the Ultimate Reality (al-Haqq).

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Key Themes from Tafheem-ul-Qan in these Verses:

1. A Test, Not a Reward: Worldly wealth is a test of character, not a sign of Allah’s special favor. The real reward is in the Hereafter.
2. The Psychology of Arrogance: Denial of the Hereafter (Akhirah) is the root of arrogance (Kibr). One who thinks this life is all there is will inevitably look down on others.
3. The Formula for Blessings: The true “insurance” for any blessing is gratitude (Shukr) and acknowledging its source, expressed in the phrase “Mā shā’a Allāh, lā quwwata illā billāh.”
4. The Illusion of Power: All worldly power and support are illusory and will abandon a person when most needed. True protection (Walaayah) belongs only to Allah.
5. A Warning to the Opponents: This parable was a direct warning to the Meccan elite that their wealth and power were transient and that their arrogance would lead to their ruin, both in this world and the next.

This parable perfectly follows the previous verses (27-31), which ended with the contrast between Paradise and Hell. Here, it illustrates how the choice of disbelief and arrogance—rooted in love for this temporary world—leads to that terrible end, while conscious dependence on Allah leads to salvation.

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سورة البقرة (Surah Al-Baqarah)

آية 30

القرآن: وَإِذْ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ إِنِّي جَاعِلٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ خَلِيفَةً ۖ قَالُوا أَتَجْعَلُ فِيهَا مَن يُفْسِدُ فِيهَا وَيَسْفِكُ الدِّمَاءَ وَنَحْنُ نُسَبِّحُ بِحَمْدِكَ وَنُقَدِّسُ لَكَ ۖ قَالَ إِنِّي أَعْلَمُ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
Translation: And [mention, O Muhammad], when your Lord said to the angels, “Indeed, I will make upon the earth a vicegerent.” They said, “Will You place therein one who will cause corruption therein and shed blood, while we exalt You with praise and declare Your perfection?” He said, “Indeed, I know that which you do not know.”

Explanation (Tafheemul Quran):
Maududi explains that this verse begins the narrative of Adam, which serves a crucial purpose: to establish humanity’s true status, potential, and the reason for its creation.

· “I will make upon the earth a vicegerent (Khalifah).”: This is the key declaration. Maududi emphasizes that a Khalifah is not an independent ruler but a representative entrusted with authority by a higher sovereign (God). Humanity’s role is to govern the earth according to God’s laws and moral order. This elevates human purpose beyond mere survival to a position of trust and responsibility.
· The Angels’ Question: The angels, aware of the potential for mischief and bloodshed in human nature (perhaps based on prior creations like the Jinn), express a respectful inquiry. Maududi notes their question is not one of objection but of seeking understanding, contrasting their own constant worship with humanity’s predicted flaws.
· God’s Reply: “I know that which you do not know.”: This affirms divine wisdom transcending angelic understanding. God endowed the prospective Khalifah with faculties (knowledge, will, choice) that angels did not possess—faculties that carried the risk of corruption but also the potential for a unique form of moral and spiritual achievement that pure, obedient beings could not attain.

آية 31

القرآن: وَعَلَّمَ آدَمَ الْأَسْمَاءَ كُلَّهَا ثُمَّ عَرَضَهُمْ عَلَى الْمَلَائِكَةِ فَقَالَ أَنبِئُونِي بِأَسْمَاءِ هَٰؤُلَاءِ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ
Translation: And He taught Adam the names – all of them. Then He presented them to the angels and said, “Inform Me of the names of these, if you are truthful.”

Explanation:
This verse demonstrates the unique qualification God granted to humanity.

· “He taught Adam the names – all of them.”: Maududi interprets “the names” (al-Asma’) in a comprehensive sense. It signifies the capacity for conceptual knowledge—the ability to identify, label, understand the nature, properties, and potential uses of things. This represents intellect, language, and the power to learn, master the environment, and develop civilization. This knowledge is the primary tool for fulfilling the role of Khalifah.
· The test before the angels proves this knowledge is a specific divine gift to humanity, not inherent in the angels.

آية 32

القرآن: قَالُوا سُبْحَانَكَ لَا عِلْمَ لَنَا إِلَّا مَا عَلَّمْتَنَا ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْعَلِيمُ الْحَكِيمُ
Translation: They said, “Exalted are You; we have no knowledge except what You have taught us. Indeed, it is You who is the Knowing, the Wise.”

Explanation:
The angels, in their humility, immediately acknowledge their limitation. Maududi highlights their response as a model of submission. They declare God’s perfection (Subhanaka), admit their knowledge is only what God has granted them, and affirm His all-encompassing knowledge and wisdom. This contrasts with the later arrogance of Iblis (Satan) and prefigures the correct attitude a creature must have before the Creator.

آية 33

القرآن: قَالَ يَا آدَمُ أَنبِئْهُم بِأَسْمَائِهِمْ ۖ فَلَمَّا أَنبَأَهُم بِأَسْمَائِهِمْ قَالَ أَلَمْ أَقُل لَّكُمْ إِنِّي أَعْلَمُ غَيْبَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَأَعْلَمُ مَا تُبْدُونَ وَمَا كُنتُمْ تَكْتُمُونَ
Translation: He said, “O Adam, inform them of their names.” And when he had informed them of their names, He said, “Did I not tell you that I know the unseen of the heavens and the earth? And I know what you reveal and what you have concealed.”

Explanation:

· Adam successfully demonstrates the knowledge bestowed upon him. This practical test establishes humanity’s unique intellectual capacity.
· God’s concluding statement, “Did I not tell you that I know the unseen…”, serves multiple purposes in Maududi’s explanation:

1. It reaffirms to the angels the depth of divine wisdom behind creating the Khalifah.
2. It is a subtle but profound warning. The phrase “I know what you reveal and what you have concealed” addresses not just the angels’ spoken question, but also any unspoken thoughts or reservations they may have harbored. It establishes, at the very beginning of the human story, that God’s knowledge is absolute—a theme central to the relationship between the Creator and His vicegerent.

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Summary from Tafheemul Quran Perspective:

Maududi’s commentary on these verses establishes foundational Islamic doctrines:

1. Humanity’s Noble Purpose: Humans are not accidental but created with a sacred trust (Khilafah) to establish God’s order on earth.
2. The Source of Human Dignity: Human superiority over other creations lies in the bestowed faculty of ‘Ilm (knowledge and intellect), which carries both great potential and great responsibility.
3. The Test of Creation: The narrative sets the stage for the upcoming test in Paradise and the earthly life, explaining why humans, despite their high station, are capable of both great good and corruption.
4. Divine Wisdom Transcends All: The core lesson is that God’s plan, rooted in His all-encompassing knowledge, may contain wisdom beyond the immediate understanding of any creation, including angels.

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These final two verses are a profound culmination of the entire surah. They are not just a conclusion but a summary of the believer’s creed, attitude, and relationship with Allah. They move from a collective declaration of faith to a deeply personal prayer, embodying the essence of what it means to submit to Allah.

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Verse 2:285 – The Believers’ Creed

Arabic Text (2:285):

آمَنَ الرَّسُولُ بِمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِ مِن رَّبِّهِ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ ۚ كُلٌّ آمَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَمَلَائِكَتِهِ وَكُتُبِهِ وَرُسُلِهِ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّن رُّسُلِهِ ۚ وَقَالُوا سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا ۖ غُفْرَانَكَ رَبَّنَا وَإِلَيْكَ الْمَصِيرُ

Translation (2:285):

“The Messenger believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord, and so do the believers. All believe in Allah, His angels, His Books, and His Messengers. They say: ‘We make no distinction between any of His Messengers.’ And they say: ‘We have heard and we obey. Grant us Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the return.’”

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Tafseer (2:285) from Tafheem-ul-Quran:

The Perfect Model of Belief:

· The Messenger’s Lead: Belief begins with the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) himself as the perfect exemplar. His absolute faith in the revelation establishes the standard for all believers.
· The Pillars of Faith (Iman): The verse concisely lists the core articles of Islamic faith:

1. Allah
2. His Angels
3. His Books (including the Torah, Psalms, Gospel, and Quran)
4. His Messengers (from Adam to Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad, peace be upon them all).
   · No Distinction Between Messengers: This is a defining characteristic of Islamic belief, rejecting the exclusive claims of earlier communities (e.g., Jews rejecting Jesus, Christians rejecting Muhammad). True faith requires accepting all prophets as links in the same divine chain of guidance.
   · The Believer’s Attitude – “We hear and we obey”: This is the operational principle of Islam. It signifies immediate, willing submission to divine command without hesitation, debate, or picking and choosing. It is the antithesis of the Israelites’ infamous “We hear and we disobey” (2:93).
   · The Immediate Plea – “Grant us Your forgiveness”: Even while declaring their obedience, believers immediately seek forgiveness. This reflects profound self-awareness and humility, recognizing human fallibility and the constant need for Allah’s mercy despite their best efforts.
   · The Ultimate Reality – “To You is the return”: Every declaration of faith and act of obedience is rooted in the certainty of the Hereafter and final accountability.

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Verse 2:286 – The Great Prayer (Du’a)

Arabic Text (2:286):

لَا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا ۚ لَهَا مَا كَسَبَتْ وَعَلَيْهَا مَا اكْتَسَبَتْ ۗ رَبَّنَا لَا تُؤَاخِذْنَا إِن نَّسِينَا أَوْ أَخْطَأْنَا ۚ رَبَّنَا وَلَا تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْنَا إِصْرًا كَمَا حَمَلْتَهُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِنَا ۚ رَبَّنَا وَلَا تُحَمِّلْنَا مَا لَا طَاقَةَ لَنَا بِهِ ۚ وَاعْفُ عَنَّا وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَارْحَمْنَا ۚ أَنتَ مَوْلَانَا فَانصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ

Translation (2:286):

“Allah does not burden any soul beyond its capacity. It shall be rewarded for whatever good it does, and it shall be punished for whatever evil it does. (They pray): ‘Our Lord! Take us not to task if we forget or make a mistake. Our Lord! Lay not upon us a burden such as You laid upon those before us. Our Lord! Burden us not with what we have no strength to bear. Pardon us, forgive us, and have mercy on us. You are our Protector; so help us against the disbelieving people.’”

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Tafseer (2:286) from Tafheem-ul-Quran:

This verse is a prayer taught by Allah Himself, capturing the human condition before the Divine. It consists of a divine principle followed by a comprehensive supplication.

Part 1: The Divine Principle of Justice

· “Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity.” This is a fundamental axiom of Islamic law and theology. It provides immense relief and hope, affirming that Allah’s commandments are always within human capability and that circumstances are taken into account.

Part 2: The Sevenfold Supplication:
The prayer that follows reflects deep spiritual wisdom and human need:

1. “Take us not to task if we forget or make a mistake.”
   · Tafseer: A plea for pardon for unintentional lapses (sahw) and sincere errors (khata’). It acknowledges human weakness in memory and judgment. (Maududi notes a Hadith where Allah says, “I have done so,” in response to this part of the prayer).
2. “Lay not upon us a burden such as You laid upon those before us.”
   · Tafseer: A reference to the heavy, rigid legal burdens imposed on previous nations as a form of punishment (e.g., some Mosaic laws). The Muslim Ummah prays to be spared such severity.
3. “Burden us not with what we have no strength to bear.”
   · Tafseer: A general plea against any obligation, trial, or situation that is truly unbearable. It is an appeal to Allah’s mercy in all affairs of life.
4. “Pardon us (اعْفُ عَنَّا).”
   · Tafseer: To overlook and erase our sins and shortcomings completely.
5. “Forgive us (وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا).”
   · Tafseer: To cover our faults and protect us from their evil consequences in this life and the next.
6. “Have mercy on us (وَارْحَمْنَا).”
   · Tafseer: To bestow upon us Your grace, kindness, and blessings beyond mere forgiveness—to grant us positive good.
7. “You are our Protector (مَوْلَانَا), so help us against the disbelieving people.”
   · Tafseer: The prayer culminates by affirming Allah as the ultimate Master, Guardian, and Helper. After seeking mercy for internal failings, the believer seeks divine support against external enemies who oppose the truth. This connects personal piety with the communal struggle for truth.

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Conclusion of Surah Al-Baqarah (From Tafheem):

Maududi explains that these closing verses perfectly encapsulate the journey of the entire surah:

· Verse 285 summarizes the creed and obedient attitude that Surah Al-Baqarah has sought to instill, from the stories of past nations to the laws for the new Ummah.
· Verse 286 provides the key to fulfilling that creed: turning to Allah in humble recognition of human weakness, seeking His mercy, forgiveness, and aid. It acknowledges that success can only come from Allah’s grace after our sincere effort.

Thus, the surah ends not with a triumphant declaration of human perfection, but with a humble, comprehensive prayer—the true state of the believer who has absorbed its lessons. This pair of verses is among the most recited in Muslim life, embodying the essence of faith, surrender, and hope in Allah’s mercy.

Summary

These three verses from Surah Al-Baqarah (2:282-284) establish a comprehensive framework for financial ethics and accountability in Islam, progressing from external regulations to internal spiritual consciousness.
Verse 2:282 – The longest verse in the Quran – provides detailed instructions for recording debts: write contracts, use impartial scribes, include witnesses, protect vulnerable parties, and document all transactions regardless of size. The emphasis is on transparency, justice, and preventing disputes through clear documentation.
Verse 2:283 offers practical flexibility for situations where formal documentation isn’t possible (such as during travel), allowing collateral or relying on mutual trust while emphasizing that trustworthiness and God-consciousness (taqwa) remain paramount. It severely condemns concealing testimony as a sin of the heart.
Verse 2:284 transitions to the spiritual dimension, reminding believers that Allah knows both visible and hidden thoughts, and will hold people accountable for their inner intentions as well as outward actions, balancing this with His mercy and power to forgive.

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Verses, translation, explanation in details

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Verse 2:282 – The Verse of Debt (Āyat ad-Dayn)

Arabic Text (2:282):

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا تَدَايَنتُم بِدَيْنٍ إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى فَاكْتُبُوهُ ۚ وَلْيَكْتُب بَّيْنَكُمْ كَاتِبٌ بِالْعَدْلِ ۚ وَلَا يَأْبَ كَاتِبٌ أَن يَكْتُبَ كَمَا عَلَّمَهُ اللَّهُ ۚ فَلْيَكْتُبْ وَلْيُمْلِلِ الَّذِي عَلَيْهِ الْحَقُّ وَلْيَتَّقِ اللَّهَ رَبَّهُ وَلَا يَبْخَسْ مِنْهُ شَيْئًا ۚ فَإِن كَانَ الَّذِي عَلَيْهِ الْحَقُّ سَفِيهًا أَوْ ضَعِيفًا أَوْ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُ أَن يُمِلَّ هُوَ فَلْيُمْلِلْ وَلِيُّهُ بِالْعَدْلِ ۚ وَاسْتَشْهِدُوا شَهِيدَيْنِ مِن رِّجَالِكُمْ ۖ فَإِن لَّمْ يَكُونَا رَجُلَيْنِ فَرَجُلٌ وَامْرَأَتَانِ مِمَّن تَرْضَوْنَ مِنَ الشُّهَدَاءِ أَن تَضِلَّ إِحْدَاهُمَا فَتُذَكِّرَ إِحْدَاهُمَا الْأُخْرَىٰ ۚ وَلَا يَأْبَ الشُّهَدَاءُ إِذَا مَا دُعُوا ۚ وَلَا تَسْأَمُوا أَن تَكْتُبُوهُ صَغِيرًا أَوْ كَبِيرًا إِلَىٰ أَجَلِهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ أَقْسَطُ عِندَ اللَّهِ وَأَقْوَمُ لِلشَّهَادَةِ وَأَدْنَىٰ أَلَّا تَرْتَابُوا ۖ إِلَّا أَن تَكُونَ تِجَارَةً حَاضِرَةً تُدِيرُونَهَا بَيْنَكُمْ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ جُنَاحٌ أَلَّا تَكْتُبُوهَا ۗ وَأَشْهِدُوا إِذَا تَبَايَعْتُمْ ۚ وَلَا يُضَارَّ كَاتِبٌ وَلَا شَهِيدٌ ۚ وَإِن تَفْعَلُوا فَإِنَّهُ فُسُوقٌ بِكُمْ ۗ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَيُعَلِّمُكُمُ اللَّهُ ۗ وَاللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ

Translation (2:282):

“O you who believe! When you contract a debt for a fixed period, put it in writing. Let a scribe write it down with justice between you. The scribe, whom Allah has taught writing, should not refuse to write; he is under obligation to write. Let him who incurs the liability (the debtor) dictate, fearing Allah, his Lord, and not diminish anything from the settlement. If the debtor is weak in understanding or is unable to dictate himself, then let his guardian dictate with justice. And call upon two of your men to act as witnesses; but if two men are not available, then one man and two women from among such as are acceptable to you as witnesses, so that if either of the two women should forget, the other may refresh her memory. The witnesses must not refuse when they are called upon to do so. Do not neglect to reduce your debts to writing, whether the debt be small or large, along with the term of repayment. That is more equitable in the sight of Allah; it is more reliable for testimony, and the best way to remove all doubt. But if it be a common commercial transaction concluded on the spot, there is no blame on you if you do not reduce it to writing. Have witnesses when you sell something to one another. Let no harm be done to the scribe or to the witness. If you do so, you shall be guilty of transgression. Fear Allah; Allah teaches you, and Allah has full knowledge of everything.”

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Tafseer (2:282) from Tafheem-ul-Quran:

The Longest Verse & Its Significance:
Maududi explains that this is the longest single verse in the Quran, highlighting the supreme importance Islam places on justice, transparency, and the protection of rights in financial dealings.

Key Principles Established:

1. Documentation: Writing down debt contracts is mandated to prevent disputes, forgetfulness, and denials. This establishes a culture of trust through verification, not blind trust that can lead to injustice.
2. Social Obligation: The skilled scribe is obliged to write, and witnesses are obliged to testify. This frames these roles as a collective religious and social duty, not a personal favor.
3. Protection of the Vulnerable: Special provisions are made if the debtor is foolish (سَفِيهًا), weak, or incapable, ensuring they are not exploited even in dictating the terms.
4. The Issue of Women Witnesses: The stipulation of two women in place of one man is explained in its historical-social context. Maududi notes that in 7th-century Arabia, women were generally less involved in commercial life and financial detail. The provision aims at accuracy and support, so one woman may remind the other if needed. The core principle is reliable testimony, not an abstract judgment on gender. He emphasizes this is a legal instruction for that context, not a universal statement on women’s intellectual ability.
5. No Harm to Scribe or Witness: They must be free from pressure or loss, ensuring the integrity of the process.
6. Flexibility for Spot Transactions: An exception is made for immediate cash-and-carry trade, balancing practicality with the general rule.

Core Objective: The verse concludes that this method is “most just (أَقْسَطُ) in Allah’s sight, more solid for evidence, and most likely to prevent doubt.” The entire system is designed to remove ambiguity and foster a society based on clear, witnessed covenants.

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Verse 2:283

Arabic Text (2:283):

وَإِن كُنتُمْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ وَلَمْ تَجِدُوا كَاتِبًا فَرِهَانٌ مَّقْبُوضَةٌ ۖ فَإِنْ أَمِنَ بَعْضُكُم بَعْضًا فَلْيُؤَدِّ الَّذِي اؤْتُمِنَ أَمَانَتَهُ وَلْيَتَّقِ اللَّهَ رَبَّهُ ۗ وَلَا تَكْتُمُوا الشَّهَادَةَ ۚ وَمَن يَكْتُمْهَا فَإِنَّهُ آثِمٌ قَلْبُهُ ۗ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ عَلِيمٌ

Translation (2:283):

“If you are on a journey and cannot find a scribe, then a pledge in hand (shall suffice). But if you trust one another, then let him who is trusted fulfill his trust, and let him fear Allah, his Lord. Do not conceal testimony; whoever conceals it, his heart is surely sinful. Allah knows all that you do.”

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Tafseer (2:283) from Tafheem-ul-Quran:

· Flexibility & Realism: This verse provides practical alternatives when the ideal conditions (a scribe) cannot be met, such as during travel. A pledge (security) taken in hand can suffice.
· The Highest Principle – Trust & Taqwa: Even when formal mechanisms are absent, the ultimate safeguard is personal integrity and consciousness of Allah (Taqwa). The believer who is trusted must honor that trust.
· Severe Condemnation of Concealing Testimony: Hiding or distorting testimony is condemned as a sin of the heart—a corruption of one’s moral core. It is a betrayal of one’s duty to truth and justice.

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Verse 2:284

Arabic Text (2:284):

لِّلَّهِ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ ۗ وَإِن تُبْدُوا مَا فِي أَنفُسِكُمْ أَوْ تُخْفُوهُ يُحَاسِبْكُم بِهِ اللَّهُ ۖ فَيَغْفِرُ لِمَن يَشَاءُ وَيُعَذِّبُ مَن يَشَاءُ ۗ وَاللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

Translation (2:284):

“To Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth. Whether you reveal what is in your hearts or conceal it, Allah will call you to account for it. He will forgive whom He wills and punish whom He wills. Allah has power over all things.”

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Tafseer (2:284) from Tafheem-ul-Quran:

· The Pivotal Turn: After detailing external laws, the discourse now penetrates to the inner realm of intention and thought. This verse connects directly to the warning about the “sinful heart” in the previous verse.
· All-Encompassing Accountability: It declares Allah’s sovereignty and His knowledge of the manifest and the hidden. A believer’s accountability is not limited to outward actions but extends to inner thoughts and intentions.
· Spiritual & Psychological Impact: This teaching instills a profound, constant consciousness of Allah (Ihsan – to worship as if you see Him). It makes hypocrisy impossible for a true believer, as they know that hidden motives are also seen.
· Mercy & Sovereignty: The verse ends by reaffirming Allah’s absolute power and discretion in forgiveness and punishment. This inspires both hope and awe, motivating the believer to purify both inner and outer conduct.

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Conclusion of the Section (From Tafheem):

Maududi explains that these verses provide a complete system of social ethics:

1. Verse 282 establishes objective, verifiable justice in human dealings.
2. Verse 283 emphasizes subjective integrity and trustworthiness when formal means are lacking.
3. Verse 284 lays the ultimate foundation: accountability before the All-Knowing God for both public actions and private thoughts.

This progression moves from law, to morality, to spiritual consciousness, ensuring that a Muslim’s conduct is regulated not just by fear of legal dispute but by fear of displeasing Allah, who knows the secrets of the heart. This triad forms the cornerstone of an ethical society in Islam.

This passage directly follows the previous narratives about faith and resurrection. It now provides the practical, social, and economic blueprint for a community that believes in Allah and the Hereafter. It contrasts two economic systems: one based on charity and cooperation (spending in Allah’s way) and the other on exploitation and greed (usury/riba).

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PART 1: THE PARABLE & SPIRIT OF CHARITY (Verses 261-274)

Key Verse 2:261 (The Central Parable):

مَّثَلُ الَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ حَبَّةٍ أَنبَتَتْ سَبْعَ سَنَابِلَ فِي كُلِّ سُنبُلَةٍ مِّائَةُ حَبَّةٍ ۗ وَاللَّهُ يُضَاعِفُ لِمَن يَشَاءُ ۗ وَاللَّهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ
“The parable of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is that of a grain of corn which grows seven ears, and in each ear there are a hundred grains. Allah multiplies (the reward) for whom He wills. Allah is All-Embracing, All-Knowing.”

Summary Tafseer of Verses 261-274:

· The Multiplier Effect: The parable (261) isn’t about fixed arithmetic but about the spiritual and social multiplication of a good deed. A small act of sincere charity can have endless blessings, purifying wealth, solving social problems, and earning eternal reward.
· Qualities of Valid Charity:
· It must be from lawful earnings (ṭayyibāt).
· It should be given seeking only Allah’s pleasure, not to show off or gain social status (264-265). Charity given for repute is like a barren rock with no soil—it yields nothing.
· The intention and feeling behind the gift matter more than its size. A small gift from a sincere, humble heart is greater than a large, ostentatious donation (262-264, 267).
· Protection for the Giver: Believers are told not to nullify their charity with reminders of generosity or hurtful words (262, 264). The reward is with Allah, who sees all hidden things (270-271).
· Who Deserves Charity? The verses subtly guide giving to those in real need while also recognizing the dignity of the recipient. True piety is giving despite one’s own love for wealth (263, 267, 273).
· Conclusion (Verse 274): “Those who spend their wealth (in charity) night and day, secretly and openly—they have their reward with their Lord. And no fear shall come upon them, nor shall they grieve.” This defines the ideal: consistent, selfless giving without expectation of worldly return, which leads to ultimate security.

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PART 2: THE PROHIBITION OF RIBA & LAWS OF DEBT (Verses 275-281)

Key Verses 2:275-276 (The Declaration on Riba):

الَّذِينَ يَأْكُلُونَ الرِّبَا لَا يَقُومُونَ إِلَّا كَمَا يَقُومُ الَّذِي يَتَخَبَّطُهُ الشَّيْطَانُ مِنَ الَّمْسِّ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَالُوا إِنَّمَا الْبَيْعُ مِثْلُ الرِّبَا ۗ وَأَحَلَّ اللَّهُ الْبَيْعَ وَحَرَّمَ الرِّبَا ۚ فَمَن جَاءَهُ مَوْعِظَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِ فَانتَهَىٰ فَلَهُ مَا سَلَفَ وَأَمْرُهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ ۖ وَمَنْ عَادَ فَأُولَٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ… يَمْحَقُ اللَّهُ الرِّبَا وَيُرْبِي الصَّدَقَاتِ ۗ…
“Those who devour usury will not stand except as one stands whom Satan has driven to madness by his touch. That is because they say, ‘Trade is just like usury.’ But Allah has permitted trade and forbidden usury… Allah destroys usury and nourishes charities…”

Summary Tafseer of Verses 275-281:

· The Core Contrast: This is the pivotal point of the passage. It contrasts the two economic models:

1. Charity (Sadaqah): Creates life, growth, and social bonds. It is “nourished” by Allah.
2. Usury (Riba): A parasitic practice that consumes wealth without productive effort, leading to societal decay and moral “madness.” Allah “destroys” it.
   · Why Riba is Forbidden:
   · It is inherently exploitative, extracting wealth from the needy without shared risk.
   · It is unjust, as the lender profits regardless of the borrower’s success or failure, unlike fair trade (Bay’).
   · It severs ties of mercy and creates a society based on greed and class hostility.
   · Moral & Spiritual State: The usurer is described as rising like one possessed by Satan—a graphic image of moral insanity and lack of peace (275).
   · Practical Injunctions & Mercy:
   · A grace period is mandated for a debtor in genuine hardship (280).
   · Writing down debts with witnesses is prescribed to ensure justice and prevent disputes (282-283—these verses begin the next section but are conceptually linked).
   · Forgiving debt as charity is highly encouraged (280).
   · The Ultimate Warning (Key Verse 2:281):
   وَاتَّقُوا يَوْمًا تُرْجَعُونَ فِيهِ إِلَى اللَّهِ ۖ ثُمَّ تُوَفَّىٰ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَّا كَسَبَتْ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ
   “And fear a Day when you will be returned to Allah. Then every soul will be compensated for what it earned, and they will not be wronged.”
   · Tafseer: This is the climax and foundation of the entire discourse. Every economic transaction—every act of charity or exploitation—is an earned deed for which one will be held fully accountable on the Day of Judgment. This single verse provides the ultimate motivation for choosing charity over usury, justice over greed, and social responsibility over selfishness.

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Overall Connection (From Tafheem):

Maududi explains that this passage is a coherent system. It first inspires the believer’s heart with the beautiful imagery and rewards of selfless spending (2:261-274). Then, it definitively outlaws its corrupt opposite—usury—exposing its evil and consequences (2:275-280). Finally, it crowns the argument with the ultimate reminder of eschatological accountability (2:281), making faith in the Hereafter the bedrock of a just economic and social order.

This entire system seeks to build a society where wealth circulates with mercy, supports the weak, and upholds human dignity, in stark contrast to systems that allow wealth to concentrate and exploit.

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These verses form a cohesive unit following the grand declaration of Allah’s sovereignty in Ayat al-Kursi (2:255). They present a series of narratives to refute the intellectual and moral foundations of disbelief, demonstrating the absurdity and ultimate failure of arguing against the truth of Tawhid (Allah’s Oneness).

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Arabic Text (2:258):

أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِي حَاجَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ فِي رَبِّهِ أَنْ آتَاهُ اللَّهُ الْمُلْكَ إِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ رَبِّيَ الَّذِي يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ قَالَ أَنَا أُحْيِي وَأُمِيتُ ۖ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْتِي بِالشَّمْسِ مِنَ الْمَشْرِقِ فَأْتِ بِهَا مِنَ الْمَغْرِبِ فَبُهِتَ الَّذِي كَفَرَ ۗ وَاللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ

Translation (2:258):

“Have you not considered him who argued with Abraham about his Lord because Allah had granted him kingship? When Abraham said, ‘My Lord is He who gives life and causes death,’ he replied, ‘I [too] give life and cause death.’ Abraham said, ‘Indeed, Allah brings up the sun from the east; so you bring it up from the west.’ Thereupon, the disbeliever was dumbfounded. And Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.”

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Tafseer (2:258) from Tafheem-ul-Quran:

The Narrative & Its Lessons:

· The Arrogant Opponent: The verse refers to Nimrod, a tyrannical king who claimed divinity due to his temporal power. His argument represents the logic of brute force and political authority used to suppress truth.
· Abraham’s (Ibrahim’s) Method:

1. First Proposition: He begins with a fundamental, undeniable truth of divine authority: giving life and death. Nimrod, in his arrogance, tries to pervert this by demonstrating power to kill a prisoner or spare another, a feeble imitation of true creation and resurrection.
2. Masterful Reply: Abraham does not engage in a futile debate about the misuse of power. Instead, he shifts the argument to a phenomenon entirely beyond human manipulation: the cosmic order. The rising of the sun is a daily, universal sign of Allah’s supreme power. By challenging Nimrod to reverse it, Abraham exposes the utter limitation of the tyrant and the infinity of Allah’s power.
   · The Outcome: The disbeliever is “buhiṭa” – rendered speechless, confounded, and defeated intellectually. The argument from miracles of the natural order is unanswerable.
   · Divine Principle: The verse concludes that Allah does not guide those who are “Zalimun” (wrongdoers, unjust). Their arrogance and insistence on falsehood, despite clear evidence, seals their hearts from guidance.

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Arabic Text (2:259):

أَوْ كَالَّذِي مَرَّ عَلَىٰ قَرْيَةٍ وَهِيَ خَاوِيَةٌ عَلَىٰ عُرُوشِهَا قَالَ أَنَّىٰ يُحْيِي هَٰذِهِ اللَّهُ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا ۖ فَأَمَاتَهُ اللَّهُ مِائَةَ عَامٍ ثُمَّ بَعَثَهُ ۖ قَالَ كَمْ لَبِثْتَ ۖ قَالَ لَبِثْتُ يَوْمًا أَوْ بَعْضَ يَوْمٍ ۖ قَالَ بَل لَّبِثْتَ مِائَةَ عَامٍ فَانظُرْ إِلَىٰ طَعَامِكَ وَشَرَابِكَ لَمْ يَتَسَنَّهْ ۖ وَانظُرْ إِلَىٰ حِمَارِكَ وَلِنَجْعَلَكَ آيَةً لِّلنَّاسِ ۖ وَانظُرْ إِلَى الْعِظَامِ كَيْفَ نُنشِزُهَا ثُمَّ نَكْسُوهَا لَحْمًا ۚ فَلَمَّا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُ قَالَ أَعْلَمُ أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

Translation (2:259):

“Or the one who passed by a town that had fallen into ruin. He wondered, ‘How will Allah bring this back to life after its death?’ So Allah caused him to die for a hundred years, then resurrected him. Allah asked, ‘How long have you remained [in this state]?’ He said, ‘I have remained a day or part of a day.’ Allah said, ‘No, you have remained for a hundred years. Look at your food and drink – they have not spoiled. And look at your donkey. And thus We make you a sign for people. And look at the bones [of the donkey] – how We assemble them and then clothe them with flesh.’ And when it became clear to him, he said, ‘Now I know that Allah has power over all things.'”

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Tafseer (2:259) from Tafheem-ul-Quran:

The Narrative & Its Lessons:

· The Doubter: This is commonly understood to refer to Prophet Uzair (Ezra) or a pious man who intellectually acknowledged Allah’s power but struggled to visualize resurrection. His doubt was from inability to comprehend the ‘how’, not from outright denial like Nimrod.
· Allah’s Pedagogical Method: Allah does not punish his doubt but educates him through direct experience. He is made to witness his own resurrection and that of his donkey.
· Key Evidences Provided:

1. The Perished Food & Drink: A miracle preserving the unperishable, showing Allah’s power over time and decay.
2. The Donkey’s Resurrection: A step-by-step visual demonstration of re-creation – bones assembled, clothed with flesh, and brought back to life.
   · The Core Lesson: The man’s statement, “I have remained a day or part of a day,” highlights that for Allah, time is irrelevant. A hundred years are like a moment. The One who can manage this can easily resurrect all of creation. The lesson is about understanding Allah’s absolute power (Qudrah) beyond human constraints of time and mechanism.

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Arabic Text (2:260):

وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ رَبِّ أَرِنِي كَيْفَ تُحْيِي الْمَوْتَىٰ ۖ قَالَ أَوَلَمْ تُؤْمِن ۖ قَالَ بَلَىٰ وَلَٰكِن لِّيَطْمَئِنَّ قَلْبِي ۖ قَالَ فَخُذْ أَرْبَعَةً مِّنَ الطَّيْرِ فَصُرْهُنَّ إِلَيْكَ ثُمَّ اجْعَلْ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ جَبَلٍ مِّنْهُنَّ جُزْءًا ثُمَّ ادْعُهُنَّ يَأْتِينَكَ سَعْيًا ۚ وَاعْلَمْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ

Translation (2:260):

“And when Abraham said, ‘My Lord, show me how You give life to the dead.’ Allah said, ‘Do you not believe?’ He said, ‘Yes, but [I ask] so that my heart may be at ease.’ Allah said, ‘Take four birds, train them to come to you, then place a part of each of them on separate hills, then call them; they will come flying to you. And know that Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.'”

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Tafseer (2:260) from Tafheem-ul-Quran:

The Narrative & Its Lessons:

· Abraham’s (Ibrahim’s) Request: This is the request of a firm believer (Bali, walakin…) seeking “Ṭma’nīnah al-Qalb” – the complete satisfaction and tranquillity of the heart, a higher stage beyond intellectual belief. It represents the yearning of a Prophet for a deeper, experiential certainty to strengthen his mission.
· Allah’s Response: Allah grants this request to His intimate friend (Khaleel). The instruction with the birds is a practical demonstration tailored to the human mind.
· The Profound Demonstration: By cutting the birds, mixing their parts, and placing them on distant hills, then calling them to see them restored and flying back, Abraham witnesses a tangible metaphor for resurrection. It shows that Allah, who can summon scattered, mixed elements from afar and reconstitute life, can most certainly resurrect humans.
· The Ultimate Reminder: The verse ends with “And know that Allah is Almighty (Aziz), All-Wise (Hakeem).” His power is irresistible, and His wisdom governs everything, including the method of providing reassurance to His messengers.

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Summary of the Three Verses as a Unit (from Tafheem):

· Verse 258: Addresses hostile, arrogant rejection (Kufr al-Juhood) and its intellectual defeat through the signs in the universe.
· Verse 259: Addresses doubt arising from weak comprehension and provides a lesson through direct observation and experience.
· Verse 260: Addresses the believer’s quest for absolute heart-certainty and how Allah nurtures and fulfills that spiritual need.

Together, they dismantle disbelief from all angles—hostility, doubt, and the desire for deeper certainty—affirming the reality of Allah’s supreme power, especially over life, death, and resurrection, which is the central theme connecting them.

Islam offers freedom of choice but emphasizes the grave responsibility that comes with it, outlining the two distinct paths and their ultimate destinations with crystal clarity.

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Arabic Text (2:256):

لَا إِكْرَاهَ فِي الدِّينِ ۖ قَد تَّبَيَّنَ الرُّشْدُ مِنَ الْغَيِّ ۚ فَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِالطَّاغُوتِ وَيُؤْمِن بِاللَّهِ فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَىٰ لَا انفِصَامَ لَهَا ۗ وَاللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ

Translation (2:256):

“There is no compulsion in religion. True guidance has become distinct from error. So whoever rejects false gods and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold, which never breaks. And Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.”

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Tafseer (2:256) from Tafheem-ul-Quran:

Main Themes and Explanation:

1. Prohibition of Coercion (لَا إِكْرَاهَ فِي الدِّينِ):
   · This is a fundamental constitutional principle of the Islamic state. It declares that no one can be forced to embrace Islam.
   · Reason: Faith is a matter of conviction and heart, which cannot be imposed by force. Coercion creates hypocrisy, not genuine belief.
   · Context: This verse was revealed in Medina, clarifying that while the Islamic state has the authority to enforce social and legal injunctions for order, the personal matter of faith is beyond compulsion. People of other faiths (like Jews and Christians) were protected under the state’s covenant as long as they obeyed its laws.
2. Clarity of Truth (قَد تَّبَيَّنَ الرُّشْدُ مِنَ الْغَيِّ):
   · The truth of Islam and the falsehood of disbelief have been made absolutely clear through rational arguments, the Prophet’s character, and the Quran’s teachings.
   · Since the truth is now manifest, the responsibility for accepting or rejecting it lies with the individual’s own reasoning and free will, not under duress.
3. The Firmest Bond (فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَىٰ):
   · The one who, by free choice, renounces all false objects of worship (طاغوت) and sincerely believes in Allah has seized the “most trustworthy handhold.”
   · This metaphor signifies an unbreakable covenant with Allah—a bond of security in this life and the Hereafter that will never fail.

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Arabic Text (2:257):

اللَّهُ وَلِيُّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا يُخْرِجُهُم مِّنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّورِ ۖ وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَوْلِيَاؤُهُمُ الطَّاغُوتُ يُخْرِجُونَهُم مِّنَ النُّورِ إِلَى الظُّلُمَاتِ ۗ أُولَٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ

Translation (2:257):

“Allah is the Protector of those who believe: He brings them out from every kind of darkness into light. And those who disbelieve, their protectors are false deities, who drive them out of light into all kinds of darkness. They are the inmates of the Fire; therein they shall abide forever.”

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Tafseer (2:257) from Tafheem-ul-Quran:

Main Themes and Explanation:

1. Two Opposing Alliances:
   · The verse presents the ultimate dichotomy of human allegiance:
   · Believers: Their Wali (Protector, Guardian, Master) is Allah. This relationship brings true success and salvation.
   · Disbelievers: Their Wali is Taghut (any false object of worship—idols, tyrants, evil ideologies, or one’s own base desires). This alliance leads to ruin.
2. Movement from Darkness to Light (and vice versa):
   · For Believers: Allah extracts them (يُخْرِجُهُم) from the darkness of ignorance, superstition, and moral confusion into the light of knowledge, truth, and guidance.
   · For Disbelievers: The Taghut extracts them (يُخْرِجُونَهُم) from the innate light of human nature (Fitrah) and potential for guidance into the darkness of misguidance, corruption, and despair.
3. The Eternal Consequence:
   · The choice of allegiance determines the eternal abode. Those who choose the guardianship of Taghut are the companions of the Hellfire, where they will remain permanently.

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Connection Between the Two Verses (from Tafheem):

1. Logical Sequence: Verse 256 removes external compulsion in religion, while Verse 257 highlights the internal and spiritual consequences of one’s free choice. The state cannot force belief, but the individual must bear the outcome of their decision.
2. Clarifying the Purpose: The prohibition of compulsion is not because all paths are equal. Rather, it is because the truth and falsehood are now so clear that the choice carries full responsibility. The subsequent verse vividly describes the monumental results of that choice.
3. Contrast of Outcomes: Verse 256 ends with the unbreakable bond for the believer, and Verse 257 begins by describing the divine protection and guidance that come with that bond, contrasting it with the dreadful fate of those who choose otherwise.

In essence, Islam offers freedom of choice but emphasizes the grave responsibility that comes with it, outlining the two distinct paths and their ultimate destinations with crystal clarity.