Towards Understanding the Qur'an. Sayyid Abul A'la Mawdudi
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God wants maintained on a sound basis.
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Al-Baqarah 2: 29–31
(29) It is He Who created for you all that is on earth and then turned above and fashioned it into seven heavens.15 He knows all things.
(30) Just think when your Lord said to the angels: “Lo! I am about to place a vicegerent16 on earth,” they said: “Will You place on it one who will spread mischief and shed blood while we celebrate Your glory and extol Your holiness?” He said: “Surely I know what you do not know.” (31) Then Allah taught Adam the names of all things and presented them to the angels and said: “If you are right (that the appointment of a vicegerent will cause mischief) then tell Me the names of these things.” ▶
15 It is difficult to explain precisely what is meant by the “seven heavens”. In all ages man has tried, with the help of observation and speculation, to conceptualize the “heavens,” i.e. that which lies beyond and above the earth. As we know, the concepts that have thus developed have constantly changed. What might be broadly inferred from this statement is that either God has divided the Universe beyond the earth into seven distinct spheres, or that this earth is located in that part of the Universe which consists of seven different spheres.
16 “Khalifah” or vicegerent is one who exercises the authority delegated to him by his principal.
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Al-Baqarah 2: 32–6
(32) They said. “Glory to You! We have no knowledge except what You taught us. You, only You, are All-Knowing, All- Wise.” (33) Then Allah said to Adam: “Tell them the names of these things.” And when he had told them the names of all things, Allah said: “Did I not say to you that I know every- thing about the heavens and the earth which are beyond your range of knowledge and I know all that you disclose and also all that you hide?”
(34) And when We ordered the angels: “Prostrate your- selves before Adam,” all of them fell prostrate, except Iblis. He refused, and gloried in his arrogance and became one of the defiers.
(35) And We said: “O Adam, live in the Garden, you and your wife, and eat abundantly of whatever you wish but do not approach this tree or else you will be counted among the wrong-doers.” (36) But Satan caused both of them to deflect from obeying Our command by tempting them to the tree and brought them out of the state they were in, ▶
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Al-Baqarah 2: 37–40
and We said: “Get down all of you; henceforth, each of you is an enemy of the other, and on earth you shall have your abode and your livelihood for an appointed time.” (37) Thereupon Adam learned from his Lord some words and repented and his Lord accepted his repentance for He is Much-Relenting, Most Compassionate.
(38) We said: “Get you down from here, all of you, and guidance shall come to you from Me: then, whoever will follow My guidance need have no fear, nor shall they grieve. (39) But those who refuse to accept this (guidance) and reject Our Signs as false are destined for the Fire where they shall abide for ever.”
(40) Children of Israel!17 Recall My favour which I had bestowed on you, and fulfil your covenant with Me and I shall fulfil My covenant with you, and fear Me alone. ▶
17 It would be pertinent to point out that the entire discourse embodied in vv. 40-121, is addressed to the Children of Israel because Jews lived in Madinah and its vicinity in large numbers.
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Al-Baqarah 2: 41–7
(41) And believe in the Book which I have revealed and which confirms the Scripture you already have, and be not foremost among its deniers. Do not sell My signs for a trifling gain,18 and beware of My wrath. (42) Do not confound Truth by overlaying it with falsehood, nor knowingly conceal the Truth. (43) Establish Prayer and dispense Zakah (the Purifying Alms) and bow in worship with those who bow. (44) Do you enjoin righteousness on people and forget your own selves even though you recite the Scripture? Have you no sense? (45) And resort to patience and Prayer for help. Truly Prayer is burdensome for all except the devout, (46) who realize that ultimately they will have to meet their Lord and that to Him they are destined to return.
(47) Children of Israel! Recall My favour which I bestowed upon you,▶
18 “Trifling gain” refers to the worldly benefits for the sake of which they were rejecting God’s directives. Whatever one may gain in exchange for the Truth, be it all the treasure in the world, is trifling; the Truth is of supreme value.
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Al-Baqarah 2: 48–51
exalting you above all nations.19 (48) Fear the Day when no one shall avail another, when no intercession will be accepted, when no one will be ransomed, and no criminal will receive any help.
(49) And recall when We rescued you from the slavery of Pharaoh’s people20 who had afflicted you with dreadful suffering, slaying your males and sparing your females. That was a tremendous trial for you from your Lord.
(50) And recall when We split the sea, providing passage for you, and thus saved you and caused Pharaoh’s people to drown before your very eyes.
(51) And recall when We summoned Moses for a term of forty nights,21▶
19 This does not mean that their pre-eminence among nations was to last for ever; rather, it refers to that period of human history when, of all nations, only the Children of Israel possessed that knowledge of Truth which comes from God alone. At that time they were entrusted with the task of directing the nations of the world to righteousness; they were expected to serve God and to invite the rest of the world to do the same.
20 We have rendered Al-Fir[awn as “Pharaoh’s people”. This includes the members of the Pharaonic family as well as the aristocracy of Egypt of the time.
21 When the Israelites reached the Sinai peninsula after their exodus from Egypt, God summoned Moses to Mount Sinai for forty days and nights so that the nation which had now achieved independence could be given law and morality.
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Al-Baqarah 2: 52–5
and then you set up the calf as your god in his absence. You indeed committed a grave wrong. (52) Yet We pardoned you that you might be grateful.
(53) And recall (that while you were committing this wrong) We gave Moses the Scripture and the Criterion22 that you are guided to the Right Way.
(54) And recall when (on returning with this favour) Moses said to his people: “My people! You have wronged yourselves by taking the calf for an object of worship, so turn in repentance to your Creator and kill yourselves.23 This will be best for you in your Creator ’s sight.” Thereupon He accepted your repentance.