The Cow (Al-Baqarah)

¹A. L. M.

²This is the book, in it is guidance sure without doubt to those who fear Allah.¹

³Who believe in the unseen, are steadfast in prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them.

⁴And who believe in the revelation sent to you and sent before your time and have the assurance of the hereafter.

⁵They are on guidance from their Lord and it is these who will prosper.

⁶As to those who reject faith, it is the same to them whether you warn them or do not warn them, they will not believe.²

¹Alif Laa Mim

²Zalika lkitabu laraiba fihi hudan lil muttaqina

³Allazina yuminuna bil gaibi wa yuqimuna sualata wa mimma razaqnahum yunfiquna

⁴Wallazina yuminuna bima  unzila  ilaika wa ma  unzila min qablika wabil akhirati hum yuqinuna

⁵Ulaika ala hudan mi rabbihim wa ulaika humul muflihuna

⁶Innal lazina kafaru sawaun alaihim anzartahum am lam tunzirhum la yuminuna

1. To know the full meaning of this passage, one will have to know about the power and justice of God. For indeed true guidance comes to those who fear God and those who diligently seek Him. This is what Peter confessed when, after being led by the Holy Spirit, he went into the house of Cornelius. Peter said in Acts 10:34-35“Now I understand that God shows no partiality. Indeed, the person who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him in any nation.”

Hebrews 11:6says that “Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who diligently search for him.”

Jesus said, “You examine the Scriptures carefully because you suppose that in them you have eternal life. Yet they testify about me.” (John 5:39)

2. Verses 6and 7speak about what appears to be predestination, but it is not. In Islam there is no predestination, only fatalism. In Islam, what happens to us is not based on God’s foreknowledge, but rather is based on fate. Surah 9:51teaches the Muslims to say: “Nothing will happen to us except what Allah has decreed for us: He is our protector” and “on Allah let the believers put their trust.”

We need to know that the decree of Allah is that every Muslim believer will go through the fire of hell, but the followers of Jesus will be exalted until the day of resurrection (Surah ¹⁹:71-72, Surah 3:55), because the injunction is that whosoever commits an evil deed will be thrown face down into the fire (Surah 27:90). The popular view is that everyone will get the punishment they actually deserve, nothing more and nothing less. But because there is no atonement in Islam, the fact is thus established that indeed every one will go into the fire.

⁷Allah has set a seal on their hearts, and on their hearing, and on their eyes is a veil, great is the penalty they incur.

⁸And there are some of the people who say, “We believe in Allah and the last day” but they do not believe.

⁹They would gladly deceive Allah and those who believe, but they only deceive themselves and realize not!

¹⁰In their hearts is a disease and Allah has increased their disease, and grievous is the penalty they incur because they are false.

¹¹And when it is said to them, “Make not mischief on the earth” they say, “Why, we only want to make peace!”

⁷Khatamallahu alla qulubihim wa ala samihim wa ala absuarihim gishawat walahum azabun attimun

⁸Wa minannasi ma yaqulu amanna billahi wa bil yaumil akhiri wa ma hum bimuminina

⁹Yukhadiuna llaha wallazina amanu wa ma yakhdauna illa anfusahum wa ma yashuruna

¹⁰Fi qulubihim maraddun  fazadahumullahu maraddun wa lahum azabun alimun bima kanu yakzibuna

¹¹Wa iza qila lahum la tufusidu fil ardi qalu innama nahnu muslihuna

[Commentary continues below.]

¹²Of a surety they are the ones who make mischief but they realize it not.

¹³And when it is said to them,  “Believe as the others believe” they say, “Shall we believe as the fools believe?” No, of a surety they are the fools but they do not know.

¹⁴And when they meet those who believe they say, “We believe.” But when they are alone with their evil ones they say, “We are really with you, we were only jesting.”

¹⁵Allah will throw back their mockery on them and give them rope in their trespasses, so they will wander like blind ones.

¹⁶These are they who have bartered guidance for error, but their traffic is profitless and they have lost true direction.

¹²Alla innahum humu lmufsiduna walakil la yashuruna

¹³Wa iza qila lahum aminu kama amanan nasu qalu anuminu kama amana sufa­hau ala innahum humu sufahuu wa la­killa yalamuna

¹⁴Wa iza laqu lazina amanu qalu amanna wa iza khalau ila shayatinihim qalu inna maakum innama nahnu mustaddiuna

¹⁵Allahu yastahziu bihim wa yamud­duhum fi tugyanihim yamahuna

¹⁶Ulaikal lazina shutarawu dualalata bil­huda fama rabihatu tijaratuhum wama kanu muhutadina

[Commentary continues below.]

¹⁷Their similitude is that of a man who kindled a fire, when it lighted all around him, Allah took away their light and left them in utter darkness so they could not see.

¹⁸Deaf, dumb, and blind, they will not return.

¹⁹Or is that of a rain laden cloud from the sky, in it are zones of darkness and thunder and lightning, they press their fingers in their ears to keep out the stunning thunder clap while they are in terror of death. But Allah is ever around the unbelievers!

¹⁷Masaluhum kamasalil lazis tauqadanaran falamma addaat ma haulahu zahaballahu binurihim wa tarakahum fi zulumatil la yubsiruna

¹⁸Summun bukumun umuyun fahum la yarujiuna

¹⁹Au kasayyibin mina samaifihi zulumatu waraduw wabarqun yajaluna asabiahum fi azanihim mina sawaiqi hazaral mati wallahu muhittun bil kafirina

[Commentary continues below.]

²⁰The lightning almost blinds them, every time the light helps them, they walk therein and when the darkness grows on them they stand still. And if Allah willed, He could take away their faculty of hearing and seeing, for Allah has power over all things.

²¹O people, adore your Lord who created you and those who came before you, that you may have the chance to learn righteousness.

²²Who has made the earth your couch and the heaven your canopy, and sent down rain from the heavens, and brought forth therewith fruits for your sustenance, then set not up rivals unto Allah when you know the truth.

²³And if you are in doubt as to what We have revealed from time to time to Our servant, then produce a surah like it, and call your witnesses or helpers besides Allah, if you are true.³

²⁰Yakadul barqu yakhtafu absarahum kullama adda a lahum mashau fihi wa iza attulama alaihim qamu wa lau sha allahu lazahaba bisamuihim wa abusuarihi innallaha alla kulli shaiin qadirun

²¹Ya ayyuhan nasubudu rabbakumu lazi khalaqakum wallazina min qablikum laallakum tattaquna

²²Allazi jaala lakumul ardda firasha wa sama a binaan wa anzala mina samai maan fa akhraja bihi mina samawati rizqal lakum fala tajalu lillahi andadan wa antum talamuna

²³Wa in kuntum fi raibim mimma nazzalna ala abdina fatu bisuratim mim mislihi wad shuhada akum min dunillahi inkuntum sadiqina

3. In pre-Islamic history, poetry was commonplace in the daily lives of Arabs. Producing surahs such as contained in the Qur’an then would not at all be difficult. In fact a current publication titled “The True Furqan” has done just that. Though the content of the Qur’an reveals a beautiful poetry, but to think that it is so miraculous, unique and accurate that it has no equal is presumptuous. At best it is a Muhammadan myth clothed in the appearance of the Judeo-Christian truth. Certainly, to produce a surah or chapter like it would be the easiest thing for anyone to do. How difficult is it to fabricate the story that Mary the mother of Jesus is Aaron’s sister. Or to say that the Holy Spirit is the same as the Angel Gabriel and further claim that Jesus spoke about the coming of Muhammad, when in actual fact, Jesus spoke about the coming of the Holy spirit and not Muhammad. Qur’an 16:102: Say the Holy Spirit has brought the revelation from thy Lord in truth in order to strengthen those who believe and as a guide and Glad Tidings to Muslims. According to the footnotes in Yusuf Ali’s commentary, the Holy Spirit is the title of the Angel Gabriel. Other translations boldly refer to the angel as Ruh-ul-Qudus (literally, the Holy Spirit). The Gospel of Barnabas, a spurious gospel, has made similar claims, in other words, has produced many more chapters like the one contained in the Qur’an. Are we still to fear the fire when the Qur’an has misrepresented the facts? 

²⁴But if you cannot and of a surety you cannot, then fear the fire whose fuel is men and stones which is prepared for those who reject faith.

²⁵And give glad tidings to those who believe and work righteousness that their portion is gardens beneath which rivers flow. Every time they are fed with fruits therefrom they say: “This is what we were fed with before” for they are given things in similitude, and they have therein companions, and they abide therein.

²⁴Fa illam tafalu wa lan tafalu fattaqun naral lati waquduhan nasu wal hijarahtu uiddat lil kafirina

²⁵Wa bashiri lazina amanu wa amilu salihati anna lahum jannatin tajri min tahtihal anharu kullama ruziqu minha min samaratir rizqan qalu hazal lazi ruziqna min qablu wa utu bihi mutashabihan wa lahum fiha azwajum mutahharatu wahum fiha khaliduna

[Commentary continues below.]

²⁶Allah disdains not to use the similitude of things lowest as well as highest. Those who believe know that it is truth from their Lord, but those who reject faith say, “What means Allah by this similitude?” By it He causes many to stray and many He leads into the right path, but He causes not to stray except those who forsake the path.⁴

²⁷Those who break Allah’s covenant after it is ratified and who sunder what Allah has ordered to be joined and do mischief on earth, these cause loss to themselves.

²⁸How can you reject the faith in Allah? Seeing that you were without life and He gave you life, then will He cause you to die and will again bring you to life, and again to Him will you return.

²⁶Innallaha la yasutahuyi anyadduriba masalan ma bauduatan fama fauqaha fa ammal lazina amanu fayalamuna annahul haqqu mi rabbihim wa ammallazina kafaru fa yaquluna maza aradallahu bi haza masalan yuddillu bihi kasiran wama yahdi bihi kasiran wa ma yuddillu bihi illal fasiqina

²⁷Allazina yanquduna ahdallahi min badi misaqihi wa yaqtauna ma amarallahu bihi annyusala wa yufusiduna filardi ulaika humul khasiruna

²⁸Kaifa takfuruna billahi wa kuntum amuwatan fa ahuyakum summa yumitukum summa yuhuyikum summa ilaihi turujauna

4. The path is John 14:6: Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. No other path leads to heaven, compare this with Qur’an 3:55; God says that He will exalt the followers of Jesus above the non-followers. Ponder on this truth! 

[Commentary continues below.]

²⁹It is He who has created for you all things that are on earth, moreover, His design comprehended the heavens, for He gave order and perfection to the seven firmaments, and of all things he has perfect knowledge.

³⁰And behold your Lord said to the angels, “I will create a deputy on earth.” They said “Will you place therein one who will make mischief therein and shed blood? Whilst we celebrate Your praises and glorify Your holy name?” He said, “I know what you know not.”

³¹And He taught Adam the nature of all things, then He placed them before the angels and said, “Tell Me the nature of these if you are right.”

²⁹Huwal lazi khalaqa lakum ma filardi jamian summa tawa ila samai fasawwahunna saba samawatin wa huwa bikulli shaiin alimu

³⁰Wa iz qala rabbuka lil malaikati inni jailun filardi khalifahtan qalu atajalu fiha man yufusidu fiha wa yasufiku dimaa wa nahnu nusabihu bihamudika wa nuqaddisu laka qala inni alamu mala talamuna

³¹Wa allama Adamal asmaa kullaha summa araddahum alal malaikati faqala ambiuni bi asmai haulai inkuntum sadiqina

[Commentary continues below.]

³²They said, “Glory to You, we have knowledge no except what You have taught us. In truth it is You who are perfect in knowledge and wisdom.”

³³He said, “O Adam, tell them their natures.” When he had told them Allah said, “Did I not tell you that I know the secrets of heaven and earth, and I know what you reveal and what you conceal?”

³⁴And behold We said to the angels, “Bow down to Adam”, and they bowed down, except Iblis, he refused and was haughty, he was of those who reject faith.⁵

³²Qalu subuhanaka la iluma lana illa ma allamutana innaka antal alimul hakimu

³³Qala ya Adamu ambihum bi asmaihim fa lamma ambaahum bi asma ihim qala alam aqul lakum inni alamu gaiba samawati walardi wa alamu ma tubuduna wa ma kuntum takutumuna

³⁴Wa izu quluna lil malaikati sujudu li Adama fasajadu illa iblisa aba wasutakubara wa kana minal kafirina

5. Iblis is the same as Satan, unlike Christian theology which reveals that Satan (Iblis, Lucifer, the Devil etc.) was once an Archangel, the Qur’an does not support this view, rather the Qur’an teaches that Satan is one of the Jinn. Qur’an 18:50 says:

Behold! We said to the angels “Bow down to Adam”: they bowed down except Iblis He was one of the Jinns...

In retrospect, a jinn is a fallen angel, Marmaduke Pickthall refers to them as elemental spirits. As a boy growing under Islamic discipleship, we were warned strictly that working (farming) on Fridays, (Muslim’s day of worship) was forbidden. That jinns were dispatched to the farms of Muslims and that any Muslim found working will be scared off by these jinns who may appear in any form they choose, as unicorns with riders armed to the teeth or as any other mystical being.

Although the Qur’an says that Satan was haughty and that that caused his fall, the Qur’an is right about his haughtiness. However, it is wrong

about the object of his haughtiness. The Qur’an says that man was the object, the Bible on the other hand says that God Himself was Satan’s Object of pride.

Satan wanted to be like God according to Isaiah 14:12-15; How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

This is obviously in contradiction to what the Qur’an is claiming. 

³⁵And We said, “O Adam, dwell with your wife in the garden and eat of the bountiful things therein as you will, but approach not this tree or you run into harm and transgression.”

³⁶Then Satan made them slip from the garden and got them out of the state in which they had been. We said, “Get down, all of you, with enmity between yourselves. On earth will be your dwelling place and your means of livelihood for a time.”⁶

³⁷Then Adam learnt from his Lord words of inspiration, and his Lord turned toward him, for He is always returning, merciful.

³⁵Wa quluna ya Adamu sukunu anta wa zaujukal jannata wa kula minuha ragadan haisu shituma wa la taqraba hazihi shajarata fa takuna mina tualimina

³⁶Fa azallahuma shaituanu anha fa akhrajahuma mimma kana fihi wa qulnah bitu baddukum li badin aduwwu wa lakum filardi mustaqarru wa mataun ila hinin

³⁷Fa talaqa Adamu mi rabbihi kalimatin fa taba alaihi innahu huwa tawabu rahimu

6. Verses 35 and 36 give the impression that the garden was in heaven where Adam and eve were placed by God. On the contrary, man was not created in heaven, nor were they placed in heaven at any time. According to Genesis 2: 7-17:

then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. And the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground the LORD God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

A river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and there it divided and became four rivers. The name of the first is the Pishon. It is the one that flowed around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. And the gold of that land is good; bdellium and onyx stone are there.

The name of the second river is the Gihon. It is the one that flowed around the whole land of Cush. And the name of the third river is the Tigris, which flows east of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates. The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, "You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."

Man was made with the dust of the ground, and placed in a garden with trees of this earth, besides rivers that flow in this world. Therefore to even imply that man was made and lived in heaven before his fall creates such an unforgivable lack of knowledge of divine things made simple.

³⁸We said, “Get down, all of you, from here, and if as is sure there comes to you guidance from Me, whosoever follows My guidance, on them shall be no fear nor shall they grieve”.

³⁹”And those who reject faith and Our signs, they shall be companions of the fire, they shall abide therein”.

⁴⁰O children of Israel, call to mind the favor which I bestowed upon you and fulfill your covenant with Me as I fulfill My covenant with you, and fear none but Me.

⁴¹And believe in what I reveal confirming the revelation which is with you and be not the first to reject faith therein nor sell My signs for a small price, and fear Me and Me alone.⁷

³⁸Quluna hubittu minuha jamian fa imma yatiyannakum minni hudan fa man tabia hudaya fa la khaufun alaihim wa la hum yahuzanuna

³⁹Wallazina kafaru wa kazzabu bi ayatina ulaika ashabun nari hum fiha khaliduna

⁴⁰Ya bani Israila kuru nimatiya lati anamutu alaikum wa aufu bi ahudi ufi bi ahudikum wa iyya ya faruhabuni

⁴¹Wa aminu bima anuzalutu musaddiqan lima maakum wa la takunuu awala kafirin bihi wala tashutaru bi ayati samanan qalilan wa iyyaaya fataquni

7. This apologetical notes runs through the entire Qur’an, it is more like saying, “Please believe me for I am telling you the truth”. We shall consider this point at length in chapter 10:94-95. Meanwhile suffice it to say that it is a desperate plea to accept a lie because the Qur’anic revelation does not in anyway shape or form confirm the Biblical revelation. The Qur’an reject the theology of the fall of man, the death of Christ by crucifixion, the deity of Christ and a host of other pertinent Christological theology. Contrary to popular Muslim belief that the Bible is corrupted. Verse 42is the closest the Qur’an comes to indicting the Bible, the indictment is not even directed at the Bible but the people who conceal the truth. To conceal something is to hide it, consequently you cannot hide what you do not posses. The Christians have the truth, should Muslims be interested in finding out. In the spirit of meekness not following ones own idiosyncrasies as is practiced in Islam.

⁴²And cover not truth with falsehood, nor conceal the truth when you know what it is.

⁴³And be steadfast in prayer, practice regular charity, and bow down your heads with those who bow down.⁸

⁴⁴Do you enjoin right conduct on the people and forget it yourselves, and yet you study the scripture? Will you not understand?

⁴⁵And seek help with patient, perseverance, and prayer, it is indeed hard, except to those who bring a lowly spirit.

⁴⁶Who bear in mind the certainty that they are to meet their Lord and that they are to return to Him.

⁴²Wa la talbisul haqqa bil batili wa taktumul haqqa wa antum talamuna

⁴³Wa aqimu sualata wa atu zakata warukau ma a rakiina

⁴⁴Atamuruna nasa bil birri wa tansauna anfusakum wa antum tatulunal kitaba afala taqiluna

⁴⁵Wasutainu bi suaburi wa sualati wa innaha lakabiratun illa alal khashiina

⁴⁶Allazina yattununa annahum mulaqu rabbihim wa annahum ilaihi rajiuna

8. This is a call to Muhammadanism, popularly known as Islam. There are varying postures and positions in prayer, to advocate one posture or position to the neglect of other could have catastrophic to ones faith. My personal opinion from my dark past is that, rigidity in association to any worship or spiritual exercise is often adherence to occultism. God is flexible in worship, you can stand, kneel, raise your hands and still your prayers will be acceptable to God. In the occult world, strict adherence to the rule is not recommended but required. Failure to follow the instructions to the letter could even mean death in some cases. That is how Islam is, unless one follows the laid down order of things, ones prayer or worship will become abominable.

⁴⁷O children of Israel, call to mind the favor which I bestowed upon you and that I preferred you to all others.

⁴⁸And then guard yourselves against a day when one soul shall not avail another, nor shall intercession be accepted for her, nor shall compensation be taken from her, nor shall anyone be helped.

⁴⁹And remember, We delivered you from the people of Pharaoh, they set you hard tasks and punishments, slaughtered your sons and let your womenfolk live, therein was a tremendous trial from your Lord.

⁵⁰And remember We divided the sea for you and saved you, and drowned Pharaoh’s people within your sight.

⁴⁷Ya bani Israila azkuru nimatiya lati anamtu alaikum wa anni faddaltukum alla alamina

⁴⁸Wattaqu yauma la tajzi nafsun an nafsun shaiaw wa la yuqbalu minha shafaatuw wa la yukhazu minha adluw wa lahum yunsuaruna

⁴⁹Wa izu najjainakum min ali Firauna yasumunakum sua lazabi yuzabbihana abna akum wa yastahyuna nisa akum wa fi zalikum bala mi rabbikum attimun

⁵⁰Wa izu faraquna bikumul bahura fa anjainakum wa agraqna ala Firauna wa antum tanutturuna

[Commentary continues below.]

⁵¹And remember, We appointed forty nights for Moses, and in his absence you took the calf and did grievous wrong.

⁵²Even then We forgave you. There was a chance for you to be grateful.

⁵³And remember, We gave Moses the scripture and the criterion, there was a chance for you to be guided aright.

⁵⁴And remember, Moses said to his people, “O my people, you have indeed wronged yourselves by your worship of the calf, so turn to your maker and slay yourselves, that will be better for you in the sight of your maker.” Then He turned toward you, for He is always returning, merciful.

⁵¹Wa izu waaduna Musa arubaina lailatan summa takhaztumul ijula min badihi wa antum tualimuna

⁵²Summa afauna ankum min badi zalika laallakum tashukuruna

⁵³Wa iz ataina Musa alkitaba wal furqana laallakum tahutaduna

⁵⁴Wa iz qala Musa liqaumihi ya qaumi innakum tualamtum anfusakum bi tikhazikumul iju la fatubu ila bariikum faqtulu anfusakum zalikum khairul lakum inda baariikum fa taba alaikum innahu huwa tawwabu rahimu

[Commentary continues below.]

⁵⁵And remember, you said, “O Moses, we shall never believe in you until we see Allah manifestly” but you were dazed with thunder and lightning even as you looked on.⁹

⁵⁶Then We raised you up after your death, you had the chance to be grateful.

⁵⁷And We gave you the shade of clouds and sent down to you manna and quails saying, “Eat of the good things We have provided for you,” they did no harm to Us but they harmed their own souls.

⁵⁵Wa izu qulutum ya Musa lanu numina laka hata narallaha jahuratan fa akhazatukum sua iqatu wa antum tanutturuna

⁵⁶Summa baasunakum min badi mautikum laallakum tashukuruna

⁵⁷Wa tuallaluna alaikum ulugamama wa anuzaluna alaikumul manna wa saluwa kulu min tuayyibati ma razaqunakum wa ma tualamuna wa lakin kanu anufusahum yattulimuna

9. There are an awful lot of things to remember. One cannot remember that which one has no knowledge of, this underscores the fact the Arabs in one way or another knew of the Hebrew Scriptures but chose to distort them. The events the Qur’an is calling the Muslims to are the Biblical accounts found between Exodus and Deuteronomy. Exodus 32:27-28Moses returns from the mountain to find the Israelites worshiping the golden calf, moved righteous indignation and a godly zeal, three thousand men besides women and children were killed that day to stay God’s anger from destroying the whole congregation. In Exodus 14:14, God delivers them from the hand of the Egyptians, 16:14 Exodus 33:20, God provides supernaturally for the Jews in the wilderness. Numbers 25, the Israelites fall in love with the pagans to the provocation of the Lord and thousands were killed in one day.

⁵⁸And remember We said, “Enter this town and eat of the plenty therein as you wish, but enter the gate with humility in posture and in words, and We shall forgive you your faults and increase those who do good.”

⁵⁹But the transgressors changed the word from that which had been given them, so We sent on the transgressors a plague from heaven, for that they infringed repeatedly.

⁶⁰And remember, Moses prayed for water for his people, We said, “Strike the rock with your staff.” Then gushed forth therefrom twelve springs. Each group knew its own place for water. So eat and drink of the sustenance provided by Allah and do no evil nor mischief on the earth.¹⁰

⁵⁸Wa izu qulunadu khulu hazihil qaruyata fa qulu minha haisu shitum ragadan wadukhulul baba sujadan wa qulu hituatun nagufiru lakum khatayakum wa sanazidul muhusinina

⁵⁹Fa badala lazina tualamu qaulan gaira lazi qila lahum fa anuzaluna alalazina tualamu rijuzan mina samai bima kanu yafusuquna

⁶⁰Wa izi sutasuqa Musa li qaumihi fa qulunadrib bi asakal hajara fan fajarat minhu sunata ashurata ainan qadalima kullu unasin mashurabahum kulu washurabu mi rizuqillahi wa la tasau filarddi mufusidina

10. This passage is a fabrication, the story is taken from Exodus 17:3-6;

And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst? And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me And the LORD said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go. Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

Clearly, there is no mention of drinking areas for the tribes, they obviously drank in turns but most likely not according to tribes, that only happens when they move and when they camp. There were no twelve springs as the passage claims. The following verse is equally a fabrication, the story is found in Exodus 17:2-3:

And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness: And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger. The reported conversation in verse 61, between Moses and the people never happened.

⁶¹Wa izu qulutum ya Musa lan nassubira alla taamim wahidin fadu lana rabbaka yukhuriju lana mimma tumbitul arudu min baquliha wa qishaiha wa fumiha wa adasiha wa basualiha qala atasutabudiluna lazi huwa aduna billazi huwa khairun ihubittu misuran fa inna lakum ma saalutum wa dduribatu alaihimu zillatu wal maskanatu wa bau bi gaduabin minallahi zalika bi annahum kanu yakufuruna bi ayatillahi wa yaqutulunan nabiyyina bi gairi haqqi zalika bima asuau wa kanu yataduna

[Commentary continues below.]

⁶²Those who believe and those who follow the Jewish scriptures, and the Christians, and the Sabians, and who believe in Allah and the last day, and work righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord, on them shall be no fear nor shall they grieve.

⁶³And remember We took your covenant and We raised above you the of Mount, Hold firmly to what We have given you and bring to remembrance what is therein, perchance you may fear Allah.”¹¹

⁶⁴But you turned back thereafter, had it not been for the grace and mercy of Allah to you, you would surely have been among the lost.

⁶²Innal lazina amanu wallazina Hadu wa Nasara wa Sabiina man amana billahi wal yaumi lakhiri wa amila sualihan fa lahum ajuruhum inda rabbihim wa la khaufun alaihim wa laa hum yahuzanuna

⁶³Wa izu akhazuna misaqakum wa rafana fauqakum tura khuzu ma atainakum bi quwwatin wazukuru ma fihi laallakum tataquna

⁶⁴Summa tawallaitum min badi zalika fa laula faddulu lahi alaikum wa rahumatuhu lakuntum mina lkhasirina

11. Muhammad is a master craftsman in the use of religious language, he imitates the verbage and uses key terms in speaking as one of the Old Testament prophets.

[Commentary continues below.]

⁶⁵And you knew well those among you who transgressed in the matter of the Sabbath, We said to them, “Be apes, despised and rejected.”

⁶⁶So We made it an example to their own time and to their posterity and a lesson to those who fear Allah.

⁶⁷And remember Moses said to his people, “Allah commands that you sacrifice a heifer.” They said, “Do you make a laughing-stock of us?” He said, “Allah save me from being an ignorant fool.”¹²

⁶⁸They said, “Beseech your Lord on our behalf to make plain to us what it is. He said, “He says, the heifer should be neither too old nor too young but of middling age. Now do what you are commanded.

⁶⁵Wa laqadu alimutumu lazina tadau minukum fi sabuti fa quluna lahum kunu qiradatan khasiina

⁶⁶Fa jaalnaha nakalal lima baina yadaiha wa ma khalfaha wa mauizatal lil muttaqina

⁶⁷Wa izu qala Musa li qaumihi innallaha yamurukum an tazubahu baqaratan qalu atatakhizuna huzuwan qala auzu billahi an akuna minal jahilina

⁶⁸Qaludu lana rabbaka yubayyil lana ma hiya qala innahu yaqulu innaha baqaratul la fariddun wala bikurun awanu baina zalika fafalu ma tumaruna

12. The story of the heifer from verse 67-72, has no match in the Bible, the only closest thing is the story of the Passover. All this may suggest or confirm the fact that Muhammad was not lettered or that he was woefully deceived. Yusuf Ali stretches his imagination to draw a parallel between this and Deuteronomy 21:1-9 in reference to when a dead man is found in the field and nobody knows the cause of death, in order to avert the curse of God, the elders were to take a heifer and sacrifice it while confessing they are not responsible for the man’s death.

This deduction is made in conjunction with verse 72, and not the rest of the passage. Also, we read in Exodus about how Moses killed an Egyptian and thought that his deed was concealed until he was rebuked by a fellow Jew who was in the wrong and accused Moses of murder (Exodus 2:11-15). It was after this incident that Moses became a fugitive before he was called by God to lead the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt to the promise land.

Verse 73 is another fabrication even of the passages quoted by Yusuf Ali, there is no mention of the dead being raised after the slaying of the heifer, Muhammad made it up or was woefully deceived. He is guilty of misrepresentation.

⁶⁹They said, “Beseech your Lord on our behalf to make plain to us her color.” He said, “He says a fawn colored heifer, pure and rich in tone, the admiration of beholders!”

⁷⁰They said “Beseech your Lord on our behalf to make plain to us what she is, all heifers the same to us, we wish indeed for guidance if Allah wills.”

⁷¹He said, “He says a heifer not trained to till the soil, or water the fields, sound and without blemish.” They said, “Now have you brought the truth.” Then they offered her in sacrifice but not with good will.

⁷²And remember you slew a man and fell into a dispute among yourselves as to the crime, but Allah was to bring forth what you hid.

⁶⁹Qaludu lana rabbaka yubayyin lana ma launuha qala innahu yaqulu innaha baqaratun suafru u faqiul launuha tasurrun nazirina

⁷⁰Qaludu lana rabbaka yubayyin lana ma hiya innal baqara tashabaha alaina wa inna inshaallahu lamuhu

⁷¹Qala innahu yaqulu innaha baqaratul la zalalun tusirul ardua wa la tasqil harsa musallamatul la shiyata fiha qalul ana jita bil haqqi fazabahuha wa ma kadu yafalunataduna

⁷²Wa izu qataltum nafsan faddaratum fiha wallahu mukhurijun ma kuntum takutumuna

[Commentary continues below.]

⁷³So We said, “Strike the body with a piece of the heifer.” Therefore Allah brings the dead to life and shows you His signs perchance you may understand.

⁷⁴From then on your hearts were hardened, they became like a rock and even worse in hardness. For among rocks there are some from which rivers gush forth, others there are which when split asunder send forth water, and others which sink for fear of Allah. And Allah is not unmindful of what you do.

⁷⁵And behold, when they meet the men of faith they say, “We believe” but when they meet each other in private they say, “Shall you tell them what Allah has revealed to you, that they may engage you in argument about it before your Lord?” Do you not understand?

⁷³Fa qulu nadduribuhu bi baddiha kazalika yuhuyillsahul mauta wa yurikum ayatihi laallakum tauqiluna

⁷⁴Summa qasat qulubukum min badi zalika fa hiya kalhijarati au ashaddu qaswahtan wa inna mina lhijarati lama yatafajjaru minhul anhuru wa inna minha lama yashshaqqaqu fa yakhruju minhu lamau wa inna minha lama yahbitu min khashuyatillahi wa mallahu bi gafilin amma tamaluna

⁷⁵Afatatmauna ayuminu lakum wa qadu kana fariqum minhum yasmauna kalamallahi summa yuharifunahu mim badi ma aqaluhu wa hum yalamuna

[Commentary continues below.]

⁷⁶Can you entertain the hope that they will believe in you? Seeing that a party of them heard the word of Allah and perverted it knowingly after they understood it.

⁷⁷Do they not know that Allah knows what they conceal and what they reveal?

⁷⁸And there are among them illiterates who know not the book but desires and they do nothing but conjecture.

⁷⁶Wa iza laqu lazina amanu qalu amanna wa iza khala baduhum ila baddin qalu atuhaddisunahum bima fatahallahu alaikum li yuhajukum bihi inda rabbikum afala taqiluna

⁷⁷Awala yalamuna annallaha yalamu ma yusirruna wa ma yulinuna

⁷⁸Wa minhum ummiyyuna la yalamunal kitaba illa amaniyya wa inhum illa yattunnuna

[Commentary continues below.]

⁷⁹Then woe to those who write the book with their own hands and then say, “This is from Allah” to traffic with it for a miserable price. Woe to them for what their hands do write and for the gain they make thereby.

⁸⁰And they say, “The fire shall not touch us but for a few numbered days.” Say, “Have you taken a promise from Allah, for He never breaks His promise? Or is it that you say of Allah what you do not know?”

⁸¹No, those who seek gain in evil and are girt round by their sins, they are companions of the fire, therein shall they abide.

⁸²And those who have faith and work righteousness, they are companions of the garden, therein shall they abide.

⁷⁹Fa wailul lillazina yaktubunal kitaba bi aidihim summa yaquluna haza min indillahi liyashtaru bihi samanan qalilan fa wailu lahum mimma katabat aidihim wa wailu lahum mimma yakusibuna

⁸⁰Wa qalu lan tamassanan naru illa ayyaman madudahtan qul attakhaztum indallahi ahdan fa lany yukhlifallahu ahdahu am taquluna alallahi ma la talamuna

⁸¹Bala man kasaba sayyiatan wa ahattat bihi khatiatuhu fa ulaika ashabun nari hum fiha khaliduna

⁸²Wallazina amanu wa amilu salihati ulaika ashabul jannahti hum fiha khaliduna

[Commentary continues below.]

⁸³And remember, We took a covenant from the children of Israel, worship none but Allah, treat with kindness your parents and kindred, and orphans and those in need, speak fair to the people, be steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity. Then you turned back except a few among you, and you backslide.

⁸⁴And remember We took your covenant, shed no blood among you, nor turn out your own people from your homes, and this you solemnly ratified and to this you can bear witness.

⁸³Wa izu akhazna misaqa bani Israila ala tabuduna illallaha wa bil walidaini ihsanaw wa zil quruba wal yatama wal masakini wa qulu linnasi husnan wa aqimu sualata wa atu zakata summa tawallaitum illa qalilam minkum wa antum muriduna

⁸⁴Wa izu akhazna misaqakum la tasufikuna dima akum wa la tukhrijuna anfusakum min diyarikum summa aqrartum wa antum tashuhaduna

[Commentary continues below.]

⁸⁵After this it is you the same people who slay among yourselves and banish a party of you from their homes, assist their enemies against them in guilt and rancor, and if they come to you as captives you ransom them, though it was not lawful for you to banish them. Then is it only a part of the book that you believe in and reject the rest? But what is the reward for those among you who behave like this but disgrace in this life? And on the day of judgment they shall be consigned to the most grievous penalty. For Allah is not unmindful of what you do.¹³

⁸⁵Summa antum haulai taqutuluna anfusakum wa tukhrijuna fariqam minkum min diyarihim tazaharuna alaihim bil ismi waludwani wa inyatukum usara tufaduhum wa huwa muharramun alaikum ikhrajuhum afatuminuna bi baddil kitabi wa takfuruna bi baddin fama jazau man yafalu zalika minkum illa khizyun fil hayati dunya wa yaumal qiyamati yuraduna ila ashadi lazabi wa mallahu bi gafilin amma tamaluna

13. This passage is akin to Mark 8:35-37; For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Verse 86speaks clearly to those who choose the benefit of this world to the neglect of the things of the world to come. They are those therefore who shall be kicked out of heaven to hell. There are those who are so pressured by their peers that they have no opinions of their own, but goes with the status quo. Each one will stand before the judgment seat of Christ on the judgment day and receive their according to all that they did while here on earth. What reward do you wish to receive from your Lord? Choose carefully.

⁸⁶These are the people who buy the life of this world at the price of the hereafter, their penalty shall not be lightened nor shall they be helped.

⁸⁷And We gave Moses the book and followed him up with a succession of apostles, We gave Jesus the son of Mary, clear signs and strengthened him with the Holy Spirit. Is it that whenever there comes to you an apostle with what you yourselves desire not, you are puffed up with pride? Some you called impostors and others you slay!¹⁴

⁸⁸And they say, “Our hearts are the wrappings.” No, Allah’s curse is on them for their blasphemy, little is it they believe.

⁸⁶Ulaika lazina astarawu lhayata dunya bil akhirahti fala yukhaffafu anhumul azabu wa la hum yunsaruna

⁸⁷Wa laqadu ataina Musa alkitaba wa qaffaina min badihi bi rusuli wa ataina Isabna Maryama l bayyinati fa ayyadnahu bi ruhil qudusi afakullama jaakum rasulun bima la tahwa anfusukumu astakbartum fa fariqan kazzabutum wa fariqan taqutuluna

⁸⁸Wa qalu qulubuna gulfun bal laanahumullahu bi kufrihim fa qalilam ma yuminuna

14. The problem with this passage is that, the holy spirit (Ruh-ul-Qudus) mentioned here is synonymous with the Angel Gabriel. The question is did God strengthen Jesus with the Angel Gabriel, how was that done. The answer is no, God did strengthen Jesus with the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. He was conceived by the Holy Ghost Matthew 1:18: Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. He was empowered by the Holy Spirit. Matthew ³:16-17, And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Because He was to baptize with the Holy spirit and with fire. Mark 1:8: I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. It was not the angel Gabriel as is alleged by Muslims.

⁸⁹And when there comes to them a book from Allah confirming what is with them, although from of old they had prayed for victory against those without faith, when there comes to them that which they have recognized, they refused to believe in it, but the curse of Allah is on those without faith.

⁹⁰Miserable is the price for which they have sold their souls in that they deny which Allah has sent down, in insolent envy that Allah of His grace should send it to any of His servants He pleases, therefore they have drawn on themselves wrath upon wrath. And humiliating is the punishment of those who reject faith.

⁸⁹Wa lamma jaahum kitabum min indillahi musuaddiqun lima maahum wa kanu min qabulu yasutafutihuna alal lazina kafaru fa lamma jaahum ma arafu kafaru bihi faalanatullahi alal kafirina

⁹⁰Bisama ashtarau bihi anfusahum anyakfuru bima anzalallahu bagyan anyyunazzilallahu min fadlihi ala ma yasha u min ibadihi fa bau bi gaddabin ala gaddabin wa lil kafirina azabun muhinun

[Commentary continues below.]

⁹¹And when it is said to them, “Believe in what Allah has sent down” they say “We believe in what was sent down to us,” yet they reject all besides, even if it be truth confirming what is with them. Say, “Why then have you slain the prophets of Allah in times gone by, if you indeed believed?”¹⁵

⁹²And there came to you Moses with clear signs, yet you worshiped the calf after that and you did behave wrongfully.

⁹¹Wa iza qila lahum aminu bima anzalallahu qalu numinu bima unzila alaina wa yakfuruna bima waraahu wa huwal haqqu musuadiqan lima maahum qul falima taqtuluna anbiya allahi min qablu inkuntum muminina

⁹²Wa laqad jaakum Musa bil bayyinati summa takhaztumul ijla mim badihi wa antum zalimuna

15. Muhammad falsely thought that the Qur’an actually contained exactly the things which are found in the Bible, so he blindly taught his followers and urged the Jews and the Christians to accept his book, which as you have seen thus far, does not in anyway confirm the contents of the Bible. Indeed they accepted what was sent down to them. But rejected what Muhammad had brought because they have been warned strictly that if a prophet speak and the thing come not to pass, that prophet has spoken presumptiously and is not to be believed. That is how Muhammad’s revelation was to them, an empty vessel making the most noise.

⁹³And remember We took your covenant and We raised above you the mount. Hold firmly to what We have given you and hearken. They said, “We hear and we disobey,” and they had to drink into their hearts of the calf because of their faithlessness. Say, “Vile indeed are the behests of your faith if you have any faith.”

⁹⁴Say, “If the last home with Allah is for you specially and not for anyone else, then seek you for death if you are sincere.”

⁹⁵And they will never seek for death on account of the sins which their hands have sent on before them. And Allah is well acquainted with the wrongdoers.

⁹⁶And you will indeed find them of all people most greedy of life, even more than the idolaters, each one of them wishes he could be given a life of a thousand years, but the grant of such life will not save him from punishment, for Allah sees well all that they do.

⁹³Wa iz akhazna misaqakum wa rafana fauqakumu tura khuzu ma atainakum bi quwwatin wasmau qalu samina wa asuaina wa usyribu fi qulubihimul ijla bi kufrihim qul bisama yamurukum bihi imanukum inkuntum muminina

⁹⁴Qul in kanat lakumu darul akhiratu indallahi khalisatam min dunin nasi fa tamannawu lmauta in kuntum sadiqina

⁹⁵Wa lanyatamannauhu abadam bima qaddamat aidihim wallahu alimum bi tualimina

⁹⁶Wa latajidannahum ahurasua nasi alla hayatin wa minal lazina ashraku yawadu ahaduhum lau yuammaru alfa sanahtin wa ma huwa bi muzahzihihi mina lazabi anyuammaru wallahu basirun bima yamaluna

[Commentary continues below.]

⁹⁷Say, “Whoever is an enemy to Gabriel for he brings down the revelation to your heart by Allah’s will, a confirmation of what went before and guidance and glad tidings for those who believe.”

⁹⁸Whoever is an enemy to Allah, and His angels, and apostles, to Gabriel and Michael Lo, Allah is an enemy to those who reject faith.

⁹⁹And We have sent down to you manifest signs, and none reject them but those who are perverse.

¹⁰⁰Is it not that every time they make a covenant some party among them throw it aside? No, most of them are faithless.

⁹⁷Qul man kana aduwwal li jibrila fa innahu nazzalahu ala qalbika bi iznillahi musaddiqal lima baina yadaihi wa hudan wa bushra lil muminina

⁹⁸Man kana aduwwal lillahi wa malaikatihi wa rusulihi wa jibrila wa mikala fa innallaha aduwwul lil kafirina

⁹⁹Wa laqad anzalna ilaika ayatin bayyinatin wa ma yakufuru biha illal fasiquna

¹⁰⁰Awakullama ahadu ahdan nabazahu fariqum minhum bal aksaruhum la yuminuna

[Commentary continues below.]

¹⁰¹And when an apostle came to them from Allah confirming what was with them, a party of the people of the book threw away the book of Allah behind their backs, as if they did not know!¹⁶

¹⁰¹Wa lamma jaahum rasulum min indillahi musuaddiqul lima maahum nabaza fariqum minal lazina utul kitaba kitaballahi waraa dduhurihim kaannahum la yalamuna

16. This passage here is like the one in chapter 4:82:

Do they not consider the Qur’an (with care)? Had it been from other than Allah they would surely have found therein much discrepancy.

The same plea is entered here. An appeal to the Jews to accept what they know to be false. Yusuf Ali’s commentary is that if they really, look into their Book which they received from God then they would realize that the Qur’an is correct. How much comparison should one make when knows beyond doubt that what the other is preaching is false. No amount of name calling can change the fact.

If anything the Muslims should really take note and subject the Qur’an to the same harsh scrutiny as they have subjected the Bible. It is a fact of life that Germans are from Germany, if somebody were to go to Germany and claim to be a German but cannot proof or show any support for his claim, he would be thrown out of Germany so fast he would not even know what hit him.

In this case, the burden of proof was on him but he could not produce any proof. Muhammad keeps insisting that his revelation confirms that which the Jews had received from their God and that he represents the same God, when in the economy of the Jewish deduction such claim cannot be accepted. So Muhammad turns around and accuses them of rejecting the “truth”. Or is it the fabrication.

¹⁰²And they followed what the evil ones gave out against the power of Solomon, the blasphemers were not Solomon, but the evil ones teaching men magic and such things as came down at Babylon to the angels Harut and Marut. But neither of these taught anyone without saying, “We are only for trial so do not blaspheme.” They learned from them the means to sow discord between man and wife. But they could not thus harm anyone except by Allah’s permission. And they learned what harmed them, not what profited them. And they knew that the buyers of magic would have no share in the happiness of the hereafter. And vile was the price for which they did sell their souls if they but knew.¹⁷

¹⁰³And if they had kept their faith and guarded themselves from evil, the reward from their Lord had been far better, if they knew!

¹⁰⁴O you of faith, “Say not words of ambiguous import but words of respect, and hearken, to those without faith is a grievous punishment.”¹⁸

¹⁰²Wattabau ma tatlu shayatinu ala mulki Sulaimana wa ma kafara Sulaimanu wa lakinna shayatina kafaru yuallimunan nasa sihra wa ma unzila alal malakaini bi babila Haruta wa Maruta wa ma yuallimani min ahadin hatta yaqula innama nahnu fitnatun fa la takfur fa yataallamuna minhuma ma yufarriquna bihi bainal mari wa zaujihi wa ma hum bi ddarrina bihi min ahadin illa bi iznillahi wa yataallamuna ma yadurruhum wa la yanfauhum wa laqad alimuu lamanish tarahu ma lahu fil akhirati min khalaqin wa labisa ma sharau bihi anfusahum lau kanu yalamuna

¹⁰³Wa lau annahum amanu wattaqau lamasubatum min indillahi khairun lau kanu yalamuna

¹⁰⁴Ya ayyuha lazina amanu la taqulu raina wa qulun zurna wasmau wa lil kafirina azabun alimun

17. The true identity of the angels? Harut and Marut are in question, Yusuf Ali says that ‘the view which commends itself to me is that of the Tafsir Haqqani following Baidhawi and the Tafsir Kabir. The word “angels” as applied to Harut and Marut is figurative. It means “good men, of knowledge, science (or wisdom) and power.” In modern language the word “angel” is applied to a good and beautiful woman’. George Sale promotes a different opinion preached by Jallalo’ddin that they were two magicians who taught men magic and tempted them, still others teach that they were angels who lost their estate and are banished to Babel awaiting the final judgment. According to George Sale, Muhammad took his story from the Persian Maggi which talks about two rebellious angels of the same name now hung up by their feet in the territory of Babel.

18. It is believed that a word ‘Ra’ina’ which in Arabic means be careful, in Hebrew the same word was an insult, and so here the Muslims are told (Ya ayyuhal lazina amanu la taqulu raina wa qulun zurna was mau wa lil kafirina azabun alimun). O you of faith! say not words of ambiguous import but words of respect; and hearken, to those without faith is a grievous punishment. Ignorance can have fatal consequences sometimes, particularly if one does not know the full import of their words, both its historical and current application. In this case they may have capitalized on Muhammad’s ignorance of their language and some of them paid dearly with their lives.

¹⁰⁵It is never the wish of those without faith among the people of the book nor of the pagans that anything good should come down to you from your Lord But Allah will choose for His special mercy whom He will, for Allah is Lord of grace abounding.

¹⁰⁶None of Our revelations do We abrogate or cause to be forgotten but We substitute something better or similar, do you not know that Allah has power over all things?¹⁹

¹⁰⁷Do you not know that to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth? And besides Him you have neither patron nor helper?

¹⁰⁵Ma yawaddul lazina kafaru min ahlil kitabi wa lal mushrikina anyunazzala alaikum min khairim mirabbikum wallahu yakhtassu bi rahmatihi ma yashau wallahu zul faddlil azimi

¹⁰⁶Ma nansakh min ayatin au nunsiha nati bi khairim minha au misliha alam talam annallaha ala kulli shaiin qadirun

¹⁰⁷Alam talam annallaha lahu mulku samawati walardi wa ma lakum min dunillahi min waliyyin wa la nasirin

19. This is best described as progressive revelation. A revelation may come today about where to face when one stands to pray as in 2:177: The Qur’an that there shall be no compulsion in religion 2:256, although the Qur’an commands the Muslims to strike terror into the hearts of the enemies of God and your enemies 8:60. They have also been charged to slay the pagans 9:5and to pursue the Jews and the Christians till they all submit to the Authority of Islam 9:29. This has either been changed or amended three time. Is this forgetfulness, simple changes or progressive revelation. Meanwhile the Qur’an says in chapter 10:64; no change can there be in the Words of Allah. Is this statement also abrogated?

¹⁰⁸Would you question your apostle as Moses was questioned of old? But whoever changes from faith to unbelief has strayed without doubt from the even way.²⁰

¹⁰⁹And quite a number of the people of the book wish they could turn you back to infidelity after you have believed from selfish envy, after the truth has become manifest unto them, but forgive and overlook till Allah accomplish His purpose, for Allah has power over all things.

¹¹⁰And be steadfast in prayer and regular in charity, and whatever good you send forth for your souls before you, you shall find it with Allah, for Allah sees well all that you do.

¹⁰⁸Am turiduna an tasalu rasulakum kama suila Musa min qablu wa ma yatabaddalil kufra bil imani fa qad dalla sawa assabili

¹⁰⁹Wadda kasirum min ahlil kitabi lau yaruddunakum min badi imanikum kuffaran hasadan min indi anfusihim min badima tabayyana lahumu lhaqqu fafu wasfahu hatta yatiyallahu bi amrihi innallaha alla kulli shaiin qadirun

¹¹⁰Wa aqimu sualata wa atuzakahta wa ma tuqadimu li anfusikum min khairin tajiduhu indallahi innallaha bima tamaluna basirun

20. The question borders on insecurity and uncertainty, with the crafty use of religious language and intimidation, the Muslim is urged to stay within the bonds of the faith (Islam). Any conversion in this case is tantamount to apostasy which qualifies the individual as an enemy of Allah status as the next verse implies.

[Commentary continues below.]

¹¹¹And they say, “None shall enter paradise unless he be a Jew or a Christian.” Those are their desires. Say, “Produce your proof if you are truthful.”

¹¹²No, whoever submits his whole self to Allah and is a doer of good, he will get his reward with his Lord, on such shall be no fear nor shall they grieve.²¹

¹¹³And the Jews say, “The Christians have nothing to stand on,” and the Christians say, “The Jews have nothing to stand on.” Yet they study the book. Like unto their word is what those say who know not, but Allah will judge between them in their quarrel on the day of judgment.²²

¹¹¹Wa qalu lany yadkhulal jannata illa man kana hudan au Nasara tilka amaniyyuhum qul hatu burhanakum inkuntum sadiqina

¹¹²Bala man aslama wajhahu lillahi wa huwa muhsinun falahu ajruhu inda rabbihi wa la khaufun alaihim wa la hum yahzanuna

¹¹³Wa qalati lYahudu laisatin Nasara ala shaiin wa qalatin Nasara laisati lYahudu ala shaiin wa hum yatluna lkitaba kazalika qalallazina la yalamuna misla qaulihim fallahu yahkumu bainahum yaumal qiyamati fima kanu fihi yakhtalifuna

21. Verses 111-112 takes a swipe at the Judeo-Christian claim that none will go to heaven but them, the Qur’an therefore calls on them to produce a proof of such claim. Rather it says that whoever does the will of Allah will be saved. To start with, here is a proof from the Qur’an that the followers of Jesus are superior people and as such will be exalted by God, 3:55;

Behold! Allah said: “O Jesus! I will take thee and raise thee to Myself and clear thee (of the falsehoods) of those who blaspheme; I will make those who follow thee superior to those who reject Faith to the Day of Resurrection; then shall ye all return unto Me and I will judge between you of the matters wherein ye dispute.

This should take care of claim that the Muslim will make it to heaven. It is a theoretical and practical fact that Muslims follow Muhammad’s teaching with extravagant devotion. The Bible says in John 14:6quoting the words of Jesus and confirming what the Qur’an has just said; ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me’.

22. This is a personal attack on the Jews and the Christians. It is a fact that Islam is equally divided with each claiming to have the more accurate truth than the other. The Sunnis claim to be following the traditions of Muhammad, the Shiites claim that the Qur’an has been changed and substitutions made within it to take heritage of Ali and given to Abu Bakr, the Ahmadis claim that Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmed is the promised messiah and therefore must be followed, the Nation of Islam claims that no, but Master Wallace Farad Muhammad is God. These are but a few of the more than one thousand division in Islam each with a unique claim to some truth not adhered to by the others. The attempt here is to discredit the Judeo-Christian movements.

¹¹⁴And who is more unjust than he who forbids that in places for the worship of Allah, Allah’s name should be celebrated? Whose zeal is to ruin them? It was not fitting that such should themselves enter them except in fear. For them there is nothing but disgrace in this world and in the world to come, an exceeding torment.²³

¹¹⁵And to Allah belong the East and the West, whithersoever you turn, there is the presence of Allah. For Allah is all pervading, all knowing.²⁴

¹¹⁶They say, “Allah has begotten a son,” Glory be to Him. No, to Him belongs all that is in the heavens and on earth, everything renders worship to Him.²⁵

¹¹⁷To Him is due the primal origin of the heavens and the earth, when He decrees a matter, He says to it, “Be,” and it is.

¹¹⁴Wa man azlamu mimmam manaa masajidallahi anyuzkara fihasmuhu wa saa fi kharabiha ulaika ma kana lahum anyadkhuluha illal khaifina lahum fi dunya khizyu wa lahum fil akhirati azabun attimun

¹¹⁵Wa lillahil masyriqu wal magribu fa ainama tuwallu fa samma wajhullahi innallaha wasiun alimun

¹¹⁶Wa qalut takhazallahu waladan subhanahu bal laha ma fi samawati walardi kullul lahu qanituna

¹¹⁷Badiu samawati walardi wa iza qada amran fa innama yaqulu lahu kun fa yakunu

23. The Kaabah is a pre-Islamic worship center for the Arab pagans, they called it the house of God (bayt allah), because in it housed the over 365idols. The custodians of the Kaabah were the Qureish, the tribe of Muhammad. His father also an idol worshiper was called Abdullah which means the slave of Allah. Therefore, when the Kaabah is referred to as the house of God, they did not imply the God invented by Muhammad, that is why he was kept out of it.

24. It is very interesting to note that unless one faces the east when one prays as a Muslim, ones prayer will not be acceptable. Contrary to what this passage says.

25. This is a misunderstanding of Scripture. A comparison of chapter 19:19of the Qur’an and Luke 1:34-35exposes the personal vendetta that Muhammad had towards the Christian belief system. He said: “Nay I am only a messenger from thy Lord (to announce) to thee the gift of a holy son.” Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

I do not see a theological problem here, rather I see a psychological one.

How can god have a Son when He has no wife? Both the Qur’an and the Bible agree that the angel came from God to announce the gift of a Son to Mary by supernatural means. It is based on this, then, that Jesus is called the son of God. Not because Mary copulated with God and became pregnant. The thought of that is even blasphemous. God forbid. [Editor's note: "Son of God" is a title, not a description.]

¹¹⁸Those without knowledge say, “Why does Allah not speak unto Us? Or why comes not unto Us a sign?” So did the people before them say, words of similar import. Their hearts are alike. We have indeed made clear the signs unto any people who hold firmly to faith.

¹¹⁹Verily, We have sent you in truth as a bearer of glad tidings and a warner. But of you no question shall be asked of companions of the blazing fire.