of the 10th to stay at Muzdalifah. Later, as the priestly monopoly of the Quraysh became well established, they claimed that it was below their dignity to go to [Arafat with the ordinary people of Arabia. As a mark of what they called their distinction, they only went to Muzdalifah, without going to [Arafat and returned from there, leaving it to the commoners to go to [Arafat. It is this idol of pride and vainglory which has been shattered to pieces by the present verse.
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Al-Baqarah 2: 201–4
There are some (among those that remember Allah) who say: “Our Lord, grant us what is good in this world;” such shall have no share in the Hereafter. (201) There are others who say: “Our Lord, grant us what is good in this world and what is good in the World to Come, and protect us from the chastisement of the Fire.” (202) They shall have a portion from what they earned; Allah is quick in reckoning. (203) And remember Allah through the appointed days. It is no sin for him who hastens off and returns in two days, and it is no sin for him who delays the return66 provided he has spent the days in piety. Beware of disobeying Allah and know well that to Him you all shall be mustered.
(204) Among people there is a kind whose sayings on the affairs of the world fascinate you: he calls Allah again and again to bear testimony to his sincerity; yet he is most fierce in enmity. ▶
66 It was perfectly alright whether a person returned on the 12th or on the 13th of Dhu al-Hijjah from Mina to Makkah as long as it is during the days of tashriq.
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Al-Baqarah 2: 205–9
(205) Whenever he attains authority,67 he goes about the earth spreading mischief and laying to waste crops and human life, even though Allah (whose testimony he invokes) does not love mischief. (206) Whenever he is told: “Fear Allah,” his vainglory seizes him in his sin. So Hell shall suffice for him; what a wretched resting place! (207) On the other hand, among men there is a kind who dedicates his life seeking to please Allah; Allah is Immensely Kind to such devoted servants. (208) Believers! Enter wholly into Islam68 and do not follow in the footsteps of Satan for he is your open enemy. (209) And if you stumble in spite of the clear instructions which have come to you, then know well that Allah is Most Mighty, Most Wise. ▶
67 The words idha tawalla can also be so translated as to make the verse mean that once the sweet and apparently genuine protestations of such people are over, they engage in arrogant and destructive action.
68 God demands that man should submit, without reservation, his whole being to His will. For God does not accept the splitting up of human life into separate compartments, some governed by the teachings of Islam and others exempt from them.
61
Al-Baqarah 2: 210–3
(210) Are those people (who are not following the Right Path in spite of admonition and instruction) waiting for Allah to come to them in canopies of clouds with a retinue of angels and settle the matter finally? To Allah shall all matters ultimately be referred.
(211) Ask the Children of Israel how many Clear Signs We gave them! And when a people tamper with Allah’s bounty after it has been bestowed on them – then indeed Allah is severe in punishment.
(212) Worldly life has been made at t ract ive to those who have denied the Truth. Such men deride the men of faith, but the pious shall rank higher than them on the Day of Resurrection. As for worldly livelihood, Allah grants it to whomsoever He wills without measure.
(213) In the beginning mankind followed one single way. (Later on this state ended and differences arose.) Then Allah sent forth Prophets as heralds of good tidings for the righteous and as warners against the consequences of evil-doing. ▶
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Al-Baqarah 2: 214
He sent down with them the Book embodying the Truth so that it might judge among people in their disputes. And those who innovated divergent ways rather than follow the Truth were none other than those who had received the knowledge of the Truth and clear guidance; and they did so to commit excesses against each other. So by His leave Allah directed the believers to the Right Way in matters on which they disagreed. Allah guides whomsoever He wills onto a Straight Way.
(214) Do you suppose that you will enter Paradise un- touched by the suffering endured by the people of faith who passed away before you?69 They were afflicted by misery and hardship and were so convulsed that the Messenger and the believers with him cried out: ▶
69 The point emphasized here is that whenever the Prophets came into the world they, and their followers, were confronted with severe resistance from those in rebellion against God. At grave risk to themselves they strove to establish the hegemony of the true faith over the false ways of life. The profession of faith has always demanded that one should strive to establish the true religion, which one had adopted as one’s faith, as a living reality and that one should spare no effort in undermining the power of the Devil who seeks to resist it.
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Al-Baqarah 2: 215–7
“When will Allah’s help arrive?” They were assured: “Behold, Allah’s help is close by.”
(215) People ask you what they should spend. Say: “What- ever wealth you spend let it be for your parents and kinsmen, the orphans, the needy and the wayfarer; Allah is aware of whatever good you do.”
(216) Fighting is ordained upon you and it is disliked by you; it may well be that you dislike a thing even though it is good for you, and it may well be that you like a thing even though it is bad for you. Allah knows and you do not know.
(217) People ask you about fighting in the holy month. Say: “Fighting in it is an awesome sin, but barring people from the Way of Allah, disbelieving in Him, and denying entry into the Holy Mosque and expelling its inmates from it are more awesome acts in the sight of Allah; and persecution is even more heinous than killing.”70 ▶
70 This relates to a certain incident. In Rajab 2 A.H. the Prophet (peace be on him) sent an expedition of eight persons to Nakhlah (which lies between Makkah and Ta’if). He directed them to follow the movements of the Quraysh and gather
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Al-Baqarah 2: 218
