Surah Baqara – Ayah No. 127 to 135
Surah Al-Baqarah Ayah #127-135 (2:127-135)
A- Translation
١٢٧ وَإِذْ يَرْفَعُ إِبْرَاهِيمُ الْقَوَاعِدَ مِنَ الْبَيْتِ وَإِسْمَاعِيلُ رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ
[Quran 2:127] And when Ibrahim raised the Q’waida (الْقَوَاعِدَ) of the Ba’ait (الْبَيْتِ), together with Ismael, “Our Rabb (رَبَّنَا), accept from us. Indeed, You are the All-hearing, the All-knowing”.
١٢٨ رَبَّنَا وَاجْعَلْنَا مُسْلِمَيْنِ لَكَ وَمِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِنَا أُمَّةً مُسْلِمَةً لَكَ وَأَرِنَا مَنَاسِكَنَا وَتُبْ عَلَيْنَا ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ
[Quran 2:128] Our Rabb, and make us Muslemeen (مُسْلِمَيْنِ) to You, and from our descendants an Ummatan (أُمَّةً) Muslimatan (مُسْلِمَةً) to You. And show us our rites, and be Tub (تُبْ) on us. Indeed, you are the Tawwabu (التَّوَّابُ) and the Raheem (الرَّحِيمُ).
١٢٩ رَبَّنَا وَابْعَثْ فِيهِمْ رَسُولًا مِنْهُمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِكَ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ
[Quran 2:129] Our Rabb, and raise up among them a messenger from them, to Yatloo (يَتْلُو) to them Your Ayaateka (آيَاتِكَ), and to teach them the Kitaab (الْكِتَابَ) and the wisdom, and to Yuzakehem (َيُزَكِّيهِمْ) them. Indeed, you are the Almighty, the All-wise.”
١٣٠ وَمَنْ يَرْغَبُ عَنْ مِلَّةِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِلَّا مَنْ سَفِهَ نَفْسَهُ ۚ وَلَقَدِ اصْطَفَيْنَاهُ فِي الدُّنْيَا ۖ وَإِنَّهُ فِي الْآخِرَةِ لَمِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ
[Quran 2:130] And who would desire other than the Millat (مِلَّةِ) of Ibrahim, except the one who fools Nafsaho (نَفْسَهُ)? We certainly chose him in this world, and indeed, he will be among the Swaliheen (الصَّالِحِينَ) in the Akhira (الْآخِرِ).
١٣١ إِذْ قَالَ لَهُ رَبُّهُ أَسْلِمْ ۖ قَالَ أَسْلَمْتُ لِرَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
[Quran 2:131] When his Rabb (رَبُّهُ) said to him, “Aslim (أَسْلِمْ)!” He said, “Aslamtu (أَسْلَمْتُ) to the Rabb (لِرَبِّ) of the Worlds.”
١٣٢ وَوَصَّىٰ بِهَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بَنِيهِ وَيَعْقُوبُ يَا بَنِيَّ إِنَّ اللَّهَ اصْطَفَىٰ لَكُمُ الدِّينَ فَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنْتُمْ مُسْلِمُونَ
[Quran 2:132] And Ibrahim instructed his children, and so did Yaqoob, “O my children, Indeed, Allah has chosen the Deen (الدِّينَ) for you, so do not die except while you are Muslemoon (مُسْلِمُونَ).”
١٣٣ أَمْ كُنْتُمْ شُهَدَاءَ إِذْ حَضَرَ يَعْقُوبَ الْمَوْتُ إِذْ قَالَ لِبَنِيهِ مَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِنْ بَعْدِي قَالُوا نَعْبُدُ إِلَٰهَكَ وَإِلَٰهَ آبَائِكَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِسْحَاقَ إِلَٰهًا وَاحِدًا وَنَحْنُ لَهُ مُسْلِمُونَ
[Quran 2:133] Or were you a witness when death approached Yaqoob and he said to his children, “What will you Ta’badoon (تَعْبُدُونَ) after me?” They said, “We will Na’badu (نَعْبُدُ) your deity, and the deity of your fathers Ibrahim, Ismael, and Ishaac- the one Allah. For we are Muslemoon (مُسْلِمُونَ) to Allah.”
١٣٤ تِلْكَ أُمَّةٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ ۖ لَهَا مَا كَسَبَتْ وَلَكُمْ مَا كَسَبْتُمْ ۖ وَلَا تُسْأَلُونَ عَمَّا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ
[Quran 2:134] That was an Ummathun (أُمَّةٌ) that has already passed; for them is what they have earned, and for you is what you have earned. And you will not be questioned about what they used to do.
١٣٥ وَقَالُوا كُونُوا هُودًا أَوْ نَصَارَىٰ تَهْتَدُوا ۗ قُلْ بَلْ مِلَّةَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ حَنِيفًا ۖ وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ
[Quran 2:135] And they say, “Kunu (كُونُوا) Hoodan (هُودًا) or Nas’aara (نَصَارَىٰ), and you will Tahtadu (تَهْتَدُوا).” Say, “Rather, the Millat (مِلَّةَ) of Ibrahim, the Hanifan (حَنِيفًا); and what he Kana (كَانَ) of the Muskrikeen (الْمُشْرِكِينَ)?”
B- THE CONCEPT:
In the ayahs 124 to 126 gave the details of the Nabi Ibrahim’s establishment of ba’ait- the house, the parameters thereof and the characteristics of those for whom it was being established. From the ayahs 2:127 to 2:128 are basically a wish, a desire, a prayer by Ibrahim and Ismail when they were raising the Q’waid- the foundations, basics, groundworks, footings, establishments, essentials, fundamentals of the Ba’ait. 2:127 “And when Ibrahim raised the Q’waida (الْقَوَاعِدَ) of the house, together with Ismael,…” keeping in mind the meanings of the word Al-Ba’it which is not just any house, but the House of Allah- the basic characteristics and meanings of the Bai’it (Al Bai’ait) is any place, where Allah’s Zikr is being done in the mornings and in the evenings. So, wherever in the Quran Allah talks about the Ba’ait, Allah is basically talking about the house, could be the house of the righteous, a place on land represent house of Allah where people follow Allah’s commandments and guidance as ordained by Allah, a masjid (as per the defined meanings of Quran/ not a physical masjid as is normally understood), anywhere which is built, not physically in terms of bricks, wood and iron, but more so on the principals – the Qawaiiad of Deen as per ayah and it was not being built as per brick and stones, but actually the foundations, the essentials, the fundamentals of the Ba’ait of Allah was being laid down by Ibrahim and Ismail.
Therefore, the Duaa, the desire of Ibrahim and Ismael at that time was “… Our Rabb (رَبَّنَا), accept from us. Indeed, You are the All-hearing, the All-knowing”. 2:128 “Our Rabb, and make us Muslemeen (مُسْلِمَيْنِ) to You, and from our descendants an Ummatan (أُمَّةً) Muslimatan (مُسْلِمَةً) to You…” As we know a Muslim is someone who follows the Deen-e-Islam- when we keep in mind the meanings of the word Muslim, we would realize this duaa is all encompassing of very broad set of meanings as “Our Rabb, make us Muslemeen to You, and from our descendants an Ummatan Muslimatan to You”. Muslim is the one who aslam the Deen-e-Islaam- being that code of conduct- a way of life, which is given in Quran as per the laws of Deen, a complete submission and obedience of which fills the gap for an individual’s insufficiencies, correct own flaws, to make the person a perfect and pure being whereby an individual’s faculties and abilities are utilized to their maximum, protecting the person through all the troubles, lawlessness, destruction as well as pushing individual towards new heights ensuring long term success, peace, prosperity, security not just for the individual but for all members of the society.
The next phrase “… And show us our rites…” This phrase relates to all the requirements to be a Muslim, everything that is required to be a true Muslim. The last phrase of this ayah as“.., and be Tub (تُبْ) on us..” is a duaa by them to Allah to keep your forgiveness on us and accept our Touba. The next phrase is therefore- “…Indeed, you are the Tawwabu (التَّوَّابُ) and the Raheem (الرَّحِيمُ) explains the concept of Allah as Raheem in our life and the importance of Touba as a basic element of having and keeping that privilege of Allah as Raheem in our lives. As we know, Touba meaning taking a u-turn, entails three important steps (1) Identify the wrong deed/path, leave the wrong path and make a firm commitment never to commit the wrong deeds again (2) I’Slah- Rectify, Compensate the impacts of the wrong deeds & Reform, (3) Take/stay on the right path, after strengthening Emaan and continue to do Aml-e- Swalehaat- righteous deeds. It’s because of this that once a person has done Touba, and Is’lah then Allah is back in the life as Raheem and that’s why in this ayah as well, the phrase Allah as the Tawaabu and the Raheem is mentioned alongside with each other.
In the ayah 2:129, basically identifies their wish, the duaa to ask for Rasool to come from their decedents 2:129 Our Rabb, and raise up among them a messenger from them, to Yatloo (يَتْلُو) to them Your Ayaateka (آيَاتِكَ), and to teach them the Kitaab (الْكِتَابَ) and the wisdom, and to Yuzakehem (َيُزَكِّيهِمْ) them. Indeed, You are the Almighty, the All-wise.”- this ayah identifies the characteristics and duties of Rasool , who will (1) Yatloo to them Allah’s Ayaat- i.e. who would ensure that Allah’s Ayaat are understood, obeyed and followed with complete Emaan and firm conviction as per Emaan on Allah’s Ayaat (آيَاتِكَ) and (2) who teaches them the Kitaab and the wisdom, giving them the knowledge of Allah’s Kitaab, which is Hidayah and wisdom of Allah and (3) who Yuzakehem them– purifying them, cleansing their Nafs and souls, through the spending of their wealth, resources and efforts for the benefits of others.
The next ayah is then giving us a benchmark, a role model in the form of Nabi Ibrahim as was discussed in earlier ayahs from ayah no. 124 to 126 as well. 2:130 And who would desire other than the Millat (مِلَّةِ) of Ibrahim, except the one who fools Nafsaho (نَفْسَهُ)?…” The ayah 2:130 gives us an undeniable fact that only a fool would be a follower of anything besides the Millat of Ibrahim. Islam is called Millat -e-Ibrahimi or Deen-e-Ibrahim and by the phrase “Millat of Ibrahim”, are methods and ways of doing things as per Deen, basically those ways and methods to follow the Allah’s Laws and commandments as followed by Nabi Ibrahim, which have been written and become part of Deen. The reason for this commandment is mentioned in the subsequent phrase “… We certainly chose him in this world, and indeed, he will be among the S’waliheen in the Akhira (الْآخِرِ), whereby Allah is telling us all that Nabi Ibrahim has been chosen by Allah in this world. This is evident by all the followers of Ibrahimi religions such as Muslims, Christians and Jews who all have been instructed to follow in his footsteps as Nabi Ibrahim has been elevated in this world. Also in the hereafter Nabi Ibrahim is also going to be among those who did Is’lah (the Swaliheen).
This prestige, standing and elevation given to Nabi Ibrahim is further explained with reasons given in the next ayah 2:131 When his Rabb (رَبُّهُ) said to him, “Aslim (أَسْلِمْ)!” He said, “Aslamtu (أَسْلَمْتُ) to the Rabb (لِرَبِّ) of the Worlds.” Note that, these are not just words and conversations, these are actions and deeds, which emanated from utter and deep conviction and knowledge of Nabi Ibrahim, the basic fundamentals of his Emaan at the root of Islam. When Allah instructed Ibrahim Aslim as an explicit instruction, the reply from him was full of his Emaan, with his words “Aslamtu Rabb il aalimeen” evidenced of the deep conviction and submission by Nabi Ibrahim towards Allah’s Authority and Rabobiat which encompasses the whole of universe as Rabb of the worlds.
The Ayah 2:132-133 is talking about the instructions of Anbiya to their children. In 2:132 Nabi’s Ibrahim and Nabi Yaqoob instructed to their children- And Ibrahim instructed his children, and so did Yaqoob, “O my children, Indeed, Allah has chosen the Deen (الدِّينَ) for you, so do not die except while you are Muslemoon (مُسْلِمُونَ).” The ayah 2:133 is significant in the first phrase which says “were you witnesses when death approached Yaqoob?” This phrase tells us so much about not to believe any hearsay or rumors or stories in the matters of Deen, since none of us were present at the time, the only statement we can truly rely on as “Haq” as absolute truth and justice” is Quran. Therefore, we should rely and believe on what is being told to us by Allah. In all other sources of information, there is a possibility of human error since none of the humans were present at the time. The next phrase “Yaqoob said to his children, “What will you do Abd after me?” They said, “We will do Abd you deity, and the deity of your fathers, Ibrahim and Ismail and Ishaq – one Allah. And we are Muslims to Him.” Shows the level confirming a truth by covering all the aspects of an answer, leaving no chance of misunderstanding, showing complete trust, confidence and conviction, when the children of Yaqoob assured their father in response to this question.
The ayah 2:134 “That was a nation which has passed on. It will have what it earned, and you will have what you have earned. And you will not be asked about what they used to do shows that even if Nabi Ibrahim and their children were your forefathers and whatever they have done, and to how close they were to Allah, Allah is telling us in extremely clear and concise manner that their deeds and actions have no bearing whatsoever on us. We have to understand and follow the Kitab, the commandments, the rules and the hidayah as ordained by Allah. They have earned what they did and we will be held accountable for our deeds.
Ayah 2:135 “And they say, ‘Kunu (كُونُوا) Hoodan (هُودًا) or Nas’aara (نَصَارَىٰ), and you will Tahtadu (تَهْتَدُوا).’ Say, ‘Rather, the Millat (مِلَّةَ) of Ibrahim, the Hanifan (حَنِيفًا); and what he Kana (كَانَ) of the Muskrikeen (الْمُشْرِكِينَ)?’ Here, the word Kunu and Kana: is normally translated as ‘is, should be, was, etc.’ but the real meanings of the word is in terms of reaching or becoming a final, end result, the most permanent form or situation. The word Hoodan and Tahtadu: shared the same meanings which basically mean to guide, to make things clear and bright, to be ahead of others and to lead the way for others. The word Hidayaha, as in Tahtadu, means being on Hidayah- is a guidance, a map, an instruction manual that is clear, obvious and visible to others. The word Hoodan (هُودًا), Yahood and Haadu are all normally mistranslated as Jews in ALL of its occurrences in Quran, thereby restricting and limiting these ayahs to the Jews ONLY; these are wrong translations and interpretations. The word Haadu shares the basic characteristics and the meanings as the words Haad, Haadi, and Hidayah, which is in terms of guidance i.e., as a pole star, to be ahead of others and to lead the way for and therefore refer to anyone who is a guide, a leader, conductor, pilot, barrister, counsel, preacher, lawyer etc., and thus these words refer to all such religious scholars, leaders, preachers who present themselves in front of people to lead the way for others when it comes to matters of Deen. The word Nas’ara: shares the same characteristics of meanings as the word Nas’eer, which is normally translated as “Helper” but it is used in Quran in much broader meanings. Basic characteristic of the word is like water as a source of life, nourishment, and basic requirement to produce results and S’amaraat. Therefore, without the water, all efforts of farmer are rendered useless. Therefore, it’s used for anyone or anything, that is required as a source of life, a source of nourishment, the main catalyst on the basis of which one’s efforts and struggle would produce results. Therefore, the word Nas’eer means all those who are catalyst in our lives, without whom our efforts will not produce results. The word is also used in the meanings of protection and shield that saves one from anything that can cause harm or injury. Thus the word Nas’ara refers to all those people who are acting as Nas’eer for us, in the meanings of providing assistance, help, protection, catalyst to turn our efforts struggles into results, taking us out from a difficult situation etc., basically refers to all our loved ones, friends, family etc. Thus, here, when Allah says, “And they say, ‘Kunu (كُونُوا) Hoodan (هُودًا) or Nas’aara (نَصَارَىٰ), and you will Tahtadu (تَهْتَدُوا).’ Say, ‘Rather, the Millat (مِلَّةَ) of Ibrahim, the Hanifan (حَنِيفًا); and what he Kana (كَانَ) of the Muskrikeen (الْمُشْرِكِينَ)?’ This Ayah is not talking about jews and Christians as is normally misunderstood, but is basically a divine instruction for us that when we have people all around us, who present themselves as our Hoodan- our teachers, guides, the scholars, the preachers, anyone we look up to for advice and guidance in the matters of Deen, as well as Nas’ara- who are Nas’eer for us, providing us with help, protection, acting as catalyst for our efforts to produce results, such as all our loved ones, our family, our near and dear ones. Both Hoodan and Nas’aara, want us to follow their ways and means in the matters of Deen, just because they think they are on the Hidayah and once we follow them, we will be on the Hidayah too. But on the contrary, Allah is giving us a very clear criterion of being on the Hidayah- a clear guidance to follow only Allah’s laws, as mentioned in Quran, and Allah’s Kitaab, just like Nabi Ibrahim followed Allah’s Laws only. Therefore, Following the Millat of Ibrahim, who was Hanifan and not of Mushrikeen, is the ONLY criterion of being on the Hidayah. It does not matter whatever, people all around us, who have taken either the roles of Haadun or Nas’ara for you, but the basic and clear divine instruction is that “follow the Millat of Ibrahim, Hanifan, he was not of the Mushrikeen.” As we know Hanifan means to leave the wrong path and take the right path and remain steadfast on the right path by being persistent and perseverant in remaining on the right path. The avoidance of Shirk at all costs is inherent in the meanings of being Hanifan. That is the meanings of hanifa Lil Allah means we would follow the laws of Allah as mentioned in Quran, as Allah is the only lawmaker in Deen and there cannot be anyone but Allah when it comes to laws of Deen. Since Ibrahim was surrounded by Idols and idol-worshippers growing up, but he found Allah himself through the use of his own faculties and reasoning, therefore the word Hanifan is used in Quran most of the times in reference to Ibrahim and keeping him as a benchmark and also as a word opposite to Shirk. Which is also highlighted in this Ayah through the phrase “..and he was not of the Mushrikeen..” since the clear criteria of being a Hanifan is not to be a Mushrik, at any cost.
C- IMPLEMENTATION IN TODAY’S LIFE
These ayahs from 2:127 to 135 beautifully gives us the concept of being a true Muslim as was Nabi Ibrahim who was Hanifa Lil Allah. Following the Millat of Ibrahim, the footsteps of Nabi Ibrahim as our Imaam, we should avoid shirk at all costs, remain humbly submissive and follow the laws of Allah as mentioned in Quran, as Allah is the only lawmaker in Deen and there cannot be anyone but Allah when it comes to laws of Deen. We should apply our own faculties, our reasoning and intellect to understand Deen rather than following our forefathers or our teachers, since as a Muslim, it’s our basic duty to understand and follow the Deen in order to become true Muslim. Quran tells us time and time again, that there is a possibility that they didn’t know or they didn’t understand. Additionally, they will have what they have earned and we will have what we will earn.
These ayahs also tell us undeniable fact that the stories of previous nations & Nabiyeen/Rasool as mentioned in Quran is the Haqq, the absolute truth, as no one from any of our forefathers, not even Nabi Mohammad, was present at the time. Therefore, whatever is mentioned in Quran is Haqq, and whatever is not mentioned in the Quran is here say, rumor and fabrication. We should never assume anything, mix Haqq with Baatil, or believe anything other than Quran.
Footnotes:
D- THE KEY-WORD VOCABULARY:
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