Today's Reflection [ Ayah 52,53,54 , Surah Al- Baqarah]

 ثُمَّ عَفَوْنَا عَنْكُمْ مِنْ بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ 

Then We pardoned you after that, so that you might be grateful. 

(Quran 2:52) 

وَإِذْ آتَيْنَا مُوسَى الْكِتَابَ وَالْفُرْقَانَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ 

And recall that We gave Moses the Scripture and the Criterion, so that you may be guided. 

(Quran 2: 53) 

وَإِذْ قَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِقَوْمِهِ يَا قَوْمِ إِنَّكُمْ ظَلَمْتُمْ أَنْفُسَكُمْ بِاتِّخَاذِكُمُ الْعِجْلَ فَتُوبُوا إِلَىٰ بَارِئِكُمْ فَاقْتُلُوا أَنْفُسَكُمْ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ عِنْدَ بَارِئِكُمْ فَتَابَ عَلَيْكُمْ ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ 

And recall that Moses said to his people, “O my people, you have done wrong to yourselves by worshiping the calf. So repent to your Maker, and kill your egos. That would be better for you with your Maker.” So He turned to you in repentance. He is the Accepter of Repentance, the Merciful. 

(Quran 2:54) 


Allah wants us to attain taqwa and appreciate his blessings. When Allah gives his bounties to his slaves especially the Bani Israel was so they could be grateful. Allah pardoned the Bani Israel for creating the golden calf by Samiri. The next ayah speaks how relenting and forgiving Allah is. The expectation of Allah is that we would then become grateful for the gifts and bounties he has gives us. The Bani Israel used to hold Allah responsible for all the negatives that happened in their life. They used to be ungrateful in many ways. They still have the sentiment that the wrongdoings are because of Allah and not their own actions. 


This verse also speaks about the book that was given to Musa AS. We learn that 4 books were given to 4 different messengers of Allah. One of the books was the Tawrah was given to Musa (AS). The Injeel was given to Isa (AS) and the Zabur to Dawood (AS) and the Quran was given to Rasool (SAWS). Each of these books had injunctions and laws and Shareeah, advising and admonition people on how to live life and deal with matters. Laws and Furqaan (that distinguishes the right from wrong ) was given to them in order to remove ambiguity and confusion. There is clarity in what needs to be done and what needs to be avoided. Allah revealed this to them so that they make an effort to be guided. They were helped with the book the only thing they had to do is make an effort to be guided. Allah can only give us the path but which path we need to walk is upon us. 


The next verse says about the conversation between Musa (AS) and his people, asking them to repent to their Bari’i. The word Bari’i is used for lord Allmighty and God more often in Hebrew as well. Each tribe of the Bani Israel was asked to repent. There were 12 tribes and each tribe had some people who worshipped the calf. Each of these tribes were asked to kill those members who were clearly in error despite receiving guidance by worshipping the calf. This is better for them with their lord , for their aakhirah


The lesson here is that Allah offered his tawbah to them after they obeyed Him. Because they were pardoned they became more relaxed and went back to error, they believed they were the nation that is salvaged. Muslim understanding is of Tawbah is that first we obey Allah then we are in a position to attain his forgiveness or pardon. The moment we obey Allah’s commands and then we seek forgiveness then the door of Tawbah is constantly open. 

The ayah in Surah Anfal confirms this, 

وَمَا كَانَ اللَّهُ لِيُعَذِّبَهُمْ وَأَنْتَ فِيهِمْ ۚ وَمَا كَانَ اللَّهُ مُعَذِّبَهُمْ وَهُمْ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ 

But God would not punish them while you are amongst them. And God would not punish them as long as they seek forgiveness. (Quran 8:33) 


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