2. Al-Baqara

(Ask the children of Israel) tell the children of Jacob (how many a clear revelation We gave them!) how may times We addressed them with commands and prohibitions, and honoured them with Religion in the time of Moses, but they exchanged all that with disbelief. (He who altereth the grace of Allah) whoever exchanges the Religion and Scripture of Allah with disbelief (after it hath come unto him) after what Muhammad has come with ((for him), lo! Allah is severe in punishment) for whoever disbelieves in Him.

(Beautified is the life of the world) what is in this world of comfortable living (for those who disbelieve) Abu Jahl and his entourage; (they make a jest of believers) Salman [al-Farisi], Bilal [Ibn Rabah], Suhayb [al-Rumi] and their fellow believers because of their abject poverty. (But those who ward off) disbelief and ascribing partners to Allah: i.e. Salman and his fellow believers (will be above them) in this world by having a strong argument against them and also by having status and standing (on the Day of Resurrection. Allah giveth) abundant wealth (without stint) without faltering or affectation; it is also said that He gives to whoever He wills in Paradise without stint (to whom He will).

(Mankind were) in the times of Noah and Abraham (one community) of disbelievers; as it is said that this means: there were in the time of Abraham followers of the true Religion (Muslims), (and Allah sent Prophets) from the children of Noah and Abraham (as bearers of good tidings) of Paradise for whoever believes in Allah (and as warners) from hell for whoever does not believe in Allah, (and revealed therewith the Scripture) He sent down Gabriel to them with the Scripture, (with the Truth) expositing what is true and what is false (that it might judge) so that each prophet would judge by his Scripture (between mankind concerning that wherein they differed) in Religion; it is also said that this means: so that the Scripture is used as a final authority; and it is also said that this means: so that the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) rules them by the Scripture. (And only those unto whom (the Scripture) was given differed concerning it) concerning the Religion and Muhammad (pbuh) (after clear proofs had come unto them) clear proofs from their own Scripture, (through hatred one of another) out of resentful envy from their part and this is why they disbelieved in it. (And Allah by His will guided those who believe) by means of the prophets (unto the Truth of that concerning which they differed) in Religion. It is also said that this means: Allah protected the believers by means of the prophets from that which they differed over in matters of Religion, and directed them from falsehood to the Truth. (Allah guideth whom He will) whomever deserves it; and it is also said that this means: Allah holds firm whomever He wills by His grace and will (unto a straight path) unto an established religion that He is pleased with.

(Or think ye) O group of believers!-referring here to 'Uthman [Ibn 'Affan] and his fellow believers-(that ye will enter Paradise while yet there hath not come unto you the like of (that which came to) those who passed away before you?) i.e. without being tried as were the believers who came before you. (Affliction) fear, calamities, hardships (and adversity) sickness, pain and hunger (befell them) visited them, (they were shaken as with an earthquake) in hardship, (till the Messenger (of Allah)) until their Messenger (and those who believed along with him) those who believed in him (said: When cometh Allah's help) over the enemy? Allah said to that Prophet: (Now surely Allah's help) over your enemy by means of your safety (is near).

(They ask thee (O Muhammad)) and this was before the verse of inheritance was revealed (what they shall spend) to whom they should give in charity. (Say: That which ye spend for good) of your wealth ((must go) to parents and near kindred) later, giving charity to parents was abrogated by the verse on inheritance (and orphans) He says: give in charity to the orphans (and the needy) the needy among people (and the wayfarer) the guest who drops by. (And whatsoever good ye do) whatever wealth you spend on these, (lo! Allah is Aware of it) Allah knows it as He knows your intention and He will reward you for it.

And so Allah said: (They question thee (O Muhammad) with regard to warfare in the sacred month) about waging war in the month of Rajab. (Say: Warfare therein) in the month of Rajab (is a great (transgression)) deserving a great punishment, (but to turn (men) from the way of Allah) but preventing people from the Religion of Allah and His obedience, (and to disbelieve in Him and in the Inviolable Place of Worship) and turning people away from the Inviolable Place of Worship, (and to expel its people from it, is a greater sin) deserving a greater punishment (with Allah) than the killing of 'Amr Ibn al-Hadrami; (for persecution) associating partners with Allah (is worse than slaughter) the slaughter of 'Amr Ibn al-Hadrami. (And they), the people of Mecca, (will not cease from fighting against you till they have made you renegades from your religion) the religion of Islam, (if they can) if they are able to do so. (And whoso becometh a renegade) whoever renounces Islam (and dieth in his disbelief: such are they whose works have fallen) their works are thwarted and their good deeds rejected (both in the world and the Hereafter) and they will not be rewarded in the Hereafter. (And such are rightful owners of the Fire) the people of hell: (they will abide therein forever) they will neither die nor leave it.

The following was also revealed about 'Abdullah Ibn Jahsh and his companions: (Lo! Those who believe) in Allah and His Messenger, (and those who emigrate) from Mecca to Medina (and strive in the way of Allah) by killing the unbeliever 'Amr Ibn al-Hadrami, (these have hope in Allah's mercy) they shall obtain Allah's Garden. (And Allah is Forgiving) of what they have done, (Merciful) towards them, since He did not punish them.

(They question thee about strong drink and games of chance). This was revealed about 'Umar Ibn al-Khattab who prayed: �O Allah! Show us Your judgement regarding alcoholic drinks!� So Allah said to Muhammad (pbuh): (Say) O Muhammad! (in both is great sin) this is after they were declared unlawful, (and (some) utility for men) by means of their trading, i.e. before they were unlawful; (but the sin of them) after their being declared unlawful (is greater than their usefulness) before they were made unlawful; and then both were prohibited. (And they ask thee what they ought to spend). This was revealed about 'Amr Ibn al-Jamuh who asked the Prophet (pbuh): �What should we spend from our wealth�. Allah told His Prophet: they ask you about what they should spend from their wealth. (Say: That which is superfluous) that which is in surplus to your sustenance requirements and of food for your dependents. But this was abrogated by those verses on the poor-due. (Thus Allah maketh plain to you (the) revelations) the commands and prohibitions and the insignificance of this world, (that ye may reflect) that it is evanescent.

(Upon the world and the Hereafter) that it is lasting. (And they question thee concerning orphans). This was revealed about 'Abdullah Ibn Rawahah who asked the Prophet (pbuh) about whether it was lawful to share food, drink and shelter with orphans. Allah told His Prophet: they ask you about sharing food, drink and shelter with orphans, (Say) O Muhammad: (To improve their lot) and their wealth (is best) rather than not sharing with them. (And if you mingle your affairs with theirs) as regards food, drink and shelter, (then (they are) your brothers) in Religion and you should therefore safeguard their shares. (And Allah knoweth him who spoileth) the wealth of orphans (from him who improveth) their wealth. (Had Allah willed He could have overburdened you) He could have forbidden such sharing. (Indeed Allah is Mighty) and takes revenge against whoever spoils the wealth of orphans, (Wise) ruling that the wealth of orphans should be improved.