3. Aal-i-Imraan

Allah then prompted the believers to spend in the cause of Allah, saying: (Ye will not attain unto piety) i.e. that which is with Allah of reward, honour and Paradise until you spend of that which you love of property; it is also said this means: you shall not attend to reliance in Allah and God-fearingness (until ye spend of that which ye love. And whatsoever ye spend) of property, (Allah is aware thereof) just as He is aware of your intentions, i.e. whether you intend with it His Countenance or other people's praise.

(All food was lawful unto the Children of Israel) all food that is lawful for Muhammad and his community today was lawful for the Children of Israel, the sons of Jacob, (save that which Israel) Jacob (forbade himself) by the way of vows, ((in days) before the Torah was revealed) before the revelation of the Torah to Moses, Jacob forbade himself the meat and milk of camels. When this verse was revealed, the Prophet (pbuh) asked the Jews: �What did Jacob forbid himself of food?� They said: �he did not forbid himself any type of food, and whatever is forbidden for us today, such as the meat of camels and other things, was already forbidden on all prophets, from Adam to Moses (pbut). It is only you who make such things lawful�. And they claimed those things were also forbidden in the Torah. Hence Allah said to Muhammad (pbuh): (Say) to them: (Produce the Torah and read it (unto us)) where they are made forbidden (if ye are truthful) in your claim. But they failed to produce the Torah and knew they were liars since there was nothing in the Torah to substantiate their claim.

Therefore Allah said: (And whoever shall invent a falsehood after that) after the exposition in the Torah show them to be liars (concerning Allah, such will be wrong-doers) unbelievers who lie about Allah.

(Say) O Muhammad: (Allah speaketh truth) when He said Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian; it is also said this means: Say, O Muhammad, Allah has said the Truth regarding what He stated concerning that which is lawful and that which is unlawful. (So follow the religion of Abraham, the upright) i.e. the Muslim. (He was not of the idolaters) who followed their Religion.

(Lo! the first Sanctuary) mosque (appointed for mankind) for the believers (was that at Becca) where the Ka'bah is, (a blessed place) that the spot where the Ka'bah is built contains forgiveness and mercy, (a guidance to the peoples) it is a Qiblah to every prophet, messenger, veracious one (siddiq) and believer;

(Wherein are plain memorials) clear signs; and it contains (the place where Abraham stood up to pray) as well as the semi-circular wall of white marble (Hatim) of Ishmael and the black stone; (and whosoever entereth it is safe) from violence. (And to the House) going to the House (is a duty unto Allah for mankind) for the believers, (for him who can find a way thither) for the person who can walk and reach the House while at the same time being in possession of provisions, a mount and has left enough expenditure for his dependents until he returns. (As for him who disbelieveth) in Allah, Muhammad, the Qur'an and the obligation of pilgrimage, (Lo! Allah is Independent of (all) creatures) He is not in need of their belief or pilgrimage.

(Say: O People of the Scripture! Why disbelieve ye in the revelations of Allah) i.e. in Muhammad and the Qur'an, (when Allah (Himself) is Witness of what ye do) of disbelief, by concealing [the Truth] and engaging in sins?

(Say: O People of the Scripture! Why drive ye back believers) in Allah, Muhammad and the Qur'an (from the way of Allah) from the Religion of Allah and His worship, (seeking to make it crooked, when you are witnesses?) when you know it to be in the Scripture. (Allah is not unaware of what ye do) Allah is not oblivious to your disbelief: concealing the Truth and committing transgressions. This verse was revealed about those who invited 'Ammar [Ibn Yasir] and his fellow Muslims to join their religion: Judaism.

(O ye who believe! If ye obey a party of those who have received the Scripture) the Torah (they will make you disbelievers) in Allah and Muhammad (after your belief) in Allah and [the message of] Muhammad.