The Family of 'Imran
Âli-'Imran
آلِ عِمران
Surah Âli-'Imran for kids content
LEARNING POINTS
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The message of Islam was delivered by all prophets from Adam to Muhammad.
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Allah sent revelations throughout history to guide different faith-communities.
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The People of the Book are criticized for corrupting their own revelations and denying the prophethood of Muhammad.
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Allah is our only Lord and Islam is the only religion acceptable to Him.
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The stories of Maryam, Yahya, and 'Isa are mentioned, along with a challenge regarding the false beliefs about 'Isa and Ibrahim.
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The pleasures of this life are nothing compared to the joys of Jannah.
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Muslims should not take the enemies of their faith-community as trusted partners.
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The second half of the surah focuses on the lessons to be learned from the Muslims' defeat at the Battle of Uhud.
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Every community has good and bad people.
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To be successful, Muslims should always obey Allah and His Prophet.
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Tests are important because they distinguish between the faithful and the hypocrites.
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The hypocrites are criticized for their actions and attitudes towards the Muslim community.
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Everything happens according to Allah's plan.
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Just like Surahs 1 and 2, this surah ends with a beautiful du'a made by the faithful.
REVELATION AS A SOURCE OF GUIDANCE
1Alif-Lam-Mim.
2Allah—there is no god that deserves worship except Him, the Living, Who takes care of everything.
3He has revealed the Book to you 'O Prophet' in truth, confirming what came before it. Just like He revealed the Tawrah and the Injil.
4Previously as a guide for people, and also revealed the Standard that tells right from wrong. Surely those who reject Allah's revelations will suffer a severe punishment. Allah is Almighty, capable of punishment.
الٓمٓ1
ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلۡحَيُّ ٱلۡقَيُّومُ2
نَزَّلَ عَلَيۡكَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ مُصَدِّقٗا لِّمَا بَيۡنَ يَدَيۡهِ وَأَنزَلَ ٱلتَّوۡرَىٰةَ وَٱلۡإِنجِيلَ3
مِن قَبۡلُ هُدٗى لِّلنَّاسِ وَأَنزَلَ ٱلۡفُرۡقَانَۗ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ بَِٔايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ لَهُمۡ عَذَابٞ شَدِيدٞۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَزِيزٞ ذُو ٱنتِقَامٍ4
WORDS OF WISDOM
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Verse 7 talks about the specific and complex verses of the Quran.
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The specific verses, which make up most of the Quran, are clear, straightforward, and can be understood in one way. These verses deal mostly with basic beliefs and practices.
This includes the verses that say: Allah is One, Muhammad is His Prophet, the Quran is a revelation from Allah, salah is a must, pork is haram, Judgment Day is true, the believers will be rewarded, the disbelievers will be punished, and so on.
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In his tafsir, Imam Ibn Ashur gives 10 reasons why some verses may be considered complex. To keep it simple, complex verses are few and can be understood in different ways or their meaning is beyond our comprehension. For example, we don't know for sure what Alif-Lam-Mim means.
According to the Quran, Allah has a Face, Hands, and Eyes, but these qualities are not like ours. In the same way, we have a life, knowledge, and power, but they are nothing compared to His eternal life, infinite knowledge, and supreme power. The Creator is not like His creation.
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To give an example from our daily lives, we appreciate both smartphones and airplanes, even though we know how to use a phone but don't know how to fly a plane.
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Verse 7 criticizes the unfaithful who use the complex verses to mislead others and spread doubts about the Quran. As for the faithful, they follow the specific verses and believe in the complex ones.
TRUE FAITH IN THE QURAN
5Indeed, nothing on earth or in the heavens is hidden from Allah.
6He is the One Who shapes you in the wombs of your mothers as He wants. There is no god that deserves worship except Him—the Almighty and Wise.
7He is the One Who has revealed the Book to you 'O Prophet'. Some of its verses are specific—which make up most of the Book—while others are complex. Those with misguided hearts follow the complex verses just to spread doubts through their false understanding. But no one knows the full meaning of these verses except Allah. As for those with solid knowledge, they say, 'We believe in this Quran—it is all from our Lord.' But none will keep this in mind except those who truly understand.
8They also say, 'Our Lord! Do not let our hearts stray after You have guided us. Give us Your mercy. You are truly the Giver of all blessings.'
9Our Lord! You will certainly gather all people for the 'promised' Day—about which there is no doubt. Surely Allah does not break His promise.
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَخۡفَىٰ عَلَيۡهِ شَيۡءٞ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَا فِي ٱلسَّمَآءِ5
هُوَ ٱلَّذِي يُصَوِّرُكُمۡ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡحَامِ كَيۡفَ يَشَآءُۚ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ6
هُوَ ٱلَّذِيٓ أَنزَلَ عَلَيۡكَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ مِنۡهُ ءَايَٰتٞ مُّحۡكَمَٰتٌ هُنَّ أُمُّ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ وَأُخَرُ مُتَشَٰبِهَٰتٞۖ فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمۡ زَيۡغٞ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ مَا تَشَٰبَهَ مِنۡهُ ٱبۡتِغَآءَ ٱلۡفِتۡنَةِ وَٱبۡتِغَآءَ تَأۡوِيلِهِۦۖ وَمَا يَعۡلَمُ تَأۡوِيلَهُۥٓ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُۗ وَٱلرَّٰسِخُونَ فِي ٱلۡعِلۡمِ يَقُولُونَ ءَامَنَّا بِهِۦ كُلّٞ مِّنۡ عِندِ رَبِّنَاۗ وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ إِلَّآ أُوْلُواْ ٱلۡأَلۡبَٰبِ7
رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغۡ قُلُوبَنَا بَعۡدَ إِذۡ هَدَيۡتَنَا وَهَبۡ لَنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحۡمَةًۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلۡوَهَّابُ8
رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ جَامِعُ ٱلنَّاسِ لِيَوۡمٖ لَّا رَيۡبَ فِيهِۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُخۡلِفُ ٱلۡمِيعَادَ9
WORDS OF WISDOM
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Badr is the name of the place where the Muslim and Makkan armies fought in the 2nd year after Hijrah. The Muslim army was made up of 313 companions, whereas the Makkan army had over 1,000 soldiers.
Before the battle, both armies saw each other as few in number, and this encouraged them to fight (8:44). During the battle, however, the idol-worshippers started to see the Muslims as twice their own number, causing them to lose courage and suffer defeat (3:13).
(Imam Ibn Kathir)
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According to Imam Ar-Razi, the Muslim victory at Badr was a clear sign (a miracle) because:
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The Muslims were outnumbered 3-1.
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It was the first time the Muslims fought under the leadership of the Prophet.
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They just came to take the Makkan caravan, not to fight. So, they were not ready for battle. As for the Makkan soldiers, they came with all their weapons, ready to fight.
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Still, the Muslims achieved a great victory over the Makkans.
FATE OF THE DENIERS
10Indeed, the disbelievers' wealth and children will not help them against Allah at all, and they will be the fuel for the Fire.
11Their fate will be like the people of Pharaoh and those before them—they all rejected Our signs, so Allah destroyed them for their sins. And Allah is severe in punishment.
12Tell the disbelievers, 'O Prophet! Soon you will be defeated and driven to Hell. What an evil place to rest!'
13There was already a 'clear' sign for you 'deniers' in the two armies that met in battle 'at Badr'—one fighting for the cause of Allah and the other denying the truth. They actually saw the believers twice their own number. Allah supports with His help whoever He wants. Surely in this is a lesson for those who are wise.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لَن تُغۡنِيَ عَنۡهُمۡ أَمۡوَٰلُهُمۡ وَلَآ أَوۡلَٰدُهُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ شَيۡٔٗاۖ وَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمۡ وَقُودُ ٱلنَّارِ10
كَدَأۡبِ ءَالِ فِرۡعَوۡنَ وَٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡۚ كَذَّبُواْ بَِٔايَٰتِنَا فَأَخَذَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِذُنُوبِهِمۡۗ وَٱللَّهُ شَدِيدُ ٱلۡعِقَابِ11
قُل لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ سَتُغۡلَبُونَ وَتُحۡشَرُونَ إِلَىٰ جَهَنَّمَۖ وَبِئۡسَ ٱلۡمِهَادُ12
قَدۡ كَانَ لَكُمۡ ءَايَةٞ فِي فِئَتَيۡنِ ٱلۡتَقَتَاۖ فِئَةٞ تُقَٰتِلُ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَأُخۡرَىٰ كَافِرَةٞ يَرَوۡنَهُم مِّثۡلَيۡهِمۡ رَأۡيَ ٱلۡعَيۡنِۚ وَٱللَّهُ يُؤَيِّدُ بِنَصۡرِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَعِبۡرَةٗ لِّأُوْلِي ٱلۡأَبۡصَٰرِ13
TEMPORARY PLEASURES OR ETERNAL REWARDS?
14People are attracted by their love for the things they desire, including women, children, treasures of gold and silver, fine horses, cattle, and farmland. These are 'just' the 'little' pleasures of this life, but with Allah is the greatest destination.
15Say, 'O Prophet! Shall I tell you about something much better than all of this? Those who keep Allah in mind will have Gardens with their Lord, under which rivers flow, to stay there forever, and pure wives, along with Allah's pleasure.' And Allah always sees 'His' servants.
16Those who pray, 'Our Lord! We have believed, so forgive our sins and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.'
17They are the ones who are patient, sincere, obedient, charitable, and who pray for forgiveness in the last part of the night.
زُيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ حُبُّ ٱلشَّهَوَٰتِ مِنَ ٱلنِّسَآءِ وَٱلۡبَنِينَ وَٱلۡقَنَٰطِيرِ ٱلۡمُقَنطَرَةِ مِنَ ٱلذَّهَبِ وَٱلۡفِضَّةِ وَٱلۡخَيۡلِ ٱلۡمُسَوَّمَةِ وَٱلۡأَنۡعَٰمِ وَٱلۡحَرۡثِۗ ذَٰلِكَ مَتَٰعُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَاۖ وَٱللَّهُ عِندَهُۥ حُسۡنُ ٱلۡمََٔابِ14
قُلۡ أَؤُنَبِّئُكُم بِخَيۡرٖ مِّن ذَٰلِكُمۡۖ لِلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوۡاْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمۡ جَنَّٰتٞ تَجۡرِي مِن تَحۡتِهَا ٱلۡأَنۡهَٰرُ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا وَأَزۡوَٰجٞ مُّطَهَّرَةٞ وَرِضۡوَٰنٞ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِۗ وَٱللَّهُ بَصِيرُۢ بِٱلۡعِبَادِ15
ٱلَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَآ إِنَّنَآ ءَامَنَّا فَٱغۡفِرۡ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ16
ٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ وَٱلصَّٰدِقِينَ وَٱلۡقَٰنِتِينَ وَٱلۡمُنفِقِينَ وَٱلۡمُسۡتَغۡفِرِينَ بِٱلۡأَسۡحَارِ17
ONE GOD & ONE WAY
18Allah Himself is a Witness that there is no god "that deserves worship' except Him-and so are the angels and people blessed with knowledge. He manages everything with justice. There is no god that deserves worship except Him, the Almighty and Wise.
19Indeed, Allah's only Way is Islam. Those who were given the Book started to differ, because of jealousy, only when knowledge came to them. Whoever denies Allah's revelations 'should know that Allah is truly quick in judgment.
20So, if they argue with you O Prophet', say, "I have submitted myself to Allah, along with my followers." And ask those who were given the Book and those with no Book,5 "Have you submitted yourselves 'to Allah'?" If they submit, they will be 'rightly' guided. But if they refuse, then your duty is only to deliver "the message'. And Allah always sees His' servants.
شَهِدَ ٱللَّهُ أَنَّهُۥ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ وَٱلۡمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ وَأُوْلُواْ ٱلۡعِلۡمِ قَآئِمَۢا بِٱلۡقِسۡطِۚ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ18
إِنَّ ٱلدِّينَ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلۡإِسۡلَٰمُۗ وَمَا ٱخۡتَلَفَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ إِلَّا مِنۢ بَعۡدِ مَا جَآءَهُمُ ٱلۡعِلۡمُ بَغۡيَۢا بَيۡنَهُمۡۗ وَمَن يَكۡفُرۡ بَِٔايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَرِيعُ ٱلۡحِسَابِ19
فَإِنۡ حَآجُّوكَ فَقُلۡ أَسۡلَمۡتُ وَجۡهِيَ لِلَّهِ وَمَنِ ٱتَّبَعَنِۗ وَقُل لِّلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ وَٱلۡأُمِّيِّۧنَ ءَأَسۡلَمۡتُمۡۚ فَإِنۡ أَسۡلَمُواْ فَقَدِ ٱهۡتَدَواْۖ وَّإِن تَوَلَّوۡاْ فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيۡكَ ٱلۡبَلَٰغُۗ وَٱللَّهُ بَصِيرُۢ بِٱلۡعِبَادِ20
WORDS OF WISDOM
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Someone may ask, "How come verse 21 calls the painful punishment 'good news'?" This sarcastic style is common in the Quran and is used with those who take Allah's laws lightly, make fun of the truth, and then feel good about themselves.
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So, Allah pays them back by telling them: if you think what you are doing is 'great', then this is the 'great' punishment I have for you!
PUNISHMENT OF THE WICKED
21Indeed, those who deny Allah's signs, kill the prophets with no right, and kill people who call for justice-give them good news of a painful punishment.
22They are the ones whose deeds are wasted in this life and the Next. And they will have no helpers.
23Have you not seen those who were given a portion of the Book?6 Yet when they are invited to the Book of Allah to judge between them, some of them turn away carelessly.
24This is because they say, "The Fire will not touch us except for a few days." They have been deceived in their faith by their own lies.
25But how 'horrible' will it be when We gather them for the Day-about which there is no doubt-when every soul will be fully paid back for what it has done. None will be treated unfairly!
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَكۡفُرُونَ بَِٔايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَيَقۡتُلُونَ ٱلنَّبِيِّۧنَ بِغَيۡرِ حَقّٖ وَيَقۡتُلُونَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَأۡمُرُونَ بِٱلۡقِسۡطِ مِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ فَبَشِّرۡهُم بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ21
أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ حَبِطَتۡ أَعۡمَٰلُهُمۡ فِي ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ وَمَا لَهُم مِّن نَّٰصِرِينَ22
أَلَمۡ تَرَ إِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ نَصِيبٗا مِّنَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ يُدۡعَوۡنَ إِلَىٰ كِتَٰبِ ٱللَّهِ لِيَحۡكُمَ بَيۡنَهُمۡ ثُمَّ يَتَوَلَّىٰ فَرِيقٞ مِّنۡهُمۡ وَهُم مُّعۡرِضُونَ23
ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمۡ قَالُواْ لَن تَمَسَّنَا ٱلنَّارُ إِلَّآ أَيَّامٗا مَّعۡدُودَٰتٖۖ وَغَرَّهُمۡ فِي دِينِهِم مَّا كَانُواْ يَفۡتَرُونَ24
فَكَيۡفَ إِذَا جَمَعۡنَٰهُمۡ لِيَوۡمٖ لَّا رَيۡبَ فِيهِ وَوُفِّيَتۡ كُلُّ نَفۡسٖ مَّا كَسَبَتۡ وَهُمۡ لَا يُظۡلَمُونَ25
ALLAH'S INFINITE POWER
26Say, "O Prophet, "O Allah! Master of all authority! You give authority to whoever You want and remove it from whoever You want. You honour whoever You want and disgrace whoever You want. All good is in Your Hands. Surely You have power over all things.
27You enter the night into the day and the day into the night. You bring the living out of the dead and the dead out of the living.' And You provide for whoever You will without limit"
قُلِ ٱللَّهُمَّ مَٰلِكَ ٱلۡمُلۡكِ تُؤۡتِي ٱلۡمُلۡكَ مَن تَشَآءُ وَتَنزِعُ ٱلۡمُلۡكَ مِمَّن تَشَآءُ وَتُعِزُّ مَن تَشَآءُ وَتُذِلُّ مَن تَشَآءُۖ بِيَدِكَ ٱلۡخَيۡرُۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيۡءٖ قَدِيرٞ26
تُولِجُ ٱلَّيۡلَ فِي ٱلنَّهَارِ وَتُولِجُ ٱلنَّهَارَ فِي ٱلَّيۡلِۖ وَتُخۡرِجُ ٱلۡحَيَّ مِنَ ٱلۡمَيِّتِ وَتُخۡرِجُ ٱلۡمَيِّتَ مِنَ ٱلۡحَيِّۖ وَتَرۡزُقُ مَن تَشَآءُ بِغَيۡرِ حِسَابٖ27
ADVICE TO THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY
28Believers should not take disbelievers as trusted partners instead of the believers-and whoever does so will have nothing to hope for from Allah-unless you do it to protect yourselves from their abuse. Allah warns you about Himself. And to Allah is the final return.
29Say, 'O Prophet,' "Whether you hide or show what is in your hearts, it is all known to Allah. And He knows whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And Allah has power over all things."
30"Watch for' the Day when every soul will be presented with whatever good it has done. And it will wish that its evil deeds were far off. Allah warns you about Himself. And Allah is always Kind to 'His' servants.
31Say, "O Prophet, "If you 'truly' love Allah, then follow me, and Allah will love you and forgive your sins. Allah is Forgiving and Merciful."
32Say, "O Prophet,' "Obey Allah and His Messenger" If they still turn away, then Allah definitely does not like the disbelievers.
لَّا يَتَّخِذِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ ٱلۡكَٰفِرِينَ أَوۡلِيَآءَ مِن دُونِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَۖ وَمَن يَفۡعَلۡ ذَٰلِكَ فَلَيۡسَ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ فِي شَيۡءٍ إِلَّآ أَن تَتَّقُواْ مِنۡهُمۡ تُقَىٰةٗۗ وَيُحَذِّرُكُمُ ٱللَّهُ نَفۡسَهُۥۗ وَإِلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلۡمَصِيرُ28
قُلۡ إِن تُخۡفُواْ مَا فِي صُدُورِكُمۡ أَوۡ تُبۡدُوهُ يَعۡلَمۡهُ ٱللَّهُۗ وَيَعۡلَمُ مَا فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيۡءٖ قَدِيرٞ29
يَوۡمَ تَجِدُ كُلُّ نَفۡسٖ مَّا عَمِلَتۡ مِنۡ خَيۡرٖ مُّحۡضَرٗا وَمَا عَمِلَتۡ مِن سُوٓءٖ تَوَدُّ لَوۡ أَنَّ بَيۡنَهَا وَبَيۡنَهُۥٓ أَمَدَۢا بَعِيدٗاۗ وَيُحَذِّرُكُمُ ٱللَّهُ نَفۡسَهُۥۗ وَٱللَّهُ رَءُوفُۢ بِٱلۡعِبَادِ30
قُلۡ إِن كُنتُمۡ تُحِبُّونَ ٱللَّهَ فَٱتَّبِعُونِي يُحۡبِبۡكُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَيَغۡفِرۡ لَكُمۡ ذُنُوبَكُمۡۚ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٞ رَّحِيمٞ31
قُلۡ أَطِيعُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلرَّسُولَۖ فَإِن تَوَلَّوۡاْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلۡكَٰفِرِينَ32
BIRTH OF MARYAM
33Indeed, Allah chose Adam, Nuh, the family of Ibrahim, and the family of 'Imran above all others.
34They all came from the same family line. And Allah hears and knows 'everything'.
35Remember' when the wife of 'Imran prayed, "My Lord! I dedicate what is in my womb entirely to Your service, so accept it from me. You 'alone' truly hear and know 'Everything:'"
36When she gave birth, she said, "My Lord! I have given birth to a girl,'-and Allah fully knew what she had given birth to-"and the male is not like the female, I have named her Maryam, and I seek Your protection for her and her children from the cursed Sa-Tan."
37So her Lord accepted her kindly and blessed her with a good upbringing, trusting her to the care of Zakariya. Whenever Zakariya visited her in the prayer hall, he found her supplied with food. He wondered, "O Maryam! Where did all this come from?" She replied, "It is from Allah. Surely Allah provides for whoever He wants without limit"
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱصۡطَفَىٰٓ ءَادَمَ وَنُوحٗا وَءَالَ إِبۡرَٰهِيمَ وَءَالَ عِمۡرَٰنَ عَلَى ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ33
ذُرِّيَّةَۢ بَعۡضُهَا مِنۢ بَعۡضٖۗ وَٱللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ34
إِذۡ قَالَتِ ٱمۡرَأَتُ عِمۡرَٰنَ رَبِّ إِنِّي نَذَرۡتُ لَكَ مَا فِي بَطۡنِي مُحَرَّرٗا فَتَقَبَّلۡ مِنِّيٓۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ35
فَلَمَّا وَضَعَتۡهَا قَالَتۡ رَبِّ إِنِّي وَضَعۡتُهَآ أُنثَىٰ وَٱللَّهُ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَا وَضَعَتۡ وَلَيۡسَ ٱلذَّكَرُ كَٱلۡأُنثَىٰۖ وَإِنِّي سَمَّيۡتُهَا مَرۡيَمَ وَإِنِّيٓ أُعِيذُهَا بِكَ وَذُرِّيَّتَهَا مِنَ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنِ ٱلرَّجِيمِ36
فَتَقَبَّلَهَا رَبُّهَا بِقَبُولٍ حَسَنٖ وَأَنۢبَتَهَا نَبَاتًا حَسَنٗا وَكَفَّلَهَا زَكَرِيَّاۖ كُلَّمَا دَخَلَ عَلَيۡهَا زَكَرِيَّا ٱلۡمِحۡرَابَ وَجَدَ عِندَهَا رِزۡقٗاۖ قَالَ يَٰمَرۡيَمُ أَنَّىٰ لَكِ هَٰذَاۖ قَالَتۡ هُوَ مِنۡ عِندِ ٱللَّهِۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَرۡزُقُ مَن يَشَآءُ بِغَيۡرِ حِسَابٍ37
BIRTH OF YAHYA
38Then and there Zakariya prayed to his Lord, saying, "My Lord! Bless me with a good son, as a favour from You. Surely, You hear 'all' prayers"
39So the angels called out to him while he stood praying in the prayer hall, "Allah gives you good news of 'the birth of Yahya, who will confirm the Word of Allah. He will be a great leader, decent, and a prophet among the faith-Ful."
40Zakariya wondered, "My Lord! How can I have a son when I am very old and my wife is unable to have children?" He replied, "So will it be. Allah does what He wants"
41Zakariya said, "My Lord! Give me a sign." He said, "Your sign is that you will not be able to speak to people for three full days except through signs. Remember your Lord often and praise Him' morning and evening."
هُنَالِكَ دَعَا زَكَرِيَّا رَبَّهُۥۖ قَالَ رَبِّ هَبۡ لِي مِن لَّدُنكَ ذُرِّيَّةٗ طَيِّبَةًۖ إِنَّكَ سَمِيعُ ٱلدُّعَآءِ38
فَنَادَتۡهُ ٱلۡمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ وَهُوَ قَآئِمٞ يُصَلِّي فِي ٱلۡمِحۡرَابِ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُبَشِّرُكَ بِيَحۡيَىٰ مُصَدِّقَۢا بِكَلِمَةٖ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَسَيِّدٗا وَحَصُورٗا وَنَبِيّٗا مِّنَ ٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ39
قَالَ رَبِّ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِي غُلَٰمٞ وَقَدۡ بَلَغَنِيَ ٱلۡكِبَرُ وَٱمۡرَأَتِي عَاقِرٞۖ قَالَ كَذَٰلِكَ ٱللَّهُ يَفۡعَلُ مَا يَشَآءُ40
قَالَ رَبِّ ٱجۡعَل لِّيٓ ءَايَةٗۖ قَالَ ءَايَتُكَ أَلَّا تُكَلِّمَ ٱلنَّاسَ ثَلَٰثَةَ أَيَّامٍ إِلَّا رَمۡزٗاۗ وَٱذۡكُر رَّبَّكَ كَثِيرٗا وَسَبِّحۡ بِٱلۡعَشِيِّ وَٱلۡإِبۡكَٰرِ41
MARYAM HONOURED
42And 'remember' when the angels said, "O Maryam! Surely Allah has selected you, purified you, and chosen you over all other women.
43O Maryam! Be faithful to your Lord, kneel down 'in prayer' and bow along with those who bow Down."
44This is news of the unseen that We reveal to you 'O Prophet'. You were not with them when they entered into a draw to decide who would be Maryam's guardian, and you were not there when they argued 'about it'.
وَإِذۡ قَالَتِ ٱلۡمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ يَٰمَرۡيَمُ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱصۡطَفَىٰكِ وَطَهَّرَكِ وَٱصۡطَفَىٰكِ عَلَىٰ نِسَآءِ ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ42
٤٢ يَٰمَرۡيَمُ ٱقۡنُتِي لِرَبِّكِ وَٱسۡجُدِي وَٱرۡكَعِي مَعَ ٱلرَّٰكِعِينَ43
ذَٰلِكَ مِنۡ أَنۢبَآءِ ٱلۡغَيۡبِ نُوحِيهِ إِلَيۡكَۚ وَمَا كُنتَ لَدَيۡهِمۡ إِذۡ يُلۡقُونَ أَقۡلَٰمَهُمۡ أَيُّهُمۡ يَكۡفُلُ مَرۡيَمَ وَمَا كُنتَ لَدَيۡهِمۡ إِذۡ يَخۡتَصِمُونَ44
WORDS OF WISDOM
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Someone may ask, "Can I use the Bible to convince Christians that 'Isa (Jesus) is not God?" The following points might be a bit technical, but they should give you a general idea about the answer:
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1. From an Islamic point of view, the Bible has been corrupted over the centuries, since prophets like Musa (AS) and 'Isa (AS) didn't leave hard copies of their revelations, which were written long after them.
This is why the Quran is unique because it was memorized and written down during the time of the Prophet (PBUH).
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2. It's not a secret that there are many different versions and editions of the Bible that are not identical, including the Catholic, Protestant, Russian Orthodox, and Ethiopian Bibles.
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Still, there are some elements of truth in the Bible that have been confirmed by the Quran. Let's say, there is someone who lives on a desert island with no knowledge whatsoever about Islam or Christianity.
If this person finds the Quran and the Bible on a rock and reads both cover to cover, he or she will come to the conclusion that:
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• There is only One God.
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• Jesus was human.
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• He was sent as a prophet only to the Children of Isra'il.
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• He performed miracles, only with the help of God.
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• He will return to the world before the end of time.
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3. Many Christians are not concerned if the Bible is authentic or if the idea of the trinity (the belief that there are 3 gods in 1) makes sense. What matters to them is their emotional connection to (and love for) 'Isa as a very special figure in their faith.
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4. For Muslims, 'Isa (AS) is also very special, because he is one of the top 5 prophets of Islam, along with Ibrahim (AS), Nuh (AS), Musa (AS), and Muhammad (PBUH).
- •
5. Jesus was born in a miraculous way. It's important to note that people come to this world in 4 different ways, as far as fathers and mothers are concerned. Let's apply this to 4 prophets mentioned by name in this surah.
Muhammad (PBUH) had a father and a mother, while Adam (AS) had none. Yahya (John) (AS) had a father, but his mother was probably 88 years old when he was born, even though she couldn't have children in her youth. 'Isa (AS) (Yahya's cousin) had a mother, but no father.
Here is the summary:
- •
• Adam (father no) (mother no)
- •
• Muhammad (PBUH) (father yes) (mother yes)
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• Yahya (AS) (father yes) (mother ?)
- •
• 'Isa (AS) (father no) (mother yes)
- •
Like 'Isa (AS), the birth of Yahya (AS) was a miracle. Their stories are similar in many ways. For example, according to the Quran, both Zakariya (AS) (Yahya's father) and Maryam (AS) ('Isa's mother) were in shock when they got the news that they were going to have children.
Also, Zakariya (AS) wasn't able to talk when he got the good news (3:41 and 19:10). In the same way, Maryam (AS) didn't talk to anyone after the birth of 'Isa (AS) (19:26). Both Yahya (AS) and 'Isa (AS) were cousins, blessed with prophethood at a young age.
Both were given their names by Allah, and both never got married.
- •
6. Just because 'Isa (AS) was born in a unique way doesn't make him God.
- •
7. If Christians consider 'Isa (AS) to be 'God' because he didn't have a father, then what about Adam (AS), who had no father or mother? According to the Quran (3:59), both Adam (AS) and 'Isa (AS) were created with the word 'kun' ('Be!').
- •
8. How could Maryam (AS) who was created by God - give birth to God?
- •
9.
Those who worship 'Isa (AS) because the Bible calls him the son of God should know that many people are also called the sons or children of God in the Bible (in the sense that He took care of them), including Adam (AS), Ibrahim (AS), Ishaq (AS), Dawood (AS), and all the faithful.
- •
10. 'Isa (AS) put his face on the ground and prayed to Allah, not to himself.
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11. He (AS) had to eat, go to the washroom, and sleep. So, he was in need of food and rest (5:75). Allah is not in need of anyone or anything.
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12. On Judgment Day, Allah will ask 'Isa (AS) if he ever asked anyone to worship him and he will say that he never did (5:116).
- •
13. According to the Quran, the Christians and Jews have extreme views about Jesus – one group believes he was God, while the other believes he was a fraud.
Now, if someone thinks you are a teacher and someone else thinks you are a nurse, the only way to know who you are is to ask you. If we apply this to 'Isa (AS), he never said in his own words, "I'm God" or "Worship me." Not once! He always invited others to believe in One God.
- •
14. The early followers of 'Isa (AS) never believed that he was God. The belief in the trinity (the father (God), the son (Jesus), and the holy spirit) was made up by the Romans centuries after Jesus, when Emperor Constantine became Christian.
The Romans had a long history of believing in multiple gods, so they added their own touch to their new faith. This was mainly done at the Council of Nicaea (325 years after Jesus) and was made the official faith of the Roman Empire.
[NPR, "If Jesus Never Called Himself God, How Did He Become One?"; (www.npr.org/2014/04/07/300246095). Website visited on December 23, 2022.]
- •
Here are some tips to keep in mind when inviting a Christian to Islam:
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• Christians are our brothers and sisters in humanity. As people of faith, we share many good values with them, including mercy, generosity, and kindness.
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• We love for them to go to Paradise as we love it for ourselves.
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• When you invite a Christian to Islam, don't make comparisons between the two faiths to prove them wrong.
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• Instead, focus on the beauty of Islam and how the belief in One God makes sense and can easily be supported by revelations, without having to twist passages or make up proofs.
- •
• Many of the Christians who became Muslim say that Islam made them better Christians because it brought them closer to the original, pure message of Jesus.
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• 'Isa (AS) was one of many prophets who were sent by Allah to invite people to have faith in One God and do good.
- •
• The concept of 'love' is very important to Christians. In Islam, one of the Names of Allah is Al-Wadud (The Most Loving).
BIRTH OF 'ISA
45'Remember' when the angels declared, "O Maryam! Allah gives you good news of a Word from Him." His name will be the Messiah, 'Isa, son of Maryam. He will be honoured in this world and the Next Life and will be one of those closest 'to Allah.
46And he will speak to people as a newborn and as an adult, and will be one of the faithful"
47Maryam wondered, "My Lord! How can I have a child when no man has ever touched me?" 'An angel' replied, "So will it be. Allah creates what He wants. When He decides something, He simply tells it, 'Be!' And it is!
48And Allah will teach him writing and wisdom, the Tawrah and the Injil,
49and make him' a messenger to the Children of Isra'il 'to declare, 'I have come to you with a sign from your Lord: I will make for you a bird from clay, breathe into it, and it will become a 'real' bird-by Allah's permission. I will heal the blind and the people and raise the dead back to life-by Allah's permission. And I will even' tell you what it is that you eat and store in your houses. Surely in this is a sign for you if you 'truly' believe.
50And I will confirm the Tawrah revealed before me and allow some of what had been forbidden to you. I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, so fear Allah and obey me.
51Surely Allah is my Lord and your Lord. So worship Him 'alone'. This is the Straight Path."
إِذۡ قَالَتِ ٱلۡمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ يَٰمَرۡيَمُ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُبَشِّرُكِ بِكَلِمَةٖ مِّنۡهُ ٱسۡمُهُ ٱلۡمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ وَجِيهٗا فِي ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ وَمِنَ ٱلۡمُقَرَّبِينَ45
وَيُكَلِّمُ ٱلنَّاسَ فِي ٱلۡمَهۡدِ وَكَهۡلٗا وَمِنَ ٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ46
قَالَتۡ رَبِّ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِي وَلَدٞ وَلَمۡ يَمۡسَسۡنِي بَشَرٞۖ قَالَ كَذَٰلِكِ ٱللَّهُ يَخۡلُقُ مَا يَشَآءُۚ إِذَا قَضَىٰٓ أَمۡرٗا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ47
وَيُعَلِّمُهُ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ وَٱلۡحِكۡمَةَ وَٱلتَّوۡرَىٰةَ وَٱلۡإِنجِيلَ48
وَرَسُولًا إِلَىٰ بَنِيٓ إِسۡرَٰٓءِيلَ أَنِّي قَدۡ جِئۡتُكُم بَِٔايَةٖ مِّن رَّبِّكُمۡ أَنِّيٓ أَخۡلُقُ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلطِّينِ كَهَيَۡٔةِ ٱلطَّيۡرِ فَأَنفُخُ فِيهِ فَيَكُونُ طَيۡرَۢا بِإِذۡنِ ٱللَّهِۖ وَأُبۡرِئُ ٱلۡأَكۡمَهَ وَٱلۡأَبۡرَصَ وَأُحۡيِ ٱلۡمَوۡتَىٰ بِإِذۡنِ ٱللَّهِۖ وَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا تَأۡكُلُونَ وَمَا تَدَّخِرُونَ فِي بُيُوتِكُمۡۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَأٓيَةٗ لَّكُمۡ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤۡمِنِينَ49
وَمُصَدِّقٗا لِّمَا بَيۡنَ يَدَيَّ مِنَ ٱلتَّوۡرَىٰةِ وَلِأُحِلَّ لَكُم بَعۡضَ ٱلَّذِي حُرِّمَ عَلَيۡكُمۡۚ وَجِئۡتُكُم بَِٔايَةٖ مِّن رَّبِّكُمۡ فَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ50
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ رَبِّي وَرَبُّكُمۡ فَٱعۡبُدُوهُۚ هَٰذَا صِرَٰطٞ مُّسۡتَقِيمٞ51
CONSPIRACY AGAINST 'ISA
52When 'Isa realized that the people would continue to disbelieve, he asked, "Who will stand up with me for Allah?" His closest followers replied, "We will stand up for Allah. We believe in Allah, so be our witness that we have submitted."
53They prayed to Allah,' "Our Lord! We believe in Your revelations and follow the messenger, so count us among the witnesses"
54And the disbelievers made a plan 'against 'Isa', but Allah also planned--and Allah is the best of planners.
55Remember' when Allah said, "O 'Isa! I will take you and raise you up to Myself. I will save you from the disbelievers, and raise your followers above the unfaithful until Judgment Day. Then to Me you will all return, and I will judge between you about your differences.
56As for those who disbelieve, I will hit them with a severe punishment in this life and the Next, and they will have no helpers.
57And as for those who believe and do good, they will be fully rewarded. And Allah does not like those doing wrong."
58We recite all this to you O Prophet' as one of the signs'5 and as a wise reminder.
فَلَمَّآ أَحَسَّ عِيسَىٰ مِنۡهُمُ ٱلۡكُفۡرَ قَالَ مَنۡ أَنصَارِيٓ إِلَى ٱللَّهِۖ قَالَ ٱلۡحَوَارِيُّونَ نَحۡنُ أَنصَارُ ٱللَّهِ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَٱشۡهَدۡ بِأَنَّا مُسۡلِمُونَ52
رَبَّنَآ ءَامَنَّا بِمَآ أَنزَلۡتَ وَٱتَّبَعۡنَا ٱلرَّسُولَ فَٱكۡتُبۡنَا مَعَ ٱلشَّٰهِدِينَ53
وَمَكَرُواْ وَمَكَرَ ٱللَّهُۖ وَٱللَّهُ خَيۡرُ ٱلۡمَٰكِرِينَ54
إِذۡ قَالَ ٱللَّهُ يَٰعِيسَىٰٓ إِنِّي مُتَوَفِّيكَ وَرَافِعُكَ إِلَيَّ وَمُطَهِّرُكَ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ وَجَاعِلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّبَعُوكَ فَوۡقَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓاْ إِلَىٰ يَوۡمِ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِۖ ثُمَّ إِلَيَّ مَرۡجِعُكُمۡ فَأَحۡكُمُ بَيۡنَكُمۡ فِيمَا كُنتُمۡ فِيهِ تَخۡتَلِفُونَ55
فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ فَأُعَذِّبُهُمۡ عَذَابٗا شَدِيدٗا فِي ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ وَمَا لَهُم مِّن نَّٰصِرِينَ56
وَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ فَيُوَفِّيهِمۡ أُجُورَهُمۡۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ57
ذَٰلِكَ نَتۡلُوهُ عَلَيۡكَ مِنَ ٱلۡأٓيَٰتِ وَٱلذِّكۡرِ ٱلۡحَكِيمِ58
THE TRUTH ABOUT 'ISA
59Indeed, the example of Isa in the sight of Allah is like that of Adam, He created him from dust, then said to him, "Be!" And he was!
60This is the truth from your Lord, so do not be one of those who doubt.
61Now, if someone argues with you O Prophet' about 'Isa after full knowledge has come to you, then say, "Come! Let us gather our children and your children, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves, then let us sincerely call for Allah's curse to be on whoever is lying"
62This is definitely the true story, and there is no god that deserves worship' except Allah. Surely Allah is the Almighty and Wise.
63If they turn away, then certainly Allah has 'perfect' knowledge of the corruptors.
إِنَّ مَثَلَ عِيسَىٰ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ ءَادَمَۖ خَلَقَهُۥ مِن تُرَابٖ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ59
ٱلۡحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ فَلَا تَكُن مِّنَ ٱلۡمُمۡتَرِينَ60
فَمَنۡ حَآجَّكَ فِيهِ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ مَا جَآءَكَ مِنَ ٱلۡعِلۡمِ فَقُلۡ تَعَالَوۡاْ نَدۡعُ أَبۡنَآءَنَا وَأَبۡنَآءَكُمۡ وَنِسَآءَنَا وَنِسَآءَكُمۡ وَأَنفُسَنَا وَأَنفُسَكُمۡ ثُمَّ نَبۡتَهِلۡ فَنَجۡعَل لَّعۡنَتَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَى ٱلۡكَٰذِبِينَ61
إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَهُوَ ٱلۡقَصَصُ ٱلۡحَقُّۚ وَمَا مِنۡ إِلَٰهٍ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُۚ وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَهُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ62
فَإِن تَوَلَّوۡاْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمُۢ بِٱلۡمُفۡسِدِينَ63
TRUE FAITH IN ALLAH
64Say, 'O Prophet,' "O People of the Book! Let us all agree on something we should have in common: that we will not worship anyone but Allah, make anyone equal to Him, or take each other as lords instead of Allah" But if they turn away, then say, "Be witnesses that we have submitted to Allah alone"
65O People of the Book! Why do you argue about Ibrahim, while the Tawrah and the Injil were not revealed until long after him? Do you not understand?
66Here you are, arguing over something you may be familiar with, but why argue over something you know absolutely nothing about? Allah knows and you do not know.
67Ibrahim was not a Jew or a Christian. Rather he was an upright Muslim, and was not an Idol-worshipper.
68Indeed, the closest people to Ibrahim are his followers, this Prophet, and the believers. Allah is the Guardian of those who believe.
قُلۡ يَٰٓأَهۡلَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ تَعَالَوۡاْ إِلَىٰ كَلِمَةٖ سَوَآءِۢ بَيۡنَنَا وَبَيۡنَكُمۡ أَلَّا نَعۡبُدَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ وَلَا نُشۡرِكَ بِهِۦ شَيۡٔٗا وَلَا يَتَّخِذَ بَعۡضُنَا بَعۡضًا أَرۡبَابٗا مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِۚ فَإِن تَوَلَّوۡاْ فَقُولُواْ ٱشۡهَدُواْ بِأَنَّا مُسۡلِمُونَ64
يَٰٓأَهۡلَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ لِمَ تُحَآجُّونَ فِيٓ إِبۡرَٰهِيمَ وَمَآ أُنزِلَتِ ٱلتَّوۡرَىٰةُ وَٱلۡإِنجِيلُ إِلَّا مِنۢ بَعۡدِهِۦٓۚ أَفَلَا تَعۡقِلُونَ65
هَٰٓأَنتُمۡ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ حَٰجَجۡتُمۡ فِيمَا لَكُم بِهِۦ عِلۡمٞ فَلِمَ تُحَآجُّونَ فِيمَا لَيۡسَ لَكُم بِهِۦ عِلۡمٞۚ وَٱللَّهُ يَعۡلَمُ وَأَنتُمۡ لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ66
مَا كَانَ إِبۡرَٰهِيمُ يَهُودِيّٗا وَلَا نَصۡرَانِيّٗا وَلَٰكِن كَانَ حَنِيفٗا مُّسۡلِمٗا وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ67
إِنَّ أَوۡلَى ٱلنَّاسِ بِإِبۡرَٰهِيمَ لَلَّذِينَ ٱتَّبَعُوهُ وَهَٰذَا ٱلنَّبِيُّ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْۗ وَٱللَّهُ وَلِيُّ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ68
BACKGROUND STORY
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A group of Jewish scholars made a plan, pretending to accept Islam and then leave it shortly after. Their goal was to put doubts in the minds of some Muslims with weak faith, because they would say, 'Wait a minute!
If those scholars experienced Islam and then abandoned it, maybe we should do the same, because they know better than us.' This is why verse 72 was revealed.
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According to Imam Ar-Razi, this revelation was a miracle because:
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• Nobody knew about this evil plan except that Jewish group.
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• It prepared the Muslim community to deal with such evil tactics.
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• Eventually, that group gave up on their plan because it had been exposed.