Page no 82 God wants you to know

Reflections on Guidance and Guidance for Reflections

 Surah Baqarah (Al-Qur'an) Page No. 28

                     بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيم

Verse 116

Wa qaalut takhazal laahu waladan subhaanahoo bal lahoo maa fis samaawaati wal ardi kullul lahoo qaanitoon

They (the unjust people) say, 'Allah has taken a son.' Glory be to Him! In fact, everything in the heavens and the earth belongs to Him. All are obedient to Him.

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Word of God

In verse 116 of Surah Baqarah, the Qur'an firmly rejects the idea that Allah has a son, refuting the claims made by those who are unjust. This verse serves as a declaration of Allah's absolute oneness, emphasising the core of monotheism. The phrase "Word of God" captures the divine nature of the Qur'an, which is a source of guidance and wisdom for believers, offering them comfort and enlightenment.

The statement "Allah has taken a son" reflects a common misconception during and after the revelation, where some people attributed human-like relationships to Allah. However, the Qur'an strongly rejects these anthropomorphic interpretations, asserting that Allah is beyond human attributes and relationships.

The response to this claim is immediate: "Glory be to Him." This glorification emphasises Allah's incomprehensible divinity, which transcends human limitations. The verse further declares that all creation in the heavens and the earth belongs to Him and is in complete submission to His will, illustrating His total authority over existence.

In essence, this verse encapsulates the essence of Islamic monotheism, rejecting any notion of divine offspring and inviting believers to reflect on the wisdom in the Qur'an, recognising it as the ultimate "Word of God."

Verse 117

Badeee’us samaawaati wal ardi wa izaa qadaaa amran fa innamaa yaqoolu lahoo kun fayakoon

(God is) the Originator of the heavens and the earth; when He decrees a matter, He only says, 'Be,' and it is.

Verse 117 highlights Allah's role as the Creator of the heavens and the earth. Referring to Him as the "Wonderful Originator," the verse underscores His unparalleled power to create without any prior example or blueprint. Allah’s command alone brings creation into being with the utterance of "Be." This affirms His supreme authority and omnipotence.

The "Word of God" in this context signifies Allah's power, as His words bring about the creation and guide the universe. The verse invites believers to reflect on Allah’s creative abilities and acknowledge His omnipotence and divine command as the ultimate source of guidance.

Verse 118

Wa qaalal lazeena laa ya’lamoona law laa yukallimunal laahu aw taateenaaa aayah; kazaalika qaalal lazeena min qablihim misla qawlihim; tashaabahat quloobuhum; qad baiyannal aayaati liqawminy yooqinoon

And those who do not know (the wisdom in revelation) say, 'Why does Allah not speak to us or give us a sign?' That is exactly what their predecessors said. Their hearts are alike. We have made the signs clear for those who are convinced.

Verse 118 addresses those who question why Allah does not communicate directly or provide obvious signs. This echoes the sentiments of previous generations. The phrase "Word of God" reflects the desire for direct communication from the Divine, but Allah reminds us that His signs are already clear for those who seek them.

Allah’s signs are evident in the natural world, in the prophets, and in the Qur'an. The verse asserts that the hearts of those who demand signs resemble those of past sceptics. It highlights the importance of sincere reflection and understanding of the signs provided by Allah, which are readily available to those with open hearts.

Verse 119

Innaaa arsalnaaka bilhaqqi basheeranw wa nazeeranw wa laa tus’alu ‘an Ashaabil Jaheem

We have sent you with the truth as a bearer of good news and a warner. You are not responsible for those destined for Hell.

In verse 119, Allah reassures the Prophet Muhammad of his role as the one delivering both glad tidings and warnings. The phrase "Word of God" signifies the divine message that Prophet Muhammad is entrusted to share with humanity.

The Prophet is not accountable for those who reject the message and face punishment. His duty is to convey the message with sincerity, while each individual is responsible for their actions. This verse emphasises the importance of adhering to the message of Islam and the Prophet’s role in guiding humanity with the "Word of God."

Verse 120

Wa lan tardaa ‘ankal Yahoodu wa lan Nasaaraa hattaa tattabi’a millatahum; qul inna hudal laahi huwalhudaa; wa la’init taba’ta ahwaaa’ahum ba’dal lazee jaaa’aka minal ‘ilmimaa laka minal laahi minw waliyyinw wa laa naseer

The Jews and Christians will never be pleased with you unless you follow their way. Say, 'Allah's guidance is the true guidance.' If you were to follow their desires after knowledge has come to you, you would find no protector or helper from Allah.

In verse 120, Allah addresses the pressure faced by Muslims to conform to other religious traditions. The "Word of God" represents the guidance that stands as the ultimate truth. Muslims are urged to remain steadfast in their faith and follow the teachings of the Qur'an.

The verse reminds believers that true guidance comes from Allah alone and that compromising their faith for the sake of pleasing others leads to abandonment by Allah. It emphasises the need to adhere firmly to the "Word of God" and resist external pressures to deviate from the path of Islam.