Section 11
Christian nearness to Islam
The Israelites cursed by David and Jesus for their disobedience and exceeding the limits - Jews' enmity and the Christian friendship of the Muslims - The pious ones among the Christian priests and monks.
78. " Those who disbelieved from among the Children of Israel were cursed by the tongue of David, and of Jesus, son of Mary, that was because they disobeyed and used to transgress."
Commentary:
Hadrat David (a.s.) cursed the Israelites for their offence and violation regarding to holiday on Saturday. And Hadrat Jesus (a.s.) cursed them, too, for the reason that the Children of Israel, in order to assure their hears, asked for heavenly food, which was descended by Allah as a result of Jesus's supplication. They ate it but they disbelieved again. Therefore, they incurred the wrath and punishment of Allah. The verse says:
" Those who disbelieved from among the Children of Israel were cursed by the tongue of David, and of Jesus, son of Mary, that was because they disobeyed and used to transgress."
(79) كَانُواْ لاَ يَتَنَاهَوْنَ عَن مُّنكَرٍ فَعَلُوهُ لَبِئْسَ مَا كَانُواْ يَفْعَلُونَ
79. " They used not to restrain each other from any dishonour they committed. Certainly evil was that which they were doing! "
Commentary :
The curses of David (a.s.) and Jesus (a.s.) unto the Children of Israel was for the reason that they disobeyed and transgressed. It was also because :
" They used not to restrain each other from any dishonour they committed. Certainly evil was that which they were doing! "
It is narrated from Imam Sadiq (a.s.) who said: " They (the good people of the Children of Israel) did not take part in the (sinful) activities and meetings, but when they saw the (the sinners) they met them with smiled to their faces, and association."(1)
So, the person who is careless toward corruption is cursed by the prophets.
The deed of ' forbidding from doing evil ' is not allocated to the religion of Islam, but it had existed in all divine religions.
In the community of the Israelites, mischief had commonly been committed. Then, they were cursed by Allah (s.w.t.) and the messenger of Allah.
(1) At-Tafsir-ul-Burhan, vol. 1, p. 492
(80) تَرَى كَثِيرًا مِّنْهُمْ يَتَوَلَّوْنَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لَبِئْسَ مَا قَدَّمَتْ لَهُمْ أَنفُسُهُمْ أَن سَخِطَ اللّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ وَفِي الْعَذَابِ هُمْ خَالِدُونَ
80. " You see many of them making friends with those who disbelieve. Surely evil is that which their selves send before for them (as their storage in the Hereafter), and Allah's wrath is on them, and in chastisement shall they abide."
Commentary :
In this verse, another evidence upon the behaviour of the Israelites is suggested as a cause that they were cursed for. The Children of Israel make friends and mastership with the disbelievers.
So, the acceptance of the mastership of infidels is a cause for bringing forth the wrath of Allah (s.w.t.).
The verse says :
" You see many of them making friends with those who disbelieve. Surely evil is that which their selves send before for them (as their storage in the Hereafter), and Allah's wrath is on them, and in chastisement shall they abide."
(81) وَلَوْ كَانُوا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالله والنَّبِيِّ وَمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِ مَا اتَّخَذُوهُمْ أَوْلِيَاء وَلَكِنَّ كَثِيرًا مِّنْهُمْ فَاسِقُونَ
81. " And if they had believed in Allah and the Prophet and what was sent down to him, they would not have taken them for friends, but most of them are evil-doers."
Commentary :
There may be several extentions for the content of this verse. Among them are the followings:
A. If the Jews had really believed in Moses (a.s.) and his Turah, they would never have appointed pagans as their masters. (Tafsir 'Alusi)
B. If infidels and polytheists became Muslims, the Jews would not cooperate with them. (Tafsir-i-Al-Mizan)
C. If the People of the Book, or the hypocrites, or the Muslims believed truely in Allah and the Messenger, they would not appoint pagans as their masters. The reason of it is that Faith does not adapt to infidelity. It is corruption and disbelief that cause than to accept the domination of pagans.
And, generally, whoever violates the bounds of Allah will be a prey of Taquts (daities) and disbelievers.
The verse says:
" And if they had believed in Allah and the Prophet and what was sent down to him, they would not have taken them for friends, but most of them are evil-doers."
(82) لَتَجِدَنَّ أَشَدَّ النَّاسِ عَدَاوَةً لِّلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ الْيَهُودَ وَالَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُواْ وَلَتَجِدَنَّ أَقْرَبَهُمْ مَّوَدَّةً لِّلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ الَّذِينَ قَالُوَاْ إِنَّا نَصَارَى ذَلِكَ بِأَنَّ مِنْهُمْ قِسِّيسِينَ وَرُهْبَانًا وَأَنَّهُمْ لاَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ
82. " Certainly you will find the most hostile of people to those who believe are the Jews and pagans; and you will certainly find the nearest in friendship to those who believe are those who say: ' We are Christians.' That is because there are among them priests and monks and because they do not behave proudly."
Commentary :
The good treatment of Najashi, the king of Abyssina, and the Christians of that country unto the emigrated Muslims has been cited upon the occasion of revelation of this verse.
In the fifth year after the appointment of the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) to his mission, a group of Muslims under the management of Ja'far-ibn-'Abi-Talib emigrated from Mecca to Abyssinia and became secured from the harm and hurt of the pagans of Mecca and their agents in that country with the support of Najashi. The Jews, even with seeing those abundent miracles and also the good temper of the Prophet (p.b.u.h.), did not believe in Islam. They participated in plots against Muslims. They did breach promises and made mischief, while some Christian bishops in Abyssinia shed tears when they heard the verses of Sura Maryam and adhered the Muslims who were there.
Thus, the Jews are the most obstinate enemies of Islam, and their hostility against Muslims has an ancient and deep root.
But, the Christians, althoogh wrongly believe in trinity, a deviated creed, are more receptive to accept the truth because of the sounder mind they have. They are not of the people of plotting, especially the intellectualelites and the preechers among them.
The verse says:
" Certainly you will find the most hostile of people to those who believe are the Jews and pagans; and you will certainly find the nearest in friendship to those who believe are those who say: ' We are Christians.' That is because there are among them priests and monks and because they do not behave proudly."
The End of Part Six
(83) وَإِذَا سَمِعُواْ مَا أُنزِلَ إِلَى الرَّسُولِ تَرَى أَعْيُنَهُمْ تَفِيضُ مِنَ الدَّمْعِ مِمَّا عَرَفُواْ مِنَ الْحَقِّ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا آمَنَّا فَاكْتُبْنَا مَعَ الشَّاهِدِينَ
83. " And when they hear what has been sent down to the Messenger, you see their eyes overflowing with tears because of what they recognize of the Truth. They say: ' Our Lord! we believe, so write us down with the witnesses (of truth)."
Commentary :
One of the examples of the Christians' shedding tear is when Ja'far-ibn-'Abi-Talib recited the verses of Sura Maryam for Najashi in Abyssinia. Another example is also when a group of the Christians, accompanying with Ja'far, came into Median and heard the holy verses of Sura Yasin.
" And when they hear what has been sent down to the Messenger, you see their eyes overflowing with tears because of what they recognize of the Truth. They say: ' Our Lord! we believe, so write us down with the witnesses (of Truth)."
Therefore, as soon as the heartily receptive persons hear the Truth, they will be touched at heart, but the blockhead ones do not move even by seeing it.
The spirit and nature of man is charmed by the Truth. Then, when he reaches his beloved, he sheds the tears of joy.
However, believers should offer a petition for the continuation of their belief and having a good end.
(84) وَمَا لَنَا لاَ نُؤْمِنُ بِاللّهِ وَمَا جَاءنَا مِنَ الْحَقِّ وَنَطْمَعُ أَن يُدْخِلَنَا رَبَّنَا مَعَ الْقَوْمِ الصَّالِحِينَ
(85) فَأَثَابَهُمُ اللّهُ بِمَا قَالُواْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا وَذَلِكَ جَزَاء الْمُحْسِنِينَ
(86) وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ وَكَذَّبُواْ بِآيَاتِنَا أُوْلَئِكَ أَصْحَابُ الْجَحِيمِ
84. " And what (reason) have we that we should not believe in Allah and in the truth that has come to us, while we long for our Lord should cause us to enter (the Heaven) with the righteous ones."
85. " Therefore Allah has rewarded them for what they said ِ Gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein shall they abide forever, and that is the reward of the doers of good."
86. " And (as for) those who disbelieve and deny Our Signs, these are the inhabitants of the Hell."
Commentary:
Those who, after recognizing the right, bravely and explicitly confess it with truthfulness in action, and do not fear of the atmosphere and co-religionists, are among the best righteous ones. The reason of it is that they have done good to themselves and have saved themselves from the chastisement of Hell Fire, and, by their confession, they have paved the path for others both.
Thus, the reward of Faith is Heaven, and the retribution of disbelief and rejection is Hell.
In the meantime, the objective meaning of the Arabic word /haqq/ (the truth), mentioned in the verse, is: the Qur'an, Islam, and the holy peronality of the Prophet (p.b.u.h.).
(87) يا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لا تُحَرِّمُوا طَيِّباتِ ما أَحَلَّ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ وَ لا تَعْتَدُوا إِنَّ اللَّهَ لا يُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِينَ
87. " O' you who have Faith ! Do not prohibit the good things that Allah has made lawful to you, and do not transgress. Verily Allah does not like the transgressors."
Commentary :
It happened that one day the Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h.) was speaking for people about the Hereafter and the scenes of the gatheringِplace of Resurrection. The audience were so touched at heart and wept that some of them decided, from then on, not to consume any good food, to prohibit comfort unto themselves, to observe a fast, to abandon their wives, and to sleep at nights less than before. They swore over that decision to be loyal to it. When the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) was informed of it, he mustered people in the mosque and told them : " I eat food, I sleep at nights and do not abandon my wives. Our religion is not the creed of retreat and monasticism. The monasticism of my ummah is the holy struggle. Whoever goes a direction other than my style is not a Muslim."
Some of them asked what they would do for the oaths they had taken. The subsequent verses were revealed saying that Allah does not call them to account for their vain (unintentional) oaths.
Imam Sadiq (a.s.) said: " Whoever makes a lawful thing unlawful for himself (through a vow), the one must accomplish it, and there is nothing upon him. ..." (Mustadrak-ul-Wasa'il, vol. 3, p. 52)
Explanations :
1. Islam is the religion of `Fitrah' (nature), wherein retreat and monasticism, or excess and defect is forbidden.
2. A Muslim submits to the command of Allah. He neither turns a lawful thing into an unlawful one, nor vice versa.
The holy Prophet (p.b.u.h) said : " O' people! what I have made lawful is lawful until the day of Judgement, and what I have forbidden is forbidden until the day of Judgement." (1)
3. Edible things, clothings, and the whole lawful pleasures have been created for the usage of humankind.
4. When using the lawful things, be careful of avoiding extravagance.
"... do not transgress ..."
5. The vows, covenants and oaths which are against the explicit prohibitions of the text of the Qur'an, are worthless and invalid.
* * * *
(1) Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol., 2, p. 2 60
(88) وَ كُلُوا مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمُ اللَّهُ حَلالاً طَيِّباً وَ اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ الَّذِي أَنْتُمْ بِهِ مُؤْمِنُونَ
88. " And eat from the lawful and good things which Allah has provided for you; and be in awe of Allah Whom you have Faith in."
Commentary :
In the previous verse, the words were about the prohibition of unlawful things, while in this verse it has enjoined people to lawfully enjoying the merits of Allah. It says :
" And eat from the lawful and good things which Allah has provided for you;
The only condition in this course is that you should avoid opposing the command of Allah in Whom you believe.
"... and be in awe of Allah whom you have Faith in."
That is, your faith to Allah requires that you respect all his commandments both in enjoying the merits of Allah and observing moderation and piety.
The holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.) said : " It is obligatory for every Muslim believer, man or woman, to gain lawful things."(1)
Again, the holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.) said : " Worship consists of seventy parts, the best of which is seeking the lawful material." (2)
Also, the holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.) said: " Seeking for lawful sustenance is the same as holy struggle in the way of Allah".(3)
The holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.) said : " Next to the obligatory prayers, seeking for lawful (sustenance) is necessary and compulsory." (4)
The holy Prophet said : " gaining income through a lawful way, is the most exalted deed."(5)
* * * *
(1)Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 100, p. 9
(2) Safinat-ul-Bihar, word /halala/, p. 298
(3) Kanz-ul-`Ummal, vol. 1, p. 6
(4) Kanz-ul-`Ummal, vol. 4, p. 5
(5) Kanz-ul-`Ummal, vol. 4, p. 4
(89) لا يُؤاخِذُكُمُ اللَّهُ بِاللَّغْوِ فِي أَيْمانِكُمْ وَ لكِنْ يُؤاخِذُكُمْ بِما عَقَّدْتُمُ الْأَيْمانَ فَكَفَّارَتُهُ إِطْعامُ عَشَرَةِ مَساكِينَ مِنْ أَوْسَطِ ما تُطْعِمُونَ أَهْلِيكُمْ أَوْ كِسْوَتُهُمْ أَوْ تَحْرِيرُ رَقَبَةٍ فَمَنْ لَمْ يَجِدْ فَصِيامُ ثَلاثَةِ أَيَّامٍ ذلِكَ كَفَّارَةُ أَيْمانِكُمْ إِذا حَلَفْتُمْ وَ احْفَظُوا أَيْمانَكُمْ كَذلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ آياتِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
89. " Allah does not call you to account for your vain (unintentional)oaths, but he calls you to account for what you have pledged solemnly. So its atonement is feeding ten paupers with the average ofwhat you feed your own families, or clothing them, or freeing a slave. But whoever does not find (the means to do so),should fast for three days. That is the atonement of your oaths when you pledge. But guard your oaths. Thus Allah makes His Signs clearfor you in order that you might be thankful."
