22 “Criterion” (furqan) here means that understanding of religion which differentiates truth from falsehood, making each stand out distinctly.
23 That is, they should put to death those of their own number who had made the calf an object of worship and actually worshipped it.
14
Al-Baqarah 2: 56–9
Thereupon a tremendous thunderbolt struck you before your very eyes. (56) Then We revived you after your extinc- tion, that you might be grateful.
(57) And We caused a cloud to comfort you with shade, and We sent down upon you manna and the quails, (saying): “Eat of the good wherewithal that We have provided you as sustenance.” And by their sinning (your forefathers) did not wrong Us: it is they them- selves whom they wronged.
(58) And recall when We said: “Go into this town and eat abundantly of its food; but enter the gate prostrate, saying, “Repentance”.24 We will forgive you your sins and shall bestow more favour on the doers of good.” (59) Then the wrong-doers substituted another saying for that which had been given them; and so We sent down a scourge upon the wrong-doers from the heavens for their transgression.
24 Hittah could either mean that when they entered the town they should seek God’s pardon for their sins or that instead of plundering and massacring people in the wake of their conquest, they should proclaim an amnesty.
15
Al-Baqarah 2: 60–1
(60) And recall when Moses prayed for water for his people and We replied: “Strike the rock with your staff.” And there gushed out from it twelve springs and each tribe knew its drinking-place.25 (Then you were directed): “Eat and drink of the sustenance provided by Allah, and do not go about acting wickedly on earth, spreading mischief.”
(61) And recall when you said: “O Moses, surely we cannot put up with one sort of food, so pray to your Lord to bring out for us what the earth produces – its herbs and its cucumbers and its corn and its lentils and its garlic and its onions.” Then Moses said: “Will you take a meaner thing in exchange for what is better? Go down to some city and there you shall get what you ask for.” And ignominy and wretchedness were pitched upon them and they were laden with the burden of Allah’s wrath. ▶
25 The number of springs was twelve because the Israelite tribes were also twelve in number. God provided one spring for each tribe so that they would not fight each other for water.
16
Al-Baqarah 2: 62–3
This was because they denied the Signs of Allah and slew the Prophets unrightfully. All this, because they disobeyed and persistently exceeded the limits (of the Law).
(62) Whether they are the ones who believe (in the Arabian Prophet), or whether they are Jews, Christians or Sabians – all who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and do righteous deeds – their reward is surely secure with their Lord; they need have no fear, nor shall they grieve.26
(63) And recall when We made a covenant with you and caused the Mount Sinai to tower above you, (saying): ▶
26 The context of the verse makes it clear that it does not seek to enumerate in detail all the articles of faith in which one should believe, or all the principles of conduct which one should follow in order to merit reward from God. The aim of the verse is merely to repudiate the illusion cherished by the Jews that, by virtue of their being Jews, they had a monopoly of salvation. They had long entertained the notion that a special and exclusive relationship existed between them and God. They thought, therefore, that all who belonged to their group were predestined to salvation regardless of their beliefs and actions, whereas all non-Jews were predestined to serve as fuel for Hell-fire.
To clarify this misgiving the Jews are told that what really matters in God’s sight is true faith and good deeds rather than formal affiliation with a certain religious community. Whoever has true faith and good deeds to his credit is bound to receive his reward, since God will judge people on the basis of merit rather than on the grounds that a person’s name happens to be listed in the world as a member of one religious community or the other.
17
Al-Baqarah 2: 64–7
“Hold fast to the Book that We have given you, and remember the directives and command- ments in it, that you be pious.” (64) Then you turned away from your covenant, and had it not been for Allah’s grace and mercy upon you, you would have long been utter losers.
(65) And you know the case of those of you who broke the Sabbath,27 how We said to them: “Become apes, despised and hated.” (66) And thus We made their end a warning for the people of their own time and for the succeeding generations, and an admonition to the God- fearing.
(67) And then recall when Moses said to his people: “Behold, Allah commands you to slaughter a cow.” They said: “Are you jesting with us?” Moses answered: “I seek refuge in Allah that I should behave in the manner of the ignorant.” ▶
27 Sabbath, i.e. Saturday. It was laid down that the Israelites should consecrate that day for rest and worship. They were required to abstain from all worldly acts, including cooking (which they might neither do themselves, nor have their servants do for them).
18
Al-Baqarah 2: 68–71
(68) They said: “Pray to your Lord that He make clear to us what she is like.” Moses answered: “He says, she is a cow, neither old nor immature, but of an age in between the two. Do, then, what you have been commanded.” (69) They said: “Pray to your Lord that He make clear to us of what colour she is.” Moses answered: “He says, she is a yellow cow, with a bright colour which is pleasing to those who see!” (70) They said: “Pray to your Lord that He make clear to us what cow she is. Cows seem much alike to us, and if Allah wills, we shall be guided.” (71) Moses answered: “Lo! He says, she is a cow unyoked to plough the earth or to water the tillage, one that has been kept secure, with no blemish on her!” Thereupon they cried out: “Now you have come forth with the information that will direct us aright.” And they slaughtered her although they scarcely seemed to do so.28
28 Through contact with the neighbouring people, the Israelites had become infected with the attitude of sanctifying the cow; in fact they had even become accustomed to cow-worship. In order to disabuse the Jews of this, they were ordered to slaughter the cow. Their professed belief that God alone was worthy of worship could be tested only by asking them to slaughter with their own hands
19
Al-Baqarah 2: 72–4