Surah al-Baqarah (The Cow) 2 : 87

Overview (Verses 87 - 90)

A Long List of Contradictions

The sūrah then confronts the Israelites with their record of how they treated God’s messages and messengers, including their own prophets: “We gave Moses the Book and caused a succession of messengers to follow him. To Jesus, son of Mary, We gave clear proof and supported him with the Holy Spirit. Why is it that every time a messenger comes to you with a message that does not suit your fancies, you glory in your arrogance, charging some (messengers) with lying and slaying others?” (Verse 87)

The Israelites’ main argument for not accepting Islam was that they were in possession of a great many such teachings that had been given to them by their own prophets. The Qur’ān, however, rejects that claim and exposes the disgraceful manner in which they had received those prophets and their teachings.

We have already been told of their encounter with Moses (peace be upon him), and here we learn of more prophets coming after him and receiving similar treatment, right up to Jesus, the son of Mary. Jesus (peace be upon him) came to them with clear evidence of the truth, including the performance of miracles, and was supported by the Holy Spirit, the Archangel Gabriel. But what was their attitude towards him? Their own Scriptures testify to a sad tale of rejection, denunciation and appalling ingratitude towards all the prophets who were sent to them: “Why is it that every time a messenger comes to you with a message that does not suit your fancies, you glory in your arrogance, charging some (messengers) with lying and slaying others?” (Verse 87)

The human tendency to manipulate rules and set double standards in order to achieve selfish ethnocentric, nationalist or sectarian objectives is a well-known phenomenon in society. It usually surfaces in corrupt societies that have lost the basic human sense of justice and fair-play. Laws, principles and standards ought to stem from a neutral, objective and a fair source that is not susceptible to the influence of human desires or prejudices. This agency must transcend human frailty and self- interest.

God relates these accounts of Israelite history as a warning to Muslims to avoid those pitfalls, to preserve their position of leadership on earth and live up to the trust God has placed in them. Thus we find that whenever Muslims have deviated from or abandoned the rule of Islam and persecuted the advocates of true faith, rejecting some and killing others, they have met a fate similar to that of the Israelites. They became weak, divided and humiliated, wallowing in ignominy and misery. This sad state will persist until they respond to the call of God and His messengers, submit to His will, and fulfil their covenant with God with clear resolve and determination.

Having confronted the Israelites with their attitude towards their own Prophets, the sūrah tackles their response to the new message, Islam, and its bearer, Prophet Muĥammad (peace be upon him):

They say, ‘Our hearts are sealed.’ No! God has cursed them for their disbelief They have but little faith. And now that a Book confirming their own has come to them from God, and they had repeatedly forecast its coming to the unbelievers, they have denied what they know to be the truth. God’s curse be upon the unbelievers! Vile is that for which they have bartered their souls, because they have denied what God has revealed, grudging that He should, by His grace, send down His revelations to whom He chooses from among His servants. Thus they have incurred God’s wrath over and over again. Ignominous suffering is in store for the unbelievers. When it is said to them, Believe in what God has revealed,’ they say, ‘We believe in what has been revealed to us.’ They deny everything else, although it is the truth, corroborating the revelations they have. Say, ‘Why, then, did you in the past kill God’s prophets, if you were true believers?’ Moses came to you with clear proofs, but in his absence you transgressed, worshipping the calf. We accepted your solemn pledge, and We raised Mount Sinai above you, saying, ‘Take with firmness and strength what We have given you and hearken to it.’ They said, ‘We hear but we disobey.’ For their unbelief they were made to drink the calf into their hearts. Say, ‘Vile is that which your faith enjoins upon you, if indeed you are believers.’ (Verses 88-93)

The words are fierce: it is as if thunderbolts or balls of fire are being thrown in their faces. The verses completely demolish their arguments and their bogus excuses; their malevolent attitude towards Islam and the Prophet Muĥammad is exposed fully.

“They say, ‘Our hearts are sealed.’ No! God has cursed them for their disbelief. They have but little faith.” (Verse 88) They said that to Muĥammad and his followers to discourage them from presenting the new religion to them, and in order to justify their own refusal to accept Islam. But the real reason, according to the sūrah, is that God has rejected them because of their disbelief. This means that the initial step was theirs when they rejected the faith. Therefore, God punished them by His rejection, which means that they cannot benefit by His guidance, which they have already rejected. They have generally shown very little faith anyway, in all periods.

Their transgression was compounded, because they rejected a Prophet, Muĥammad, who had come to confirm the revelations they had already received, whom they were eagerly awaiting and about whom they had been boasting before the pagan Arabs. With him, they used to tell those Arabs, ‘our victory would be complete.’

Such irresponsible and devious behaviour can only be met with divine wrath and condemnation: “God’s curse be upon the unbelievers!” (Verse 89)

The sūrah exposes the hidden cause underlying their wicked attitude, stressing their loss and the failure of their pursuit. “Vile is that for which they have bartered their souls, because they have denied what God has revealed, grudging that He should, by His grace, send down His revelations to whom He chooses from among His servants. Thus they have incurred God’s wrath over and over again. Ignominous suffering is in store for the unbelievers.” (Verse 90)

It is vile indeed that they should barter away their souls for a denial of God’s Revelations. The human soul may very well have a price, which can be high or low, but to sell oneself for such a demeaning reward as the denial of faith in God is the lowest a human being can achieve. By adopting this attitude, the Israelites have lost doubly: in this life and in the life to come, where a humiliating punishment is in store for them.

The main reason for all this is their envy of Muĥammad (peace be upon him) for being the Prophet they had been waiting for. They begrudge anyone else receiving the honour of carrying God’s message to mankind, which reflects their arrogant, overweening mentality. This is totally unjust on their part, and it earns them God’s wrath and punishment.

This typically grudging attitude of the Jews of Madinah betrays a deeply selfish and bigoted mind, which detests that any good or blessings should be given to other people, as if that would reduce their own share of such goodness. It reflects a total lack of sensitivity towards others and a tendency towards self-alienation, which explains the isolation experienced by the Jews throughout history. They have tended to look upon their race as separate from the rest of humanity. Indeed, they have often set themselves up against the rest, harbouring grudges and an insatiable desire for revenge, and exploiting other peoples’ misfortunes. It is not surprising, therefore, that they have historically been portrayed as conspiring troublemakers who are prepared to instigate war and bloodshed among nations in order to advance and safeguard their own interests. This hideous tendency is traced back to their grudge “that He should, by His grace, send down His revelations to whom He chooses from among His servants.” (Verse 90)