seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Quran 28:51. We have delivered the Word to them, that they may remember.
52. Those to whom We gave the Scripture before it believe in it.
53. When it is recited to them, they say, “We have believed in it; it is the truth from our Lord; we were Muslims prior to it.”
54. These will be given their reward twice, because they persevered; and they counter evil with good; and from Our provisions to them, they give.
55. And when they hear vain talk, they avoid it, and say, “We have our deeds, and you have your deeds; peace be upon you; we do not desire the ignorant.”
56. You cannot guide whom you love, but God guides whom He wills, and He knows best those who are guided.
57. And they say, “If we follow the guidance with you, we will be snatched from our land.” Did We not establish for them a Safe Sanctuary, to which are brought all kinds of fruits, as provision from Ourselves? But most of them do not know.
58. And how many a city did We destroy for turning unappreciative of its livelihood? Here are their homes, uninhabited after them, except for a few. And We became the Inheritors.
59. Your Lord never destroys cities without first sending a messenger in their midst, reciting to them Our revelations. And We never destroy the cities, unless their people are wrongdoers.
60. Whatever thing you are given is but the material of this world, and its glitter. But what is with God is better, and longer lasting. Do you not comprehend?
Here's the commentary.
Wa©©ala signifies he joined or connected much or he made (a string) to have many joinings (T, LL). What is implied here is that the word of Allåh, as contained in the Qur’ån, is made to have many points of connection with previous revelation, so that it may be the easier for them to be reminded of its truth. Even if they did not believe in previous revelation, the broad points of likeness in the principles of two different prophets appearing at such a distance of time from each other, among entirely different nations, and under totally different circumstances, and the fulfilment of the prophecies uttered by one in the other, afforded conclusive evidence of the truth of them both. That the reference is to the connection with the previous revelation is also shown by the verse that follows, where those who have been given the Book are clearly spoken of.
It is not meant that all those who have previously been given the Scriptures believe in the Qur’ån. The verse only draws attention to the fact that all believe in the truth of revelation from Allåh, and they cannot deny the points of connection between the two revelations, the truth of the fundamental principles and the fulfilment of prophecies. But only those would believe who have submitted themselves already to Allåh, as the verse that follows shows.
The reason for a double reward — which only means a greater reward — is given in the words that follow: Because they are steadfast and they repel evil with good and spend out of what We have given them. They had to suffer persecution, and not only did they remain steadfast in these great trials, but they repelled the evil of their persecutors with good, and in addition to all this made great sacrifices in the cause of Truth.
It is related that when Ab∂ Ôålib was on his deathbed, the Holy Prophet asked him to believe in Divine Unity. Ab∂ Jahl, being by him at the time, dissuaded him from doing so, saying that he should not desert the religion of his fathers. Ab∂ Ôålib died an unbeliever, and the words thou canst not guide whom thou lovest were a comfort to the Prophet. But the words are true in a general sense as well. The Prophet wished that all people should accept the Truth and better their lives. But all this was to be brought about gradually.
The verse speaks first of the unfounded fears of those who thought that the weakness of the Muslims would result in the seizure, death, or expulsion of those who accepted the faith of Islåm. In reply they are told that the prophecies which declare Makkah to be a safe and sacred territory, to which people will flock in all ages, must come to fulfilment, and Makkah will ultimately be theirs for whose sake these prophecies were uttered.
That is, even now the Divine kingdom will be established, and the true believers in God will be made masters of the country.
I thought Sheldon from Big Bang was going to explain "string theory" to me when I read the first bit of commentary. String theory says everything is related.... and in this case.... the stories in the Quran are so much like the stories in the Bible..... we can see that God is real and He does send people to warn us about certain things.
It's fun to learn new theories now that I'm old and can't use this knowledge for long. I heard the Quran was a wicked book..... but how can it be so wicked if it's telling me the same stories as the Bible has been telling me for years. I must not have gotten to the wicked parts yet... right?
So everything is related.... think string.
