Al-Emran 98-101

Al-Emran 98-101

98- O PEOPLE OF THE BOOK, WHY DO YOU DISBELIEVE IN ALLAH’S AYAHS AND ALLAH IS A WITNESS ON WHAT YOU DO.

99- SAY: “O PEOPLE OF THE BOOK, WHY DO YOU TRY TO OBSTRUCT THE WAY OF THOSE WHO BELIEVED TO ALLAH’S PATH, AND SEEK TO MAKE IT CROOKED, WHILE YOU ARE WITNESSES, AND ALLAH IS NOT UNAWARE OF WHAT YOU DO.

100- YOU WHO BELIEVE, IF YOU OBEY SOME OF THOSE WHO WERE GIVEN THE BOOK, THEY WILL TURN YOU INTO DISBELIEVERS AFTER YOU HAVE BELIEVED.

101- AND HOW WOULD YOU DISBELIEVE WHEN THE AYAHS OF ALLAH ARE BEING RECITED TO YOU AND HIS MESSENGER IS AMONGST YOU, AND WHOEVER HOLDS FIRMLY TO ALLAH, HE HAS BEEN GUIDED TO THE STRAIGHT PATH.

Allah the Highest is reprimanding the Jews for:- 

1. Not believing in Allah’s Ayahs in the Quran and His prophet who was amongst them.
2. They will not perform the Haj, called for by Ibrahim, whom they claim to be of their prophets.
3. They were doing their best to obstruct the Muslim’s path to Allah, lead them astray, and misguide them.
4. They did all this while they bear witness to the truth, which they knew.
5. They should be aware that Allah the Highest witnesses what they do, and they will have to answer to Him on the Day of Resurrection.

Allah the Highest warns the Muslims about obeying and following the ways of the people of the book.  Allah the Highest tells us in no uncertain terms, that this can turn us into disbeliever, which should never happen when we are blessed with the Quran and His messenger, prayer and peace upon him, both are our guiding lights. 

We should take heed of Allah’s warnings now more than ever before.  In the past when the Muslim state or states were strong and scientifically advanced and economically developed, there were no reasons for the Muslims to imitate the people of the book, to want to live in their countries, or go to them to learn and work.

At present, the Muslims world is divided into many small states, not scientifically advances, and not very developed economically.  We seek to learn from the people of the book about science; try to get them to help us develop our economies.  We admire their development and look up to them.  

In the meantime, while the Muslims fell behind scientifically and economically, they tried to adhere to Islam.  Yet, the Muslims seem to have lost some of their morale fiber.  Lying, cheating, dishonesty, hypocrisy among other things, seems to be prevalent in the Muslim world.  This makes the people of the book, particularly in the western world, appear even better and more civilized, and their way of life appeals to us more.  

Not applying the teachings of our faith; is in fact the main reason for our falling behind the other nations, and for the weakness in our morale fiber.  Sexual freedom, drinking alcohol and taking drugs, and breaking away from the family at early age, does not lead to the development and advancement of any society, but rather to its disintegration.  

There is no contradiction between scientific and economic development and Islam.  Islam in fact, encourages us to work and to develop ourselves, and to always seek knowledge.  When the Muslims adhered to the teachings of Islam, they prevailed and lead the whole world scientifically and economically.  It is not Islam that holds us back, but it is not applying Islam to our lives, which is the cause of us falling behind.  

Then Allah the Highest says the last word: “AND WHOEVER HOLDS FIRMLY TO ALLAH, HE HAS BEEN GUIDED TO THE STRAIGHT PATH”. 

This requires no further explanation.