﷽
*Surah Al-Baqara, Verse 109:*
وَدَّ كَثِيرٌ مِّنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ لَوْ يَرُدُّونَكُم مِّن بَعْدِ إِيمَانِكُمْ كُفَّارًا حَسَدًا مِّنْ عِندِ أَنفُسِهِم مِّن بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الْحَقُّ فَاعْفُوا وَاصْفَحُوا حَتَّىٰ يَأْتِيَ اللَّهُ بِأَمْرِهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Many of the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) wish that if they could turn you away as disbelievers after you have believed, out of envy from their ownselves, even, after the truth (that Muhammad Peace be upon him is Allah's Messenger) has become manifest unto them. But forgive and overlook, till Allāh brings His Command. Verily, Allāh is Able to do all things.
*COMMENTARY*
Three words are used in the Qur-ān, with a meaning akin to "forgive", but each with a different shade of meaning. Afā (here translated "forgive") means to forget, to obliterate from one's mind. Safaha (here translated "overlook") means to turn away from, to ignore, to treat a matter as if it did not affect one. Gafala (which does not occur in this verse) means to cover up something as Allāh does to our sins with His grace: this word is particularly appropriate in Allāh's attribute to Gaffār, the One who forgives again and again.
The word 'Amr, is comprehensive, and includes:
1. An order or command as in chapter xcvi.
2. A purpose, design, will, as in chapter xviii, verse 82; or
3. Affairs, working, doing, carrying out or execution of a design, as in chapter lxxxix, verse 5.
In many cases some of these meanings run together.
Note how this phrase, seemingly repeated from Qur'an chapter ii, verse 106, and occuring in many other places, has an appropriate signification in each place. In chapter ii, verse 106 we were told about progressive revelation, how the same thing may take different forms, and seeming human infirmity contribute to the fulfillment of Allāh's design, for Allāh's power is unlimited. Here we are told to be patient and forgiving against envy and injustice; this too may be fulfilling Allāh's purpose, for His power is infinite.
﷽
*Surah Al-Baqara, Verse 110:*
وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ وَمَا تُقَدِّمُوا لِأَنفُسِكُم مِّنْ خَيْرٍ تَجِدُوهُ عِندَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ
And perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and give Zakat, and whatever of good (deeds that Allāh loves) you send forth for yourselves before you, you shall find it with Allāh. Certainly, Allāh is All-Seer of what you do.
*Surah Al-Baqara, Verse 109:*
وَدَّ كَثِيرٌ مِّنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ لَوْ يَرُدُّونَكُم مِّن بَعْدِ إِيمَانِكُمْ كُفَّارًا حَسَدًا مِّنْ عِندِ أَنفُسِهِم مِّن بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الْحَقُّ فَاعْفُوا وَاصْفَحُوا حَتَّىٰ يَأْتِيَ اللَّهُ بِأَمْرِهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Many of the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) wish that if they could turn you away as disbelievers after you have believed, out of envy from their ownselves, even, after the truth (that Muhammad Peace be upon him is Allah's Messenger) has become manifest unto them. But forgive and overlook, till Allāh brings His Command. Verily, Allāh is Able to do all things.
*COMMENTARY*
Three words are used in the Qur-ān, with a meaning akin to "forgive", but each with a different shade of meaning. Afā (here translated "forgive") means to forget, to obliterate from one's mind. Safaha (here translated "overlook") means to turn away from, to ignore, to treat a matter as if it did not affect one. Gafala (which does not occur in this verse) means to cover up something as Allāh does to our sins with His grace: this word is particularly appropriate in Allāh's attribute to Gaffār, the One who forgives again and again.
The word 'Amr, is comprehensive, and includes:
1. An order or command as in chapter xcvi.
2. A purpose, design, will, as in chapter xviii, verse 82; or
3. Affairs, working, doing, carrying out or execution of a design, as in chapter lxxxix, verse 5.
In many cases some of these meanings run together.
Note how this phrase, seemingly repeated from Qur'an chapter ii, verse 106, and occuring in many other places, has an appropriate signification in each place. In chapter ii, verse 106 we were told about progressive revelation, how the same thing may take different forms, and seeming human infirmity contribute to the fulfillment of Allāh's design, for Allāh's power is unlimited. Here we are told to be patient and forgiving against envy and injustice; this too may be fulfilling Allāh's purpose, for His power is infinite.
﷽
*Surah Al-Baqara, Verse 110:*
وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ وَمَا تُقَدِّمُوا لِأَنفُسِكُم مِّنْ خَيْرٍ تَجِدُوهُ عِندَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ
And perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and give Zakat, and whatever of good (deeds that Allāh loves) you send forth for yourselves before you, you shall find it with Allāh. Certainly, Allāh is All-Seer of what you do.
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