Pearls from the Qur’an (9)

People Of The Book

People Of The Book Not Believing In The Prophet Although They Knew Him

Those who were given the Book (before) know him (the Messenger, with all his distinguishing attributes) as they know their own sons; yet those who ruin their own selves (by concealing this truth, being overcome by their lusts and worldly interests) they do not believe. (al-An’am 6:20)

People Of The Book’s Mistakes

O People of the Book (Jews and Christians)! Why do you dispute concerning Abraham (whether he was a Jew or a Christian), when both the Torah and the Gospel were not sent down save after him? Will you ever not reason and understand? Indeed, you are such people that you dispute concerning even a matter about which you have knowledge; why, then, should you dispute on a matter about which you have no knowledge? God knows, but you do not know. Abraham was not a Jew, nor a Christian; but he was one pure of faith and Muslim (who submitted to God with a sound heart). He was never of those who associate partners with God. (Al Imran 3:65-67)

O People of the Book! Why do you confound the truth (by mixing it) with falsehood, and conceal the truth knowingly? (Al Imran 3:71)

Among the People of the Book are some who, if you entrust them with a weight of treasure, restore it to you; and among them are some who, if you entrust them with one gold piece, do not restore it unless you keep standing over them. That is because they claim: “We have no responsibility toward the unlettered (those who do not have a Book like ours, and follow our religion). “Thus, they speak lies in attribution to God, and do so knowingly. (Al Imran 3:75)

As to those who sell God’s covenant and their oaths for a trifling price, there will be no share for them in the Hereafter; and God will not speak to them nor look upon them (with mercy) on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them (of their sins to absolve them). And for them is a painful punishment. And among them is a party twisting (the words of) the Book with their tongues (during their reading, in order to distort its meaning), so that you may suppose it part of the Book, when it is not part of the Book; and they say it is from God’s Presence, when it is not from God’s Presence. They speak lies in attribution to God, and do so knowingly. (Al Imran 3:77-78)

And when God took compact with the Prophets: “That I have given you a Book and Wisdom; then there will come to you a Messenger confirming what (of the Divine Revelations) you already possess you shall certainly believe in him and you shall certainly help him. “So saying, He asked: “Have you affirmed this and agreed to take up My burden (that I lay upon you) in this matter?” They answered: “We have affirmed (it). “He said: “Then bear witness (you and your communities), and I will be with you among the witnesses.” (Al Imran 3:81)

Say: “We have believed in God (without associating any partners with Him), and that which has been sent down on us, and that which was sent down on Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and the Prophets who were raised in the tribes, and that which was given to Moses, Jesus, and all other Prophets from their Lord; we make no distinction between any of them (in believing), and we are Muslims (submitted to Him exclusively).” Whoever seeks as Religion other than Islam, (which is the standard Religion conveyed by all the Prophets during history, and is based on complete submission to God,) it will never be accepted from him, and in the Hereafter, he will be among the losers. (Al Imran 3:84-85)

Say: “O People of the Book! Why do you conceal and disbelieve in God’s Revelations, God being Witness to all that you do?” (Al Imran 3:98)

An Upright Community Among The People Of The Book

Yet, they are not all alike: among the People of the Book, there is an upright community, reciting God’s Revelations in the watches of the night and prostrating (themselves in worship). They believe in God and the Last Day, and enjoin and promote what is right and good, and forbid and try to prevent evil, and hasten to do good deeds, as if competing with one another. Those are of the righteous ones. (Al Imran 3:113-114)

Calling Out To Jews

O Children of Israel! Remember My favor that I bestowed upon you, and fulfill My covenant (which I made with you through your Prophets), so that I fulfill your covenant, and of Me alone be in awe and fear (in awareness of My Power and of your being My servants). Believe in that which I have sent down (the Qur’an), confirming what (of the truth) you already possess, and do not be the first to disbelieve in it. And (you scribes, fearful of losing your status and the worldly benefit accruing from it) do not sell My Revelations for a trifling price (such as worldly gains, status and renown); and in Me alone seek refuge, through reverence for Me and piety. (al-Baqarah 2:40-41)

And remember when (after years of struggle to escape Egypt, you had just reached the sea with the army of the Pharaoh in close pursuit and) We parted the sea for you and saved you, and (as sheer grace from Us, which you had no part in) caused the family of the Pharaoh to drown while you were looking on. (al-Baqarah 2:50)

Again (remember) when Moses (on an occasion when his people were without water in the desert) beseeched water for his people, so We told him: “Strike the rock with your staff!” (As soon as he struck) there gushed forth from it twelve springs. Each tribe knew their drinking place. Eat and drink of that which God has provided, and do not go about acting wickedly on earth, causing disorder and corruption. (al-Baqarah 2:60)