^{Surah Name:} Al-Baqarah ^Meaning: The Cow

Key Points

Surah Al-Baqarah

Secrets Of Revelation

Presently the foolish...He guides whom He Will to the straight path."

The House Of Allaah^-SWT

The Jews and the Christians, totally beaten in their arguments, now resorted to objections on the Change of Qiblah. They asked why would a true Prophet^-SW alter the Qiblah, and what would be the fate of the Salat offered facing in the direction of the previous one, particularly of those who died before the change, had taken place?

These questions clung to their perverted minds; perverted because had there been any degree of goodness in their nature and thinking, they would have felt repulsion in useless talk and meaningless arguments. The essence of goodness is that the mind accepts only what is right.

Allaah^-SWT rejects this perverted thinking by calling these people as foolish. Only fools will give great importance to this changing of the Qiblah, and take it as something extraordinary. It would, be appropriate here to focus on the Qiblah itself.

When Prophet Aadam^-AS was sent to the earth, he^-AS built the K’abah on Allaah^-SWT's Command, which was the first Qiblah, i.e. the centre facing which Salat is offered. Because of its being the Qiblah, it was sanctified by the descent of Divine Lights, and intrinsically became the centre of the universe, though in the geographical sense too, it is the central point of the earth. Until the era of Prophet Nuh^-AS, it remained in its original shape. But when the Deluge engulfed the world, it also demolished the building of the K’abah. Since the Divine Lights and the spiritual centralisation associated with it could not be affected by the Deluge, so Prophet Ibrahim^-AS reconstructed it. Later on when Bait al-Maqdas was constructed, it was honoured to be made the Qiblah, as most of the Prophets^-AS had been raised in that region. Besides, their Prophethood was localised and not for the entire mankind. To invite their followers to a far off, remote land amidst gigantic mountains in a formidable desert would have put them in trouble. Allaah^-SWT made things easier for them and appointed Bait al-Maqdas as their Qiblah; with which they were well acquainted, and which was easily accessible to them for worship. This remained the Qiblah for the Prophets^-AS of Bani Israil. In the early days of Islam, the Muslims offered their Salat facing the direction of Bait al-Maqdas, until the revelation for changing the Qiblah to K’abah once again, was sent.

Holy Prophet^-SW’s Fondness For K’abah

The Holy Prophet^-SW was inclined towards the K’abah, to the extent of a yearning. This fond love is often attributed to the reconstruction of K’abah by Prophet Ibrahim^-AS, but I feel the real reason is the special honour enjoyed by the K’abah. In the entire world only two nations have the honour of being commanded to a central point, not only for the purpose of unity, but also because the appointed places have been blessed by specific Divine Splendour. The K’abah, however, excels Bait al-Maqdas in magnanimity, as explained in Hadith, that the reward for one Salat offered in the latter is equal to fifty thousand Salat while in the former it equals to one hundred thousand Salat.

Until here, it is a matter of common understanding, but for the accomplished there is more to it. If the Bait al-Maqdas is spiritually viewed, it is seen that from the farthest end of the ninth ‘Arsh begins a stream of Divine Lights, which passing through the Bait al-Maqdas joins the said ‘Arsh on the other end. In other words, the earth, the human abode, always looks upward to the heavens located at the travelling distance of 14,000 years. All the planets and stars are located in this space, encompassed by the heavens, which are seven in number. Beyond the heavens the ‘Arsh-e-Ilahi begins, and the place called Ahadiyyat in Sufi terminology, is thirty six-thousand years away from the first heaven and fifty thousand years from the earth. This travelling time is in relevance to the speed of Spirit, which is millions of times faster than the speed of light. But once given the Tawajjuh by an accomplished Shaikh, thousands of years can be squeezed into seconds.

Just as the heaven encompasses the earth, the ‘Arsh surrounds the heavens; and all that lies between the ‘Arsh and the earth is like a small ring dropped in the desert, when compared to the ‘Arsh itself. This is the span of the first ‘Arsh; whereas the second one is vaster than the first and the entire universe in the same proportion. And this goes on until the ninth ‘Arsh, which seems to hold the eight ‘Urush below including all the creation, in its lap, as the desert holds a ring.

It is beyond man to comprehend these distances, unless Allaah^-SWT the all Powerful Himself blesses someone with such a broad vision and it is by His endowment otherwise even after life long endeavours only a few accomplished could step in to the stations of ‘Arsh, let alone covering the nine ‘Urush, which is a very long journey. The roof of the ninth ‘Arsh is the farthest limit of the ‘Alam-e Khalq. Beyond this is the ‘Alam-e Amr, where no creation can enter except the one which is related to it. It is only the Spirit which belongs to the ‘Alam-e-Amr, and which finds peace only when it gets there.

The Stations Of Aulia

When seen in this context, a Wali reaching the ‘Alam-e-Amr has just come home. The real progress in His nearness lies beyond. However, very few could get to it. In the Indo-Pak subcontinent, hardly a dozen could make it to the ‘Alam-e-Amr; such as Shahbaz Qalandar^-RUA, Bu Ali Qalandar^-RUA, Khawajah Moeen ud-Din Ajmeri^-RUA, Ali Hajveri^-RUA popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh and another Ali Hajveri^-RUA, buried under the Lahore Fort. Probably, his^-RUA grave came under the Fort wall at the time of its construction, and has now fallen into oblivion. In Bhera, District Sargodha, is buried a saint since ancient times, who was killed by the non-believers and dumped into a well. The tomb now has a settlement over it. Yet another noble personality, Syed Nazir ‘Ali Shah^-RUA one of the caliphs of Shaikh ‘Abdul Qadir Jilani^-RUA is buried in Azad Kashmir. He^-RUA is the one enjoying the highest stations in this subcontinent, or there maybe someone beyond the access of my humble insight. Anyway, very few could get to the ‘Alam-e-Amr, and the rest continued on their journey towards it.

Here, Allaah^-SWT forbid, the aim is not to belittle anyone but only to highlight the stupendous height of the ‘Alam-e-Amr, and I deem myself much inferior to the dust beneath the feet of all saints. Anyway, from where the ‘Alam-e-Amr begins, the Divine Lights and flashes of Allaah^-SWT's Personal Splendour head towards Bait al-Maqdas and passing through it, join at its other end of the spherical ‘Alam-e-Amr. If we move onwards there are the Circles of the ‘Alam-e-Amr, named as Taqarrub (His nearness), Tawakkal (complete trust in Him), Sabr (patience), Tasleem (total submission), Khullah (friendship), Muhabbat (love), Muhibbiyat (loving) and Mahbubiyyat (being a beloved) etc.

Amongst these Circles, the first i.e., Taqarrub is so vast that the entire creation including the nine ‘Urush can be compared to it as a ring against a desert. The second Circle is similarly bigger than the first one and it goes on like that with the same ratio. The nineteenth Circle is of Haqiqat-e K’abah, wherefore the flashes of His Personal Splendour in the form of a beam descend upon the K’abah, and crossing through it, as well as the nine ‘Urush and the eighteen Circle of the ‘Alam-e-Amr, reunite with the Circle of Haqiqat-e-K’abah on the other end. This is why K’abah always remained as the most revered place of the Prophets^-AS. Even those, for whom Bait al-Maqdas was the Qiblah, loved K’abah, while respecting their own. This explains why most of the Prophets^-AS migrated to it after the destruction of their nations by Divine punishment. They kept going around the barren desert hillock holding the foundations of K’abah, died there, and the sands of time buried these illuminated souls under the dust.

As many as ninety-nine Prophets^-AS can be spiritually seen buried in the Mutaf. They had, over a period of time, migrated to K’abah. Quietly they passed away and the winds covered their bodies with dust, in a natural phenomenon. In my humble opinion, this was the most powerful reason for the Holy Prophet^-SW’s profound love for K’abah.

It must be remembered that a place having pictures and idols, is the sure seat of Satan, and is thus deprived of Divine Mercy, rather accursed in a way. Now what would be the state of a House with three hundred and sixty idols that were worshipped as sustainers and adorned as deities, with offerings made to them? Nevertheless, the Holy Prophet^-SW lived in Makkah for forty years before his^-SW raising and thirteen years after it, and used to worship in K’abah, often resting under its shade during the day. Why did he^-SW not feel disgusted? The answer is crystal clear that Divine Refulgence is present over the K’abah like a sea, thus nothing else was of any consequence. The same situation prevails today. Although there are no idols in K’abah, but the place is infested by wrongdoers. Even Hajj is taken as a picnic, but nothing can diminish the splendour of the K’abah. The necessity of eradicating evil from there is a separate issue, but no act of disobedience can diminish the glory of Allaah^-SWT's House.

The discussion so far is for the chosen few, but at least this much everyone can know that any Muslim entering the K’abah is blessed with a feeling of being present before Allaah^-SWT; becoming oblivious of everything else. Everyone converses with Him from a commoner to a king; all weep and wail before Him begging forgiveness and His Mercy. No one cares what the other might think, because all are in the same state.

Now coming back to the subject; the Holy Prophet^-SW and his^-SW devoted Companions^-RAU used to offer Salat facing Bait al-Maqdas; but deep down in his^-SW heart, the Holy Prophet^-SW prayed to Allaah^-SWT for making K’abah as Qiblah for Muslims. So Allaah^-SWT honoured the Muslims, but it was sixteen months after their migration to Madinah. The ignorant resorted to sarcasm, as they had no idea of the realities. In reply to this criticism Allaah^-SWT commands the Holy Prophet^-SW to let them know that facing Qiblah does not mean doing Sajdah to the Qiblah itself, but it is only a centre and a direction. The one to be worshipped is Allaah^-SWT, and He Alone we have to obey. Whatever directions He commands, we turn to it, as all directions belong to Him and He is Omnipresent. It is only by His Grace that He fixed a centre for Muslims, and averted the possible schism and disunity between His bondsmen. As a result Muslim brotherhood emerged, unanimity and accord also developed and from this centre the spiritual and inner beneficence was derived, which is the essence of all endeavours. So it is not the innate superiority of any premises, He may honour any place He chooses, and may bless a nation with a Qiblah He likes, as He is not limited by the directions. He is above any such conformity. It is very simple to understand, and a guidance to the right path. But a candid word is understood only by those guided by Him. If He withholds proper perception, even the right things look crooked. Now, let there not be a pretext that since guidance is blessed by Allaah^-SWT, thus one is helpless free of responsibility.

Divine Guidance Is Only For The Aspirant

Allaah^-SWT has decided that He would guide only those who desire to be guided from the core of their heart. But if one does not feel the urge, it is not becoming of Him as Rubb to impose it on him; as guidance is also a part of His Providence. Thus wherever will be a desire for guidance, it surely will be provided by His Grace. And for the heart devoid of desire there is no guidance.

Thus We have made you a balanced Ummah... For Allaah^-SWT is full of Kindness, Most Merciful towards mankind.

O nation of believers! We have raised you as a balanced nation. The Bani Israil objected over the change of Qiblah, taunting that the Prophet^-SW of Islam has become confused over his^-SW religion. The idolaters said that the Muslims, who have turned to their Qiblah, would soon adopt their religion too. The Jews accused that the Muslims have changed their Qiblah out of sheer jealousy! But their short-sightedness could not perceive the other realities, whereas the Muslim community has been given a perfect balance in all matters. The basic tenets of faith had always been the same and will always remain so, such as Unity (Tauheed), Life after Death, the Reckoning, Paradise and Hell or Angels and Jinn.

Faith in all these facts along with the belief in the Prophethood of Allaah^-SWT's Messengers^-AS remained the same in all the Ummah though the ways of attaining Divine Pleasure differed with every one. The non-believers violated even the basic tenets of faith and suggested children for Allaah^-SWT; some subjected Him to their idols, while others searched for Him in their idols, yet others believed in His transmigration. But the Muslim Ummah highlighted the path of Truth, doing away with all confusion. It acknowledges the Unity of Allaah^-SWT in His Personnel Attributes and His Greatness. It recognises the status of Prophets^-AS, the Companions^-RAU and the saints, in an appropriate manner. It does not exaggerate their status by declaring them partners in Divinity, as was the practice with many a misguided group, who were such extremists that on one extreme they would even kill the Prophets^-AS while on the other, would give the mortals the Divine status.

The Balanced Ummah

The Muslim Ummah adopted the middle course and gave mankind a pure set of beliefs. The worships of non-believers were heinously absurd. They would worship one human being and kill the children of another in sacrifice. Or take the example of Hindus of India who on one hand consider burning a widow alive on her husband’s pyre as worship and on the other, believe the slaughter of a cow to be brutal calling it a murder. Some even tie cushions under their feet to avoid trampling the insects. Similarly, in other religions of the world, to live as recluse or in a monastery or simply to stay with such persons was taken as worship. But Islam opted for the middle path in Allaah^-SWT's worship. The Muslims rise early in the morning to bow down before Allaah^-SWT and then get busy in daily routine. In the afternoon they get some time off from business, and offer Salat-e Zuhr. Towards the end of the day they offer Salat-e ‘Asr; and as soon as the sun sets, they again avail the honour of doing Sajdah before Allaah^-SWT.And before going to bed they offer the ‘Isha Salat. In short, all the temporal affairs are managed along with a continuous attendance in Allaah^-SWT's Mighty Court.

Similarly, for the attainment of the highest levels of His nearness, one does not have to be a recluse. The Companions^-RAU who are the most superior in the Muslim Ummah, fully participated in all worldly affairs. And the most exalted amongst the Aulia also lived the life of common people. Imam Abu Hanifah^-RUA was a trader, whereas Imam Ahmed^-RUA cultivated his^-RUA lands. The crown of Aulia, Shaikh ‘Abdul Qadir Jilani^-RUA ran a business of imports and exports. ‘Ubaid Ullah Ahrar^-RUA was an agriculturist, whose lands were tilled by at least a hundred ploughs. Although he^-RUA was one of the prominent Shaikhs of the Owaisiah Order, yet he^-RUA lived a prosperous life and was known for bringing affluence to the dervish way of life.

And unlike the Jews and the Christians or Hindus, or the idolaters of Arabia, in Muslims no specific group qualifies for higher ranks or any particular worship. Every man or woman, regardless of colour, caste or creed can attain any excellence. Similarly on the economic front, neither it is recommended to starve to death by simply living on wild fruits nor should one go crazy for attaining worldly pleasures. It is allowed to earn wealth, but without encroaching on the rights of others. The Companions^-RAU, in spite of becoming extremely rich due to the conquered treasures of Caesar and Chosroes, remained unaffected by the glitter, and the spirit to die for Allaah^-SWT and His Prophet^-SW remained fervent in their hearts. The wealthy is not permitted to plunder others nor is he allowed to hide his wealth. Rather a certain share in his wealth is kept for the poor and the needy, without unduly burdening him or leaving the needy impoverished. The perfect blend of piety, and the State power is a peculiarity of the Muslim Ummah alone.

Likewise in marital affairs prior to Islam either celibacy was considered a noble act or a person took ten to hundred wives. Islam balanced this out, it neither confined a man to a single marriage like the Hindus, nor did it allow an unlimited number of wives, but permitted only four, subject to equity. This concession is not only gratifying for a healthy male, but also binds him to safeguard the rights of women. If a man cannot be contended with one wife, instead of debauchery, he may take another, but must fulfil his obligations towards them forever.

Affairs of the State and the politics are also managed in perfect harmony with piety and worship. Even on the battlefield the rights of the enemy must be looked after. In short, whether it is the beliefs or the worships, social behaviour or mutual dealings, Government and politics or saintliness; Islam provides the most beautiful garland to be adorned by mankind.

These foolish critics who are raising objections on the change of Qiblah ought to be ignored. All these matters pertaining to Islam, which seem different to them, are indeed Divine Blessings upon the Muslims. Allaah^-SWT moulded the Ummah on balance and equity. From here the research scholars derive the validity of the consensus since this Ummah, as a whole, can never agree on injustice. It is this fairness that will make the Muslim Ummah a witness on all other nations. On the Day of Reckoning, when Hell will be brought nigh, the non-believers will cry out that they had not been informed about such doom. Allaah^-SWT will ask them: Did I not send My Messengers^-AS unto you? They will acknowledge the fact, but would submit that they were never told anything about the doom otherwise they would have not behaved so foolishly!

Effects Of Material Dominance On Human Life

It is a strange phenomenon, that whatever a person might have been during his life time, he never tells a lie once in Barzakh. But the non-believers will deliberately lie on the Day of Reckoning. This is probably because, in Barzakh, the retribution commences immediately after the questioning and there is no point in lying, whereas on the Day of Reckoning, the admission to Hell is yet to take place, and since it is unveiled they will try to evade it by telling lies.

In this world, the physical body bears the responsibility while Spirit is subordinated to it, so a person can tell lies here. In Barzakh, it is the opposite so the Spirit does not make a false statement, as it is by nature pure. But on the Day of Reckoning both body and spirit will be equally in charge, so under the influence of the material pollution of the physical body, a person will lie when questioned. Although Allaah^-SWT is well aware of all the facts, yet as a final proof He will question the Prophets^-AS. They will submit: “O Allaah^-SWT! They are lying; we did convey the Message to them. You may ask the Muslim Ummah, which is raised on equity.” Note that for the validity of a witness, fairness is a prerequisite; the evidence of an unfair person is not reliable. The Muslim Ummah will come forward to depose on behalf of the Prophets^-AS that the Book handed over to them by the Holy Prophet^-SW contained an account of all these events. The Holy Prophet^-SW will then testify that his^-SW Ummah undoubtedly obeyed him^-SW and the Book. It is then that the Prophets^-AS will be vindicated.

It is important to remember that anyone who fails to qualify to avail the intercession of the Holy Prophet^-SW shall be doomed. All those living against the Sunnah will be deprived of it. The beliefs and actions of a person must bear the seal of his^-SW approval, just as the seal of the Government is required on genuine currency. Those who had turned away from Islam, divorced it from their practical lives, and had adulterated their beliefs, the Holy Prophet^-SW himself would be weary of them and would say: “O Rubb ! These are a people who had thrown the Qura'an behind their backs.” Only then will the greatness of the Prophethood and the importance of obedience to him^-SW be driven home.

The question, as to why Bait al-Maqdas was declared as Qiblah first? It was done to expose those who did not in reality follow the Holy Prophet^-SW, and only followed him^-SW in those acts which conformed to their own traditions. As soon as there was a clash between their traditions and the Sunnah, they abandoned the latter. Allaah^-SWT knew them well, but this was to denounce their false claims to obedience. Customs and traditions have always been held dearly by every nation.

Customs And Sunnah

Those customs, to which religious sanctity is added, become very strong, and Bait al-Maqdas being the Qiblah, was on such tradition. It was a Divine Command and a tenet of the true religion. The Holy Prophet^-SW himself did Sajdah in direction. But when he^-SW turned towards the K’abah, this act of his was a decisive evidence in favour of K’abah as the Qiblah. Those who had a strong faith turned to the new Qiblah at once; but those who would not leave their customs could no longer follow the Holy Prophet^-SW and became apostates. And the fact was also highlighted that customs are, after all just customs. Even the Divine religions prior to Islam paid homage to the ways of the Holy Prophet^-SW. But these accursed customs become so deeply embedded in the hearts, that it becomes very difficult to leave them. Rather those who refute these customs and traditions face slanderous campaigns. It is a common practice in our own country to declare someone who persuades others to practise Sunnah, a Wahabi, which is taken as a serious offence by the general public. The irony is that a dacoit, a drunkard, an adulterer and a gambler may be spared from this title and accepted as Ahl-e-Sunnah, but the one inviting others towards the Sunnah is usually labelled as Wahabi.

The reason is that people do not have that level of love for the Sunnah, which can compel them to abandon the customs. For instance in our part of the country, it is a custom that those accompanying a funeral procession recite Punjabi poetry loudly, which also includes Kalimah-e Tayyebah; whereas the Sunnah is to recite something within the heart. Now obviously, Punjabi was not the language of the Holy Prophet^-SW nor does Sunnah back loud recital. It is only a custom, which, if deemed compulsory, becomes Bid’ah. But whoever tries to stop this practice will again be termed as Wahabi, and the custom will carry on! So a nation who fails to bury their dead according to Sunnah, how far would it go on its festivities and weddings? Such unfortunate people only pretend to be the lovers of the Holy Prophet^-SW while their actions are totally devoid of his^-SW obedience and expose them out-rightly.

It is not easy to get rid of such Bid’ah, except with the guidance from Allaah^-SWT.When He opens up the avenues for some, no one can stop Him. Besides, as mentioned earlier, the Divine Guidance is for those who revert to Him. Had this been the attitude, how could people leave the Sunnah in the first place? And Allaah^-SWT would not deprive people practising Sunnah of His rewards and let their faith go in vain.

Here the actions are being held synonymous to faith; but only those actions, which are testified by the Holy Prophet^-SW. If a person died before the fixation of K’abah as the Qiblah, it does not matter, as he had obeyed the Holy Prophet^-SW, the rewards for which lie secure with Allaah^-SWT without any fear of loss.

Allaah^-SWT is the Most Compassionate and Merciful to people, He will reward in manifold. The real thing is the obedience of Allaah^-SWT and His Prophet^-SW upon which the Companions^-RAU remained steadfast. This is the genuine currency of the Akhirah, which never goes waste.

We see the turning of your ...And Allaah^-SWT is not unaware of what they do.

Allaah^-SWT is well aware of intensity of the wish of the Holy Prophet^-SW, and how he^-SW expectantly looks towards the heavens over and over again, hoping that the angel would bring the orders of turning to K’abah. The Holy Prophet^-SW was very fond of K’abah, as there is no other place like it on the face of earth. The personal Refulgence manifested at K’abah is unique, not even enjoyed by the ‘Arsh; rather is far more exalted as mentioned earlier. That is why even those Prophets^-SW, whose Qiblah was Bait al-Maqdas, held K’abah in great esteem.

Importance Of Supplication

Another point highlighted here is that K’abah was destined to be the Qiblah of the Muslims but Allaah^-SWT made the supplication of the Holy Prophet^-SW as the cause. Just as the advent of the Holy Prophet^-SW was pre-decided, as borne out by his^-SW declaration: “I was a Prophet while Aadam^-AS was yet between water and clay.” Yet the prayer of Prophet Ibrahim^-AS was added to its causes. It has been a Divine Law that behind every effect is a cause. Secondly, the greatness of the person who is supplicating becomes a proof of the greatness of what he supplicates for. Besides, it is also proved here that prayer is also a part of destiny, and a cause amongst other causes predetermined from the very beginning.

Allaah^-SWT was observing the Holy Prophet^-SW’s repeated eager glances towards the sky. He decided to fulfil his^-SW heart’s desire and declared the direction that phased the Holy Prophet^-SW, as Qiblah. Thus it was brought home to people that the pleasure of the Holy Prophet^-SW is indeed synonymous to Allaah^-SWT's pleasure, which cannot be attained without his^-SW obedience. Tasawwuf and Suluk is also another name of the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet^-SW, which cultivates sincerity in the heart, and is certainly not based on practices against the Sunnah.

So O Prophet^-SW! Turn your face towards Masjid al-Haram (the Sacred Masjid). And this is not only for you but also for your entire Ummah, wherever they might be. Even those in Bait al-Maqdas must turn towards K’abah in Salat. Here the mentioning of Masjid al-Haram instead of Bait-Allaah is intended to facilitate the Muslims, as the latter is a House, which can be turned to only where it is in sight. It becomes impossible to determine its exact ejection in far off lands. The former is a vast place, its perimeters extending from seven to sixteen miles outside the city. All this is within Masjid al-Haram.

And then it is not binding to precisely face towards it, rather towards its direction. The Holy Prophet^-SW explains that Qiblah is between the two Wests, i.e. towards the South of Madinah. Similarly in the Indo-Pak subcontinent the direction will be towards West, and this West also covers the 48 degrees difference between the place of sunset during winter and summer. In other words, a variation of 24 degrees towards left or right is acceptable for Qiblah. It is incorrect to demolish masaajid for minor difference in the direction, which happens sometimes in our region.

Allaah^-SWT, the Most Merciful, has provided great convenience in this matter. Whether one is in a jungle or a city, or in a country in the North, South, East or West; he has to simply turn in the direction of Masjid al-Haram at the time of the Salat. As far as the People of the Book are concerned, they know very well that the Divine Command of the change in Qiblah is rightful and a demonstration of Allaah^-SWT's Providence, as it is a source for the vitality of the Spirit. Besides it had already been predicted in their Books that for the Last Prophet^-SW of Allaah^-SWT, K’abah will be declared as Qiblah. Out of sheer arrogance and hostility, they insist on denying this reality, whereas Allaah^-SWT is well aware of their actions and will surely take them to task.

Even if you^-SW place all evidence... then you shall surely be among the unjust.

Inspite of having knowledge, the Bani Israil do not accept the truth. They deny it out of spite and it is unlikely that logic would ever convince them. No matter what evidence is provided by the Holy Prophet^-SW, they will never accept K’abah as the Qiblah. So let it be known to them that from now on, K’abah will always remain the Qiblah of the Holy Prophet^-SW, and never again will he^-SW offer Salat in the direction of their Qiblah. This also refutes their objection that the Muslims are confused over the Qiblah, for the People of Book themselves do not accept the Qiblah of one another. The Jews declare one direction as Qiblah while the Christians point to another.

It is a strange phenomenon that the non-believers are never united on any belief, so much so that every individual thinks differently. Since the basis of disbelief is merely to provide a religious cover to the fulfilment of carnal desires, every individual has his own opinion. These people themselves are victims of schism and disunity. And if, O addressee! You too agree with their desires and their evil inclinations, especially when the unchallengeable Divine Revelations have totally exposed them, you will also be a great transgressor and extremely unjust for ignoring Allaah^-SWT's command for the fulfilment of your carnal desires. Then there would be no difference between you and those who altered their Books, but did not convert themselves. Here, in my opinion, the addressee is the entire mankind. In case of the Holy Prophet^-SW, it is an impossibility and beyond imagination that all this could ever be done by him^-SW. By addressing the Holy Prophet^-SW the importance of the matter is being highlighted, though the real aim is to convey the message to Muslim Ummah that those who ever indulge in such transgression, may it be the Holy Prophet^-SW himself, would not be spared. It is indeed a point to ponder over by today’s Muslims.

Those, to whom We have given the Book...So do not be among the doubters.

And these People of the Book recognise the Holy Prophet^-SW very well, rather as well as they recognise their own children. His^-SW habits and traits have been revealed in a beautiful manner in their Books. There is no question of their failing to recognise him^-SW, because no one can ever get confused over recognizing his own children. They, for sure, have recognised the Holy Prophet^-SW and that is why a few have embraced Islam, but the majority conceal the truth and refrain from accepting it, as it endangers their own authority.

An Obstacle In The Attainment Of Barakah

These People of the Book thought that if they endorsed the Holy Prophet^-SW, their followers would become devoted to him^-SW. This would affect their income as well as influence. Thus they repudiated the Holy Prophet^-SW, and concealed his^-SW excellent character traits given in their Books, knowing very well that what they were doing was wrong.

Similar is the attitude today, which prevents the majority of people from seeking spiritual blessings. Some people who become leaders, genuinely or by deceit, do not come forward to benefit from an accomplished Wali; even if they know him to be so, fearing that their own status and influence would be hurt. So they embark on a campaign to refute him in order to justify their own actions.

Therefore O Prophet^-SW! Do not worry, as this is the truth revealed unto you^-SW by your Rubb. Here the words win Rabbika (By your Rubb) are used to highlight a point. Just as His Providence has created the sun, the moon, the air, the crops, the greenery, the animals, and the birds for the nourishment of the human body, so is the Divine revelation a source of life for the Spirit, is not only its food, but also its medication, its very life, without which it will die.

So merely because of their baseless objections, it is not appropriate to harbour even the slightest doubt about His Revelation. If the non-believers are in majority it does not mean that they are right. The truth is only that which is revealed by Allaah^-SWT, Who is the Rubb and only His Words are true. Their Divine Books were valid for a fixed period. Now the Qura'an has been revealed as a Code of Life forever. Even if those Divine Books exist in their original form they stand suspended, let alone their interpolated forms which have no credibility.