O’ Prophet^-SW! Also relate to them the story of Prophet Musa^-AS as given in the Quran to beat away their concoctions. The Jews, who used to persuade others to raise objections against the Holy Prophet^-SW were themselves ignorant of the history of Prophet Musa^-AS whom they claimed to follow.

The Ayah opens with the announcement that Prophet Musa^-AS was a truly devoted person and was chosen by Allah^-SWT for His^-SWT obedience and worship. This excellence is common to all the Prophets^-AS, as they are innocent.

Allah^-SWT ’s Protection

Some of Allah^-SWT’s bondsmen are also blessed with Divine Protection because of adherence to their Prophet^-AS. The indication is that they enjoy a natural protection from sin at all times. And if by virtue of being human they commit a mistake they are instantly blessed with repentance.

Prophet^-AS And Messenger^-AS

So Prophet Musa^-AS was Allah^-SWT’s chosen bondsman, His^-SWT Prophet^-AS and Messenger^-AS. All the Prophets^-AS commonly share the attribute of Prophethood but Messengership is specific to those who are raised with a new Shari’ah. And if a non-Prophet is termed as a messenger, it refers to his being a courier or an envoy. It will not establish his Prophethood, as for instance, the angel who brings revelation.

Prophet Musa^-AS was that chosen Messenger^-AS of Allah^-SWT who was summoned by Him^-SWT to Mount Tur to share some secrets. He^-AS was honoured with the opportunity of speaking to Him^-SWT away from the populace all by himself. And on his^-AS request, Allah^-SWT appointed his^-AS brother Harun^-AS a Prophet thereby strengthening him^-AS. It proves that to remember Allah^-SWT in seclusion or in conducive environments is very beneficial.

Seclusion

The Holy Prophet^-SW is being told to also speak of Prophet Ismail with whom the polytheists of Arabia claim relationship. Yet they fabricate lies over Allah^-SWT , whereas he^-AS was an upright man who always honoured his^-AS promises and was His^-SWT Messenger^-AS and a Prophet^-AS. In other words, he^-AS connected mankind with Allah^-SWT while these polytheists make people drift away from Him^-SWT , forcing them to worship idols. Besides, he^-AS worshipped Allah^-SWT himself and commanded his^-AS family to do the same and to pay Zakat whereas the polytheists of Makkah considered themselves above any obligation to worship. They had prescribed for themselves lesser rites of Hajj than the others. And Prophet Ismail^-AS was very dear to and a favourite of Allah^-SWT .

The Holy Prophet^-SW may also make a mention of Prophet Idris^-AS who was a Siddiq as well as a Prophet^-AS and was honoured with an exalted status. According to the Commentators he^-AS was the most devout worshipper of his^-AS era. Allah^-SWT had blessed him^-AS with immense capacity to worship whereby his^-AS worship and noble needs surpassed those of all the believers of his^-AS time put together. Some of the scholars assert that the Ayah ‘We^-SWT raised him^-AS to high station’ refers to his^-AS being physically lifted to the heavens, as he^-AS passed away on the fourth heaven. According to Hadith M’eraj (Night of Ascension) the Holy Prophet^-SW met him^-AS on the fourth heaven. He^-AS was closer to Prophet Aadam^-AS in time, while Prophet Ibrahim^-AS was nearer to those who boarded Prophet Nuh^-AS’s Ark. Allah^-SWT declares that they are the beloved souls from the progeny of Prophet Aadam^-AS who were favoured and honoured with Prophethood. Amongst these children of Aadam^-AS, none enjoyed divinity. Prophet Ibrahim^-AS was from the progeny of Sam bin Nuh^-AS, and Prophets Isma’il^-AS and Ishaq^-AS were his^-AS children. And the Prophets^-AS from the progeny of Prophet Ya’qub^-AS down to Prophet ‘Isa^-AS were all guided, chosen and beloved bondsmen of Allah^-SWT who would fell into Sajdah upon hearing His^-SWT verses and because of the tenderness of their hearts tears would roll down their cheeks.

Worships And Recitation Attended By Tears

Tears in worship and during recitation of Quran is an indication of the tenderness of the Qalb. It is highly appreciated by Allah^-SWT and is amongst His^-SWT gifts bestowed upon the deeply devoted followers of the Prophets^-AS. On the contrary, the polytheists including the Jews and the Christians have concocted polytheistic rituals in the very name of these Prophets^-AS, though much later.

The Invention Of Rituals

It was when incompetent and incapable lot succeeded the Prophets^-AS who not only neglected the worships but also turned infidels by blatantly denying even their obligatory aspects. They plunged into doom because of their cupidity and lust for power and led others astray by inventing rituals against worships. A similar fate attended many an accomplished Aulia’ as they too were succeeded by the impostors who drove their followers away from guidance into rituals, amassed wealth and indulged in carnal desires. All such rascals will be shoved into a deep grotto in Hell where all forms of punishment await them and the punishment for voluptuousness will be superimposed. Proportionate to their desire for highest positions in this world, they will be condemned to the lowest depths in Hell, save those who repented.

The Reality Of Repentance

The reality of repentance is that a person corrects his beliefs in the first place, and then acts accordingly. This is why Allah^-SWT declares that repentance means to embrace Islam and to act piously. Such souls will be admitted to Jannah. They will not be wronged in the slightest. True repentance wipes out sins committed in the past and at times replaces them with virtues.

Wasting Salat And The Pursuit Of Carnal Desires

To waste Salat also means to show negligence in timings, in ablution or in raiments, or to perform its various cycles in an improper manner. All these acts fell under wasting Salat. Neglecting worships and indulging in cupidity, coveting good food and garments or palatial houses, connotes the pursuit of carnal desires. However, if one is blessed with capacity to worship, earns lawfully and lives honourably, it is indeed a Divine Favour.

So those who practise piety and possess correct beliefs will indeed dwell in the unseen gardens of Jannah promised by Allah^-SWT . There will be no idle talk, but only words of peace and the very best of provisions. These bounties and gardens will be given to the pious and the righteous like inheritance. And the Holy Prophet^-SW may also let the infidels know that the angel does not bring the revelation on his own but by the Command of Almighty Allah^-SWT and has no authority to alter it the least. He^-SW and whatever surrounds him^-SW belong to Allah^-SWT , Who^-SWT never forgets. It is He^-SWT Who is the Rabb^-SWT of the heavens and the earth and all that lies therein.

Worship Is An Evidence Of Approval

Therefore, always remain conscious of worshipping and obeying Him^-SWT , as the one who obeys and worships others is indeed negligent. Have you ever heard of anyone who might be His^-SWT equal⁷ There is, of course, none like Him^-SWT . So the one who renounces worship is destined for destruction while the one blessed with the capacity to worship indeed enjoys His^-SWT Approval.