Sura Baquarah contd. (Day The preceding Verses 2.9 and 2.10 talk about people who claim belief in Allah, yet who feel that they are wiser than those who are humble
{1}, grateful to Allah and do good work. They may feel or even say, “Bhalo manusher toe aei prithibitay jaiga naiâ€. Some such people look for ‘clever’ ways to make a living. If any one comments on their ways of making money, Allah characterizes the response of such people in the next Verse:
2.11 “When it is said to them: "Make not mischief on the earth" they say: "Why, we only want to make peace!"â€
To help us understand, Allah gives examples of ‘mischief on earth
{2}’ from those who received Revelation before us.
“And We gave (clear) warning to the Children of Israel in the Book that twice would they do mischief on the earth and be elated with mighty arrogance†[17.4]
The fact that one wants to resort to evil ways to earn a living is an expression of disbelief in the blessings and provision of the Creator. Allah reminds us of the demonstrations of His Blessings and provision to the Children of Israel and instruction not to do ‘mischief on earth’:
“And remember Moses prayed for water for his people; We said: "Strike the rock with thy staff." Then gushed forth from there twelve springs. Each group knew its own place for water. So eat and drink of the sustenance provided by Allah and do no evil nor mischief on the earth.†[2.60]
One of the ways of promoting ‘mischief on earth’ is given in the Verse below:
“…They learned from them the means to sow discord
{3} between man and wife…†[2.102]
Verse 2.102 refers to the time of Solomon regarding learning magic from the evil ones [35.6] among the “Jinn
{4}â€. It also tells us that the Jinn taught “how to sow discord between man and wifeâ€. This is one example of how to, in the name of peace, create mischief on earth, i.e. provide catalysts for people to sin. An example therefore would be people who promote, in the name of entertainment, display of women in seductive poses in glossy magazines, advertisements, television, movies and on the Internet. What effect does such display have on our youngsters and, in particular, on marriages in our society? Do any other current day examples of people or groups creating a source for strife in the name of peace come to mind?
2.12 “Of a surety they (themselves) are the ones who make mischief but they realize (it) not.â€
Such people make apparent profits out of doing ‘mischief’ and have a false sense of power; however, Allah makes clear…
“The House of the Hereafter We shall give to those who intend not high-handedness nor mischief on earth: and the End is (best) for the righteous.â€
[28.83]
Allah asks about how justice should be implemented?
“Shall We treat those who believe and work deeds of righteousness the same as those who do mischief on earth? Shall We treat those who guard against evil the same as those who turn aside from what is right?†[38.28]
Hypocrites suffer from delusions of grandeur and feel that they are one-up on those who are humble, grateful to Allah and do good deeds.
2.13 “When it is said to them: "Believe as the others believe" they say: "Shall we believe as the fools believe?" Nay of a surety they are the fools but they do not know.†Hypocrites believe people who are humble and content with their lot to be fools! They feel that it is money that will ensure satisfaction and safety from all ills. Allah explains their underlying motivation:
“You will indeed find them of all people most greedy of life even more than the idolaters; each one of them wishes he could be given a life of a thousand years;...†[2.96]
Hypocrites’ greed exceeds that of an idolater! As a mark of belief, it is obligatory for a believer to put complete trust in Revealed Verses, if not then:
“They will further say (on the Day of Judgment): "Had we but listened or used our intelligence we should not (now) be among the Companions of the Blazing Fire!"â€
[67.10]
Hypocrites claim that they also believe, giving ‘lip service’ to believers, however, Allah reveals their inner thoughts and secret counsels:
2.14 “When they meet those who believe they say: "We believe" but when they are alone{5} with their evil ones they say: "We are really with you we (were) only jesting."â€Allah warns us as to the trial of the ‘evil ones’. Just as Allah tested the belief of Adam and Eve, Allah tests us each of us to see whether we understand who Allah is.
“O you Children of Adam! Let not Satan seduce you in the same manner as he got your parents out of the garden stripping them of their raiment to expose their shame: for he and his tribe watch you from a position where ye cannot see them: We made the evil ones friends (only) to those without faith.†[7.27]
The evil ones including Satan among the Jinn are only there to test mankind’s belief in the Omnipotence and Knowledge of the Creator! With invitations of the ‘evil ones’ those without faith would move further away from the purpose for which they were created!
“"Did I not enjoin on you O ye children of Adam that ye should not worship
Satan; for that he was to you an enemy avowed?†[36.60]
“So, by thy Lord, without doubt We shall gather them together and (also) the Evil Ones (with them); then shall We bring them forth on their knees round about Hell.†[19.68]
2.15 “Allah will throw back their mockery on them and give them rope in their trespasses; so they will wander like blind ones (to and fro).â€The expression “give them rope†in the Encarta Dictionary is given as to give somebody enough rope to hang himself or herself, i.e. to give somebody enough freedom to make mistakes or irrevocably reveal his or her shortcomings. Allah explains this:
“Say: "If any men go astray (Allah) Most Gracious extends (the rope) to them. Until when they see the warning of Allah (being fulfilled) either in punishment or in (the approach of) the Hour they will at length realize who is worst in position and (who) weakest in forces!†[19.75]
The current world is a test of free-will Allah gives us opportunities and rope to do as we please. Hypocrites are deluded and feel that they are on the right path, when in actual fact they are wandering in darkness.
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{Notes}:
{1} Humble: by definition, a humble person understands who is the Sole Giver and who is it that only receives, i.e. that human beings are totally dependent on the Creator for everything and that thereby there is nothing to be arrogant about.
{2} Make mischief: do something that acts as a source of harm or trouble to others, e.g. activities that may lead others to harm themselves/others or carry out sinful activities.
{3} Discord: disagreement, conflict, friction, dispute, argument, etc. (Encarta Dictionary)
{4} Jinn: Allah tells us that He created the Jinn from ‘fire free of smoke’ [55.15]
{5} Alone: alone with their thoughts influenced by the ‘evil ones’.