The Guiding Light — Page 272
S u rah al-Baqarah, Chapter 2, Verses 285-287 272 Following the first meaning, the verse would mean “All a h will call you to account by means of it or on the basis of it” i. e. your actions will be judged on the basis of that which is in your hearts. They will be weighed from the point of view of your motives. This is another way of saying, in the words of the Holy Prophet sa ﺑﺎﻟ ﻴ ﺎت امنﺎ اﻻﻋﻤﺎل (innamal-A‘m a lo bin-Niyy a t) i. e. Surely, the actions of men will be judged by the intention or the motive with which they are performed (Bukh a r i ). Following the second meaning of ﺑﺎ (b a ) the verse would mean, “All a h will call you to account for it or because of it” i. e. no human thought will be lost, however hidden it may be and that it will be requited or pardoned as All a h may will it. In connection with the words, whether you keep it hidden , it should be remembered that God will not call man to account for passing or momentary thoughts that sometimes cross his mind, for they are beyond one’s control. In 2:287 we read, “All a h burdens not any soul beyond its capacity,” and it is certainly beyond our “capacity” to check the fleeting thoughts that occasionally flash across our minds.