The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 1) — Page 46
CH. 2 R. 2. AL-BAQARAH PT. 1 9. And of the people there are some who say, "We believe in Allah and the Last Day;' while they are not believers at all. 15 وقف لازم وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ يَقُولُ أَمَنَّا بِاللَّهِ وَبِالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَمَا هُمْ بِمُؤْمِنِينَ "2:178; 3:115; 4:40, 60; 6:93; 58:23. view and states clearly that it is the disbelievers themselves who seal their fate and God's seal follows only as a result of their action (see 4:156; 40:36; 47:25; 83:15). Says the Holy Prophet: "When a man commits a sin, a black spot is thereby formed on his heart. Then if he repents and gives up the sin and asks God's forgiveness, the black spot is washed off, leaving the heart clean. But if he repents not and commits another sin, another black spot is formed on his heart and so on, until his whole heart is covered with a black covering, and that is the covering of rust to which the Quran refers in Surah Tatfif" (Jarīr). It may also be noted that in the present verse the word "ears" has been put before the word "eyes". This is in conformity with the law of nature that the ears of a newborn baby begin to function earlier than the eyes. 15. Important Words: (we believe) is derived from for which see 2:4. The word (belief or faith) does not consist in a lip-profession of truth, or a vague realization of it. It combines three necessary elements, viz. (1) conviction of mind; (2) profession by tongue; and (3) demonstration through actions (Mufradāt). The Quran itself explains in this light (49:15; 27:15). 46 Commentary: After describing the condition of disbelievers (vv. 7-8) the Quran believers (vv. 4-6) and that of proceeds to describe the condition of a third group, the hypocrites. They intermingled with the believers and posed as such. They were divided into two classes: (1) disbelievers at heart but united with the believers for the sake of some material or communal advantages; (2) believers at heart but lacking the strength of conviction necessary for thorough The reference here is to the first class conversion and complete obedience. of hypocrites, those who mixed with the believers but did not at heart believe in the truth of Islam. It may be noted that only God and the Last Day are mentioned here, other Islamic beliefs being left out. This has led some to think that Islam requires belief only in God and the Last Day. The truth, however, is that 'God' and the 'Last Day' are respectively the first and the last items in the Islamic formula of faith and a profession of them ipso facto implies profession of the other items. Elsewhere the Quran clearly states how belief in the Last Day implies belief in angels as well as in the Divine Books (6:93). The omission may also be