The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 1) — Page 155
PT. 1 AL-BAQARAH CH. 2 conformity with the mental attitude of disbelievers; and We have prepared for the reader, interspersing every the disbelievers an humiliating narrative with fitting hints for his punishment (4:151, 152). Again, And moral and spiritual regeneration. So those who believe in the Hereafter is the case in this verse. After believe therein (i. e. the Quran) and enumerating certain wrongdoings of they strictly observe their Prayers the Israelites, the Quran goes on to (6:93). From these two verses it say that although their sins are great, becomes clear beyond any shadow of yet God's mercy is infinitely greater, doubt that according to the Quran (1) and if even now the Israelites, or for belief in the Prophets is part and that matter, Christians, Sabians or any parcel of belief in God, and (2) belief other people, should turn to God and in the Hereafter includes belief in truly and sincerely believe in Him God's revelation as well. Elsewhere and the Last Day (these being the two the Quran says, Surely the true fundamental articles of faith which in religion with Allah is Islam (complete principle comprise all others) and submission) and whoso seeks a follow up their belief with good and religion other than Islam, it shall not righteous deeds, they can become be accepted from him and in the life heirs to His grace and mercy. to come he shall be among the losers (3:20, 86). This verse along with the two quoted above definitely proves that the objection mentioned above is entirely baseless and is born of utter ignorance of the real Quranic teachings. In fact, as explained in the above verses, the Quran confines itself to a mention of belief in God and the Last Day, not because belief in the Holy Prophet and the Quran is not essential, but because the former two beliefs include the latter two, the four being essentially inseparable. The verse is important and much difference has arisen about its real meaning. Some who are not in the habit of making a deep study of the Quran have hastily jumped to the conclusion that, according to this verse, belief in Islam is not necessary. They say that anybody, whether he is a Muslim, a Jew, a Christian or any other, who sincerely believes in God and the Last Day and does good deeds will be saved. Nothing can be farther from the truth. The Quran emphatically declares in a number of verses that belief in the Holy Prophet and in his revelation is essential. Says God: Surely those who disbelieve in Allah and His Messengers and desire to make distinction between Allah and His Messengers and say, 'We believe in some and disbelieve in others,' and desire to take a way in between, these indeed are veritable 155 What is, then, the real meaning of the verse under comment? A careful study of the verse and its context leaves no doubt that it can have only two possible meanings: (1) One meaning is that, having recounted a number of wrongs committed by the Israelites, God invites them to an easy and decisive method of establishing which party