The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 1) — Page 441
PT. 3 AL-BAQARAH CH. 2 forgive us but also show positive mercy to us. The concluding clause, help us Thou against the disbelieving people, provides a fitting ending to the Surah. The Muslims are out for a great struggle. The entire world of (disbelief) is arrayed against them and the field of work, as hinted in Abraham's prayer (2:130), is wide and far-stretched, extending over (1) heavenly signs, (2) laws and covenants, (3) wisdom and philosophy, (4) morals and spirituality, and (5) general progress. This was a for them the Shari'ah may always remain a mercy. In this case the verse comes as a fitting preamble to the succeeding Sūrah of which Christianity forms the special theme. The clause, and efface our sins and grant us Forgiveness and have Mercy оп us, comprises three important invocations placed in perfect order. They not only correspond to the preceding three prayers but also constitute a perfect manifestation of a perfect treatment on the part of a perfect Master. means that God may efface our sins and leave out no trace of them to be seen by men. Wstupendous task and unless God came means that He may not only efface our sins but also grant us forgiveness so that He Himself may treat them as non-existent. And means that God may not only efface our sins and to their help, there was little hope for that tiny Muslim community that was just emerging into existence. But God did come to their help. 441