The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 2) — Page 4
of God, on which they agree, and keep within bounds their respective doctrines where they disagree (65). Then some light is thrown on the evil consequences of differences and enmity which possess no reasonable basis, and it is made clear that such enmity leads to foolish beliefs and dulls the brain and impairs righteousness (66-81). The Quran further says that every Messenger has always had a pledge taken from his followers that when God bestows on them "Book and Wisdom," they should also accept the truth that follows in its wake, failing which God's punishment would descend on them (82-90); and the chapter warns Christians that they cannot hope to remain the "chosen ones" of God and retain His love if they refuse to accept the New Truth. Muslims, however, adhere to this teaching and believe in all the Messengers and, in fact, no other course is acceptable to God. It asks how a person who has subscribed to the view that truth has always continued to be revealed by God can now, with justification, defy this principle; and declares that, if one does so, one will certainly incur God's displeasure and His punishment (91-92). Then the Sūrah goes on to say that real good consists in sacrificing that thing in the way of God which is most dear to one and thus real sacrifice is the sacrifice of one's feelings, customs and beliefs (93). It further says that matters regarding which the People of the Book dispute and quarrel with Muslims carry no weight because originally some of them were regarded as permissible by their own forefathers. If the latter succeeded in obtaining salvation in spite of them, why cannot Muslims (94-96)? The subject is further developed where God says that Muslims and Jews have a meeting point in Abraham, and since it was Abraham who laid the foundations of the Ka'bah, why should the Israelites quarrel with Muslims on the basis of unreal and unsubstantial differences and why should they prefer deception and tyranny to cool and dispassionate consideration of truth (97-100). Then a note of warning is sounded to Muslims that the People of the Book have gone so far in opposition to them that, if they had their way, they would certainly lead them astray. But Muslims cannot go astray because they are the recipients of God's new revelation. They are, therefore, admonished to put up patiently with all opposition and oppression, strengthen their connection with God and establish their mutual relations on a firmer basis because they will stand in sore need of a united front when confronted with a severe attack from Christians (101-110). Muslims are further told that before that time comes, they should strengthen their ranks by conveying the Message of Islam to as many people as possible and this should be done in two ways: (a) there should be a special party of preachers among Muslims who should dedicate their lives to the propagation of Islam; (b) Muslims should preach their faith as best 444