The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 2) — Page 5
they can. Herein lies the success of Islam (111). Muslims are further warned against harbouring the delusion that, in the event of their fight with Christians, the Jews would help them. On the contrary, the latter would spare no pains to harass and oppress them. They would, however, fail to do Muslims any real harm and would themselves meet with disgrace and humiliation (112-113). The Quran does not fail to recognize good wherever it is found and says that all the People of the Book are not bad. Some among them are good and these will get their reward from God (114-116). But those who are evilly disposed will come to grief and will be disgraced. Muslims are admonished to have nothing to do with such people lest they become influenced by their bad morals. They should, however, have no fear of them, because they would not be able to do Muslims any substantial harm (117-121). Then a brief reference is made to the Battle of Badr, and Muslims are told that, just as in the face of extremely adverse circumstances God protected and helped them against the idolaters of Mecca at Badr and vouchsafed them a clear victory over them, the same will happen with regard to the People of the Book. God's mercy and forgiveness will accompany Muslims and His punishment will fall on their enemies (122-130). Muslims are further told that Jews and Christians depend for their power and might on interest. But the taking and giving of interest runs counter to good morals. They should, therefore, derive their power from helping the poor (131-133). Secondly, Christians depend on Atonement, a doctrine born of the view that repentance will not be accepted. By taking interest the People of the Book oppress God's servants and by subscribing to the dogma of the non-acceptance of repentance they declare God to be cruel like themselves. Muslims are enjoined to avoid this doctrine and to ask forgiveness of God if they happen to commit a sinful act (134-137). They are further comforted by the knowledge that God has always destroyed the enemies of His Messengers. They should do their duty, make suitable sacrifices and employ the material means at their disposal and leave the rest to God. He would see that victory comes to them; they are only required to make as much effort as should demonstrate the depth and sincerity of their faith (138-144). Further, God says that in the vast chain of truth, the Holy Prophet is but a link and if he should happen to die or be killed in battle (though in conformity with God's promise he could not be killed), Muslims should not lose heart because believers have, throughout the ages, been fighting the enemies of truth in adverse circumstances and as a result have always achieved both worldly and spiritual prosperity (145-152). Then the incident of Uhud is mentioned and the lesson is driven home to Muslims that sometimes a slight exhibition of weakness results in dire consequences (153- 445