Divine Guidance: Consequences of Ignoring Sacred Verses

Exegesis of Surah Baqarah: Verse 2:63-64

Regarding the Almighty’s words:

وَإِذْ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَاقَكُمْ وَرَفَعْنَا فَوْقَكُمُ الطُّورَ خُذُوا مَا آتَيْنَاكُمْ بِقُوَّةٍ وَاذْكُرُوا مَا فِيهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ {63}

ثُمَّ تَوَلَّيْتُمْ مِنْ بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ ۖ فَلَوْلَا فَضْلُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَتُهُ لَكُنْتُمْ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ {64}

And when We took a promise from you and lifted the mountain over you: Take hold of the law (Taurat) We have given you with firmness and bear in mind what is in it, so that you may guard (against evil).(63)

Then you turned back after that; so were it not for the grace of Allah and His mercy on you, you would certainly have been among the losers.

The verse mentioned emphasizes the importance of adhering to the covenant made with God, particularly for the Children of Israel. Imam Hassan Askari and Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) both highlight the significance of following divine guidance and the consequences of neglecting such obligations.

Imam Hassan Askari often spoke about the necessity of maintaining faith and commitment to God’s teachings. He emphasized that true believers should strive to embody the principles outlined in the scriptures, ensuring that their actions reflect their faith.

Similarly, Nabi Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught that fulfilling one’s promises and commitments is a hallmark of a true believer. He encouraged his followers to remember the teachings of the Quran and apply them in their daily lives, as this leads to spiritual growth and strengthens the community.

In summary, both Imam Hassan Askari and Nabi Muhammad (peace be upon him) stress the importance of adhering to God’s commandments and the role of faith in guiding one’s actions and decisions.

ثُمَّ تَوَلَّيْتُمْ مِنْ بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ ۖ فَلَوْلَا فَضْلُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَتُهُ لَكُنْتُمْ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ {64}

Then you turned back after that; so were it not for the grace of Allah and His mercy on you, you would certainly have been among the losers.

Indeed, if they had rejected the truth, they would have faced great loss both in this world and the Hereafter, missing out on the blessings of life and ultimately suffering a disastrous fate due to their denial. Their feelings and expectations would have been shattered.

However, Allah has granted them ample opportunities to seek forgiveness. This applies to their ancestors as well. Those who sincerely repented and strived to be righteous found success, and among them, those destined to have virtuous offspring indeed did, leading to the prosperity of their descendants in both this world and the next.

Imam Hasan ibn Ali (a.s.) emphasized that had they called upon Allah sincerely in the name of Muhammad and his pure progeny, after witnessing clear signs and miracles, they would have been saved from opposition through Allah’s mercy and generosity. Unfortunately, they chose to turn away from their faith, prioritizing worldly desires and indulging in selfish pleasures instead.