Sabbath Boundary Broken: Lesson from Surah Al-Baqarah!

Exegesis of Surah Baqarah: Verses 65-66

Regarding the Almighty’s words:

وَلَقَدْ عَلِمْتُمُ الَّذِينَ اعْتَدَوْا مِنْكُمْ فِي السَّبْتِ فَقُلْنَا لَهُمْ كُونُوا قِرَدَةً خَاسِئِينَ {65}

فَجَعَلْنَاهَا نَكَالًا لِمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهَا وَمَا خَلْفَهَا وَمَوْعِظَةً لِلْمُتَّقِينَ {66}

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). 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.

And certainly you have known those among you who exceeded the limits of the Sabbath, so We said to them: Be (as) apes, despised and hated. So We made them an example to those who witnessed it and those who came after it, and an admonition to those who guard (against evil). Surah Baqarah 2:65-66

Explanation According Imam Hasan al-Askari as

Surah Al-Baqarah (2:65) talks about a group of the Children of Israel who transgressed the boundaries of the Sabbath, which is the day of rest that Allah commanded them not to work on. They committed a sin by fishing on this day, which led to their punishment.

According to the interpretation by Imam Hasan al-Askari, this verse highlights the severe consequences of not adhering to Allah’s commands. Those who violated the Sabbath were transformed into apes, reflecting how Allah punishes those who ignore His orders. The apes here are not just a physical punishment but symbolize their loss of dignity and mercy, as they became despised and contemptible creatures.

Imam Hasan al-Askari explains that this story is not just a historical event but a lesson for future generations about the importance of obeying Allah’s commands and avoiding sins. Transgressing limits and disrespecting divine orders can lead to the loss of blessings and grace.

Overall, the verse carries a strong message about the consequences of disobedience and shows how Allah observes His servants’ actions and holds them accountable for their deeds.

فَجَعَلْنَاهَا نَكَالًا لِمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهَا وَمَا خَلْفَهَا وَمَوْعِظَةً لِلْمُتَّقِينَ {66}

Surah Al-Baqarah (2:66) emphasizes that the transformation of those who violated the Sabbath served as a warning and lesson for both their contemporaries and future generations. Their punishment was not just a consequence of their actions, but also a means to deter others from committing similar sins.

Imam Zainul Aabideen (a.s.) Elaborates

Imam Zainul Aabideen (a.s.) elaborates on this by explaining that a group of people living by the sea disobeyed Allah’s command not to fish on Saturdays. They devised a plan to circumvent this command by digging canals to trap fish, ensuring that they could catch them without technically fishing on the Sabbath. They would wait until Saturday ended, claiming they were catching the fish on Sunday, despite having set up the traps beforehand.

This deceit allowed them to prosper temporarily, but it ultimately led to their degradation and distance from Allah’s mercy. The story serves as a reminder of the consequences of trying to manipulate divine commands for personal gain and highlights the importance of adhering to Allah’s instructions. It teaches that those who witness such punishments should advise others to avoid similar sinful behavior to prevent falling into the same fate.

Conclusion

In conclusion, verses 65 and 66 of Surah Al-Baqarah illustrate the severe consequences faced by those who disobeyed Allah’s commands regarding the Sabbath. This serves as a stern warning to believers about the importance of adhering to divine guidance. The punishment inflicted on these individuals highlights the necessity of faithfulness and obedience to Allah’s laws, reminding us that straying from His path can lead to dire outcomes. Ultimately, these verses encourage us to remain vigilant in our devotion and commitment to following Allah’s instructions to avoid similar fates.