Quran 2 – 58 (Lesson – 89) - درس قرآن
Civil life of the Children of Israel
Surah ‘Al-Baqarah (The Cow) – Chapter – 2)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
58. And when We said: Go into this township and eat freely of that which is therein, and enter the gate prostrate, and say: “Repentance”. We will forgive you your sins and will increase (reward) for the right doers.
58. Wa ‘iz qulNad-khuluu haazihil-qaryata fakuluu minhaa haysu shi’-tum ragadanw-wad-khulul-baaba sujjadanw-wa quuluu hittatun, Nagfir-lakum khataa-yaakum. Wa sanaziidul-Muh-siniin.
Al-Qaryata – (Township) the Historians have told that this colony was a famous city of Palestine named ‘Areehaa’. It was conquered by the Children of Israel during the period of Prophet Yusha (peace be upon Him) after death of Prophet Moses (peace be upon Him).
Hittatun – (Repentance) it is abbreviation of a sentence that means, “O our Lord! Forgive our mistakes”. The Children of Israel were instructed to say with their tongues the word hittatun, (Repentance), while entering the city.
Muh-siniin – (Right doers) this word is made from ‘ahsaan, which means to favor, kindness and doing good.
God Almighty did show the entire land of “Kin’aan” carrying Prophet Moses (peace be upon Him) up to the river bank of Jordan and told, “I give this country to the Children of Israel and you will conquer this city Areehaa in near future. While you enter in it you will get favors of God Almighty and different kinds of fruit. So at the time of entering in the gate they should fall prostrate, and say: hittatun “Repentance” and not to be proud and haughty. We shall forgive their sins and increase (reward) for the right doers.
The Children of Israel did not obey God Almighty wholeheartedly despite they began to disobey, so they were entitled of the wrath of God. Complete detail will be discussed in forthcoming verses.
The time becomes very difficult for the nations when they get favors of God Almighty and do not give thank to Him. Instead of thanking God they choose the path of violence. They suffer agony and do not take it as warning but become more intoxicated. They get guidance and do not adopt the straight path but begin to violate.