The Covenant was, “We Hear and We Obey”

Lesson # 599 From Holy Qur’aan

The Covenant was, “We Hear and We Obey”

Surah Maaa-‘idah (the Table Spread) – Chapter – 5)

Verse – 7 of 120, Section – 2 of 16 (Part – 6) – Stage - 2

 BisMIllaahir-Rahmaanir-Rahiim

In the name of Allaah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

Remember Allaah’s Grace upon you and His covenant by which He bound you when ye said: We hear and we obey; And keep your duty to Allaah. Lo! He knoweth what is in the breasts (of men).

Waz-kuruuu  ni’-matAllaahi  ‘alay-kum  wa  Miisaaqa-hullazii  waasaqakum  bihiii,  ‘iz  qultum  sami’-naa  wa  ‘ata’-naa  watta-qUllaah.  ‘InnAllaaha  ‘Aliimum-bizaatis-suduur.

Lesson

Waasaqakum – (obtained your promise, got your acceptance), this word is from mu-wasqah, which means ‘to promise, to make terms, to covenant’. ‘As-suduur – (breasts), it is plural of sadar, which means ‘breast, heart’. Zaatis-suduur – (those thoughts, which are in the hearts).

The Muslims were informed in the previous verses that all good things have been made lawful for them. Then it was described to them that Their Religion has been perfected Today and Allaah Almighty has completed His Favor upon them, and has chosen for them AL-ISLAM as Religion. Then they were ordered that they should clean themselves for worship, and ablution and bathing were prescribed for them before the prayer. Then they were relaxed in case of sickness and journey and determined method of Tayammum for their pureness. These all favors are due to Grace of Allaah Almighty. Remember them every time.

Once again the same lesson is being reminded after describing all above instructions, which was taught in the beginning of this Surah (Chapter). That is to say, “Fulfill your undertakings and remember your covenant with Allaah Almighty by which He bound you when you said: We hear and we obey”. After reciting Kalimah, “Laaa ‘ilaaha ‘illAllaahu, Muhammadur-RasuulUllaah”, the human being enters the circle of Islam, as though one affirms, “I will never fix any partner to Allaah Almighty, nor worship any other but my Creator, nor I shall steal, nor fornicate with anyone, nor take someone as secret concubine, nor I shall calumniate upon any person falsely and nor kill the children. I shall follow the teachings of the Messenger of Allaah Almighty (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon Him), and keep my faith correct. I shall worship according to the prescribed manner, adopt good habits and mortality”. After embracing Islam by anyone, the Messenger (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon Him) used to be called often verbally by every person, and fulfilling the same becomes necessary for every Muslim as soon as one recites this Kalimah, whether that is male or female. These entire matters used to become compulsory also for previous nations after believing. And it is the reason that the Jews and the Christians etc. have been admonished again and again, “Remember the Blessings of Allaah Almighty upon you and fulfill His covenant by which He bound you when you said: We hear and we obey”.

This is the word, which is reminded to the Muslims off and on, whenever any such situation comes. Either it is said directly to them that they have many favors of Allaah Almighty, or it is described about other people that they promised Allaah Almighty many terms, but did not fulfill. Now, you should fulfill them. Object to say the Muslims in this verse is that they should not be like the Jews and the Christians, but they should fulfill their responsibilities, which are liable to come upon them by Islam.

Stipulation of pardon is upon fulfilling of this covenant, “We hear and we obey”. Keep your duty to Allaah Almighty and understand carefully that He knows very well about all that, what is hidden in your breasts. You can hide nothing from Him and He will give you retaliation – reward for good deeds and punishment for bad deeds.

Transliterated Holy Qur’an in Roman Script & Translated from Arabic to English by Marmaduke Pickthall, Published by Paak Company, 17-Urdu Bazar, Lahore, Lesson collected from Dars e Qur’an published By Idara Islaah wa Tableegh, Lahore (translated Urdu to English by Muhammad Sharif)