Those to whom We have given the Scripture and who recite it as it deserves to be recited, they are the ones who believe in it. Those who reject it are the losers.
Guard yourselves against a Day when no soul will be able to help another in any way, no compensation will be accepted from it, no intercession will benefit it, and no one will be helped.
When Abraham was tested by his Lord with commands and fulfilled them, He said, “I will make you a leader for humanity.” Abraham asked, “And from my descendants?” He said, “My covenant does not extend to the wrongdoers.”
And when We made the House a place people return to and a place of safety, saying, “Take the standing place of Abraham as a place of prayer.” We entrusted Abraham and Ishmael: “Purify My House for those who circle it, those who stay there in worship, and those who bow and prostrate.”
And when Abraham said, “My Lord, make this a safe city and provide its people with fruits, those of them who believe in Allah and the Last Day.” Allah said, “And whoever disbelieves, I will let them enjoy for a little while, then drive them to the punishment of the Fire. What a terrible destination.”
And when Abraham and Ishmael were raising the foundations of the House, they prayed, “Our Lord, accept this from us. You are truly the All-Hearing, All-Knowing.
Our Lord, make us both devoted to You, and from our descendants a community devoted to You. Show us our rites of worship and accept our repentance. You are truly the Accepter of Repentance, the Most Merciful.
Our Lord, raise among them a messenger from their own people who will recite Your verses to them, teach them the Scripture and wisdom, and purify them. You are truly the Almighty, All-Wise.”
Who would turn away from the way of Abraham except someone who makes a fool of themselves? We certainly chose him in this world, and in the Hereafter he will surely be among the righteous.
Abraham instructed his children to do the same, as did Jacob: “My children, Allah has chosen this faith for you, so do not die except in submission to Him.”
Or were you present when death came to Jacob, when he asked his children, “What will you worship after me?” They replied, “We will worship your God and the God of your fathers, Abraham, Ishmael, and Isaac, one God, and to Him we submit.”
That was a community that has passed away. They will have what they earned, and you will have what you earn. You will not be questioned about what they used to do.
They say, “Be Jews or Christians and you will be guided.” Say, “Rather, we follow the faith of Abraham, who turned wholly toward Allah. He was not one of those who associated others with Allah.”
Say, “We believe in Allah and in what has been sent down to us, and what was sent down to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and what was given to Moses and Jesus, and what was given to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we submit.”
If they believe as you believe, then they are guided. But if they turn away, they are only in opposition. Allah will be enough for you against them. He is the All-Hearing, All-Knowing.
Or do you claim that Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes were Jews or Christians? Say, “Do you know better, or does Allah?” Who does greater wrong than someone who conceals testimony they have from Allah? Allah is not unaware of what you do.
That was a community that has passed away. They will have what they earned, and you will have what you earn. You will not be questioned about what they used to do.
The foolish among the people will say, “What has turned them away from the direction of prayer they used to face?” Say, “To Allah belong the east and the west. He guides whoever He wills to a straight path.”
In this way We have made you a balanced community, so that you may be witnesses over humanity and the Messenger may be a witness over you. We only appointed the direction you used to face in order to distinguish those who follow the Messenger from those who turn back. It was certainly difficult except for those Allah guided. Allah would never let your faith go to waste. Allah is truly Most Kind and Merciful to humanity.
We have certainly seen you turning your face toward the sky. So We will turn you toward a direction of prayer that pleases you. Turn your face toward the Sacred Mosque. Wherever you may be, turn your faces toward it. Those who were given the Scripture certainly know that this is the truth from their Lord. Allah is not unaware of what they do.
Ziqra