Baqarah 121-123

121- THOSE WE HAVE GIVEN THE BOOK, THEY READ IT AS IT OUGHT TO BE READ, THOSE BELIEVE IN IT, AS FOR THOSE WHO DISBELIEVE, THEY ARE THE LOSERS.

There is some difference in opinion amongst the Interpreters as to whether this Ayah meant for the People of the book, or the Muslims.  Even if it is meant for the people of the book, the Ayah still applies to us, the Muslims.  We have been given a Book from Allah the Highest and this Ayah tells us what we should do with it.

Reading or reciting the Quran as it should, does not mean that a Muslim’s main aim is to recite the Quran properly as most of us do at present, but to understand it and comprehend it’s meanings and it’s commands.

Allah the Highest sent us His Book, the Quran, to tell us how to live and conduct our lives according to His way.  In order to do that, we have to understand the Quran, in the light of the Quran and Hadith.  When we understand the Quran, we can then and only then be guided by it.

We should also know how to recite the Quran properly and nicely.  But not every one is required to do Tajweed.  It is one’s understanding of the Quran however which will teaching the right and wrong, and the Halal and Haram, and Allah’s Path in general.

122- O CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, REMEMBER THE FAVOUR I BESTOWED UPON YOU, AND THAT I PREFERED YOU TO ALL OTHERS.

123- AND GUARD YOURSELVES FROM A DAY, WHEN ONE SOUL SHALL NOT AVAIL ANOTHER, NEITHER WILL RANSOM BE ACCEPTED FROM IT, NOR SHALL INTERCESSION HELP IT, NOR WILLTHEY BE HELPED.

With these two Ayahs, Allah the Highest is ending the long talk about the Children of Israel in Sorah Al-Baqarah.  They are reminding them of the Allah’s favours upon them, and of they Day of Judgment. 

The two Ayahs have the same meaning as Ayahs 47-48, with very subtle difference. 

It is interesting that while many Christians did and are converting to Islam, this does not happen much with the Jews.  The Jews still believe that they are Allah’s chosen people, and always will, and that whatever they do is right.  They consider that all others are wrong, and that they are the only people who know Allah.  This arrogance, is what comes between them and believing.  They do not understand that this status, for them and for the Muslims, is conditioned by Obeying Allah the Highest and being on His Straight Path.

Ibrahim, peace upon him, had two sons; Ismail from his second wife Hajar, then Isaac from Sarah.  From Isaac came Jacob (who was also called Israel) then all the line of the prophets to Jesus peace upon them all. 

Hajar was taken with her son Ismail to live where it is Makah now, where they settled and lived.  The only prophet or messenger from Ismail’s line is Mohamed, prayer and peace upon him.