At the end of surat Al-Baqarah, the Surah recounts the earnest plea made by the believers to Allah Almighty. The Qur’an, in its fine and highly expressive style, quotes their moving, passionate prayer. The reader can almost see the multitudes of believers reciting in unison throughout the generations this prayer, evoked by a dual feeling of hope and fear:
{Our Lord, do not take us to task if we forget or unwittingly do wrong. Our Lord, do not lay on us a burden such as that You laid on those before us. Our Lord, do not burden us with what we do not have the strength to bear. Pardon us, and forgive us our sins, and bestow Your mercy on us. You are our Lord Supreme; grant us victory against the unbelievers.} (Al-Baqarah 2:286)
It is a prayer that clearly defines the relationship between the believers and their Lord. In its soft tone and poignant rhythm it implies an admission of weakness and helplessness, and a recognition of the need for Allah’s aid, support, forgiveness and grace.{Our Lord, do not take us to task if we forget or unwittingly do wrong.} (Al-Baqarah 2: 286)
Error and forgetfulness are two defining characteristics of human behaviour. In recognition of this, a Muslim never boasts of his faults, nor deliberately exploits them, nor places himself above Allah’s will, but always seeks Allah’s help and turns to Him in repentance. The answer to this prayer is given by the Prophet who says:
“Allah has pardoned my followers anything they do through a genuine mistake, forgetfulness or by compulsion.” (Related by Al-Tabarani and others)
{Our Lord, do not lay on us a burden such as that You laid on those before us.} (Al-Baqarah 2: 286)
This plea stems from an appreciation of the gravity of the responsibility placed upon the Muslim community as heirs and custodians of Allah’s message to mankind.
{To those who followed the Jewish faith did We forbid all animals that have claws; and We forbade them the fat of both oxen and sheep, except that which is in their backs and entrails and what is mixed with their bones. Thus did We requite them for their wrongdoing.} (Al-An`am 6:146)It also reflects full absorption of the lessons and experiences of earlier nations who had received Allah’s revelations, as related in the Qur’an. We have seen, for example, earlier in this surah that the Israelites were castigated and penalized on several occasions, and in various ways, for their stubbornness and intransigence. Elsewhere in the Qur’an, we read that, for similar reasons, they were forbidden certain foods:
| Muhammad was sent with a tolerant religion that is fully cognizant of human nature. |
On a certain occasion, they were ordered to kill one another in atonement for their worship of the calf, as stated in Verse 54 of this surah. They were also forbidden to conduct any business or to hunt on the Sabbath.Hence, believers appeal to Allah not to burden them in the same way as He imposed on earlier communities. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was sent with a tolerant and benevolent religion that is fully cognizant of human nature, and is aimed at relieving mankind of all the burdens and encumbrances placed upon them. The Prophet is told by Allah:
{We shall smooth your way to perfect ease.} (Al-A`la 87: 8)
The heaviest, most arduous burden placed on mankind, which Islam came to lift, is man’s submission and subjugation to man. This is manifested in one man’s capitulation to the will or power of another, or to the power of clan or class.
Submission to Allah alone is true emancipation and represents real freedom from this oppression.
Submission to Allah entails recognition of Him as the ultimate source of values, standards and laws. It liberates man from the hegemony and oppression of all political, social and religious institutions, and from the power of myth and superstition. It delivers him from the grip of his whims and desires and equips him to resist any ungodly power that seeks to subjugate him or control his life and destiny.
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| It’s Original Mercy…Not Sin |
The plea reflects the believers’ gratitude for the freedom Allah has provided, as well as their fear of relapse.
{Our Lord, do not burden us with what we do not have the strength to bear.} (Al-Baqarah 2: 286)
This is not an excuse for negligence or a justification for dereliction of duty, but a plea by the weak to the powerful, for consideration and forbearance. ? conscientious believer does not wish to fail in serving his Lord and Creator, and so he asks for leniency and tolerance. While acknowledging his weakness, a true believer remains vigilant and tries to compensate for his shortcomings by seeking more of Allah’s grace and forgiveness.
{Pardon us, and forgive us our sins, and bestow Your mercy on us.}(Al-Baqarah 2: 286)
| No man shall enter Paradise by virtue of his deeds alone.” Sahih Muslim |
This is the only true guarantee of success and deliverance. No matter how hard a man strives to live up to his obligations and responsibilities towards Allah, he will not fulfill them satisfactorily. Allah shows grace by treating man with mercy and forgiveness.`A’ishah, the Prophet’s wife, reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) had said, ”No man shall enter Paradise by virtue of his deeds alone.” When asked, “How about you?” he replied, “Not even I, unless Allah bestows mercy on me.” ( Al-Bukhari)
The essence of a believer’s attitude towards Allah revolves around an unflinching effort to strive to the best of his ability, tinged with a feeling of deficiency, of not doing enough, and with genuine hope and confidence in Allah’s mercy and benevolence.
The surah closes with a statement asserting that believers put their full trust in Allah to come to their help in establishing His order on earth and defending it against its foes. Allah is the source of their strength and their ultimate triumph.
{You are our Lord Supreme; grant us victory against the unbelievers.}(Al-Baqarah 2:286)
These words encapsulate the essence of the surah as well as the faith of Islam. They reflect the mind of true believers and define the eternal relationship between them and their Supreme Lord. -onislam.net
