Surah al-Baqarah (The Cow) 2 : 211

Overview (Verses 211 - 212)
 
A Question Put to the Israelites
 
The sūrah then addresses the Prophet Muĥammad, ordering him to inquire of the Israelites, described earlier in the sūrah as dithering and hesitant in their response to God’s call: how many signs they chose to disregard and how they abused the privileges God had bestowed upon them and how much they distorted His Message:
 
“Ask the Children of Israel how many a veritable sign We have given them. He who alters the grace of God after it has been bestowed on him [should know that] God is severe in retribution.” (Verse 211)
 
Referring back to the experience of the Israelites at this juncture is a timely warning to Muslims not to follow their example. Muslims are urged not to hesitate in responding to God’s call, or show any reluctance or stubbornness, or insist on miracles as proof of its authenticity. By avoiding these pitfalls, Muslims will be sure to avoid the Israelites’ fate. The instruction to “ask the Children of Israel” is not meant literally, of course, but purely to introduce the next point: the profusion of evidence presented to them, either at their request or directly given by God, and their persistent refusal to accept and believe in God, or submit themselves to Him.
 
Having drawn attention to the Israelites’ example, the sūrah makes a general reference to the ‘grace’ of faith and peace, and warns: “He who alters the grace of God after it has been bestowed on him [should know that] God is severe in retribution.” (Verse 211)
 
Whenever a society turns away from God’s grace and denies His favour, it is beset by tension and strife, as manifested all over the world today in the inordinate spread of stress and depression, social and military conflict, alcohol and drug abuse, and the emergence of extreme and bizarre alternatives to religious faith.
 
The strange trends in fashion, the arts, entertainment and general social behaviour, which appear almost every day in modern society, as well as the changing social norms relating to marriage and the family, to sexual relations and attitudes, are all indications of social alienation, insecurity, discontent and a lack of direction in life. Modern life seems almost like a demented attempt to escape, where individuals and groups tend to break away from the norm and reject everything, but have no idea what they are looking for. That is the outcome of renouncing God’s teachings, and ignoring His call to enter the fold of faith.
 
The sūrah then contrasts believers and unbelievers, and the difference in their outlook: “The life of this world has been made alluring to the unbelievers; hence, they scoff at those who believe; but those that fear God shall be above them in rank on the Day of Resurrection. God grants sustenance to whom He wills beyond all reckoning.” (Verse 212)
 
This life, with its transient concerns and ephemeral interests and enjoyments, is all that the unbelievers know and aspire to. They are unable to see beyond the here-and- now; they know of no greater values or aspirations other than those of life on this earth. Consequently, their scope is limited, their vision is blurred, and they are deprived of the higher understanding and greater reward experienced by believers.
 
A believer in God may look with disdain at material and worldly things, but that is not due to a negative or pessimistic view of life. It is because a believer seeks more from life than mere material or sensual enjoyment. A believer aims to establish God’s order in society and lead his community towards a better and more fulfilled way of life.
 
Believers are altruistic in their approach to life; they have high hopes for humanity, and they care for the progress and well-being of others. They look beyond their selfish egotistic needs and desires and make tremendous personal sacrifices for the sake of their beliefs and ideals. From the point of view of a person who only thinks of this life’s concerns and worldly affairs, that might seem strange or even ludicrous. Hence it may evoke scorn and derision from unbelievers.
 
But what justification could there be for such a reaction? The unbelievers’ opinion is erroneous and utterly false. It is the view of unbelief and ignorance. The true measure is that of God who confirms that “those that fear God shall be above them in rank on the Day of Resurrection”. (Verse 212) Believers should uphold their faith and disregard the mockery and scorn of the unbelievers. They have God’s word that they shall occupy a higher position than those unbelievers on the Day of Resurrection, and that shall be the real test and the final judgement.
 
What God has in store for believers is far better and far more favourable. They shall be rewarded in abundance, according to God’s wish and wisdom, either here in this life or in the life to come, for “God grants sustenance to whom He wills beyond all reckoning.”
 
God is the gracious giver who gives directly, generously and with no restriction. In His infinite wisdom, He may give to those who do not believe much of the comforts and allurements of this world. What He grants them is not based on any merit they may have. He also gives to the believers whatever He chooses to grant them both in this life and in the life to come. He is the sole benefactor and His choice is right, wise and most durable.
 
The two types of human being — believers who take their guidance and advice from God, and others for whom this life is the be-all and end-all, can be found in every age and every generation. The former rise above the trivialities of life to fulfil their humanity and become masters of their world and their destiny, while the latter shall ever be attached to, and enslaved by, the prurient and lewd aspects of life.
 
Believers will always look from their elevated position on unbelievers, no matter how affluent or influential these may be. Unbelievers, who think they are more fortunate and privileged, may well be contemptuous of the faithful, but it is they who deserve pity and commiseration.