| v. 122
Oh Children of Israel, remember My favour which I have bestowed upon you and that I preferred you over all the creatures.
| يَا بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ اذْكُرُوا نِعْمَتِيَ الَّتِي أَنْعَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَأَنِّي فَضَّلْتُكُمْ عَلَى الْعَالَمِينَ ١٢٢ |  The Command here is to remember the blessings. اذْكُرُوا is to mention something you forgot. To recall something. The children of Israel had started to disobey Allah because they forgot about who Allah was. They forgot the blessings bestowed upon them: - They were given spiritual preference -> many messengers were sent to them among their own lineages.
- They were given worldly preference -> they were saved from slavery, given special food from the heavens!
The primary address is to the bani Israel, however, the Quran is for all of mankind, not just them. Allah is indirectly telling US to focus on OUR blessings Action points: - Remember the blessings
- Mention them (so that others are encouraged also! -> recalling the positives brings about happiness)
- Be grateful for them (Allah says that if we are grateful, he increases our blessings!)
- Don’t complain about them (ingratitude is a form of kufr - disbelief!)
- Be patient when deprived of certain blessings
A point to note is that Allah doesn’t just say recall your blessings. Nay, It is much more personalized. He says remember MY blessings that I bestowed upon you! <3Everything we have is from Allah, and it isn’t something He was obligated to give us. Allah perfected our bodies out of His favour to us. Subhanallah, we are so limited. If He decides to take away our eyesight, there isn’t much we can do. Favours upon favours He has bestowed upon us and all He commands us is to mention them. For if we forget, there will come a day when we will be asked about them.
| v. 123
And fear a day when a soul will not be able to benefit anything from another nor will a ransom be taken from it, nor will any intercession profit it and nor will they be helped. | | وَاتَّقُوا يَوْمًا لَّا تَجْزِي نَفْسٌ عَن نَّفْسٍ شَيْئًا وَلَا يُقْبَلُ مِنْهَا عَدْلٌ وَلَا تَنفَعُهَا شَفَاعَةٌ وَلَا هُمْ يُنصَرُونَ ١٢٣ | This ayah dispels any misbelief people might have about the day of judgement
| x My parents worship night and day and they love me so much. They will help me on the day of judgement by lending me some of their many deeds.
x I earned so much wealth in this life, I can just buy my way into Jannah.
x This so-and-so scholar said that if I give $$ to him, he will ask Allah to save me from hellfire. | | The only thing a soul can count on to be saved on that day is one’s own deeds.
The bani Israel used to think that since they were the chosen ones, Allah wouldn’t harm them. Since they had knowledgable scholars, they would intercede on their behalf. But Allah says that no. No one can prevent them from being harmed. No one can take their place in fire. No one but the soul itself will suffer for the wrong it committed.
 وَقَالَتِ الْيَهُودُ لَيْسَتِ النَّصَـرَى عَلَى شَىْءٍ وَقَالَتِ النَّصَـرَى لَيْسَتِ الْيَهُودُ عَلَى شَىْءٍ وَهُمْ يَتْلُونَ الْكِتَـبَكَذَلِكَ قَالَ الَّذِينَ لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ مِثْلَ قَوْلِهِمْ
فَاللَّهُ يَحْكُمُ بَيْنَهُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَـمَةِ فِيمَا كَانُواْ فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ
v113. The Jews say "The Christians have nothing [true] to stand on," and the Christians say, "The Jews have nothing to stand on," although they [both] recite the Scripture. Thus the polytheists speak the same as their words. But Allah will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that over which they used to differ.
The Jews and the Christians debate over whose religion is correct. Both sides say neither one is on the right deen despite receiving and reciting the knowledge from Allah in form of their holy books.
These arguments between the people of the book is futile. On the Day of Judgment Allah will judge between the two groups and He will not be unjust in His verdict even by the weight of an atom.
وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن مَّنَعَ مَسَـجِدَ اللَّهِ أَن يُذْكَرَ فِيهَا اسْمُهُ وَسَعَى فِى خَرَابِهَآ
أُوْلَـئِكَ مَا كَانَ لَهُمْ أَن يَدْخُلُوهَآ إِلاَّ خَآئِفِينَ
لَهُمْ فِى الدُّنْيَا خِزْىٌ وَلَهُمْ فِى الاٌّخِرَةِ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ
v114. And who are more unjust than those who prevent the name of Allah from being mentioned in His mosques and strive toward their destruction. It is not for them to enter them except in fear. For them in this world is disgrace, and they will have in the Hereafter a great punishment.
The verse here refers to the Quraysh who stopped the Prophet Muhammad SAW and the Muslims from performing prayers and tawaf at Masjid al Haram. We can also take lesson from this - we should fill the houses of Allah because our Prophet and his companions strove hard to maintain and continue Islam. We should not take our local masjids for granted but rather make them focal points of our communal activities and worship.
Allah further says do not let the disbelievers enter the house of Allah (specifically Masjid Al Haram). There is a great torment awaiting the mushrikeen who brought in idols to the Kabah and ruined the sanctity of the mosque.
 وَلِلَّهِ الْمَشْرِقُ وَالْمَغْرِبُ فَأَيْنَمَا تُوَلُّواْ فَثَمَّ وَجْهُ اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ
v115. And to Allah belongs the east and the west. So wherever you [might] turn, there is the Face of Allah . Indeed, Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing.
After the Prophet SAW migrated to Madinah, he continued praying towards Bait ul Maqdas (Jerusalem) for many months (10-17 months). The Jews who lived in Madinah were happy but when Allah commanded the Prophet to face Makkah (Al-Baqarah, 144), the Jews were annoyed and questioned why the Muslims changed the direction of the Qiblah, which they used to face Allah.
Allah tells the Prophet to reply that Allah's "direction is wherever you face, east or west" (Ibn Abbas).
وَقَالُواْ اتَّخَذَ اللَّهُ وَلَدًا سُبْحَـنَهُ بَل لَّهُ مَا فِي السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرْضِ كُلٌّ لَّهُ قَـنِتُونَ بَدِيعُ السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرْضِ وَإِذَا قَضَى أَمْرًا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُ كُنْ فَيَكُونُ
v116. They say, " Allah has taken a son." Exalted is He! Rather, to Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and the earth. All are devoutly obedient to Him,
بَدِيعُ السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرْضِ وَإِذَا قَضَى أَمْرًا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُ كُنْ فَيَكُونُ
v117. Originator of the heavens and the earth. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, "Be," and it is.
Verse 116 refutes the Christians who said/say that Jesus is the son of Allah (we seek refuge from such statements). It also refers to Arab idolators who said Angels are the daughters of Allah.  What a claim! Everything from the sky to the earth and all that is between it belongs to Allah and was created by Him. When Allah says, "be"…it is. Then how can anyone ascribe a partner to Him?
 وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ لَوْلاَ يُكَلِّمُنَا اللَّهُ أَوْ تَأْتِينَآ ءَايَةٌ كَذَلِكَ قَالَ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِم مِّثْلَ قَوْلِهِمْ
تَشَـبَهَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ قَدْ بَيَّنَّا الآيَـتِ لِقَوْمٍ يُوقِنُونَ
v118. Those who do not know say, "Why does Allah not speak to us or there come to us a sign?" Thus spoke those before them like their words. Their hearts resemble each other. We have shown clearly the signs to a people who are certain [in faith].Muhammad bin Ishaq reported that Ibn Abbas said that;
Rafi bin Huraymilah said to the Messenger of Allah, "O Muhammad! If you were truly a Messenger from Allah, as you claim, then ask Allah to speak to us directly, so that we hear His Speech.''
So Allah revealed,
وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ لَوْلاَ يُكَلِّمُنَا اللّهُ أَوْ تَأْتِينَا آيَةٌ ...
And those who have no knowledge say: "Why does not Allah speak to us (face to face) or why does not a sign come to us!'' (Ibn Kathir)
 The signs are there for the ones who search. If the moon is out I can't just shut my eyes and say, "there is no full moon tonight…it can't be true because I say so." Seems like a silly thought but this is exactly how the mushrikeen treated the Prophet's message.
The disbelievers saw many of the signs of Allah but continued in their stubbornness.
أَرْسَلْنَـكَ بِالْحَقِّ بَشِيرًا وَنَذِيرًا وَلاَ تُسْـَلُ عَنْ أَصْحَـبِ الْجَحِيمِ
v119. Indeed, We have sent you, [O Muhammad], with the truth as a bringer of good tidings and a warner, and you will not be asked about the companions of Hellfire.
The job of the messenger is only to convey whereas the judgement is left to Allah. In Surah Ghasiyah verses 21-22, Allah says, "So remind them (O Muhammad) ـ you are only one who reminds. You are not a controller over them."
This tells us that guidance is only in the hands of Allah and that as Muslims, our job is to convey the message of Islam.
وَلَن تَرْضَى عَنكَ الْيَهُودُ وَلاَ النَّصَـرَى حَتَّى تَتَّبِعَ مِلَّتَهُمْ قُلْ إِنَّ هُدَى اللَّهِ هُوَ الْهُدَى وَلَئِنِ اتَّبَعْتَ أَهْوَآءَهُم بَعْدَ الَّذِي جَآءَكَ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ مَا لَكَ مِنَ اللَّهِ مِن وَلِيٍّ وَلاَ نَصِيرٍ
v120. And never will the Jews or the Christians approve of you until you follow their religion. Say, "Indeed, the guidance of Allah is the [only] guidance." If you were to follow their desires after what has come to you of knowledge, you would have against Allah no protector or helper.  The Jews and Christians will never be happy with the Prophet of Allah or the religion of Islam. Allah tells Muhammad SAW that he should not speak anything that pleases the disbeliever and he should keep calling to Allah and the truth.
الَّذِينَ آتَيْنَـهُمُ الْكِتَـبَ يَتْلُونَهُ حَقَّ تِلاَوَتِهِ أُوْلَـئِكَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِ وَمن يَكْفُرْ بِهِ فَأُوْلَـئِكَ هُمُ الْخَـسِرُونَ
v121. Those to whom We have given the Book recite it with its true recital. They [are the ones who] believe in it. And whoever disbelieves in it - it is they who are the losers.
Those who recite the Qur'an properly are those who do justice with the holy book. It is not just about proper pronunciation of the Arabic but rather also upholding the commands in the Qur'an - Enjoining good, forbidding evil, and not interpreting the Qur'an according to one's own desire but using the sunnah as a basis.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَقُولُوا رَاعِنَا وَقُولُوا انظُرْنَا وَاسْمَعُوا ۗ وَلِلْكَافِرِينَ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ ١٠٤ مَّا يَوَدُّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ وَلَا الْمُشْرِكِينَ أَن يُنَزَّلَ عَلَيْكُم مِّنْ خَيْرٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّـهُ يَخْتَصُّ بِرَحْمَتِهِ مَن يَشَاءُ ۚ وَاللَّـهُ ذُو الْفَضْلِ الْعَظِيمِ ١٠٥ O you who have believed, say not [to Allah 's Messenger], "Ra'ina" but say, "Unthurna" and listen. And for the disbelievers is a painful punishment. Neither those who disbelieve from the People of the Scripture nor the polytheists wish that any good should be sent down to you from your Lord. But Allah selects for His mercy whom He wills, and Allah is the possessor of great bounty Allah SWT forbids the believers from using a certain type of word. رَاعِنَا : Is basically a conversational Arabic word which is the similitude of “I beg your pardon.” In the gatherings of knowledge at the time of the Prophet SAW, the companions when feeling the need for something to be repeated would use this word. The Jews at that time who also used to attend such gatherings began to use the same word in referring to the Prophet SAW but with a slight twist. They either added an extra yaa to the word which gave a meaning of “our shepherd” or they omitted the alif which gave the meaning of “foolishness or stupidity.” In other words they were changing the word in order to mock at the Prophet SAW. Sometimes in order to avoid the greater fitna it is best that we change our ways even if we are in right. Similarly the Muslims are being commanded to use another word, an alternative so that a bigger problem is stopped from being created. Mocking is the way of the foolish. When we are mocked in the work of deen, we need not drop down to the level of the foolish by mocking back. Rather we need to change our ways and adopt new methods. Why do these people (Jews and Muskhrikeen) mock? What is there primarily goal, desire? They do not want any good to be bestowed upon the believers. They do not want the Qur’an to be sent down on the believers as that is means of abundant good. They do not want the Qur’an to be taught and learned. BUT there efforts of theirs are in vain as it is Allah SWT who decides on whom to bestow his mercy. In other words they are being told to accept the division of Allah. We do not abrogate a verse or cause it to be forgotten except that We bring forth [one] better than it or similar to it. Do you not know that Allah is over all things competent? (106) Another attempt of the disbelievers at mocking at the Qur’an and trying to prove it false They brought up the issue of abrogation saying “Your Prophet cannot make up his mind.” Allah replied saying even that is in his hand and also that there is much benefit in this process of abrogation. Why are the Muslims being told to change their ways when they are not at fault? Benefits of Abrogation:- New Command is much easier
- New Command is more beneficial
- New Command contains much more reward
- Gradual implementation
Do you not know that to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and [that] you have not besides Allah any protector or any helper?(107) Allah can do anything in anyway. Everything is in his hands. Everything belongs to him. He can choose to do whatever he wishes in whatever manner he wishes… So who are we to object and question? Or do you intend to ask your Messenger as Moses was asked before? And whoever exchanges faith for disbelief has certainly strayed from the soundness of the way.(108) Yet another method of the disbelievers in trying to prove the Qur’an false. 1. The Mushrikeen would demand miracles or ask many senseless questions from the Prophet SAW regarding the authenticity of truthfulness of the Qur’an. Here they are being asked that why are you doing what the people of the book did with their Prophet Musa. No fatwa Shopping
Many of the People of the Scripture wish they could turn you back to disbelief after you have believed, out of envy from themselves [even] after the truth has become clear to them. So pardon and overlook until Allah delivers His command. Indeed, Allah is over all things competent.(109)
Muslims at this point were now convinced that the people of the Book have no well-wishing for them. They realized that these people are only there to bring harm to them and raise doubts in their hearts. Hence a change in their attitude towards these people who only want the worst for them was quite natural and expected. Hence Allah addresses them i.e. the believers saying, “Pardon and overlook.”
What a beautiful lesson!
This people had no good in their hearts for the Muslims. They exerted their utmost in harming the Deen and Duniya of the Muslims. Yet the Muslims are being told to forgive and overlook.
Also
Many times when we forgive we think we have become low in status. Allah is telling us here that he is powerful over everything. Hence we need not to worry or grieve because He will definitely help us and make our state easy for us. We must be patient until then and meanwhile should be engaged in…
And establish prayer and give zakah, and whatever good you put forward for yourselves - you will find it with Allah. Indeed, Allah of what you do, is Seeing.(110)
Meanwhile we should be engaged in performing all sorts of good deeds especially Salah and Zakah.
Focus on making your connection stronger with Allah
And they say, "None will enter Paradise except one who is a Jew or a Christian." That is [merely] their wishful thinking, Say, "Produce your proof, if you should be truthful. (111)
The people of the book claim that only they will go to paradise. The Jews claim only they will enter it and the Christians claim only they will enter it. The Qur’an claims none of them will go to paradise but that rather these are their false hopes deprived of any sound evidence.
What a slap in the face!
بَلَىٰ مَنْ أَسْلَمَ وَجْهَهُ لِلَّـهِ وَهُوَ مُحْسِنٌ فَلَهُ أَجْرُهُ عِندَ رَبِّهِ وَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ ١١٢ Yes [on the contrary], whoever submits his face in Islam to Allah while being a doer of good will have his reward with his Lord. And no fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve.
Who actually will enter Paradise?
a. The one who submits his face to/for Allah
He does everything for Allah. He works for Allah. He sleeps for Allah. He eats for Allah. He smiles for Allah. Every single tiny and big action of his is for no one but for Allah. His whole life is for Allah.
b. The one who is a Muhsin ( He does Ihsan)
He does Ihsan in every action of his. Not only does he work for Allah but he works for him in the best manner possible. How? By doing it in the Sunnah way.
These are the people who will have no fear and no sorrow…because they will end up in Jannah, the place of happiness and joy.
92. And certainly Moses came to you with clear proofs. Then you took the calf in worship after that, while you were wrongdoers. | 93. And when We took your covenant and raised over you Mt. Toor, "take what We have given you with strength and listen!" They said "we hear and disobey" and their hearts absorbed the worship of the calf because of their disbelief. Say, "how wretched is that which your faith commands you if you should be believers."
| وَإِذْ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَاقَكُمْ وَرَفَعْنَا فَوْقَكُمُ الطُّورَ خُذُوا مَا آتَيْنَاكُم بِقُوَّةٍ وَاسْمَعُوا ۖ قَالُوا سَمِعْنَا وَعَصَيْنَا وَأُشْرِبُوا فِي قُلُوبِهِمُ الْعِجْلَ بِكُفْرِهِمْ ۚ قُلْ بِئْسَمَا يَأْمُرُكُم بِهِ إِيمَانُكُمْ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
|  Oh how strong the love some people from this nation had for cows!
ushribu (أُشْرِبُوا): the verb literally means 'to drink'. sharb is a drink. When this word is used to give the meaning of absorb, it intensifies the effect; how deep the love of the calf had entered within their hearts.
The love of the calf settled within their hearts. What is your calf? What is it that prevents us from listening to Allah? What is it that commands us to let loose our grip on faith?
94. Say "if the home of the hereafter near Allah is exclusively for you and no one else, then wish for death if you are truthful"
95. And they will never wish for it, ever, because of what their hands have put forth. And Allah is Knowing of the wrongdoers.
96. And you will surely find them the most greedy of people upon life - more than those who associate partners with Allah. One of them wishes that he could be granted life a thousand years, but it would not remove him in the least from the punishment that he should be granted life. And Allah is seeing of what they do.  They claimed that Allah has chosen them and they will be made to enter jannah. Allah says that if their claim is indeed true, then why would they want to live in this dunya? Wish for death so you can enter Jannah. We see now how there are so many people spending money on figuring out how to extend life. Why? Because they love this dunya so much. No matter how long they live, they want more.
But no matter how long of a life you live, everyone will return to Allah. A day will come when your record of deeds will be shown and you will be judged. A long life however is not always a blessing;- the best person is he who lives a long lives and does good actions until the end
- the worst person is he who has a long life but accumulates bad actions.
Quantity over Quality
A person can do good all his life but do one deed at the end that will lead to his demise. Therefore don't be greedy for a long life, be greedy for good deeds that are accepted.
97. Say, "whoever is an enemy to Jibreel, then indeed he is the one who brought the Quran upon your heart by the permission of Allah, confirming that which was before it and as guidance and good tidings for the believers."
98. Whoever is an enemy to Allah and His angels and His messengers and Jibreel and Mikaal - then indeed, Allah is an enemy to the disbelievers.
99. And we have certainly revealed to you clear verses, and no one would deny them except the defiantly disobedient. Jibrael a.s. brought the Quran down upon the prophet sallallaahu alaihi wasallam. The Bani Israel didn't like him because: - He brought down the destruction of previous nations
- He exposed them through the prophet sallallahu alaihih wasallam.
- He brought revelation upon an Arab.
However Allah is the one that commanded Jibrael a.s. to do everything that he does. Their enmity towards Jibrael a.s. was indeed towards Allah.
 As we learned previously, the nation of bani Israel were given many commands. However not all of them were according to their desires so they chose which ones to obey.
No matter what they were told, they stayed stubborn upon disobedience.
| 87. And We certainly gave Moses the Torah and followed up after him with messengers. And We gave Jesus, the son of Mary, clear proofs and supported him with the Pure Spirit. But is it not that every time a messenger came to you with what your souls did not desire, you were arrogant? And some you denied and some you killed.
| وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا مُوسَى الْكِتَابَ وَقَفَّيْنَا مِن بَعْدِهِ بِالرُّسُلِ ۖ وَآتَيْنَا عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ الْبَيِّنَاتِ وَأَيَّدْنَاهُ بِرُوحِ الْقُدُسِ ۗ أَفَكُلَّمَا جَاءَكُمْ رَسُولٌ بِمَا لَا تَهْوَىٰ أَنفُسُكُمُ اسْتَكْبَرْتُمْ فَفَرِيقًا كَذَّبْتُمْ وَفَرِيقًا تَقْتُلُونَ ٨٧ | Qaffayna: This comes from a word that literally means the back part of your head and neck. It gives the meaning of following something up one right after another.
When their nation started to fall further and further away from the truth, Allah sent upon them messengers, one after another, to guide them. So many messengers were there to guide them and yet they wouldn't let go of their stubbornness. Messengers such as Yahya and Zakariyyah, came to reinforce the rulings of the Torah. The Bani Israel weren't too pleased since they worked hard to change the rulings and fool everyone.
Esa a.s. was the last one to be sent to them as a nation and he was also given a book, the Injeel (Bible). However he came with some new commands and Allah showed the nation many miracles through him so that they would believe in him. But they said that they already had one book of rulings (as if they were following all the commands in it) and they weren't in need for more guidance from their LORD! Subhanallah. Is anyone ever too 'guided' to ignore the words of Allah?!
The nation was stubborn upon their misguidance that they denied the messengers DESPITE seeing clear signs! Some they even went so far as to kill -- they tried to crucify Esa a.s.!
| 88. And they said, "Our hearts are wrapped." But, in fact, Allah has cursed them for their disbelief, so little is it that they believe.
| وَقَالُوا قُلُوبُنَا غُلْفٌ ۚ بَل لَّعَنَهُمُ اللَّـهُ بِكُفْرِهِمْ فَقَلِيلًا مَّا يُؤْمِنُونَ ٨٨ |  Qulubna ghulf: This phase can have two meanings: - We cannot comprehend it because our hearts are wrapped (impenetrable)
- We have no need for it because our hearts are wrapped (full)
When being told of that which will lead them to the right way, they did not want to listen. They were PROUD of the fact that their hearts were covered. Time to unwrap our hearts:What is the state of our heart? Is it wrapped? When we are told something new, do we ignore it saying we already know everything? To be stubborn with regards to recognizing your own short comings is what hinders a person from improvement. Check yourself: the next time we are guided to good (i.e. told to give in charity, attend a certain class, etc) What is our reaction?
 89. And when there came to them a Book from Allah confirming that which was with them - although before they used to pray for victory against those who disbelieved - but when there came to them that which they recognized, they disbelieved in it; so the curse of Allah will be upon the disbelievers.
90. How wretched is that for which they sold themselves - that they would disbelieve in what Allah has revealed, rebelling that Allah would send down His favor upon whom He wills from among His servants. So they returned having earned wrath upon wrath. And for the disbelievers is a humiliating punishment.
91. And when it is said to them, "Believe in what Allah has revealed," they say, "We believe only in what was revealed to us." And they disbelieve in what came after it, while it is the truth confirming that which is with them. Say, "Then why did you kill the prophets of Allah before, if you are indeed believers?"
Rebelling: the word used in arabic is بَغْيًا --> this refers to opposing something due to enmity.
Ayaat in context: The Jews living in Madina wanted to seek victory over the arab tribes. They would pray for a messenger to be sent so that the matter could be settled. See they were told in their books that the last messenger for mankind would be raised in the land of the Arabs. That is why they migrated there from their homeland to await his arival. However when the prophet sallallaahu alaihi wasallam was appointed as a messenger, they rebelled. Why? Because he was not what they expected. Allah says that they opposed due to enmity towards Allah's decision! "How could the last messenger be an Arab? Why was he not one of US, the people of the book?"
Lesson: Don't expect everything to occur according to your desires. When things don't happen the way we want, we sometimes resort to opposing it, not realizing we are opposing the decision of Allah.
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Acknowledge that you are not perfect.
Be open to change.
Don't be like her ----------------------->
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We previously learned of the favours Allah bestowed upon the Bani Israel and then of the commandments and how they responded with ingratitude and disobedience. Today we learn of the promises they made with Allah and how they responded to this.
 83: And when We took the covenant from the Children of Israel, "Do not worship except Allah ; and to parents do good and to relatives, orphans, and the needy. And speak to people good and establish prayer and give zakah."
Then you turned away, except a few of you, and you were refusing.
| وَإِذْ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَاقَ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ لَا تَعْبُدُونَ إِلَّا اللَّـهَ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا وَذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْيَتَامَىٰ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَقُولُوا لِلنَّاسِ حُسْنًا وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ ثُمَّ تَوَلَّيْتُمْ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا مِّنكُمْ وَأَنتُم مُّعْرِضُونَ ٨٣ | This promise comprises of the rights of the Creator and the Creation. - Worship Allah alone -> This is the sole purpose of every creation of Allah.
- Ihsaan -> After the right of Allah upon us, comes the right of the creation. Firstmost amongst them being the parent.
- Speak husn to everyone -> No matter who, whether you like them or not. If you have nothing good to say then adopt silent: Abû Hurayrah relates that Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak a good word or remain silent. And whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should show hospitality to his neighbor. And whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should show hospitality to his guest.” [ Sahîh al-Bukhârî and Sahîh Muslim ]
- Pray properly -> Back to the rights of Allah; worship Him the way He taught us
- Give money -> Another right of the creation; give in charity to those in need
Husn and Ihsaan are translated as simply 'good', whereas their meaning is way more beautiful than that. In fact it literally means 'to beautify'. Doing an action with Ihsaan means doing it in a way that it is beautiful: don't just frown and make tea for your parents, smile and make them the best tea. Sometimes when we do an action many times, we forget to ensure it is done properly. Aspire to achieve perfection in what you do and what you say. This can be taken analogous to cooking. What beautifies the action of cooking? Not just the fact that it was cooked properly, but also that it is presented pleasantly.  84: And when We took your covenant, "Do not shed each other's blood or evict one another from your homes." Then you acknowledged this while you were witnessing.
85: Then, you became those same ones who are killing one another and evicting a party of your people from their homes, cooperating against them in sin and aggression. And if they come to you as captives, you ransom them, although their eviction was forbidden to you. So do you believe in part of the Scripture and disbelieve in part? Then what is the recompense for those who do that among you except disgrace in worldly life; and on the Day of Resurrection they will be sent back to the severest of punishment. And Allah is not unaware of what you do.
The reason they went against their promise is because they conspired with the wrong people. Help each other to do good.
A bit of history context for the above verse:
During the time of the prophet sallallaahu alaihi wasallam, there were two tribes of Arabs living in Madina and they didn't like each other much, but since they were living in the same city, they would often have quarrels and even full out wars. There were a couple of Jewish tribes living in Madina too and they got involved as well Some of them sided with one Arab tribe and the rest sided with the other. In this way, when there would be wars, Jews would be fighting each other even though Allah made them promise they won't kill each other. Because of the war, they would expel each other from their homes and take captives. However, in their books, they were told to free the captives with ransom and so they would do that. They believed in some (fulfilled part of their promise by ransoming the captives) and disbelieved in some (completely disregarding the parts about killing and expelling each other)
Let's analyze the trend of Bani Israel. Allah mentions this nation not so we can scorn upon them, but so we can reflect upon ourselves and see if we share their traits.
They were a nation chosen by Allah to be the believers of their time. But their nation faced downfall for the following reasons:
When Allah bestowed favours upon them, they ... - forgot them and were ungrateful
- misused them to oppose Allah
When Allah commanded them, they ... - disobeyed Him outright
- found ways around the command
When Allah made a promise with them, they ... - didn't take it seriously
- upheld some parts and disregarded the rest
| | What's common in all these? It is apparent that they followed their desires. Whatever they wanted to do, they did it. They wanted the temporary goods of this life and so they are deprived of the eternal goods of the hereafter.
86: Those are the ones who have bought the life of this world for the Hereafter, so the punishment will not be lightened for them, nor will they be aided.
Don't let their success in this world fool you. It's actually quite scary that Allah is letting them have all the goods of this world because it's worth nothing. The real prize is the hereafter.
 ثُمَّ قَسَتْ قُلُوبُكُمْ مِّن بَعْدِ ذلِكَ فَهِىَ كَالْحِجَارَةِ أَوْ أَشَدُّ قَسْوَةً
وَإِنَّ مِنَ الْحِجَارَةِ لَمَا يَتَفَجَّرُ مِنْهُ الأَنْهَـرُ وَإِنَّ مِنْهَا لَمَا يَشَّقَّقُ فَيَخْرُجُ مِنْهُ الْمَآءُ وَإِنَّ مِنْهَا لَمَا يَهْبِطُ مِنْ خَشْيَةِ اللَّهِوَمَا اللَّهُ بِغَـفِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُونَv74. Then your hearts became hardened after that, being like stones or even harder. For indeed, there are stones from which rivers burst forth, and there are some of them that split open and water comes out, and there are some of them that fall down for fear of Allah . And Allah is not unaware of what you do. Here Allah admonishes Bani Israel for disbelief in Allah's signs — seeing the dead come back to life. Yet the hearts of the children of Israel's remained harder than stones with no hope of softening. There are stones that are softer than some hearts that cower and are humble to truth. We can also relate this to the state of our own hearts. Do we hear and obey Allah's command or do we neglect or keep telling ourselves, "just a little bit more time before I listen." Indeed, Allah knows what is within us.
أَفَتَطْمَعُونَ أَن يُؤْمِنُواْ لَكُمْ وَقَدْ كَانَ فَرِيقٌ مِّنْهُمْ يَسْمَعُونَ كَلَـمَ اللَّهِ ثُمَّ يُحَرِّفُونَهُ مِن بَعْدِ مَا عَقَلُوهُ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ
v75. Do you covet [the hope, O believers], that they would believe for you while a party of them used to hear the words of Allah and then distort the Torah after they had understood it while they were knowing?
وَإِذَا لَقُواْ الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ قَالُواْ ءَامَنَّا وَإِذَا خَلاَ بَعْضُهُمْ إِلَى بَعْضٍ قَالُواْ أَتُحَدِّثُونَهُم بِمَا فَتَحَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمْ لِيُحَآجُّوكُم بِهِ عِندَ رَبِّكُمْ
أَفَلاَ تَعْقِلُونَ
v76. And when they meet those who believe, they say, "We have believed"; but when they are alone with one another, they say, "Do you talk to them about what Allah has revealed to you so they can argue with you about it before your Lord?" Then will you not reason?
أَوَلاَ يَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا يُسِرُّونَ وَمَا يُعْلِنُونَ
v 77. But do they not know that Allah knows what they conceal and what they declare?There were some Jews who despite knowing the truth about Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in the torah disbelieved, which hardened their hearts. Concerning verse 76, Al-Hasan Al-Basri said, "When the Jews met the believers they used to say, `We believe.' When they met each other, some of them would say, `Do not talk to the companions of Muhammad about what Allah has foretold in your Book [torah], so that the news (that Muhammad is the Final Messenger) does not become a proof for them against you with your Lord, and, thus, you will win the dispute.''' When someone has all the proofs in front of them but still chooses to shut their eyes and cover their ears, it is difficult to reason with them. This is why a hard heart is dangerous - in one's heart they may feel an inkling of the truth (that Allah is the Lord and Muhammad is His messenger) yet there is a blockage-like disease that prevents them from any understanding.
وَمِنْهُمْ أُمِّيُّونَ لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ الْكِتَـبَ إِلاَّ أَمَانِىَّ وَإِنْ هُمْ إِلاَّ يَظُنُّونَ
v78. And among them are unlettered ones who do not know the Scripture except in wishful thinking, but they are only assuming. فَوَيْلٌ لِّلَّذِينَ يَكْتُبُونَ الْكِتَـبَ بِأَيْدِيهِمْ ثُمَّ يَقُولُونَ هَـذَا مِنْ عِندِ اللَّهِ لِيَشْتَرُواْ بِهِ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلاًفَوَيْلٌ لَّهُمْ مِّمَّا كَتَبَتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَوَيْلٌ لَّهُمْ مِّمَّا يَكْسِبُونَ
v79. So woe to those who write the "scripture" with their own hands, then say, "This is from Allah ," in order to exchange it for a small price. Woe to them for what their hands have written and woe to them for what they earn.
Among the people of the book are some who are illiterate who do not know anything about their scripture but speak falsehood and lie. For example, those who said that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was not a true messenger.
There are some people of the book who changed the past revelations for their own worldly gains. The consequence of this is that these altered books were passed down till today and are widely read among Christians and Jews.
A curse is upon these people.
وَقَالُواْ لَن تَمَسَّنَا النَّارُ إِلاَّ أَيَّامًا مَّعْدُودَةً
قُلْ أَتَّخَذْتُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ عَهْدًا فَلَن يُخْلِفَ اللَّهُ عَهْدَهُ أَمْ تَقُولُونَ عَلَى اللَّهِ مَا لاَ تَعْلَمُونَ
v80. And they say, "Never will the Fire touch us, except for a few days." Say, "Have you taken a covenant with Allah ? For Allah will never break His covenant. Or do you say about Allah that which you do not know?The people from the previous verse say that they will only be in the hellfire for a few moments before going to heaven. Has Allah promised them this for them to make such outrageous claims? Unfortunately, this sort of mindset also plagues some Muslims who believe that because we're Muslim, it's an automatic ticket to Jannah. But Allah has not promised us this anywhere in the Qur'an. Infact, the path to jannah is difficult with thorns and dangers. We cannot expect to enter paradise without putting in effort and good deeds from our end. Just being Muslim is not enough. 
بَلَى مَن كَسَبَ سَيِّئَةً وَأَحَـطَتْ بِهِ خَطِيـَـتُهُ فَأُوْلَـئِكَ أَصْحَـبُ النَّارِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَـلِدُونَ
v81. Yes, whoever earns evil and his sin has encompassed him - those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally.
وَالَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ الصَّـلِحَاتِ أُوْلَـئِكَ أَصْحَـبُ الْجَنَّةِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَـلِدُونَ
v82. But they who believe and do righteous deeds - those are the companions of Paradise; they will abide therein eternally.
Those who do wrong, like alter the word of Allah, disbelieve in His Prophet, will surely reap the consequences of their actions: hellfire. Yet for those who believe with certainty and follow the commands of Allah, they are the companions of paradise. A place where they can live comfortably, without fear, for the rest of their lives. Then isn't it worth it to take the thorny road to Paradise? Your feet may bleed and you will feel like stopping before reaching the gate of Jannah but remember, you can relax for eternity.
وَإِذْ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَاقَكُمْ وَرَفَعْنَا فَوْقَكُمُ الطُّورَ خُذُوا مَا آتَيْنَاكُم بِقُوَّةٍ وَاذْكُرُوا مَا فِيهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ ٦٣ ثُمَّ تَوَلَّيْتُم مِّن بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ ۖ فَلَوْلَا فَضْلُ اللَّـهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَتُهُ لَكُنتُم مِّنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ ٦٤ And [recall] when We took your covenant, [O Children of Israel, to abide by the Torah] and We raised over you the mount, [saying], "Take what We have given you with determination and remember what is in it that perhaps you may become righteous. Then you turned away after that. And if not for the favor of Allah upon you and His mercy, you would have been among the losers
 BackgroundBani Israel were seized by the thunderbolt as a punishment and all of them died but then Allah brought them back to help. After blessing them with such a huge favor they still began disobey Allah not long after. Hence Allah shakes them with the mount Tur on their heads to wake them up. Imagine the scene - A nation that is not listening. They are being told again and again take your revelation seriously yet the response is the same lazy one as before. A gigantic mountain is raised so that it hovers above the entire nation and they are made to sign a contract in which they promise to take their book seriously. Hold firmly to the book- Intangible sense: hold on to the book firmly.
- Intangible sense: abide by its do’s and don’ts
And along with this remember it by your tongue, heart and limbs!
So That you may adopt Taqwa
Lesson: The end goal of every Ibadah is piety
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Response of Bani Israel
Outright denial even after having a mountain raised above their heads.
| | وَلَقَدْ عَلِمْتُمُ الَّذِينَ اعْتَدَوْا مِنكُمْ فِي السَّبْتِ فَقُلْنَا لَهُمْ كُونُوا قِرَدَةً خَاسِئِينَ ٦٥ فَجَعَلْنَاهَا نَكَالًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهَا وَمَا خَلْفَهَا وَمَوْعِظَةً لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ ٦٦ And you had already known about those who transgressed among you concerning the sabbath, and We said to them, "Be apes, despised." And We made it a deterrent punishment for those who were present and those who succeeded [them] and a lesson for those who fear Allah.
 Story of the Saabit
It is said that one of the bullet points of the covenant which Allah took with the Jews was that they were not allowed to work on Saturdays. This command was very difficult for the Jews and in particular it was very difficult for a tribe from among them who were by profession fishermen. These fishermen realized that Saturday was the day on which the river was filled with large amounts of fish. Hence they began to cast their nets into the river on Friday so that they would not be technically working on Saturday but at the same time the fish would be caught in the net (which they could take out on Sunday). In other words they were trying to outsmart Allah by manipulating his commandments. As a punishment Allah turned them into apes.
Lesson: When you try to disfigure the commandments of Allah, consequently Allah will disfigure you.
Jews at the time of the prophet PBUH are addressed
Allah is saying to them that you know about the Saabit. You know the very famous story of your own people turning into apes for playing with the revelation. So why are you making the same mistake which they made when you know what their outcome was. Why are you taking the revelation i.e the Qur’an as a joke. Why are you trying to change your own revelations in concerning the Qur’an.
Remember the intelligent person is not the one who changes the Law. The intelligent person is the one who accepts it.
وَإِذْ قَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِقَوْمِهِ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَن تَذْبَحُوا بَقَرَةً ۖقَالُوا أَتَتَّخِذُنَا هُزُوًا ۖ قَالَ أَعُوذُ بِاللَّـهِ أَنْ أَكُونَ مِنَ الْجَاهِلِينَ ٦٧ And [recall] when Moses said to his people, "Indeed, Allah commands you to slaughter a cow." They said, "Do you take us in ridicule?" He said, "I seek refuge in Allah from being among the ignorant."
 The Bani Israel continued to show their rebellious attitude in almost every command they were given. Here is another: to slaughter just ONE cow. Imagine: One cow is to be slaughtered for the whole nation. A simple and easy command, yet they were stingy with even a single cow.
Everything belongs to Allah.
Even the blessings bestowed upon us are not ours.
Allah told the bani Israel the cow to see if they are willing to sacrifice their blessing at the command of the One who gave it to them in the first place.
The nation loved cows (previously they made one out of gold to worship) and Allah wanted to see if they had learned from their previous mistakes.
Reaction of Bani Israel
Instead of obeying the command, they mocked it.
قَالُوا ادْعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ يُبَيِّن لَّنَا مَا هِيَ ۚ قَالَ إِنَّهُ يَقُولُ إِنَّهَا بَقَرَةٌ لَّا فَارِضٌ وَلَا بِكْرٌ عَوَانٌ بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ ۖ فَافْعَلُوا مَا تُؤْمَرُونَ ٦٨ قَالُوا ادْعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ يُبَيِّن لَّنَا مَا لَوْنُهَا ۚ قَالَ إِنَّهُ يَقُولُ إِنَّهَا بَقَرَةٌ صَفْرَاءُ فَاقِعٌ لَّوْنُهَا تَسُرُّ النَّاظِرِينَ ٦٩ قَالُوا ادْعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ يُبَيِّن لَّنَا مَا هِيَ إِنَّ الْبَقَرَ تَشَابَهَ عَلَيْنَا وَإِنَّا إِن شَاءَ اللَّـهُ لَمُهْتَدُونَ ٧٠ قَالَ إِنَّهُ يَقُولُ إِنَّهَا بَقَرَةٌ لَّا ذَلُولٌ تُثِيرُ الْأَرْضَ وَلَا تَسْقِي الْحَرْثَ مُسَلَّمَةٌ لَّا شِيَةَ فِيهَا ۚ قَالُوا الْآنَ جِئْتَ بِالْحَقِّ ۚ فَذَبَحُوهَا وَمَا كَادُوا يَفْعَلُونَ ٧١ They said, "Call upon your Lord to make clear to us what it is." [Moses] said, "[ Allah ] says, 'It is a cow which is neither old nor virgin, but median between that,' so do what you are commanded."
They said, "Call upon your Lord to show us what is her color." He said, "He says, 'It is a yellow cow, bright in color - pleasing to the observers.' "
They said, "Call upon your Lord to make clear to us what it is. Indeed, [all] cows look alike to us. And indeed we, if Allah wills, will be guided."
He said, "He says, 'It is a cow neither trained to plow the earth nor to irrigate the field, one free from fault with no spot upon her.' " They said, "Now you have come with the truth." So they slaughtered her, but they could hardly do it.
 Asking such rediculous questions one after another show that they did not want to obey. They were stalling in hopes that the command will be withdrawn. But by doing this they incurred hardship upon themselves. Before they just had to slaughter A COW. After all their questions, they had to search for a cow that was: - not too old and not too young
- yellow and bright
- not working to plow the farmland or to irrigate it
- one with no defects in it
Lesson: When told to do something, do it! don't delay the command of your lord for by doing so you are only making things more difficult upon yourself. Accept it and Do it!
وَإِذْ قَتَلْتُمْ نَفْسًا فَادَّارَأْتُمْ فِيهَا ۖ وَاللَّـهُ مُخْرِجٌ مَّا كُنتُمْ تَكْتُمُونَ ٧٢ فَقُلْنَا اضْرِبُوهُ بِبَعْضِهَا ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يُحْيِي اللَّـهُ الْمَوْتَىٰ وَيُرِيكُمْ آيَاتِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ ٧٣ And [recall] when you slew a man and disputed over it, but Allah was to bring out that which you were concealing.
So, We said, "Strike the slain man with part of it." Thus does Allah bring the dead to life, and He shows you His signs that you might reason.
Story behind the verses
A man had been murdered and Bani Israel started blaming each other. They went to Musa alayhi salaam to solve the issue and he said that Allah commanded them to slaughter a cow.
The cow was a means through which Allah brought the man back to life to say the name of the killer to settle the dispute.
Lesson: Don't question the commands of Allah. He has created us & He knows what is best for us & He has every right upon us.
Today we only have one ayah to focus on. What an ayah it is though!
We learn about the reward of believing.
| 62. Indeed, those who believed and those who were Jews or Christians or Sabians - those who believed in Allah and the Last Day and did righteousness - will have their reward with their Lord, and no fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve.
| إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَٱلَّذِينَ هَادُواْ وَٱلنَّصَـٰرَىٰ وَٱلصَّـٰبِـِٔينَ مَنۡ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأَخِرِ وَعَمِلَ صَـٰلِحً۬ا فَلَهُمۡ أَجۡرُهُمۡ عِندَ رَبِّهِمۡ وَلَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡہِمۡ وَلَا هُمۡ يَحۡزَنُونَ ٦٢
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 This ayah is not defining what iman is, rather it is telling us that no matter what group you belong to, as long as you have correct belief and righteous actions, you are good. What is correct belief? - Belief in Allah - tawheed (Allah is the only one worthy of being worshiped)
- Belief in the last day - we will be raised after our death and judged based on our deeds
- Belief in all the angels, all the books revealed, all the messengers sent.
What is considered a righteous actions? - Any action that has its basis in the sunnah
- and is done sincerely for Allah.
What is the reward? - They will be near their Lord!
They spent their life believing in Him and doing deeds for His sake out of their love for Him and so Allah will reward them with His mercy - Jannah. - They will have no fear and they will not grieve.
Since this was quite short, you can choose to keep reading to learn the explanation of some of the words used in this ayah:
 I don't think we have properly introduced who exactly the bani israel were. They are the ancestors of the present day Jews and Christians.
Ibrahim a.s. had two children: Ismael a.s. and Ishaaq a.s. Ishaaq's son, Yaqoob, had 12 sons (including Yusuf a.s.).
Bani Israel are the 12 tribes that are the descendants of those 12 sons.
Many prophets were sent to the bani israel to guide them. When Musa a.s. was sent, the nation was in slavery under the Pharoah of Egypt. As we learned before, Allah granted them freedom and saved them and gave them many blessings.
Today we are told of yet another blessing and their reaction towards them.
Most of us might have the tendency to think that this nation was very corrupt. And although that does seem like the case, we need to remember that they had been enslaved for quite some time. A nation that is prevented from prospering and developing is bound to become ignorant and stubborn. That is why we continuously see the patience of Musa a.s. in his treatment towards them.
They aren't a nation we should hate - rather one from whom we should take a lesson from so that we do not become like them.
| 60. And when Moses prayed for water for his people, so We said, "Strike with your staff the stone." And there gushed forth from it twelve springs, and every people knew its watering place. "Eat and drink from the provision of Allah , and do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption."
| وَإِذِ ٱسۡتَسۡقَىٰ مُوسَىٰ لِقَوۡمِهِۦ فَقُلۡنَا ٱضۡرِب بِّعَصَاكَ ٱلۡحَجَرَۖ فَٱنفَجَرَتۡ مِنۡهُ ٱثۡنَتَا عَشۡرَةَ عَيۡنً۬اۖ قَدۡ عَلِمَ ڪُلُّ أُنَاسٍ۬ مَّشۡرَبَهُمۡۖ ڪُلُواْ وَٱشۡرَبُواْ مِن رِّزۡقِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا تَعۡثَوۡاْ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ مُفۡسِدِينَ ٦٠
|  Whilst they were journeying through the desert, they needed something to drink so Musa a.s. made dua for water. In difficult times, make dua to Allah for a solution
As a result, 12 springs were made to gush forth. This is to prevent any quarrel among the nation because they were divided into 12 tribes (12 sons of ya'qoob = 12 tribes.
Every blessing we have demands something from us. The blessing of water demanded that they drink from it only as much as they needed and not to create further corruption.
| 61. And when you said, "O Moses, we can never endure one food. So call upon your Lord to bring forth for us from the earth its green herbs and its cucumbers and its garlic and its lentils and its onions." Musa said, "Would you exchange what is better for what is less? Go into any settlement and indeed, you will have what you have asked." And they were covered with humiliation and poverty and returned with anger from Allah. That was because they repeatedly disbelieved in the signs of Allah and killed the prophets without right. That was because they disobeyed and were habitually transgressing.
| وَإِذۡ قُلۡتُمۡ يَـٰمُوسَىٰ لَن نَّصۡبِرَ عَلَىٰ طَعَامٍ۬ وَٲحِدٍ۬ فَٱدۡعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ يُخۡرِجۡ لَنَا مِمَّا تُنۢبِتُ ٱلۡأَرۡضُ مِنۢ بَقۡلِهَا وَقِثَّآٮِٕهَا وَفُومِهَا وَعَدَسِہَا وَبَصَلِهَاۖ قَالَ أَتَسۡتَبۡدِلُونَ ٱلَّذِى هُوَ أَدۡنَىٰ بِٱلَّذِى هُوَ خَيۡرٌۚ ٱهۡبِطُواْ مِصۡرً۬ا فَإِنَّ لَڪُم مَّا سَأَلۡتُمۡۗ وَضُرِبَتۡ عَلَيۡهِمُ ٱلذِّلَّةُ وَٱلۡمَسۡڪَنَةُ وَبَآءُو بِغَضَبٍ۬ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِۗ ذَٲلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمۡ كَانُواْ يَكۡفُرُونَ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَيَقۡتُلُونَ ٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ بِغَيۡرِ ٱلۡحَقِّۗ ذَٲلِكَ بِمَا عَصَواْ وَّڪَانُواْ يَعۡتَدُونَ ٦١
|  First off, I am totally in awe of the patience of Musa a.s.! The nation treated him like a slave! Asking him to make such demands on thier behalf. Yet he dealt with them nicely. May Allah bestow upon us strength to endure our trials with such patience. Ameen.
Bani Israel were the chosen people of their time. They were chosen by Allah to be carriers of the religion. Therefore Allah took is upon Himself to provide them with the material goods so that they could focus on the religion.
Yet they left their duties and turned their attention to food. They didn't want the ready made heavenly food that Allah send down right from the skies into their laps. No. They wanted to fulfill their desires in other ways.
They didn't fulfill their obligations and followed their desires without realizing that they were exchanging the good (heavenly food) with something that is less than it (vegetation of the earth).
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