Al-Ma'idah 24–36
The refusal of Bani Israel to fight resulted in their wandering for forty years; then the story of the first murder between two sons of Adam led to the rulings concerning the sanctity of life and corruption on earth.
Verses 24-26 continue to explain the evil behavior of Bani Israel toward Allah and His Messenger when commanded to enter Palestine. They said to the prophet Musa: We will not enter Palestine as long as the mighty people are there. Go you and your Lord to fight there. We will sit here waiting for the results. Because of this immoral statement, Prophet Musa asked Allah to separate him and Harun from their transgressors. Then Allah answered his request and cursed them so that Palestine was forbidden to them. They wandered on earth for forty years. Because of this, the Jews have no right at all to Palestine.
Verses 27-31 recount the first murder that ever occurred on earth, arising from a dispute between two sons of the Prophet Adam named Qabil and Habil. Qabil killed his brother Habil because he was displeased with Allah's decision to accept Habil's sacrifice regarding the choice of a life partner (wife). While Habil had a very noble heart; even though Qabil intended to kill him, he did not intend to do the same because he feared Allah. He valued repentance to Allah more than quarreling and mutual killing.
When Qabil succeeded in killing Habil, he was confused about what to do. Then Allah sent a raven to teach him how to bury his brother's corpse. At that moment, Qabil regretted his deed and admitted he was more foolish than the raven.
Because of this, whoever refuses to follow Allah's system and follows their desires will act like an animal and be of even lower standing than animals.
Verses 32-36 explain the gravity of the crime of murder of mankind without a justified reason from Allah, the punishment of the perpetrators, and the punishment of those who fight against Allah and His Messenger Muhammad.
Murder of mankind without a justified reason established by Allah, such as qisas (death penalty for the murderer, apostasy from Islam and the like) is a crime against humanity with widespread destructive impact. So too is the crime of environmental and ecological destruction such as the consequences of mining and other business activities. If such acts of murder and destruction of nature are not prevented and severely punished, they will drive society to live brutally and by the law of the jungle. The rich and powerful will easily take the lives of those they consider enemies and seize lands or property that are not rightfully theirs.
Because of this, the action of killing a single soul is, in Allah's sight, equal to killing all mankind, and this action is the same as fighting against Allah and His Messenger. As for the punishment of those who fight against Allah and His Messenger and cause corruption on earth, it is death, or crucifixion, or having their hands and feet cut off crosswise, or being banished to an isolated place. That is worldly punishment, while the punishment in the hereafter is hell. However, if they repent before the punishment is carried out, then Allah is Most Forgiving and Most Merciful.
Truly, God-consciousness of Allah and earnestly seeking His pleasure and striving in His way is the solution to achieving victory in this world and the hereafter. Conversely, denial and rebellion against Allah's system or religion is the cause of failure in this world and the hereafter, even if one possesses much wealth and great power. Because much wealth and great power are of no use in the hereafter.
Loading the full version…