Al-A'raf 171–187
The Children of Israel swore loyalty when the mountain was lifted above them but then returned to disbelief, and the root of misguidance is shown in the heart, eyes, and ears that are not used to understand revelation and Allah's creation.
Verses 171-178: The repeated disobedience of the Children of Israel caused Allah to punish them with various severe punishments. The main factor in their disobedience was their unwillingness to firmly hold to Allah's revelation (the Torah) and the guidance of Prophet Musa. Among the ways Allah taught them a lesson was by lifting the mountain above their heads, so they would firmly hold to the Torah. If not, Allah would drop the mountain upon them. At that point they declared their commitment to the Torah. However, after that threat was removed, they returned to disbelief.
Allah took a covenant from all mankind when they were created, and they testified that Allah is their Creator. The purpose is so that on the Day of Judgment no one can say: We were not informed about our Creator. Or they say: We only followed the religion of our forefathers. Why are we destroyed for the misguidance of our forefathers? The real issue is like what was experienced by the Jewish scholar named Balam. He was inconsistent with the Torah and therefore easily misled by Satan, his life's orientation was worldly life and following desires. Such a person is like a dog; what matters to him is food. That is the parable of one who rejects the Qur'an. In reality, they are only harming themselves. Allah's guidance is given to those who deserve to receive it. The cause of misguidance lies within oneself, namely worldly desire.
Verses 179-187 explain the keys to guidance and misguidance and the severity of Allah's threat to those who go astray. Allah has created three highly sophisticated instruments within human beings: the heart (conscience), eyes, and ears. If these three sophisticated instruments are not used to understand Allah's revelation that becomes the system of human life (the Shariah of Allah) in the world and the cosmic order (Allah's system of creation for the universe), then humans will find it difficult to accept Islam as the way of life. Some will even fight against Islam as the communities before did. Among them are the Children of Israel as explained in the previous verses. For this reason, it is quite logical that Allah sends down various punishments in this world and promises the Hellfire in the Hereafter for those who disobey Him and His Messengers.
It has become a reality that among people there are those who firmly hold to the truth that comes from Allah and strive to establish it, and there are those who reject that truth and strive to fight against it. To these, Allah will give respite for a while. In turn, Allah will punish them from a direction they do not expect. If only people used their hearts, hearing and sight to understand the Qur'an, the Sunnah of the Messenger, and the system of creation of the heavens and the earth, they would not reject the Qur'an, the message of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and Islam as a way of life and would surely believe that the Day of Judgment will occur. As for its time, only Allah knows.
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