Verse 133 of Surah Al-Baqarah, like a radiant jewel within the Divine Revelation, portrays the testament of Prophet Yaqub (peace be upon him) to his children during the final moments of his life, emphasising the centrality of monotheism, submission to God, and abstention from religious plurality. This verse, continuing from the preceding verses, introduces religion as a system founded upon three pillars: volition, systematicity, and veracity. Through a profound critique of religious pluralism and atheism, it delineates the path to felicity in a monotheistic, upright, and sound religiosity. In this treatise, employing a scientific and systematic approach, the content of the verse has been rearticulated so as to be utilizable for specialised and academic audiences, particularly at the postgraduate level. All principal concepts and details have been preserved with comprehensive explication, presented in an elevated and literary yet precise and academic language. Elegant allegories and metaphors have been employed as flowing streams to enrich the text, thereby adding a spiritual allure while maintaining scientific authenticity.
Translation: Were you present as witnesses when death approached Yaqub? When he said to his sons, What will you worship after me? They replied, We shall worship your God and the God of your forefathers, Abraham, Ishmael, and Isaaca single Godand to Him we submit.
This verse, like a polished mirror, reflects the dialogue of Prophet Yaqub (peace be upon him) with his children and underscores the necessity of adhering to monotheism and submission before God. Yaqubs inquiry to his sons is not merely a spiritual testament but also a test of their faith and sincerity.
This verse, in connection with the preceding verses of Surah Al-Baqarah, stresses the continuity of the monotheistic religion. The singular direction refers to the upright and sound religion manifested in the prophetic traditions from Abraham to Yaqub. This view coheres with the verse The religion of Abraham was upright (An-Nahl: 123), which emphasises Abrahams religion as a monotheistic paradigm.
Religiosity, akin to a robust edifice, rests upon three foundations: a resolute will, a coherent system, and divine truthfulness. Will and systematicity alone are insufficient; what directs religion towards felicity is its veracity, as exemplified in Islam. This notion aligns with the verse Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam (Al Imran: 19), which recognises Islam as the divinely accepted religion.
Many religions and doctrines, despite strong will and coherent systems, become misguided because of lacking a monotheistic foundation. Religious pluralism is like scattered branches of the tree of truth, depriving religion of its authenticity. This perspective aligns with the verse Do not dispute lest you falter (Al-Anfal: 46), which regards discord and division as causes of defeat.
Atheism, like darkness engulfing the light of truth, deprives man of the divine system. This deviation, whether manifest as secularity or explicit disbelief, prevents attainment of felicity. This concept corresponds with the verse And whoever turns away from My remembranceindeed, he will have a depressed life (Ta-Ha: 124), which considers a constrained and difficult life as the consequence of turning away from Gods remembrance.
False religiosity, like a fire that brings destruction instead of light, due to absence of monotheism and inclination toward prejudice, sometimes causes more harm than atheism. This is consistent with the verse Do they seek other than the religion of Allah? (Al Imran: 83), which rejects any religion other than the divine religion.
Monotheism, like a shining star in the sky of guidance, rescues man from plurality and atheism. Sincerity and submission, manifest in Islam, smooth the path of the prophets. This is in harmony with the verse A straight path, a correct religion (Al-Anam: 161), which describes the upright religion as the straight path.
Worship is like a fruit grown from the tree of knowledge. Without divine recognition, worship is reduced to habit or superficiality. This view corresponds with the verse That they may worship Me (Adh-Dhariyat: 56), which considers worship the purpose of creation but grounds it in knowledge.
Knowledge of the one God is like a seed planted in the believers heart, and submission to Him is the fruit that grows from this seed. These two, like two wings, enable the believers flight towards felicity. This concept resonates with philosophical and mystical principles.
The believers prayer, like a voice from the depths of the soul, rejects self-centredness and accepts the divine will. This prayer, cited in traditions as a sign of total submission, elevates the believer to the rank of sincerity.
The sons of Yaqubs claim, like hollow words, ultimately led to polytheism and deviation. History shows that subsequent generations, instead of monotheism, inclined towards Judaism, Christianity, and other distortions. This view aligns with the verse Most of them do not believe in Allah except while they associate others with Him (Yusuf: 106).
Subsequent generations, like ships without anchors, drifted from the shore of monotheism and became caught in the waves of religious pluralism. This deviation attributed prophets themselves and distorted the truth of religion. This corresponds with the verse The Jews and Christians say, We are the children of Allah (Al-Maidah: 18).
