Comparison in the Meaning of Aal Imraan 3: 81 and Al-Ahzaab 33: 7

Can a thorough explanation of verses 3:81 and 33:7 be given?

Amir Durrani

Reply

A close translation of Aal Imraan 3: 81 is given below:

"When God took the covenant regarding the prophets, He said [to the people of the Book]: 'Here are the Scriptures and the wisdom which I have given you. An apostle will come forth to confirm them. Believe in him and help him. Will you affirm this and accept the burden I have laid on you in these terms?' They [i.e. the people of the Book] replied: 'We affirm it.' 'Then bear witness,' He said, 'and I will bear witness with you’."

For a detailed explanation (especially for the parenthetical additions in the translation) of the verse, please refer to the context of the verse. One of my previous responses to a question regarding the same verse may prove helpful, in this respect.

The translation of Al-Ahzaab 33: 7, on the other hand, is as follows:

“When We took from the prophets their covenant – from you too and Noah and Abraham and Moses and Jesus, son of Mary –from them all did We take a binding covenant [that they shall deliver God’s message in its purest form]. So that God questions the true [followers of God’s message] about their truthfulness [and questions the rejecters and the hypocrites about their rejection and their hypocrisy]. And [a great reward awaits the truthful, while] God has prepared a painful chastisement for the rejecters and the hypocrites.”

A close look at the context of the two verses shall show that both refer to two different covenants and both address two different people. The first verse refers to the covenant of the people of the Book – the Jews and the Christians – regarding the advent of the last prophet of God. While the second one refers to the binding covenant of all the prophets of God to deliver God’s message in its purest and truest form with absolute disregard to the opposition of the rejecters and the hypocrites of their times. The last part of the verse also tells us that it is this deliverance of God’s message by His prophets and messengers which removes all excuses for the rejecters and the hypocrites – for their rejection and hypocrisy respectively – and which will ultimately result in their painful and eternal punishment.

The two verses are, thus, not related to each other.

In case the context of the second verse is not clear to you [the context of the first verse has been explained in detail in my other answer], you may write back to me and I shall, inshallah, provide a detailed analysis of the verse and its context.

I hope this helps. In case any question remains unanswered or if any further detail is required on any specific aspect, please feel free in writing back to me at your own convenience.

May the Almighty guide us all to the path of His liking.

My fondest regards to you and those around you.

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