(Two hundred verses in total; revealed in Medina)
This chapter (surah) continues the discussion of affairs with Jewish tribes at the time of its revelation from the previous chapter (Surah Baqarah) and leads to the discussion of Christian faith at the time—its deviations and misinterpretations from the teachings of Jesus Christ. This surah establishes the Qur’an as the final version of God’s revelation, starting from various Psalms (revealed to Abraham and others) and moving to the Old Testament (Jewish Bible—the Torah, Taurat), the New Testament (Christian Bible/Gospel—Injil), and the Last Testament (Book of all Faithful—the Qur’an), with clear confirmation of the previous books.
This surah also provides clear direction on how to use this book. Some of the verses are fundamental and foundational to faith and our ways of life (as God intended in all books of revelations for Jews, Christians, Muslims, and other people of faith), while other verses are directional and allegorical to encourage discussion and consensus building with an intent to allow this guidance and these rules to evolve in our contemporary societies. These deliberations, discussions, and consensus have to be in consonance with human evolution and knowledge gained by each generation as well as ever-greater understanding of ourselves and the natural world we live in through science, cognition, and spirituality.
Just like chapter 2, Surah Baqarah (see volume 1), this surah is one of the larger surahs and covers a wide range of topics, which are listed below and then explained briefly at the end of the narrative on this surah:
· confirmation of all books of revelations (3:3–4, 84, 199)
· interpretation of messages from the Qur’an—foundational guidance (Mohkamat) versus directional guidance (Mutashabihat)—using analogy, examples, and/or relevance to prevailing conditions (3:7)
· Islam (faith and goodness) as the accepted way of life (3:19–20, 85)
· false notion of entitlement (3:24–25)
· alliance for goodness (3:28, 118–120)
· realities on the Day of Judgment (3:25, 30)
· the story of Mary and Jesus (3:35–61, 79)
· bringing all people of revelations together (3:64–71)
· community and global leadership (3:104, 110)
· sense of unity among people of faith (3:102–103)
· lessons from Battle of Uhud (3:165–169)
· constancy and persistence (3:139–143, 186, 196, 200)
· Prophet Mohammed as a mortal (3:144)
· the Prophet as a compassionate human being—being gentle, seeking harmony, and governing by mutual consultations (3:159)
· conflicts and evils to be expected in this world (3:13, 178–180, 186, 188)
· nature and life for reflection (3:190–191)
· man and woman entitled to equal reward (3:195)