Translation
(Remember when) Moses said to His people: “O my people, remind yourself of the favors of God Who raised prophets from among you and who gave you control over yourselves and (blessings) that were not given to any other nation. O my people, enter this Holy Land which God has promised you, and do not turn your backs—if you do, then you will be lost.” The people replied: “O Moses, there are powerful people in this Land, and we shall not go in until they depart, and if they do, we will surely enter in it.” Two people (Joshua and Caleb, according to the Old Testament) who were God-conscious and who were blessed by God said: “We should enter through the front gate, and if we (have the courage to) do that, we will surely be victorious. As people of faith, we should put our trust in God (Almighty).” But the people refused: “O Moses, we will not make such an attempt as long as these powerful people are there. (Perhaps) you and your God should go and fight while we sit (and wait).” He (Moses) prayed (to God): “My Sustainer, I have no control over these people except me and my brother (Aaron). Separate us from these people who transgress (often).” He (God) replied: “This Land is forbidden for them for forty years (a lifetime); they will wander about on this earth without aim. Do not grieve, for people transgress as such.” 303
Now relate to them with truth the story of the two sons (Abel and Cain) of Adam—they both made offers to God, but God accepted only from one of them (whose offer was genuine). So the one (whose offer was not accepted) said to the other: “I will kill you.” Said the one (whose offer was accepted): “God only accepts from those who are mindful and responsible. If you attempt to kill me, I will not do the same. I am afraid of (the consequence of my action, if I do so, from) God, who is the Cherisher of the Universe. I would rather that you bear the burden of my sins and your sins and such of your action will put you into the Hellfire, which is the suffering for those who are unjust.” At last his blind envy and disregard of his own soul drove him to kill his brother, and he became one of the lost. Then God sent a raven, which scratched the ground to show how he could cover the body of his dead brother. This put him into deep remorse, and he cried out: “Am I not able to do what this raven did and cover my brother’s dead body?”
In light of this did We (God) prescribe to the Children of Israel (and by implication to all): Whoever kills a person, unless for committing murder or for spreading corruption in the land, it is as if he has killed all of humanity; and whoever saves a life, it is as if he has saved all of humanity. Surely our Messengers came with clear teachings and arguments; yet, after this many people go on committing all sorts of (evil) excess on earth. 304
Interpretation
303 God’s grace and blessings to followers of Moses were numerous, starting in Exodus with the Ten Commandments and including heavenly provisions and showing them the land of plenty and opportunity, just to name a few. Yet time and again they refused to make an effort on their own to follow and secure those benefits. This condition is not unique to the people addressed here but is a common human condition that one can overcome only with genuine consciousness and positive determination. Throughout the world today, enormous developments in agricultural production, new technology, fast transportation, and extraction of natural resources could result in unprecedented human well-being and improve human welfare beyond what was possible even a century ago—these are God’s gifts and blessings; yet the human race is caught in widespread corruption around mineral exploration, the new technology is widening the gap of haves and have-nots, irresponsible methods of production and consumption are creating havoc in the environment, irresponsible terrorism and counterterrorism are splitting the world apart, and human rights and freedom of expression are being trampled in the name of politics and homeland security.
304 The story of Abel and Cain is the first instance of violence of one human being against another human being without any justifiable reason and Cain’s failure to comprehend the enormity of the crime involved. This enormity of crime and injustice is reflected in God’s command that the unjustifiable killing of a human being is like killing all of humanity, and in the same vein, saving a human being like saving all of humanity. Despite such a clear prescription and our own innate sense of justice and fairness, we see large-scale killing and the oppression of human beings all over the globe by terrorists, by nation states in the name of counterterrorism, political oppression by autocratic leaders, the denial of living wages to workers by profitable corporations and business owners, wanton disregard of the health and well-being of all creatures on this planet from environmental pollution, and exploitation of natural resources for the benefit of the few, causing direct harm to average citizens in many parts of the world.
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REFLECTION
The causes of human suffering and oppression are many, but it boils down to some simple truths: Do we value human life and property as sacred and inviolable? Are we committed to safeguarding human dignity? Do we believe in a just society? Do we consider freedom of expression as a God-given right? Do we believe that natural resources are a gift to the entire human race and not to a select few? Do we believe that our fortune should be shared among all people irrespective of national, ethnic, or religious identities? Do we believe that each one us is responsible to God to do what is right, to remove what is wrong and evil, and to be true to his or her soul and the teachings of God?
ACTION
We need to deepen our conviction in all these truths and increase our resolve to individually and collectively harness our God-given intellect, knowledge, wisdom, emotional maturity, compassion, empathy, and passion for justice to change our condition, one by one. Each of us must find one way to make his or her mark, wherever it may be and in whatever increment we can make it happen, but we have to make our contribution to better our collective lives with patience, empathy, and truthfulness.