Name: Siti Zuraina binti Zakuwan Matric No: 1425908 Section: 30

Tafseer Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 88 from the work of the Scholar M. M. Al-Sherawi
In this verse, God is informing us how the Jews justified their repeated transgression,
killing the Prophet. The phrase they used Our hearts are encased carries two meaning. First
it means that we have sufficient knowledge and enough faith that we do not need any advice.
Second the phrase is often used as an excuse to blame God for sealing our hearts and
preventing the raise of guidance from reaching our hearts. If you say Allah destined you to
disbelief, did you ask yourself why? What are the reasons? Allah SWT provides you the
answer. He says No indeed, Allah has cursed them, for their disbelief; so little do they
believe. God is refuting that they have enough knowledge in their heart and also their claim
that he encased their hearts. The fact is Allah had cursed them and banished them from His
Mercy. God deprived them of His mercy because when guidance came to them they denied it
and insisted to disbelief. Some people tried to disassociate themselves from the responsibility
of faith and deed and blame God for disbelief.
The truth is Allah had blessed humanity with his guidance and provides all of us with
countless bounties. Those who responded to this love with denial and chose disbelief, own
themselves Gods wrath. Allah sealed the heart and left them for what they chose. Allah
makes his message clear for all humanity, so if you choose to repressed others, rob them of
their rights and cheat them, then God will sealed your heart. Likewise if you indulge in sins
and rush towards Gods prohibited, then God will deprive you of His Mercy. Allah does not
guide the disbelievers if they did not intend guidance for themselves. Allah does not chase
after those who denied Him.
Allah wants you to freely turn to Him out of love, he does not benefit from your faith
indeed. The benefits and rewards will be for you alone. In my opinion, faith in Allah is our
personal treasure and will be our salvation on the Day of Judgment.