The brief Tafsir of verse 40 Surah Baqarah | By Mufti Maaz Haroon
يَا بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ اذْكُرُوا نِعْمَتِيَ الَّتِي أَنْعَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَأَوْفُوا بِعَهْدِي أُوفِ بِعَهْدِكُمْ وَإِيَّايَ فَارْهَبُونِ
“O Children of Israel, remember My favor which I bestowed upon you, and fulfill My covenant, I will fulfill your covenant, and fear only Me.” (2:40)
Explanation
• Address to Bani Isra’il (Children of Israel):
• Allah reminds them of the countless blessings He gave them: deliverance from Pharaoh, manna and quails, guidance through prophets, and the Torah.
• They are urged to remember these favors with gratitude, not arrogance.
• The Covenant:• Their covenant was to:
• Believe in Allah alone.
• Follow His messengers (including Muhammad ﷺ, foretold in their scriptures).
• Uphold justice and obedience to divine law.
• In return, Allah promised guidance, mercy, and worldly/spiritual success.
• Mutual Fulfillment:• “Fulfill My covenant, I will fulfill yours” means:
• If they uphold faith and obedience, Allah will grant His promised rewards.
• This includes forgiveness, honor, and entry into Paradise.
• Exclusive Fear of Allah:• “Fear only Me” emphasizes:
• Do not fear worldly powers, leaders, or communities.
• True awe and reverence should be directed only to Allah.
Break down Ayah
• “Children of Israel” → Allah is talking to the descendants of Prophet Ya‘qub (Jacob).
• “Remember My blessings” → Allah saved them from Pharaoh, gave them food in the desert, sent prophets, and gave them the Torah.
• “Keep My promise” → Their promise was to worship Allah alone, follow His prophets, and live by His rules.
• “I’ll keep My promise” → Allah promised them forgiveness, guidance, and Paradise if they obeyed.
• “Fear only Me” → Don’t be scared of people, bullies, or losing status. The only One worth fearing is Allah.
Lessons From the Ayah
1. Gratitude matters → Always remember the good things Allah gave you (family, health, knowledge, opportunities).
2. Promises are serious → If you commit to something (like salah, honesty, or helping others), stick to it.
3. Don’t chase approval → Fear of people’s opinions can trap you. Fear of Allah frees you.
4. Faith is action → It’s not just believing, but living by what you believe.
Lessons for Gen Z
• Don’t get lost in clout-chasing → Likes, followers, and trends fade. Allah’s approval lasts forever.
• Stay authentic → Peer pressure is real, but your value isn’t in fitting in—it’s in standing firm.
• Digital gratitude → Instead of scrolling and comparing, pause and thank Allah for what you already have.
• Contracts = Trust → Just like you wouldn’t break a digital password agreement or a gaming team promise, don’t break your covenant with Allah.
In short: In this verse Allah saying, “Remember what I’ve done for you, keep your side of the deal, and I’ll always keep Mine. And don’t fear anyone but Me.”
~Mufti Maaz Haroon ✍️
