The remembrance of the blessings of the Lord leads Man to the knowledge of Allah...

The remembrance of the blessings of the Lord leads Man to the knowledge of Allah, and provokes a sense of gratitude in him. Then, believing that those bounties are not given unconditionally and He has taken a covenant for them makes man aware of his duties and responsibilities.

After this, not having awe of anybody or any power in the way of performing the Divine duties, causes Man to remove all the barriers and obstructions from his way and fulfil faithfully his responsibilities and promises, for, having awe of this and that, is one of the greatest obstacles on this way, especially in the case of the Israelites who were under the control of Pharaonic governments and, consequently, fear had become a part of their lives.

Explanations Jews in Medina It is interesting that, according to what historians of the Qur'an have cited, Surah Al-Baqarah is the first Surah that was revealed in Medina. This Surah talks mostly about Jews, because they were the most dominate group of the 'People of the Book' there. Before the advent of the Prophet of Islam (S), as their own religious books indicated, they were waiting for such an advent, and used to give its glad tidings to others.

They were also in a very good economic condition at that time and, on the whole, they had a deep influence on the social affairs of Medina. But, with the advent of Islam, many of them not only did not accept the invitation of Islam, but stood, hiddenly and openly, against it, because Islam hindered them from their unlawful interests and did not let them continue their evil social projects.

Now, after the passing of more than fourteen centuries, this same hostility is still alive and active against Islam. It was at that time when the above verse and the verses after that were sent down which blamed them intensively and, by mentioning the sensitive aspects of their historical background, moved them so violently that those Jews, who had the least sense of justice and truth-seeking, awoke and accepted Islam.

Besides that, this admonishment was a comprehensive lesson for all the Muslim believers, too.