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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Al-mizan an Exegesis of the Qur'an (volume One) Chapter 16 : 2:62 Surely those who believe, and those who are Jews, and the Christians, and the Sabaeans, whoever believes in Allâh and the Last Day and does good, they shall have their reward from their Lord, and there is no fear for them, nor shall they grieve (62). COMMENTARY The verse first mentions the believers, and then says, "who­ever believes in Allâh . .

." The context shows that the latter phrase refers to the real belief, the true imân, and that the word, "those who believe", (mentioned at first) refers to those who call themselves believers. The verse says that Allâh gives no im­portance to names, like the believers, the Jews, the Christians or the Sabaeans.

One cannot get a reward from Allâh, nor can he be saved from punishment, merely by giving oneself good titles, as they, for example, claim that: no one will enter the Garden except he who was a Jew or a Christian (2:111). The only criterion, the only standard, of honour and happiness is the real belief in Allâh and the Day of Resurrection, accompanied by good deeds.

It should be noted that Allâh did not say, ‘who­ever of them believes'; otherwise it would have accorded some recognition to these titles, and would have implied that there was, after all, some benefit in acquiring these names. This theme has been repeatedly expounded in the Qur’ân. The honour and felicity depend entirely on true and sincere servitude; no name, no adjective, can do any good unless it is backed by correct belief and good deeds.

This rule is applicable to all human beings, right from the prophets to the lowest rank. Look how Allâh praises His prophets with all beautiful and excel­lent attributes, and then says: and if they had set up others (with Him) certainly what they did would have become ineffectual for them (6:88).

Also, He describes the high status and great prestige of the Holy Prophet and his companions, and then ends it with these words: Allâh has promised those among them who believe and do good, forgiveness and a great reward (48:29). Ponder on the significance of the phrase "among them". Then we find that Allâh had given a man some of His signs but he went astray: and if We had pleased, We would certainly have exalted him thereby, but he clung to the earth and followed his low desire . . . (7 :176) .