Introduction
God has communicated His instruction in various forms in the scripture to guide humanity in a right direction that we can understand and obey. Even His instruction is clear but we have disputed in many and have killed prophets due to our differences and jealousy and have divided His religion becoming many communities. He has revealed certain instruction in the scripture in the form of covenants, prophecies, promises, and lack of clear distinction between them the relevant crucial verses are not interpreted appropriately, while we know that many verses are interpreted based on paganism beliefs and personality cult. Thus, if we have clear understanding of them and can make clear distinction between them, we may avoid many misinterpretation and disputes being aware that even Quran has clear explanation but we cannot reflect to what should mean them to us. Here are 34 instances of meethaaq in Quran and its derived forms in 3 distinct grammatical forms as shown in the table below are reviewed while we know that an Arabic word may have a range of meanings depending on context:
Note: The above table is populated with data obtained from the corpus.quran.com
Instances of waathaqa
There is 1 instance of waathaqa meaning ‘to bond’ in the verb form III in 1 verse in 1 sura in the Quran is described below:
[5:7] And remember God’s favor upon you and His covenant which He has bound you with it(alladhee waathaqakum bihi) when you said: “We hear and obey,” and you shall fear God; indeed, God is Knower of what is inthe chests.
Instances of yuuthiqu
There is 1 instance of yuuthiqu meaning ‘to bond’ in the verb form IV in 1 verse in 1 sura in the Quran is described below:
[89:26] And He will not bond anyone His bond (wa-laa-yuuthiqu wathaaqahu ahadun).
Instances of mawthiq
There are 3 instances of mawthiq in the noun form meaning ‘promise’ in 2 verses across 1 sura in the Quran, are described below:
[12:66] He (Joseph’s father) said: “I will not send him with you until you give me a promise by God (hattaa tu’tuuni mawthiqan minal allahi), surely, you will cometo me with him except that you are surrounded by you”. So, when they gave him their promise (fa-lammaa aatawhu mawthiqahum), he said: “God is a Guardian over what we say.”
[12:80] So, when they had despaired from him (Joseph), they have conferred a consultation. The eldest of them said: “Do you not know that your father, certainly, has taken from you a promise by God (anna abaakum qad akhadha `alaykum mawthiqan mina allahi), and before, what you have failed with Joseph? I will not leave the (farm) land until my father permits me or God judges for me, and He is best of the judges.”
Instances of meethaaq
There are 25 instances of meethaaq in the noun form meaning ‘covenant’ in 23 verses across 9suras in the Quran, are described below:
[2:27] Those who break God’s promise after its covenant (alladheena yanquduuna `ahda allahi min ba`di meethaaqahi), and they sever what God has ordered with it that it will be joined, and they spread corruption in the earth. Those – they are the losers.
[2:63] And when we have taken your covenant (wa-idhaa akhadhnaa meethaaqakum), and we have raised the mount above you: “You shall take what we have given you with strength, and shall remember what is in it that you may become righteous.”
[2:83] And when we have taken covenant of Children of Israel (wa-idhaa akhadhnaa meethaaqa banee israaeela): “You do not worship except God, and with the parentsbe goodas well as with the relatives and the orphans and the needy, and shall speak nice to the people, and shall establish the Contact Prayer (al-salata), and shall give the Obligatory Charity (al-zakata).” Then you have turned away except a few of you, and you are those who turn from.
[2:84] And when we have taken your covenant (wa-idhaa akhadhnaa meethaaqakum): “You do not shed your blood, nor do you evict yourselves from your homes.” Then you have agreed and you are witnessing.
[2:93] And when we have taken your covenant (wa-idhaa akhadhnaa meethaaqakum), and have raised the mount above you: “You shall take what we have given you with strength, and shall listen.” They said: “We have heard and we have disobeyed!”, and they have been made to drink in their hearts of the calf because of their disbelief. Say: “It has been evil what orders you your faith with it if you have been believers!”
[3:81] And when God has taken a covenant of the prophets (wa-idhaa akhadha allahu meethaaqa al-nabiyeen): “Certainly, whatever I have given you of scripture and wisdom, then has come to you a messenger confirming that which is with yourselves. You must believe in him and you must support him.” He said: “Have you affirmed and taken My covenant on that?” They said: “We have affirmed.” He said: “Then you shall bear witness, and I am with you among the witnesses.”
[3:187] And when God has taken a covenant of those who have been given the scripture (wa-idhaa akhadha allahu meethaaqa alladheena uutuu al-kitaaba): “Certainly, you will make it clear to the people and will not conceal it.” Then they have thrown it behind their backs and have exchanged with it for a little price. So, it has been evil what they purchase.
[4:21] And how can you take it, and certainly, has gone one of you to another, and they (female) have taken from you a strong covenant (wa-akhadhna minkum meethaaqan ghaleezan)?
[4:90] Except those who join to a people between you and between them there is a treaty (illaa alladheena yasiluuna ilaa qawmin baynakum wa-baynahum meethaaqun), or have come to you has restrained their hearts that they fight you or they fight their people. If God has willed, certainly, He has given them strength over you that certainly, they have fought you. So, if they have withdrawn from you, and have offered to you the peace; then God has not made for you a way against them.
[4:92] And it has not been for a believer that he kills a believer except by mistake. And whoever has killed a believer by mistake, then freeing of a believing slave and paying of compensation to his family except that they remit as charity. But if he has been from a people of hostile to you and he was a believer, then freeing of a believing slave. And if he has been from a people of a treaty between you and between them (wa-in kaana min qawmin baynakum wa-baynahum meethaaqun), then paying of compensation to his family and freeing of a believing slave. And whoever does not find, then fasting of two consecutive months as a repentance from God; and God is Knower, Wise.
[4:154] And we have raised the mount above them with their covenant (wa-rafa`naa fawqahumu al-tuura bi-meethaaqihim), and we have said to them: “Enter the gate as prostrating,” and we have said to them: “You do not transgress in the Sabbath,” and we have taken a solemn covenant from them (wa-akhadhnaa min’hum meethaaqa ghaleezan).
[4:155] So, because of their breaking of their covenant (fa-bimaa naqdihim meethaaqahum), and their disbelief in God’s revelations, and their killing of the prophets without justness, and their saying: “Our hearts have wrappings.” Nay, God has placed a seal upon them (their hearts)because of their disbelief; so, they cannot believe except a few.
[5:7] And remember God’s favor upon you and His covenant (wa-udh’kuruu ni`mata allahi `alaykum wa-meethaaqahu) which He has bound you with it when you said: “We hear and obey,” and you shall fear God; indeed, God is Knower of what is in the chests.
[5:12] And certainly, God has taken a covenant of Children of Israel (wa-laqad akhadha allahu meethaaqa banee is’raa’eela), and we have raised twelve patriarchs from them. And God said, “Indeed, I am with you, certainly if you have established the Contact Prayer (al-salata), and have given the obligatory charity (al-zakata), and have believed in My messengers and have honored them, and have loaned God a good loan; surely, I will remove your evil deeds from you, and surely, I will admit you to gardens flowing the rivers of their underneath. So, whoever has disbelieved after that from you, then certainly, he has strayed off the right path.”
[5:13] So, because of their breaking of their covenant (fa-bimaa naqdihim meethaaqahum), we have cursed them and have made hardening of their hearts. They distort the word from its contexts and have forgot a part of what they have been reminded with it. And you will not cease to discover of betrayer from them except a few. So, you shall pardon from them and overlook; indeed, God loves the good doers.
[5:14] And of those who have said: “Indeed, we are Christians,” we have taken their covenant that they have forgotten a part of what they have been reminded with it (akhadhnaa meethaaqahum fa-nasuu hazzan mimmaa dhukkiruu bihi). So, we have aroused between them the animosity and the hatred till a Day of the Resurrection; and God will inform them of what they have done to achieve.
[5:70] Certainly, we have taken a covenant of Children of Israel (laqad akhadhnaa meethaaqa banee is’raa’eela) and we have sent our messengers to them. Whenever a messenger has come to them with what their souls do not desire; a group – they have denied, and a group – they kill.
[7:169] Then has succeeded after them successors have inherited the scripture, they take goods of this – the lower and say: “It will be forgiven for us.” And if comes to them goods similar to it they will take it. Is not taken a covenant of the scripture on them(a-lam yu’khadh `alayhim meethaaqu al-kitaabi) that they will not say about God except the truth while they have studied what is in it? And the abode of the Hereafter is better for those who fear (God). Do you not then comprehend?
[8:72] Indeed, those who have believed and have emigrated and have strived with their wealth and their lives in God’s way, and those who have given shelter and have supported – those of them are allies of one another. And those who have believed and do not emigrate, is not for you of their protection in anything until they emigrate. And if they seek your help in the religion, then upon you is the help except upon a people between you and between them there is a treaty (fa-`alaykum al-nasru illaa `alaa qawmin baynakum wa-baynakum meethaaqun). And God is Seer of what you do.
[13:20] Those who fulfill of God’s pledge, and they do not break the covenant (wa-laa-yanquduuna al-meethaaqa).
[13:25] And those who break God’s pledge after its covenant (wa-alladheena yanquduuna `ahda allahi min ba’di meethaaqihi), and they sever what God has ordered with it that it will be joined, and they spread corruption in the earth. Those – for them is the curse and for them is an evil of the abode.
[33:7] And when we have taken their covenant from the prophets (wa-idh akhadhnaa mina al-nabiyeena meethaaqahum), and from you (Muhammad), and from Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, son of Mary. And we have taken a solemn covenant from them.
[57:8] And what is for you – you do not believe in God while the messenger calls you that you believe in your Lord? And certainly, He has taken your covenant if you have been believers (wa-qad akhadha meethaaqahum in kuntum mu’mineena).
Instances of wathaaq
There are 2 instances of wathaaq in the noun form meaning ‘bond’ in 2 verses in 2 suras, are described below:
[47:4] So, when you have encountered those who have disbelieved, then strike the necks until when you have defeated them, then bind at the bond (fa-shudduu al-wathaaqa). Then either a favor after or ransom until the war lays down its burdens. That you do. And if God willed, He could have punished Himself of them, but that He tests you with one another. And those who have been killed in God’s way, He will not cause their deeds to go waste.
[89:26] And He will not bond anyone His bond (wa-laa-yuuthiqu wathaaqahu ahadun).
Instances of wuth’qaa
There are 2 instances of wuth’qaa in the adjective form meaning ‘firm’ in 2 verses in 2 suras, are described below:
[2:256] There is no compulsion in the religion. Certainly, the right has made distinct from the wrong. So, whoever disbelieves in the false deities and believes in God, then certainly, he has grasped with the handle, the firm is not breaking for it (fa-qad is’tamsaka bil-ur’wati al-wuth’qaa laa-infisaama lahaa). And God is Hearer, Knower.
[31:22] And whoever submits himself to God while he is a good-doer, then certainly, he has grasped with the handle, the firm (fa-qad is’tamsaka bil-ur’wati al-wuth’qaa). And to God is end of all matters.
Summary
- Joseph’s father said to his other sons that I will not send him (Joseph)with you until you promise to me by God that you will come to me with him.
- During their consultation, the eldest brother said to his other brothers that your father has taken a promise from you by God what you have failed with Joseph.
- Those who break God’s promise after its covenant, they spread corruption in the earth and they are the losers.
- God has taken a covenant of the people of Israel at the mount that whatever I have given you shall remember what is in it that you may become righteous.
- He has taken a covenant of Children of Israel that you do not worship except God, and be good with the parents and to the people, and shall establish salat and shall give zakat.
- He has taken a covenant of Children of Israel that you do not shed your blood, nor do you evict your yourselves from your homes.
- He has taken a covenant of the prophets that I have given you scripture and wisdom, then has come to you a messenger confirming that which is with yourselves is a confirmation in the Quran being it in all previous scripture.
- He has taken a covenant of those who have been given the scripture that you will make it clear to the people and will not conceal it.
- When the couple seek divorce, the husbands should not take back what has been given to the wives as the wives have taken a strong covenant from the husbands at the time of marriage.
- You shall kill the disbelievers during the war except those who have between you and between them there is a treaty.
- If a believer who kills someone from a people of a treaty between you and between them by mistake will pay compensation to victim family as well as will free a slave.
- God has taken a solemn covenant at the mount that you do not transgress in the Sabbath.
- He has placed a seal on their hearts of the people of the scripture that they cannot believe because of their breaking of covenant, killing of the prophets and disbelief.
- He has taken a covenant of Children of Israel that you will hear and obey, and shall fear Him.
- He has taken a covenant of Children of Israel that He has raised 12 patriarchs from them and they have established salat and have given zakat, and have believed in His messengers and have honored them, and have loaned God a good loan to remove their deeds.
- Because of breaking of a covenant, God has cursed the Jews and has made hardening of their hearts. They distort the word from its contexts and have forgot a part of what they are reminded with it.
- God has taken a covenant of the Christians that they have forgotten a part of what they have been reminded with it while He has aroused the animosity and the hatred until a day of the Resurrection.
- He has taken a covenant from them of the scripture that they will not say about Him except the truth while they have studied what is in it.
- Those who have believed and do not emigrate, and if they seek your help in the religion, then upon you is the help except upon a people between you and between them there is a treaty.
- Those who break God’s pledge after its covenant, sever what God has ordered with it to be joined, and they spread corruption in the earth. For them is the curse and for them is an evil of the abode.
- God has taken a solemn covenant from the prophets referring to Muhammad, Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus that He has revealed the covenant of sending a messenger in the Quran.
- He has taken a covenant from the people that when the messenger calls you that you believe in your Lord if you have been the believers.
- when you have encountered those who have disbelieved, then strike the necks until when you have defeated them, then bind at the bond.
- The religion has made distinct the right from the wrong. So, whoever disbelieves in the false deities and believes in God, has grasped with the firm handle.
- Whoever submits himself to God while he is a good-doer, has grasped with the firm handle.
In conclusion, a careful review of the instances of meethaaq meaning ‘covenant’ may help us to understand God’s covenants making them different from His promises and prophecies revealed in the scripture. He has taken certain covenants that are very common being applicable to any generation of people: a covenant from the people those who have been given the scripture will make it clear to the people and will not conceal it, and from them of the scripture that they will not say about Him except the truth while they have studied what is in it and when the messenger calls, you believe in your Lord if you are believers, while those who break God’s covenant, sever what He has ordered with it to be joined and spread corruption in the earth, and for them there is an evil abode being the losers.
God has revealed many covenants in the scripture given to the people of Israel that they will hear and obey, and shall fear Him while because of their breaking of covenant, killing of prophets and disbelief, He has placed a seal on their hearts that they cannot believe. He has taken a covenant of the Jews as well as of the Christians that they have forgotten a part of what they have been reminded with it.
In fact, our reflection to a covenant as the conditional promise God has revealed in the scripture and a universal covenant He has taken of the prophets to send a messenger upon delivery of all scripture being in every scripture including the Quran as well as confirming it in the Quran being the final scripture, can open door for the people of all faiths to save their lives in the Hereafter when the covenant has been fulfilled.
Peaceful Friday, salaam and God bless.
Tafazzal (8/14/2020).