Sūrat al-Baqarah
Section 16 of 59 · Surah Studies · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
For Them What They Earned
And at length, in the final point, comes the manner in which Allah closes the chapter:
تِلْكَ أُمَّةٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ ۖ لَهَا مَا كَسَبَتْ وَلَكُم مَّا كَسَبْتُمْ ۖ وَلَا تُسْـَٔلُونَ عَمَّا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ
“Those are a people who have passed away. For them is what they earned, and for you is what you earned, and you shall not be questioned about what they have been doing.” (2:141)
A fine way to end it. They are a people who have passed away; theirs is what they earned, and yours will be what you earn. Do not simply revel in their histories: do something for yourself. You will not be questioned about what they were doing; you will be questioned about yourself. Let no one suppose that descent from such a family, or from this line or that, or from nobility, will avail him. It is a matter of one's own deeds and actions. So Allah (swt) closes the chapter.