Allah commanded His believing servants to fullfil the promises and pledges that
He took from them and which they gave His servant and Messenger, Muhammad, peace
be upon him. Allah also commanded them to stand for the truth and give correct testimony.
He also reminded them of the obvious and subtle favors of the truth and guidance
that He granted them. Next, Allah informed them of the pledges and promises that
He took from the People of the Book, who were before them, the Jews and Christians.
When they broke these promises and covenants, Allah cursed them as a consequence
and expelled them from His grace and mercy. He also sealed their hearts from receiving
guidance and the religion of truth, beneficial knowledge and righteous actions.
Allah said,
﴿وَلَقَدْ أَخَذَ اللَّهُ مِيثَـقَ
بَنِى إِسْرَءِيلَ وَبَعَثْنَا مِنهُمُ اثْنَىْ عَشَرَ نَقِيباً﴾
(Indeed Allah took the covenant from the Children of Israel and We appointed twelve
leaders among them.) These twelve people were leaders who gave the pledge to Allah
to listen and obey Allah, His Messenger and His Book on behalf of their tribes.
Muhammad bin Ishaq and Ibn `Abbas said that this occurred when Musa went to fight
the mighty enemy (in Palestine), and Allah commanded him to choose a leader from
every tribe.
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