Following the deliverance of Beni Israel from the enemy, acovenant was established on the right slope of Mount Sanai, ostensibly for asecure future. They were provided ‘Manna and Salwa’: ”O Children of Israel! Wehave delivered you from your enemy, and promised you by the right side of theMount, and send down to you Manna and Salwa” (20:80)
The covenant was made through the revelations to Moses[Hazrat Musa (A.S)] that following deliverance the children of Israel wouldhave a secure future and shall be provided ‘Manna and Salwa’ which translatesto Godsend sustenance, a blessing, a boon. It however came with a warning:”Eat of the good things We have provided for you, but do not be excessivetherein, lest My wrath descends on you. He upon whom My wrath descends hasfallen” (20:81)
The Ayah-e-Sharif implies that children of Israel maypartake all the pleasant thing Allah (SwT) has in His Infinite Bounty providedfor them, but they may not transgressthe bounds of equity—the bounds of justness, of fair play. Were the children ofIsrael to do that, a dire punishment awaits them, as per the Divine Law ofMukafat (retributive justice). And, they may remember that people upon whomsuch a chastisement is unleashed fall into an abyss. There is however a comfortingnote of forgiveness: ”And I am Forgiving towards one who repents, believes,acts righteously, and then remains guided” (20:82)
A breather is provided; an outlet of comfort, holding thatto come out of abyss, return to righteous path is ordained. Leaving theerroneous path and getting to do virtuous deeds would not only helpindividuals, but put societal order in right shape. There is a rider however,once the guidance is taken to be matter of faith, there is no alternative butto remain guided.
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