Al-Baqarah: (84) And [recall] when We took the covenant from you...

This verse indicates another type of Allah's favor upon them: that He enjoined this obligation upon them, they acknowledged its validity, and then they violated the covenant.

Regarding the phrase: "And [recall] when We took the covenant from you" (وإذ أخذنا ميثاقكم), there are several interpretations:

1. It is an address to the Jewish scholars during the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
2. It is an address to their ancestors, meaning: "And [recall] when We took the covenant from your fathers."
3. It is an address to the ancestors, serving as a reprimand to their descendants.

The meaning of "We took your covenant" (أخذنا ميثاقكم) is: We commanded you, emphasized the command, and you accepted and acknowledged its necessity and obligation.

Regarding the Almighty's saying: "You shall not shed your own blood" (لا تسفكون دماءكم), there is a difficulty: a person is naturally compelled not to kill himself. If this is the case, then forbidding it is pointless. The answer to this lies in several points:

1. This compulsion can change. It is established that some people (like certain Indians mentioned) consider self-killing a means to escape a world of corruption and join a world of light and righteousness, or for those for whom life has become too difficult. If the state of being compelled not to kill oneself is negated, then it is valid to be obligated regarding it.
2. It means: "You shall not kill one another." A person is considered to include anyone related to him by lineage or religion, similar to His saying: "Then kill yourselves" (Al-Baqarah: 54).
3. If one kills another, it is as if he killed himself because he will face retribution (Qisas).
4. Do not engage in fighting those who would kill you, lest you effectively kill yourselves.
5. Do not shed the blood of those who maintain your worldly interests, as this leads to your own destruction.

Regarding the Almighty's saying: "Nor expel yourselves from your homes" (ولا تخرجون أنفسكم), there are two interpretations:

1. Do not commit acts that warrant your expulsion from your dwellings.
2. It means forbidding some of you from expelling others from their homes, as this causes immense tribulation and hardship, bringing them close to ruin.

Regarding the Almighty's saying: "Then you acknowledged [it] while you were witnesses" (ثم أقررتم وأنتم تشهدون), there are several views:

1. This is the strongest view: You acknowledged the covenant and confessed to its binding nature upon yourselves, while you were witnesses against yourselves—like saying, "So-and-so confesses against himself," meaning he testifies to it.
2. You acknowledged accepting it, and some of you testified to this before others, as this practice was common and well-known among them.
3. While you are testifying today, O assembly of Jews, to the acknowledgment of this covenant by your ancestors.
4. The acknowledgment here means contentment with the command and patience under it. It is as if one says, "So-and-so does not tolerate oppression." Thus, the meaning is that Allah commanded you, and you were pleased with it, upheld it, and testified to its necessity and validity.

If it is asked: Why did He say "You acknowledged while you were witnesses" when the meanings are similar? We reply there are three opinions:

1. "You acknowledged" refers to your ancestors, and "while you are witnesses" refers to you testifying now to their acknowledgment.
2. "You acknowledged" refers to the time of the past covenant, and "while you are witnesses" refers to your subsequent testimony.
3. It is for emphasis.