M. H. Shakir, The Holy Quran; Arabic Text and English Translation; Foot-notes by M. H. Shakir (1974)
120. And the Jews will not be pleased with you, nor the Christians until you follow their religion. Say: Surely Allah’s guidance, that is the (true) guidance. And if you follow their desires after the knowledge that has come to you, you shall have no guardian from Allah, nor any helper.
121. Those to whom We have given the Book read it as it ought to be read. These believe in it; and whoever disbelieves in it, these it is that are the losers.
122. O children of Israel, call to mind My favour which I bestowed on you and that I made you excel the nations.
123. And be on your guard against a day when no soul shall avail another in the least neither shall any compensation be accepted from it, nor shall intercession profit it, nor shall they be helped.
124. And when his Lord tried Ibrahim with certain words, he fulfilled them. He said: Surely I will make you an Imam* of
* Allah choses whom He pleases as Prophets and Apostolic Imams.
Ibrahim was already a Prophet. Now a new distinction is conferred on him. He is made the Imam and spiritual leader of mankind.
He prayed for his offspring to the high office of the Imamat: Allah replied that His promise did not include the wrong doers and sinful.
The Holy Prophet of Islam has said that whoever died without knowing the Imam of his time, died the death of ignorance.
