[21].Al-Anbiya' [The Prophets]: Ayat 48-50

Ayat 48. And indeed We granted to Mûsa (Moses) and Harun (Aaron) the criterion (of right and wrong), and a shining light [i.e. the Taurat (Torah)] and a Reminder for Al-Muttaqun (the pious).

Ayat 49. Those who fear their Lord without seeing Him, while they are afraid of the Hour.

Ayat 50. And this is a blessed Reminder (the Qur'an) which We have sent down, will you then (dare to) deny it?

[Tafseer] In the past We granted to Moses and Aaron the criterion (for judgment), and a Light and a Message for those who would do right,- Surah Baqrah 02: Ayat 53 and Ayat 68, where the meaning of Furqan is discussed. Here three things are mentioned as given to Moses and Aaron: (1) The Criterion for judgement; this might well be the wonderful Proofs they saw of Allah's goodness and glory from which they could have no doubt as to Allah's will and command; (2) the Light; this was the inner enlightenment of their soul, such as comes from inspiration; and (3) the Message, the book, the original book of Moses, which Aaron as his lieutenant would also use as a guide for his people. Those who fear their Lord in their most secret thoughts, and who hold the Hour (of Judgment) in awe. Note the three kinds of fear mentioned in Surah Anbiya ayat 48-49. Taqwa is the fear of running counter to the will of Allah; it is akin to the love of Him; for we fear to offend those we love; it results in right conduct, and those who entertain it are "those who would do right". Then there is Khashyah, the fear of Allah, lest the person who entertains it may be found, in his inmost thoughts, to be short of the standard which Allah wished for him; this is also righteous but in a less high degree than Taqwa which is akin to love. And thirdly, there is the fear of consequences on the Day of Judgement (ishfaq); this also may lead to righteousness, but is on a still lower plane. Perhaps the three correspond to the Criterion, the Light, and the Message (or Warning) of the last verse. And this is a blessed Message which We have sent down: will ye then reject it? Here is a Prophet and a Book, greater than Moses and his Book. Are you going to reject him and it? 

Hazrat Umar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) said, "Verily, Allah elevates some people with this Qur'an and abases others.''

[Muslim Book 04, Chapter 138, Hadith # 1780] 

Lesson : as mentioned above in Surah Al-Anbiya' Ayat 50."Reminder (the Qur'an) which We have sent down, will you then (dare to) deny it?" Only such people will be elevated who act upon the teachings of the Qur'an and abstain from what is forbidden by Allah. The Muslims of the early centuries of Islam were blessed with great honour by Allah because they loved and applied the Qur'an. Because of this meaningful attachment with the Qur'an, they made great achievements in religious and worldly spheres. Those who neglected the teachings of Islam will be disgraced and humiliated. May Allah guide and enable us to re-establish our contact with the Qur'an so that we can regain our past glory. Exaltation and humiliation mentioned in the Hadith is bound to happen in both this life and the Hereafter.