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Sura 2: AL-Baqarah (The Cow)

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Sura 2: AL-Baqarah (The Cow) In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy This Sura of the Qur’an was one of the first Suras to be revealed after the migration to Medina took place. It is the longest Sura of the Qur’an. Most probably its verses were not revealed all at once. The verses of the Sura were revealed over a period of time interspersed with verses from other Suras. A review of the occasions for the revelation of some of its verses as well as the occasions for the revelation of some of the verses of the other long Suras – even though the description of these occasions may not have been absolutely unequivocal – indicates that the verses of each of the long Medinian Suras were not revealed all at once. Some verses of one Sura would be revealed followed by the revelation of few verses from another Sura and so on. The order of the revelation of the Suras was determined according to the order of the revelation of the opening verses of each Sura. The opening verses of this Sura were probably the first verses to be revealed after the Prophet’s (PBUH) migration to Medina. Other verses in this Sura, such as the one dealing with usury, were revealed at a much later date. The assignment of a specific verse to a specific Sura and the order of the verses within each Sura were decided according to God’s revelation. It has been narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim that Ibn ‘Abbas (RA) said, “The Prophet (PBUH) was the most generous person. He was even more generous during the month of Ramadan when he used to meet with the Archangel Gabriel. Gabriel (PBUH) used to meet with the Prophet (PBUH) every night during the month of Ramadan to recite the Qur’an.” Another version of this tradition states that Gabriel (PBUH) was teaching the Prophet (PBUH) the Qur’an during these meetings. It is confirmed that the Prophet (PBUH) has recited the complete Qur’an in the presence of Gabriel (PBUH) and that Gabriel (PBUH) has recited the complete Qur’an in the presence of the Prophet (PBUH). This indicates that these recitations were made for the Qur’an in its final form, with the proper arrangement of the verses in each Sura. Those who live in the shade of the Qur’an will feel that each Sura has its own specific features. One lives with these features in an atmosphere as if one is in the company of a living being. Each Sura has one or more basic themes all revolving around a fundamental concept. Each Sura has its own ambiance that connects all its different topics in harmony. This is a general feature that all the Suras of the Qur’an have in common. There are many hadiths about the blessings that one gains when he/she recites Surat al-Baqarah. Abu Hurrairah (RA) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said, “Do not make your homes like graveyards. Satan does not enter the home in which Surat al-Baqarah is recited.” Hawwa suggests that the Sura consists of an introduction, three sections, and a conclusion. This suggestion is based on the similarity between the beginning and end of each section. The introduction is comprised of the first twenty verses. The introduction describes three groups of people: those who are God conscious, those who disbelieve (reject faith), and the hypocrites. The first section of the Sura is comprised of the verses twenty-one to hundred and sixty-seven. This section starts with calling people to the worship of God. Then, it shows how the worship of God leads to God consciousness. God consciousness is then discussed using the stories of the Children of Israel and Prophet Abraham (PBUH). 1 The second section is comprised of the verses hundred and sixty-eight to two hundred and seven. This section discusses various pillars of Islam: prayers, fasting, alms, and pilgrimage. In addition to the discussion of the doctrine. All these topics are connected to the concepts of God consciousness and showing gratitude to God. The third section is comprised of the verses two hundred and eight to two hundred and eighty- four. This section explores various major issues that concern the individual, the family, and the community. This Sura deals with several topics woven around a central theme. The central theme has two dimensions. The first dimension deals with the response of the Children of Israel to the Islamic call in Medina and how they confronted the Muslims and the Messenger. This dimension also describes the alliances that the Jews of Medina formed with the hypocrites on one side and with the idolaters on the other side. The second dimension deals with the training process that the fledgling Muslim community went through in the early days of the message. This is the training that prepared the community to bear the responsibility of the call to Islam and to fulfill the conditions of being vicegerents on earth. Verses: 1 to 29 1. Alif. Lam. Mim. 2. This is the Book in which there is no doubt; in it there is guidance for those who are conscious of God; 3. Those who believe in the unseen, establish prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them; 4. And those who believe in the revelation sent to you, and that which was revealed before you, and have certitude in the Hereafter. 5. These are on (true) guidance, from their Lord, and it is these who will succeed. 6. Surely, those who disbelieve, it is the same to them whether you warn them or do not warn them; they will not believe. 7. God has set a seal on their hearts and on their hearing, and a veil on their eyes; great torment is theirs. 8. Some people say, "We believe in God and the Last Day;" but they do not (truly) believe. 9. They desire to deceive God and those who believe, but they only deceive themselves and they realize it not. 10. There is a disease in their hearts; and God has increased their disease. Painful is the torment they incur, as a result of their persistent lying. 11. When it is said to them, "Do not make mischief on earth," they say, "Why, we are only mending things." 12. Indeed, they are the ones who make mischief, but they realize it not. 13. When it is said to them, "Believe as the others believe;" they say, "Shall we believe as the fools believe?" Indeed, they are the fools, but they do not know. 14. When they meet those who believe, they say, "We believe;” but when they are alone with their evil ones, they say, "We are really with you. We were only mocking." 15. God will throw back their mockery on them, and give them rope in their trespasses; so they will wander like blind ones (to and fro). 2 16. These are they who bartered guidance for error. But their bargain is profitless, and they have lost true direction. 17. Their similitude is that of a man who kindled a fire; when it lighted all around him, God took away their light and left them in utter darkness. So they could not see. 18. Deaf, dumb, and blind, they will not return (to the path). 19. Or (another similitude) is that of a rain-laden cloud from the sky. In it are zones of darkness, and thunder and lightning. They press their fingers in their ears to keep out the stunning thunder-clap, for fear of death. But God encompasses the disbelievers. 20. The lightning all but snatches away their sight; every time the light shines on them, they walk therein, and when the darkness grows on them, they stand still. And if God willed, He could take away their faculties of hearing and seeing; for God has power over all things. 21. People, worship your Lord, who created you and those who came before you, that you may be conscious of Him. 22. Who made the earth a resting place and the sky a canopy, for you; and sent down rain from the sky; and brought forth therewith fruits for your sustenance; and do not set up rivals to God when you know (the truth). 23. And if you are in doubt as to what We have revealed to Our servant, then produce a single Sura like it; and call your witnesses (or helpers) besides God -if there are any - if you are truthful. 24. But if you cannot do it - and certainly you will not be able to do it - then guard yourselves against the fire whose fuel is people and stones, which is prepared for the disbelievers. 25. Prophet, give glad tidings to those who believe and do good deeds, that theirs are gardens, beneath which rivers flow. Every time they are fed with fruits therefrom, they say, "this is what we were given before,” for they are given things in similitude; and they will have pure mates; and they will abide therein (for ever). 26. God does not shy away from putting forward a parable even with something as small as a gnat, or larger. Those who believe know that it is the truth from their Lord; but the disbelievers say, "What does God mean by this parable?" By it, He causes many to go astray, and many He leads to the right path; but it is only the transgressors that He causes to go astray.
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