Surah Al-Baqarah: Powerful Stories, Life-Changing Lessons, and Spiritual Insights

 “Surah Al-Baqarah: Powerful Stories, Life-Changing Lessons, and Spiritual Insights"

The second chapter of the Quran is called Surah Al-Baqarah. The word "Baqarah" means "cow," and this chapter mentions a significant event ( Stories ) related to a cow. Therefore, it is named Surah Al-Baqarah, meaning "The Chapter of the Cow."

Quran Reference:

(Surah Al-Baqarah: 67-71)

Quran reference:

وَإِذْ قَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِقَوْمِهِۦۤ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَن تَذْبَحُوا۟ بَقَرَةࣰۖ قَالُوٓا۟ أَتَتَّخِذُنَا هُزُوࣰاۖ قَالَ أَعُوذُ بِٱللَّهِ أَنْ أَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلْجَـٰهِلِينَ (67)

قَالُوا۟ ٱدْعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ يُبَيِّن لَّنَا مَا هِىَۚ قَالَ إِنَّهُۥ يَقُولُ إِنَّهَا بَقَرَةࣱ لَّا فَارِضࣱ وَلَا بِكْرٌ عَوَانُۢ بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ فَٱفْعَلُوا۟ مَا تُؤْمَرُونَ (68)

قَالُوا۟ ٱدْعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ يُبَيِّن لَّنَا مَا لَوْنُهَاۚ قَالَ إِنَّهُۥ يَقُولُ إِنَّهَا بَقَرَةࣱ صَفْرَآءُ فَاقِعࣱ لَّوْنُهَا تَسُرُّ ٱلنَّـٰظِرِينَ (69)

قَالُوا۟ ٱدْعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ يُبَيِّن لَّنَا مَا هِىَ إِنَّ ٱلْبَقَرَ تَشَـٰبَهَ عَلَيْنَا وَإِنَّآ إِن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ لَمُهْتَدُونَ (70)

قَالَ إِنَّهُۥ يَقُولُ إِنَّهَا بَقَرَةࣱ لَّا ذَلُولࣱ تُثِيرُ ٱلْأَرْضَ وَلَا تَسْقِى ٱلْحَرْثَ مُسَلَّمَةࣱ لَّا شِيَةَ فِيهَاۚ قَالُوا۟ ٱلْـَٔـٰنَ جِئْتَ بِٱلْحَقِّ فَذَبَحُوهَا وَمَا كَادُوا۟ يَفْعَلُونَ (71)

English Translation:

"And [recall] when Moses said to his people, 'Indeed, Allah commands you to slaughter a cow.' They said, 'Do you take us in ridicule?' He said, 'I seek refuge in Allah from being among the ignorant.'" (67)

"They said, 'Call upon your Lord to make clear to us what it is.' He said, 'He says, "It is a cow neither old nor young, but between that—so do what you are commanded."'" (68)

"They said, 'Call upon your Lord to show us what its color is.' He said, 'He says, "It is a yellow cow, bright in color—pleasing to those who see it."'" (69)

"They said, 'Call upon your Lord to make clear to us what it is. Indeed, all cows look alike to us. And indeed, we, if Allah wills, will be guided.'" (70)

"He said, 'He says, "It is a cow neither trained to plow the earth nor to irrigate the field, one free of fault with no spot upon her."'" They said, 'Now you have come with the truth.' So they slaughtered her, but they could hardly do it." (71)

Hadith Referene to Surah Al-Baqarah

Quran reference :

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رضي الله عنه أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ:

"لَا تَجْعَلُوا بُيُوتَكُمْ مَقَابِرَ، إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ يَنْفِرُ مِنَ الْبَيْتِ الَّذِي تُقْرَأُ فِيهِ سُورَةُ الْبَقَرَةِ."

(صحيح مسلم: 780)

English Translation:

Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

"Do not turn your houses into graves. Indeed, Satan flees from the house in which Surah Al-Baqarah is recited."

(Sahih Muslim: 780)

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was appointed as a prophet at the age of 40 and passed away at the age of 63. He spent 23 years as a prophet, with 13 years in Mecca and 10 years in Medina.

The chapters of the Quran that were revealed during the first 13 years in Mecca are called "Makki" chapters, while those revealed during the last 10 years in Medina are called "Madani" chapters.

Surah Al-Fatihah is a Makki chapter with seven verses, while Surah Al-Baqarah is a Madani chapter with 284 verses and 40 sections. Therefore, Surah Al-Baqarah is the longest chapter in the Quran.

In terms of meaning, Surah Al-Fatihah can be considered as an introduction or preface to the Quran, similar to the introduction or foreword of a book.

The Quran's second chapter, Surah Al-Baqarah, is named after the story of the cow mentioned in it. This chapter marks the beginning of the Quran's main message.

Surah Al-Fatihah, with its seven verses, serves as an introduction to the Quran, outlining the book's main themes. In contrast, Surah Al-Baqarah, with its 284 verses, presents the Quran's core message.

The Quran's message is divided into three categories: 

Believers, disbelievers, and hypocrites. The chapter then invites all humanity to accept the Quran's principles, citing the story of Adam (peace be upon him) as evidence of God's promise to guide humanity.

For Believers:

Surah Al-Baqarah (2:2-3)

Quran reference :

ذَٰلِكَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبُ لَا رَيۡبَۛ فِيهِۛ هُدٗى لِّلۡمُتَّقِينَ ٢ ٱلَّذِينَ يُؤۡمِنُونَ بِٱلۡغَيۡبِ وَيُقِيمُونَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقۡنَٰهُمۡ يُنفِقُونَ ٣

English Translation:

"This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah—those who believe in the unseen, establish prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them."

For Disbelievers:

Surah Al-Baqarah (2:6-7)

Quran reference:

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ سَوَآءٌ عَلَيۡهِمۡ ءَأَنذَرۡتَهُمۡ أَمۡ لَمۡ تُنذِرۡهُمۡ لَا يُؤۡمِنُونَ ٦ خَتَمَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمۡ وَعَلَىٰ سَمۡعِهِمۡ وَعَلَىٰٓ أَبۡصَٰرِهِمۡ غِشَٰوَةٞۖ وَلَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٞ ٧

English Translation:

"Indeed, those who disbelieve—it is all the same for them whether you warn them or do not warn them—they will not believe. Allah has set a seal upon their hearts and upon their hearing, and over their vision is a veil. And for them is a great punishment."

For Hypocrites:

Surah Al-Baqarah (2:8-10)

Quran reference:

وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يَقُولُ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَبِٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأٓخِرِ وَمَا هُم بِمُؤۡمِنِينَ ٨ يُخَٰدِعُونَ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَمَا يَخۡدَعُونَ إِلَّآ أَنفُسَهُمۡ وَمَا يَشۡعُرُونَ ٩ فِي قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٞ فَزَادَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ مَرَضٗاۖ وَلَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمُۢ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَكۡذِبُونَ ١٠

English Translation:

"And among the people are those who say, 'We believe in Allah and the Last Day,' but they are not believers. They seek to deceive Allah and those who believe, but they deceive not except themselves, and they do not perceive it. In their hearts is a disease, so Allah has increased their disease; and for them is a painful punishment because they used to lie."

The Invitation to Humanity & The Story of Adam (Peace Be Upon Him):

Surah Al-Baqarah (2:30-32, 2:38)

Quran reference:

وَإِذۡ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلۡمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ إِنِّي جَاعِلٞ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ خَلِيفَةٗۖ قَالُوٓا۟ أَتَجۡعَلُ فِيهَا مَن يُفۡسِدُ فِيهَا وَيَسۡفِكُ ٱلدِّمَآءَ وَنَحۡنُ نُسَبِّحُ بِحَمۡدِكَ وَنُقَدِّسُ لَكَۖ قَالَ إِنِّيٓ أَعۡلَمُ مَا لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ ٣٠ وَعَلَّمَ ءَادَمَ ٱلۡأَسۡمَآءَ كُلَّهَا ثُمَّ عَرَضَهُمۡ عَلَى ٱلۡمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ فَقَالَ أَنۢبِـُٔونِي بِأَسۡمَآءِ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ إِن كُنتُمۡ صَٰدِقِينَ ٣١ قَالُوا۟ سُبۡحَٰنَكَ لَا عِلۡمَ لَنَآ إِلَّا مَا عَلَّمۡتَنَآۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ ٣٢

English Translation:

"And [mention] when your Lord said to the angels, 'Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority.' They said, 'Will You place upon it one who causes corruption and sheds blood, while we declare Your praise and sanctify You?' He said, 'Indeed, I know that which you do not know.' And He taught Adam the names—all of them. Then He showed them to the angels and said, 'Inform Me of the names of these, if you are truthful.' They said, 'Exalted are You; we have no knowledge except what You have taught us. Indeed, it is You who are the Knowing, the Wise.'"

Surah Al-Baqarah (2:38)

Quran reference :

قُلۡنَا ٱهۡبِطُوا۟ مِنۡهَا جَمِيعٗاۖ فَإِمَّا يَأۡتِيَنَّكُم مِّنِّي هُدٗى فَمَن تَبِعَ هُدَايَ فَلَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡهِمۡ وَلَا هُمۡ يَحۡزَنُونَ

English Translation:

"We said, 'Go down from it, all of you. And when guidance comes to you from Me, whoever follows My guidance—there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.'"

Summary:

Believers: The Quran is a guide for those conscious of Allah.

Disbelievers: They reject faith, and their hearts are sealed.

Hypocrites: They claim to believe but deceive only themselves.

All of humanity: The story of Adam (peace be upon him) illustrates God's promise to guide those who follow His path.

The Quran is presented as a fulfillment of this divine promise. The chapter then addresses the Jewish community, inviting them to follow the Quran's principles and highlighting the corruption that has developed within their community.

The chapter also mentions Jesus (peace be upon him) and addresses both Jewish and Christian communities, explaining why they are no longer eligible to rule on God's behalf.

The chapter concludes by discussing Abraham's (peace be upon him) mission to establish the monotheistic faith, emphasizing the brotherhood of all humans and the need for a new community to uphold Allah's principles on earth. This new community will be established through Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

As we reach this point, it becomes clear that Allah is establishing a new nation. In verse 153, Allah addresses this new nation, telling them that they will be tested. At the same time, they are given the good news of victory.

The subsequent verses, from 153 to 189, outline the laws and regulations for this new nation, including instructions on jihad, Ramadan, and financial dealings. The mention of Ramadan before jihad is because Ramadan is, in fact, a month of jihad, and fasting prepares the nation for jihad.

In verse 190, God clearly commands jihad. After discussing jihad, the Quran mentions Hajj and then addresses the rights of women and the laws of marriage. These two topics are relevant because, after jihad, issues related to women and marriage would inevitably arise.

The Quran also mentions the story of Talut and Jalut, which is another example of how Allah establishes a new nation. The final verse of Surah Al-Baqarah, وَلَنَنصُرَنَّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ

"We will surely aid the believers to victory," (Quran 3:47) highlights the ultimate outcome of the Quran's message.

In summary, Allah has presented the case of Islam to the world through Surah Al-Baqarah, demonstrating how nations that acknowledge Allah's sovereignty will triumph over those that do not. May Allah grant us the ability to follow the teachings of the Quran.