سورة البقرة   

Surah Name: Al-Baqarah Meaning:The Cow

  • Revealed at Madinah
  • The Longest Surah of the Quran.
  • This Surah, with reference to its revelation, is Madni and some of its Aayat and injunctions pertain to the very last period of Quranic revelation, but in order of placement it is in the very beginning. The Quran, an answer to the prayer contained in al-Fatihah, begins with this Surah. There was a basic difference in the life patterns of Makkah and Madinah. The addressees of Divine Revelation at Makkah in general, were the pagans and the idolaters; but at Madinah there were also people who considered themselves to be the nearest to Allah-SWT and the true followers of Prophet Musa--AS (Moses). Whereas, in reality, over the passage of time, they had not only forgotten his teachings, but had also distorted the Divine Scriptures. They had replaced worship with rituals, and true faith with absurd beliefs. Despite this they claimed to be on the right path. The Quran in the first place, highlighted the difference between belief and disbelief. Thus the very first Aayat of this Surah also spells out the fundamentals of Islam
  • Total Number of Rukū / Sections 40
  • Total Number of Āyāt / Parts 286
  • Sūrah / Chapter number 2
  • Rukū / Section 36 contains Āyāt / Parts 6
  • Siparah/ Volume 1 & 2

bismillah

مَّثَلُ الَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ كَمَثَلِ حَبَّةٍ أَنبَتَتْ سَبْعَ سَنَابِلَ فِي كُلِّ سُنبُلَةٍ مِّئَةُ حَبَّةٍ وَاللّهُ يُضَاعِفُ لِمَن يَشَاء وَاللّهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ

Mathalu allatheena yunfiqoona amwalahum fee sabeeli Allahi kamathali habbatin anbatat sabAAa sanabila fee kulli sunbulatin miatu habbatin wa(A)llahu yudaAAifu liman yashao wa(A)llahu wasiAAun AAaleem(un)

The likeness of those who spend their possessions in the way of Allah-SWT, is that of a grain which grows seven ears and each ear has a hundred grains. And  Allaah-SWT grants  manifold  increase  to  whom  He-SWT  pleases. And Allaah-SWT is Bountiful, Knowing.

(2:261)

الَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ ثُمَّ لاَ يُتْبِعُونَ مَا أَنفَقُواُ مَنًّا وَلاَ أَذًى لَّهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَلاَ خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلاَ هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ

Allatheena yunfiqoona amwalahum fee sabeeli Allahi thumma la yutbiAAoona maanfaqoo mannan wala athan lahum ajruhum AAinda rabbihim wala khawfun AAalayhim wala hum yahzanoon(a)

Those who spend their possessions in the cause of Allah-SWT, and do not  follow up their spending by reminders of generosity and hurt, their reward is with their Rabb-SWT , and on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.

(2:262)

قَوْلٌ مَّعْرُوفٌ وَمَغْفِرَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِّن صَدَقَةٍ يَتْبَعُهَآ أَذًى وَاللّهُ غَنِيٌّ حَلِيمٌ

Qawlun maAAroofun wamaghfiratun khayrun min sadaqatin yatbaAAuha athan wa(A)llahu ghaniyyun haleem(un)

A kind word and forgiveness are better than charity followed by hurt And Allaah-SWT is Self-Sufficing, Forbearing.

(2:263)

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ لاَ تُبْطِلُواْ صَدَقَاتِكُم بِالْمَنِّ وَالأذَى كَالَّذِي يُنفِقُ مَالَهُ رِئَاء النَّاسِ وَلاَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ فَمَثَلُهُ كَمَثَلِ صَفْوَانٍ عَلَيْهِ تُرَابٌ فَأَصَابَهُ وَابِلٌ فَتَرَكَهُ صَلْدًا لاَّ يَقْدِرُونَ عَلَى شَيْءٍ مِّمَّا كَسَبُواْ وَاللّهُ لاَ يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْكَافِرِينَ

Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo la tubtiloo sadaqatikum bi(a)lmanni wa(a)lathaka(a)llathee yunfiqu malahu riaa a(l)nnasi wala yuminu bi(A)llahi wa(a)lyawmi alakhiri famathaluhu kamathali safwanin AAalayhi turabun faasabahu wabilun fatarakahusaldan la yaqdiroona AAala shayin mimma kasaboo wa(A)llahu la yahdee alqawma alkafireen(a)

O you who believe! Do not annul your charity by reminders of your generosity and hurt, like the one who spends his wealth for show off and neither believes in Allaah-SWT nor the Last Day. His likeness is that of a smooth rock with dust on it; heavy rain falls and leaves it bare. Such people shall have no power over their acts. And Allah-SWT guides not the non-believers.

(2:264)

وَمَثَلُ الَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمُ ابْتِغَاء مَرْضَاتِ اللّهِ وَتَثْبِيتًا مِّنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ كَمَثَلِ جَنَّةٍ بِرَبْوَةٍ أَصَابَهَا وَابِلٌ فَآتَتْ أُكُلَهَا ضِعْفَيْنِ فَإِن لَّمْ يُصِبْهَا وَابِلٌ فَطَلٌّ وَاللّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ

Wamathalu allatheena yunfiqoona amwalahumu ibtighaa mardati Allahi watathbeetan min anfusihim kamathali jannatin birabwatin asabaha wabilun faatat okulaha diAAfayni fain lam yusibha wabilun fatallun wa(A)llahu bima taAAmaloona baser(un)

And the likeness of those who spend their possessions seeking to please Allaah-SWT and to strengthen their souls is that of a garden on height; a torrent falls on it and doubles its fruit yield, and if it does not receive heavy rain, even light moisture suffices it. And Allaah-SWT sees all that you do.

(2:265)

أَيَوَدُّ أَحَدُكُمْ أَن تَكُونَ لَهُ جَنَّةٌ مِّن نَّخِيلٍ وَأَعْنَابٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الأَنْهَارُ لَهُ فِيهَا مِن كُلِّ الثَّمَرَاتِ وَأَصَابَهُ الْكِبَرُ وَلَهُ ذُرِّيَّةٌ ضُعَفَاء فَأَصَابَهَا إِعْصَارٌ فِيهِ نَارٌ فَاحْتَرَقَتْ كَذَلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللّهُ لَكُمُ الآيَاتِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَفَكَّرُونَ

Ayawaddu ahadukum an takoona lahu jannatun min nakheelin waaAAnabin tajree min tahtiha alanharu lahu feeha min kulli a(l)ththamarati waasabahu alkibaru walahuthurriyyatun duAAafao faasabaha iAAsarun feehi narun fa(i)htaraqat kathalika yubayyinu Allahu lakumu alayati laAAallakum tatafakkaroon(a)

Would any of you like that he has a garden of date-palms and vines, with streams flowing underneath, for him are all kinds of fruit, and old age overtakes him while his children are weak, and a fiery whirlwind should hit it and all is burnt up? Thus Allaah-SWT makes His-SWT Ayat clear to you that you may reflect.

(2:266)

In The Name of Allah-SWT the Most Gracious, The Most Merciful
SECRETS OF REVELATION:

The likeness of those who spend... And Allah-SWT is Self-Sufficing, Forbearing.

A believer spending in Allah-SWT's cause is like a farmer sowing a crop. Apparently he toils to prepare the field and sprinkles the hard earned grain over it. To an onlooker, unaware of the outcome, the whole effort may appear to be a waste of labour and grain. But the one who knows the results guards the field until the time when a single grain yields seven ears and each ear is so healthy that it yields a hundred grains. Thus the little amount of grain, which he had sown, becomes source of a large stock. But all this is possible when the soil is fertile, proper effort is exerted in its tillage, a superior quality of seed is used and sown at the right time and good care is taken during the entire process.

 

Similarly, for charity the first prerequisite is faith, which means that one believes this world to be tilt of the ‘Akhirah’. Then the seed is to be pure i.e. the wealth spent is earned through lawful and permissible means, because Allah-SWT accepts nothing unlawful. And this wealth must be spent on the deserving people in accordance with the teaching of the Holy Prophet-SW and must not be squandered away. In return, the Almighty-SWT may reward such people manifold as He-SWT is extremely Generous and Beneficent and is fully aware of the purity of the motives of His-SWT subjects. Therefore, the more you will strive for Him-SWT ; the greater will He-SWT increase your rewards, for He-SWT is extremely Generous.

 

However, do guard against reiterating your favour and causing hurt to the recipient. He-SWT should not be humiliated or embarrassed by making public the favour. Those who thus safeguard their charity will certainly find their reward with Allah-SWT . They will neither feel sorry for what they have previously spent not have any fear of the future.

 

If one does not have anything to give away in charity or he does not wish to spend, he should at least speak kindly to the needy. The kind words are also a form of charity and are indeed better than charity followed by insult and reproach. One should at least express his inability to help in gentle words. If the needy is insolent importune, it should be overlooked. Allah-SWT is Independent of all wants, so anyone who spends does so for his own benefit and not to do Him-SWT any good. He-SWT is very Tolerant. He-SWT ignores your countless faults, and does not punish you at once. Now if a needy asks for help in His-SWT Name, he should not be scolded but spoken to graciously.

 

O you who believe!.......and  Allah-SWT guides not the non-believers.

Those who believe in Allah-SWT , in the ‘Akhirah’ and in the tenets of Deen must not ruin their charity by taunt or reproach to the beneficiary. It would amount to losing the tilt before any yield and the whole effort would go waste, leaving only anguish behind. It will be just like spending for show without faith in Allah-SWT and in the ‘Akhirah’. Dissimulation vitiates faith and belief and does not befit a believer, who spends only for seeking Allah-SWT's Pleasure.

 

While Allah-SWT is witnessing and is Aware of every action, why display before people to seek their applause? And if spending is only to gain popularity, it will be like cultivating a rock covered by a thin layer of soil, which shall be washed away by the first spell of rain leaving the rock bare, with no results. A non-believer wastes his charity altogether because he is devoid of faith in the Akhirah and spends only for worldly gain or fame. Allah-SWT does not bless such ingrates even with the capacity to be guided, as they prefer fame over His Pleasure.

 

And the likeness of those ... and Allah-SWT sees all that you do.

And those who spend in Allah-SWT's Cause purely to seek His-SWT Countenance, with a devoted heart, can be well compared to a garden on an elevated land. Tafsir-e-Mazhari defines Rabwah as a piece of land astride a canal, which is neither too high to be irrigated nor low enough to allow stagnant water. Indeed it is a land evenly placed by the canal. Such land is always of superior quality. When it receives a considerably generous downpour it yields double the expected quantity of fruits. And even if there is no rain, a drizzle is enough to do the job. This example signifies that the intention should be pure for it is the land, the money spent should be lawful for it is the seed, the spending should be in line with Sunnah and the charity should be guarded against follow ups for expressing favours and dissimulation. Such charity is bound to attract Allah-SWT's Mercy, Who-SWT will increase its reward manifold. Allah-SWT is well Aware of all your actions and nothing is out of His-SWT View.

 

Would any of you like ... that you may reflect.

Would anyone ever like to be in a situation whereby he owns orchards of grapes and date palms laden with fruit, with water channels flowing by which he grew after a lifetime of hard work and labour. And then when he grows old and is unable to put in much effort, and has dependant women and children, whirlwind strikes his orchard setting it ablaze. Just imagine his ordeal! Similarly someone rightfully spends in Allah-SWT's Cause, but a desire for display or fame creeps into his heart, after death when he will be in dire need of good act, he will see the blooming orchard of his charity reduced to ashes by the fire of corrupted intention. How helpless and wistful he would be when there will be no hope for any help or assistance from any quarter, nor will there be an opportunity for atonement!

 

These illustrations are a Divine invitation for people to ponder over lest their worships are washed away unwittingly.

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