Surah Baqarah is the 2nd chapter of the Holy Quran and the longest Surah, consisting of 286 verses. It was revealed in Madinah on the heart of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.W.); consequently, it’s considered a Madani Surah. Let’s look together at the benefits and significance of Surah Baqarah.
To begin with, Surah Baqarah is the most superior Surah of the Holy Quran. Indeed all the surahs revealed on the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.W.). are full of infinite gems and miracles. But each Surah of the Holy book has some remarkable and explicit features that differentiate it from other surahs. Therefore, at whatever point one references the advantages or gifts of any surah does not mean the slightest bit that the Surah is more significant than the others.
Instead, each Surah reveals a unique situation and a specific issue and addresses the core of a particular matter. In this article, we will dive into the message of Surah Baqarah about Taqwa and discussion about Bani-Israel in the light of the affirmations (Sahih hadith) of the adored Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.W.).
Significance And Benefits of Surah Baqarah
One of the reasons that Surah Baqarah was ranked as the most superior Surah of the Holy Quran is that reading it brings to life uncountable blessings. We would shed light on some of them in the following lines.
Surah Baqarah is an impregnable fortress against Shaytan and black eye:
Surah Baqarah protects the individual who recites it from the evil eye, black magic. Moreover, It brings tremendous barakah and harmony into one’s life and time.
As narrated by Hazrat Abu Hurayrah (R.A.) that the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) said:
“Don’t transform your homes into graves. Verily, Shaytan doesn’t go into the house where Surah Al-Baqarah is recounted.”
Surah Baqarah will lead to big awards on the Day of Judgment and add blessings in this everyday life:
In hadith, Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) said:
“The Quran, for on the Day of Resurrection it will come as a middle person for the individuals who recount It. Recite the two virtuous ones; al-Baqarah, and Surah Al’ Imran. On the Day of Resurrection, they will come under two veils of mist or two shades; or two runs of birds in positions, arguing for the individuals who recited them. Read Surah al-Baqarah; to take responsibility to. It is a gift, and for deniers, it is a reason for sadness; and the unknowingly can’t stand up to it.”
In the last section of Surah Baqarah are some of the most significant verses of the Quran:
In hadith, Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) said:
“Whoever recounts the last two verses of Surah al-Baqarah around evening time that will do the virtues to him” (Bukhari)
Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.W.) said:
“For sure Allah wrote in a book 2,000 years before He made the sky and the earth, and He sent down two Ayahs (refrains) from it to end Surah al Baqarah. If they are recited for three evenings in a home, no Shaitan (fallen angel) will draw close to it.”
(Tirmidhi)
Discussion in Surah Baqarah about Bani-Israel
Before the arrival of our dearest Prophet (ﷺ), Bani Israel were the chosen individuals of the Lord. They were the most cherished and regarded country among every one of the world’s countries. Allah Almighty sent down a few Prophets towards them occasionally to guide them.
Nevertheless, they were ungrateful, regardless of everything, and they didn’t give a lot of consideration to the message of Allah and thus got removed from their high standing. In their place, the Ummah of the adored Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was picked and most prioritized by the Lord. Hence, Surah Al-Baqarah sets out the do’s and don’ts for us with the goal that we don’t step similarly as the Bani Israel did.
Taqwa– The Focal Point of Surah Baqarah:
The term’ muttaqin,’ which implies ‘those of Taqwa,’ those having a fear of Allah in their hearts, is referenced in the second verse of Surah Al-Baqrah. In this section, Allah S.W.T addresses the Holy Quran to the Muslims mentioned as ‘muttaqin.’
Piousness and refraining from sins are used in various types of discourse depending upon the context of the discussion. The significance of Taqwa is prominent; for example, in the weekly Islamic Friday messages, it is required from the khatib to call and remind the Muslim to be among the ‘muttaqin.’
Taqwa is a decree from Allah S.W.T.; those Muslims who accomplish it have a higher place in life and the afterlife. Henceforth, such an endearing trait is considered as one of the significant, repeating, and prevailing components in the verses of Surah Baqrah.
“People! Worship your Lord (Creator and Sustainer) Who created you and those before you; so that you may guard against evil….”
(2:21)
Considering these, Taqwa stays as one of the essentials of Islamic teachings. Talking about its significance is necessary to learn about the attributes involved in Taqwa. Hence, Muslims should understand what qualities should be adopted to accomplish it.
Three Parts of Taqwa:
The 10th-century Sufi scholar Al-Qushayri; in his book (Al-Risala al-Qushayriyyah); wrote about three parts of Taqwa discussed in Surah Baqarah:
“Full trust in God concerning what has not been granted to him;
Satisfaction with what has been granted to him;
and full patience concerning what has eluded him.”
Taqwa, the fear of Allah, is the only characteristic that can prevent man from evil and wickedness. The fear of Allah keeps a believer awake and enables him to distinguish between right & wrong.
Conclusion:
Finally, it may be concluded that we are all humans, and we make mistakes; none of us is perfect. But we need guidance and direction to remain on the right path. Quran is the light from Allah Almighty, as it enlightens the ways of its followers, guides them to the right, and prevents them from going on the path that the prior ones followed, and the Lord punished them. So, do reading along with the lessons learned from the Surah a part of your life. May Allah bless us all.
