Surah Al-Baqara was the first Surah to be revealed in Al-Madinah (المدينة) after the Prophet (PBUH) immigrated to it from Mecca to establish the first Islamic nation.  Thus, the theme of the Surat is the foundational principles and systems for the new Muslim nation. Therefore, the Surat focused on identifying the nature and the role of this nation and providing the key rules that this nation needs to implement to fulfill its role.  The revelations of this Surat continued throughout the remaining life of the Prophet (PBUH) and were synchronized with the different stages of forming this Islamic nation. Thus, it is expected that this Surat be the longest in the Quran, comprising of 286 Ayat, to offer comprehensive guide to this new nation.

The possible definition of the Islamic nation that the Surat establishes is: “Moderate and Charitable Divinely Guided and Supported Nation”.

The title of the Surat Al-Baqara (البَقَرَة) provides an insight on the quality of the people of this Islamic nation.   The root of the word Baqara is the verb Baqar (بَقَرَ) that means made clear (أَوْضَحَ) and the noun is Ba’qer (باقِر) that has two primary meanings: 1) the one with expansive knowledge (المتوسّع في العلم) and 2) a herd of cow with their shepherds (جماعة البقر مع رُعاتها).  Both these meanings are relevant. The relevance of the cow is related to a story in the Surat about Bani Israel who refused to accept a simple divine command and kept asking questions until the command became so complicated.  And the relevance of the expansive knowledge is related to the broad foundational principles that the Surat offers.

The Surat is composed of five sections: an introduction, two main sections and two concluding sections.

The first section (introduction) addresses:

1. The articles of belief with emphasizes on the oneness of God and the importance of the Quran as the ultimate source of guidance.
2. The nature of the citizens of an Islamic nation.
3. The creation of mankind and their role on earth and the nature of their unseen enemy, Satan.
4. The role of prophets in guiding people.

The second section addresses:

5. The fate of a nation that was provided divine guidance but transgressed against the divine commands.

The third section focus of the divine laws for the legal system in an Islamic nation.

6. A list of divine commands for individuals and societies. They include rituals (prayers, fasting, zakat and hajj), dietary rules, penal system, family laws (marriage, divorce, and inheritance), and military directives (defense without transgression).

The first concluding section is a reinforcing section for the believers, it includes

7. Examples of true believers and the divine support for them.
8. Reaffirming who is Allah
9. Demonstrating that Allah can and will resurrect people from death.

The second concluding section emphasizes:

10. The foundation of the financial system that is based on charity, usuary free transactions.
11. The importance of business documentation.
12. The assurance of the simplicity of the divine laws.
13. The importance of supplication and seeking Allah’s help and protection.

The Surat starts with defining the purpose of the Quran as guidance to the God conscious who are the backbone of the Islamic nation:

ذَلِكَ الْكِتَابُ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ هُدًى لِلْمُتَّقِينَ

“This is the Book where in which there is no doubt guidance for the Muttaqin (God conscious)”. (2:2) 

It recognizes three types of people: believers, disbelievers, and hypocrites.   The Surat gives more attention to the third group because of its serious harm to the society.  This type declares to be Muslims but cause confusion and corruption within the community and yet claim that they are doing good deeds. Allah says about them:

وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمۡ لَا تُفۡسِدُواْ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّمَا نَحۡنُ مُصۡلِحُونَ (١١) أَلَآ إِنَّهُمۡ هُمُ ٱلۡمُفۡسِدُونَ وَلَـٰكِن لَّا يَشۡعُرُون

“And when it is said to them: do not spread mischief in the earth, they say: we are but reformers.  (11) They are indeed mischief-maker, but they are not aware of it.”  (2:11-12)

Then Surat defines the role for man on earth and thus the role of a Muslim nation. The role is being a guardian over earth.

وَإِذْ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ إِنِّي جَاعِلٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ خَلِيفَةً

“And your Lord told the angels: I am placing a vicegerent (Khalifa) in the earth.” (2:30)

The following verses reveal details on the preparatory stage for Adam, the father of mankind to fulfill this role.  This stage involved teaching Adam all the knowledge he needs to manage earth.

وَعَلَّمَ آدَمَ الْأَسْمَاءَ كُلَّهَا

“And He taught Adam the names of all things.” (2:31)

The following verses provide details on the honor that Allah bestowed upon Adam by ordering the angles and the chief Jinn Iblis (Satan) , to prostrate to him.  But Satan disobeyed the command of Allah and thus was condemned by Allah

وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ اسْجُدُوا لِآدَمَ فَسَجَدُوا إِلَّا إِبْلِيسَ أَبَى وَاسْتَكْبَرَ وَكَانَ مِنَ الْكَافِرِينَ

“And behold, We said to the angels: Prostrate to Adam, and they prostrated down, except Iblis (of the Jinn) who refused and was arrogant and was of the rejecters”. (2:34)

But instead of blaming himself, Satan blamed Adam and committed to be his archenemy to deceive him to disobey Allah.  Allah commanded Adam not to eat from a certain tree, but under Satan’s deception Adam ate from the forbidden tree and disobeyed the command of Allah.

فَأَزَلَّهُمَا الشَّيْطَانُ عَنْهَا فَأَخْرَجَهُمَا مِمَّا كَانَا فِيهِ وَقُلْنَا اهْبِطُوا بَعْضُكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ عَدُوٌّ وَلَكُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ مُسْتَقَرٌّ وَمَتَاعٌ إِلَى حِينٍ

“But Satan caused them to slip and expelled them from the state in which they were. And We said: Go you all down. Some of you being the enemies of others, and on earth will be your dwelling place and provision for a time.” (2:36)

One can see the difference between Satan’s disobedience and that of Adam.  While Satan never acknowledges his sin, Adam acknowledges his sin and sought Allah’s forgiveness.  So, Allah granted him forgiveness.

فَتَلَقَّى آدَمُ مِنْ رَبِّهِ كَلِمَاتٍ فَتَابَ عَلَيْهِ إِنَّهُ هُوَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ

“Then Adam received words from his Lord, and He pardoned him. Truly He is the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.” (2:37)

This episode of Satan’s deceit and Adam’s sinning and repentance was also part of the training to Adam before being sent to earth to know how to repent from his sins.  From that time of descending to earth, Adam was ready to serve as Allah’s vicegerent according to Allah’s guidance.

قُلْنَا اهْبِطُوا مِنْهَا جَمِيعًا فَإِمَّا يَأْتِيَنَّكُمْ مِنِّي هُدًى فَمَنْ تَبِعَ هُدَايَ فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ

“We Said: Go down all of you from this place and there shall come to you guidance from Me.  Whoever follows My guidance on them shall be no fear nor shall they grieve.” (2:38)

Throughout the Quran, we always read (الَّذِينَ آَمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ) “Those who believe and do righteous deeds”.  This makes it clear that no one can be truthful in his/her declaration of Islam unless committed to righteous deeds.

The Surat then discusses Bani Israel, the nation that preceded the Islamic nation and was entrusted with the responsibility of guardianship following Allah’s commands.

يَا بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ اذْكُرُوا نِعْمَتِيَ الَّتِي أَنْعَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَأَنِّي فَضَّلْتُكُمْ عَلَى الْعَالَمِينَ

“O Children of Israel, remember My blessings that I granted you and how I favored you above all other people. (2:47)

 But the nation of Bani Israel failed in their role as guardian over earth by disobeying Allah’s commands and fabricating commands and attributing them to Allah:

فَوَيۡلٌ۬ لِّلَّذِينَ يَكۡتُبُونَ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ بِأَيۡدِيہِمۡ ثُمَّ يَقُولُونَ هَـٰذَا مِنۡ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ لِيَشۡتَرُواْ بِهِۦ ثَمَنً۬ا قَلِيلاً۬‌ۖ فَوَيۡلٌ۬ لَّهُم مِّمَّا ڪَتَبَتۡ أَيۡدِيهِمۡ وَوَيۡلٌ۬ لَّهُم مِّمَّا يَكۡسِبُونَ (٧٩)

“Woe to those (among the Jews) who write the Book with their own hands and then say, “This is from Allah,” to gain with it a little price! Woe to them for what their hands have written and woe to them for what they earn.” (2:79)

Then the surah gives an example of the successful experience of guardianship as represented by Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH).

وَإِذِ ٱبۡتَلَىٰٓ إِبۡرَٲهِـۧمَ رَبُّهُ ۥ بِكَلِمَـٰتٍ۬ فَأَتَمَّهُنَّ‌ۖ قَالَ إِنِّى جَاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِمَامً۬ا‌ۖ

And (remember) when Ibrahim was tried by His Lord with (certain) Commands, which he fulfilled completely.  He (Allah) said (to him), “I will make you Imam (a leader) for mankind. (2:124)

 Note the description of the quality of Prophet Ibrahim work, he perfected it (أَتَمَّهُنَّ).  This is expected of every Muslim, to perfect his/her work, not just go through the motion of doing it.

Then the Surat states the command of Allah for the Muslims to change the direction of their Qibla from the farthest Mosque (المسجد الأقصى ) in Jerusalem to the sacred  Mosque (الكعبة) in Mecca.  It also addresses the confusion that the Jews in Madinah tried to create among Muslims because of switching the direction of the Qibla:

سَيَقُولُ السُّفَهَاءُ مِنَ النَّاسِ مَا وَلَّاهُمْ عَنْ قِبْلَتِهِمُ الَّتِي كَانُوا عَلَيْهَا قُلْ لِلَّهِ الْمَشْرِقُ وَالْمَغْرِبُ يَهْدِي مَنْ يَشَاءُ إِلَى صِرَاطٍ مُسْتَقِيم

“The fools among the people will say: What turned them away from their Qibla that they had been facing? Say to them: To Allah belongs the East and the West.  He guides whomever He so wills to the Straight Path.” (Al-Baqara 2:142)

The next verse expands on the command of changing the Qibla and gives a description on the Islamic nation:

وَكَذَلِكَ جَعَلْنَاكُمْ أُمَّةً وَسَطاً لِتَكُونُوا شُهَدَاءَ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَيَكُونَ الرَّسُولُ عَلَيْكُمْ شَهِيداً وَمَا جَعَلْنَا الْقِبْلَةَ الَّتِي كُنْتَ عَلَيْهَا إِلَّا لِنَعْلَمَ مَنْ يَتَّبِعُ الرَّسُولَ مِمَّنْ يَنْقَلِبُ عَلَى عَقِبَيْهِ

Thus, We have made you, a moderate nation, that you be witnesses over mankind and the Messenger be a witness over you. And We made the Qiblah which you used to face, only to test those who followed the Messenger from those who would turn on their heels. (Al-Baqara 2:143)

 The Ayat then emphasize that the commands of Allah are not intended to be difficult and subject the believers to hardships by referring to a story of the transgression of Bani Israel.     This specific story of the cow that Prophet Moses ordered Bani Israel to slaughter emphasizes that the commands of Allah are easy to follow and only become difficult and complicated by disobedience.

The Surah then provides a list or moral values for the Islamic nation.

لَّيۡسَ ٱلۡبِرَّ أَن تُوَلُّواْ وُجُوهَكُمۡ قِبَلَ ٱلۡمَشۡرِقِ وَٱلۡمَغۡرِبِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱلۡبِرَّ مَنۡ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأَخِرِ وَٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕڪَةِ وَٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ وَٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ وَءَاتَى ٱلۡمَالَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِۦ ذَوِى ٱلۡقُرۡبَىٰ وَٱلۡيَتَـٰمَىٰ وَٱلۡمَسَـٰكِينَ وَٱبۡنَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَٱلسَّآٮِٕلِينَ وَفِى ٱلرِّقَابِ وَأَقَامَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَى ٱلزَّڪَوٰةَ وَٱلۡمُوفُونَ بِعَهۡدِهِمۡ إِذَا عَـٰهَدُواْ‌ۖ وَٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ فِى ٱلۡبَأۡسَآءِ وَٱلضَّرَّآءِ وَحِينَ ٱلۡبَأۡسِ‌ۗ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ ٱلَّذِينَ صَدَقُواْ‌ۖ وَأُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلۡمُتَّقُونَ

“It is not righteousness (benevolence) that you turn your faces towards the East or West; but it is righteousness to: 1) Believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers.  2) To spend of your wealth, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves;  3) To be steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity, 4) To fulfill the contracts which you have made; and 5) To be firm and patient, in pain and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic.   Such are the people of truth, the God-Conscious”. (Al-Baqara 2:177)

In the third section, the Surah moves to provide a series of commands and prohibitions to frame a comprehensive way of life for the Islamic nation. It starts with the foundational principle for the penal code:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آَمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْقِصَاصُ فِي الْقَتْلَى

O’ you who have believed, equivalence in retribution “Al-Qisas“is prescribed for you in case of the murder. (Al-Baqara 178)

Then it provides a foundational principle for the inheritance law:

كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذَا حَضَرَ أَحَدَكُمُ الْمَوْتُ إِنْ تَرَكَ خَيْراً الْوَصِيَّةُ لِلْوَالِدَيْنِ وَالْأَقْرَبِينَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ حَقّاً عَلَى الْمُتَّقِينَ

“It is prescribed for you, when death approaches any of you, if he leaves wealth, that he makes a will to parents and next of kin, according to reasonable manners. (This is) an obligation upon the God-fearing “Al-Muttaqeen”. (Al-Baqara 180)

Following, the Surah provides the legislation of fasting:

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ كُتِبَ عَلَيۡڪُمُ ٱلصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِڪُمۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَتَّقُونَ

 “O you who have believed, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those who were before you, so you may achieve Taqwa.” (2:183)

The surah continues with commands regarding the prohibition of bribes, prohibition of transgressing against others even those who initiate hostility against Muslims, and the affirmation of the concept of sacred months during which fighting is prohibited.

وَلَا تَأۡكُلُوٓاْ أَمۡوَٲلَكُم بَيۡنَكُم بِٱلۡبَـٰطِلِ وَتُدۡلُواْ بِهَآ إِلَى ٱلۡحُڪَّامِ لِتَأۡڪُلُواْ فَرِيقً۬ا مِّنۡ أَمۡوَٲلِ ٱلنَّاسِ بِٱلۡإِثۡمِ وَأَنتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُونَ

“And do not eat up your money among yourselves wrongly, nor give bribe to the rulers with the intent that you may eat up sinfully portion of people’s money while you know it.   (Al-Baqara 2:188)

 وَقَاتِلُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ الَّذِينَ يُقَاتِلُونَكُمْ وَلَا تَعْتَدُوا إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِينَ

“Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress; for Allah loves not the transgressors”. (Al-Baqara 2:190)

الشَّهْرُ الْحَرَامُ بِالشَّهْرِ الْحَرَامِ وَالْحُرُمَاتُ قِصَاصٌ  فَمَنِ اعْتَدَى عَلَيْكُمْ فَاعْتَدُوا عَلَيْهِ بِمِثْلِ مَا اعْتَدَى عَلَيْكُمْ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الْمُتَّقِينَ

(Fighting in) the prohibited month is for (aggression committed in) the prohibited month, and likewise for all things prohibited, the law of equality applies.  If anyone transgresses against you, transgress likewise against him. But have Taqwa and know that Allah is with those who have Taqwa. (Al-Baqara 2:194)

The surah then provides the rule of Hajj and then addresses dietary restriction, the prohibition of intoxicants and gambling and marrying the idolaters (Mushrikeen) and discusses the rules regarding divorce.

إِنَّمَا حَرَّمَ عَلَيۡڪُمُ ٱلۡمَيۡتَةَ وَٱلدَّمَ وَلَحۡمَ ٱلۡخِنزِيرِ وَمَآ أُهِلَّ بِهِۦ لِغَيۡرِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۖ

He has prohibited for you carrion (dead animals), blood, and the flesh of swine, and that upon which the name of other than Allah has been mentioned. (2:173)

يَسۡـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلۡخَمۡرِ وَٱلۡمَيۡسِرِ‌ۖ قُلۡ فِيهِمَآ إِثۡمٌ۬ ڪَبِيرٌ۬ وَمَنَـٰفِعُ لِلنَّاسِ وَإِثۡمُهُمَآ أَڪۡبَرُ مِن نَّفۡعِهِمَا‌ۗ (٢١٩)

They ask you about wine and gambling. Say: “In them is a great sin, and some benefit, for men, but the sin of them is greater than their benefit.” (2:219)

 وَلَا تَنكِحُواْ ٱلۡمُشۡرِكَـٰتِ حَتَّىٰ يُؤۡمِنَّ‌ۚ وَلَأَمَةٌ۬ مُّؤۡمِنَةٌ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّن مُّشۡرِكَةٍ۬ وَلَوۡ أَعۡجَبَتۡكُمۡ‌ۗ وَلَا تُنكِحُواْ ٱلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ حَتَّىٰ يُؤۡمِنُواْ‌ۚ وَلَعَبۡدٌ۬ مُّؤۡمِنٌ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّن مُّشۡرِكٍ۬ وَلَوۡ أَعۡجَبَكُمۡ‌ۗ  (221)

And do not marry the polytheist women until till they believe (worship Allah Alone), a believing slave woman is better than a polytheist woman, even though she may attract you.  And do not give  (your women) in marriage to polytheist men, unless they believe, a believing slave is better than a polytheist even though he may attract you. (2:221)

ٱلطَّلَـٰقُ مَرَّتَانِ‌ۖ فَإِمۡسَاكُۢ بِمَعۡرُوفٍ أَوۡ تَسۡرِيحُۢ بِإِحۡسَـٰنٍ۬‌ۗ وَلَا يَحِلُّ لَڪُمۡ أَن تَأۡخُذُواْ مِمَّآ ءَاتَيۡتُمُوهُنَّ شَيۡـًٔا إِلَّآ أَن يَخَافَآ أَلَّا يُقِيمَا حُدُودَ ٱللَّهِ‌ۖ

The divorce is twice, after that, either you retain her in all fairness or release her with kindness. It is not lawful for you (men) to take back anything from what you have given them unless when both parties fear that they would be unable to keep the limits ordained by Allah. (2: 229)

After these rules, Allah reveals a pivotal ayah:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ادْخُلُوا فِي السِّلْمِ كَافَّةً وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُبِين

“You who believe, enter absolutely into peace! Do not follow Satan’s footsteps; he is an open enemy of yours” (2:208).

In this ayah, Allah ordains the believers to embrace Islam as a whole and to adhere to all commands.  It warns them against following some rules and ignoring others, as the Jews did:

أَفَتُؤۡمِنُونَ بِبَعۡضِ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ وَتَكۡفُرُونَ بِبَعۡضٍ۬‌ۚ فَمَا جَزَآءُ مَن يَفۡعَلُ ذَٲلِكَ مِنڪُمۡ إِلَّا خِزۡىٌ۬ فِى ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۖ وَيَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ يُرَدُّونَ إِلَىٰٓ أَشَدِّ ٱلۡعَذَابِ‌ۗ وَمَا ٱللَّهُ بِغَـٰفِلٍ عَمَّا تَعۡمَلُونَ

“Do you believe in part of the scripture and disbelieve in others?  The reward for those who do so is shame in this life and the most grievous doom on the hereafter. For Allah is aware of what you do” (Al-Baqara 2:85).

The Surat comes to its end with a reinforcing section to the believers.   Ayat 246 to 252 address the story of the war that took place between Jalut (Goliath) and Talut (Saul).  The story provides an example on how a righteous group succeeded against all odds in defeating major enemy because of their obedience to Allah.

فَلَمَّا فَصَلَ طَالُوتُ بِٱلۡجُنُودِ قَالَ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مُبۡتَلِيڪُم بِنَهَرٍ۬ فَمَن شَرِبَ مِنۡهُ فَلَيۡسَ مِنِّى وَمَن لَّمۡ يَطۡعَمۡهُ فَإِنَّهُ ۥ مِنِّىٓ إِلَّا مَنِ ٱغۡتَرَفَ غُرۡفَةَۢ بِيَدِهِۦ‌ۚ فَشَرِبُواْ مِنۡهُ إِلَّا قَلِيلاً۬ مِّنۡهُمۡ‌ۚ فَلَمَّا جَاوَزَهُ ۥ هُوَ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ مَعَهُ ۥ قَالُواْ لَا طَاقَةَ لَنَا ٱلۡيَوۡمَ بِجَالُوتَ وَجُنُودِهِۦ‌ۚ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَظُنُّونَ أَنَّهُم مُّلَـٰقُواْ ٱللَّهِ ڪَم مِّن فِئَةٍ۬ قَلِيلَةٍ غَلَبَتۡ فِئَةً۬ ڪَثِيرَةَۢ بِإِذۡنِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۗ وَٱللَّهُ مَعَ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ (٢٤٩)

When Talut (Saul) set out with the troops, he said: “Allah will test by a river. So whoever drinks from it is not of my men, and whoever does not taste it except a scoop with his hand he is a man of mine.” Yet, they drank from it except a few of them. So when he crossed it (the river) with those who believed, they said: “We have no power this day against Jalut (Goliath) and his troops.” But those who believed that they were to meet Allah, said: “How often small groups have overcame mighty groups by the will of Allah?” And Allah is with those who are patient. (2:249)

The section moves to Ayat 255 which is considered the greatest verse in the Quran. It describes Allah (SWT) in the most appropriate and wondrous way.

اللَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ  لَا تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ  لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ   مَنْ ذَا الَّذِي يَشْفَعُ عِنْدَهُ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِ  يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ  وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيْءٍ مِنْ عِلْمِهِ إِلَّا بِمَا شَاءَ  وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ وَلَا يَئُودُهُ حِفْظُهُمَا  وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ

Allah! There is no god but He, the Ever-Living, the Everlasting Sustainer. Slumber does not overtake Him, nor does sleep. To Him belong all things that are in the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what lies before them and what lies behind them, but they do not grasp anything of His knowledge except that which He wills. His foot stool (of the throne) encompasses the heavens and the earth, and their preservation does not tire Him. For He is the Most-High, the Most-Magnificent. (Al-Baqara 2: 255)

Following this Ayat, Allah emphasizes the freedom of religion for all:

لَآ إِكۡرَاهَ فِى ٱلدِّينِ‌ۖ قَد تَّبَيَّنَ ٱلرُّشۡدُ مِنَ ٱلۡغَىِّ‌ۚ

 “There is no compulsion in the religion; right-path has already been evidently distinct from the wrong path” (2:256)

The Surat continues with three stories demonstrating Allah’s Supreme power.  The first story is of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) in his debate with a tyrant king.

إِذْ قَالَ إِبْرٰهِيمُ رَبّيَ ٱلَّذِى يُحْىِ وَيُمِيتُ قَالَ أَنَا أُحْىِ وَأُمِيتُ قَالَ إِبْرٰهِيمُ فَإِنَّ ٱلله يَأْتِى بِٱلشَّمْسِ مِنَ ٱلْمَشْرِقِ فَأْتِ بِهَا مِنَ ٱلْمَغْرِبِ فَبُهِتَ ٱلَّذِى كَفَرَ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَہۡدِى ٱلۡقَوۡمَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ  ] 258).

 “As Ibrahim said, “My Lord is He Who gives life and makes to die,” he said, “I give life and make to die.” Ibrahim said, “Yet surely Allah comes up with (i.e., brings) the sun from the East, so come up with (i.e., bring) it from the West.”  Then the one who disbelieved was confounded; and Allah does not guide the unjust people. (2:258).

The second story presents the account of a man who died for 100 years and then came back alive again.

أَوۡ كَٱلَّذِى مَرَّ عَلَىٰ قَرۡيَةٍ۬ وَهِىَ خَاوِيَةٌ عَلَىٰ عُرُوشِهَا قَالَ أَنَّىٰ يُحۡىِۦ هَـٰذِهِ ٱللَّهُ بَعۡدَ مَوۡتِهَا‌ۖ فَأَمَاتَهُ ٱللَّهُ مِاْئَةَ عَامٍ۬ ثُمَّ بَعَثَهُ

“Or like the one who passed by a town that had tumbled over its roofs. He said: ” How will Allah ever bring it to life after its death?” So, Allah caused him to die for a hundred years, then raised him up (again)”. (2: 259)

The third story explains an experiment to illustrate to prophet Ibrahim how Allah recreates life.

وَإِذۡ قَالَ إِبۡرَٲهِـۧمُ رَبِّ أَرِنِى ڪَيۡفَ تُحۡىِ ٱلۡمَوۡتَىٰ‌ۖ

“And (remember) when Ibrahim (Abraham) said, “My Lord! Show me how You give life to the dead.” (2:260)

 In the last part of the Surat, Allah emphasizes the importance of charity, presents a usuary-free financial system, and highlights the importance of documenting all financial transactions.    This financial system assures harmony in the society and promotes the expansion of the economy and creating jobs.  This system is based on two types of investments.

1. An investment with Allah in the form of giving charity to the needy.
2. An investment in the form of business transactions that is usury-free

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ أَنفِقُواْ مِن طَيِّبَـٰتِ مَا ڪَسَبۡتُمۡ وَمِمَّآ أَخۡرَجۡنَا لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ‌ۖ وَلَا تَيَمَّمُواْ ٱلۡخَبِيثَ مِنۡهُ تُنفِقُونَ وَلَسۡتُم بِـَٔاخِذِيهِ إِلَّآ أَن تُغۡمِضُواْ فِيهِ‌ۚ وَٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَنِىٌّ حَمِيدٌ (٢٦٧)

O you who believe! Spend of the good things you have earned, and of what We have produced from the earth for you, and do not aim at the bad things to spend from it, (though) you would not accept it unless you close your eyes to it. And know that Allah is All-Independent and Worthy of all praise. (2: 267)

قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّمَا ٱلۡبَيۡعُ مِثۡلُ ٱلرِّبَوٰاْ‌ۗ وَأَحَلَّ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡبَيۡعَ وَحَرَّمَ ٱلرِّبَوٰاْ‌ۚ ۚ

They say: “sale is but like Riba (usury),” while Allah has permitted sale and prohibited Riba (usury). (2: 275)

 يَمْحَقُ ٱلله ٱلْرّبَوٰاْ وَيُرْبِى ٱلصَّدَقَـٰتِ وَٱلله لاَ يُحِبُّ كُلَّ كَفَّارٍ أَثِيمٍ (276(

“Allah destroys Riba (usuary) and He increases charity, and Allah does not love every disbelieving vicious person. (2:276)

Following the verses on encouraging charity and prohibiting usuary come the longest Ayat in the Quran and it addresses the issue of debts and how to assert authentication of financial dealings, this is Ayat 182. It starts with:

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِذَا تَدَايَنتُم بِدَيۡنٍ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ۬ مُّسَمًّ۬ى فَٱڪۡتُبُوهُ‌ۚ

 “O you who have believed, when you contract (i.e., when you have or contract a debt) a debt one upon another for a stated term, then write it down …” (2:282)

When examining Surat Al-Baqara, we realize its inclusiveness of many fundamental rules of Islam.  This is the reason why the Prophet (PBUH) used to put those who learnt this Surat in charge of other people because they would be cognizant of the methodology that Allah framed for Muslims.  This methodology embraces three pillars: moderation, distinction (i.e., uniqueness), and piety.

The Surah ends with two Ayat that are regarded as a treasure endowed by Allah to the believers. The first Ayat affirms the Muslims belief with obedience, and the second is supplication that Allah has already accepted from the believers who accept the responsibility of being guardian over earth and their response to Allah’s commands is always: We hear and obey:

ءَامَنَ ٱلرَّسُولُ بِمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيۡهِ مِن رَّبِّهِۦ وَٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ‌ۚ كُلٌّ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَتِهِۦ وَكُتُبِهِۦ وَرُسُلِهِۦ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيۡنَ أَحَدٍ۬ مِّن رُّسُلِهِۦ‌ۚ وَقَالُواْ سَمِعۡنَا وَأَطَعۡنَا‌ۖ غُفۡرَانَكَ رَبَّنَا وَإِلَيۡكَ ٱلۡمَصِيرُ (٢٨٥)

“The Messenger believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord, and (so do) the believers. Each one believes in Allah, His Angels, His Books, and His Messengers. (They say), “We make no distinction between one another of His Messengers” and they say, “We have heard, and we have obeyed. (We seek) Your Forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the destiny (of all).” (2:285)

 The last Ayat gives assurance that all the commands of Allah are easy and provides supplication for seeking Allah’s forgiveness, mercy, and protection:

لَا يُكَلِّفُ ٱللَّهُ نَفۡسًا إِلَّا وُسۡعَهَا‌ۚ لَهَا مَا كَسَبَتۡ وَعَلَيۡہَا مَا ٱكۡتَسَبَتۡ‌ۗ رَبَّنَا لَا تُؤَاخِذۡنَآ إِن نَّسِينَآ أَوۡ أَخۡطَأۡنَا‌ۚ رَبَّنَا وَلَا تَحۡمِلۡ عَلَيۡنَآ إِصۡرً۬ا كَمَا حَمَلۡتَهُ ۥ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِنَا‌ۚ رَبَّنَا وَلَا تُحَمِّلۡنَا مَا لَا طَاقَةَ لَنَا بِهِۦ‌ۖ وَٱعۡفُ عَنَّا وَٱغۡفِرۡ لَنَا وَٱرۡحَمۡنَآ‌ۚ أَنتَ مَوۡلَٮٰنَا فَٱنصُرۡنَا عَلَى ٱلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلۡڪَـٰفِرِينَ (٢٨٦)

 “Allah does not charge a self (anything) except its capacity; it has whatever it has earned, and against it is whatever it has acquired. Our Lord do not take us to task in case we forget, or we make mistakes. Our Lord, and do not burden us with an obligation as You burdened (the ones) who were before us.  Our Lord, and do not over-burden us with whatever is beyond our capability. And be clement towards us, and forgive us, and have mercy on us. You are our Guardian, so give us victory over the disbelieving people.” (2:286).