Al-Baqarah (204-221)
Qur’anic Exegesis
وَمِنْ النَّاسِ مَنْ يُعْجِبُكَ قَوْلُهُ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَيُشْهِدُ اللَّهَ عَلَى مَا فِي قَلْبِهِ وَهُوَ أَلَدُّ الْخِصَامِ وَإِذَا تَوَلَّى سَعَى فِي الْأَرْضِ لِيُفْسِدَ فِيهَا وَيُهْلِكَ الْحَرْثَ وَالنَّسْلَ وَاللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْفَسَادَوَ إِذَا قِيلَ لَهُ اتَّقِ اللَّهَ أَخَذَتْهُالْعِزَّةُ بِالْإِثْمِ
[You have to fight those who stop you from this worship of h~ajj] and [here unfortunately among you] there are some whose conversation does please you in the life of this world[1]: they even make God witness to what is in their hearts[2]; whereas, in fact, they are the deadliest among the enemies[3]. [This is what they say in front of you, but] no sooner do they leave you than they hastento
فَحَسْبُهُ جَهَنَّمُ وَلَبِئْسَ الْمِهَادُ(204-6)
وَمِنْ النَّاسِ مَنْ يَشْرِي نَفْسَهُ ابْتِغَاءَ مَرْضَاةِ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ رَءُوفٌ بِالْعِبَادِ (207)
يَاأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ادْخُلُوا فِي السِّلْمِ كَافَّةً وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ إِنَّهُ
spread disorder in the land and ravish crops and destroy generations [of man][4], and [you well know that] God does not like disorder. And when they are asked: ‘Have fear of God’, with an inclination towards sin, their arrogance prevents them [from doing so][5]. So sufficient for them is Hell, an evil abode[6]. (204-6)
And there are others among these very people who would give away their lives in order to find favour with God. [It is these who are forgiven by the Almighty if they err] and it is to such people that God is compassionate. (207)
[These two diverse attitudes should not persist after professing faith, so] believers[7], submit all of you[8] to God [with one attitude]
لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُبِينٌفَإِنْ زَلَلْتُمْ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَتْكُمْ الْبَيِّنَاتُ فَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ (208 -9)
and do not follow in Satan’sfootsteps; he is your inveterate foe. If you lapse even after these open warnings[9]that have come to you, you should know that God is mighty and wise[10]. (208-9)
هَلْ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّا أَنْ يَأْتِيَهُمْ اللَّهُ فِي ظُلَلٍ مِنْ الْغَمَامِ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ وَقُضِيَ الْأَمْرُ وَإِلَى اللَّهِ تُرْجَعُ الْأُمُورُ سَلْ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ كَمْ آتَيْنَاهُمْ مِنْ آيَةٍ بَيِّنَةٍ وَمَنْ يُبَدِّلْ نِعْمَةَ اللَّهِ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَتْهُ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ زُيِّنَ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا
[In spite of the fact that they have been revealed the truth in its ultimate form and they have no excuse to reject it] are they only waiting for God and His angels to come down to them in the shadow of clouds and their fate be settled then? [But this is not the way of God] and all such affairs rest with God. Ask the Israelites[11] how many a manifest sign We bestowed upon them [but to no avail], and [in reality], those who change God’s gift [of guidance with deviance] after it is bestowed on them [cannot save themselves from the grasp of God] because God is stern in retribution. For these disbelievers, the life of this world has been decked with attractions. [When they are warned of its fate, they do not pay heed] and scoff at the believers[12], whereas those who
الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا وَيَسْخَرُونَ مِنْ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَالَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا فَوْقَهُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَاللَّهُ يَرْزُقُ مَنْ يَشَاءُ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ (210-12)
كَانَالنَّاسُ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً فَبَعَثَ اللَّهُ النَّبِيِّينَ مُبَشِّرِينَ وَمُنذِرِينَ وَأَنزَلَ مَعَهُمْ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ لِيَحْكُمَ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ فِيمَا اخْتَلَفُوا فِيهِ وَمَا اخْتَلَفَ فِيهِ إِلَّا الَّذِينَ أُوتُوهُ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَتْهُمْ الْبَيِّنَاتُ بَغْيًا بَيْنَهُمْ فَهَدَى اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لِمَا اخْتَلَفُواْ فِيهِ مِنَ الْحَقِّ بِإِذْنِهِ وَاللّهُ يَهْدِي مَن يَشَاء إِلَى صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ (213)
fear God shall be above them on the Day of Judgement. [This is the blessing of the Almighty for them] and God gives boundlessly to whom He intends[13]. (210-12)
[They present differences among people as a pretext for their hypocrisy[14]. They should know that initially] mankind was one community. [Then differences surfaced between them]. So God sent forth prophets as bearers of glad tidings and as warners,and with these He sent down His Book as the decisive truth so that it may settle these differences between men. And the fact isthat only those differed to whom it was given, after very clear signs had come to them because of malice for one another. So God guided by the backing of His grace those who believed [in the
أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَنْ تَدْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَأْتِكُمْ مَثَلُ الَّذِينَ خَلَوْا مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ مَسَّتْهُمْ الْبَأْسَاءُ وَالضَّرَّاءُ وَزُلْزِلُوا حَتَّى يَقُولَ الرَّسُولُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَعَهُ مَتَى نَصْرُ اللَّهِ أَلَا إِنَّ نَصْرَ اللَّهِ قَرِيبٌ(214)
يَسْأَلُونَكَ مَاذَا يُنفِقُونَ قُلْ مَا أَنفَقْتُمْ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَلِلْوَالِدَيْنِ وَالْأَقْرَبِينَ وَالْيَتَامَى
Qur’an][15]in all these differences regarding the truth, and God guides whom He intends [according to His law] to the straight path.[16] (213)
[These Hypocrites think that all the hardships that they face should be overcome by the help of God without they being entrusted with any responsibility to do deal with them. Listen!] do you suppose that you would go to Paradise even though you have not encountered the circumstances which were encountered by people before you [to whom Messengers were similarly sent]? Affliction and hardships befell them; and so shaken were they that the Messenger and the faithful who were with him cried out: ‘When comes the help of God?’ [At that time, the glad tidings were given]: Listen! God’s help is ever near.[17] (214)
They ask you about what they should spend[18]. Tell them:
وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ وَمَا تَفْعَلُوا مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ بِهِ عَلِيمٌ (215)
كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمْ الْقِتَالُ وَهُوَ كُرْهٌ لَكُمْ وَعَسى أَنْ تَكْرَهُوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ وَعَسَى أَنْ تُحِبُّوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ (216)
يَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنْ الشَّهْرِ الْحَرَامِ قِتَالٍ فِيهِ قُلْ قِتَالٌ فِيهِ كَبِيرٌ وَصَدٌّ عَنْ سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ
‘Whatever you spend is for your parents and kinsfolk and for the orphan and the destitute and the wayfarer [of your society]. And [rest assured] whatever good you do [will never go waste] because God is fully aware of it’[19]. (215)
Warfare is ordained for you and it is also displeasing to you [like it is displeasing for you to spend in the way of Allah]. It is very much possible that you may dislike a thing even though it is good for you, and it is very much possible that you like a thing even though it is bad for you.[20] [And in reality] God knows, but you have no knowledge [of many such things]. (216)
They ask you of warfare in the sacred month.[21] Tell them:
وَكُفْرٌ بِهِ وَالْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ وَإِخْرَاجُ أَهْلِهِ مِنْهُ أَكْبَرُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ وَالْفِتْنَةُ أَكْبَرُ مِنْ الْقَتْلِ وَلَا يَزَالُونَ يُقَاتِلُونَكُمْ حَتَّى يَرُدُّوكُمْ عَنْ دِينِكُمْ إِنْ اسْتَطَاعُوا وَمَنْ يَرْتَدِدْ مِنْكُمْ عَنْ دِينِهِ فَيَمُتْ وَهُوَ كَافِرٌ فَأُوْلَئِكَ حَبِطَتْ أَعْمَالُهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ وَأُوْلَئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَالَّذِينَ هَاجَرُوا وَجَاهَدُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أُوْلَئِكَ يَرْجُونَ رَحْمَةَ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ (217-18)
‘Warfare in this month is a grave offence but to impede others from the path of God, to deny Him, and to stop people from going to Sacred Mosque and to expel its dwellers, is far more grave in His sight. To force people to give up their religion is more grievous than bloodshed’. And [O Prophet! you should know that these people against whom you have been directed to fight have decided between themselves that] they will not cease to fight against you until they force you to renounce your faith – if they are able to. But whoever of you recants and dies in a state of disbelief [should know that] it is such people whose deeds shall bear no fruit in this world and in the world to come[22]. And such men shall be the dwellers of the Fire, wherein they shall abide forever. [On the other hand], those who fully adhered to faith[23]and those who migrated from their land and fought for the cause of God, may hope for God’s mercy[24]. God is most- forgiving and ever-merciful. (217-18)
يَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنْ الْخَمْرِ وَالْمَيْسِرِ قُلْ فِيهِمَا إِثْمٌ كَبِيرٌ وَمَنَافِعُ لِلنَّاسِ وَإِثْمُهُمَا أَكْبَرُ مِنْ نَفْعِهِمَا وَيَسْأَلُونَكَ مَاذَا يُنفِقُونَ قُلْ الْعَفْوَ كَذَلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ
They ask you about drinking and gambling [because in their society these are also a means of helping the poor][25]. Tell them: ‘There is great sin in both, [and no doubt] they have some benefit for people; but their sin is far greater than their benefit’.[26]And they ask you [to explain] what they should spend [in charity]. Tell them: ‘Whatever is above your needs.’[27] Thus God explains to you His verses so that you may reflect on the matters of both
الْآيَاتِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَفَكَّرُونَ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ وَيَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنْ الْيَتَامَى قُلْإِصْلَاحٌ لَهُمْ خَيْرٌ وَإِنْ تُخَالِطُوهُمْ فَإِخْوَانُكُمْ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ الْمُفْسِدَ مِنْ الْمُصْلِحِ وَلَوْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ لَأَعْنَتَكُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ (219-20)
this world and of the next.[28] And they ask you [that if war takes place and people are killed then] what should be done with the orphans? Tell them: ‘In whatever is their welfare is best. And if [by marrying their mothers], you share [their affairs] with yours, they are your brothers[29]. And God knows the man who means mischief from the man who means good[30]. If God wished, He
وَلَا تَنكِحُوا الْمُشْرِكَاتِ حَتَّى يُؤْمِنَّ وَلَأَمَةٌ مُؤْمِنَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِنْ مُشْرِكَةٍ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَتْكُمْ وَلَا تُنكِحُوا الْمُشْرِكِينَ حَتَّى يُؤْمِنُوا وَلَعَبْدٌ مُؤْمِنٌ خَيْرٌ مِنْ مُشْرِكٍ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَكُمْ أُوْلَئِكَ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى النَّارِ وَاللَّهُ يَدْعُو إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ وَالْمَغْفِرَةِبِإِذْنِهِ
could have made matters difficult for you [by not giving you this permission]. Indeed, God is mighty and wise.’[31] (219-20)
And [even for the welfare of the orphans], you shall not wed idolatrous women[32], unless they embrace faith. And [remember] a believing slave-girl is better than an idolatrous woman, although you may fancy her. Nor shall you wed your women to the Idolaters, unless they embrace faith. And [remember] a believing slave is better than an Idolater, although you may fancy him.[33]
وَيُبَيِّنُ آيَاتِهِ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ(221)
These [idolatrous people] call you to the Fire; but God calls you, by His grace, to Paradise and to forgiveness[34]. And explains His verses to people so that they may take heed. (221)