Surah Al Baqarah 1 Aayat 1-5

Sarah 2 Al Baqarah (The Cow)

I. Word to Word Translation
Quran Word Alif Laam Meem Dhaalika Al Kitaabu La Raiba Fihi Hudan Lil Muttaqeen Al Ladhina Yuminuna Bil Gaibi Wa Yukimuna As Salaata Wa Mimma Razaqnahum Yunfiqun Wa Al Ladhina Yuminuna Bima Unzila Ilaika Wa ma Unzila Min Qablika Wa Bil Aakhira Hum Translation Alif Laam Meem That The Book No/Not Doubt Fi (In) A Guidance Li (For) Al Muttaqeen (Those who adopt Taqwa) Hi (It)

Those who (The Ones who) They Believe In the Unseen And They perfectly establish The Prayer And From what We provided them They spend And Those who They believe In What/ In that which It was revealed To You (The Prophet Sws) And that which It was revealed From Before You And In the Hereafter They

Surah Al Baqarah 2 Aayat 1-5 Yukinun Ulaaika Alaa Hudan Min Rabbihim Wa Ulaaika Hum Al Muflihun They believe with certainty Those Upon Guidance From Their Lord And Those They Those who are successful

II.

Word Break-Up

Alif Laam Meem Dhaalika

Alif Laam Meem

That

Al Kitaabu

The Book

La

No

Raiba

doubt

Fihi

In it

Hudan

A Guidance

Lil Muttaqeen

For those who have Taqwa/ For those who are God- fearing

Al Ladheena

Those who

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They believe From Iman Root Letters Hamza/Meem/Noon

Yuminoona

Generally, not always; whenever Yaa comes in the beginning of a word; Grammatically it is a Verb, action word. Some action is being done.

Bil Gaibi

With the Unseen

Wa Yukimoona As Salaata

And they perfectly establish

The Prayer

Wa Mimma

And from what/ And from that which

Razaqnahum

We provided them Rizq (Provision) They spend Nafaqa (to spend)

Yunfiqun Wal Ladheena Yuminuna

And those who

They believe

Bima

In that which

Unzila

It was revealed Nazala/Tanzeel (one of the names of the Quran meaning Revelation)

Ilaika

Towards you

Wa ma

And that which

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III.

Unzila

It was revealed

Min

From

Qablika

Before you

Wa Bil Aakhira

And in the Hereafter

Hum

They

Yukinun

They believe with Certainty

Ulaaika

Those
Upon

Alaa

Hudan

Guidance

Min

From

Rabbihim

Their Lord

Wa Ulaaika

And those

Hum

They

Those who are successful Root Letters: Faa/Laam/Haa

Al Muflihun

Meem in the beginning indicates word is a Noun, grammatically. Its active participle, one who does the action.
Muflih The person (One) who is successful

Word Analysis:

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Surah Baqarah is a Madini Surah. Surah Fatihah is a Makki Surah. Makki or Madini has to do with Time period/ Era and not the place. Its not that Makki surahs are those that are revealed in Makka and Madni surahs are those that are revealed in Madinah. Makki Surahs are those that were revealed to Prophet Sws, before He migrated to Madinah i.e. before the Hijra. And Madini Surahs are those that were revealed after the Prophet migrated to Madinah i.e. after the Hijra (Migration). It is the longest Surah of the Quran, about 2 and a half Juz of the Quran. It has 286 Aayaats/ verses. Al Baqarah literally means The cow. The Surah is so named due to the story of the Cow mentioned in it, in Aayaats 67 to 73. Importance/ Significance: It is mentioned in Sahih Muslim by Abdullah Ibn Buraidah Learn Surah Baqarah, not just read it or recite it, but learn it, study it, learn the Ahqaam that are mentioned in the Surah. Because in learning it, is a Blessing; and ignoring it or not studying it is a Grief, is a sorrow, regret for a person. And the evil ones, they cannot memorize this Surah. Surah Al Baqarah and Surah Al Imraan are 2 lights, which guides you, shows you the way, illuminates your surroundings, makes you more aware, helps you, benefits you. They will shade their people on the Day of Resurrection, people who learn them; just as 2 clouds, 2 spaces of shade or 2 lines of flying birds; just as they shade those who are under them. Abu Hurairah has reported that the Messenger Sws said Do not make your houses into Graveyards, Do not turn them into graveyards. Verily, Shaitaan does not enter the house where Suratul Baqarah is recited. Mentioned in Tirmidhi and Sahih Muslim. How does one feel in Graveyard? Scared, terrified, lonely, there is sadness and emptiness all around. And a house where Quran is not recited is also like a Graveyard, lonely. A person doesnt find contentment and happiness there. Basmalah is a constant verse; Mustakila Aayaat recited before every Surah of the Quran except Surat ut Taubah. Alif-Laam-Meem They are of the Huroof ul Hijaa, they are of Arabic alphabets. They are written together, but pronounced or read separately, as individual letters. Alif-LaamMeem One should not put any Harakas over them to join them together. Not to be read as alama or alam or A-L-M You actually say the name of the Letter separately. Hence they are called Huroof Muqattaat (The Disjointed Letters).

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Muqattaat is derived from the word Qataa, which means to cut. Eg. Qatiya Raham one who severs the relationship. 14 Letters of Arabic alphabets appear at 29 of the Surahs of Quran in this way. There are various opinions about their occurrence. To summarize: 1. Each huroof of Huroof Muqattaat has a meaning. Some say it is a name of Allah Swt, some say its a name of Quran, some say it is equivalent to Oath that has been taken. But there are no sound evidences to support this opinion, so its not accepted. 2. Huroof Muqattaat are of Huroof Hijayah (i.e. of Arabic Alphabets), they do not have any meaning. But how it can be? Theres something in the Quran without any meaning! So this opinion is also not accepted. 3. They have some meaning, but as we are not informed of it, therefore it is incorrect to guess, assume or speculate. We leave them as they are, but we do believe them as part of the Quran. 4. The fourth and the strongest opinion is that these Huroof Muqattaat, they do not have a meaning; but they do have a purpose, importance, significance. Theres a reason as to why they are mentioned in the Quran in the way they are mentioned. When you read them, due to Madd, you stretch them. It immediately draws the attention of the listeners. Also, Arabs are being reminded that this Quran is composed of their own letters, Letters; they are so aware of. The words are the same as their own words. Yet, they cannot produce anything that is like the Quran. Allah tells them Can you produce a Qalaam that is even similar or close to this Book(Qalaam of Allah Swt)? It displays, shows the Miraculous nature of the Quran. Quran is a miracle. Quran cannot be challenged. And if you see, these letters are many of the times (almost always), followed by verses that exalts the status of Quran. E.g. Dhaalikal Kitaabu La Raiba Fihi This is the Book, in which there is no doubt at all. Dhaalika means That. It is a Ism Ishaara (Ism means Noun, Ishaara means that which is used to point to something), that points to something that is Bayeed (far). It is used in 2 ways: 1. Literally, that which is pointed is really far. 2. Or it can be used to point to something that is very exalted, very high in status. So, why dhaalika is used here, when the Quran is right in front of you? 1. To show the importance or greatness or high status of Quran. Quran is not an ordinary Kalaam, its a Word of Allah Swt. And just like a person living in an Elite locality is also regarded as Elite, similarly, a person who accepts, carries, learns, reads, memorizes, applies the Quran; The Hamil al Quran/ The Saahib al Quran (Companion of the Quran) is also going to be exalted, of a very high status in the sight of Allah Swt. 2. Dhaalika here points to not the Quran which is in front of you. It points to the actual Quran, to the Original Quran; which is in Lau hul Mahfooz. Lau hul Mahfooz is up in the 7th Heaven, that is very far. Surat ul Buruj Aayaat No. 21-22.

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Kitaab Book Root Letters: Kaa/Taa/Baa Kataba is derived from the word Jamaa which means to collect/ to gather together. In a book, words, chapters, stories, facts, details, statistics, information are joined together or combined. The information that is scattered, Kitaab brings them together under one cover. Kitaab gives a meaning of Makhtoob that which is written. Kataba/Yaktubu means to write/record. Kitaab is that which is written or recorded. Dhaalikal Kitaab That is a book. What about this book? Allah Swt tells us La raiba fihi There is absolutely no doubt in it. La Not Fi Hi In it Raib Root Letters: Raa/Yaa/Baa. Meaning Doubt. In Quran, other words are also used for Doubt, for e.g. Shaq. So what kind of doubt is Raib? It is said that Raib is such a doubt that creates unrest in a person, makes a person unsettled, not satisfied anymore. It is the state of being unsure, shaky. Should I or should I not? It continues to bother you, until you find out what the reality is! It takes your peace away. Leave that which puts you in doubt; for that which does not put you in doubt! La Raiba the way this is structured, shows that there is absolutely no doubt in it. No doubt at all (a lot or a little). In what there is no doubt at all? 1. That this Quran is sent down by Allah Swt. It is definitely revealed by Allah. 2. It constitutes the correct, the best guidance for mankind. The commands, prohibitions, instructions mentioned in It they are the best for us. Why? Because it is from Allah Swt, who knows us best, better than even ourselves. 3. There is nothing incorrect in it. Everything mentioned in it, is a fact, is factual, is true. Everything in it is best for mankind. So read it with peace of mind, peace of heart. Hudallil Muttaqeen It is a guide for those who have Taqwa. Hidayah means to show the way, make us walk on it and reach our destination as well i.e. the approval of Allah Swt. What is Taqwa? It includes love for Allah, fear of Allah, God consciousness, being aware, being conscious of Allah which takes a person towards Obedience and keeps him away from sinning, being conscious of the fact that Allah is seeing us, is watching us. Taqwa/Muttaqeen Root Letters: Waw/Qaaf/Yaa (Waw is of Huroof Illa) Derived from the word Wiqayah, which means to take protection or shield against something that is dangerous, that is harmful. Basically, Taqwa is to take protection from the punishment of Allah, from the anger of Allah, from the disapproval of Allah Swt.

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How? By doing what He has commanded us that which pleases Allah. By abstaining from what He has prohibited that which upsets Him. Why is it important to have Taqwa? To seek the approval of Allah. Only when a person has Taqwa, he will receive guidance from the Quran. If he doesnt have Taqwa, he may not necessarily benefit from the Guidance/ message which is there in the Quran. It was reported that Umar bin Khattab asked Ubay ibn Kaab about Taqwa. Ubay said, "Have you ever walked on a path that has thorns on it?" Umar said, "Yes." Ubay asked, "What did you do then?" to which Umar replied, "I rolled up my sleeves and struggled." Ubay said, "That is taqwa, to protect oneself from sin through lifes dangerous journey so that one can successfully complete the journey unscathed by sin. So, what is Taqwa? Taqwa is a person lives in such a way that he is conscious of his surroundings and he takes protection. Because thorns are like sins. They call us to disobedience to Allah Swt. And Taqwa is to protect yourself and dont get hurt by those thorns. Here, Allah says that Quran is Hudallil Muttaqeen (Guide for those who have Taqwa); elsewhere in Quran, Allah says that Quran is Hudallinnaas (Guide for the mankind, all people). So are these statements contradicting? No. Qur'an has been sent as a guide for everybody, every mankind. However, it is only the Muttaqeen who will benefit from the Guidance. Because they will take the message of the Qur'an. So, in order to benefit from the Guidance that is offered in Qur'an, we have to have Taqwa. Qur'an imparts Hidayah Ilmi (Irshaad) as well as Hidayah Amaliy (Tawfeeq). Recipient of Hidayah Ilmi is everyone; but of Hidayah Amaliy are only those who have Taqwa. But what is Taqwa? How does Allah Swt describes those who have Taqwa? In the following verses: Allah Swt tells us the Muttaqeen, who are they? Those who believe in the Unseen, perfectly establish the Prayer and spend from what We have provided them Yuminuna Root Letters: Hamzah/Meem/Noon. The term Imaan also has the same root letters. It means Faith/Belief. Yuminuna means they believe in, they have faith. Imaan means to affirm something, to accept something. Basically, it is said that Imaan is to acknowledge something to be true on the tongue, to acknowledge the truthfulness of something on the tongue. Next level after that is to accept it as true, in the Heart. The third level is actions. To prove the statements to be true. How? Through ones actions. Al Ghaib The Unseen Root Letters: Ghain/Yaa/Baa Meaning that which is hidden, not visible to us.

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The word Ghaayib is from the same root, it means one who is absent, not there. Something which is absent, is hidden from your eyes. Why? Because he is elsewhere. The word Ghibah is from the same root, means backbiting because it is done behind a persons back, while he is absent, not there. So, Ghaib means all that is beyond and hidden from the Human sight and senses. But over here, in particular, Ghaib refers to all those things that we are supposed to believe in, even without seeing them. It includes Allah Swt Prophet Sws All the previous messengers of Allah Swt Books of Allah Swt/Wahi/ Revelation (Quran, Torah, Ingeel). Torah and Ingeel, Original ones. Angels Day of Judgement, Resurrection Decree (the good or bad) Jannah Naar (Hellfire) So, Ghaib means all those things that are hidden from us, not visible to us, but we are required to believe in them. Why? Because: 1. If we dont believe in them, then our Imaan is incomplete, our Imaan is unacceptable, our Imaan is absent. 2. Allah Swt has informed us about them and we believe in them because Allah Swt has told us. Yukimuna Root Letters: Qaaf/Waw/Meem Derived from the words Qawmah/Yakumu, which means to stand. The word Qiyaam, which has the same root letters means when you stand in Prayer and recite the Qur'an. Qiyaam al lail is called so because you stand most of the prayer and recite Qur'an in that. Yukimuna is derived from the word Iqama, which means to make something stand straight, to establish something properly or correctly. E.g The word Aqamah Souq means when the marketplace is fully established, there is lot of hustle bustle, people are coming in, buying stuff, lot of noise, food, shopping etc. The word Iqamatul Salaah means to establish the Salaat. Linguistically, the word Salaat means Dua, Prayer, supplication. But in our Shariah (religion), it refers to specific words or actions, that are performed in a particular way. But why is it called Salaat? 1. Because we make Dua or prayer in it. We recite Surat Al Fatihah in it. 2. It is derived from the Arabic word Assala (Alif/Laam/Saad/Laam/Alif; no Taa Marbutah at the end). It is when a horse lifts its tail and bends it, then lifts up again and bends it. In Salaat also, we are standing up, then go down in ruku, then again stand up, then go down

Surah Al Baqarah 10 Aayat 1-5

in Sujood, then we rise up, go down in sujood again. So due to the actions we make in Salaat, it is named so. 3. Other opinion is that the word Salaat is derived from Sallaital Oud. Oud is wood, Sallaita is to make the piece of wood soft by rubbing it again and again, so that it becomes fine. And a Musalli (a person who is praying), he humbles himself, he becomes soft in prayer. So due to humility which is there in salaat, it is named so. Salaat is Singular; Salawaat is Plural. Why in this Aayaat, singular Salaat is used? Does it mean just one prayer? No, in Arabic, we have something called Ism Genes/Generic Nouns. They are not just limited to Singular, it may also include plural. Likewise, it can include both Masculine and Feminine Genders. E.g. The word Wahlad generally means Boy; but it can include boy, girl, one or many. It is Ism Genes. What does Iqamatussalaah or establishing the prayer means? Praying on prescribed times. Praying in prescribed manner with Wudu, facing the Qiblah, according to Sunnah, praying with Khushuu, with fear of Allah Swt, with concentration. Praying consistently and regularly. (5 times daily) For men in particular, praying in congregation. Indulging others to establish prayers as well. So, basically, Iqaamatussalaah is to give the Prayer its proper due, its Haq. Why is it important to establish prayers? Allah Swt has commanded. It is one of the things that will be questioned on the Day of Judgment. To have Taqwa, or else we will not be Muttaqeen. Mimma = Min (from) + Maa (what) In Arabic, Min has several meanings, Over here 2 are relevant. 1. Min is of Bayaan. Bayaan means explanation. It is explanatory, giving a meaning of All that they have. They spend all that is required at that particular instant, occasion, time, situation. 2. Min is of Tabiyyud (Taa/Baa/Ain/Yaa/Daad), meaning Some of/Part of. E.g. Zaqaat, Sadaqah Razaqnahum Root Letters: Raa/Zay/Qaaf The word Rizq is from the same root letters, it means Provision. Rizq is every beneficial thing, everything that is source of mans spiritual or physical festinents. Like Tangible (something that can be felt, touched seen) food, water, house, money, property etc. and Intangible (those things that we cannot feel, touch, hear, see; they are not physical) time, ability, knowledge, opportunities, relationships that a person is bestowed with, etc. So, Allah Swt says from all that which we provided them, they spend. Yunfiqun

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Derived from Nafaqa (Noon/Faa/Qaaf). The word Infaaq means to spend. It is from the word Ikhraaj which means to go away, to leave. The word Infaaq fi Sabilillah means to spend in the way of Allah Swt. The word Nafaqati daabba refers to when the Rooh of an animal departs, leaves; when the animal dies. It means that when something is used up, it is exhausted and so it is gone. Also, the word Nafaqa means to make a hole in something. E.g. when you make a hole in a container, what happens to the stuff that is inside it? Its gonna go away, fall out. So Nafaqa means to spend. But spend where? In the way of Allah Swt. If Rizq over here, refers to wealth in particular, then Yunfiqun or spending has 3 meanings: 1. In Zaqaat mandatory alms; which is in for the person who falls under the category to give zaqaat. 2. In Sadaqaat voluntary charity, alms that are preferred. 3. Nafaqaat Laazima, mandatory expenditures where a person is required to spend his wealth on certain things, on certain people. E.g. for a man, to spend on his wife, on his children, on his parents food, education, so on and so forth. To summarize, 1. Zaqaat Waajiba 2. Sadaqaat darar Mustahabbah 3. Nafaqaat Laazima And if Rizq refers to other provisions a person has been given, and not just wealth; it means that they use these talents, these abilities Allah Swt has given them. Many a times, people go to college to get a degree, and they just not use the wealth of knowledge, they will not benefit the people with the wealth of knowledge that they have earned or gained. So, whatever Allah Swt has provided them with, they are not selfish that they only hoard whatever they have with themselves, but rather they spend so that they can benefit others, benefit human beings, the rest of the Creation. They are not selfish. They spend in the way of Allah Swt. What was revealed to Prophet Sws? Qur'an and the Sunnah, which are mentioned in different Hadeeths. So they believe Bimaa Unzila Ilaika in that which was revealed to you; and they also believe in what? wa maa Unzila min Qablika and what was revealed before You. The other Books of Allah include Injeel:Jesus(pbuh) Zaboor:David:(pbuh) Taurat:Moses(pbuh) Sahuful Ibrahim wa Musa and other scriptures of Allah which we dont even know of. Qur'an was revealed in the last, but here it is mentioned before all.Why? Because the essence of all the previous books is in Qur'an. Previous books are not relevant today, they cannot be applied today because they have been changed, lost, forgotten. But Qur'an is relevant to the context, situation. They believe means they accept and follow the Qur'an. Aakhira

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Root Letters: Hamza/Khaaa/Raa. Aakhir means Last; opposite is Awwal meaning first. Aakhir is that which comes in the end. Al Aakhira meaning the Hereafter is the opposite of Duniya i.e. the Life in this world. Al Aakhira is the life which will begin after the life on the earth, i.e. when the person dies. It will be from the moment of Death till the moment of Eternity in Jannah or in Naar. Yukinun They believe with conviction. Root Letters: Yaa/Qaaf/Noon The word Yakeen means certainty, conviction. It is that faith in something that is completely free from doubt. To know something for certain, to have no doubt about it all, 100% sure, So, Yukinun is even more than faith, more than just knowledge, it is the faith that is free from doubt. They have absolutely no doubt about the coming of the Day of Judgment, about the establishment of Day of Judgment, about the Reward or Punishment that will be given, rather they are completely sure! So, these people, Allah Swt says Ulaaika alaa hudammirrabbihim! Those are the people who are on Guidance from their Lord! Ulaaika (Those) is Plural of Dhaalika (That) Both points to something that is far. Which people does it refer to? The Muttaqeen, those who have been described in the previous verses. Those who have Taqwa, believe in the Unseen, establish the Salaat. Those people who have these qualities, they are on the Guidance from their Lord. Why Ulaaika/Those is used here, and not These? To highlight the high status of these people. Those people, who have such great qualities, who are of such a high rank! Alaa Huda Upon Guidance means they are on the Knowledge, Tawfiq and Amal from Allah Swt. Mir Rabbihim - Allah Swt has enlightened the Path of Guidance for them. Allah Swt is showing them the way, Allah Swt is leading them on the right way. Wa Ulaaika Hum ul Muflihun It is Those indeed, they, who will be successful. Why is the sentence framed this way? Even if you remove Hum (They), isnt will be the sentence complete? We can say Those are the successful ones. But the Aayaat says Those, they are the successful ones. Why? The 2 purposes of this repetition: 1. To emphasize the fact that only such people, who have such qualities, who do these things, only them, none other than them, who will be successful. 2. To highlight their elevated status. They will be successful. Muflihun is Plural of Muflih

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Root Letters: Faa/Laam/Haa Falaha means Farmer, or success. Basically, Falaha has 3 meanings: 1. Splitting, cutting, breaking something e.g. We say Innal Hadida Bil Hadidi Yaflahu Indeed, iron is cleft with iron! 2. Success Muflih is a successful person. 3. Baqaa to last, to remain, to endure The word Fallaah is used for Farmer he splits, clefts, breaks open, cuts through the earth, he sows the seeds; then when he takes care of the plants, of the crops, He attains success; when he has success, he can last longer, he can survive until the next year, then he does the same thing again and he can survive another year and the cycle continues. Is farming easy? No, There are so many things you need to take care of, the weather conditions, also one has to be very consistent, very regular, water plants on a particular time, sow seeds on a particular time. The Farmer/Fallaah, he can never take a break, or go on a vacation. Similarly, Falaah is that success, that a person gains not because he is lucky or so; but it is that success that a person attains after putting in a lot of hard work, after being very consistent, very regular, very conscious, very alert. The first quality of Successful people is those who have Taqwa those who are very conscious! Then there is believing in the Unseen, and then Iqaamatussalaah being consistent, being regular. Ibn Abi Ishaaq said that Successful one are those who attain what they seek and are saved from the evil, from which they flee! Muttaqeen are those who have taken protection against Allah Swts punishment, they are running away from it and they are going towards the Pleasures of Allah Swt. They are the successful ones. It is mentioned in Sarah Al Imraan, He who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise then he has attained success. To summarize, who are the Successful ones? Those who will enter the Jannah, those who will reap the benefit after having put in a lot of hard work, now in the Duniya, in this Life!