Every holy book of Allah (ٰSWT) was revealed in the month of Ramadan according to a Prophetic narration.
The Qur’an starts as a dua for guidance, Baqarah is a response to the dua (here is the book of guidance), and Allah mentions that the month of Ramadan is the month in which we learn the true value of the guidance.
Fatihah begins with asking Allah (ٰتعالى و سبحان (for guidance, Baqarah ends with asking Allah for steadfastness on that guidance.
Allah wants for you ease, and he does not want for you hardship – ponder about the fact that many people have reverted to Islam, others like ourselves have been muslim since birth but there was a point in our life when we started to question the existence of Allah (ٰSWT)
In these ayahs of Ramadan, Allah talks about concessions, Allah (ٰSWT) is showing his mercy, love and ease that he wants upon you.
Allah (ٰSWT) is Al-Aleem – he knows what was, what is and what will be —> perfect knowledge.
Application of this knowledge is through wisdom – Allah (ٰSWT) is Al Hakeem. When we understand this, we come to the realisation that the religion of Islam is here because Allah loves you. Allah (ٰSWT) only wants you to succeed.
Allah wants ease for you, rather than hardship. At the same time he knows better than you, about you, and therefore recommends acts which we may not understand but are best for us.
Any time we face a challenge we should look at it as an opportunity to be better people.
Think of a time when you have had to discipline someone (a child), that person may not understand it, they may think it is wrong but you do so with love, care and affection. KNOWING what is better for them – this is WISDOM.
The verses of divorce are mainly in Surah Baqarah. – 4-5 pages. Be kind, do not forget the good that was between you, fear Allah (ٰSWT) and do not surpass the boundaries.
When doing any contract, consider is this bringing me closer to Allah (ٰSWT). Is this pleasing to Allah (ٰSWT), or will it push me away from Allah.
Allah (ٰSWT) reminds us that the nations of past will be held accountable for their actions as we as a people will be accountable for our own deeds.
Verse 143: MIDDLE VERSE OF BAQARAH – “This is how we have made you a middle/ moderate nation” – We are a moderate, balanced nation in between the two extremes, between literalism and spirituality
The changing of the qibla was a significant point in the seerah, for 13 years prior to this the Muslims would face Jerusalem. This signifies the coming of age of the Muslim faith.
Remember the laws are fundamentally important, but the religion is more than just the laws. Islam is a balance between the laws and spirituality. Where groups/individuals renege on one or the other than this is misguided.
Allah tells us the rules of Ramadan, eat and drink until the white streak of the dawn can be distinguished from the black streaks —> The real dawn – then fast until the sun sets.
Fasting is prescribed upon you (the law is to fast), the higher purpose is to gain Taqwa (God consciousness).
The month of Ramadan is the month of Qur’an – in these verses Ramadan is linked to Qur’an even before fasting is mentioned.
Verse 170: “When it is said to them, follow what has been revealed, they say, No, we will follow what our ancestors have given us” – The majority of time when people reject the truth, is because it clashes with the ethics, morality or culture that they have absorbed through their life.
We sometimes fall into the same paradigm. Just because everyone in our society has accepted a certain morale, tradition or culture, and the Qur’an clashes with this, we begin to question the Qur’an.
On the day of judgement, your ancestors, your culture, your tradition will not save you.
Verse 178: ‘Oh you who believe, Retaliation is prescribed upon you when someone is killed’ Life for a life, eye for an eye, hand for a hand. In this law of Qissass, there is your own life too – for those people of intellect. Reflect and think. When the punishment of murder is so harsh, it will make individuals think twice about committing such sin. This will mean that the life of the would be murderer will be saved. i,e, both lives saved. The Shariah has a very high bar when it comes to proving any crime.
‘Whoever is forgiven by his brother, then let him follow up that forgiveness with good will and let him pay the penalty with excellence’ – If the victims family have mercy on the assailant, then Allah (ٰSWT) will reward them. The murderer should pay a large financial penalty to the family. The right of execution is with the inheritors of the deceased, If one individual has mercy for the sake of Allah and objects to the penalty the assailant will be set free.
Verse 186: ‘When my servant asks you about me, then I am close to them, I respond to the call of the caller when they call upon me. So then let them respond to me and believe in me so they may find guidance’.
The verse embodies that beseeching Allah, calling to Allah, making dua to Allah (ٰSWT) is one of the core components of Ramadan.
Verse 190: ‘Go ahead and fight in the cause of Allah, not for your glory or ego, not for wealth, fight those that are a threat to you. Don’t go beyond the bounds. Allah (ٰSWT) does not love the aggressor’
Verse 216: “Fighting is ordained for you, even though you don’t like it. But it is possible that you dislike something but it is for your best interests. And it is possible that you like something and it is not good for you, and Allah (ٰSWT) knows and you do not know.”
Right and wrong does not come from what I desire or what I like. If you do have to go to war, it is for the sake of Allah (ٰSWT)
Verse 256: ‘There is never forcing people in the religion’
Latter part of Baqarah discusses the penal laws of Islam e.g. Murder, Rape etc.
Discussion about monetary issues and charity. Generally spoken at fundraisers – “whoever gives is like 1 grain that will sprout forth 7 branches, each branch will have 100 seeds”
Verse 254: “Oh you who believe spend from the wealth we have given you”
Verse 267: “Oh you who believe spend from the pure wealth that you have earned”
Two verses similar yet different. In one case, everything we have is from Allah (ٰSWT) but it does not come for free. It must be earned through hard work in a halal manner.
“Shaitan promises you poverty and urges you to do immorality”
“Allah will destroy all blessings of the money earned from interest and Allah will give you more when you give charity.”
Remember if charity is going to make you arrogant then this is not good for you. Give charity and practice humility.
Verse 255 “Ayatul Kursi” -> The greatest verse of the entire Qur’an. Contains more than 15 names and attributes of Allah (ٰSWT). The (Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم would recite every night before he would go to sleep. Whoever recites Ayatul Kursi after every salaat, there is nothing that is between him and jannah aside from his own death.
The final 2 verses of Surah Baqarah – Allah (ٰSWT) gifted them to the prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم on the night of Isra-Wal-Meraj. Whoever recites them before sleep – Allah will take care of them.
“Allah does not place a burden on any individual that you cannot bear” – Allah knows you have the strength and faith to overcome the difficulty.
Beautiful Dua – Oh our lord do not call us to task if we forget/ if we make a mistake. Do not put a burden upon us more than we can bear, Oh Allah forgive us, pardon us, have mercy on us, you are our lord and master and protector. Help us against anybody who is going to harm us. ْ
