Surah Al Baqarah 2:21-39 Notes

I. Adam’s appointment on Earth

A. Allah is the only entity worthy of worship.

1. He is the only one who creates

2. He is the only one who can make create something from nothing and can destroy something and leave nothing behind.

3. He made the Earth as a resting place; the hell fire is under the Earth’s crust and if the crust breaks we will not be able to protect ourselves, but Allah keeps us safe. He made the sky to protect us from UV rays, asteroids, meteors, etc.

4. Allah brings rain to water our crops and other things for our survival.

B. If you are in doubt of Allah’s message then produce a text like the Qur’an revering a different entity and explain the universe. You can never do it.

1. If you can’t (you never can) then fear Hell.

C. Those who believe and do good will go to the garden under which rivers flow and will have fruit and sustenance similar to those on Earth but much better.

D. If you can make life from nothing, if you can make a soul in a fly or a mosquito then you can deny Allah.

II. Adam was created to live on Earth.

A. Original sin is proven wrong because Allah told the angels: “I am going to place (khalifah) generations after generations on Earth.

1. This is telling us that it doesn’t matter how powerful you are you must take the opinion of those around you.

B. The angels replied: “Will you put those who will make mischief, and shed blood? While we glorify You with praises and thanks and sanctify You?”

C. Allah said: “I know what you do not”.

D. Allah taught Adam the names of everything.

1. You need to send your kids to the greatest teacher.

2. Mankind has the ability to construct knowledge.

3. Knowledge must be examined and rewarded.

E. Allah showed the names to the angels and said “Tell me the names if you are truthful.”

1. He was showing the angels that Adam could be better than them.

F. He told the angels to bow before Adam but Iblis (Satan) refused. He used reasoning to conclude that fire is better than clay so he was better than Adam.

1. Guidance is needed to nurture good knowledge or the “bad” knowledge will lead to misguidance and Atheism, misguided religion and agnosticism.

III. Adam’s expulsion from Jannah (Heaven/Paradise)

A. Allah told Adam and Eve (Hawah) not to go near a specific tree.

B. Shaytan (Satan/Iblis) became friends with Adam and Eve (Hawah) and led them to the forbidden tree by fueling their curiosity.

C. Adam felt shame for the first time and Allah told Adam and Eve that they need clothes.

D. Allah taught Adam repentence.

Summary of Surah Al Baqarah 2:21-29 Adam's Appointment on Earth

Surah Al Baqarah 2: 21-39

Adam’s Appointment on Earth

The Central Subject of the surah Is the process of teaching and training Adam in heaven before sending him to practice on Earth with authority and autonomy

21. O people! Worship your Lord (Allâh), Who created you and those who were before you so that you may become (the pious).
22. Who has made the earth a resting place for you, and Who made the sky as a canopy, and
Who sent down water (rain) from the sky and Who brought forth therewith fruits as a provision for you. Then do not set up rivals unto Allâh (in worship) while you know (that He Alone has the right to be worshipped).
23. And if you (Arab pagans, Jews, and Christians) are in doubt concerning that which We have sent down (i.e. the Qur'ân) to Our slave (Muhammad Peace be upon him), Then produce a Surah (chapter) of the like thereof and Call your witnesses (supporters and helpers) besides Allâh, if you are truthful.
24. But if you do it not, And you can never do it, Then fear the Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones, prepared for the disbelievers.
25. And give glad tidings to those who believe and do righteous good deeds, That for them will be Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise). Every time they will be provided with a fruit therefrom, they will say: "This is what we were provided with before," and they will be given things in resemblance (i.e. in the same form but different in taste) And they shall have therein (purified mates or wives), (having no menses, stools, urine, etc.) And they will abide therein forever.
26. Verily, Allâh is not ashamed to set forth a parable Even of a mosquito or so much more when it is bigger (or less when it is smaller) than it. And as for those who believe, they know that it is the Truth from their Lord, But as for those who disbelieve, they say: "What did Allâh intend by this parable?" By it He misleads many, and many He guides thereby. And He misleads thereby only those who are (the rebellious, disobedient to Allâh).
27. Those who break Allâh's Covenant after ratifying it, And sever what Allâh has ordered to be joined (as regards Allâh's Religion of Islamic Monotheism, And to practice its legal laws on the earth And also as regards keeping good relations with kith and kin ), And do mischief on earth, it is they who are the losers.
28. How can you disbelieve in Allâh? Seeing that you were dead and He gave you life.
Then He will give you death, Then again will bring you to life (on the Day of Resurrection) and then unto Him you will return.
29. He it is Who created for you all that is on earth. Then He (rose over) towards the heaven and made them seven heavens And He is the All-Knower of everything.
30. And (remember) when your Lord said to the angels: "Verily, I am going to place (Khalifah) generations after generations on earth." They said: "Will You place therein those who will
Make mischief therein And shed blood, - While we glorify You with praises and thanks (Exalted be You above all that they associate with You as partners) and sanctify You." He (Allâh) said: "I know that which you do not know."
31. And He taught Adam all the names (of everything) , Then He showed them to the angels and said, "Tell Me the names of these if you are truthful."
32. They (angels) said: "Glory be to You, we have no knowledge except what you have taught us. Verily, it is You, the All-Knower, the All-Wise."
33. He said: "O Adam! Inform them of their names," And when he had informed them of their names, He said: "Did I not tell you that I know the Ghaib (unseen) in the heavens and the earth, and I know what you reveal and what you have been concealing?"
34. And (remember) when We said to the angels: "Prostrate yourselves before Adam.". And they prostrated except Iblîs (Satan), he refused and was proud and was one of the disbelievers (disobedient to Allâh).
35. And We said: "O Adam! Dwell you and your wife in the Paradise and eat both of you freely with pleasure and delight of things therein as wherever you will, but come not near this tree or you both will be of the Zâlimûn (wrong-doers)."
36. Then the Shaitan (Satan) made them slip there from (the Paradise), and got them out from that in which they were. We said: "Get you down, all, with enmity between yourselves. On earth will be a dwelling place for you and an enjoyment for a time."
37. Then Adam received from his Lord Words . And his Lord pardoned him (accepted his repentance). Verily, He is the One Who forgives (accepts repentance), the Most Merciful.
38. We said: "Get down all of you from this place (the Paradise), then whenever there comes to you Guidance from Me, and whoever follows My Guidance, there shall be no fear on them, nor shall they grieve.
39. But those who disbelieve and belie Our (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) such are the dwellers of the Fire, they shall abide therein forever.

Some Dimensions of Human Nature

1. Goals (Allah told the angels that he is putting a Khalifah on Earth.)
2. The quality teacher for Adam (and Allah taught Adam the names)
3. The best environment (Adam was taught in Heaven)
4. The subject of teaching (names)
5. The right time (after breathing the soul into Adam he was taught)
6. The need for competitors (the angles)
7. Publicity of the achievements
8. The reward (prostrate for him)
9. The need for a real challenger and real enemy (Iblis)
10. The need for practical training:

• Do (dwell in Paradise; eat from it what ever you like...)
• Do not (except this tree...)
• Safety factor (do not even come near it...)

11. Power of a friend/teacher

• Iblis whispers to them
• Iblis swears to them that he was a sincere advisor
• Trust is the first step in the life journey
• Iblis explains the prohibition of the tree

12. Curiosity is part of the nature of human being (Submission and follow Prophet Muhammad, while using this quality to discover, invent, innovate, and creatively think about every thing else in this universe)

13. Forgetting is a part of our nature (Reminders)

14. No determination and lack of will power (Training regularly)

15. We make mistakes and commit sins (Repentance)

Summary: Laws in Suarah Al Baqarah

Laws in Surah Al Baqarah

Period of Revelation:

Though it is a Madani Surah (revealed at Madinah), it follows naturally a Makki Surah Al-Fatihah (revealed at Makkah), which ended with the prayer: "Guide us to the Right Way." This Surah begins with the answer to that prayer, "This is the guidance that you have asked for." The greater part of Al-Baqarah was revealed during the first two years of the Prophet's life at Al-Madinah.

Major Issues, Divine Law and Guidance:

1. Assertion of the Qur'an: "This is the Book which contains no doubt."
2. Creation of Adam, man's nature, and his destiny.
3. The Children of Israel and the People of the Book (Jews and Christians).
4. Israelites' sin of worshipping the statue of a calf.
5. Punishment of Israelites violation of Sabbath.
6. Nature of Jews' belief.
7. Allah orders not to prevent the people from coming to Masjid.
8. Ibrahim and his sons were neither Jews nor Christians but were Muslims.
9. Abraham (Ibrahim), Ishmael (Ismail), and their building of Ka'bah.
10. Change of Qiblah (direction in prayers) towards Ka'bah in Makkah.
11. Allah orders not to profess any faith blindly.
12. The moon is created to determine the time periods i.e. months and years.
13. Hypocrisy vs. True faith.
14. Ayat-ul-Kursi (Verse of the Throne of Allah).
15. Allah orders the believers to enter into Islam completely.
16. Punishment of a murtad (a Muslim who becomes a Non-Muslim).
17. It is unlawful to marry a mushrik.
18. Victory is not by numbers but by Allah's help.
19. Confrontation of Ibrahim and' Nimrod (the king of his time).
20. What makes charity worthless?
21. Taking usury is like declaring war against Allah and his Rasool.
22. All business dealings relating to deferred payments must be in writing.
23. Retaliation against oppression.
24. No compulsion in religion.

Guidance is also provided concerning social, cultural, economic, political and legal issues through addressing the Jews who were acquainted with the Unity of Allah, Prophethood, Revelation, the Hereafter and angels.

The Jews professed to believe in the law which was revealed by Allah to their Prophet Moses (pbuh), and in principle, their religion was the same (Islam) that was being taught by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

Although they were originally Muslims, they had swerved from the real Islam and made innovations and alterations to their religion. As a result they had fallen victims to hair splitting and sectarianism, so much so that they had even given up their original name 'Muslim." and adopted the name "Jew " instead, and made religion the monopoly of the children of Israel This was their religious condition when the Prophet went to Al-Madinah and invited the Jews to the True Religion. More than one third of this Surah addresses the Children of Israel. A critical review of their history, moral degeneration and religious perversions has been made, to draw clear lines of demarcation between the essentials and nonessentials of the True Religion. The Jews are warned not to mix up the Truth with Falsehood.

During this period, a new type of Muslims called "Munafiqin" (hypo­crites), had emerged. There were some who had entered the fold of Islam merely to harm it from within. There were others who were surrounded by Muslims, and had become "Muslims" to safeguard their worldly interests. They, therefore, continued to have relations with the enemies so that if the latter became successful, their interests would remain secure. Allah has, therefore, briefly pointed out the characteristics of the hypocrites in this Surah. Later on when their mischievous deeds became manifest, detailed instructions were given in Surah Al-Taubah.

This Surah is an invitation towards the Divine Guidance. All of its stories, examples and incidents revolve round this central theme. This Surah particularly addresses the Jews and cites many events from their history to admonish and advise them that accepting the Guidance revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is to their own advantage. They should, therefore, be the first to accept it because this Message is basically the same as that revealed to the Prophet Musa (Moses) pbuh.

Surah Al Baqarah General Summary Questions

Surah Al Baqarah
The Story of the Cow

General Summary Questions

1. What are the five characteristics of “Al-Mottaqeen” (people who fear Allah[SWT]) mentioned in the beginning of Surat Al-Baqarah?
   
2. What is the most crucial, most defining characteristic of hypocrites mentioned in the verses (7-20) of Surat Al-Baqarah?
3. What are the main virtues of Surat Al-Baqarah?
   

General Summary of Surah Al Baqarah (The Story of the Cow)

Surat Al Baqarah

The story of the Cow

General Summary

Theme: Guidance

This Surah is an invitation to the Divine Guidance and all the stories, incidents etc., revolve round this central theme. As this Surah has particularly been addressed to the Jews, many historical events have been cited from their own traditions to admonish and advise them that their own good lies in accepting the Guidance revealed to the Prophet. They should, therefore, be the first to accept it because it was basically]y the ame that was revealed to Prophet Moses (Allah's peace be upon him).

Topics and their Interconnection

I. v. 1 – 20: These introductory verses

1. declare the Quran to be the Book of Guidance
2. enunciate the articles of the Faith -- belief in Allah, Prophethood and Life-after-death
3. Divide mankind into three main groups with regard to its acceptance or rejection -- Believers, disbelievers and hypocrites.

II. v. 21 – 29: Allah invites mankind to accept the Guidance voluntarily and to submit to Him, the Creator and the sustainer of the Universe and to believe in the Quran, His Guidance, and in the Life-after-death.

III. v. 30 - 39: The story of

1. Adam’s creation and his appointment as an autonomous authority on earth,
2. his life in the Garden,
3. his falling a prey to the temptations of Satan,
4. His repentance and its acceptance, has been related to show to mankind (Adam's offspring), that the only right thing for them is to accept and follow the Guidance.
5. This story also shows that the Guidance of Islam is the same that was given to Adam and that it is the original religion of mankind.

IV. v. 40 – 120: In this portion invitation to the Guidance has particularly been extended to the children of Israel and their past and present attitude has been criticized to show that the cause of their degradation was their deviation from the Guidance.

V. v. 121 – 141: The Jews have been exhorted to follow Prophet Muhammad (Allah's peace be upon him) who had come with the same Guidance and who was a descendant and follower of Prophet Abraham whom they highly honored as their ancestor, and professed to follow as a prophet.

1. The story of the building of the Ka`abah by him has been mentioned because it was going to be made the qiblah of the Muslim Community.

VI. v. 142 – 152: In this portion, the declaration of the change of qiblah from the Temple (Jerusalem) to the Ka`abah (Makkah) has been made as a symbol of the change of leadership from the children of Israel to the Muslim Community, which has also been fore-warned to guard against those transgressions against the Guidance that had led to the deposition of the Jews.

VII. v. 153 – 251: In this portion practical measures have been prescribed to enable the Muslims to discharge the heavy responsibilities of the leadership that had been entrusted to them for the broadcast of Guidance.

1. . Salat, Fast, Zakat, Hajj and Jihad have been prescribed for the moral training of the Ummat.
2. The Believers have been exhorted to obey authority, to be just, to fulfill pledges, to observe treaties, to spend wealth etc., in the way of Allah.
3. Laws, rules and regulations have been laid down for their organization, cohesion and conduct of day-to-day life and for the solution of social, economic, political and international problems; on the other hand, drinking, gambling, lending money on interest etc., have been prohibited to keep the Ummat safe from disintegration.
4. In between these, the basic articles of the Faith have been reiterated at suitable places, for these alone can enable and support one to stick to the Guidance.

VIII. v. 252 - 260: These verses serve as an introduction to the prohibition of lending money on interest.

1. The true conception of Allah, Revelation and Life-after-death has been emphasized to keep alive the sense of accountability.
2. The stories of Prophet Abraham (Allah's peace be upon him) and of the one who woke up after a sleep of hundred years have been related to show that Allah is All-Powerful and is able to raise the dead and call them to account.
3. The Believers, therefore, should keep this fact in view and refrain from taking interest on money.

IX. v. 261 – 283: The theme of 153 - 251 has been resumed and the Believers have been exhorted to spend in the way of Allah in order to please Him alone.

1. In contrast to this, they have been warned against the evils of lending money on interest.
2. Instructions have also been given for the honest conduct of day-to-day business transactions.

X. v. 284 – 286: The basic articles of the Faith have been recapitulated here at the end of the Surah, just as they were enunciated at its beginning.

1. Then the Surah ends with a prayer which the Muslim Community needed very much at that time when they were encountering untold hardships in the propagation of the Guidance.
   
   

Surah Al Baqarah

The Story of the Cow

Class notes

Surah al Baqarah contains 286 verses. The verse which is exactly in the middle, verse 143, talks about the balance and the middle nation (Muslims).

Surah al Baqarah is split into two major subjects 1-142 is about one subject, 144-283 is about a separate subject.

We are an ummah (community) which is in the middle. Meaning we are balanced. We integrate our lives in a balanced way. We take care of our intellect, body and soul in a balanced way, both spiritually and materialistically.

I. Book (written) in Qur’an, in Allah’s preserved book in Jennah (Heaven), in the 7^th Heaven ( Jennah al-Firdous) and in the book of the angels.

A. It is unlike any other way of writing. The Qur’an is a drawing, it is not writing. Printing of a mushaf (copy of the Qur’an) is different than any other book in the Arabic language.

B. Book

C. Qur’an means: read, recited

1. Some angels have the specific job of constantly reciting the Qur’an.

2. Reciting Qur’an is a form of worship.

II. The name Al Baqarah means “The Story of the Cow” not “The Cow” and refers to 2: 67-73.

III. The first ½ of al Baqarah discusses

A. Verses 1-5 Al Muttaqeen – thos who acquired shelter and protection from Allah’s punishment through correct means.

B. Verses 6-7 The Disbelievers

C. Verses 8-29 The Hypocrits

D. Verses 30-39 The Story of Adam and his appointed time on earth.

E. Verses 40-142 Critical review of the Children of Israel.

IV. Every home should have a designated masjid area. The Prophet (salallahu alehi wa salam) said the house in which al-Baqarah is not recited is like a cemetery and the house in which it is recited shaytan runs away from.

A. Prophet Muhammad used to appoint those who had memorized Surah al Baqarah as ameer (leader).

B. Surah al Baqarah is for the Qur’an like the hump of the camel.

C. If you recite Ayyat al Kursi before sleeping 2 angels will come to protect you.

V. The main ideas of Surah al Baqarah are:

A. Guidance

B. Representation

Surah al Hamd (Surah al Fatiha) My class notes

Surah al Hamd (Surah al Fatiha) Class notes

I. Who brought us to this life?

A. Allah – Allah’s personal name. Allah has no plural, no gender, no comparison.

1. Allah is the creator & has the authority to command us. He is the only one with the source of guidance for this life.

2. Allah is deity or divine. The only one to be worshipped. The only one we owe service to.

3. He is our only source of support and help. This help is in accomplishing our mission on earth and we will go back to Allah to receive our reward.

II. Day of accountability

A. We will return to Allah to be judged.

III. Proof of prophethood

A. There are 16 evidences in Surah al Fatiha alone about the prophets.

IV. Defines guidance

A. Those who know the truth and act upon it for Allah’s sake are guided.

V. What is the straight path?

A. Siratul Mustaqeem (the Straight Path) in the hereafter is the only way to reach Paradise (Jannah).

B. The Straight Path is the deen (religion/way of life) of Allah.

VI. Upon whom has Allah bestowed His grace and who deserves His wrath?

A. When we recognize a quality of Allah, we respond with action.

B. Surah al Fatiha contains 3 types of Tawheed (oneness)

1. He is to be worshipped as a deity.

2. He is to be praised as Rab al ameen

3. He is the most merciful and compassionate & the master of the Hereafter.

1. Pillars of Hamd (Praise)
1. Allah has beautiful and perfect names.
2. He is adored, loved and praised. We cannot both love Him and disobey Him.

2. Six levels of Guidance (Hidaya)
1. Inborn Guidance
2. Proof and clarity of truth and falsehood. This is the reason the prophets and messengers came (to teach us).
3. Comprehensive knowledge of deen (religion/way of life).
4. Engrave in our hearts the desire of acting in accordance to the knowledge given to us
5. The ability and consistency to follow the guidance
6. The call to the truth and strength to defend it.