The Blessing of Surat Al-Baqarah (Chapter: The Cow)

Heidi Mahmoud Kheyamy

04 Mar 2018

Abu Huraira reported that Allah's Messenger (PBUH) said: “Do not make your houses as graveyards. Satan runs away from the house in which Surah Baqarah is recited.” [Sahih Muslim 780, Book 6, Hadith 252]. Al-Baqarah is known for being the longest chapter of the Holy Quran. It is composed of 286 verses and it was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in Al-Madinah. In addition to this, verse number 282 of Al-Baqarah is the longest verse in the Holy Quran, and is called “The Verse of Debt.”

Like most chapters which were revealed in Al-Madinah, Al-Baqarah illustrates many legislative provisions. Those mentioned in Al Baqarah are concerned with belief, actions of devotion, ethics, marriage, divorce, and a few others.

In the beginning, the chapter mentions the attributes of the believers, disbelievers and hypocrites. As Allah Says: “[They] who believe in the unseen, establish prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them. And who believe in what has been revealed to you, [O Muhammad], and what was revealed before you, and of the Hereafter they are certain [in faith]. Those are upon [right] guidance from their Lord, and it is those who are the successful. Indeed, those who disbelieve - it is all the same for them whether you warn them or do not warn them - they will not believe. Allah has set a seal upon their hearts and upon their hearing, and over their vision is a veil. And for them is a great punishment. And of the people are some who say, "We believe in Allah and the Last Day," but they are not believers. In their hearts is disease, so Allah has increased their disease; and for them is a painful punishment because they [habitually] used to lie.” [Al-Baqarah, 3-10]

Furthermore, it tells the story of creating Adam (PBUH) as the first human being in the universe, followed by committing sin and ending with repentance.

On the other hand, Allah’s verses of Al-Baqarah warn Muslims of the people of scripture especially Bani Israel (the Jews), who were living with Muslims in the city, as they were malicious and dishonest.

The Name of the Chapter (The Cow)

The chapter informs readers of an incident that happened during the era of the prophet Moses (PBUH). A man from Bani Israel (the Jews) was murdered and the people of Bani Israel could not discover the identity of the murderer, so they sought help from Moses (PBUH). Afterwards, Allah revealed to Moses (PBUH) to order people of Israel to slaughter a cow. Then, they should hit the dead man with a part of the slaughtered cow. At that moment, Allah resurrected the dead man who told the people of Israel about the murderer. The verses introduced a proof of Allah's ability to resurrect the dead.

Moreover, the chapter of Al-Baqarah includes the verse of Al-Kursi which is distinguished in accordance with what was reported by Abu Huraira: "Allah's Messenger (PBUH) put me in charge of the Zakat of Ramadan (i.e. Zakat-ul-Fitr). Someone came to me and started scooping some of the food stuff of (Zakat) with both hands. I caught him and told him that I would take him to Allah's Messenger (PBUH)." Then Abu Huraira told the whole narration in which he reported that he felt sympathy for the thief and let him go. This recurred 3 times and on the 3^rd time, he was adamant on bringing the thief before the prophet (PBUH) until the thief promised him that he would let him know something special if he lets him go for the last time and added "He (i.e. the thief) said, 'Whenever you go to your bed, recite the Verse of "Al-Kursi" (2.255) for then a guardian from Allah will be guarding you, and the Devil will not approach you till dawn.' “On that the Prophet (PBUH) said, "He told you the truth, though he is a liar, and he (the thief) himself was the Devil." [Sahih al-Bukhari 3275, Book 59, Hadith 84]

Besides, the last two verses of the chapter of Al-Baqarah are recommended to be recited before sleeping as the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: "If one recites the last two Verses of Surat-al-Baqarah at night, it is sufficient for him (for that night).” [Sahih al-Bukhari 5040, Book 66, Hadith 64]