The Cow
Al-Baqarah
البقرہ
Surah Al-Baqarah for kids content
ALLAH'S FAVOURS UPON THE PEOPLE OF MUSA
47O Children of Isra'il!
Remember 'all' the favours I gave you and how I honoured you above the others.
48Guard yourselves against the Day on which no soul will be able to benefit another.
No words of defence will be accepted.
No bribe will be taken.
And no help will be given.
49Remember how We saved you from the people of Pharaoh, who put you through a horrible punishment—slaughtering your sons and keeping your women.
That was a severe test from your Lord.
50And 'remember' when We split the sea, rescued you, and drowned the people of Pharaoh in front of your own eyes.
51And 'remember' when We made an appointment with Musa for forty nights, then you worshipped the 'golden calf' in his absence, acting wrongly.
52Even then We will forgive you so perhaps you would be grateful.
53And 'remember' when We gave Musa the Book—the Standard 'that tells right from wrong' so that perhaps you would be 'rightly' guided.
54And 'remember' when Musa said to his people, "O my people!
Surely you have wronged yourselves by worshipping the 'golden' calf, so repent to your Creator and secure the 'calm' worshi-pers among yourselves.
That is best for you in the sight of your Creator.
" Then He accepted your repentance.
Surely, He is willing to accept repentance and is full of mercy.
55And 'remember' when you said, "O Musa!
We will never believe you until we see Allah with our own eyes," so a thunderbolt hit you while you were watching.
56Then We brought you back to life after your death, so that perhaps you would be grateful.
57And 'remember' when We shaded you with clouds and sent down to you manna and quails, saying, "Eat from the good things We have provided for you.
" It was not Us they wronged; they wronged themselves.
58And 'remember' when We said, "Enter this city and eat as freely as you wish.
Enter the gate with humility, saying 'Clear us of our sins.
' We will forgive your sins and multiply the reward of those doing good.
"
59But those doing wrong changed the words they were ordered to say.
So, We sent down a punishment from the heavens upon them for crossing all lines.
60And 'remember' when Musa prayed for water for his people, We said, "Strike the rock with your staff.
" Then twelve springs gushed out.
Each tribe knew its drinking place.
"We then said, "Eat and drink from what Allah has provided, and do not go about spreading corruption in the land.
"
يَٰبَنِيٓ إِسۡرَٰٓءِيلَ ٱذۡكُرُواْ نِعۡمَتِيَ ٱلَّتِيٓ أَنۡعَمۡتُ عَلَيۡكُمۡ وَأَنِّي فَضَّلۡتُكُمۡ عَلَى ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ47
وَٱتَّقُواْ يَوۡمٗا لَّا تَجۡزِي نَفۡسٌ عَن نَّفۡسٖ شَيۡٔٗا وَلَا يُقۡبَلُ مِنۡهَا شَفَٰعَةٞ وَلَا يُؤۡخَذُ مِنۡهَا عَدۡلٞ وَلَا هُمۡ يُنصَرُونَ48
وَإِذۡ نَجَّيۡنَٰكُم مِّنۡ ءَالِ فِرۡعَوۡنَ يَسُومُونَكُمۡ سُوٓءَ ٱلۡعَذَابِ يُذَبِّحُونَ أَبۡنَآءَكُمۡ وَيَسۡتَحۡيُونَ نِسَآءَكُمۡۚ وَفِي ذَٰلِكُم بَلَآءٞ مِّن رَّبِّكُمۡ عَظِيمٞ49
وَإِذۡ فَرَقۡنَا بِكُمُ ٱلۡبَحۡرَ فَأَنجَيۡنَٰكُمۡ وَأَغۡرَقۡنَآ ءَالَ فِرۡعَوۡنَ وَأَنتُمۡ تَنظُرُونَ50
وَإِذۡ وَٰعَدۡنَا مُوسَىٰٓ أَرۡبَعِينَ لَيۡلَةٗ ثُمَّ ٱتَّخَذۡتُمُ ٱلۡعِجۡلَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِهِۦ وَأَنتُمۡ ظَٰلِمُونَ51
ثُمَّ عَفَوۡنَا عَنكُم مِّنۢ بَعۡدِ ذَٰلِكَ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَشۡكُرُونَ52
وَإِذۡ ءَاتَيۡنَا مُوسَى ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ وَٱلۡفُرۡقَانَ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَهۡتَدُونَ53
وَإِذۡ قَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِقَوۡمِهِۦ يَٰقَوۡمِ إِنَّكُمۡ ظَلَمۡتُمۡ أَنفُسَكُم بِٱتِّخَاذِكُمُ ٱلۡعِجۡلَ فَتُوبُوٓاْ إِلَىٰ بَارِئِكُمۡ فَٱقۡتُلُوٓاْ أَنفُسَكُمۡ ذَٰلِكُمۡ خَيۡرٞ لَّكُمۡ عِندَ بَارِئِكُمۡ فَتَابَ عَلَيۡكُمۡۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلتَّوَّابُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ54
وَإِذۡ قُلۡتُمۡ يَٰمُوسَىٰ لَن نُّؤۡمِنَ لَكَ حَتَّىٰ نَرَى ٱللَّهَ جَهۡرَةٗ فَأَخَذَتۡكُمُ ٱلصَّٰعِقَةُ وَأَنتُمۡ تَنظُرُونَ55
ثُمَّ بَعَثۡنَٰكُم مِّنۢ بَعۡدِ مَوۡتِكُمۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَشۡكُرُونَ56
وَظَلَّلۡنَا عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡغَمَامَ وَأَنزَلۡنَا عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡمَنَّ وَٱلسَّلۡوَىٰۖ كُلُواْ مِن طَيِّبَٰتِ مَا رَزَقۡنَٰكُمۡۚ وَمَا ظَلَمُونَا وَلَٰكِن كَانُوٓاْ أَنفُسَهُمۡ يَظۡلِمُونَ57
وَإِذۡ قُلۡنَا ٱدۡخُلُواْ هَٰذِهِ ٱلۡقَرۡيَةَ فَكُلُواْ مِنۡهَا حَيۡثُ شِئۡتُمۡ رَغَدٗا وَٱدۡخُلُواْ ٱلۡبَابَ سُجَّدٗا وَقُولُواْ حِطَّةٞ نَّغۡفِرۡ لَكُمۡ خَطَٰيَٰكُمۡۚ وَسَنَزِيدُ ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ58
فَبَدَّلَ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ قَوۡلًا غَيۡرَ ٱلَّذِي قِيلَ لَهُمۡ فَأَنزَلۡنَا عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ رِجۡزٗا مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ بِمَا كَانُواْ يَفۡسُقُونَ59
وَإِذِ ٱسۡتَسۡقَىٰ مُوسَىٰ لِقَوۡمِهِۦ فَقُلۡنَا ٱضۡرِب بِّعَصَاكَ ٱلۡحَجَرَۖ فَٱنفَجَرَتۡ مِنۡهُ ٱثۡنَتَا عَشۡرَةَ عَيۡنٗاۖ قَدۡ عَلِمَ كُلُّ أُنَاسٖ مَّشۡرَبَهُمۡۖ كُلُواْ وَٱشۡرَبُواْ مِن رِّزۡقِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا تَعۡثَوۡاْ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ مُفۡسِدِينَ60
PUNISHMENT FOR WICKEDNESS
61And 'remember' when you said, "O Musa!
We cannot put up with the same food 'every day'.
" So pray to your Lord on our behalf to bring out for us some of what the earth produces: herbs, cucum-bers, garlic, lentils, and onions.
" Musa responded, "What!
How can you exchange what is better for what is worse?
You can' go down to any village and you will find what you have asked for.
" They were covered with disgrace and misery, and they ended up with Allah's anger.
This is for rejecting Allah's signs and killing prophets with no right.
This is 'a fair punishment' for disobeying and breaking the rules.
وَإِذۡ قُلۡتُمۡ يَٰمُوسَىٰ لَن نَّصۡبِرَ عَلَىٰ طَعَامٖ وَٰحِدٖ فَٱدۡعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ يُخۡرِجۡ لَنَا مِمَّا تُنۢبِتُ ٱلۡأَرۡضُ مِنۢ بَقۡلِهَا وَقِثَّآئِهَا وَفُومِهَا وَعَدَسِهَا وَبَصَلِهَاۖ قَالَ أَتَسۡتَبۡدِلُونَ ٱلَّذِي هُوَ أَدۡنَىٰ بِٱلَّذِي هُوَ خَيۡرٌۚ ٱهۡبِطُواْ مِصۡرٗا فَإِنَّ لَكُم مَّا سَأَلۡتُمۡۗ وَضُرِبَتۡ عَلَيۡهِمُ ٱلذِّلَّةُ وَٱلۡمَسۡكَنَةُ وَبَآءُو بِغَضَبٖ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِۗ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمۡ كَانُواْ يَكۡفُرُونَ بَِٔايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَيَقۡتُلُونَ ٱلنَّبِيِّۧنَ بِغَيۡرِ ٱلۡحَقِّۗ ذَٰلِكَ بِمَا عَصَواْ وَّكَانُواْ يَعۡتَدُونَ61
WORDS OF WISDOM
- •
According to 3:19 and 3:85, regardless of whatever faith people claim to follow, only those who truly believe in Allah and follow the message of Islam (which was
delivered by all prophets from Adam to Muhammad) will be successful on Judgment Day.
This is the proper understanding of the following passage.
REWARD OF THE BELIEVERS
62Indeed, the believers, Jews, Christians, and star-worshippers—whoever 'truly' believes in Allah and the Last Day and does good will have their reward with their Lord.
There will be no fear for them, and they will never be sad.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَٱلَّذِينَ هَادُواْ وَٱلنَّصَٰرَىٰ وَٱلصَّٰبِِٔينَ مَنۡ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأٓخِرِ وَعَمِلَ صَٰلِحٗا فَلَهُمۡ أَجۡرُهُمۡ عِندَ رَبِّهِمۡ وَلَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡهِمۡ وَلَا هُمۡ يَحۡزَنُونَ62
WORDS OF WISDOM
- •
The following passage talks about those among the Children of Isra'il who disobeyed Allah by breaking the Sabbath by catching fish on Saturdays.
Their story is mentioned in 7:163-166.
Although many scholars believe that those who broke the Sabbath were turned into real apes, others think that they just started to behave like apes.
This style of metaphor is very common in the Quran.
For example, those who ignore the truth are called deaf, mute, and blind (2:18), even though they can hear, talk, and see.
See also 7:176 and 62:5.
ALLAH'S PLEDGE WITH THE PEOPLE OF MUSA
63And 'remember' when We took a pledge from you and raised the mountain above you, saying, "Stick to the Book We have given you and follow its teachings,
so perhaps you will guard against evil.
"
64Yet you turned away afterwards.
If it was not for Allah's kindness and mercy upon you, you would have certainly been among the losers.
65You are already aware of those of you who broke the Sabbath.
We said to them, "Be disgraced apes!
"
66So, We made their fate an example to present and future generations and a lesson to those who keep Allah in mind.
وَإِذۡ أَخَذۡنَا مِيثَٰقَكُمۡ وَرَفَعۡنَا فَوۡقَكُمُ ٱلطُّورَ خُذُواْ مَآ ءَاتَيۡنَٰكُم بِقُوَّةٖ وَٱذۡكُرُواْ مَا فِيهِ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَتَّقُونَ63
ثُمَّ تَوَلَّيۡتُم مِّنۢ بَعۡدِ ذَٰلِكَۖ فَلَوۡلَا فَضۡلُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيۡكُمۡ وَرَحۡمَتُهُۥ لَكُنتُم مِّنَ ٱلۡخَٰسِرِينَ64
وَلَقَدۡ عَلِمۡتُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱعۡتَدَوۡاْ مِنكُمۡ فِي ٱلسَّبۡتِ فَقُلۡنَا لَهُمۡ كُونُواْ قِرَدَةً خَٰسِِٔينَ65
فَجَعَلۡنَٰهَا نَكَٰلٗا لِّمَا بَيۡنَ يَدَيۡهَا وَمَا خَلۡفَهَا وَمَوۡعِظَةٗ لِّلۡمُتَّقِينَ66
SIDE STORY
- •
Hamzah always liked to argue.
One day, his father was too sick to leave his bed.
He asked Hamzah for some tea.
Hamzah asked, "Green tea or black tea?
" His father replied, "Green tea is fine.
" Hamzah then asked, "With honey or sugar?
" His father answered, "Honey.
" Again, Hamzah asked, "Small cup or big mug?
" His annoyed father replied, "Juice, just bring me some juice please.
" Hamzah asked, "Apple juice or orange juice?
" His father answered angrily, "Water, I'll just drink some water!
" Two hours later, Hamzah came back with a glass of milk, but his father was already asleep.
All he wanted was some tea.
BACKGROUND STORY
- •
As we will see throughout this surah and elsewhere in the Quran, the people of Musa always argued with him.
For example,
- •
* They argued that they wouldn't believe in his revelations until he made Allah visible to them (2:55).
- •
* They argued that they didn't want to eat manna and quails every day, and asked for onions and garlic instead (2:61).
- •
* They argued with him about entering the city (5:22-24).
- •
* They argued about worshipping the golden calf (20:88-91).
- •
* When they were ordered to slaughter a cow, there was a lot of back and forth between them and Musa, and this ended up making things difficult
for themselves (2:67-74).
- •
This surah is named after the cow mentioned in the following story.
According to Imam Al-Qurtubi, a rich man who had no kids was killed by his nephew for his money.
When the body was found in the street the next morning, the nephew made a scene and started accusing different people of killing his uncle.
Those who were accused said they were innocent and blamed it on others.
After a long investigation, no criminal was identified.
Eventually, people came to Musa for guidance.
When he prayed, Allah inspired him to tell them if you want to find the killer, you must slaughter a cow—any cow.
First, they accused him of making fun of them.
Then they started to ask him about the type, colour, age, and other features of the cow.
Even after Musa gave them all the required details, they were still hesitant to slaughter the chosen cow.
Finally, when the cow was slaughtered, they were told to strike the victim with a piece of it.
When they did, a miracle happened: the dead man spoke and told them who the killer was.
STORY OF THE COW
67And 'remember' when Musa said to his people, "Allah commands you to sacrifice a cow.
" They argued, "Are you mocking us?
" Musa responded, "I seek protection in Allah from acting foolishly!
"
68They said, "Call upon your Lord to tell us what type of cow it should be!
" He replied, "Allah says the cow should not be too old or too young but in between.
Just do what you have been told!
"
69They argued, "Call upon your Lord to tell us its colour!
" He replied, "Allah says it should be a bright yellow cow, nice to see.
"
70Again they argued, "Call upon your Lord to tell us which cow, because all cows look the same to us.
Then, in-sha-Allah, we will be guided 'to the right one'.
"
71He replied, "Allah says it should be healthy with no defects, not used for breaking and turning over the soil or watering the fields.
They said, 'Ah!
Now you have given the right description.
'" Yet they still slaughtered it hesitantly!
72'This happened' when a man was killed and you argued who the killer was, but Allah revealed what you hid.
73So We instructed, "Strike the dead body with a piece of the cow.
" This is how easily Allah brings the dead back to life.
He shows you His signs so perhaps you will understand.
74Even then your hearts became hard like rocks or even harder— because some rocks gush rivers; others split, spilling water; while others are humbled in awe of Allah.
And Allah is never unaware of what you do.
وَإِذۡ قَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِقَوۡمِهِۦٓ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَأۡمُرُكُمۡ أَن تَذۡبَحُواْ بَقَرَةٗۖ قَالُوٓاْ أَتَتَّخِذُنَا هُزُوٗاۖ قَالَ أَعُوذُ بِٱللَّهِ أَنۡ أَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلۡجَٰهِلِينَ67
قَالُواْ ٱدۡعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ يُبَيِّن لَّنَا مَا هِيَۚ قَالَ إِنَّهُۥ يَقُولُ إِنَّهَا بَقَرَةٞ لَّا فَارِضٞ وَلَا بِكۡرٌ عَوَانُۢ بَيۡنَ ذَٰلِكَۖ فَٱفۡعَلُواْ مَا تُؤۡمَرُونَ68
قَالُواْ ٱدۡعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ يُبَيِّن لَّنَا مَا لَوۡنُهَاۚ قَالَ إِنَّهُۥ يَقُولُ إِنَّهَا بَقَرَةٞ صَفۡرَآءُ فَاقِعٞ لَّوۡنُهَا تَسُرُّ ٱلنَّٰظِرِينَ69
قَالُواْ ٱدۡعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ يُبَيِّن لَّنَا مَا هِيَ إِنَّ ٱلۡبَقَرَ تَشَٰبَهَ عَلَيۡنَا وَإِنَّآ إِن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ لَمُهۡتَدُونَ70
قَالَ إِنَّهُۥ يَقُولُ إِنَّهَا بَقَرَةٞ لَّا ذَلُولٞ تُثِيرُ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ وَلَا تَسۡقِي ٱلۡحَرۡثَ مُسَلَّمَةٞ لَّا شِيَةَ فِيهَاۚ قَالُواْ ٱلۡـَٰٔنَ جِئۡتَ بِٱلۡحَقِّۚ فَذَبَحُوهَا وَمَا كَادُواْ يَفۡعَلُونَ71
وَإِذۡ قَتَلۡتُمۡ نَفۡسٗا فَٱدَّٰرَٰٔتُمۡ فِيهَاۖ وَٱللَّهُ مُخۡرِجٞ مَّا كُنتُمۡ تَكۡتُمُونَ72
فَقُلۡنَا ٱضۡرِبُوهُ بِبَعۡضِهَاۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يُحۡيِ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡمَوۡتَىٰ وَيُرِيكُمۡ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَعۡقِلُونَ73
ثُمَّ قَسَتۡ قُلُوبُكُم مِّنۢ بَعۡدِ ذَٰلِكَ فَهِيَ كَٱلۡحِجَارَةِ أَوۡ أَشَدُّ قَسۡوَةٗۚ وَإِنَّ مِنَ ٱلۡحِجَارَةِ لَمَا يَتَفَجَّرُ مِنۡهُ ٱلۡأَنۡهَٰرُۚ وَإِنَّ مِنۡهَا لَمَا يَشَّقَّقُ فَيَخۡرُجُ مِنۡهُ ٱلۡمَآءُۚ وَإِنَّ مِنۡهَا لَمَا يَهۡبِطُ مِنۡ خَشۡيَةِ ٱللَّهِۗ وَمَا ٱللَّهُ بِغَٰفِلٍ عَمَّا تَعۡمَلُونَ74
THE CHILDREN OF ISRA'IL
75Do you 'believers still' expect those 'same people' to be true to you, even though a group of them would hear the word of Allah then intentionally corrupt
it after understanding it?
76When they meet the believers they say, "We too believe.
" But in private they say to each other, "Are you telling those 'Muslims' about the 'knowledge' that Allah has given you so they can use it against
you in front of your Lord?
Do you not understand?
"
77Don't they know that Allah is aware of what they hide and what they show?
78And some of them are uneducated, knowing nothing about the Book except lies.
They are just guessing 'blindly'.
79So, it will be horrible for those who change the Book with their own hands then claim, "This is from Allah," seek-ing a little gain!
They are doomed be-cause of what their hands have written, and shame on them for what they have earned.
۞ أَفَتَطۡمَعُونَ أَن يُؤۡمِنُواْ لَكُمۡ وَقَدۡ كَانَ فَرِيقٞ مِّنۡهُمۡ يَسۡمَعُونَ كَلَٰمَ ٱللَّهِ ثُمَّ يُحَرِّفُونَهُۥ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ مَا عَقَلُوهُ وَهُمۡ يَعۡلَمُونَ75
وَإِذَا لَقُواْ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ قَالُوٓاْ ءَامَنَّا وَإِذَا خَلَا بَعۡضُهُمۡ إِلَىٰ بَعۡضٖ قَالُوٓاْ أَتُحَدِّثُونَهُم بِمَا فَتَحَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيۡكُمۡ لِيُحَآجُّوكُم بِهِۦ عِندَ رَبِّكُمۡۚ أَفَلَا تَعۡقِلُونَ76
أَوَ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعۡلَمُ مَا يُسِرُّونَ وَمَا يُعۡلِنُونَ77
وَمِنۡهُمۡ أُمِّيُّونَ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ إِلَّآ أَمَانِيَّ وَإِنۡ هُمۡ إِلَّا يَظُنُّونَ78
فَوَيۡلٞ لِّلَّذِينَ يَكۡتُبُونَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ بِأَيۡدِيهِمۡ ثُمَّ يَقُولُونَ هَٰذَا مِنۡ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ لِيَشۡتَرُواْ بِهِۦ ثَمَنٗا قَلِيلٗاۖ فَوَيۡلٞ لَّهُم مِّمَّا كَتَبَتۡ أَيۡدِيهِمۡ وَوَيۡلٞ لَّهُم مِّمَّا يَكۡسِبُونَ79
FALSE PROMISE
80Some of the Jews claim, "The Fire will not touch us except for a few days.
" Say, "O Prophet," "Did you get a promise from Allah—because Allah never breaks His word—or are you 'just' saying about Allah what you do not know?
"
81But no!
Those who do evil and are lost in sin will be the people of the Fire.
They will be there forever.
82As for those who believe and do good, they will be the people of Jannah.
They will be there forever.
وَقَالُواْ لَن تَمَسَّنَا ٱلنَّارُ إِلَّآ أَيَّامٗا مَّعۡدُودَةٗۚ قُلۡ أَتَّخَذۡتُمۡ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ عَهۡدٗا فَلَن يُخۡلِفَ ٱللَّهُ عَهۡدَهُۥٓۖ أَمۡ تَقُولُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ80
بَلَىٰۚ مَن كَسَبَ سَيِّئَةٗ وَأَحَٰطَتۡ بِهِۦ خَطِيَٓٔتُهُۥ فَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ أَصۡحَٰبُ ٱلنَّارِۖ هُمۡ فِيهَا خَٰلِدُونَ81
وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ أَصۡحَٰبُ ٱلۡجَنَّةِۖ هُمۡ فِيهَا خَٰلِدُونَ82
SIDE STORY
- •
Verse 83 lists some of Allah's orders to the Children of Isra'il, covering their relationship with Him and the people.
One order emphasizes the importance of being nice and speaking kindly to people—all people.
Some only speak nicely to others if they know them or need something from them.
Otherwise, they either ignore or treat people badly.
This story happened back in the 1950s.
It was a normal summer day at this huge company for freezing and packaging fish.
Right before the end of the work day, Hamzah went inside a big freezer room to check something.
Suddenly, the door closed and he was locked inside.
He kept banging on the door for about 2 hours, but no one was around to open the door for him from the outside.
Hamzah realized that he was going to freeze to death, so he prayed to Allah for help as he banged on the door.
To his surprise, one of the company's guards came and opened the door for him.
The next day, when the manager asked the guard how he realized that Hamzah had been stuck inside, he replied, "Many workers come in and out every day
at the same time.
Only Hamzah stops by on his way out to shake my hand and wish me well.
He's been doing this since he joined the company last year.
When he didn't come out like other workers, I felt something was wrong.
So, I went inside to look for him and heard his knocks on the door.
"
BACKGROUND STORY
- •
According to Imam Ibn Kathir, the people of Madinah used to be divided mainly into two clashing tribes: Al-Aws and Al-Khazraj.
In times of war, some Jews joined Al-Aws and others joined Al-Khazraj.
Some of those Jews were killed in battle or expelled from their homes by other Jews.
When the Prophet moved to Madinah, he made peace between these two tribes, who became known as Al-Ansar (the Helpers).
Verse 85 refers to those Jews who abused each other.
FAILURE TO KEEP PROMISES
83And 'remember' when We took a pledge from the children of Isra'il 'ordering': "Worship none but Allah; be kind to parents, relatives, orphans and the needy; speak kindly
to people; pray salah; and pay zakah.
" But you turned away—except for a few of you—and were careless.
84And 'remember' when We took your pledge that you would not shed each other's blood or expel each other from their homes.
You gave your word, and you know you did.
85But here you are, killing each other and expelling some of your people from their homes—supporting each other in sin and aggression.
And when those 'expelled' come to you as captives, you pay to free them, even though expelling them was forbidden to you 'in the first place'.
Do you believe in some of the Book and reject the rest?
Is there any punishment for those who do this among you other than disgrace in this life, and on Judgment Day they will be hit by the harshest
punishment?
And Allah is never unaware of what you do.
86These are the ones who trade the Next life for this life.
So, their punishment will not be reduced, and they will not be helped.
وَإِذۡ أَخَذۡنَا مِيثَٰقَ بَنِيٓ إِسۡرَٰٓءِيلَ لَا تَعۡبُدُونَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ وَبِٱلۡوَٰلِدَيۡنِ إِحۡسَانٗا وَذِي ٱلۡقُرۡبَىٰ وَٱلۡيَتَٰمَىٰ وَٱلۡمَسَٰكِينِ وَقُولُواْ لِلنَّاسِ حُسۡنٗا وَأَقِيمُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُواْ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ ثُمَّ تَوَلَّيۡتُمۡ إِلَّا قَلِيلٗا مِّنكُمۡ وَأَنتُم مُّعۡرِضُونَ83
وَإِذۡ أَخَذۡنَا مِيثَٰقَكُمۡ لَا تَسۡفِكُونَ دِمَآءَكُمۡ وَلَا تُخۡرِجُونَ أَنفُسَكُم مِّن دِيَٰرِكُمۡ ثُمَّ أَقۡرَرۡتُمۡ وَأَنتُمۡ تَشۡهَدُونَ84
ثُمَّ أَنتُمۡ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ تَقۡتُلُونَ أَنفُسَكُمۡ وَتُخۡرِجُونَ فَرِيقٗا مِّنكُم مِّن دِيَٰرِهِمۡ تَظَٰهَرُونَ عَلَيۡهِم بِٱلۡإِثۡمِ وَٱلۡعُدۡوَٰنِ وَإِن يَأۡتُوكُمۡ أُسَٰرَىٰ تُفَٰدُوهُمۡ وَهُوَ مُحَرَّمٌ عَلَيۡكُمۡ إِخۡرَاجُهُمۡۚ أَفَتُؤۡمِنُونَ بِبَعۡضِ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ وَتَكۡفُرُونَ بِبَعۡضٖۚ فَمَا جَزَآءُ مَن يَفۡعَلُ ذَٰلِكَ مِنكُمۡ إِلَّا خِزۡيٞ فِي ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَاۖ وَيَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِ يُرَدُّونَ إِلَىٰٓ أَشَدِّ ٱلۡعَذَابِۗ وَمَا ٱللَّهُ بِغَٰفِلٍ عَمَّا تَعۡمَلُونَ85
أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱشۡتَرَوُاْ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنۡيَا بِٱلۡأٓخِرَةِۖ فَلَا يُخَفَّفُ عَنۡهُمُ ٱلۡعَذَابُ وَلَا هُمۡ يُنصَرُونَ86
WARNING TO THE PEOPLE OF MUSA
87Surely, We gave Musa the Book and sent other messengers after him.
And We gave 'Isa, son of Maryam, clear proofs and supported him with the holy spirit 'Jibril'.
Why is it that every time a messenger came to you with something you did not like, you became arrogant, rejecting some 'messengers' and killing others?
88They brag, "Our hearts are closed!
" In fact, Allah has doomed them for their disbelief.
So, they hardly have any faith.
وَلَقَدۡ ءَاتَيۡنَا مُوسَى ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ وَقَفَّيۡنَا مِنۢ بَعۡدِهِۦ بِٱلرُّسُلِۖ وَءَاتَيۡنَا عِيسَى ٱبۡنَ مَرۡيَمَ ٱلۡبَيِّنَٰتِ وَأَيَّدۡنَٰهُ بِرُوحِ ٱلۡقُدُسِۗ أَفَكُلَّمَا جَآءَكُمۡ رَسُولُۢ بِمَا لَا تَهۡوَىٰٓ أَنفُسُكُمُ ٱسۡتَكۡبَرۡتُمۡ فَفَرِيقٗا كَذَّبۡتُمۡ وَفَرِيقٗا تَقۡتُلُونَ87
وَقَالُواْ قُلُوبُنَا غُلۡفُۢۚ بَل لَّعَنَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِكُفۡرِهِمۡ فَقَلِيلٗا مَّا يُؤۡمِنُونَ88
BACKGROUND STORY
- •
Before Islam, the people of Madinah and their Jewish neighbours used to fight every now and then.
The Jews knew that a prophet was coming and had his description in their holy book.
So, they prayed to Allah to send that prophet so they would follow him and defeat the idol-worshippers.
Later, when the Prophet moved to Madinah, the city's idol-worshippers started believing in him.
As for the Jews, even though they realized that his revelation was true, most of them rejected him, arguing that he was not the same prophet they were
talking about.
So verses 89-90 were revealed to warn them.
(Imam Ibn Kathir)
REJECTING THE QURAN
89Although they used to pray for victory over the unfaithful 'idol-worshippers', finally when a Book from Allah came to them, which they recognized, confirm-ing 'the revelations they
had 'in their hands', they rejected it.
So may Allah doom the disbelievers.
90Miserable is the price they have sold their souls for—by denying Allah's revelation—because they are jealous that Allah showers His blessings on whoever He wants of His servants!
They have earned anger upon anger.
And such disbelievers will suffer a humiliating punishment.
91When it has revealed," they argue, "We only believe in what was sent down to us," and they deny what came after, even though this 'Quran' is the
truth confirming their own revelations.
Ask 'them, O Prophet', "Why then did you kill Allah's prophets before, if you truly believe 'in your own Book'?
"
وَلَمَّا جَآءَهُمۡ كِتَٰبٞ مِّنۡ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ مُصَدِّقٞ لِّمَا مَعَهُمۡ وَكَانُواْ مِن قَبۡلُ يَسۡتَفۡتِحُونَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُم مَّا عَرَفُواْ كَفَرُواْ بِهِۦۚ فَلَعۡنَةُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَى ٱلۡكَٰفِرِينَ89
بِئۡسَمَا ٱشۡتَرَوۡاْ بِهِۦٓ أَنفُسَهُمۡ أَن يَكۡفُرُواْ بِمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ بَغۡيًا أَن يُنَزِّلَ ٱللَّهُ مِن فَضۡلِهِۦ عَلَىٰ مَن يَشَآءُ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِۦۖ فَبَآءُو بِغَضَبٍ عَلَىٰ غَضَبٖۚ وَلِلۡكَٰفِرِينَ عَذَابٞ مُّهِينٞ90
وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمۡ ءَامِنُواْ بِمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ قَالُواْ نُؤۡمِنُ بِمَآ أُنزِلَ عَلَيۡنَا وَيَكۡفُرُونَ بِمَا وَرَآءَهُۥ وَهُوَ ٱلۡحَقُّ مُصَدِّقٗا لِّمَا مَعَهُمۡۗ قُلۡ فَلِمَ تَقۡتُلُونَ أَنۢبِيَآءَ ٱللَّهِ مِن قَبۡلُ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤۡمِنِينَ91
MUSA WAS CHALLENGED TOO
92Surely, Musa came to you with clear proofs, then you worshipped the 'golden' calf in his absence, acting wrongful-ly.
93And When We took your pledge and raised the mountain above you saying', "Stick to this 'Book' We have given you and obey," they answered, "We hear and
disobey.
" Their hearts were filled with love for the 'golden calf' because of their disbelief.
Say, 'O Prophet,' "How wrong is what your belief tells you to do, if you 'actually' believe 'in the Tawrah'!
"
۞ وَلَقَدۡ جَآءَكُم مُّوسَىٰ بِٱلۡبَيِّنَٰتِ ثُمَّ ٱتَّخَذۡتُمُ ٱلۡعِجۡلَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِهِۦ وَأَنتُمۡ ظَٰلِمُونَ92
وَإِذۡ أَخَذۡنَا مِيثَٰقَكُمۡ وَرَفَعۡنَا فَوۡقَكُمُ ٱلطُّورَ خُذُواْ مَآ ءَاتَيۡنَٰكُم بِقُوَّةٖ وَٱسۡمَعُواْۖ قَالُواْ سَمِعۡنَا وَعَصَيۡنَا وَأُشۡرِبُواْ فِي قُلُوبِهِمُ ٱلۡعِجۡلَ بِكُفۡرِهِمۡۚ قُلۡ بِئۡسَمَا يَأۡمُرُكُم بِهِۦٓ إِيمَٰنُكُمۡ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤۡمِنِينَ93
A CHALLENGE TO THE PEOPLE OF MUSA
94Say, 'O Prophet,' "If the 'eternal' Home of the Next Life with Allah is reserved only for you out of all humanity, then wish for death if what
you say is true!
"
95But they will never wish for that be-cause of what they have done.
And Allah has 'perfect' knowledge of those doing wrong.
96You will definitely find them more attached to life than any oth-er people, even more than the idol-wor-shippers.
Each one of them wishes to live a thousand years.
But even if they lived that long, it would not save them from the punishment.
And Allah sees what they do.
قُلۡ إِن كَانَتۡ لَكُمُ ٱلدَّارُ ٱلۡأٓخِرَةُ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ خَالِصَةٗ مِّن دُونِ ٱلنَّاسِ فَتَمَنَّوُاْ ٱلۡمَوۡتَ إِن كُنتُمۡ صَٰدِقِينَ94
وَلَن يَتَمَنَّوۡهُ أَبَدَۢا بِمَا قَدَّمَتۡ أَيۡدِيهِمۡۚ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمُۢ بِٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ95
وَلَتَجِدَنَّهُمۡ أَحۡرَصَ ٱلنَّاسِ عَلَىٰ حَيَوٰةٖ وَمِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَشۡرَكُواْۚ يَوَدُّ أَحَدُهُمۡ لَوۡ يُعَمَّرُ أَلۡفَ سَنَةٖ وَمَا هُوَ بِمُزَحۡزِحِهِۦ مِنَ ٱلۡعَذَابِ أَن يُعَمَّرَۗ وَٱللَّهُ بَصِيرُۢ بِمَا يَعۡمَلُونَ96
BACKGROUND STORY
- •
According to Imam Ibn Kathir, some Jews rejected Allah's revelations and practiced magic, which was promoted by the devils.
Those people even accused Prophet Sulaiman of using magic to run his kingdom, manage the jinn, and control the wind.
Some people were so skilled in magic that they claimed to perform miracles like prophets.
To clear this confusion, Allah sent two angels, named Harut and Marut, to teach the Jews of Babylon (an ancient city in Iraq) the difference between miracles and
magic.
Whenever these two angels taught someone, they warned them against using that knowledge to harm others.
Still, some people didn't listen to their warning and caused many problems in the community.
SIDE STORY
- •
It was the winter break in Canada back in 2016.
One day, there was an educational program for young students at the local centre.
An artist was invited to perform some tricks to entertain them students.
On the way home, my son and I were talking about magic tricks—he thought those tricks were real.
I told him if it was real, that entertainer wouldn't have to drive all the way to the centre in this cold weather just to earn 100 bucks.
He could have stayed at home, put his hand in his top hat, and pulled out $1,000,000.
I think that made sense to my son.
WORDS OF WISDOM
- •
The following passage talks about 'witchcraft' or 'black magic,' which is done with the help of jinn or evil forces, with the intention of harming someone physically, mentally,
or financially.
This practice is forbidden in Islam and may cause people to fall sick, die, or cause their marriages to collapse.
How to study Surah Al-Baqarah with children
Use this children's lesson as a guided path: read the short explanation, look at the Arabic verse, listen to related recitation, and return to the full surah when your child is ready for more detail.
Parents can review one section at a time, ask the child to repeat the main idea, and then continue with the next part or a nearby surah. This keeps the lesson connected with Quran reading, audio, and daily practice.