The Cow
Al-Baqarah
البقرہ
Surah Al-Baqarah for kids content
(CARE FOR DIVORCED WOMEN)
241Reasonable support should be provided for divorced women—a duty on those who keep Allah in mind.
242This is how Allah makes His revelations clear to you, so perhaps you will understand.
وَلِلۡمُطَلَّقَٰتِ مَتَٰعُۢ بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِۖ حَقًّا عَلَى ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ241
كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمۡ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَعۡقِلُونَ242
BACKGROUND STORY
- •
People make plans, but Allah always has the ultimate plan.
Verse 243 talks about a group of the Children of Isra'il who were asked by one of their prophets to stand up and defend their land.
Even though there were thousands of them, they ran away to avoid death.
They could have won if they obeyed their prophet and stood their ground.
So, Allah wanted to teach them a lesson by causing them to die before bringing them back to life.
(Imam Ibn 'Ashur)
- •
Similarly, we learn from Surah 28 that Pharaoh was told he would be destroyed by a boy from the Children of Isra'il.
Even though he tried to protect himself by killing many of their sons, he ended up raising Musa (PBUH) in his own palace, eventually leading to his own
destruction!
- •
Also, in Surah 12, we learn that Ya'qub tried hard to protect Yusuf from his older sons, but it didn't work out.
- •
In Surah 3, we read about the Battle of Uhud and how the Prophet (PBUH) made it very clear to the archers to stay on the hill and
never leave their position no matter what happened.
But they ended up leaving to collect war gains, which led to the Muslims' defeat.
- •
This shouldn't stop us from taking precautions and making du'a to Allah to protect us.
We trust that Allah is in charge of our lives and He does what is best for us, even if we don't understand the wisdom at the time.
(SACRIFICES IN ALLAH'S CAUSE)
243Have you 'O Prophet' not seen those who ran away from their homes to avoid death, even though there were thousands of them?
Allah said to them, "Die!
" then He brought them back to life.
Surely Allah is always generous to humanity, but most people are ungrateful.
244Fight in the cause of Allah, and know that Allah hears and knows 'everything'.
245Who will give Allah a good loan which He will multiply many times over?
Allah is the One Who decreases and increases 'wealth'.
And you will all be returned to Him.
۞ أَلَمۡ تَرَ إِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ خَرَجُواْ مِن دِيَٰرِهِمۡ وَهُمۡ أُلُوفٌ حَذَرَ ٱلۡمَوۡتِ فَقَالَ لَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ مُوتُواْ ثُمَّ أَحۡيَٰهُمۡۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَذُو فَضۡلٍ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَشۡكُرُونَ243
وَقَٰتِلُواْ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٞ244
مَّن ذَا ٱلَّذِي يُقۡرِضُ ٱللَّهَ قَرۡضًا حَسَنٗا فَيُضَٰعِفَهُۥ لَهُۥٓ أَضۡعَافٗا كَثِيرَةٗۚ وَٱللَّهُ يَقۡبِضُ وَيَبۡصُۜطُ وَإِلَيۡهِ تُرۡجَعُونَ245
BACKGROUND STORY
- •
According to some scholars, the following passage was revealed after the Prophet's compan.
ions moved to Madinah.
Soon, some of them got used to comfortable living and started to do things routinely and joke around.
So, the next two verses came down, asking them to take their faith as seriously as they did in Makkah.
They are also told that Allah is able to renew faith in their hearts through the Quran just like He gives life to the earth through rain.
(Recorded by Imam Muslim & Imam lbn Kathir}
TALUT BECOMES KING
246Have you not seen those chiefs of the Children of Isra'il after Musa?
They said to one of their prophets, "Appoint for us a king and we will fight in the cause of Allah.
" He said, "Are you not going to refuse if you are ordered to fight?
" They replied, "How could we refuse to fight in the cause of Allah when we have been torn away from our homes and children?
" But when they were ordered to fight, they turned away, except for a few of them.
And Allah has 'perfect' knowledge of those doing wrong.
247Their prophet told them, "Allah has appointed Talut (Saul) as your king.
" They said, "How can he be our king when he is not from a wealthy family and we are more deserving of kingship than him?
" He replied, "Allah has chosen him over you and blessed him with knowledge and physical strength.
And Allah grants kingship to whoever He wills.
Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing.
"
248And their prophet said to them, "Indeed, a sign of his kingship is that the chest will come to you in which is assurance from your Lord and
a remnant of what the family of Moses and the family of Aaron had left, carried by the angels.
Indeed in that is a sign for you, if you are believers.
"
أَلَمۡ تَرَ إِلَى ٱلۡمَلَإِ مِنۢ بَنِيٓ إِسۡرَٰٓءِيلَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ مُوسَىٰٓ إِذۡ قَالُواْ لِنَبِيّٖ لَّهُمُ ٱبۡعَثۡ لَنَا مَلِكٗا نُّقَٰتِلۡ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِۖ قَالَ هَلۡ عَسَيۡتُمۡ إِن كُتِبَ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡقِتَالُ أَلَّا تُقَٰتِلُواْۖ قَالُواْ وَمَا لَنَآ أَلَّا نُقَٰتِلَ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَقَدۡ أُخۡرِجۡنَا مِن دِيَٰرِنَا وَأَبۡنَآئِنَاۖ فَلَمَّا كُتِبَ عَلَيۡهِمُ ٱلۡقِتَالُ تَوَلَّوۡاْ إِلَّا قَلِيلٗا مِّنۡهُمۡۚ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمُۢ بِٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ246
وَقَالَ لَهُمۡ نَبِيُّهُمۡ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَدۡ بَعَثَ لَكُمۡ طَالُوتَ مَلِكٗاۚ قَالُوٓاْ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لَهُ ٱلۡمُلۡكُ عَلَيۡنَا وَنَحۡنُ أَحَقُّ بِٱلۡمُلۡكِ مِنۡهُ وَلَمۡ يُؤۡتَ سَعَةٗ مِّنَ ٱلۡمَالِۚ قَالَ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱصۡطَفَىٰهُ عَلَيۡكُمۡ وَزَادَهُۥ بَسۡطَةٗ فِي ٱلۡعِلۡمِ وَٱلۡجِسۡمِۖ وَٱللَّهُ يُؤۡتِي مُلۡكَهُۥ مَن يَشَآءُۚ وَٱللَّهُ وَٰسِعٌ عَلِيمٞ247
وَقَالَ لَهُمۡ نَبِيُّهُمۡ إِنَّ ءَايَةَ مُلۡكِهِۦٓ أَن يَأۡتِيَكُمُ ٱلتَّابُوتُ فِيهِ سَكِينَةٞ مِّن رَّبِّكُمۡ وَبَقِيَّةٞ مِّمَّا تَرَكَ ءَالُ مُوسَىٰ وَءَالُ هَٰرُونَ تَحۡمِلُهُ ٱلۡمَلَٰٓئِكَةُۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَأٓيَةٗ لَّكُمۡ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤۡمِنِينَ248
SIDE STORY
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'Antarah ibn Shaddad was a famous poet and warrior who died before the time of the Prophet (PBUH).
Back then, there was a silly competition that 'Antarah always won.
This is how it worked: each of the two contestants would stick his finger in the other's mouth and start biting.
Whoever screamed first would be the loser.
- •
When 'Antarah was asked why he was the undefeated champ, he replied, 'As soon as my challenger starts biting, I feel the pain.
When I'm about to scream, I keep telling myself, 'Wait another second!
Don't give up!
' until the other person screams first.
'
- •
While I don't advise you to try this silly competition at home, you shouldn't give up in difficult times, trusting that hardship comes with ease.
Verse 249 teaches us that Allah is always with those who are patient.
This is why Allah gave victory to Talut and his faithful warriors who obeyed his orders and stood their ground.
(TALUT'S VICTORY)
249When Talut marched with his army, he cautioned: "Allah will test you with a river.
So, whoever drinks from it is not with me, except those who take just one sip with their hands.
And whoever does not taste it is definitely with me.
" But they all drank 'a lot', except for a few!
When he crossed the river with the 'few' faithful soldiers with him, they said, "Now we are no match for Jalut and his warriors.
" But those 'believers' who were certain they would meet Allah responded, "How many times has a small force defeated a mighty army by Allah's permission!
And Allah is 'always' with the patient.
"
250When they came face-to-face with Jalut and his warriors, they prayed, "Our Lord!
Shower us with patience, make our steps firm, and give us victory over the disbelieving people.
"
251So, they defeated them by Allah's permission.
Dawood killed Jalut, and Allah blessed Dawood with kingship and wisdom, and taught him what He willed.
If Allah had not used a group to push back 'the evil of' another, the earth would have been corrupted, but Allah is kind to all.
252These are Allah's revelations which We recite to you 'O Prophet' in truth.
And you are truly one of the messengers.
فَلَمَّا فَصَلَ طَالُوتُ بِٱلۡجُنُودِ قَالَ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مُبۡتَلِيكُم بِنَهَرٖ فَمَن شَرِبَ مِنۡهُ فَلَيۡسَ مِنِّي وَمَن لَّمۡ يَطۡعَمۡهُ فَإِنَّهُۥ مِنِّيٓ إِلَّا مَنِ ٱغۡتَرَفَ غُرۡفَةَۢ بِيَدِهِۦۚ فَشَرِبُواْ مِنۡهُ إِلَّا قَلِيلٗا مِّنۡهُمۡۚ فَلَمَّا جَاوَزَهُۥ هُوَ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ مَعَهُۥ قَالُواْ لَا طَاقَةَ لَنَا ٱلۡيَوۡمَ بِجَالُوتَ وَجُنُودِهِۦۚ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَظُنُّونَ أَنَّهُم مُّلَٰقُواْ ٱللَّهِ كَم مِّن فِئَةٖ قَلِيلَةٍ غَلَبَتۡ فِئَةٗ كَثِيرَةَۢ بِإِذۡنِ ٱللَّهِۗ وَٱللَّهُ مَعَ ٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ249
وَلَمَّا بَرَزُواْ لِجَالُوتَ وَجُنُودِهِۦ قَالُواْ رَبَّنَآ أَفۡرِغۡ عَلَيۡنَا صَبۡرٗا وَثَبِّتۡ أَقۡدَامَنَا وَٱنصُرۡنَا عَلَى ٱلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلۡكَٰفِرِينَ250
فَهَزَمُوهُم بِإِذۡنِ ٱللَّهِ وَقَتَلَ دَاوُۥدُ جَالُوتَ وَءَاتَىٰهُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡمُلۡكَ وَٱلۡحِكۡمَةَ وَعَلَّمَهُۥ مِمَّا يَشَآءُۗ وَلَوۡلَا دَفۡعُ ٱللَّهِ ٱلنَّاسَ بَعۡضَهُم بِبَعۡضٖ لَّفَسَدَتِ ٱلۡأَرۡضُ وَلَٰكِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ذُو فَضۡلٍ عَلَى ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ251
تِلۡكَ ءَايَٰتُ ٱللَّهِ نَتۡلُوهَا عَلَيۡكَ بِٱلۡحَقِّۚ وَإِنَّكَ لَمِنَ ٱلۡمُرۡسَلِينَ252
(SOME MESSENGERS RAISED HIGH)
253We have chosen some of those messengers above others.
Allah spoke directly to some, and raised some to higher ranks.
To 'Isa, son of Maryam, We gave clear proofs and supported him with the holy spirit (Jibril).
If Allah had wanted, the later generations would not have fought 'among themselves' after receiving the clear proofs.
But they differed—some believed while others disbelieved.
Yet, if Allah had wanted, they would not have fought each other.
But Allah does what He wills.
۞ تِلۡكَ ٱلرُّسُلُ فَضَّلۡنَا بَعۡضَهُمۡ عَلَىٰ بَعۡضٖۘ مِّنۡهُم مَّن كَلَّمَ ٱللَّهُۖ وَرَفَعَ بَعۡضَهُمۡ دَرَجَٰتٖۚ وَءَاتَيۡنَا عِيسَى ٱبۡنَ مَرۡيَمَ ٱلۡبَيِّنَٰتِ وَأَيَّدۡنَٰهُ بِرُوحِ ٱلۡقُدُسِۗ وَلَوۡ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ مَا ٱقۡتَتَلَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِهِم مِّنۢ بَعۡدِ مَا جَآءَتۡهُمُ ٱلۡبَيِّنَٰتُ وَلَٰكِنِ ٱخۡتَلَفُواْ فَمِنۡهُم مَّنۡ ءَامَنَ وَمِنۡهُم مَّن كَفَرَۚ وَلَوۡ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ مَا ٱقۡتَتَلُواْ وَلَٰكِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَفۡعَلُ مَا يُرِيدُ253
(SPENDING IN ALLAH'S WAY)
254O believers!
Donate from what We have provided for you before the arrival of a Day when there will be no bribes, connections, or words of defence.
The disbelievers are the ones 'truly' doing wrong.
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ أَنفِقُواْ مِمَّا رَزَقۡنَٰكُم مِّن قَبۡلِ أَن يَأۡتِيَ يَوۡمٞ لَّا بَيۡعٞ فِيهِ وَلَا خُلَّةٞ وَلَا شَفَٰعَةٞۗ وَٱلۡكَٰفِرُونَ هُمُ ٱلظَّٰلِمُونَ254
WORDS OF WISDOM
- •
Ayatul-Kursi (verse 255) is the greatest ayah in the Quran.
The Prophet (PBUH) asked one of his companions named Ubai ibn Ka'b (RA), 'Do you know which ayah in Allah's Book is the greatest?
' Ubai (RA) replied, 'Allah and His Messenger know best.
' When the Prophet (PBUH) repeated the question, Ubai (RA) said, 'Ayatul-Kursi.
' The Prophet (PBUH) patted him on the chest and congratulated him: 'May your knowledge be a source of joy for you!
' (Imam Muslim)
WORDS OF WISDOM
- •
The Prophet (PBUH) said in a hadith reported by Imam Ibn Hibban that Allah's 'Arsh (Throne) is much greater than His Kursi.
So, we believe that Allah has a Kursi, which is in front of the Throne.
Generally, in the Arabic language, the word 'kursi' means seat or footstool.
The root k-r-s may indicate authority (kursi al-mulk) or knowledge (kurras).
And Allah knows best.
(ONE TRUE GOD)
255Allah—there is no god 'that deserves worship' except Him, the Living, Who takes care of everything.
He never falls into a light or deep sleep.
Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth belongs to Him.
Who could possibly speak to defend others in front of Him without His permission?
He 'fully' knows what is ahead of them and what is behind them.
But no one can have any of His knowledge, except what He wants 'to reveal'.
His Seat covers the heavens and the earth, and taking care of both does not tire Him.
He is the Most High, the Greatest.
ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلۡحَيُّ ٱلۡقَيُّومُۚ لَا تَأۡخُذُهُۥ سِنَةٞ وَلَا نَوۡمٞۚ لَّهُۥ مَا فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِۗ مَن ذَا ٱلَّذِي يَشۡفَعُ عِندَهُۥٓ إِلَّا بِإِذۡنِهِۦۚ يَعۡلَمُ مَا بَيۡنَ أَيۡدِيهِمۡ وَمَا خَلۡفَهُمۡۖ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيۡءٖ مِّنۡ عِلۡمِهِۦٓ إِلَّا بِمَا شَآءَۚ وَسِعَ كُرۡسِيُّهُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَۖ وَلَا ئَُودُهُۥ حِفۡظُهُمَاۚ وَهُوَ ٱلۡعَلِيُّ ٱلۡعَظِيمُ255
BACKGROUND STORY
- •
Before Islam, if someone's children died at a young age in Madinah, they would pledge to raise their future kids as Jewish or Christian if they survived.
Later, when those parents accepted Islam, they wanted to force their Jewish and Christian children to accept Islam.
So, verse 256 was revealed.
(Imam Abu Dawood & Imam Ibn Kathir)
FREE WILL IN ACCEPTING ISLAM
256There is no need to force the religion on anyone—true guidance has become clear from falsehood.
So, whoever rejects false gods and believes in Allah is certainly holding onto the strongest handle that never breaks.
And Allah hears and knows 'everything'.
257Allah is the Guardian of the believers—He brings them out of darkness and into light.
As for the disbelievers, their guardians are false gods who lead them out of light and into darkness.
Those will be the people of the Fire.
They will be there forever.
لَآ إِكۡرَاهَ فِي ٱلدِّينِۖ قَد تَّبَيَّنَ ٱلرُّشۡدُ مِنَ ٱلۡغَيِّۚ فَمَن يَكۡفُرۡ بِٱلطَّٰغُوتِ وَيُؤۡمِنۢ بِٱللَّهِ فَقَدِ ٱسۡتَمۡسَكَ بِٱلۡعُرۡوَةِ ٱلۡوُثۡقَىٰ لَا ٱنفِصَامَ لَهَاۗ وَٱللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ256
ٱللَّهُ وَلِيُّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ يُخۡرِجُهُم مِّنَ ٱلظُّلُمَٰتِ إِلَى ٱلنُّورِۖ وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓاْ أَوۡلِيَآؤُهُمُ ٱلطَّٰغُوتُ يُخۡرِجُونَهُم مِّنَ ٱلنُّورِ إِلَى ٱلظُّلُمَٰتِۗ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ أَصۡحَٰبُ ٱلنَّارِۖ هُمۡ فِيهَا خَٰلِدُونَ257
(IBRAHIM & THE ARROGANT KING)
258Have you not seen the one who argued with Ibrahim about his Lord just because Allah had given him kingship?
'Remember' when Ibrahim said, "My Lord is the One Who has power to give life and cause death.
" He argued, "I too have the power to give life and cause death.
" Ibrahim replied, "Allah causes the sun to rise from the east; can you make it rise from the west?
" So, the disbeliever was speechless.
And Allah does not guide those doing wrong.
أَلَمۡ تَرَ إِلَى ٱلَّذِي حَآجَّ إِبۡرَٰهِۧمَ فِي رَبِّهِۦٓ أَنۡ ءَاتَىٰهُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡمُلۡكَ إِذۡ قَالَ إِبۡرَٰهِۧمُ رَبِّيَ ٱلَّذِي يُحۡيِۦ وَيُمِيتُ قَالَ أَنَا۠ أُحۡيِۦ وَأُمِيتُۖ قَالَ إِبۡرَٰهِۧمُ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَأۡتِي بِٱلشَّمۡسِ مِنَ ٱلۡمَشۡرِقِ فَأۡتِ بِهَا مِنَ ٱلۡمَغۡرِبِ فَبُهِتَ ٱلَّذِي كَفَرَۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهۡدِي ٱلۡقَوۡمَ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ258
BACKGROUND STORY
- •
According to many scholars, 'Uzair was a faithful man from the Children of Isra'il.
One day, he passed by the city where his people used to live before their enemies expelled them and destroyed their city.
He wondered, 'How could Allah bring this dead city back to life?
' Allah wanted to teach him a lesson, so He caused him to die for 100 years at the age of 40.
Before he came back to life, the Children of Isra'il had already returned and rebuilt the city.
When 'Uzair was raised back to life, he was still 40 years old with black hair, while his son was 120 years old and his grandson was 90.
{Imam Ibn Kathir}
STORY OF 'UZAIR
259Or 'have you not seen' the one who passed by a city which was in ruins?
He wondered, "How could Allah raise this back to life after its destruction?
" So, Allah caused him to die for a hundred years then brought him back to life.
Allah asked, "How long have you stayed 'in this condition' ?
" He replied, "Perhaps a day or part of a day.
" Allah said, "No!
You have stayed here for a hundred years!
Just look at your food and drink—they have not spoiled.
But look at 'the skeleton of' your donkey!
And so We have made you into a sign for humanity.
And look at the bones 'of the donkey', how We bring them together then cover them with flesh!
" When this was made clear to him, he declared, "Now I know that Allah has power over all things.
"
أَوۡ كَٱلَّذِي مَرَّ عَلَىٰ قَرۡيَةٖ وَهِيَ خَاوِيَةٌ عَلَىٰ عُرُوشِهَا قَالَ أَنَّىٰ يُحۡيِۦ هَٰذِهِ ٱللَّهُ بَعۡدَ مَوۡتِهَاۖ فَأَمَاتَهُ ٱللَّهُ مِاْئَةَ عَامٖ ثُمَّ بَعَثَهُۥۖ قَالَ كَمۡ لَبِثۡتَۖ قَالَ لَبِثۡتُ يَوۡمًا أَوۡ بَعۡضَ يَوۡمٖۖ قَالَ بَل لَّبِثۡتَ مِاْئَةَ عَامٖ فَٱنظُرۡ إِلَىٰ طَعَامِكَ وَشَرَابِكَ لَمۡ يَتَسَنَّهۡۖ وَٱنظُرۡ إِلَىٰ حِمَارِكَ وَلِنَجۡعَلَكَ ءَايَةٗ لِّلنَّاسِۖ وَٱنظُرۡ إِلَى ٱلۡعِظَامِ كَيۡفَ نُنشِزُهَا ثُمَّ نَكۡسُوهَا لَحۡمٗاۚ فَلَمَّا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُۥ قَالَ أَعۡلَمُ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيۡءٖ قَدِيرٞ259
IBRAHIM ASKING ABOUT SECOND LIFE
260"My Lord!
Show me how you give life to the dead.
" Allah responded, "Do you not believe in this already?
" Ibrahim replied, "Yes I do, but just for my heart to be satisfied.
" Allah said, "Then bring four birds, examine them carefully, 'cut them into pieces,' and spread them on different hilltops.
Then call them; they will fly right back to you.
And know that Allah is Almighty and Wise.
"
وَإِذۡ قَالَ إِبۡرَٰهِۧمُ رَبِّ أَرِنِي كَيۡفَ تُحۡيِ ٱلۡمَوۡتَىٰۖ قَالَ أَوَ لَمۡ تُؤۡمِنۖ قَالَ بَلَىٰ وَلَٰكِن لِّيَطۡمَئِنَّ قَلۡبِيۖ قَالَ فَخُذۡ أَرۡبَعَةٗ مِّنَ ٱلطَّيۡرِ فَصُرۡهُنَّ إِلَيۡكَ ثُمَّ ٱجۡعَلۡ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ جَبَلٖ مِّنۡهُنَّ جُزۡءٗا ثُمَّ ٱدۡعُهُنَّ يَأۡتِينَكَ سَعۡيٗاۚ وَٱعۡلَمۡ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٞ260
SIDE STORY
- •
There was once a food shortage at the time of Abu Bakr (RA), and many people were suffering.
Finally, a large business caravan of 1,000 camels loaded with food arrived from Syria.
That caravan was owned by 'Othman ibn 'Affan (RA).
The dealers of Madinah rushed to 'Othman's house to buy all the food, so they could sell it to the starving people of the city and make money.
He asked, 'How much profit will you give me?
' They offered 2 dirhams (silver coins) for each dirham he had invested, but he (RA) said he had a better offer.
They made it 3 and 4 dirhams, still he (RA) said he had a better offer.
They wondered, 'Who could offer more than us?
' He (RA) replied, 'Allah has offered at least 10 rewards for charity.
This is why I'm donating all this food to the poor people of Madinah.
'
SIDE STORY
- •
Anas wanted to buy some new clothes for 'Eid, but he didn't have enough money.
A man from his village, named Jabir, was kind enough to buy him some nice clothes.
Right after the 'Eid khutbah, when Anas was about to leave the masjid, Jabir told him, 'Ma-sha-Allah, those new clothes look good.
I'm glad I bought them for you.
' Anas was embarrassed, so he left with a broken heart.
But he said to himself, 'Maybe he didn't mean to hurt my feelings.
I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.
' Anas then put on those new clothes for Jum'ah, and the same thing happened.
After salah, Jabir walked up to him and bragged, 'Ma-sha-Allah, the clothes I bought look great on you.
' Of course, Anas was embarrassed, and he decided not to wear those clothes again.
When Jabir saw him the next Jum'ah in his old clothes, he wondered, 'What happened?
Did someone steal the new clothes I bought you?
' Four months later, Jabir still didn't understand why Anas had started going to a different masjid!
WORDS OF WISDOM
- •
Verses 261-266 teach us that we should be kind and sincere when we donate.
If we use our donations to show off or hurt people's feelings, we will lose the reward of our charity.
Yes, it's okay to feel good that Allah has guided you to do something nice, but there is no reason to keep reminding people of your kindness to
them.
If you are not able to help someone with your money, at least you can comfort them with your manners.
Maybe you can make du'a to Allah to give them what they need.
Verses 261-266 show us the difference between those who will get more than 700 rewards for their charity and those who will end up with nothing.
(SINCERE CHARITY)
261The example of those who spend their wealth in the cause of Allah is that of a grain that sprouts into seven ears; each has one hundred grains.
And Allah multiplies 'the reward even more' to whoever He wants.
Allah is full of blessings and knowledge.
262Those who spend their wealth in the cause of Allah and do not follow their charity with reminders 'of their generosity' or hurtful words—they will get their reward
from their Lord.
There will be no fear for them, and they will never be sad.
263Saying kind words and 'forgiving others' is much better than charity followed by hurtful words.
Allah is not in need and is full of patience.
مَّثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمۡوَٰلَهُمۡ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ حَبَّةٍ أَنۢبَتَتۡ سَبۡعَ سَنَابِلَ فِي كُلِّ سُنۢبُلَةٖ مِّاْئَةُ حَبَّةٖۗ وَٱللَّهُ يُضَٰعِفُ لِمَن يَشَآءُۚ وَٱللَّهُ وَٰسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ261
ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمۡوَٰلَهُمۡ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ثُمَّ لَا يُتۡبِعُونَ مَآ أَنفَقُواْ مَنّٗا وَلَآ أَذٗى لَّهُمۡ أَجۡرُهُمۡ عِندَ رَبِّهِمۡ وَلَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡهِمۡ وَلَا هُمۡ يَحۡزَنُونَ262
۞ قَوۡلٞ مَّعۡرُوفٞ وَمَغۡفِرَةٌ خَيۡرٞ مِّن صَدَقَةٖ يَتۡبَعُهَآ أَذٗىۗ وَٱللَّهُ غَنِيٌّ حَلِيمٞ263
(WASTED REWARD)
264O believers!
Do not waste your charity with reminders 'of your generosity' or hurtful words, like those who donate their wealth just to show off and do not really have
faith in Allah or the Last Day.
They are just like a hard rock covered with a thin layer of soil hit by a strong rain, leaving it just a bare stone.
Such people will gain nothing from their charity.
Allah does not guide the disbelieving people.
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَا تُبۡطِلُواْ صَدَقَٰتِكُم بِٱلۡمَنِّ وَٱلۡأَذَىٰ كَٱلَّذِي يُنفِقُ مَالَهُۥ رِئَآءَ ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَا يُؤۡمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأٓخِرِۖ فَمَثَلُهُۥ كَمَثَلِ صَفۡوَانٍ عَلَيۡهِ تُرَابٞ فَأَصَابَهُۥ وَابِلٞ فَتَرَكَهُۥ صَلۡدٗاۖ لَّا يَقۡدِرُونَ عَلَىٰ شَيۡءٖ مِّمَّا كَسَبُواْۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهۡدِي ٱلۡقَوۡمَ ٱلۡكَٰفِرِينَ264
Part 7 study note
This is part 7 of the children's lesson for Surah Al-Baqarah.
It continues from the previous section with new verses, examples, and short review points for young learners.
If this is your first time studying the lesson, start with part 1 and then return here so the story, meaning, and practice sequence stay clear.
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.