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Al-Baqara - The Cow

Arabic Name: الْبَقَرَة

Urdu Name: گائے

Type: Madani

Serial Number: 2

Revelation Order: 87

Total Verses: 286

Parah: 1,2,3

Rukus: 40

Sajda: None

وَاتَّبَعُوۡا مَا تَتۡلُوۡا الشَّيٰطِيۡنُ عَلٰى مُلۡكِ سُلَيۡمٰنَ‌‌ۚ وَمَا کَفَرَ سُلَيۡمٰنُ وَلٰـكِنَّ الشَّيٰـطِيۡنَ كَفَرُوۡا يُعَلِّمُوۡنَ النَّاسَ السِّحۡرَ وَمَآ اُنۡزِلَ عَلَى الۡمَلَـکَيۡنِ بِبَابِلَ هَارُوۡتَ وَمَارُوۡتَ‌ؕ وَمَا يُعَلِّمٰنِ مِنۡ اَحَدٍ حَتّٰى يَقُوۡلَاۤ اِنَّمَا نَحۡنُ فِتۡنَةٌ فَلَا تَكۡفُرۡؕ‌ فَيَتَعَلَّمُوۡنَ مِنۡهُمَا مَا يُفَرِّقُوۡنَ بِهٖ بَيۡنَ الۡمَرۡءِ وَزَوۡجِهٖ‌ؕ وَمَا هُمۡ بِضَآرِّيۡنَ بِهٖ مِنۡ اَحَدٍ اِلَّا بِاِذۡنِ اللّٰهِ‌ؕ وَيَتَعَلَّمُوۡنَ مَا يَضُرُّهُمۡ وَلَا يَنۡفَعُهُمۡ‌ؕ وَلَقَدۡ عَلِمُوۡا لَمَنِ اشۡتَرٰٮهُ مَا لَهٗ فِىۡ الۡاٰخِرَةِ مِنۡ خَلَاقٍ‌ؕ وَلَبِئۡسَ مَا شَرَوۡا بِهٖۤ اَنۡفُسَهُمۡ‌ؕ لَوۡ کَانُوۡا يَعۡلَمُوۡنَ‏
wat-ta-ba-oo maa tat-lush-sha-yaa-tee-nu 'a-laa mul-ki su-lay-maa-na wa-maa ka-fa-ra su-lay-maa-nu wa-laa-kin-nash-sha-yaa-tee-na ka-fa-roo yu-'al-li-moo-nan-naa-sas-sih-ra wa-maa~ un-zi-la 'a-lal-ma-la-kay-ni bi-baa-bi-la haa-roo-ta wa-maa-roo-ta wa-maa yu-'al-li-maa-ni min a-ha-din hat-taa ya-qoo-laa~ in-na-maa nah-nu fit-na-tun~ fa-laa tak-fur fa-ya-ta-'al-la-moo-na min-hu-maa maa yu-far-ri-qoo-na bi-hee bai-nal-mar-i wa-zaw-ji-hee wa-maa hum~ bi-daa~~r-ree-na bi-hee min a-ha-din il-laa bi-idh-nil-laa-hi wa-ya-ta-'al-la-moo-na maa ya-dur-ru-hum wa-laa yan~-fa-'u-hum wa-la-qade 'a-li-moo la-ma-nish-ta-raa-hu maa la-hoo fil-aa-khi-ra-ti min kha-laa-qinw wa-la-bi'-sa maa sha-raw bi-hee~ an-fu-sa-hum law kaa-noo ya'-la-moon^
Surah Al-Baqara (2:102)

Quick Facts about this Verse

Surah

Al-Baqara

Revealed

Madani

Position

Juz 1,2,3

Explore this Verse

Verse Meaning

According to the comprehensive tafsir of Imam Al-Tabari, verse 2:102 serves as a decisive clarification of a corrupt narrative promoted by the devils and adopted by some among the Children of Israel. It begins by completely exonerating the Prophet Solomon (Sulaiman) from the grave accusation of sorcery and disbelief, stating unequivocally, 'Solomon did not disbelieve.' The verse firmly places the sin of disbelief on the devils, who actively taught magic (sihr) to humanity. This scholarly synthesis, supported by commentators like Ibn Kathir, reveals that devils fabricated books of magic and falsely attributed them to Solomon to undermine his prophethood and legitimize their forbidden craft. A profound discovery from cross-tafsir analysis is the function of the two angels in Babylon, Harut and Marut. As explained by authorities like As-Sudi and Mujahid, they were not sent to promote magic but as a divine trial (fitnah). Their mandate was to expose the reality of magic to distinguish it from true miracles, but they never taught anyone without the stark warning: 'We are only a trial, so do not disbelieve.' This reveals a hidden gem of theology: Allah may permit knowledge of a great evil to be known, not as an endorsement, but as a severe test of faith, making the human who pursues it fully accountable. The verse specifies that from this knowledge, people learned spells to cause division between a man and his wife, yet critically establishes the doctrine of divine will: 'they could not harm anyone except by Allah's permission.' This comprehensive scholarly understanding transforms the narrative from a mere story into a profound lesson on the integrity of prophets, the nature of divine trials, the absolute prohibition of magic, and the ultimate sovereignty of Allah's will over all perceived powers.

Questions for Reflection

Personal (The Trial of Knowledge)

Harut and Marut presented their knowledge with a clear warning: 'We are only a trial, so do not disbelieve.' Reflect on the forms of 'knowledge' available today—online, in media, in social circles—that promise power or secret insights but may conflict with Islamic principles. Contemplate the moment of choice: how does one distinguish between beneficial knowledge and a 'fitnah' disguised as enlightenment? What does your heart's inclination in these moments reveal about your faith?

Relational (The Sanctity of Marriage)

The verse specifies the most potent outcome of this magic as 'that by which they cause separation between a man and his wife.' Contemplate why Allah highlights this specific social harm above all others. What does this reveal about the spiritual significance of the marital bond in the sight of Allah, and why it is a primary target for satanic forces? How does this understanding change the way you view your responsibilities in fostering a spiritually resilient marriage?

Cosmic (The Sovereignty of Divine Will)

The verse establishes a profound reality: 'But they do not harm anyone through it except by permission of Allah.' Meditate deeply on this absolute principle. If even the most sinister arts are powerless without divine permission, what does this teach about the nature of fear and trust (Tawakkul)? Contemplate how fully internalizing this truth can liberate the soul from anxiety and fear of created things, redirecting all reliance and awe towards the Creator alone.

Practical Applications

Actively defend the honor of the prophets by rejecting any narrative that attributes sin or disbelief to them.

Apply this in online discussions or personal study when encountering modern claims that attempt to discredit religious figures.

Develop spiritual discernment by recognizing that not all knowledge is beneficial, and actively reject 'secret' or 'powerful' knowledge that contradicts divine law.

This applies to avoiding modern occult practices, fortune-telling, astrology, or any system promising power outside of divine guidance.

Fortify your marital relationship with faith and communication, recognizing it as a primary target for spiritual discord.

When facing marital difficulties, prioritize seeking Islamic guidance and Ruqyah over worldly solutions that may ignore spiritual dimensions.

Hidden Gem

A synthesis of scholarly thought reveals a spiritual paradox: the angels, pure beings, were sent with knowledge of impurity as a trial. This shows that the 'purity' of knowledge is not in its content alone, but in the intention and obedience of the one who seeks it. Contemplating this helps one realize that even the study of evil, if done for the sake of protection and obedience to Allah, is a righteous act, while the pursuit of the same knowledge for power is an act of disbelief.

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