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
Share Verse Art
Arabic
Arabic + English
Arabic (Wide)
Arabic + Urdu
Free for personal & educational use with attribution
Quick Facts about this Verse
Surah
Al-Baqara
Revealed
Madani
Position
Juz 1,2,3
Explore this Verse
Verse Meaning
According to the classical exegesis of Ibn Kathir, Quran 2:64 addresses the Children of Israel who, even after witnessing the monumental sign of Mount Tur being raised above them and taking a solemn covenant, turned away from their commitment. This act of 'tawallaytum' (turning away) signifies a deliberate breach of their pact with God. The verse then introduces a pivotal theological concept: without the intervention of Allah's 'Fadl' (Grace, Favor) and 'Rahmah' (Mercy), this transgression would have inevitably led them to be among the 'khāsirīn' (the losers). Al-Tabari explains that this grace manifested as Allah's acceptance of their repentance and the continuous sending of prophets. As-Sa'di further synthesizes this by noting that Allah's grace is what gives humanity the opportunity to repent in the first place. Therefore, the verse is a profound statement on human frailty and the absolute necessity of divine mercy, which acts as a safety net, preventing irreversible spiritual loss after disobedience.
Questions for Reflection
personal
Reflect on a personal covenant you've made with Allah—a promise to change a habit or perform a consistent act of worship. Where have you 'turned away' (tawallaytum) after the initial commitment? How does recognizing Allah's Fadl and Rahmah change your response to this failure from despair to a hopeful return?
theological
As-Sa'di explains that Allah's grace precedes our repentance. Contemplate the nature of 'loss' (khusran) mentioned in the verse. Is it merely punishment, or is it the state of being cut off from His grace and mercy? How does this understanding redefine salvation as a continuous relationship with Divine Mercy rather than a single event?
Practical Applications
When you break a promise to Allah (e.g., miss a prayer), immediately seek His Grace instead of falling into despair.
Applicable in overcoming procrastination with religious duties or bouncing back from a spiritual low point.
Acknowledge that any opportunity to repent is in itself a manifestation of Allah's Fadl (Grace).
Helps in moments of deep regret, reframing the feeling of guilt into an appreciation for the open door of tawbah.
Hidden Gem
A hidden gem from synthesizing the tafsirs is that Allah mentions His 'Fadl' (Grace/Favor) before His 'Rahmah' (Mercy). Contemplate this order. Fadl can be seen as the unearned gift—the opportunity, the prophets, the scripture—while Rahmah is the compassionate response to our failings. This implies that Allah provides the tools for success (Fadl) before we even ask for the forgiveness (Rahmah) we will inevitably need. How does this change your perception of Allah's relationship with humanity?
Scroll to see more verses or use the dropdown in the breadcrumb to jump to any verse
Common Questions
1 more question available in the full page