Surah AL- Baqrah My Reflections 1

To be successful( الْمُفْلِحُونَ ) and pious( لِلْمُتَّقِينَ ) we must firmly believe ( يُوقِنُونَ ) 2

These openings ayahs capture the true identity of Islam and are the inspiration for a believer ذَلِكَ الْكِتَابُ لاَ رَيْبَ فِيهِ هُدًى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ﴿ 2:2 ﴾ الَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْغَيْبِ وَيُقِيمُونَ الصَّلاةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ﴿ 2:3 ﴾ والَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ وَمَا أُنزِلَ مِن قَبْلِكَ وَبِالآخِرَةِ هُمْ يُوقِنُونَ﴿ 2:4 ﴾ أُوْلَـئِكَ عَلَى هُدًى مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ وَأُوْلَـئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ﴿ 2:5 ﴾ This is the book whereof there is no doubt, a guidance for the pious. (2) Who believe in the Unseen, and establish worship, and spend of that We have bestowed upon them; (3) And who believe in that which is revealed unto thee (Muhammad) and that which was revealed before thee, and are certain of the Hereafter. (4) These depend on guidance from their Lord. These are the successful.(5) 3

What do we need to do? We need to detach ourselves from the love of this world and connect with Allah SWT. Clear our hearts of the worldly attachments (the disease) and remember this journey is very short. There is a bigger purpose for us in this world, to serve ALLAH as stated in the Quran. To be the obedient slaves of Allah(swt). Be the ideal Muslim role models. May Allah guide us and keep us on the straight path, الصِّرَاطَ المُستَقِيمَ.Aameen 4

How can we achieve this total submission? Surah Al Baqrah tells us how, it gives the guidance. This surah summarises the essence and lifestyle of a pious Muslim. Here are some beautiful ayahs which clearly show us the way and have touched my heart. 5

After Allah commanded that He be appreciated. He ordained patience and prayer. It is a fact that the servant is either enjoying a bounty that he should be thankful for, or suffering a calamity that he should meet with patience. So Allah says: 6

وَاسْتَعِينُواْ بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلاَةِ وَإِنَّهَا لَكَبِيرَةٌ إِلاَّ عَلَى الْخَاشِعِينَ﴿ 2:45 ﴾ And seek help in patience and As-Salah (the prayer) and truly, it is extremely heavy and hard except for Al-Khashi`in (i.e., the true believers in Allah). (2:45 ) 7

. يٰٓاَيُّهَا الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوا اسۡتَعِيۡنُوۡا بِالصَّبۡرِ وَالصَّلٰوةِ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ مَعَ الصّٰبِرِيۡنَ‏ O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient. Verse (2:153) 8

And the all encompassing Ayah Al-Birr Clearly defines what Allahs expectations are and how to please Allah (swt). May Allah help and guide us all Ameen 9

لَّيْسَ الْبِرَّ أَن تُوَلُّواْ وُجُوهَكُمْ قِبَلَ الْمَشْرِقِ وَالْمَغْرِبِ وَلَـكِنَّ الْبِرَّ مَنْ آمَنَ بِاللّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ وَالْمَلآئِكَةِ وَالْكِتَابِ وَالنَّبِيِّينَ وَآتَى الْمَالَ عَلَى حُبِّهِ ذَوِي الْقُرْبَى وَالْيَتَامَى وَالْمَسَاكِينَ وَابْنَ السَّبِيلِ وَالسَّآئِلِينَ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَأَقَامَ الصَّلاةَ وَآتَى الزَّكَاةَ وَالْمُوفُونَ بِعَهْدِهِمْ إِذَا عَاهَدُواْ وَالصَّابِرِينَ فِي الْبَأْسَاء والضَّرَّاء وَحِينَ الْبَأْسِ أُولَـئِكَ الَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا وَأُولَـئِكَ هُمُ الْمُتَّقُونَ﴿ 2:177 ﴾ It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces towards East or West; but it is righteousness ― to believe in Allah and the Last Day and the Angels and the Book and the Messengers; to spend of your substance out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans for the needy, for the wayfarer for those who ask and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer and practise regular charity; to fulfil the contracts which ye have made; and to be firm and patient in pain (or suffering) and adversity and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth the Allah-fearing. (177) لَّيْسَ الْبِرَّ أَن تُوَلُّواْ وُجُوهَكُمْ قِبَلَ الْمَشْرِقِ وَالْمَغْرِبِ وَلَـكِنَّ الْبِرَّ مَنْ آمَنَ بِاللّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ وَالْمَلآئِكَةِ وَالْكِتَابِ وَالنَّبِيِّينَ وَآتَى الْمَالَ عَلَى حُبِّهِ ذَوِي الْقُرْبَى وَالْيَتَامَى وَالْمَسَاكِينَ وَابْنَ السَّبِيلِ وَالسَّآئِلِينَ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَأَقَامَ الصَّلاةَ وَآتَى الزَّكَاةَ وَالْمُوفُونَ بِعَهْدِهِمْ إِذَا عَاهَدُواْ وَالصَّابِرِينَ فِي الْبَأْسَاء والضَّرَّاء وَحِينَ الْبَأْسِ أُولَـئِكَ الَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا وَأُولَـئِكَ هُمُ الْمُتَّقُونَ﴿ 2:177 ﴾ It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces towards East or West; but it is righteousness ― to believe in Allah and the Last Day and the Angels and the Book and the Messengers; to spend of your substance out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans for the needy, for the wayfarer for those who ask and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer and practise regular charity; to fulfil the contracts which ye have made; and to be firm and patient in pain (or suffering) and adversity and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth the Allah-fearing. (177) 10

Mohammed (SAW) has entrusted us with a role, his UMMAH, to sprea d the word of Islam. Let us fullfill that role to the best of our ability and protect our future generations from straying. We must educate ourselves, our immediate and extended families. Especially the younger and future generations. We need to worry and pray as Ibrahim (AS)did that our future generations till the end of time die as Muslims إِذْ قَالَ لِبَنِيهِ مَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن بَعْدِي قَالُواْ نَعْبُدُ إِلَـهَكَ وَإِلَـهَ آبَائِكَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِسْحَقَ إِلَـهًا وَاحِدًا وَنَحْنُ لَهُ مُسْلِمُونَ﴿ 2:133 ﴾ He asked his children, "Whom will you worship after me?" They all answered, "We will worship the same One Allah Whom you, your forefathers Abraham. Ismail and Isaac acknowledged as their Allah and to Him we all surrender as Muslims." *133 Mohammed (SAW) has entrusted us with a role, his UMMAH, to sprea d the word of Islam. Let us fullfill that role to the best of our ability and protect our future generations from straying. We must educate ourselves, our immediate and extended families. Especially the younger and future generations. We need to worry and pray as Ibrahim (AS)did that our future generations till the end of time die as Muslims إِذْ قَالَ لِبَنِيهِ مَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن بَعْدِي قَالُواْ نَعْبُدُ إِلَـهَكَ وَإِلَـهَ آبَائِكَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِسْحَقَ إِلَـهًا وَاحِدًا وَنَحْنُ لَهُ مُسْلِمُونَ﴿ 2:133 ﴾ He asked his children, "Whom will you worship after me?" They all answered, "We will worship the same One Allah Whom you, your forefathers Abraham. Ismail and Isaac acknowledged as their Allah and to Him we all surrender as Muslims." *133 11

Let us all Insha-Allah strive to صِبۡغَةَ ٱللَّهِ‌ۖ وَمَنۡ أَحۡسَنُ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ صِبۡغَةً۬‌ۖ وَنَحۡنُ لَهُ ۥ عَـٰبِدُونَ We dye ourselves with) the colouring of Allah! For who is better in colouring than Allah? We are to worship none but Him. (138) 12

The Quran is our guidance and light. True guidance comes only from Allah.We must strive and be steadfast and Keep Allah as our focus. Insha-Allah everything else will fall into place. 13

Allah (swt) says فَاذْكُرُونِي أَذْكُرْكُمْ وَاشْكُرُواْ لِي وَلاَ تَكْفُرُونِ﴿2:152﴾ So remember ' Me and I will remember you, and give thanks to Me and be not ungrateful. 14

Just think how Allah(SWT) has aked us to glorify and remind ourselves of His greatness with AYat Al- Kursi Ayat Al-Kursi has tremendous virtues, for the authentic Hadith describes it as `the greatest Ayah in the Book of Allah.' Imam Ahmad recorded that Ubayy bin Ka`b said that; the Prophet asked him about the greatest Ayah in the Book of Allah, and Ubayy answered, "Allah and His Messenger know better.'' When the Prophet repeated his question several times, Ubayy said, "Ayat Al-Kursi. The Prophet commented, conratulations for having knowledge, o Abu al Mundhir. This Ayah has a tongue and two lips with which she praises the King (Allah) next to the leg of the Throne. A similar Hadith was also collected by Muslim. 15

Ayat-ul –Kursi اللّهُ لاَ إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ لاَ تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلاَ نَوْمٌ لَّهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الأَرْضِ مَن ذَا الَّذِي يَشْفَعُ عِنْدَهُ إِلاَّ بِإِذْنِهِ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ وَلاَ يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيْءٍ مِّنْ عِلْمِهِ إِلاَّ بِمَا شَاء وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضَ وَلاَ يَؤُودُهُ حِفْظُهُمَا وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ﴿2:255﴾ Allah: the Everlasting, the Sustainer of the whole Universe; there is no god but He. He does neither slumber nor sleep. Whatsoever is in the heavens and in the earth is His. Who is there that can intercede with Him except by His own permission.? He knows what is before the people and also what is hidden from them. And they cannot comprehend anything of His knowledge save whatever He Himself pleases to reveal. His Kingdom spreads over the heavens and the earth and the guarding of these does not weary Him. He alone is the Supreme and the Exalted. 16

Allah (Swt) teaches us how to ask Him for this world and the hereafter how beautiful is His guidance : رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّار ِ﴿2:201﴾ Our Lord, give us what is good in this world and also what is good in the Hereafter and save us from the torment of Fire." 17

How amazing is this journey we have started,and how wonderful is it that we have began to rebuild, renew, our iman with stronger foundations to better ourselves, to chip away and remove the unwanted baggage and refine our souls, for the pleasure of ALLAH. Let us do dua that our families accompany us on this journey and we all move forward together united. Ameen. 18