Today marks the fourth day of our journey as we embark on exploring one of the longest chapters of the Quran. As I delve into the tafaseer, I also aim to re-memorize this Surah. Although I had memorized it previously, my recollection has since become unstable. This endeavor provides an excellent opportunity not only to refine my memorization but also to deepen my understanding and apply the profound meanings of its verses. Before diving deeper, I'll offer an introduction to the Surah and share the story of how my journey with this chapter began.
Surah Al-Baqarah, following directly after Surah Al-Fatiha, is seen by some scholars as a detailed response to the supplication "اهدنا الصراط المستقيم" (Guide us to the straight path). This guidance in the Quran is not merely explanation (إرشاد), but also encompasses توفيق (the grant of ability) and إلهام (inspiration) to follow the path of righteousness. Surah Al-Baqarah serves as a comprehensive exposition of what it means to follow the straight path, highlighting the errors of previous peoples—specifically the chosen ones—as outlined in the verses that mention غير المغضوب عليهم ولا الضالين, cautioning believers against repeating such mistakes.
The surah meticulously details the laws, stories, and directives that define a balanced and moderate community, encapsulated in the verse "وكذلك جعلناكم أمة وسطا لتكونوا شهداء" (And thus We have made you a just community that you will be witnesses). This verse is often considered central to understanding the surah's message, positioning the Muslim community as a model, balanced in its approach and tasked with the responsibility of witnessing over humanity. This holistic guidance addresses both spiritual and worldly affairs, ensuring that the followers of the Quran maintain a path that is distinct from those who earned Allah's anger or went astray, by providing a clear model of justice, moderation, and proactive engagement in community life.
Personal Story: My father intended for me to start memorizing the Quran at the age of four, but various reasons prevented the journey from being completed. In 2015, a significant turn in my life left me with the Quran as my only guide and protector. Reflecting back, I realize this shift was the answer to a supplication I made just days earlier, where I had asked Allah to help me memorize the Quran by removing all my worldly distractions, leaving me with His book alone.
During this period, I experienced overwhelming anxiety, reminiscent of the Quranic verse: "وَبَلَغَتِ القُلُوبُ الحَنَاجِرَ وَتَظُنُّونَ بِاللهِ الظُّنُونَا" (...and your hearts jumped to your throats, and you entertained conflicting thoughts about Allah). Amidst this turmoil, I felt compelled to seek relief through prayer. While in prostration, I distinctly heard a voice reassuring me, "Don't worry, everything is alright, focus on why you are here." It was at that moment I realized my purpose was intertwined with the Quran. This revelation reignited my memorization efforts that had begun over three decades earlier.
Each day, I awoke with the kind of unimaginable happiness a child feels upon remembering a gift waiting to be enjoyed—a joyous exploration of the beautiful book awaited me. Each night then turned into a celebration of love and exhilaration. As I recited His words during the nightly Qiyam (standing in prayer) , I moved with the verses, hearing, feeling, and sometimes even tasting them. Committed to memorizing a page daily, I incorporated it into every prayer. Within about two months, I had memorized the entirety of Surah Al-Baqarah. Although Arabic was initially challenging and my comprehension was limited, the meanings of the words gradually revealed themselves. Each night, as I engaged with the text, I implored Allah, "Since You brought me here, You must teach me Your book." The nights transformed into celebrations of divine love, feeling as though the verses were revealed directly to me. While some details of this journey have faded, the moments I recall are vivid and continue to inspire me. I look forward to sharing more of these insights as we progress.
Anyways, let’s start the Surah …
Bismillah - already covered, you can check it out by clicking the link.
Verse 1: الٓمٓ (Alif Lam Meem)
Tafsir Al-Zamakhshari (Al-Kashshaf):
«الْمُ» هَذِهِ الْحُرُوفُ مِنْ أَسْرَارِ الْقُرْآنِ الَّتِي لَمْ يَطَّلِعْ عَلَيْهَا إِلَّا اللَّهُ، وَقِيلَ إِنَّهَا قَسَمٌ أَقْسَمَ اللَّهُ بِهَا وَهُوَ الْعَالِمُ بِمُرَادِهِ مِنْهَا
Translation: "Alif Lam Meem - These letters are among the secrets of the Quran, knowledge of which is exclusive to Allah alone. It is said that they represent an oath taken by Allah, and He knows best what He intends by them."
Tafsir Al-Alusi (Ruh al-Ma'ani):
الْأَحْرُفُ الْمُقَطَّعَةُ فِي أَوَائِلِ السُّوَرِ إِشَارَةٌ إِلَى إِعْجَازِ الْقُرْآنِ وَتَحَدِّيهِ لِلْعَرَبِ أَنْ يَأْتُوا بِمِثْلِهِ
Translation: "The disjointed letters at the beginning of the chapters point to the miraculous nature of the Quran and challenge the Arabs to produce something like it."
Tafsir Al-Kabir by Razi:
تُفتتحُ السُّورةُ بِهذه الحروفِ لِلدَّلالةِ على أنَّ القُرآنَ مُرَكَّبٌ من هذهِ الحروفِ العربيّةِ المعروفةِ، ومع ذلك لا يَقْدِرُ أحدٌ على مُعارضتهِ، وهذا يُظْهِرُ إِعْجازَهُ وَفَرادَتَهُ
Translation: "The chapter opens with these letters to indicate that the Quran is composed of these known Arabic letters, yet no one is able to produce the likes of it. This demonstrates its miraculous nature and uniqueness."
Summary of Alif Lam Meem: The mysterious letters 'Alif Lam Meem' have intrigued scholars for centuries, symbolizing one of the Quran's divine secrets. Al-Razi explains that these letters exemplify the Quran's miraculous nature, composed from simple Arabic characters yet surpassing human capacity for imitation. This scholarly consensus views these letters as emblematic of the Quran's depth and the vast, unfathomable knowledge of Allah. They remind us that just as rivers, streams, and valleys cannot contain the entirety of the sea, humans cannot fully grasp the divine wisdom. These letters, which commence many Surahs, are not merely a challenge to produce similar work but a marker of the Quran’s unique status as direct divine communication, accessible yet infinitely complex. The essence of this concept is captured in Allah’s words: { أَنَزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَاء مَاء فَسَالَتْ أَوْدِيَةٌ بِقَدَرِهَا } [Surah Ar-Ra'd 13:17], which reflects the flow of divine knowledge as it descends and spreads among creation, each according to their capacity. Al-Razi also explores the debate over the interpretability of these letters, noting that while some view them as divine mysteries beyond human comprehension, their placement in the Quran serves to deepen engagement and reflection. This is emphasized by the verse { لا تسمعوا لهذاالقرآن والغوا فيه لعلكم تغلبون } [Fussilat 41:26], highlighting how these letters compel the audience to focus more intently on the Quran's messages. Ultimately, these disjointed letters are meant to draw listeners into a deeper understanding of the text, showcasing the layered, infinite wisdom of Allah and setting the stage for the profound guidance that the Quran offers.
Verse 2: ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْكِتَٰبُ لَا رَيْبَ ۛ فِيهِ ۛ هُدًۭى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ (That is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah)
Tafsir Al-Zamakhshari (Al-Kashshaf):
ذَلِكَ الْكِتَابُ، يَشِيرُ إِلَى الْقُرْآنِ الْعَظِيمِ، وَ'لا رَيْبَ فِيهِ' تَأْكِيدٌ عَلَى كَمَالِهِ وَخَلْوِهِ مِنَ الشُّكُوكِ وَالأَوْهَامِ، وَهُوَ هُدَايَةٌ لِمَنْ يَتَّقُونَ اللهَ وَيَخْشَوْنَهُ حَقَّ خَشْيَتِهِ
Translation: "That book refers to the glorious Quran, and 'there is no doubt in it' emphasizes its perfection and its freedom from doubts and illusions. It serves as guidance for those who are conscious of Allah and truly fear Him."
Tafsir Al-Alusi (Ruh al-Ma'ani):
يُخْبِرُ تعالى أنَّ هذا الكتابَ مصدرٌ للهداية ولا يَشُوبُهُ شَكٌّ، مُوَجَّهٌ لِلَّذِينَ يَجْتَنِبُونَ المَعَاصِي وَيَسْلُكُونَ طَرِيقَ الْوَرَعِ وَالتَّقْوَى
Translation: "Allah informs us that this book is a source of guidance and is devoid of doubt, directed towards those who avoid sins and follow the path of piety and righteousness."
Tafsir Al-Kabir by Razi:
الْكِتَابُ الْمُبَارَكُ هُوَ بِلاَ شَكٍّ مَصْدَرُ إِرْشَادٍ لِكُلِّ مُتَّقٍ، وَفِيهِ تَوْجِيهَاتٌ وَاضِحَةٌ لِلسُّلُوكِ الصَّالِحِ وَالتَّحَلِّي بِالْفَضَائِلِ الْإِسْلَامِيَّةِ
Translation: "The blessed book is undoubtedly a source of guidance for every pious person, containing clear instructions for righteous conduct and the adoption of Islamic virtues."
Summary and further comments by Alusi Tafseer:
ذَٰلِكَ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبُ لَا رَيۡبَ فِيهِۛ هُدٗى لِّلۡمُتَّقِينَ (That is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for the righteous)—this statement has been subject to much discussion. Scholars have offered various interpretations, some suggesting it's a continuation of previous verses, others arguing it's a fresh sentence. What’s clear is that it refers to the كتاب (book) promised in إِنَّا سَنُلۡقِي عَلَيۡكَ قَوۡلٗا ثَقِيلًا (Indeed, We will cast upon you a heavy word), as Wahidi mentions, or even something foretold by Musa and Isa, عليهما السلام, which finds support in verses like وَكَانُواْ مِن قَبۡلُ يَسۡتَفۡتِحُونَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ (And they used to pray for victory over those who disbelieved).
An interesting interpretation by كعب presents the Qur’an as a source of wisdom and understanding: “عَلَيۡكُمۡ بِٱلۡقُرۡءَانِ، فَإِنَّهُۥ فَهۡمُ ٱلۡعَقۡلِ وَنُورُ ٱلۡحِكۡمَةِ وَيَنَابِيعُ ٱلۡعِلۡمِ وَأَحۡدَثُ ٱلۡكُتُبِ بِٱللَّهِ عَهۡدٗا” (“The Qur'an is the source of intellect, the light of wisdom, and the fountain of knowledge, and the most recent covenant of Allah"). Furthermore, a remarkable mention from the Torah speaks of مُحَمَّد صلى الله عليه وسلم: “يَا مُحَمَّدُ، إِنِّي مُنَزِّلٌ عَلَيۡكَ تَوۡرَاةً حَدِيثَةً تَفۡتَحُ بِهَا أَعۡيُنٗا عُمۡيٗا وَءَاذَانٗا صُمّٗا وَقُلُوبٗا غُلۡفٗا” (“O Muhammad, I will send you a new Torah by which you will open blind eyes, deaf ears, and veiled hearts”). This matches with other narrations emphasizing the divine guidance revealed.
The ذَٰلِكَ (That) in "ذَٰلِكَ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبُ" (That Book) points to the Qur'an, not just in physical proximity, but in a rank elevated above other scriptures. It serves as a reminder of its unparalleled guidance. Some scholars, like الوَاحِدِي, draw on this elevation, suggesting that the Qur’an’s descent from Allah سبحانه وتعالى brings it nearer to us while still preserving its divine distance.
The phrase "لَا رَيۡبَ فِيهِ" (There is no doubt in it) emphasizes the Qur'an’s absolute clarity and truth, leaving no room for doubt. As الزَّمَخْشَرِي points out, this negation of doubt isn’t merely about uncertainty but dismisses any reason for confusion. Even the various linguistic elements—the use of رَيْب (doubt) and هُدًى لِّلۡمُتَّقِينَ (guidance for the righteous)—reinforce the text's intent to direct readers to trust in its words.
It’s worth noting that scholars like الرَّازِي and الرَّاغِب debated the nature of "رَيْب" (doubt). Some distinguished it from mere "شَكّ" (doubt), implying that رَيْب includes a sense of suspicion or anxiety. The term carries heavier implications, like when Bashar said:
أَخُوكَ الَّذِي إِن رِبْتَهُ قَالَ إِنَّمَا... أَرَابَ وَإِنْ عَاتَبْتَهُ لَانَ جَانِبُهُ
(Your brother is the one who, when you suspect him, says, “It’s just suspicion,” and if you blame him, he softens toward you), showing that رَيْب implies deeper uncertainties rooted in mistrust.
The term هُدًى (guidance) offers a multi-layered understanding. In الكَشَّاف, it’s described as the direction that leads to one’s objective, just as ضَلَال (misguidance) implies a failure to reach that goal. Thus, the Qur’an's role as a guide isn't merely instructional but transformative, showing those already on a righteous path how to reach new spiritual heights.
And so, ذَٰلِكَ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبُ لَا رَيۡبَ فِيهِۛ هُدٗى لِّلۡمُتَّقِينَ (That is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for the righteous) carries profound implications: this is the book, free from doubt, a guide for the righteous. It not only solidifies the Qur'an’s status but ties its truth to both this world and the hereafter, offering a path for those who seek it.
Personal Reflection: Reflecting on the first two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah, ذَٰلِكَ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبُ لَا رَيۡبَ فِيهِۛ هُدٗى لِّلۡمُتَّقِينَ ("That is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for the righteous"), I realize how these words form the backbone of my approach to life. These verses aren’t mere statements—they are a foundation, offering certainty that dissolves so many of the fears and confusions that naturally arise. Knowing that there is لَا رَيۡبَ فِيهِ (no doubt) in the Qur'an provides a level of stability and comfort that nothing else can match.
It’s not that I’m never confused, or that I can't listen to and consider other viewpoints—I can, and I often do. But with this grounding, I engage with new ideas without feeling lost or swayed. The Qur’an acts as a guide, not a restriction, giving me the confidence to explore the world while remaining anchored in truth. It's like having an inner compass that, no matter how complex or chaotic life becomes, always directs me back to clarity.
These verses remind me that even in moments of uncertainty, there is a higher truth to hold on to—a truth that brings peace, direction, and understanding in a world full of distractions. Like a torch in a dark alley, it illuminates my way, showing me the path, steady and unwavering.