Surah Al Baqarah and its name
This surah has been given several names, including: Al-Sanam, Al-Dhuroh, and Al-Zahra. It is called the first two names because of the saying of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): “Al-Baqarah is the peak and the summit of the Quran; with every verse of it, eighty angels descended.” This was narrated by Ahmad and others. As for its name Al-Zahra, it is based on the Prophet’s saying: “Recite the two bright ones: Al-Baqarah and Surah Al-Imran.” The author of the book “Masa’id Al-Nazar” mentioned that one of its names is Al-Fustat.
Although this surah is named after the mention of the story of the cow of the Children of Israel, we find a more significant reason for this name. This reason is that the story reflects the condition of the Children of Israel with the commands of Allah, their stubbornness, and their refusal to accept the commands of Allah. This is highly relevant to Surah Al Baqarah, which includes the education of believers on how to receive the Shariah of Allah. Therefore, the surah encompasses the general principles and foundations of the Shariah, as if the name serves as a reminder for the believers to be cautious of resembling the people of the cow. Al-Zarkashi said: “The naming of Surah Al Baqarah by this name is due to the reference to the story of the cow mentioned in it, and the remarkable wisdom contained within it.”
The Virtue of Surah Al Baqarah
In Surah Al Baqarah, there are several hadiths and narrations, including the saying of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): “Do not make your houses like graves, for the devil flees from the house in which Surah Al Baqarah is recited.” This was narrated by Muslim. He also said: “Recite the two bright ones: Al-Baqarah and Surah Al-Imran; for they will come on the Day of Resurrection like two clouds, or like two shades, or like two flocks of birds in rows, arguing on behalf of their companions.” “Read Surah Al Baqarah, for taking it is a blessing, and leaving it is a regret, and the magicians cannot handle it,” said Muawiya bin Salam: I have heard that the magicians are referred to as ‘the batilah.’ Narrated by Muslim. And the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever recites Surah Al Baqarah, a crown will be placed upon him in Paradise,” narrated by Al-Darimi. And from Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him), he said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) sent a military expedition, and they were numerous, so he asked them to recite what they had of the Quran. He came to one of the youngest among them and said: “What do you have, O so-and-so?” He said: “I have such and such, and Surah Al Baqarah.” The man said, “Do you have Surah Al Baqarah with you?” He said, “Yes.” The man said, “Then go, for you are their leader.” This was narrated by Al-Tirmidhi, who said it is a good hadith. It was also narrated from Abu Huraira, may Allah be pleased with him, from the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, who said, “Everything has a peak, and the peak of the Quran is Surah Al Baqarah.” This was also narrated by Al-Tirmidhi.
There are several hadiths regarding the virtue of Ayat al-Kursi, including the hadith of Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that one day the devil came to him, and in it: “When you go to your bed, recite Ayat al-Kursi from the beginning until you finish {Allah! There is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of existence} (Al-Baqarah: 255). He said to him: ‘You will always have a protector from Allah, and no devil will come near you until morning.’ They were very keen on goodness, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: ‘Indeed, he has told you the truth, although he is a liar.’ Narrated by Al-Bukhari. And his saying (peace be upon him): ‘O Abu Al-Mundhir! Do you know which verse of the Book of Allah is the greatest?’ I said: ‘{Allah! There is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of existence}.’ He struck my chest and said: ‘By Allah, may knowledge be easy for you, O Abu Al-Mundhir.’ Narrated by Muslim. And his saying (peace be upon him) to the one who asked him about marriage: ‘Do you not have Ayat al-Kursi, {Allah! There is no deity except Him}?’ He said: ‘Yes.’ He said: ‘A quarter of the Quran.’ Narrated by Ahmad. And his saying (peace be upon him): ‘In it, there is a verse that is the chief of the verses of the Quran; it is Ayat al-Kursi.’ Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi. And his saying (peace be upon him): ‘Whoever recites Ayat al-Kursi after every obligatory prayer, nothing will prevent him from entering Paradise except death.’ Narrated by Al-Nasa’i.
There are some hadiths regarding the virtue of the last verses of Surah Al Baqarah, among which are: the statement of Gabriel to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), while sitting with him: “Rejoice in two lights that you have been given, which no prophet before you has been given: the Opening of the Book and the last verses of Surah Al Baqarah; you will not recite a letter from them except that you will be given it.” Narrated by Muslim. And his (peace be upon him) statement: “The two verses at the end of Surah Al Baqarah, whoever recites them at night, they will suffice him.” Agreed upon. And his (peace be upon him) statement: “Indeed, Allah concluded Surah Al Baqarah with two verses, which He gave to me from His treasure beneath the Throne; so learn them and teach them to your women, for they are prayer, Qur’an, and supplication.” Narrated by Al-Hakim in “Al-Mustadrak,” who said: This hadith is authentic according to the conditions of Al-Bukhari. And his (peace be upon him) statement: “Indeed, Allah, the Exalted, wrote a book before He created the heavens and the earth, two thousand years prior, and He revealed in it two verses with which He concluded Surah Al Baqarah; they are not recited in a house for three nights, but that Satan will not approach it.” Narrated by Al-Tabarani with a good chain. And Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “I never saw anyone with sound understanding who would sleep without reciting these verses from the end of Surah Al Baqarah.” There are many reports regarding its virtue.
Objectives of Surah Al Baqarah
The noble surah includes the main objectives of Islam and its fundamental principles; it establishes evidence that the Quran is a book of guidance to be followed in every situation, and the greatest guidance it leads to is the belief in the unseen, which is expressed in the story of the cow, centered on faith in the unseen; hence, the surah is named after it, as reviving a dead person merely by striking him with some parts of that cow is the strongest evidence of His ability, Glory be to Him.
In general, this surah—despite its length—consists of a thematic unity composed of: an introduction, four objectives, and a conclusion.
As for the introduction: it includes the definition regarding this Quran and clarifies that the guidance within it has reached a level of clarity that leaves no doubt for anyone with a sound heart; only those without a heart or those whose hearts are diseased turn away from it.
The first objective: it aims to invite all people to embrace Islam and to reject all other religions.
The second objective: it includes the discussion about the People of the Book, and the call to abandon their falsehood and enter into the religion of Islam.
The third objective: It includes a detailed presentation of the laws of this religion.
The fourth objective: It includes the mention of the religious incentive that encourages adherence to those laws and emphasizes the seriousness of violating them.
As for the conclusion: It included a definition of those who responded to this comprehensive call to those objectives, and an explanation of what is hoped for them in their present and future.
Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy on him, mentioned in “Majmu’ al-Fatawa” a lengthy discussion about the objectives of this chapter, summarizing that it encompasses the establishment of the foundations of knowledge and the theoretical and practical principles of religion.