[2] Literally, "those who have taqwā," i.e., who have piety, righteousness, fear and love of Allah, and who take great care of avoiding His displeasure.
[3] At its proper times and fulfill its all conditions. [4] "We" in reference to Allah in the Qur’anic verses is necessarily understood to denote grandeur and power.
[5] i.e., the Taurāt (Torah) and the Injīl (Gospel), etc.
[6] A covering preventing from discerning guidance, as a result of their arrogance and persistence in sin.
[8] The "sickness" mentioned here includes doubt, hypocrisy, arrogance and disbelief.
[9] The hypocrites were considering the Companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) to be fools, whereas they themselves were fools.
[10] i.e., their leaders in evil and disbelief.
[12] This is the situation of the hypocrites in the darkness of doubt and disbelief, not seeing the truth and guidance.
[13] The parable of lightning is that of the light of the Qur’an.
[14] Do not set up rivals to Allah (in worship), Who has provided you with all these things, and you know that He alone is worthy of worship.
[15] “Our servant” is referring to Muhammad (ﷺ).
[16] Lit., "above it" i.e., greater in smallness.
[17] By keeping good relations with kith and kin.
[18] This prostration was done in obedience to Allah, out of respect, not worship.
[19] The proper name of Satan, who was not an angel, but from the jinn.
[20] Until the Day of Judgment.
[21] These words, or supplications are: “They [both] said: “Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers.” See 7:23.
[22] The addressees were Adam, Eve and Satan.
[23] Israel is Prophet Jacob (عليه السلام). The use of the epithet ‘Children of Israel’ for the Israelites is to remind them to follow their ancestor from whom they are descended.
[24] This mutual pledge is as follows: If the Children of Israel keep up the prayer, give zakah, believe in and support the prophets, and spend in the cause of Allah, Allah will, in return, expiate their sins and admit them to the Gardens under which rivers flow, i.e., Paradise.
[25] i.e., the prophethood of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), which is mentioned in the Torah.
[27] This command is to the Children of Israel to bow down in obedience to Allah with Muhammad, as the Muslims do, i.e., embrace Islam.
[29] In their time, Allah favored them with certain privileges over other people such as sending them prophets and divine Books, and giving them kingship.
[31] They both have linguistic roots in Arabic; "al-mann" means that which is God-given without effort, while "al-salwā" means that in which one finds consolation and comfort.
[32] In gratitude to Allah and admission of sin.
[33] They were asked to seek forgiveness. The word is hittah, which means: to put down a burden, but they twisted their tongues to mean ‘barley’, hintah.
[34] The twelve tribes of the Children of Israel, who are called "Asbāt".
[35] i.e., the Torah.
[36] i.e., the Jews.
[37] There were three Jewish tribes who allied themselves with the two Arab tribes of Madinah before Islam: Banū Qaynuqā‘, Banū an-Nadīr and Banū Qurayzah. In their prolonged feuds, the Jewish clans fought alongside their allies against their brethren.
[38] i.e., the Angel Gabriel (عليه السلام).
[39] i.e., the Qur’an.
[40] i.e., the Jews.
[41] They deserved double wrath: firstly for their earlier rebelliousness and then for denying Muhammad (ﷺ).
[42] i.e., the Qur’an. [43] i.e., the Torah.
[44] i.e., Muhammad (ﷺ).
[45] The provision of this verse has been abrogated, as Allah passed His decree.
[46] This incident is documented when the Christians of Najrān came to the Messenger of Allah, the rabbis met them and both parties disputed.
[47] Fear of divine justice or the believers will seize them.
[48] i.e., the direction of prayer (Qiblah). This is by way of consolation to the believers that one can find Allah wherever one turns in case of mistake, or prayer of those who prayed to the direction of Jerusalem, etc.
[49] The Jews claimed that Ezra was the son of God, the Christians claimed that Jesus was the son of God, and the Arab pagans claimed that the angels were God’s daughters.
[50] These are from Arab pagans and from the people of the Book, elsewhere called ‘the illiterates’.
[51] Allah assigned some tasks and commandments for Abraham (عليه السلام) to carry out, which he fulfilled dutifully.
[52] A form of worship particular to the Ka‘bah consisting of going around it in circuits.
[53] The rituals of Hajj and ‘Umrah.
[54] The Messenger from the posterity of Ishmael; i.e., Muhammad (ﷺ).
[55] The ‘religion of Abraham’, known as hanīfiyyah, is the most primordial, pristine and uncorrupted of all divine religions. The Qur’an underlines Islam’s close relation to it in various places.
[56] The meaning of the word "Islam" is "submission to the will of Allah." This is ordained by Allah and taught by all of the prophets from Adam to Muhammad (ﷺ). A Muslim is one who submits himself to Allah.
[57] Ishmael was actually Jacob’s paternal uncle. They counted him among Jacob’s ‘fathers’ out of respect.
[58] i.e., those who associate others with Allah in worship.
[59] i.e., the twelve tribes of Israel descended from Jacob.
[60] “Sibghah” linguistically means ‘color’. It is so called because religious devoutness shows on the person as much as a dye of cloth shows on it.
[61] Prior to the command (in verse 144) that the Prophet (ﷺ) and his followers turn toward the Ka‘bah in Makkah for prayer, they had been facing Jerusalem to the north. Further details are mentioned in succeeding verses.
[62] The Prophet (ﷺ) was awaiting the command to change the qiblah; so he used to look up at the sky.
[63] That the Ka‘bah is the correct direction of Prayer.
[64] One of the reasons for the change of qiblah was so that the Jews would have no argument against the Muslims.
[65] The wisdom taught by the Prophet (ﷺ) is his Sunnah.
[66] Remember Me (by praying, glorifying, etc), and I will remember you (by remembering you and bestowing countless favors on you). Allah says in a Qudsi Hadith: "...If he remembers Me in himself, I remember him in Myself; and if he remembers Me in a group, I remember him in a group better than them..." [Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
[68] As much as there are hardships and trials, there are rewards and favors.
[69] Some believers had previously feared that this might be a pagan practice, so Allah confirms that this is among the rites of Islam.
[70] From among the angels, the prophets, and the believers.
[71] There are two āyāt (signs) leading to belief: Quranic verses and cosmic signs. The signs meant in this verse are cosmic.
[72] In spite of all these clear signs, some people still worship false deities besides Allah.
[73] Two conditions for consuming food: lawful, and beneficial; not harmful.
[75] Their senses are not tuned to divine admonition.
[77] Allah is mocking their ignorance for exchanging bliss of Paradise with punishment of Hellfire.
[78] This ruling was abrogated in Surah an-Nisā’, stipulating obligatory shares for parents and close relatives. Those who do not inherit by law may be remembered in a bequest.
[79] i.e., the will of the deceased.
[80] To abstain from food, drink, and sexual relations from dawn to dusk.
[81] The provision of this verse has been abrogated by the next verse: 185, with few exceptions, i.e., very old person, or pregnant, etc.
[82] This either means that the Qur’an was sent down from the Preserved Tablet to the Lowest Heaven on the Night of Decree during the month of Ramadan, or that it was the start of the revelation to Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).
[83] Allah’s nearness means that one does not need to raise his voice or to ask for intercession in order that his prayers be answered.
[84] Prior to this revelation, marital relations were unlawful during nights preceding fasting. Some were unable to refrain and secretly disobeyed, but Allah accepted their repentance, and then it was made lawful.
[85] By offering bribes to those who rule in cases of litigation, i.e., judges.
[86] It was an Arab practice prior to Islam to enter their houses from the back after assuming ihrām for pilgrimage, considering it an act of obedience.
[87] This verse is the first one that was revealed in connection with Jihad.
[88] Do not overlook the rulings prescribed for fighting, such as: not killing or harming women, children, the elderly, and those who did not aid the fight against you.
[89] i.e., the disbelievers who raised arms against you. [90] i.e., the land of Makkah from which the Muslims were expelled. [91] Among the meanings of "fitnah" are: disbelief and its imposition on others, dissension, trial, and torment.
[92] Or disbelief, polytheism, prevention from the way of Allah, etc.
[93] The sacred months: Dhul-Qi‘dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram, and Rajab.
[94] Raise funds to prepare for a just fight. [95] By not making preparations.
[96] Fasting three days, feeding six poor of Haram (sanctified area of Makkah), or slaughtering a sheep or goat and distributing it among the poor of Haram.
[97] These are: Shawwal, Dhū al-Qi‘dah, and the first ten days of Dhū al-Hijjah.
[98] The addressees are the Quraysh, who held back from going to ‘Arafāt and instead remained in Muzdalifah, considering themselves above others.
[99] The Arabs were very fond of talking without end about the chivalric and heroic deeds of their ancestors.
[100] These are the ones who are well-guided.
[102] These are the three days of staying at Mina during Hajj: 11th, 12th and 13th of Dhul-Hijjah.
[103] The Prophet (ﷺ) said, as in Sahih al-Bukhāri: "The most hated person to Allah is the one who is most quarrelsome of the opponents."
[104] By spreading disbelief, rebellion against Allah, and injustice, which brings about punishment of withholding rain, thus causing ruination of crops and death of cattle.
[106] On the Day of Judgment Allah comes in this form - the way befitting His Majesty - to pass judgment on His creation.
[107] Ibn ‘Abbās (رضي الله عنهما) reported: “The time between Adam and Noah was ten centuries. People were on the right path, but then they started disputing over matters of faith. So, Allah sent prophets bearing glad tiding and warning”. [Al-Mustadrak of Al-Hākim].
[108] The plight of humans, especially those who lack sincerity and humbleness, is such that the more knowledge they possess, the more haughty and disputatious they become.
[109] The road to Paradise is not paved with roses; it can only be reached through hardship.
[110] Any of the previous Prophets.
[111] Sacred Months are: 1st, 7th, 11th and 12th months of the lunar calendar. [112] The disbelievers asked this to scorn the Prophet (ﷺ) for what they saw as breaking an oath when a group of believers unknowingly killed a disbeliever during a sacrosanct month. [An-Nasā’ī, As-Sunan al-Kubrā].
[113] The provision of this verse concerning alcoholic drinks and gambling has been abrogated by the verse 5:90.
[114] i.e., worship and obey Allah alone.
[115] i.e., refrain from sexual intercourse. [116] By taking a ritual bath (ghusl).
[117] Have sexual relations with your wives in any position as long as it is in the vagina.
[118] Either menstrual periods or periods of purity between menstruation; to ensure that no pregnancy has taken place.
[119] That is to conceal pregnancy during their waiting period (‘iddah), with the intention of concluding the divorce.
[120] During the ‘iddah period of a first and second divorce without a new marriage contract.
[121] Al-Khul‘ means the parting of a wife from her husband by returning the sum of money she received from him as dowry or gifts in exchange for conceding to her demand for divorce.
[122] With the intention of permanence, not merely in order to return to the previous husband.
[123] Going back to her earlier husband if the divorce from her subsequent husband is sealed.
[124] By prolonging an agonizing waiting period, holding them back from marrying other husbands or forcing them into seeking separation.
[125] For the first or second time.
[126] ‘Mothers’ here means divorced mothers.
[127] They may remarry if they wish.
[128] A social norm that entails keeping within the dictates of Islam.
[129] i.e., the widowed or irrevocably divorced.
[130] e.g. by saying to her, "If one finds a wife like you, he will be happy" or so.
[131] The five obligatory daily Prayers.
[132] Prayers are mentioned in the midst of marital affair rulings, because of the hurtful feelings divorce can leave. Hence, people are reminded of the Hereafter, whereby they should not ‘overlook kindness’ among themselves by this reminder of accountability.
[133] Of an imminent danger such as enemies and the like.
[134] The provision of this verse has been abrogated by verse 4:12.
[135] In order to show them that they could not escape His Judgment and make them realize that He is capable of bringing about their worst fears, only then to give them their lives back again.
[136] i.e., spending in the cause of Allah in expectation of nothing but His reward.
[137] Their women and children were taken as captives by the enemy.
[138] i.e., was giving reassurance.
[139] i.e., knowledge of prophethood and kingdom, and how to make body armor.
[140] Such as Moses (عليه السلام). [141] Such as Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).
[142] Miracles and the Evangel (Gospel).
[143] Whose life is perfect, complete, and eternal, without beginning or end.
[144] Dependent on none for His existence while being the sustainer of all created beings.
[145] Dozing off and falling asleep are but normal to all creation that are inherently frail.
[146] Allah's knowledge encompasses every aspect of His creations in the past, present and future.
[147] Chair or footstool. It is not to be confused with al-‘Arsh (the Throne), which is infinitely higher and greater than al-Kursī.
[148] Above all of His creations and superior to them in essence, rank, and position.
[149] Whose greatness is unlimited, beyond description or imagination.
[150] This verse is known as Āyat al-Kursī, lit. The verse of the Footstool. It is the greatest verse in the Qur’an.
[151] This is a great Islamic principle whereby no one is to be coerced to believe, but it is the duty of the believers to make sure that people know what is right and what is wrong.
[152] False objects of worship, such as devils, idols, stones, sun, stars, angels, saints, graves, rulers, etc.
[153] This verse immediately follows Āyat al-Kursī for good reason, as the previous verse contains clear proofs of the Oneness and Greatness of Allah, which purges Godliness from all that are worshiped besides Allah (Tāghoot).
[154] The light of truth is one, while the darknesses of disbelief, doubt and error are many.
[155] He is said to be the Biblical King Nimrod. [156] Were they really in search of the Truth, Allah would surely have led them to the right path.
[157] The previous verse demonstrated Allah’s Lordship, whereas this and the next verse show His ability to resurrect.
[158] The Prophet (ﷺ) implied by saying: “We are more likely to doubt than Ibrāhīm” [Al-Bukhārī: 4537, Muslim: 151], when he heard that people said Abraham doubted. Scholars are of the opinion that Abraham wanted to reach the highest rank of knowledge ‘concrete certitude’ (haqq al-yaqīn).
[159] Soilless and bare, unable to grow plants.
[160] Their insincere spending will have no harvest to reap in the Hereafter.
[161] Gardens and farms on elevated land are more fertile than lower placed ones. This is the analogy Allah draws of the charity of the sincere. No matter how much it is, it grows and prospers.
[162] Those who follow their charity by taunting and hurting the recipient’s feelings, thus rendering their charity void. ‘Umar (رضي الله عنه) said, "This is an example of a rich man who does good deeds out of obedience to Allah, and then Allah sends him Satan whereupon he commits sins till all his good deeds are lost." [Sahih al-Bukhāri: 62]
[163] Crops and minerals.
[164] If you spend your money in charity.
[165] Ibn al-Qayyim says: “Exegetes unanimously agree that al-fahshā’ here means miserliness” [Tarīq al-Hijratayn, p. 375].
[166] The knowledge and understanding of the religion and of the Qur’an.
[167] Nadhr (vowing): It is to make obligatory for oneself that which is not, usually in return for a Godly favor. For example, if my child is healed, I will give in charity such amount of money.
[168] Observing secrecy while giving out voluntary charity to the poor is better than making it public, for it ensures his dignity and is closer to sincerity.
[169] The image given here of a person possessed by the devil staggering while standing and walking unsteadily as they are resurrected for the Day of Judgment. It is a just requital because it mimics their insatiable lust for money in this life, twisting the laws ordained by Allah as they declared lawful what is not.
[170] Neither harming others by receiving interest, and nor suffering harm by preserving your principal capital in full.
[171] Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: "A man used to give loans to the people, and used to say to his servant, ‘If the debtor is poor, forgive him, so that Allah may forgive us.’ When he met Allah (after his death), Allah forgave him." [Sahih al-Bukhāri: 687]
[172] This is known as Āyat ad-Dayn, the verse of debt, and it is the longest verse in the Qur’an.
[173] Allah Almighty concludes this Surah by directing His servants how to supplicate Him, just as He taught them in Surah al-Fātihah how to praise Him and ask for guidance. [174] Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: "Whosoever recited the last two verses of Surat al-Baqarah at night, that will be sufficient for him." [Sahih al-Bukhāri: 345]