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Why did I choose Al-Baqarah as the next surah to study?

Imagine you enroll in a class and the professor assigns a book he wrote. In order to pass this class, you must study the book, and you can use it during the final exam. The only problem? This book is in a foreign language.

That’s how I feel about the Quran.

I NEED this Book to pass.

Every Muslim knows this life is a test, and the Quran is our guide through it. Yet I don’t understand much of it. Ya Rabb, forgive me.

As Muslims, we have normalized the recitation of the Quran and not its understanding. I have grown up loving the Quran, so I asked myself, “Why was I okay with this for so long?” My only response is that my soul knows it’s from its Creator. Even if I don’t understand, I feel its power, magnificence, and mercy. I need it like my body needs water.

Why has Surah Baqarah awakened this desire to understand? Well, it covers so many aspects of life. Many sayings, rulings, and teachings I’ve heard, whether through conversation or lectures, are actually explained in Surah Baqarah. I am realizing that I have the source of information right in front of me.

For example, my whole life I have been fasting during the month of Ramadan. I had been taught about fasting from my parents. However, seeing it as instruction in the Quran is just so cool. Being able to read it myself and say, “Hey! This is where Allah talks about fasting.” Indeed, God is Great.

Not only do I have the source, but I also have what I need to get through life. First and foremost, to understand who my Creator is. Then to learn how I am meant to treat myself and those around me, the rules and regulations of society, and how to function as a community. I also learn about the stories of previous prophets and their struggles with their people or personal trials they may have faced. It’s all in the Quran.

The funny part is, we say we are Muslim. Let me start with myself. I say I am Muslim. I can read my scripture, but I don’t use it to live my life because I haven’t taken the time to actually study it. I rely on those who have educated themselves in the language and Islamic law to tell me my own religion. Now I realize that not only can I engage with the Quran myself, but I must. It’s a necessity.

I thank Allah for this inspiration to start this Quran journey. Allah guides whom He wills, and I feel honored to be able to pursue this path.

Surah Baqarah is the longest chapter in the Quran. It was revealed in Madinah. About it Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

اقْرَؤُوا سُورَةَ الْبَقَرَةِ، فَإِنَّ أَخْذَهَا بَرَكَةٌ، وَتَرْكَهَا حَسْرَةٌ، وَلَا تَسْتَطِيعُهَا الْبَطَلَةُ

Recite Surah Al-Baqarah, for taking it is a blessing, abandoning it is a regret, and the magicians cannot withstand it.

This hadith is short, but the weight of it is heavy.

A blessing. How in need we are of Allah’s blessings. Abandoning it is a regret. Now we know what to prioritize so we don’t regret. Protection from magicians, so many things we can’t explain; this is our barrier against the unseen that wants to harm us.

If this is your first interaction with Surah Baqarah and its blessings, an easy way to start is by reading two verses at the end of each day as Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

مَنْ قَرَأَ بِالْآيَتَيْنِ مِنْ آخِرِ سُورَةِ الْبَقَرَةِ فِي لَيْلَةٍ كَفَتَاهُ

Whoever recites the two verses at the end of Surah Al-Baqarah at night, they will suffice him.

Baqarah – The Cow

This is one of the surahs referred to by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself as Al-Baqarah. Interestingly enough, Baqarah means “cow”. It refers to the story of Musa (AS) and his people, when Allah commanded them to slaughter the cow. However, it’s one of those stories where you have to go beyond the surface. It’s not really about the cow at all, but rather their mindset. Instead of accepting the command, they delayed their submission by repeatedly asking questions and focusing excessively on details rather than simply obeying the instruction. They begrudgingly accepted in the end, but only after they received the response they deemed correct.

Verses 1-60

I have only studied sixty verses thus far, and already I’m in love. The surah begins with talking about guidance and taqwa (God-consciousness), then addresses the hypocrites, before taking us through the story of our father Adam (AS) and Iblis, and eventually the story of Musa (AS) and Bani Israel.

It’s very interesting to see the context around when these verses were revealed. A verse on its own can have so many meanings, but when the context is provided, we are able to see exactly what situation Allah is addressing and how we can apply that lesson to our own lives.

When I started studying Surah Kahf, I was excited just to understand what Allah is saying. Surah Kahf was a great introduction because it was mainly stories, so it was easy to enjoy. However, Surah Baqarah has caused me to stop and say, “Whoa, Allah is talking to me.” I must take notes and learn how to apply these instructions in my life, as well as learn the attributes Allah uses to describe Himself in order to learn deeply who my Creator is.

I am excited to continue learning, especially when I get to some of my favorite verses.

I feel like I was watching a soccer game, and now I’m actually playing in the game.

The journey ahead will be long. Baqarah is just the beginning.

Ya Rabb, continue to inspire me on this Quranic journey. Bless my path and make me among those who wear the crown of the Quran in the Hereafter. Enable me to praise You through Your blessed names and make it easy for me to fulfill every commandment.

Peace and blessings upon the Nabi of Allah.