Introduction
The second chapter of the Quran is commonly known as Surah Al Baqarah and is well known for its profound teachings and comprehensive guidance.
The last two verses of this surah; conveys strong spiritual and noble deeds for the Muslims. This article attempts to explain the tafsir of these verses and present their virtues.
Surah Al Baqarah English translation (Last 2 Verses).
Translation of Verse (285)
(285) The Messenger (Muhammad PBUH) believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord and (so do) the believers. Each one believes in Allah, His Angels, His Books, and His Messengers. (They say), “We make no distinction between one another of His Messengers” – and they say, “We hear, and we obey. (We seek) your Forgiveness, our Lord, and to you is the return (of all).
Tafsir of Surah Al Baqarah (Last 2 Verses)
The Verse (285) Explanation
- In this verse, Allah informs us of the faith, submission, and obedience of the Messenger and the believers who were with him and their seeking forgiveness from Him.
- Allah says in Surah Al Baqarah that (they believe in Allah, His angels, His Books and His Messengers). This means belief in everything that Allah has told us about Himself or what His messengers have told us about Him in general and specific referring to His attributes of perfection and glory as well as affirming that He is free of negated attributes and shortcomings.
- It also implies belief in the angels who are mentioned in the texts in general and specific terms and belief in all the Messengers and Books as well.
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- That in turn means belief in all that the Messengers have conveyed to us and in all that is in the Books of stories, orders and prohibitions.
- The Believers do not make a distinction between any of the messengers because they believe in all of them. Because they are all meant as intermediators between Allah and His creation and Denial of one will be the denial of all of them and that is infidelity with Allah.
- (And they say: We hear) these things which you have commanded for us and these things which you have prohibited for us.
- (and we obey) You in that, and we are not of those who say: We listen and disregard.
- Because people will inevitably fall short with regard to the rights of Allah and thus are in need of His forgiveness all the time, they say:
- (We seek your Forgiveness) that is, we seek your pardon on our mistakes and sins we committed and on our shortcomings.
- (And to You is the return [of all]) that is, all creatures will return to You as well as You will requite them for what they have done of good or evil.
Surah Al Baqarah (Last 2 Verses) Benefits
Suffice against evil and disliked matters
The Prophet (PBUH) said: “If one recites the last two verses of Surah al Baqarah at night, it will suffice for him.
The interpretations Of the Hadith
- The prophet said that if one reads the last two verses of Surah al Baqarah before going to bed at night, Allah will protect him from evil and disliked events.
- Another explanation is that by reciting them, it would suffice in place of performing voluntary night prayer or any other Wird (daily portion of Quran recitation or worship).
- A third view assumes that it means is that the two verses are the least sufficient for night prayer.
There were some other ways of interpreting the statement as well. Therefore, all the meanings mentioned above are correct as they are expressed in the wording of the Hadith.
One of the Two Lights that have been given to the Prophet Muhammad
Ibn Abbas reported: As Jibrīl (PBUH) was sitting with the Prophet (PBUH) he heard a creak from above. So he raised his head and said: “That is a gate in the heavens that was opened today; it had never been opened before today.” An angel descended from it. He said: “That is an angel that descended to earth; he had never descended before, but today.
” He [the angel] offered the greeting of peace and said: “Have glad tidings with two lights that have been given to you, which none of the prophets were given before you: Surah al-Fatihah and the concluding verses of Surah al Baqarah. You will not read one letter of them, but you will be given it.”
The interpretations Of the Hadith
- The fact that the two lights are limited to these two items and not to other surahs or verses suggest that they have great virtues and merit that cannot be found in other items.
- He called them two lights because each one of the two is a holy light which guides those who recite them.
- It might also do so because each one leads to the straight path by guiding the reciter to contemplate the meanings of the texts.
- The first light is Surah al-Fatihah and the second is the last two verses of a surah al Baqarah. Whoever from among this Ummah recites them with faith, then Allah, the Almighty, will fulfill his/her needs and du’a.
Sources:
- Translation of the Quran meanings into English by Taqi-ud-Din Al-Hilali and Muhsen Khan.
- Tafseer As -Sa’di, Abdur-Rahman Nasir as-Sa‘di, Translated by Nasiruddin al-Khattab.
