Quran /2- AL-BAQARAH The Cow Revealed at Madînah /   Introduction         This sûrah was revealed at Madînah following the emigration of the early Muslims from Makkah. It emphasizes that the Qur’ân is the fountain-head and indisputable source of guidance to the straight path, Allâh’s path of righteousness, to acknowledging His oneness, uniqueness, omnipotence, and ultimate authority. The sûrah impresses on the heart the fatal consequence of atheism, idolatry, and associating other deities with Allâh. Mankind is divided into three categories: those who are faithful to Allâh, those who believe in Allâh, and the hypocrites. This sûrah warns the hypocrites and announces joyful tidings to the faithful. It further warns the chronic hypocrites, idolaters, and atheists of condemnation. The sûrah presents the detailed narrative of the Children of Isrâ'îl and reminds them of the days of Mûsâ (Moses) and their extraordinary history. It also reminds them of Ibrâhîm (Abraham) and Ismâ`îl (Ishmael) and their effort in building the Ka`bah and establishing a common religion. Such a narrative is also used to advise the Prophet Muhammad’s followers to think before acting. This sûrah also addresses piety and righteous deeds. Allâh’s laws are clearly stated in order to guide mankind to a pious way of life in conducting its affairs. The laws here are regarding fasting, wills, fraud, retaliation, fighting, major and minor pilgrimage, intoxicants, gambling, sexual matters, divorce and `iddah (the period after divorce during which a woman cannot marry another), suckling, spending, commer¬cial transactions, interest, and borrowing. The sûrah also specifies unlawful foods and mercifully relaxes enforcement under compelling circumst¬ances. The right to forbid or permit is asserted as Allâh’s own. The sûrah also calls attention to the best means of acquiring happiness here and in the Hereafter; the improper practice of advising people to do good while not following the same advice; promoting good and rejecting evil. There is no compulsion in religion, and religion is based on ease. Allâh does not burden a person with what he or she cannot bear. No one is punished for the misdeed of another. It also calls attention to other virtues and commands in order to lead Muslims toward the path of liberty, equality, fraternity, justice, man’s duty to himself and to others, and his obligations to his Creator. The sûrah indicates clearly that religion is based on three primary provisions—unconditional recognition of the Oneness of Allâh and faithful belief in Him; acknowledgement of the truth of Resurrection and Judgment; and the crowning of deeds with wisdom and piety—and that all of these must go together. This is the longest sûrah of the Qur’ân, and verse 282 is the longest verse in the Qur’ân. The sûrah’s title is taken from the story of the cow told in verses 67–73. In the Name of Allâh, The All-Merciful, The Ever-Merciful
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