The Virtue of Surah Al-Baqarah in the Light of Authentic Ahadith
Surah Al-Baqarah is Madani; it contains twenty-five thousand five hundred (25500) letters, six thousand one hundred twenty-one (6121) words, and two hundred eighty-six (286) verses. It includes the incident of the cow slaughtered by Bani Israel, and accordingly, it was named Al-Baqarah (The Cow). The longest verse of the Quran, Ayat al-Kursi, is in it. In this verse, the letter Meem appears 33 times. Surah Al-Baqarah is one of the six Surahs that begin with Alif Lam Meem. Scholars agree that Al-Baqarah was the first Surah revealed in Madinah.
➊ Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said:
لا تجعلوا بيوتكم مقابر، فإن الشيطان ينفر من البيت الذى تقرأ فيه سورة البقرة .
Do not make your houses graveyards; in the house where Surah Al-Baqarah is recited, Satan flees from that house.
➋ In Sunan Tirmidhi
, the words are:
That the horse should not harm Yahya, out of this fear I stopped reciting, and the horse also stopped. I started reciting again, and the horse began to move restlessly again. I feared for Yahya and stopped reciting. I started reciting again, and the horse again became restless. I looked towards the sky and saw a halo of light like a lamp coming down from the sky to the earth. I became distressed and the halo disappeared. When morning came, I told the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) about it. He said: Abu Yahya! You should keep reciting. I said: O Messenger of Allah! I kept reciting, but my horse became restless and I feared it might harm my son Yahya. He said: Ibn Hudhayr! Keep reciting. I said: O Messenger of Allah! I kept reciting, then I raised my head and saw a halo of light like a lamp coming down from the sky to the earth, so I became distressed. He said: Those were angels who were coming near to listen to your voice. If you had kept reciting until morning, people would have also seen them.
➌ Sayyiduna Abu Imamah Bahili رضي الله عنه narrates that he heard the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم say:
اقرؤوا القرآن فإنه يأتى يوم القيامة شفيعا لأصحابه، اقرؤوا الزهراوين ، البقرة وسورة آل عمران، فإنهما تأتيان يوم القيامة كأنهما غمامتان، أو كأنهما غيايتان، أو كأنهما فرقان من طير صواف، تحاجان عن أصحابهما، اقرؤوا سورة البقرة، فإن أخذها بركة، وتركها حسرة، ولا تستطيعها البطله .
Recite the Quran, for the Quran will intercede for its reciters on the Day of Resurrection, especially recite two luminous Surahs, Surah Al-Baqarah and Surah Aal Imran. These Surahs will come on the Day of Judgment like two clouds or two shades or like two flocks of birds flying in formation, advocating for their reciters. Recite Surah Al-Baqarah regularly; reciting it is a source of blessing and abandoning it is a cause of regret. Magicians cannot overcome it.
➍ Sayyiduna Nawas ibn Sam’an Kalabi رضي الله عنه narrates that he heard the Noble Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم say:
يؤتى بالقرآن يوم القيامة وأهله الذين كانوا يعملون به سورة البقرة، وآل عمران، وضرب لهما رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ثلاثة أمثال ما نسيتهن بعد، قال : كأنهما غمامتان، أو ظلتان سوداوان بينهما شرق ، أو كأنهما حزقان من طير صواف تحاجان عن صاحبهما .
On the Day of Resurrection, the Quran and the people of the Quran will be brought forth. Surah Al-Baqarah and Surah Aal Imran will be at the forefront, like dark clouds or two shades with light between them, or like two flocks of birds. They will be disputing on behalf of the people of the Quran.
➎ Sayyiduna Buraydah رضي الله عنه narrates:
كنت جالسا عند النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم فسمعته يقول: تعلموا سورة البقرة، فإن أخذها بركة وتركها حسرة، ولا يستطيعها البطلة. قال: ثم سكت ساعة، ثم قال : تعلموا سورة البقرة، وآل عمران؛ فإنهما الزهراوان يظلان صاحبهما يوم القيامة كأنهما غمامتان أو غيايتان أو فرقان من طير صواف، وإن القرآن يلقى صاحبه يوم القيامة حين ينشق عنه قبره كالرجل الشاحب، فيقول له: هل تعرفني؟ فيقول: ما أعرفك فيقول: أنا صاحبك القرآن الذى أظمأتك فى الهواجر وأسهرت ليلك، وإن كل تاجر من وراء تجارته، وإنك اليوم من وراء كل تجارة فيعطى الملك بيمينه، والخلد بشماله، ويوضع على رأسه تاج الوقار، ويكسى والداه حلتين لا يقوم لهما أهل الدنيا فيقولان: بم كسينا هذا؟ فيقال: بأخذ ولدكما القرآن. ثم يقال له: اقرأ واصعد فى درج الجنة وغرفها، فهو فى صعود ما دام يقرأ، هذا كان، أو ترتيلا.
I was sitting with the Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم, and he said: Learn Surah Al-Baqarah! Learning it brings blessings and abandoning it causes regret. The magic of a sorcerer cannot affect it. The Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم remained silent for a moment, then said: Learn Surah Al-Baqarah and Surah Aal Imran! These are lights, and on the Day of Resurrection, they will be a shade like clouds or umbrellas over their reciters, or like flocks of birds lined up in rows. On the Day of Judgment, the grave of the Qur’an reciter will split open, and the Qur’an will meet him in the form of a thin and weak (or sad) man and ask: Do you recognize me? The reciter will reply: No. The Qur’an will say: I am the Qur’an. I kept you thirsty in the heat, woke you up at night. Every merchant trades to gain profit, but today you have become independent of all trades. Thus, the reciter will be given the certificate of kingship in his right hand and the certificate of eternity in his left hand, he will be crowned with honor and dignity, and his parents will be dressed in two precious garments, before which the worldly possessions will be insignificant. The reciter’s parents will ask: Why have we been dressed like this? It will be told to them: Because your son learned the Qur’an. Then the reciter will be told: Continue reciting the Qur’an and ascend the high ranks of Paradise. So as long as he continues reciting, he will keep ascending the ranks, whether he recites quickly or slowly.
Imam Al-Hakim رحمه الله said this hadith is authentic according to Imam Muslim رحمه الله’s condition. Hafiz Al-Dhahabi رحمه الله agreed with him.
Hafiz Ibn Kathir رحمه الله says:
هذا إسناد حسن على شرط مسلم.
Its chain is Hasan according to Imam Muslim رحمه الله’s condition.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir
Hafiz Al-Busiri رحمه الله
and Hafiz Ibn Hajar رحمه الله
have said its chain is Hasan.
➏ Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates:
إن لكل شيء سناما، وإن سنام القرآن سورة البقرة وإن لكل شيء لبابا، وإن لباب القرآن المفصل.
Everything has a peak, and the peak of the Quran (in terms of virtue and greatness) is Surah Al-Baqarah. Everything has a summary, and the summary of the Quran is the detailed Surahs.
➐ He also says:
إن لكل شيء سناما وسنام القرآن سورة البقرة، وإن الشيطان إذا سمع سورة البقرة تقرأ خرج من البيت الذى يقرأ فيه سورة البقرة.
Everything has a peak, and the peak of the Quran (in terms of virtue and greatness) is Surah Al-Baqarah. When Satan hears the recitation of Surah Al-Baqarah in any house, he flees from there. Imam Hakim (may Allah have mercy on him) authenticated it with a sound chain, and Hafiz Dhahabi (may Allah have mercy on him) declared it authentic.
Ayat al-Kursi
Ayat al-Kursi is the most excellent verse of the Quran, consisting of fifty words, one hundred eighty (180) letters, and ten (10) sentences. It begins with the word Allah and contains eleven (11) proofs of Tawheed, five (5) beautiful names of Allah, and twenty-six (26) attributes proving the existence of Allah Almighty. It mentions the Throne of Allah, which is why it is called Ayat al-Kursi.
➊ Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrates:
إنه كان على تمر الصدقة فوجد أثر كف كأنه قد أخذ منه فذكر ذلك للنبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال: تريد أن تأخذه؟ قل: سبحان من سخرك لمحمد صلى الله عليه وسلم قال أبو هريرة: فقلت: فإذا جني قائم بين يدي، فأخذته لاذهب به إلى النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال: إنما أخذته لأهل بيت فقراء من الجن ولن أعود قال : فعاد فذكرت ذلك للنبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال: تريد أن تأخذه؟ فقلت: نعم، فقال: قل سبحان من سخرك لمحمد صلى الله عليه وسلم فقلت: فإذا أنا به فأردت أن أذهب به إلى النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم فعاهدني أن لا يعود فتركته، ثم عاد فذكرت ذلك للنبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال: تريد أن تأخذه؟ فقلت: نعم، فقال: قل سبحان من سخرك لمحمد صلى الله عليه وسلم فقلت: فإذا أنا به فقلت: عاهدتني فكذبت وعدت، لأذهبن بك إلى النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال: خل عني أعلمك كلمات إذا قلتهن لم يقربك ذكر ولا أنثى من الجن قلت: وما هؤلاء الكلمات؟ قال: آية الكرسي اقرأها عند كل صباح ومساء قال أبو هريرة: فخليت عنه فذكرت ذلك للنبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال لي: أوما علمت أنه كذلك.
He was the caretaker of the charity dates, and he saw handprints on the pile of dates as if someone had taken something from there. When this incident was mentioned to the Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم, he said: Recite this supplication to catch the thief. سبحان من سخرك لمحمد صلى الله عليه وسلم Blessed is He Who has subjected you, Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم. Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه says: I recited this supplication, and a jinn appeared. I said: I present you before the Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم. He said, I am poor, I took something for my family, I seek forgiveness, I will not come again. But he came again. When I mentioned it to the Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم, he taught me the same prayer. I recited it, the jinn appeared again. I intended to present him before the Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم, but he promised not to come again. I left him. He came again. When I mentioned it to the Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم, he said: Recite the same prayer to catch him. I recited the prayer again, and the jinn was caught again. I said: You have broken your promise, now I will surely take you to the Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم. He said: Let me go, I will teach you some words; when you recite them, no male or female jinn will come near you. I asked: Which words? He said: Recite Ayat al-Kursi every morning and evening. I released him and told this story to the Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم. He said: Do you not know? Indeed, it is exactly so.
➋ Sayyiduna Abi bin Ka’b رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
يا أبا المنذر، أتدري أى آية من كتاب الله معك أعظم؟ قال: قلت: الله ورسوله أعلم، قال: يا أبا المنذر أتدري أى آية من كتاب الله معك أعظم؟ قال: قلت : اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ البقرة:255 قال: فضرب فى صدري، وقال: والله ليهنك العلم أبا المنذر.
Abu Mundhir! Do you know which verse of the Book of Allah has the greatest virtue? It was said: Allah and His Messenger know best. He said: Abu Mundhir! Do you know which verse of the Book of Allah has the greatest virtue? It was said: Ayat al-Kursi. He (صلى الله عليه وسلم) struck my chest (to encourage me) and said: By Allah! Abu Mundhir! May knowledge be blessed for you.
➌ In Musnad Abd bin Humaid
, the words are:
والذي نفس محمد بيده إن لهذه الآية للسانا وشفتين تقدس الملك عند ساق العرش.
By the One in Whose Hand is the soul of Muhammad! Ayat al-Kursi will have one tongue and two lips, which will glorify Allah near the footstool of the Divine Throne.
4. Sayyiduna Abu Imamah Bahili (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
من قرأ آية الكرسي دبر كل صلاة مكتوبة لم يمنعه من دخول الجنة، إلا الموت .
Whoever recites Ayat al-Kursi after every obligatory prayer, nothing prevents him from entering Paradise except death.
This hadith has been declared authentic by Imam Ibn Hibban (may Allah have mercy on him) and Hafiz Munzhiri (may Allah have mercy on him).
Hafiz Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him)
, Hafiz Sayuti (may Allah have mercy on him)
have declared it authentic according to Imam Bukhari’s condition. Hafiz Waili (may Allah have mercy on him) has said it is Hasan.
Hafiz Diya al-Maqdisi (may Allah have mercy on him)
, Hafiz Ibn al-Qattan (may Allah have mercy on him), and Hafiz Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him)
have declared it authentic.
➎ Sayyiduna Hasan bin Ali رضي الله عنهما states that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
Al-Mu’jam al-Kabir: 2733, Book of Supplication, both by Al-Tabarani: 674, and its chain is Hasan
Whoever recites Ayat al-Kursi after the obligatory prayer is under the protection of Allah until the next prayer.
Its narrator Kathir bin Yahya has been declared weak by Hafiz Azdi رحمه الله. He himself is weak, but Imam Ibn Hibban رحمه الله and Imam Abu Zur’ah Razi رحمه الله have declared Kathir bin Yahya trustworthy.
Imam Abu Hatim Razi رحمه الله says:
محله الصدق :
He is truthful. Imam Abdullah bin Ahmad bin Hanbal رحمه الله narrated from him. Probably he narrated from him because he was trustworthy according to their father Ahmad bin Hanbal رحمه الله.
Hafiz Mundhiri رحمه الله has graded his chain as Hasan.
Hafiz Haithami رحمه الله has also declared it Hasan.
➏ Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas’ud رضي الله عنه says:
ما من سماء ولا أرض ولا سهل ولا جبل أعظم من آية الكرسي.
The heavens and the earth, the plains and the deserts, and the mountains are not greater than Ayat al-Kursi.
The Last Two Verses of Surah Al-Baqarah
➊ Sayyiduna Abu Masood Ansari (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
من قرأ بالآيتين من آخر سورة البقرة فى ليلة كفتاه .
Whoever recites the last two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah every night, they will be sufficient for him.
The meaning of being sufficient is:
◈ Protection from the evil plots of Satan.
◈ A means of protection from sudden calamities and disasters.
◈ They will suffice in place of the Tahajjud prayer.
! Have you ever thought about how deprived we are of this goodness?
➋ Our Master Abdullah bin Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, narrates:
بينا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وعنده جبريل عليه السلام إذ سمع نقيضا فوقه، فرفع جبريل بصره إلى السماء فقال : هذا الباب قد فتح من السماء ما فتح قط قال : فنزل ملك فأتى النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال : أبشر بنورين أوتيتهما لم يوتهما نبي قبلك : فاتحة الكتاب، وخواتيم سورة البقرة، لن تقرأ حرفا منه إلا أعطيته.
Angel Jibreel, peace be upon him, was sitting with the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, when a buzzing sound was heard from the heavens. Jibreel said: This is the gate of heaven, which has been opened only today; it has never been opened before. An angel descended from it, and this angel had never descended before today. He greeted the Prophet, peace be upon him, and said: I bring you glad tidings of two lights that have been granted only to you and were not given to any prophet before you. These are Surah Al-Fatiha and the last two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah. Whichever letter you recite from them, you will receive light.
3. Sayyiduna Hudhaifah bin Yamaan رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
فضلنا على الناس بثلاث جعلت الأرض كلها لنا مسجدا، وجعلت تربتها لنا طهورا، وجعلت صفوفنا كصفوف الملائكة ، وأوتيت هؤلاء الآيات آخر سورة البقرة من كنز تحت العرش لم يعط منه أحد قبلي، ولا يعطى منه أحد بعدي .
Three things make our Ummah superior to other nations: the entire earth has been made a mosque for us, the soil is a means of purification for us, our rows are like the rows of angels, and the last verses of Surah Al-Baqarah have been given from the lower treasures of the Throne, which were not given to any prophet before me nor will they be given to anyone after me.
4. Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas’ood رضي الله عنه said:
خواتيم سورة البقرة أنزلت من كنز تحت العرش .
The last verses of Surah Al-Baqarah were revealed from the treasures beneath the Throne.
5. Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas’ood رضي الله عنه narrates that three things were given to the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم on the occasion of Mi’raj:
أعطي الصلوات الخمس، وأعطي خواتيم سورة البقرة، وغفر لمن لم يشرك بالله من أمته شيئا، المقحمات .
Five prayers, the last verses of Surah Al-Baqarah, and forgiveness of all the sins of your Ummah except shirk.
➏ Sayyiduna Nu’man bin Bashir رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
إن الله كتب كتابا قبل أن يخلق السموات والأرض بألفي عام أنزل منه آيتين ختم بهما سورة البقرة، ولا يقرآن فى دار ثلاث ليال فيقربها شيطان .
Two thousand years before the creation of the earth and the heavens, Allah wrote a book. From this book, two verses were revealed, with which the end of Surah Al-Baqarah was completed. If these verses are recited in a place for three days, Satan does not come near that place.
This hadith has been declared authentic by Imam Ibn Hibban رحمه الله
and Imam Hakim رحمه الله.
Hafiz Dhahabi رحمه الله has confirmed their authenticity.
➐ Abu Aswad Zalmi bin Amr Dawli, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
قلت لمعاذ بن جبل: أخبرني عن قصة الشيطان حين أخذته قال: جعلني رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم على صدقة المسلمين فجعلت التمر فى غرفة قال: فوجدت فيه نقصانا فأخبرت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم بذلك فقال: هذا الشيطان يأخذه قال : فدخلت الغرفة وأغلقت الباب على فجائت ظلمة عظيمة فغشيت الباب ثم تصور فى صورة ثم تصور فى صورة أخرى فدخل من شق الباب فشددت إزاري على فجعل يأكل من التمر فوثبت إليه فضبطته فالتقت يداي عليه فقلت: يا عدو الله قال : خل عني فإني كبير ذو عيال كثير وأنا من جن نصيبين وكانت لنا هذه القرية قبل أن يبعث صاحبكم فلما بعث أخرجنا منها خل عني فلن أعود إليك فخليت عنه فجاء جبريل عليه السلام فأخبر رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم بما كان فصلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم الصبح ونادى مناديه أين معاذ بن جبل؟ فقمت إليه فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: ما فعل أسيرك فأخبرته فقال : أما إنه سيعود فعد قال: فدخلت الغرفة وأغلقت على الباب فجاء فدخل من شق الباب فجعل يأكل من التمر فصنعت به كما صنعت فى المرة الأولى فقال : خل عني فإني لن أعود إليك فقلت: يا عدو الله ألم تقل : إنك لن تعود قال: فإني لن أعود وآيه ذلك أنه لا يقرأ أحد منكم خاتمة البقرة فيدخل أحد منا فى بيته تلك الليلة .
I asked Sayyiduna Mu’adh bin Jabal, may Allah be pleased with him: What is the story when you caught the devil? He said: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, appointed me as the custodian of the Bayt al-Mal (public treasury). There were dates in the Bayt al-Mal’s room, and I felt they were decreasing. I informed the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, and he said: These dates are taken by the devil. One day I entered the room and closed the door. It was so dark that the door was not visible. The devil took one form to enter, then another form, and entered through the crack of the door. I also tied my waistcloth tightly. He began to lift the dates, so I suddenly caught him. I said: O enemy of Allah! What are you doing? He said: Let me go. I am old and have many children. I belong to the jinn of Naseebin (the name of a town). Before the mission of your master Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, we also lived in that town. When the mission of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, began, we were expelled from there. Today, release me, I will not come again. I released him. This whole story was told to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, by Jibril, peace be upon him. After Fajr prayer, the Prophet announced: Mu’adh, come. I went to him. He said: What happened to your prisoner? I told him the story. He said: Soon he will come again, and you should also go. I entered the room and closed the door. The devil came, entered through the crack of the door, and began eating the dates. I dealt with him as before. He said: Let me go, I will not come again. I said: O enemy of Allah! You promised not to come again. He said: I will not come again. On the night when you recite the last verses of Surah Al-Baqarah, on that night we cannot enter your homes.
Imam Al-Hakim, may Allah have mercy on him, declared the chain of this hadith authentic, and Hafiz Al-Dhahabi, may Allah have mercy on him, agreed with him.
➑ Sayyiduna Abi bin Ka’b رضي الله عنه narrates:
إنه كان له جرين فيه تمر، وكان يتعاهده فيجده ينقص، فحرسه ذات ليلة، فإذا هو بدابة كهيئة الغلام المحتلم، قال: فسلمت فرد السلام، فقلت : ما أنت، جن أم إنس؟ فقال: جن، فقلت: ناولني يدك، فإذا يد كلب وشعر كلب، فقلت: هكذا خلق الجن، فقال : لقد علمت الجن أنه ما فيهم من هو أشد مني، فقلت: ما يحملك على ما صنعت؟ قال : بلغني أنك رجل تحب الصدقة، فأحببت أن أصيب من طعامك، قلت: فما الذى يحرزنا منكم؟ فقال: هذه الآية آية الكرسي، قال: فتركته، وغدوت إلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فأخبره، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: صدق الخبيث .
I was the overseer of the date warehouse, and I felt that the dates were decreasing. One night, while I was on guard, suddenly an animal appeared, whose form was like that of a young boy. I greeted him, he replied, and asked: Are you a jinn or a human? I said: A jinn. I said: Show me your hand. His hands and hair were like those of a dog. I said: Are jinn created like this by Allah? He said: The jinn know that there is none stronger than me. I said: Why do you do this work? He said: I heard that you like charity, so I wished to eat your food as well. I said: How can one protect oneself from you? He said: By Ayat al-Kursi. I let him go. In the morning, I mentioned it to the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم, and he said: The evil one has spoken the truth.
In some of our homes, there is interference from jinn, such as fires breaking out, lights turning on and off, the sensation of bad odors, hearing various sounds, blood splatters, chunks of meat, and other similar incidents. All these are tricks of the devils and they succeed because the remembrance of Allah is not practiced in these homes. Recitation of the Quran, the last two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah, and Ayat al-Kursi are not maintained. People, to get rid of these, turn to magicians, tricksters, and polytheistic exorcists, and these human-like wolves not only steal wealth and honor but also scatter parts of faith. They remove them from the army of the Merciful and deliver them into the tents of Satan, and Satan traps them forever in his deceptive snares. Then it never happens that Satan is freed from the jinn; yes, it does happen that a permanent affliction remains. Therefore, avoid these robbers and promote Sunnah practices in homes. Enter the home. تو بسم الله پڑهيں
