1Why was Surah Al-Baqarah revealed? (Reason for Revelation)
This Surah was revealed to provide Muslims with a complete code of life.
After the migration to Madinah, Muslims had to face new social and religious challenges (from Jews,
Christians, hypocrites, and polytheists).
The need for laws and guidance to live as a free and independent nation.
Rules for both individual and collective life, such as prayer, fasting, Hajj, Zakat, Jihad, marriage and
divorce, trade, borrowing and lending, prohibition of interest, etc. Therefore, this Surah was revealed as
a comprehensive constitution and complete guidance for the Muslims.
� Reason for Naming Surah Al-Baqarah (Title)
This Surah is named “Al-Baqarah” (The Cow).
The reason is that it contains the detailed story of the Israelites and the cow (verses 67–73).
Allah commanded the Israelites to sacrifice a cow, but they made it difficult for themselves by asking
unnecessary questions and showing stubbornness.
The Incident of the Slaughtered Cow (Baqarah)
In Surah Al-Baqarah, the incident of slaughtering a cow is mentioned in detail, and it is from this event
that the Surah gets its name “Al-Baqarah (The Cow).” Let us explain it in the light of the Qur’an:
2.The Incident
A man from the Children of Israel was murdered, but the killer was unknown. People began to dispute
with one another. At that time, Prophet Musa (Moses, peace be upon him) conveyed Allah’s command:
“Allah commands you to slaughter a cow.” (Al-Baqarah: 67)
But instead of simply obeying, the Israelites started asking unnecessary questions.
Their Questions and Allah’s Answers
First Question: What kind of cow should it be?
Answer: Neither too old nor too young, but of middle age.
Second Question: What should be its color?
Answer: A bright yellow cow, pleasing to those who look at it.
Third Question: Please explain further.
,Answer: A cow that has never been used to plough the land or water the fields, and must be free from
any defect. (Verse 71)
The Outcome
Finally, after much difficulty, they found such a cow and slaughtered it. Then, by Allah’s command, a
part of the slaughtered cow’s meat was struck against the body of the murdered man. He came back to
life, named his killer, and then died again. (Verses 72–73)
Lessons and Wisdom
Allah’s command should be obeyed without objection.
Unnecessary questioning only makes matters more difficult.
Allah has power to bring the dead back to life.
Stubbornness and hypocrisy distance a person from guidance.
Lessons from the Incident of the Slaughtered Cow
Submission to Allah’s Command
– When Allah’s command is given, one should obey immediately instead of arguing and delaying.
Avoiding Unnecessary Questions: The Israelites put themselves in difficulty by asking repeated
questions. We should avoid creating unnecessary complications in religion.
Allah is All-Powerful: Reviving the murdered man was clear proof that Allah has the power to bring the
dead back to life.
Stubbornness is Harmful: The Israelites’ stubbornness caused them to delay in obeying the command,
which revealed the hardness of their hearts.
A Reminder for Believers: This story reminds us that disobedience and procrastination lead a person
towards destruction.
In summary: The real message of the slaughtered cow is that a servant should accept Allah’s command
with submission, refrain from futile questioning, and have complete faith in Allah’s power.
construction of the Ka‘bah in the light of Surah Al-Baqarah:
3.Construction of the Ka‘bah in the Light of Surah Al-Baqarah
Indeed! The mention of the construction of the Ka‘bah in Surah Al-Baqarah appears with reference to
Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, peace be upon him) and Prophet Isma‘il (Ishmael, peace be upon him). In
, the Holy Qur’an, Allah Almighty has clearly described this incident so that Muslims may know that the
foundation of the Ka‘bah was laid by Allah’s command and on the basis of pure monotheism.
The Mention of the Ka‘bah’s Construction (Surah Al-Baqarah, Verses 125–129)
1. Allah’s Command and the Importance of the Ka‘bah
Allah says: “And when We made the House (Ka‘bah) a place of gathering for the people and a place of
security…” (Al-Baqarah: 125)
This shows that the Ka‘bah was made the center of worship and a symbol of peace for mankind.
2. Ibrahim (AS) and Isma‘il (AS) Building with Supplication
When Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his son Isma‘il (AS) were raising the foundations of the Ka‘bah, they
were praying at the same time: “Our Lord! Accept [this] from us. Indeed, You are the All-Hearing, the All-
Knowing.” (Al-Baqarah: 127)
This signifies that the House of Allah is not only built with effort but also with sincerity and prayer.
3. Prayer for Goodness and Guidance
Prophets Ibrahim (AS) and Isma‘il (AS) further prayed: “Our Lord! Make us submissive to You, and from
our descendants a community submissive to You.” (Al-Baqarah: 128)
This teaches us that the purpose of building a place of worship is not merely to construct a building but
to establish devotion to Allah and to nurture pious generations.
4. Prayer for the Coming of the Prophet ﷺ
On this occasion, Ibrahim (AS) also prayed: “Our Lord! Raise up among them a Messenger from among
themselves who will recite to them Your verses, teach them the Book and wisdom, and purify them.”
(Al-Baqarah: 129)
This prayer was a glad tiding of the coming of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Lessons and Teachings:
A place of worship is built by Allah’s command and with sincerity.
Along with construction, prayer and purity of intention are essential.
The Ka‘bah is not merely a building but a symbol of monotheism, peace, and unity.
One must pray for the guidance of children and future generations.
From Ibrahim’s (AS) prayer, we learn that sending a Prophet as a guide for mankind is a great mercy
from Allah.
This Surah was revealed to provide Muslims with a complete code of life.
After the migration to Madinah, Muslims had to face new social and religious challenges (from Jews,
Christians, hypocrites, and polytheists).
The need for laws and guidance to live as a free and independent nation.
Rules for both individual and collective life, such as prayer, fasting, Hajj, Zakat, Jihad, marriage and
divorce, trade, borrowing and lending, prohibition of interest, etc. Therefore, this Surah was revealed as
a comprehensive constitution and complete guidance for the Muslims.
� Reason for Naming Surah Al-Baqarah (Title)
This Surah is named “Al-Baqarah” (The Cow).
The reason is that it contains the detailed story of the Israelites and the cow (verses 67–73).
Allah commanded the Israelites to sacrifice a cow, but they made it difficult for themselves by asking
unnecessary questions and showing stubbornness.
The Incident of the Slaughtered Cow (Baqarah)
In Surah Al-Baqarah, the incident of slaughtering a cow is mentioned in detail, and it is from this event
that the Surah gets its name “Al-Baqarah (The Cow).” Let us explain it in the light of the Qur’an:
2.The Incident
A man from the Children of Israel was murdered, but the killer was unknown. People began to dispute
with one another. At that time, Prophet Musa (Moses, peace be upon him) conveyed Allah’s command:
“Allah commands you to slaughter a cow.” (Al-Baqarah: 67)
But instead of simply obeying, the Israelites started asking unnecessary questions.
Their Questions and Allah’s Answers
First Question: What kind of cow should it be?
Answer: Neither too old nor too young, but of middle age.
Second Question: What should be its color?
Answer: A bright yellow cow, pleasing to those who look at it.
Third Question: Please explain further.
,Answer: A cow that has never been used to plough the land or water the fields, and must be free from
any defect. (Verse 71)
The Outcome
Finally, after much difficulty, they found such a cow and slaughtered it. Then, by Allah’s command, a
part of the slaughtered cow’s meat was struck against the body of the murdered man. He came back to
life, named his killer, and then died again. (Verses 72–73)
Lessons and Wisdom
Allah’s command should be obeyed without objection.
Unnecessary questioning only makes matters more difficult.
Allah has power to bring the dead back to life.
Stubbornness and hypocrisy distance a person from guidance.
Lessons from the Incident of the Slaughtered Cow
Submission to Allah’s Command
– When Allah’s command is given, one should obey immediately instead of arguing and delaying.
Avoiding Unnecessary Questions: The Israelites put themselves in difficulty by asking repeated
questions. We should avoid creating unnecessary complications in religion.
Allah is All-Powerful: Reviving the murdered man was clear proof that Allah has the power to bring the
dead back to life.
Stubbornness is Harmful: The Israelites’ stubbornness caused them to delay in obeying the command,
which revealed the hardness of their hearts.
A Reminder for Believers: This story reminds us that disobedience and procrastination lead a person
towards destruction.
In summary: The real message of the slaughtered cow is that a servant should accept Allah’s command
with submission, refrain from futile questioning, and have complete faith in Allah’s power.
construction of the Ka‘bah in the light of Surah Al-Baqarah:
3.Construction of the Ka‘bah in the Light of Surah Al-Baqarah
Indeed! The mention of the construction of the Ka‘bah in Surah Al-Baqarah appears with reference to
Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, peace be upon him) and Prophet Isma‘il (Ishmael, peace be upon him). In
, the Holy Qur’an, Allah Almighty has clearly described this incident so that Muslims may know that the
foundation of the Ka‘bah was laid by Allah’s command and on the basis of pure monotheism.
The Mention of the Ka‘bah’s Construction (Surah Al-Baqarah, Verses 125–129)
1. Allah’s Command and the Importance of the Ka‘bah
Allah says: “And when We made the House (Ka‘bah) a place of gathering for the people and a place of
security…” (Al-Baqarah: 125)
This shows that the Ka‘bah was made the center of worship and a symbol of peace for mankind.
2. Ibrahim (AS) and Isma‘il (AS) Building with Supplication
When Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his son Isma‘il (AS) were raising the foundations of the Ka‘bah, they
were praying at the same time: “Our Lord! Accept [this] from us. Indeed, You are the All-Hearing, the All-
Knowing.” (Al-Baqarah: 127)
This signifies that the House of Allah is not only built with effort but also with sincerity and prayer.
3. Prayer for Goodness and Guidance
Prophets Ibrahim (AS) and Isma‘il (AS) further prayed: “Our Lord! Make us submissive to You, and from
our descendants a community submissive to You.” (Al-Baqarah: 128)
This teaches us that the purpose of building a place of worship is not merely to construct a building but
to establish devotion to Allah and to nurture pious generations.
4. Prayer for the Coming of the Prophet ﷺ
On this occasion, Ibrahim (AS) also prayed: “Our Lord! Raise up among them a Messenger from among
themselves who will recite to them Your verses, teach them the Book and wisdom, and purify them.”
(Al-Baqarah: 129)
This prayer was a glad tiding of the coming of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Lessons and Teachings:
A place of worship is built by Allah’s command and with sincerity.
Along with construction, prayer and purity of intention are essential.
The Ka‘bah is not merely a building but a symbol of monotheism, peace, and unity.
One must pray for the guidance of children and future generations.
From Ibrahim’s (AS) prayer, we learn that sending a Prophet as a guide for mankind is a great mercy
from Allah.
