Surah 2 (Al-Baqarah), Verses 236-248 (Y6)

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters.

Summary

Today’s selection is from Surah 2, Al-Baqarah or the Cow, verses 236-248. These verses give commandments relating to dowry in case of divorce, guarding one’s Prayers, executing a last will and testament, fighting in the path of Allah without the fear of death and lastly, the beginning of a story about the Israelites and their king Talüt (Saul).

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Verses

Bis-millahi ar-rahman, ar-raheem.
In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful.

There is no blame on you if you divorce women before the marriage is consummated or the dowry is settled. Pay them something anyhow, the rich man according to his means and poor according to his, a reasonable amount in all fairness. This is an obligation on the righteous people.[236] And if you divorce them before the marriage is consummated but after the fixation of a dowry, give them half of their dowry unless the woman wants to waive it or the man in whose hand is the marriage tie agrees to forego (and pay the dowry in full). To forego and give full dowry is closer to piety. Do not forget to show kindness to each other. Surely Allah observes your actions.[237] 2:[236-237]

Guard your Salat (obligatory regular prayers) especially the middle Salat and stand up with true devotion to Allah.[238] If you are in danger, pray on foot or while riding; and when you are safe, remember Allah in the manner that He has taught you which you did not know before.[239] 2:[238-239] Those of you who die and leave widows should bequeath for them a year’s maintenance without causing them to leave their homes; but if they leave the residence on their own there is no blame on you for what they chose for themselves in a fair way. Allah is Mighty, Wise.[240] Reasonable provisions must also be made for divorced women. That is an obligation upon those who fear Allah.[241] That’s how Allah makes His Revelations clear to you so that you may understand.[242] 2:[240-242]

Have you reflected on the case of thousands of people (Israelites) who fled their homes for fear of death? Allah said to them: “Die” (gave them death). Then He gave them life again. Surely Allah is bountiful to mankind, but most of the people are ungrateful.[243] O believers, fight in the path of Allah without fear of death and bear in mind that Allah hears and knows everything.[244] 2:[243-244]

Who will loan to Allah a beautiful loan which Allah will increase many fold? Allah alone can decrease and increase wealth, and to Him you all shall return.[245] Have you not reflected on what the leaders of the children of Israel demanded from one of their Prophets after the death of Musa (Moses)? “Appoint for us a king,” they said, “and we will fight in the cause of Allah.” The Prophet replied: “What if you refuse to fight when you are ordered to do so?” They replied, “How could we refuse to fight in the cause of Allah, while we along with our children were driven out of our homes?” But when, on their demand, they were ordered to fight, all refused except a few of them. Allah knows the evildoers.[246] 2:[245-246]

Their Prophet told them: “Allah has appointed Talüt (Saul) to be your king.” They replied: “How can he be our king when some of us are more deserving than him? Besides, he is not rich.” The Prophet said: “Allah has chosen him to rule over you and blessed him with knowledge and stature. Allah grants kingship to whom He pleases and Allah has boundless knowledge.”[247] Furthermore, their Prophet told them: “The sign of his appointment as a king is that there will come to you the chest in which there is tranquility from your Lord and the residue of relics which the family of Moses and the family of Haroon (Aaron) left behind, and that chest will be carried by the angels. Surely therein is a sign for you if you are true Believers.”[248] 2:[247-248]

Ameen.

This concludes today’s episode of the 17 Verses Podcast. I hope that this selection has helped increase your understanding of the holy Qur’an just a little bit.

Thank you and be well.