The Holy Quran, as the Divine Revealed Word, is a timeless text that has served not only as a guide at the time of its revelation but throughout all epochs for humanity in its material, spiritual, social, and religious dimensions. Surah Al-Baqarah, as one of the most comprehensive chapters of this celestial scripture, encompasses a treasury of divine knowledge with its unparalleled diversity of verses and multilayered structure. This treatise, adopting a scientific and systematic approach, analyses and elucidates the verses of Surah Al-Baqarah and endeavours, through a profound and academic lens, to unveil the various semantic, structural, and social layers of this Surah for an erudite and scholarly audience. In this regard, the presented content has been composed in an elevated language befitting academic environments and enriched with literary allusions and metaphors, so as to maintain comprehensiveness whilst possessing both depth and allure.
Surah Al-Baqarah, being one of the lengthiest and most comprehensive chapters of the Holy Quran, is endowed with an unmatched diversity and multiplicity in its verses. Each verse, with its distinctive and unique characteristics, explicates various aspects of human life, ranging from material and worldly matters to religious and ethical frameworks. This diversity reflects the depth and comprehensiveness of the Divine Revelation, which, transcending simplistic and linear methods, is committed to guiding humanity in all existential dimensions.
Common educational methods in some academic centres, which tend towards numbering and simplifying concepts (such as one, two, three, four), fail to convey the depth of Quranic meanings. Although these methods may seem appropriate for simple and rudimentary minds, they are insufficient for nurturing deep and creative intellects. Contrary to these mechanical approaches, the Holy Quran presents a multilayered and complex structure that challenges the mind and directs it towards deeper knowledge.
The Holy Quran is a text that encompasses all fundamentals of revelation, society, and humanity within a scientific and systematic framework. This structure, even after millennia, remains open to discovery and analysis, and human societies have yet to fully grasp its style and form. This characteristic transforms the Quran from a merely historical or religious document into a scientific and epistemological source capable of guiding humanity in all eras.
The Islamic community, even after more than a millennium, has not fully comprehended the Quranic style and methodology. This lack of understanding has sometimes led to accusations of disorder or distortion of the verses, whereas these accusations stem from unfamiliarity with the Qurans complex and profound structure. The internal order of the verses, which transcends linearity and simplicity, requires in-depth and methodical study to prevent misunderstandings.
The Holy Quran is designed to be accessible to all, as stated in the noble verse:
And indeed, We have made the Quran easy for remembrance, so is there any who will remember?
(Surah Al-Qamar: 17)
Nevertheless, its profound layers require purity, sanctity, and intimate familiarity with the text. This duality renders the Quran a comprehensive and flexible text, accessible to ordinary individuals whilst containing profound and unreachable knowledge for scholars and the infallibles.
In certain scholarly circles, Quranic exegesis is conducted superficially and simplistically, with individuals lacking adequate mastery over foundational sciences engaging in teaching interpretation. This approach diminishes the Qurans epistemic and scientific depth and obstructs comprehension of its deeper layers.
For deep comprehension of the Holy Quran, one must approach this Divine Book with purity and sanctity. Merely scientific or investigative study, devoid of heartfelt and spiritual connection, may lead to the hardening of the heart. Intimacy with the Quran serves as a prelude to the unveiling of Divine truths upon the human heart.
As the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him) metaphorically expressed, the Holy Quran is a profound ocean in which one cannot easily dive. Nevertheless, it remains accessible to all, albeit full comprehension requires special conditions. This metaphor highlights the endless depth of Quranic meanings that transcend the reach of ordinary minds.
Using the Holy Quran as a decorative or fanciful object, such as placing it in dcor or employing it as a pillow, indicates a failure to grasp the true status of this Divine Book. Such an approach degrades the Quran from its guiding position to a lowly and unholy level.
The Noble Qur'an must be utilised as a source for resolving social and individual issues, rather than merely a text for recitation and tajwd. This Divine Book possesses the capability to provide scientific and practical solutions across various domains, ranging from psychology to politics.
The Noble Qur'an, beyond recitation and tajwd, is a source of guidance in all dimensions of human life.
The health of the soul, deed, and mind forms the foundation for eternal felicity. The Noble Qur'an emphasises this in the honoured verse:
كَانَ فِي هَٰذِهِ أَعْمَىٰ فَهُوَ فِي الْآخِرَةِ أَعْمَىٰ وَأَضَلُّ سَبِيلًاWhoever is blind in this world shall be blind in the Hereafter and further astray. (Srah al-Isr: 72)
This Qur'anic principle illustrates the profound connection between physical, psychological, and spiritual health in this world and eternal felicity.
Without the health of soul and deed in this world, attainment of eternal felicity is not possible.
The Noble Qur'an invites humankind to self-knowledge and reformation in this world. Examining the health of the soul, deeds, and faith in this life can guarantee one's eternal fate. This self-knowledge is attained through intimacy with the Qur'an and contemplation upon its verses.
Intimacy with the Noble Qur'an and contemplation upon its verses is the path to self-knowledge and assurance of eternal felicity.
The Noble Qur'an, as a trans-temporal text, retains the capability to guide and offer scientific and social solutions even in the distant future. This feature distinguishes it from texts confined to specific times and necessitates continuous and scholarly re-examination to discover its new applications.
The Noble Qur'an is a text that, across all ages, possesses the ability to guide and provide scientific and social solutions.
Utilising the Noble Qur'an solely at the level of recitation, tajwd, or memorisation, although valuable, is insufficient. This Divine Book must be utilised as a comprehensive source for resolving social and individual matters.
The Noble Qur'an must be employed beyond recitation and tajwd, as a source of guidance in all aspects of life.
Srah al-Baqarah, due to its comprehensiveness and depth of meanings, can independently fulfil the role of a complete Qur'an. This srah encompasses all Divine truths and knowledge, ranging from social and ethical matters to legal rulings and religious sciences.
Srah al-Baqarah alone can encompass all aspects of Divine guidance.
Some exegeses, due to neglect of the structure and segmentation of the verses, have mixed their meanings and failed to comprehend accurately the thematic and formal shifts in the Qur'an. This mixture obstructs a precise understanding of the internal order of the verses.
Accurate exegesis of the Noble Qur'an requires recognition of the segmentation and thematic shifts of the verses.
Narrations that refer to the virtue of certain srahs, such as Srah Y-Sn, are expressions of Divine gratitude and kindness, not negations of the importance of other srahs. These narrations encourage the faithful to engage with the Noble Qur'an and ponder upon it.
Narrations concerning the virtues of srahs aim to encourage recitation and contemplation of the Noble Qur'an, rather than asserting superiority of one srah over another.
وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا مُوسَى الْكِتَابَ وَقَفَّيْنَا مِنْ بَعْدِهِ بِالرُّسُلِAnd indeed We gave Moses the Book and followed up after him with messengers. (Srah al-Baqarah: 87)
This honoured verse refers to the Divine care in granting the Book to Moses, peace be upon him, and the continuation of guidance through messengers after him.
The term "آتَيْنَا" (We gave) implies a gentle and gradual bestowal, indicating the Divine approach in guiding communities towards enduring and universal legislation. The term "قَفَّيْنَا" (We followed up) emphasises the continuity and succession of Divine guidance through messengers following Moses.
The granting of the Book to Moses and the ongoing guidance through subsequent messengers demonstrate the Divine gradual and continuous approach to social legislation.
The Torah, referred to as "الْكِتَاب" (the Book), is the Divine constitutional law which, unlike the Psalms, Scrolls, and Gospel, possesses a comprehensive and universal character. This Book constituted the foundation of prophetic guidance until the advent of Jesus, peace be upon him.
The Torah, as the Divine constitutional law, encompasses all social and religious aspects.
The term "قَفَّيْنَا" indicates the ongoing continuity of Divine guidance through the messengers after Moses. This continuity prevented the cessation of revelation on earth and ensured the unbroken stream of guidance.
The ongoing sending of messengers after Moses demonstrates Divine care for the perpetual guidance of humanity.
The Noble Qur'an, particularly Srah al-Baqarah, as a treasury of Divine knowledge, encompasses all aspects of human guidance. This heavenly Book, with a scientific and trans-temporal structure, serves as a comprehensive guide for humanity not only at the time of its revelation but across all eras. The critiques presented in this discourse underscore the necessity for revising educational and exegetical methodologies, attending to the internal multilayered order of the verses, and avoiding superficial or instrumental uses of the Qur'an. Intimacy with the Qur'an, purity in engagement with it, and precise understanding of its structure and methodology are indispensable for profound comprehension of this revealed text. Srah al-Baqarah, as a prominent exemplar, contains all Divine truths and knowledge and can independently fulfil the role of a complete Qur'an. Ultimately, the Noble Qur'an, by offering scientific and practical solutions in various fields, including psychology, sociology, and politics, can guide humanity on the path of felicity and perfection, provided it is studied with a scientific, profound, and committed approach.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
