Verse 2:128 of Surah Al-Baqarah, as part of a series of verses related to the construction of the Kaaba and the prayers of the Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) and Ishmael (peace be upon him), stands among the most profound Quranic verses elucidating the relationship between humankind and God within the framework of monotheism. This verse, focusing on the prayer of submission, the instruction of rituals, and the seeking of forgiveness, reveals the epistemological, practical, and social dimensions of religion through the paradigm of Abrahamic monotheism. The structure of this treatise adopts a scientific and systematic approach to analyse and interpret this verse, integrating all related lecture concepts and complementary analyses in a cohesive manner. The objective is to provide a comprehensive and distinguished exegesis that offers scholarly and spiritual richness simultaneously, aimed at an audience of specialists, particularly in academic settings.
Translation: Our Lord, make us submissive to You and from our descendants a nation submissive to You; and show us our rites and forgive us. Indeed, You are the Oft-Returning, Most Merciful.
This verse is connected with the preceding verses (2:127 and 2:129), following the construction of the Kaaba by Abraham and Ishmael (peace be upon them). The prayers of Abraham (peace be upon him) in these verses serve as a radiant light illuminating the path of the faithful life within the framework of monotheism. Verse 2:128, with its prayers for submission, ritual instruction, and seeking forgiveness, delineates the stages of spiritual maturation of humankind and emphasises the importance of knowledge and righteous deeds under the shadow of monotheism.
The prayers of Abraham (peace be upon him) in verses 2:127 to 2:129 of Surah Al-Baqarah, including Our Lord, accept from us (2:127), Our Lord, make us submissive to You (2:128), and show us our rites (2:128), and Our Lord, and send among them a messenger (2:129), present a comprehensive framework for the faithful life. These prayers, like interconnected links of a chain, articulate the fundamental needs of the believer within the container of monotheism.
Key Point: The series of Abrahamic prayers constitutes a roadmap that begins with acceptance of deeds, proceeds to complete submission, instruction of rituals, and the guidance of generations through the sending of a prophet. This structure manifests monotheism not only theoretically but also practically and societally.
These prayers transcend individual requests and offer a divine programme for the realisation of monotheism in human life and society. Abraham (peace be upon him), as the epitome of monotheism, asks on behalf of himself, his son Ishmael (peace be upon him), and subsequently future generations for pure submission to God. This monotheism, referred to in another verse as the religion of your father Abraham (22:78), represents a comprehensive model for the Islamic Ummah founded upon knowledge, action, and guidance.
The series of Abrahamic prayers, like stars in the firmament of monotheism, illuminate the path of guidance for believers. These prayers encompass spiritual and social developmental stages of humankind from acceptance of deeds to the sending of the prophet and stress the centrality of monotheism in the faithful life.
Some religious scholars, due to a lack of profound scientific awareness or insufficient effective engagement with society, remain unable to comprehend the deep layers of Quranic knowledge. This group occasionally, by oversimplification, separates philosophy and mysticism from the Quran and reduces its teachings to a superficial level. This approach obstructs the deep understanding of verses such as 2:128, where philosophical and mystical knowledge is presented within a monotheistic framework.
Key Point: The Holy Quran is a book deeper and more mystical than human philosophies such as the works of Avicenna and Mulla Sadra. Verse 2:128, with the prayer of Abraham (peace be upon him), exemplifies the superiority of Quranic knowledge over human intellectual systems.
The Holy Quran, like a boundless ocean, encompasses multiple layers of epistemology. The call to reflection in verses such as Do you not then reflect? (6:50) indicates the necessity of a multilayered approach to Quranic understanding. Verse 2:128, by offering prayers for submission, instruction, and forgiveness, shows that the Quran is not merely jurisprudential but also philosophical and mystical, surpassing every human intellectual system.
The critique of oversimplification in religious science is an invitation to a comprehensive and profound re-reading of the Holy Quran. This verse, by clarifying Abrahamic monotheism, demonstrates that Quranic knowledge, beyond the intellectual limitations of some scholars, answers the deep human needs in epistemology and practice.
Verse 2:127 of Surah Al-Baqarah concludes with the phrase Indeed, You are the Hearing, the Knowing, which encapsulates theoretical wisdom. This wisdom involves the cognition of God and His attributes, such as being All-Hearing and All-Knowing, leading to theoretical faith and knowledge of the divine essence and attributes.
Translation: Our Lord, accept from us. Indeed, You are the Hearing, the Knowing.
Verse 2:128, with the prayer and make us submissive to You, attains practical wisdom. This wisdom entails the application of theoretical knowledge in life through pure submission to God and righteous action. This progression exemplifies the deep connection between knowledge and practice within the framework of monotheism, serving as a strong bridge guiding humans from knowledge to practice.
Key Point: The transition from theoretical wisdom (knowledge of divine attributes) to practical wisdom (submission and righteous action) in Abrahams prayer signifies the inse
