The Surah Al-Baqarah, as one of the most comprehensive chapters of the Holy Qur'an, encompasses a collection of divine rulings, teachings, and guidance that serve as a roadmap for human beings on the path to felicity. Verse 187 of this surah, with its eloquent and precise expression, elucidates the rules of fasting and I'tikaf (spiritual retreat), weaving together the temporal, spiritual, and juristic aspects of these decrees. This verse, emphasizing the boundaries set by Allah, calls on humans to adhere to religious discipline and divine piety. The interpretation of this verse, with a deep and multifaceted approach, not only clarifies the legal aspects but also highlights the necessity of reforming the educational system for religious sciences and reinforcing related sciences, such as etymology, astronomy, and logic. This paper, with an academic and specialized perspective, seeks to analyze the content of the verse and its connection with religious teachings.
Verse 187 of Surah Al-Baqarah, in a magnificent expression, presents the rulings of fasting and I'tikaf in a coherent and meaningful framework. The text of the verse is as follows:
"And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread of night. Then complete the fast until the night. And do not approach them while you are in I'tikaf in the mosques. These are the boundaries of Allah, so do not approach them." (Qur'an 2:187)
This verse, with its cohesive structure, encompasses three main themes: the timing of fasting, the rulings of I'tikaf, and the emphasis on adhering to the divine boundaries. Each of these themes, with elegance and eloquence, points to various aspects of human religious life.
The rulings of the Qur'an, unlike some legal rulings that may sometimes be presented in a dry and lifeless manner, are intertwined with knowledge, recognition, and the principles of faith. This verse, in its eloquent expression, not only explains the rulings of fasting and I'tikaf but also, with its metaphorical and meaningful language, directs humanity towards a deeper understanding of the divine limits. Unlike some legal rulings that may face challenges with even the slightest changes, Qur'anic rulings are flexible and comprehensive, meeting the needs of humanity in all ages.
Key Point: Qur'anic rulings, with their connection between jurisprudence, knowledge, and faith, distinguish themselves from dry and lifeless legalism, emphasizing flexibility and comprehensiveness in responding to human needs.
The verse begins with the phrase "And eat and drink" which refers to the permissible time for eating and drinking until the break of dawn. This phrase, with the term "until it becomes clear," emphasizes the precision of the fasting schedule. The precedence of "eat" over "drink" is also significant from a physiological perspective, as human thirst is linked to food and calorie consumption. This arrangement reflects the Qur'anic attention to human natural needs and flexibility in its rulings.
Additionally, "eat and drink" refers to the human freedom to benefit from divine blessings during the night. This freedom applies not only to eating and drinking but also to other permissible actions, demonstrating the tenderness and mercy within the divine commandments.
Key Point: The phrase "eat and drink," with its emphasis on lawful freedom and attention to human natural needs, reveals the flexibility and mercy of Qur'anic rulings.
In the language of the Qur'an, "eat" refers to solid foods, and "drink" refers to liquids. This lexical distinction highlights the precision and subtlety of the Qur'anic language. However, certain substances, such as tobacco, cigarettes, or opium, do not fall into either the "eat" or "drink" categories. This challenge underscores the necessity of etymology and substance studies in jurisprudence. The term "drinking tobacco" in legal texts is incorrect because it does not align with the concept of eating or drinking, and requires reconsideration.
Key Point: The lexical distinction between "eat" and "drink" emphasizes the necessity of etymology and substance studies in understanding Qur'anic rulings.
Verse 187 of Surah Al-Baqarah, with its magnificent and comprehensive expression, presents the rulings of fasting and I'tikaf in an epistemological and spiritual framework. This verse, with its emphasis on divine flexibility and attention to human needs, distinguishes itself from dry and lifeless legalism. The attention to precise vocabulary and the scheduling of fasting reveals the necessity of strengthening related sciences, such as etymology and substance studies.
The religious education system, due to its imitation of previous methods and lack of innovation, has fallen into stagnation. This stagnation is evident in the teaching of foundational sciences such as etymology, logic, and astronomy, which are essential for a deep understanding of Qur'anic rulings. Verse 187 of Surah Al-Baqarah, with its call for precision in fasting schedules and I'tikaf rulings, highlights the need for reform in religious education.
Key Point: Stagnation in the religious education system hinders a deep understanding of Qur'anic rulings and necessitates reform and innovation.
New sciences such as etymology, substance studies, psychology, and sociology must be incorporated into the religious education system. These sciences help achieve a more accurate understanding of rulings and address contemporary needs. Verse 187, with its precise use of vocabulary and emphasis on scheduling, points to the necessity of strengthening related sciences for understanding rulings.
For instance, the science of etymology, which plays a key role in understanding the meanings of Qur'anic words such as "eat" and "drink," suffers from a lack of reliable sources. This deficiency hinders a deeper understanding of religious sciences and requires the development of new resources.
Key Point: The inclusion of new sciences like etymology and psychology in the religious education system is crucial for a deeper understanding of Qur'anic rulings.
Logic, as one of the foundational sciences in religious education, is taught in a superficial and rote manner, lacking the necessary impact. Logic must be learned in a tactile and sensory way to be effective in the analysis of legal rulings. Verse 187, with its logical structure and eloquence, points to the need for a deeper education in logic to fully grasp the rulings.
Key Point: Superficial teaching of logic hinders accurate analysis of rulings and requires a more practical and profound approach to teaching.
Religious textbooks, such as "Sarf Mir" and "Suyuti," are filled with structural and content errors and need revision. These textbooks, due to their imprecision in etymology and substance studies, cannot meet the contemporary scholarly needs. Verse 187, with its linguistic precision, highlights the need to reform these textbooks and strengthen literary sciences.
Key Point: Religious literature textbooks require revision to meet the contemporary scholarly needs and incorporate modern literary principles.
The religious education system, burdened by stagnation, imitation, and the lack of modern sciences, is inadequate to address the demands of the contemporary world. Verse 187 of Surah Al-Baqarah, with its focus on precision and eloquence, calls for a transformation in religious education, strengthening foundational sciences such as etymology, logic, and revising literary textbooks.
