Surah Al-Baqarah, as one of the most distinguished Medinan chapters of the Holy Qur'an, occupies an unparalleled position among the Qur'anic surahs. This chapter merits meticulous and scientific scrutiny, not merely due to the extensive number of its verses but owing to the profoundness and comprehensiveness of the themes it addresses. The present discourse, adopting an academic and systematic approach, undertakes an analysis of the characteristics of this Surah and, by integrating the content of the lecture series with detailed analytical commentaries, endeavours to elucidate its multifaceted dimensions for a specialised and scholarly audience. This treatise preserves absolute fidelity to the original content and is presented in an exalted style befitting the research environment, concurrently enhancing scientific richness and literary elegance through the use of metaphors and literary allusions.
Surah Al-Baqarah, with the breadth of its themes including references to the Book, the Holy Qur'an, and the blessed month of Ramadan, is acknowledged as one of the most comprehensive Medinan surahs. Among approximately 70 to 75 Qur'anic chapters, it holds a distinguished status due to the diversity and profundity of its subject matter. The topics presented range from doctrinal fundamentals to legal rulings and ethical considerations, encompassing a vast scope that necessitates a profound and multidimensional perspective for understanding the attributes of its verses.
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِنَ الْهُدَىٰ وَالْفُرْقَانِ
Translation: The month of Ramadan is that in which the Qur'an was revealed; a guidance for mankind and clear proofs of guidance and the criterion [between right and wrong].
This verse exemplifies the pivotal role of Surah Al-Baqarah in delineating the principles of religion and human guidance. Its comprehensiveness transforms it into an unparalleled source for religious and scholarly research.
Each chapter of the Holy Qur'an possesses distinctive patterns in the frequency of letters, the statistical examination of which can facilitate a deeper understanding of the meanings and structural composition of the Surah. In Surah Al-Baqarah, the statistical analysis of letters and their correlation with the content of the verses holds particular importance from the perspective of Qur'anic sciences. This analytical approach, necessitating interdisciplinary methodologies, has the potential to reveal linguistic and semantic patterns embedded within the Surah. Nevertheless, this domain remains underexplored in Qur'anic studies.
Surah Al-Baqarah is among the chapters that commence with disjointed letters, beginning with الٓمٓ. These letters, appearing in the opening verse, possess a special correspondence with the Surahs content:
الٓمٓ * ذَٰلِكَ الْكِتَابُ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ هُدًى لِلْمُتَّقِينَ
Translation: Alif, Lam, Meem. This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for the God-conscious.
The disjointed letters are categorised into enveloping (such as Alif and Meem) and intermediate (such as Kaf, Ha, Ya, Ain, Sad) letters. The enveloping letters encompass general and all-encompassing concepts, while the intermediate letters serve an intermediary role in conveying meanings. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Alif and Meem, as enveloping letters, allude to fundamental concepts and overall guidance, with Lam functioning as an intermediate letter linking these notions.
Surahs that begin with disjointed letters, like Surah Al-Baqarah, differ structurally and semantically from those without these letters. For instance, Surah Yasin, which begins with يس, structurally contrasts with Surah Al-Baqarah because its letters (Ya and Sin) belong to the intermediate category and are not enveloping. This distinction underscores the necessity for specialised analysis of the structural frameworks of different Surahs.
The Holy Qur'an, transcending its morphology, syntax, and apparent meanings, is a text replete with marvels and secrets. Esoteric sciences, the hidden, and talismans reside within its verses. However, due to the religious sciences focus on conceptual and linguistic aspects, these dimensions have been less explored. Existing exegeses predominantly restrict themselves to morphological and syntactic analysis, neglecting the Qur'an's latent esoteric and mystical potentials.
Religious sciences, by confining themselves to traditional disciplines such as morphology and syntax, have failed to harness the Qur'ans capacities for empirical, industrial, and engineering sciences. The Holy Qur'an is a reservoir brimming with knowledge pertinent to modern sciences, yet this potential remains unexploited due to a lack of research-oriented and experimental approaches. This limitation has hindered the utilisation of Qur'anic verses as sources for resolving contemporary worldly problems.
A distinction exists between an Alim (scholar) and a scientist in their approach to knowledge. An Alim is content with preservation and transmission of knowledge, whereas a scientist tests knowledge within scientific and experimental laboratories. To meet contemporary needs, religious sciences require nurturing scientists capable of examining Qur'anic verses within interdisciplinary research contexts.
In past eras, political and social constraints impeded scientific progress within religious domains. These limitations confined religious sciences to the preservation of traditional knowledge, obstructing the production of new knowledge. To address contemporary requirements, religious sciences must transition towards innovative and applied research.
Philosophical texts such as the Asfar Arbaah in the domain of natural philosophy face numerous issues necessitating correction and revision. These problems indicate a deficiency in updating philosophical sciences in accordance with modern scientific advancements. The natural philosophy of Islamic thought, due to its failure to align with empirical sciences, lacks sufficient scientific credibility and must be revisited with a scientific methodology.
The narration of al-ulam bqn refers to scholars whose works have endured in the annals of scientific history. Figures such as Sheikh Tusi, Sheikh Mufid, and Sheikh Ansari exemplify this narrative owing to their profound and irreplaceable influence.
الْعُلَمَاءُ بَاقُونَ
Translation: The scholars remain.
This endurance denotes the creation of works that establish an irreplaceable void in the history of knowledge.
Certain scholars, such as Sheikh Ansari and Ibn Sina, owing to their profound impact, are irreplaceable. Conversely, many scholars are quickly forgotten due to their failure to produce enduring knowledge. The concept of salmah l yusadduh shay refers to a void created by the absence of these scholars that is difficult to fill.
At times, the promotion of certain scholars occurred for political reasons. Such influences highlight the necessity to avoid political interference in knowledge so that scientific endurance is evaluated solely on the basis of quality and genuine impact.
Surah Al-Baqarah compensates for all the deficiencies and shortcomings of prior divine scriptures such as the Torah, the Gospel, and the Psalms, responding to matters of human innate disposition (fitrah). It examines and rectifies causes of degradation and fragmentation within preceding religions. For example, verse 91 of Surah Al-Baqarah critiques religious exclusivism:
وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ آمِنُوا بِمَا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ قَالُوا نُؤْمِنُ بِمَا أُنْزِلَ عَلَيْنَا
Translation: And when it is said to them, "Believe in what Allah has revealed," they say, "We believe in what was revealed to us."
This verse emphasises the comprehensiveness of the Qur'an and the necessity of belief in all divine scriptures.
A precise understanding of Surah Al-Baqarah requires comparative study with previous divine scriptures. This Surah responds directly to issues raised in the Torah and the Gospel and remedies their deficiencies. However, lack of access to these scriptures in some regions impedes deeper comprehension of this Surah.
Consistent recitation of Surah Al-Baqarah, particularly during prostration, may lead to the acquisition of innate (ladunni) knowledge. This knowledge transcends apparent science and is attained through divine inspiration without intermediary. Owing to its distinguished status as the "Summit of the Qur'an" (Sinam al-Qur'an), Surah Al-Baqarah uniquely possesses this capacity.
Surah Al-Baqarah abounds with supplicatory verses, esoteric elements, and talismans with spiritual and inner effects. For instance, verse 201 of this Surah is one of its prominent supplications:
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
Translation: Our Lord, grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.
These verses have transformed Surah Al-Baqarah into a source for spiritual and scientific transformations.
