Surat Al-Baqarah (The Cow) 2 - Verse 1-4 (This is the Book (the Qur'ân), whereof there is no doubt, a guidance)

 

 

Surat Al-Baqarah (The Cow) 2 Verse 1-4

  In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful  

Verse 1. Alif-Lam-Mim.   

[These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur'ân and none but Allâh (Alone) knows their meanings.]

Verse 2. This is the Book (the Qur'ân), whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to those who are Al-Muttaqin [the pious and righteous persons who fear Allâh much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden) and love Allah much (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained)]. 

Verse 3. Who believe in the Ghaib* and perform As-Salat (Iqâmat-as-Salat)** and spend out of what we have provided for them [i.e. give Zakát***, spend on themselves, their parents, their children, their wives, etc., and also give charity to the poor and also in Allah's Cause Jihad). 

Verse 4. And who believe in (the Qur'ân and the Sunnah) which has been sent down (revealed) to you (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم and in that which was sent down before you [the Taurât (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel), etc.] and they believe with certainty in the Hereafter. (Resurrection, recompense of their good and bad deeds, Paradise and Hell).

V. 2.4) Narrated Ibn Umar رضى الله عنهما : Allah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said Islam is based on (the following) five (principles)

 1. To testify that "La ilaha illallah wa anna Muhammad-ur-Rasül Allah" (none has the right to be worshiped but Allah and that Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم is the Messenger of Allah). 

2. Iqamal-as-Salát, to perform the five (compulsory congregational) Salat (prayers). 

3. To pay Zakat 

4. To perform Hajj (le pilgrimage to Makkah) 

5. To observe Saum (fasting) during the month of Ramadan. 

(Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol. 1, Hadith No. 7).

 

 (V 2:3) Al-Ghaib*: literally means a thing not seen. But this word includes vast meanings. Belief in Allah, Angels, Holy Books, Allah's Messengers, Day of Resurrection and Al-Qadar (Divine Pre-ordainments). It also includes what Allah and His Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم informed about the knowledge of the matters of past, present, and future e.g., news about the creation of the heavens and earth, botanical and zoological life, the news about the nations of the past, and about Paradise and Hell.  

V.2:3): Iqamat-as-Salat Iqamat al-Salat**: The performance of Salat - Namaz (prayers). It means that a) Each and every Muslim, male or female, is obliged to offer his Salát (prayers) regularly five times a day at the specified times; the male in a mosque in congregation and the female at home. As the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم has said "Order your children for Salat (prayers) at the age of seven and beat them (about it) at the age of ten. The chief (of a family, town, tribe, etc.) and the Muslim rulers of a country are held responsible before Allah in case of non-fulfillment of this obligation by the Muslims under their authority.

 b). One must offer the Selåt (prayers) as the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم used to offer them with all their rules and regulations, ie, standing, bowing, prostrating, sitting, as he صلى الله عليه وسلم has said "Offer your Salát (prayers) the way you see me offering them (see Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol. 1, H. No. 604 and Vol. 9, H. No. 352). ] For the characteristics of the Salat (prayer) of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم see Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol. 1, H.No. 702, 703, 704, 723, 786, 787) )2( )

V2:3- Zakat***  certain fixed proportion of the wealth and of each and every kind of property liable to Zakát of a Muslim to be paid yearly for the benefit of the poor in the Muslim community. The payment of Zakat is obligatory as it is one of the five pillars of Islâm. Zakat is the major economic means for establishing social justice and leading the Muslim society to prosperity and security. [See Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol. 2, Book of Zakal, No. 24]