In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
An Abridgment of Tafsir al-Tabari,
Abridged by Dr. Aqeel Ibn Salim al-Shammari.
Surah al-Baqarah.
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
“Remember Allah through the appointed days. Then whoso hasteneth (his departure) by two days, it is no sin for him, and whoso delayeth, it is no sin for him; that is for him who wardeth off (evil). Be careful of your duty to Allah, and know that unto Him ye will be gathered.” (2:203)
“Remember Allah through the appointed days. Then whoso hasteneth (his departure) by two days, it is no sin for him, and whoso delayeth, it is no sin for him; that is for him who wardeth off (evil). Be careful of your duty to Allah, and know that unto Him ye will be gathered.” (2:203)
“Remember Allah through the appointed days. Then whoso hasteneth (his departure) by two days, it is no sin for him, and whoso delayeth, it is no sin for him; that is for him who wardeth off (evil). Be careful of your duty to Allah, and know that unto Him ye will be gathered.” (2:203)
"...for whoever fears Allah."
"And fear Allah and know that to Him you will be gathered."
Remember Allah through affirmations of His oneness and greatness during the designated days,
Which are the days of stoning the Jamarat.
He commanded His servants on those days to proclaim His greatness after the prescribed prayers
And during the stoning, with each pebble thrown.
"So whoever hastens [his departure] in two days" of the three days of Mina,
And departs on the second day, there is no sin upon him,
For Allah removes his sins, provided that he has feared Allah during his pilgrimage,
Avoiding therein whatever Allah commanded him to avoid,
And performing therein whatever Allah commanded him to perform.
"And whoever delays [until the third day], there is no sin upon him,"
For Allah expiates his past sins and offenses.
And fear Allah, O believers, regarding the duties He has made obligatory upon you,
Fearing Him should you neglect them;
"And know that to Him you will be gathered,"
Whereupon He will recompense you for your deeds.
“And of mankind there is he whoso conversation on the life of this world pleaseth thee (Muhammad), and he calleth Allah to witness as to that which is in his heart; yet he is the most rigid of opponents.” (2:204)
“And of mankind there is he whoso conversation on the life of this world pleaseth thee (Muhammad), and he calleth Allah to witness as to that which is in his heart; yet he is the most rigid of opponents.” (2:204)
"And of the people is he whose speech pleases you," O Muhammad, in its outward expression and public display,
"And he calls Allah to witness as to what is in his heart" of hypocrisy,
Claiming that his speech conforms to his inner belief,
And that he truly believes in Allah and His Messenger,
"While he is the most deceitful of adversaries,"
Engaging in argumentation based on falsehood and fraudulent speech.
“And when he turneth away (from thee) his effort in the land is to make mischief therein and to destroy the crops and the cattle; and Allah loveth not mischief.” (2:205)
"...and destroys crops and progeny."
“And when he turneth away (from thee) his effort in the land is to make mischief therein and to destroy the crops and the cattle; and Allah loveth not mischief.” (2:205)
And when this hypocrite departs from your presence, O Muhammad, turning his back to you,
He acts corruptly in the land, doing what Allah has forbidden him,
Striving to disobey Allah, committing highway robbery,
And making the roads hazardous for Allah's servants;
He ruins crops by setting them on fire,
And through acts of disobedience that withhold rainfall;
And he destroys posterity and offspring
By killing their mothers or fathers.
"And Allah does not like corruption," nor highway robbery and terrifying travelers.
“And when it is said unto him: Be careful of thy duty to Allah, pride taketh him to sin. Hell will settle his account, an evil resting-place.” (2:206)
"...then sufficient for him is Hellfire,"
"And wretched is the resting place."
And when it is said to this hypocrite,
"Fear Allah, and dread His punishment for your corruption in Allah's land,"
He acts arrogantly, overcome by sinful pride and zeal in what Allah has forbidden him,
Persisting obstinately in his deviance and misguidance.
Sufficient retribution for him, on account of his deviance and misguidance,
Is suffering the fire of Hell,
And wretched is the bed for the one who endures its flames.
“And of mankind is he who would sell himself, seeking the pleasure of Allah; and Allah hath compassion on (His) bondmen.” (2:207)
"...seeking the pleasure of Allah."
"And Allah is Kind to His servants."
"And of the people is he who sells himself,"
In exchange for what Allah has promised to those who strive in His cause,
Seeking thereby the pleasure of Allah;
This refers to the one who enjoins good and forbids evil.
And Allah possesses vast mercy
Toward His servant who dedicates his life to Him,
As well as toward the rest of His believing servants,
Fulfilling for them the reward for the trials they endured in His obedience in the worldly life,
And settling them in His gardens on account of the deeds they performed seeking His pleasure.
"O you who have believed,"
“O ye who believe! Come, all of you, into submission (unto Him); and follow not the footsteps of the devil. Lo! he is an open enemy for you.” (2:208)
"And do not follow the footsteps of Satan."
"Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy."
O you who have believed,
Enter entirely into Islam, all of you,
Act in accordance with all of its laws,
And embrace faith in it, in word and deed,
Forsaking the ways and paths of Satan, rather than following them;
For indeed, he is to you a sworn enemy whose hostility is manifest.
“And if ye slide back after the clear proofs have come unto you, then know that Allah is Mighty, Wise.” (2:209)
"...then know that Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise."
For if you stray from the truth and wander off course,
Defying Islam and its sacred laws
After My clear proofs have come to you,
Then know that Allah is Exalted in Might; no obstacle can prevent Him
From exacting retribution from you,
Nor can any defender repel His punishment from you
For your defiance of His command and your disobedience to Him;
He is Wise in the punishment He inflicts upon you,
After having established the clear proof against you.
“Wait they for naught else than that Allah should come unto them in the shadows of the clouds with the angels? Then the case would be already judged. All cases go back to Allah (for judgment).” (2:210)
“Wait they for naught else than that Allah should come unto them in the shadows of the clouds with the angels? Then the case would be already judged. All cases go back to Allah (for judgment).” (2:210)
“Wait they for naught else than that Allah should come unto them in the shadows of the clouds with the angels? Then the case would be already judged. All cases go back to Allah (for judgment).” (2:210)
"...and the angels, and the matter is determined?"
"And to Allah all matters return."
Are those who deny Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him,
And what he brought waiting for anything except that Allah should come to them,
“Wait they for naught else than that Allah should come unto them in the shadows of the clouds with the angels? Then the case would be already judged. All cases go back to Allah (for judgment).” (2:210)
Or that the angels should come,
So that He decrees concerning their affair whatever is destined?
And the judgment will be executed with absolute justice among the creation,
For to Allah belongs the final verdict
Among His creation on the Day of Resurrection,
And the judgment between them regarding their affairs
That took place in the worldly life,
Deciding between the wronged and the wrongdoers,
And rewarding the doers of good with goodness.
"Ask the Children of Israel..."
“Ask of the Children of Israel how many a clear revelation We gave them! He who altereth the grace of Allah after it hath come unto him (for him), lo! Allah is severe in punishment.” (2:211)
“Ask of the Children of Israel how many a clear revelation We gave them! He who altereth the grace of Allah after it hath come unto him (for him), lo! Allah is severe in punishment.” (2:211)
"...after it has come to him..."
"...then indeed, Allah is severe in penalty."
Ask, O Muhammad, the Children of Israel:
How many clear signs and proofs before your time
Did I send to them,
Clarifying the duties I made obligatory upon them?
I commanded them to obey Me,
And I sent them My proofs in succession,
Yet they rejected My proofs and denied My messengers.
And whoever alters the covenant of Allah regarding His blessing—
Which is Islam and entering into it—
And disbelieves in it,
Then indeed, I will punish him with painful
Retribution;
And Allah is severe in His punishment.
"Beautified for those who disbelieve is the life of this world..."
“Beautified is the life of the world for those who disbelieve; they make a jest of the believers. But those who keep their duty to Allah will be above them on the Day of Resurrection. Allah giveth without stint to whom He will.” (2:212)
“Beautified is the life of the world for those who disbelieve; they make a jest of the believers. But those who keep their duty to Allah will be above them on the Day of Resurrection. Allah giveth without stint to whom He will.” (2:212)
"And Allah provides for whom He wills"
"Without account."
Beautified for those who disbelieve
Is the love of the life of this world
With its fleeting pleasures;
Thus, they seek within it
Mutual rivalry in accumulation and boasting,
And they pursue leadership positions within it,
While ridiculing those who follow you
From among the people of faith.
Yet those who devoted themselves to My obedience,
Being mindful of Allah by fulfilling My obligatory duties
And avoiding acts of disobedience to Me,
Will be above those who disbelieve on the Day of Resurrection,
As the righteous enter Paradise
And the disbelievers enter the Fire.
And Allah bestows upon those who were mindful of Him, on the Day of Resurrection,
From His bounties and abundant gifts
Without calling them to account
For the honor and grace He has conferred upon them.
“Mankind were one community, and Allah sent (unto them) prophets as bearers of good tidings and as warners, and revealed therewith the Scripture with the truth that it might judge between mankind concerning that wherein they differed. And only those unto whom (the Scripture) was given differed concerning it, after clear proofs had come unto them, through hatred one of another. And Allah by His Will guided those who believe unto the truth of that concerning which they differed. Allah guideth whom He will unto a straight path.” (2:213)
"...so Allah sent the prophets"
"As bringers of good tidings and warners,"
"And He sent down with them the Scripture..."
“Mankind were one community, and Allah sent (unto them) prophets as bearers of good tidings and as warners, and revealed therewith the Scripture with the truth that it might judge between mankind concerning that wherein they differed. And only those unto whom (the Scripture) was given differed concerning it, after clear proofs had come unto them, through hatred one of another. And Allah by His Will guided those who believe unto the truth of that concerning which they differed. Allah guideth whom He will unto a straight path.” (2:213)
"...concerning that wherein they differed."
“Mankind were one community, and Allah sent (unto them) prophets as bearers of good tidings and as warners, and revealed therewith the Scripture with the truth that it might judge between mankind concerning that wherein they differed. And only those unto whom (the Scripture) was given differed concerning it, after clear proofs had come unto them, through hatred one of another. And Allah by His Will guided those who believe unto the truth of that concerning which they differed. Allah guideth whom He will unto a straight path.” (2:213)
"...except those who were given it"
"After there came to them"
"Clear proofs—out of jealous animosity among themselves."
“Mankind were one community, and Allah sent (unto them) prophets as bearers of good tidings and as warners, and revealed therewith the Scripture with the truth that it might judge between mankind concerning that wherein they differed. And only those unto whom (the Scripture) was given differed concerning it, after clear proofs had come unto them, through hatred one of another. And Allah by His Will guided those who believe unto the truth of that concerning which they differed. Allah guideth whom He will unto a straight path.” (2:213)
"...to that concerning which they differed"
"Of the truth, by His permission."
"And Allah guides whom He wills"
"To a straight path."
Mankind was once a single community,
Adhering to a single religion and a single creed;
Then they differed in their religion,
Whereupon Allah sent, when they differed
In their religion, the prophets
To give glad tidings to whoever obeys Allah
Of an abundant reward,
And to warn whoever disobeys Allah
Of severe punishment and an evil reckoning.
And He sent down with them the Scripture
So that the Scripture might judge between people
Concerning that wherein those who differed were in dispute,
As a manifestation of His mercy toward His creation,
And to leave them with no excuse before Him.
And none differed regarding the Torah
Except the Jews
Who were given the Torah
And knowledge of it,
After there had come to them
The proofs and clear signs from Allah
Affirming that the Scripture is from Allah
And that it is the truth,
Regarding which it was unacceptable for them to differ;
Yet their differing
Over My Scripture was merely out of jealous animosity among themselves,
A pursuit of worldly dominance
By some of them over others,
Seeking thereby to subjugate one another.
So Allah guided the believers in Allah
Concerning that wherein the People of the Scripture differed,
Through His knowledge,
Enabling them to arrive at the truth.
For they differed regarding prayer:
Some of them faced the east,
While others faced Jerusalem,
But Allah guided us to the true Qiblah.
And they differed regarding fasting:
Some of them fasted for part of a day,
While others fasted for part of a night,
But Allah guided us to the proper fast.
And they differed regarding the day of assembly:
The Jews took Saturday,
And the Christians took Sunday,
But Allah guided us to Friday.
And they differed regarding Abraham:
The Jews claimed,
"He was a Jew,"
And the Christians claimed,
"He was a Christian,"
But Allah declared him innocent of both claims
And made him an upright monotheist, a Muslim.
And they differed regarding Jesus:
The Jews considered him illegitimate,
Devising a monstrous slander against him,
While the Christians took him as a lord;
But Allah guided us to the truth concerning him.
And Allah guides whom He wills of His creation,
Directing him to the straight path,
Firmly upon the truth wherein there is no crookedness.
"Or do you think that you will enter Paradise"
“Or think ye that ye will enter paradise while yet there hath not come unto you the like of (that which came to) those who passed away before you? Affliction and adversity befell them, they were shaken as with earthquake, till the messenger (of Allah) and those who believed along with him said: When cometh Allah's help? Now surely Allah's help is nigh.” (2:214)
who passed away before you?
They were afflicted with poverty
and adversity,
and were violently shaken
until even the Messenger
and those who believed with him cried out:
"When will the help of Allah come?"
“Or think ye that ye will enter paradise while yet there hath not come unto you the like of (that which came to) those who passed away before you? Affliction and adversity befell them, they were shaken as with earthquake, till the messenger (of Allah) and those who believed along with him said: When cometh Allah's help? Now surely Allah's help is nigh.” (2:214)
Or do you think that you—
O you who believe in Allah and His messengers—
will enter Paradise
without being afflicted like those who came before you
from among the followers of the prophets and messengers,
with hardships and trials,
and being tested just as they were tested
with severe destitution, illnesses, and ailments?
And they suffered from their enemies
intense fear, terror, hardship, and distress,
until the people felt that Allah's help was delayed,
saying: "When will Allah grant us victory?"
Then Allah informed them that His help is indeed near,
and that He would grant them victory over their enemy,
and raise high their word,
and extinguish the war-fire of those who disbelieved.
They ask you what they should spend.
“They ask thee, (O Muhammad), what they shall spend. Say: that which ye spend for good (must go) to parents and near kindred and orphans and the needy and the wayfarer. And whatsoever good ye do, lo! Allah is Aware of it.” (2:215)
It is for parents and relatives,
and orphans,
and the needy, and the traveler.
And whatever good you do,
indeed, Allah is fully Aware of it.
Your Companions ask you, O Muhammad:
What kind of things should they spend
from their wealth and give away in charity,
and upon whom should they spend it?
So say to them:
Whatever wealth you spend,
direct it toward your fathers,
your mothers, and your close kin,
and toward the orphans among you,
and the needy, and the stranded traveler.
For whatever good you perform
and bestow upon them,
indeed Allah is fully Aware of it;
He meticulously records it for you,
so that He may pay you your rewards in full
for it on the Day of Resurrection.
Fighting has been prescribed for you,
although it is disliked by you.
Yet it may be that you dislike something
that is good for you,
and it may be that you love a thing that is bad for you.
“Warfare is ordained for you, though it is hateful unto you; but it may happen that ye hate a thing which is good for you, and it may happen that ye love a thing which is bad for you. Allah knoweth, ye know not.” (2:216)
And Allah knows,
while you do not know.
Fighting the polytheists has been made obligatory upon you,
though it is burdensome and hated by you.
Yet do not dislike fighting,
for perhaps
you dislike it, yet it is better for you;
nor should you love abandoning jihad,
for perhaps you love doing so,
yet it is worse for you.
And Allah knows
what is good for you
as opposed to what is harmful to you,
while you do not know
of that what I know.
“They question thee (O Muhammad) with regard to warfare in the sacred month. Say: Warfare therein is a great (transgression), but to turn (men) from the way of Allah, and to disbelieve in Him and in the Inviolable Place of Worship, and to expel His people thence, is a greater with Allah; for persecution is worse than killing. And they will not cease from fighting against you till they have made you renegades from your religion, if they can. And whoso becometh a renegade and dieth in his disbelief: such are they whose works have fallen both in the world and the Hereafter. Such are rightful owners of the Fire: they will abide therein.” (2:217)
fighting in it.
“They question thee (O Muhammad) with regard to warfare in the sacred month. Say: Warfare therein is a great (transgression), but to turn (men) from the way of Allah, and to disbelieve in Him and in the Inviolable Place of Worship, and to expel His people thence, is a greater with Allah; for persecution is worse than killing. And they will not cease from fighting against you till they have made you renegades from your religion, if they can. And whoso becometh a renegade and dieth in his disbelief: such are they whose works have fallen both in the world and the Hereafter. Such are rightful owners of the Fire: they will abide therein.” (2:217)
“They question thee (O Muhammad) with regard to warfare in the sacred month. Say: Warfare therein is a great (transgression), but to turn (men) from the way of Allah, and to disbelieve in Him and in the Inviolable Place of Worship, and to expel His people thence, is a greater with Allah; for persecution is worse than killing. And they will not cease from fighting against you till they have made you renegades from your religion, if they can. And whoso becometh a renegade and dieth in his disbelief: such are they whose works have fallen both in the world and the Hereafter. Such are rightful owners of the Fire: they will abide therein.” (2:217)
and disbelief in Him,
and barring from al-Masjid al-Haram
“They question thee (O Muhammad) with regard to warfare in the sacred month. Say: Warfare therein is a great (transgression), but to turn (men) from the way of Allah, and to disbelieve in Him and in the Inviolable Place of Worship, and to expel His people thence, is a greater with Allah; for persecution is worse than killing. And they will not cease from fighting against you till they have made you renegades from your religion, if they can. And whoso becometh a renegade and dieth in his disbelief: such are they whose works have fallen both in the world and the Hereafter. Such are rightful owners of the Fire: they will abide therein.” (2:217)
in the sight of Allah,
and persecution is greater
than slaughter.
And they will not cease
fighting you
until they turn you back
from your religion,
if they are able.
And whoever renounces
their religion from among you,
and dies as a disbeliever,
it is they whose deeds
have become worthless in this world
and the Hereafter;
and those are the companions of the Fire,
in which they will abide eternally.
Your Companions ask you, O Muhammad,
about the month of Rajab,
regarding fighting in it.
Say, O Muhammad:
Fighting in the sacred month
is a grave matter in the sight of Allah—
its desecration is grave before Allah,
as is the shedding of blood within it;
yet hindering people from the path of Allah,
disbelieving in Him,
barring from al-Masjid al-Haram,
and expelling the people of al-Masjid al-Haram
and its rightful custodians
is even greater in the sight of Allah
than fighting during the sacred month.
Indeed, polytheism is far graver
and greater than killing.
And the polytheists of Quraysh will not cease
fighting against you
until they turn you away
from your religion,
if they are capable of doing so.
And whoever among you turns away
from his religion
and dies as a disbeliever,
before repenting from his disbelief,
then it is they whose efforts are nullified
and whose rewards are lost
in the abode of this world
and in the Hereafter;
and those are the inhabitants of the Fire,
abiding therein eternally.
Indeed, those who believed,
and those who emigrated
and strove in the cause of Allah,
it is they
who truly hope for
the mercy of Allah;
and Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
Indeed, those who believed in Allah,
and in His Messenger,
and in all that he brought,
and those who abandoned
cohabiting with the polytheists
in their cities,
migrating away from them,
from their vicinity,
and from their lands
to other places,
and fought them
for the sake of the religion of Allah,
in order to bring them into it
and into that which pleases Allah—
it is they who earnestly hope
that Allah will have mercy on them
and admit them into His Paradise.
And Allah is ever-veiling
the sins of His servants,
bestowing His favor upon them
with mercy.
This is the summary from
Tafsir al-Tabari.