Al Baqarah - The Cow

In the name of God the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful.

(This is) Alif Lam Meem. This is the Divine Book; there is no doubt in this (fact).  [It is] a guidance for the God-conscious; for those who believe without seeing (certain realities) and establish prayer and spend in charity out of that which We have bestowed upon them; and for those who believe in that which is revealed upon you and that which was revealed before you.  And they are the ones who are certain of the Hereafter.  They are upon true guidance from their Lord and they shall be the successful ones. (1-5)

As for those who disbelieved it is the same whether you warn them or not, they will not believe. God has sealed their hearts and their hearing, and their eyes are veiled. There is a grievous punishment for them.  (6-7)

And of these (people) are some who say, “We believe in God and the Last Day,” whereas they are not (true) believers. They try to deceive God and the believers. However, they deceive none except themselves yet they do not realize it. Their hearts were infected with disease and God intensified their malady. And for them is a painful punishment because they have been speaking untruths. And when it is said to them, “Do not make mischief on earth,” they say, “We only make peace.” Behold! They are the ones who create deviltry but they do not realize. And when they are asked to believe as the (other) people have believed they say, “Should we believe as the foolish did?” Lo, they themselves are the foolish ones indeed! But they do not realize it. And when they face the believers they say, “We have already believed,” but when they are in (company of) their devils they declare, “We are really with you; we only mock them (i.e. the believers).” God is mocking them and is allowing them to further in their recalcitrance; and they are drifting blindly. (8-16)

These are they who preferred waywardness to guidance, so their dealing did not prove profitable to them nor could they find the right path. Their parable is like that of a man who kindled a fire and when it illuminated all around him (and the path for his people to see) God took away their light and left them in utter darkness, so they could not make anything out.  They are deaf, dumb and blind; now they will not return (onto the right path). (17-18)

Or (their parable is) that of rain pouring from the sky, wherein is darkness, thunder and lightning. They have their fingers thrust into their ears fearing death because of the thunderclaps whereas God envelops the disbelievers from all sides. (As if) the lightening is dazzling their eyes; whenever it flashes forth for them they walk on; when it becomes dark around them they stand still. And if God willed He could have taken away their hearing and their sight; indeed God has power to do everything.  (19-20)

O people! Worship your Lord, who created you and those before you so that you may avoid (Hell). (Worship the Lord) who has made the earth your couch and the heavens your shelter and sent down water from the heavens and with it He brought forth fruits for your sustenance; therefore do not knowingly associate partners with God. (21-22)

And if you are in doubt concerning that which we have revealed to our servant then produce a Surah like it, and call your helpers besides God if you are truthful. But if you cannot accomplish (it)- and you will never be able to accomplish (it)- then fear the Fire whose fuel will be (the flesh of) men and stones, prepared for the rejecters. And give glad tidings to those who believed and did pious deeds that they shall have gardens in which rivers will flow. Each time they are fed with its fruits they will say, "This is what we were provided with before!"  And they will be given the like of it; and they shall have pure mates therein, and there they shall abide forever. (23 -25)

God does not shy away from using an analogy, even that of a mosquito or something even less significant than that. Those who have believed know that it is the truth from their Lord. As for those who rejected Faith say (to them), "What is it that God means by this analogy?"  By it God causes many to go astray and many He grants guidance. And God does not cause to stray except for those who are disobedient; those who break the covenant with God after affirming it and rend asunder what God has ordered to be united and cause disorder on earth.  It is they who will be the losers (in the end). (26-27)

How can you deny God whereas you were without life and He gave you life; then He causes you to die and will again bring you to life; then you shall be brought back to Him. It is He who created for you all that is in the earth, then He turned to the sky and fashioned it into seven heavens, and He has perfect knowledge of everything.  (28-29)

And (recall) when your Lord said to the angels, ‘I will place a Khalifah (i.e. plenipotentiary) on earth.” They replied, “Will You place upon it one that shall create disorder in it and shall shed blood, while we glorify you with gratefulness and sanctify You?”  He said, “I know that, which you are unaware of.” And He taught Adam all the names. Then He presented them before the angels and said, “Tell me the names of these people, if you are veridical (in your concern).”  They said, “You are absolutely pure (from ordaining anything unwise), we have no knowledge except for that which You have taught us. It is only You, who knows all and who is All-wise.” He said, “O Adam, tell them the names of these personalities.”  Then, when Adam told them their names God said, “Did I not tell you that it is only I who knows all the secrets of the heavens and the earth and I know that which you reveal and also that which you concealed.” (30-33)

And (recall), when We directed the angels to bow before Adam, they fell down in prostration except Iblis. He refused and showed arrogance and thus became one of the rejecters. And We said, “O Adam! Dwell you and your wife in the garden and eat of its fruit freely wherever you like but do not go near this tree, or the two of you shall become transgressors.” But Satan made them fall from there and he succeeded in getting them expelled from the pleasant state that they were both in. And we said, “Get down! You will be enemies to each other. And your dwelling and sustenance shall be on earth for an appointed time.”  Then Adam received some words from his Lord and He accepted his repentance for He is indeed Immensely Forgiving, Ever Merciful. We said, “Get down from here, all of you!  Then if any guidance from Me comes to you, whomever will follow My guidance for them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. And those who will disbelieve and refuse my verses they are the ones who shall be the people of the Fire. They shall dwell in it forever.  (34-39)

O Children of Israel! Recall my blessing, which I bestowed upon you and fulfill your covenant with Me, I shall fulfill My covenant with you and Me alone you should fear. And believe in what I have revealed in accordance to (the prophecies) that are with you.  And do not be the first ones to reject it; and do not trade my verses for a cheap price and from My (wrath) alone you should always save yourselves. And do not mix the truth with falsehood in order to conceal the truth while you are well aware of it. And establish Sala’h and pay Zaka’h and bow down with those who bow down (in worship).  Do you enjoin others to keep faith and forget yourselves, yet you read the Scriptures? Do you not understand? And seek help through steadfastness and Sala’h.  And indeed, it is hard except for those who fear (God), who bear in mind (the fact) that they have to meet their Lord; and to Him shall they return. (40-46)

O children of Israel, recall my blessing, which I bestowed upon you and [recall] that I chose you out of all the peoples of the world. (47) And fear the day when no soul shall benefit another nor shall any intercession from it be entertained, nor shall any compensation be received from it, nor shall anyone be helped. (48) And (recall) when We delivered you from the grip of Pharaoh's folk. They afflicted you with dreadful torment; slaying your sons and sparing your women and in that was a tremendous trial from your Lord. (49)

And recall (the time) when We divided the river and got you through. Thus, We saved you and drowned Pharaoh’s nation before your very eyes. (50)