Page 25 Notes

02 Surah Al-Baqarah (continued)

Page 25 Grammar 

Page 25 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

2:164

2:165

2:166

2:167

2:168

2:169

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 25 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 25 of the Qur'an contains Surah Al-Baqarah, Verses 164 through 169. This section bridges cosmic evidence of God's oneness with the earthly responsibilities of believers, shifting from cosmic signs (Ayat) to severe warnings against polytheism, false religious leadership, consumption of forbidden (Haram) foods, and the deceptive strategies of Satan.

The Hadith and Sunnah provide legal boundaries, prophetic commentary, and theological explanations for these precise verses.

1. Cosmic Reflection as a Path to Monotheism (Verse 164)

“Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of the night and the day, and the [great] ships which sail through the sea with that which benefits people... are signs for a people who use reason.” (Qur'an 2:164)

This verse list a sequence of natural phenomena as proof of a single Creator. The Sunnah emphasizes that the Prophet $\text{PBUH}$ routinely used these specific visual elements to anchor his own nighttime worship and reflections.

• The Habitual Nightly Recitation:
  While Verse 164 lays out these signs in Surah Al-Baqarah, the Prophet PBUH frequently recited its thematic sister verses from Surah Ali 'Imran (3:190-191) every single night upon waking up for voluntary night prayers (Tahajjud). In Sahih al-Bukhari, Ibn Abbas narrated that when the Prophet woke up in the final third of the night, he would look at the sky and recite these verses before performing his ablution, teaching his companions that looking at the night sky with conscious theological reflection is a vital act of Sunnah (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 4569).

2. Devotion to Allah vs. Severe Punishment (Verses 165–167)

“And [yet], among the people are those who take other than Allah as equals [to Him]. They love them as they [should] love Allah. But those who believe are stronger in love for Allah...” (Qur'an 2:165)

These verses deal directly with the psychological nature of polytheism (Shirk)—elevating creations to a level of love and obedience that belongs solely to God—and warnings about the Day of Judgment where blind followers will be abandoned by their misguided leaders.

• The Definition of the Greatest Sin:
  The Sunnah provides a direct legal parallel to verse 165. Abdullah bin Mas'ud narrated: "I asked the Prophet PBUH 'Which sin is the greatest in the sight of Allah?' He replied: 'To set up a rival (Niddan) to Allah though He alone created you'" (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 4477; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 86). Note that the Prophet used the exact same word, Nid, that Allah uses in Verse 165 (Andadan - plural of Nid).

• The Intensity of Believers' Love:
  The Sunnah connects true faith directly to the "stronger love" mentioned in this verse. In Sahih al-Bukhari, Anas bin Malik reported that the Prophet PBUH said: "Whoever possesses the following three qualities will taste the sweetness of faith: The one to whom Allah and His Messenger become dearer than anything else..." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 16).

3. Lawful Consumables and Satan's Footsteps (Verses 168–169)

“O mankind, eat from whatever is on earth [that is] lawful and good and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.” (Qur'an 2:168)

This verse shifts to a critical legislative rule: mankind is permitted to enjoy what is inherently lawful (Halal) and pure (Tayyib), and is strictly forbidden from arbitrarily declaring pure things forbidden based on superstition or satanic whispers.

• Satanic Manipulation of Divine Law:
  The Asbab al-Nuzul (reasons for revelation) for verse 168 are deeply tied to pre-Islamic pagan customs where tribes arbitrarily banned certain livestock (such as Bahirah or Sa'ibah camels) in the name of idols. In a famous Hadith Qudsi recorded in Sahih Muslim, the Prophet PBUH reported that Allah said: "I have created all My servants naturally inclined to the right path (Hunafa), but the devils come to them, turn them away from their religion, and make forbidden for them what I have made lawful for them..." (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2865).

• The Nature of Satan's Whispers (Verse 169):
  Verse 169 states that Satan "only orders you to evil and immorality and to say about Allah what you do not know." The Sunnah warns believers against attributing random superstitions or legal rulings to God without text-based knowledge. In Jami' al-Tirmidhi, Ibn Mas'ud narrated that the Prophet PBUH said: "Satan has an influence over the son of Adam, and the angel has an influence. As for the influence of Satan, it is a promise of evil and a denial of truth. Whosoever experiences this, let him know it is from Satan and seek refuge in Allah..." (Jami' al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 2988).

References

• Al-Bukhari, M. I. (n.d.). Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Belief (Kitab al-Iman), Hadith 16; Book of Prophetic Commentary (Tafsir), Hadith 4477, 4569.

• Al-Tirmidhi, M. I. (n.d.). Jami' al-Tirmidhi, Chapters on Tafsir, Hadith 2988.

• Muslim, I. H. (n.d.). Sahih Muslim, Book of Faith, Hadith 86; Book of Paradise and its Description, Hadith 2865.

(Note: "n.d." denotes classical texts where modern standardized publication years vary across publishers, cited instead by their universally recognized book and Hadith numbers).