Page 32 Notes

02 Surah Al-Baqarah (continued)

Page 32 Grammar 

Page 32 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

2:203

2:204

2:205

2:206

2:207

2:208

2:209

2:210

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 32 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 32 of the Qur'an contains Surah Al-Baqarah, Verses 203 through 210. This page transitions seamlessly from the concluding timeline of the Hajj pilgrimage into a vivid psychological contrast between the hypocrites who sabotage society and the selfless believers who sacrifice everything for Allah. It wraps up with a historic command to enter Islam completely, followed by an ominous warning regarding the Day of Judgment.

The Hadith and Sunnah provide legal boundaries, historical identity profiles, and theological framework for these exact verses.

1. Remembrance and the Appointed Days of Mina (Verse 203)

“And remember Allah during the appointed days. Then whoever hastens their departure in two days, there is no sin upon him; and whoever delays, there is no sin upon him - for him who fears Allah...” (Qur'an 2:203)

• Defining the Appointed Days (Ayyam al-Ma'dudat):
  The Sunnah textually identifies these "appointed days" as the three days directly following the Day of Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha), known legally as Ayyam al-Tashriq (the 11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhul-Hijjah). In Sahih Muslim, Nubayshah al-Hudhali reported that the Prophet $\text{PBUH}$ defined the identity of these days stating: "The days of Tashriq are days of eating, drinking, and the remembrance of Allah." (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1141).

• The Practical Application of Hastening or Delaying:
  The Sunnah provides the physical mechanics for the legal concession outlined in Verse 203. Pilgrims stay in the valley of Mina to perform the ritual stoning of the three pillars (Jamarat). The Sunnah confirms that a pilgrim is allowed to complete their stoning duties and exit Mina early on the 12th of Dhul-Hijjah before sunset (hastening in two days). Alternatively, staying until the 13th (delaying) is highly prioritized as the superior Prophetic practice. In Sahih al-Bukhari, Ibn Umar demonstrated the exact Sunnah by stoning the pillars sequentially right after the sun passed its meridian (Zawal) on each of these specific days (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1746).

2. Profile of the Most Quarrelsome Enemy (Verses 204–206)

“And of the people is he whose speech pleases you in worldly life, and he calls Allah to witness as to what is in his heart, yet he is the most fierce of opponents. And when he turns away, he strives throughout the land to cause corruption therein and destroy crops and livestock...” (Qur'an 2:204-205)

• The Context of Revelation (Asbab al-Nuzul):
  Classical commentators like Al-Wahidi record that these verses were revealed regarding a smooth-talking tribal figure named Al-Akhnas bin Shariq. He came to the Prophet $\text{PBUH}$ in Medina, falsely swearing oaths of loyalty and sweet-talking his way into the Muslim inner circle. Yet, the moment he walked away, he raided a nearby pasture belonging to Muslims, set fire to their crops, and slaughtered their livestock.

• The Psychological Trait of Hypocrisy:
  The Sunnah uses this Quranic passage to establish a permanent warning against toxic, double-tongued behavior. In Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, Aisha reported that the Prophet $\text{PBUH}$ said: "The most hated man in the sight of Allah is the most quarrelsome opponent (Al-Aladd al-Khasim)" (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 2441; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2668). The Prophet used the exact phrase found at the end of Verse 204 to describe an individual who uses verbal acrobatics to mask malicious intent.

3. Selling One's Soul for Divine Pleasure (Verse 207)

“And of the people is he who sells his soul seeking the pleasure of Allah. And Allah is kind to [His] servants.” (Qur'an 2:207)

• The Heroic Sacrifice of Suhaib al-Rumi:
  This verse serves as a direct contrast to the hypocrite described above. The Sunnah and biographical texts record that this verse was revealed specifically for Suhaib bin Sinan al-Rumi. When Suhaib attempted to migrate from Mecca to Medina, the pagan Quraysh blocked him, saying, "You came to us a poor beggar, and your wealth grew massive among us. Now you want to leave with your life and your money? By Allah, that will never happen!"

• A Profitable Transaction:
  Suhaib jumped off his mount, drew his arrows, and negotiated: "If I give you every single coin of my wealth and tell you where my treasure is buried in Mecca, will you let me go?" They agreed. He surrendered his entire life savings and walked to Medina empty-handed. When he arrived, the Prophet $\text{PBUH}$ saw him approaching and smiled warmly, repeating twice: "The transaction has been profitable, O Abu Yahya! The transaction has been profitable!" Allah then dispatched Verse 207 to immortalize his sacrifice (Al-Mustadrak 'ala al-Sahihayn, Hadith 5707).

4. Entering Islam Completely (Verses 208–210)

“O you who have believed, enter into Islam completely [and perfectly] and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.” (Qur'an 2:208)

• The Context of Partial Adherence:
  Ibn Abbas reported that this verse was directed toward a group of Jewish scholars (including Abdullah bin Salam) who had embraced Islam but still wanted to cling to certain ancestral practices of the Torah, such as treating the Sabbath (Saturday) as a sacred day and avoiding the meat and milk of camels. Allah revealed Verse 208 to mandate that Islam is a comprehensive ecosystem; one cannot select commands based on personal or cultural nostalgia while ignoring others.

• Satan's Gradualist Trajectory:
  The Sunnah explains that "the footsteps of Satan" refers to the incremental, progressive nature of sin. Satan rarely tells a believer to commit major sins immediately; instead, he encourages minor compromises that erode spiritual immune systems over time.

• The Canopy of Clouds on Judgment Day (Verse 210):
  Verse 210 concludes with an intense rhetorical question: “Do they await but that Allah should come to them in shadows of clouds and the angels and the matter is [then] decided?” The Sunnah details this exact visual moment of cosmic transition on the Day of Judgment. In a massive narration regarding the Intercession (Shafa'ah), Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet $\text{PBUH}$ described the rolling up of the heavens, after which the sky will split open with clouds (Ghamam), and the angels will descend rank upon rank as Allah establishes His absolute court of justice (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 4712).

References

• Al-Bukhari, M. I. (n.d.). Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Hajj, Hadith 1746; Book of Judgments/Oppressions, Hadith 2441; Book of Prophetic Commentary (Tafsir), Hadith 4712.

• Al-Hakim al-Nishapuri, M. I. (n.d.). Al-Mustadrak 'ala al-Sahihayn (Biographical files of Suhaib, Hadith 5707).

• Al-Wahidi, A. B. (n.d.). Asbab al-Nuzul (Context for Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:204).

• Muslim, I. H. (n.d.). Sahih Muslim, Book of Fasting (Tashriq rules), Hadith 1141; Book of Knowledge, Hadith 2668.