Page 12 Notes

02 Surah Al-Baqarah (continued)

Page 12 Grammar 

Page 12 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

2:77

2:78

2:79

2:80

2:81

2:82

2:83

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 12 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 12 of the Quran covers verses 77 through 83 of Surah Al-Baqarah. This page transitions from exposing the hidden motives of the hypocrites to laying down a timeless, universal blueprint for moral life—culminating in Verse 83, which is famously known as the divine covenant given to the Children of Israel.

The Hadiths and Sunnah related to these verses provide historical context, explain specific prophetic practices, and echo the core ethical commandments found on this page.

1. Verses 77–78: Divine Omniscience vs. Unfounded Hopes

"Do they not know that Allah knows what they conceal and what they declare? And among them are unlettered ones who do not know the Scripture except in wishful thinking..." (2:77-78)

The Danger of "Wishful Thinking" (Amani)

In verse 78, Allah criticizes those who have no real knowledge of their scripture, relying instead on amani (wishful thinking or false desires that they are guaranteed salvation regardless of their actions). The Prophet Muhammad explicitly warned his followers against falling into this exact same trap.

• The Hadith: Shaddad bin Aws narrated that the Prophet said:
  "The wise person is one who holds himself accountable and performs good deeds for what comes after death. And the foolish person is one who follows his desires and then cherishes lazy, wishful expectations (tamanna) about Allah." (Sunan At-Tirmidhi)

• The Connection: The Sunnah establishes that faith must be backed by action. Relying purely on ancestral pride or the assumption of automatic salvation—which verse 78 highlights as a flaw of past nations—is spiritually dangerous.

2. Verse 79: Altering Scripture for Material Gain

"So woe to those who write the "scripture" with their hands and then say, "This is from Allah," to exchange it for a small price..." (2:79)

Historical Context of Revelation (Asbab al-Nuzul)

This verse addresses the religious leaders of Medina who altered descriptions of the coming Prophet in their texts to protect their authority and financial income.

• The Hadith Context: Abdullah ibn Abbas explained how this verse applied to the realities of Medina:
  "This verse was revealed concerning the People of the Book. They found the description of the Prophet Muhammad written in their scriptures, but they erased it with their own hands because they disliked him and feared losing their leadership. They rewrote a different description and said, 'This is from Allah,' to sell it to the unlettered people for a miserable price." (Sahih al-Bukhari; Tafsir Al-Tabari)

3. Verse 83: The Core Universal Covenant

"And [recall] when We took the covenant from the Children of Israel, [enjoining upon them], 'Do not worship except Allah; and to parents do good and to relatives, orphans, and the needy. And speak to people good [words] and establish prayer and give zakah...'" (2:83)

Verse 83 outlines the fundamental moral pillars of monotheism and social justice. The Prophet Muhammad’s entire Sunnah was dedicated to fulfilling and expanding upon these exact principles.

A. Kindness to Parents and Relatives

• The Hadith: A man came to the Prophet and asked, "O Messenger of Allah, who among mankind is most deserving of my finest companionship?" The Prophet replied, "Your mother." The man asked, "Then who?" The Prophet said, "Your mother." The man asked again, "Then who?" The Prophet said, "Your mother." The man asked again, "Then who?" The Prophet finally said, "Your father." (Sahih al-Bukhari & Sahih Muslim)

• The Hadith on Relatives: The Prophet also perfectly mirrored the command to maintain family ties (Silat al-Rahim), stating: "Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him maintain good relations with his kinsfolk." (Sahih al-Bukhari)

B. Caring for Orphans

The covenant on page 12 explicitly demands care for orphans. The Prophet Muhammad made this a defining feature of his communal Sunnah.

• The Hadith: Sahl bin Sa'd reported that the Messenger of Allah raised his index and middle fingers, separating them slightly, and said:
  "I and the caretaker of an orphan will be like this in Paradise." (Sahih al-Bukhari)

C. Speaking Good Words to People

The verse commands: "And speak to people good [words]." The Prophet built an entire framework of Islamic manners (Akhlaq) around this rule, explicitly noting that speech is an extension of faith.

• The Hadith: Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Messenger of Allah said:
  "Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak goodness or remain silent." (Sahih al-Bukhari)

Summary of Connection

Page 12 of the Quran serves as a stern warning against religious corruption (verses 77-79) and outlines the ethical bedrock of a righteous society (verse 83). The Hadith literature acts as a direct validation of these rules, showing that the Prophet Muhammad expected Muslims to uphold the very same ethical covenant of monotheism, charity, and flawless character that was demanded of the nations before them.

References

• Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Good Manners (Al-Adab), Hadiths 5971, 6018, 6136.

• Sahih Muslim, Book of Virtue, Good Manners and Joining Consanguinity, Hadith 2548.

• Sunan At-Tirmidhi, Chapters on the Description of the Day of Judgment, Hadith 2459.

• Tafsir Ibn Kathir / Tafsir Al-Tabari, Commentary and historical background for Surah Al-Baqarah, Verses 77–83.