Page 16 Notes

02 Surah Al-Baqarah (continued)

Page 16 Grammar 

Page 16 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

2:102

2:103

2:104

2:105

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 16 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 16 of the Quran covers verses 102 through 105 of Surah Al-Baqarah. This page contains one of the most doctrinally significant and historically complex passages in the Quran—Verse 102—which addresses the history of magic (sihr), the era of Prophet Solomon (Sulaiman), the roles of the two angels Harut and Marut in Babylon, and the spiritual mechanics of how magic operates. The subsequent verses govern community decorum, respectful speech toward the Prophet, and the spiritual envy of opposing factions.

The Hadiths and Sunnah related to these verses provide the definitive orthodox positions on sorcery, clarify the status of Prophet Solomon, and protect the daily vocabulary of the Muslim community.

1. Verse 102: The Reality of Magic and the Innocence of Solomon

"And they followed [instead] what the devils had recited during the reign of Solomon. It was not Solomon who disbelieved, but the devils disbelieved, teaching people magic and that which was revealed to the two angels at Babylon, Harut and Marut..." (2:102)

Defending the Honor of Prophet Solomon

During the time of the Prophet Muhammad in Medina, certain groups alleged that Solomon was not a true Prophet of God, but rather a powerful sorcerer who controlled the Jinn, wind, and animals through black magic. Verse 102 was revealed to declare Solomon completely innocent (ma'sum) of practicing magic or falling into disbelief (kufr).

• The Sunnah Perspective: The Prophet Muhammad fiercely upheld the high spiritual status of Solomon. In several Hadiths, he described Solomon not as a sorcerer, but as a deeply devout King-Prophet whose prayers were uniquely answered by Allah. For instance, the Prophet narrated that when Solomon completed building the Holy House (Bayt al-Maqdis), he made a direct, prophetic supplication to Allah asking for righteous judgment and a kingdom that no one after him could duplicate (Sunan an-Nasa'i).

Magic as a Major Destructive Sin

Because verse 102 explicitly links the teaching and practicing of magic to kufr (disbelief) and demonic manipulation, the Prophet Muhammad placed magic among the absolute worst sins a person can commit.

• The Hadith: Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Messenger of Allah said:
  "Avoid the seven destructive sins." The companions asked, "O Messenger of Allah, what are they?" He replied: "Associating partners with Allah (Shirk), practicing magic (Sihr), killing a soul unjustly, consuming ribat (usury/interest), consuming the wealth of an orphan, fleeing from the battlefield, and slandering chaste, innocent believing women." (Sahih al-Bukhari & Sahih Muslim)

The Mechanism of Magic: Divine Permission

Verse 102 states: "But they do not harm anyone through it except by permission of Allah." This establishes the Islamic theological concept that magic has no independent power; it can only manifest if allowed by divine decree (Qadar).

• The Sunnah Application: To safeguard the mind from fearing sorcerers or the Jinn, the Prophet Muhammad taught his companions that absolute protection lies in seeking refuge in Allah. As noted in the Sunnah of page 604, he routinely recited Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Nas to untie the knots of magic and shield the body from dark forces (Sahih al-Bukhari).

2. Verse 104: Islamic Manners and Decorum in Speech

"O you who have believed, do not say [to the Prophet], 'Ra'ina' but say, 'Unzurna' and listen. And for the disbelievers is a painful punishment." (2:104)

The Linguistic Deception in Medina

This verse acts as a direct correction of the vocabulary used in the presence of the Prophet Muhammad. In Arabic, the word Ra'ina casually means "Listen to us" or "Favor us." However, in the Hebrew tongue of certain hostile factions in Medina, a nearly identical-sounding word was a severe insult meaning "O our evil one" or "Listen, may you become deaf." Opponents would mockingly say Ra'ina to the Prophet’s face, pretending to be polite while masking an insult.

• The Hadith Context: Aisha narrated a related incident highlighting this linguistic hostility:
  A group of people came to the Prophet and said, "As-Samu 'Alaykum" (Death be upon you), subtly altering the standard Muslim greeting As-Salamu 'Alaykum (Peace be upon you). Aisha recognized the play on words and furiously shouted back, "And upon you be death and curses!" The Prophet gently calmed her down and said, "O Aisha, Allah loves gentleness in all matters." She asked, "Did you not hear what they said?" The Prophet replied, "I did, and I simply responded: 'And upon you' (Wa 'alaykum)." (Sahih al-Bukhari)

• The Sunnah Enforcement: To permanently end this double-meaning mockery, verse 104 commanded the believers to drop the ambiguous word Ra'ina entirely and replace it with Unzurna (which unambiguously means "Look upon us/Observe us"). The Sunnah heavily emphasizes using clear, respectful, and dignified language to prevent misunderstandings or hidden insults.

3. Verse 105: The Root of Hostility is Spiritual Envy

"Neither those who disbelieve from the People of the Scripture nor the polytheists wish that any good should be sent down to you from your Lord. But Allah selects for His mercy whom He wills..." (2:105)

Understanding the Psychological Barrier

Verse 105 exposes the psychological block preventing the factions of Medina from accepting Islam: they simply could not bear to see the "good" (revelation and final prophethood) given to the Arab descendants of Ishmael rather than themselves.

• The Sunnah Connection: The Prophet Muhammad used this divine insight to teach his followers about the reality of human nature. He modeled a Sunnah of political patience, advising his companions to remain steadfast in their character and focus on spreading mercy, rather than being demoralized by the jealousy or ill-wishes of their political and religious detractors.

References

• Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Medicine, Chapter: Magic (Hadith 5764); Book of Good Manners (Al-Adab), Hadith 6024.

• Sahih Muslim, Book of Faith, Chapter: Clarification of Major Sins (Hadith 89).

• Sunan an-Nasa'i, Book of Masjids, Hadith 693 (The virtue of Solomon's prayer).

• Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Extended historical exegesis on Surah Al-Baqarah, Verses 102–105 (Detailing the narration of Harut, Marut, and the linguistic origin of Ra'ina).