Page 21 Notes

02 Surah Al-Baqarah (continued)

Page 21 Grammar 

Page 21 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

2:135

2:136

2:137

2:138

2:139

2:140

2:141

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 21 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 21 of the Quran covers verses 135 through 141, marking the formal conclusion of the first Juz (part) of the Quran. These verses address the demands made by opposing factions that the Muslims should join their specific theological labels to find true guidance (verse 135). In response, Allah commands the Muslims to declare a comprehensive, uncompromised belief in all prophets sent throughout human history (verse 136). The page ends by confronting those who selectively hide scriptural testimonies and reminding humanity of the law of individual moral accountability (verse 141).

The Hadiths and Sunnah connected to page 21 outline foundational daily prayers, model how the Prophet Muhammad managed interfaith polemics, and reinforce the core Islamic creed.

1. Verse 136: The Universal Creed of Prophethood

"Say, [O believers], 'We have believed in Allah and what has been revealed to us and what has been revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the Descendants and what was given to Moses and Jesus and what was given to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are Muslims [in submission] to Him.'" (2:136)

The Sunnah of the Fajr Prayer Routine

Because verse 136 beautifully summarizes the entire global lineage of Islamic monotheism, the Prophet Muhammad selected it as a mandatory part of his personal daily routine. He integrated its recitation into the highly recommended Sunnah prayer performed right before the mandatory Dawn (Fajr) prayer.

• The Hadith: Ibn Abbas reported:
  "The Messenger of Allah used to recite in the two [voluntary] units of prayer before Fajr: 'Say, [O believers], We have believed in Allah and what has been revealed to us...' (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:136) in the first unit, and in the second unit he would recite: 'We have believed in Allah and bear witness that we are Muslims' (Surah Ali 'Imran, 3:52)." (Sahih Muslim)

Reaffirming the Shared Lineage of Jesus and Moses

Verse 136 explicitly lists Moses and Jesus as prophets who cannot be separated from the Islamic creed. The Prophet Muhammad actively reinforced this through his speech, ensuring his followers never looked down on past prophets.

• The Hadith: The Prophet Muhammad emphasized his close spiritual proximity to Jesus, stating:
  "I am the closest of all people to Jesus, the son of Mary, both in this world and in the Hereafter. The prophets are paternal brothers; their mothers are different, but their religion is one." (Sahih al-Bukhari & Sahih Muslim)

2. Verse 138: The "Sibghah" (Coloring) of Allah

"[Our sibghah is] the coloring of Allah, and who is better than Allah in coloring? And we are worshippers of Him." (2:138)

Moving Past Superficial Rituals to True Character

The word Sibghah literally means a dye or a coloring agent. Historically, certain religious groups in the region practiced a ritual baptism where they dipped their children or converts in colored water to symbolize a change in spiritual status. Verse 138 was revealed to redirect humanity to the true, internal "dye" of God: a pure character, sound faith, and absolute monotheism.

• The Sunnah Connection: The Prophet Muhammad built his entire educational model around this verse. He taught that true spiritual transformation cannot be achieved through outward labels or superficial rituals alone, but by allowing the characteristics of faith (Iman) to fully saturate a person's heart and actions. He stated:
  "Verily, Allah does not look at your appearance or your wealth, but He looks at your hearts and your deeds." (Sahih Muslim)

3. Verse 140: Hiding the Divine Testimony

"Or do you say that Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the Descendants were Jews or Christians? Say, 'Are you more knowing or is Allah?' And who is more unjust than he who conceals a testimony he has from Allah?..." (2:140)

The Prophetic Context of Debate in Medina

This verse directly addresses the historical debates that took place in the Prophet's mosque in Medina. Leaders from various theological backgrounds would arrive trying to claim ancestral ownership over Abraham, Jacob, and their descendants.

• The Hadith/Tafsir Context: Ibn Abbas narrated that when the religious leaders argued over the identity of Abraham, the Prophet Muhammad pointed out the logical anachronism using the revelations given to him: both the Torah and the Gospel were revealed centuries after Abraham had already lived and died. Therefore, labeling Abraham with modern sectarian titles was historically impossible. Verse 140 exposed that their scholars knew this scriptural reality internally but chose to "conceal the testimony" to maintain their political influence over their followers (Tafsir Ibn Kathir).

4. Verse 141: The Law of Individual Accountability

"That was a nation which has passed on. It will have what it earned, and you will have what you have earned. And you will not be asked about what they used to do." (2:141)

Breaking the Illusion of Ancestral Pride

Page 21 concludes by shattering the illusion that a person can ride the coattails of their righteous ancestors into salvation. Allah explicitly warns that past generations have passed away with their own deeds, and current humans will be judged strictly on their own merits.

• The Sunnah Warning to His Own Family: The Prophet Muhammad perfectly mirrored this divine law. He did not let his own beloved family rely on his status as a prophet; instead, he gathered his closest relatives and explicitly warned them to take charge of their own souls.

• The Hadith: Abu Hurayrah narrated that when the verses of warning were revealed, the Messenger of Allah stood up and called out to his tribe:
  "O people of Quraish! Ransom your own souls from Allah, for I cannot avail you anything against Allah. O Banu Abd Manaf! I cannot avail you anything against Allah. O Safiyyah, the aunt of the Messenger of Allah! I cannot avail you anything against Allah. O Fatima, daughter of Muhammad! Ask me for whatever you want from my wealth, but I cannot avail you anything against Allah." (Sahih al-Bukhari & Sahih Muslim)

References

• Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Prophets, Hadith 3443 (Prophets as paternal brothers); Book of Mortgages, Hadith 2753 (The Prophet's warning to Fatima).

• Sahih Muslim, Book of the Prayer of Travelers, Hadith 727 (Reciting verse 136 before Fajr); Book of Virtue, Good Manners and Joining Consanguinity, Hadith 2564 (Allah looks at your hearts).

• Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Extended exegesis on Surah Al-Baqarah, Verses 135–141 (Detailing the historical background of the Sibghah and the interfaith debates of Medina).