Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

An Enlightening Commentary into the Light of the Holy Qur'an vol. 2

From Surah al-Baqarah (2) v. 154- to Surah al-Baqarah (2) v. 252

The light of Islam has enlightened and continuing to enlighten every corner in the world and seekers of truth have closely associated to the Holy Quran which carries the Word of Allah (SWT) to humanity. With increasing focus and attention to the Holy Quran, efforts has been done to provide a pure, correct and accurate translation of this divine book. But sometimes it is difficult for the readers to understand all of the apparent and hidden meanings and it is the duty of every Muslim, man or woman, to read, understand and contemplate on the Holy Qur’an according to his own capacity. Hence, the need for proper explanation becomes obvious and necessary. The book titled, “An Enlightening Commentary into the Light of the Holy Qur’an” compiled by a group of Muslim scholars, under the direction of Ayatullah Allamah Al-Hajj Sayyid Kamal Faqih Imani is a valuable effort which presents a thorough commentary on the Quran in 20 volumes made available to the reader.

Author (s): Ayatullah Sayyid Kamal Faghih Imani and A Group of Muslim Scholars

Translator(s): Sayyid Abbas Sadr-'ameli

Publisher(s): Imam Ali Foundation

WWW.ALHASSANAIN.ORG/ENGLISH

Table of Contents

Introduction 7

Not All English Versions of Quran Are Acceptable8

What is a 'Commentary'?9

The Current Commentary 10

Attributes Needed for Working on This Kind of Commentary 11

The Problems in Translating 11

Translators Note12

Editor's Note13

Notes15

Acknowledgment16

Notes16

References17

Arabic, Farsi Commentaries17

English Translations of Qur'an 17

Supporting Technical References18

Phraseological and Philological Sources18

A Presentation to Muslims20

Notes21

Section 19, Surah Al-Baqarah, Chapter 2 22

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verses 155-157 22

Trial, an Indisputable Divine Rule22

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 158 25

Occasion of Revelation 25

Acts Done Ignorantly 26

Explanation 26

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verses 159-160 27

Occasion of Revelation 27

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verses 161-163 28

Notes29

Section 20, Oneness of Allah, Fate of the Polytheists30

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 164 30

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 165 33

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 166 34

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 167 34

Notes35

Section 21, Only lawful and clean food should be taken 36

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verses 168-169 36

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verses 170-171 37

Blind following of the ancestors is condemned 37

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 172 38

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verses 173 38

Explanations39

General Conclusion 40

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verses 174-176 40

Explanations41

Notes42

Section 22: Genuine Righteousness, Retaliation & Bequest43

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 177 43

Explanations43

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verses 178-179 44

Occasion of Revelation 45

Saving of Life in Retaliation 45

Retaliation & Pardon, a Complete Assemblage47

Explanations48

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verses 180-182 49

Bequest in a Fair Manner50

Explanation 52

The Philosophy of Testament52

Justice in Testament53

Bequest, Obligatory or Recommended 54

Bequest, is Changeable during the Life54

Notes54

Section 23, Fasting during Ramadan, Rights of Property 55

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verses 183-185 55

Fasting, the Origin of Piety 55

Explanations58

Fasting and Its Educational, Social, and Hygienical Effects58

The Social Effect of Fasting 59

Fasting and Its Hygienical & Remedial Effects59

Fasting in Former Religions60

Ramadan, the Transcendent Month 61

Conclusion 62

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 186 63

Occasion of Revelation 63

An Armament Called Supplication 63

How Are Supplications Answered?64

A Few Narrations Upon Supplication 66

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 187 66

Occasion of Revelation 67

Explanation 69

Allah's Limits69

The Dawn 69

Piety, the Beginning and the End 70

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 188 70

Bribery, a Calamity 71

Notes72

Section 24, Fighting in Self-defense, Pilgrimage under Restrictions74

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 189 74

Occasion of Revelation 74

Natural Measures75

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verses 190 76

Occasion of Revelation 76

Fight: Why & Against Whom?76

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verses 191-192 77

Explanations78

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 193 79

Islamic Holy War (Jihad), in fact can be divided into three categories:79

1. The Preliminary Holy Wars for Freedom 79

2. A Defensive Holy War80

3. Holy War Against Infidelity & Idolatry 80

Why Was Holy War Legislated in Medina?80

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 194 81

Explanations81

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 195 82

Spending, a Prevention of Destruction 82

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 196 83

The Rites of Pilgrimage83

Notes86

Section 25, No Warfare during the Pilgrimage months, Warning against the Hypocrites87

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 197 87

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verses 198-199 88

Economic Activities in Hajj Season 88

Why 'Arafat?90

Mash'ar-ul-Haram 91

Explanations91

Note92

A Few of the Qur'anic Verses on Hajj93

The Time for the Pilgrimage and the Discipline Therein 94

Disciplinary Restrictions of Amnesty during the Hajj Period 94

The Lawful Game during the Pilgrimage95

The Sanctity of the Holy Ka'bah and the Month and the Offerings95

The Disciplinary Conduct to be followed during the Pilgrimage95

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verses 200-202 96

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verses 203 97

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verses 204-206 99

Occasion of Revelation 99

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 207 100

Explanations101

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verses 208-209 102

Occasion of Revelation 102

Explanations103

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 210 103

Notes105

Section 26: Rejection of the Signs and the Apostles from Allah 106

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 211 106

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 212 106

Occasion of Revelation 107

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 213 107

Explanations108

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 214 109

Occasion of Revelation 109

Intense Adversities as a Divine Practice110

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 215 110

Occasion of Revelation 111

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 216 111

Notes115

Section 27, Questions about various important topics116

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verses 217-218 116

Occasion of Revelation 116

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 219 118

Explanations120

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 220 121

Explanations122

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 221 122

Occasion of Revelation 122

Notes124

Section 28, Regulation about Divorce125

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 222 125

Occasion of Revelation 125

Hygienic Concerns during Menstruation 125

Permitted Sexual Intercourse126

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 223 129

A Means of Protection for the Human Race129

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 224 130

Occasion of Revelation 130

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 225 131

Messages131

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verses 226-227 131

Messages133

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 228 133

Notes135

Section 29, Divorce and the Respect for the Law 136

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 229 136

Occasion of Revelation 136

Messages137

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 230 138

Occasion of Revelation 138

Messages138

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 231 138

Mock not Allah's Laws139

Note140

Section 30, Discipline during the Term, Re-marriage Negotiation 141

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 232 141

Occasion of Revelation 141

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 233 142

Seven Instructions upon Suckling 143

Note145

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 234 145

Superstition against Women in Old Times145

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 235 147

Can Widows Be Engaged during Warning Period?147

Section 31, Extra Provision for Divorced Women & Widows148

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 236 148

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 237 148

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 238 149

Occasion of Revelation 149

Note150

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 239 150

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 240 150

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 241 151

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 242 151

Section 32, Fight in the Cause of Allah. References to the Conduct of the Ancient People153

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 243 153

Occasion of Revelation 153

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verses 244-245 154

Occasion Of Revelation 155

Why Is Donation Rendered To Loan?155

Surah Al-Baqarah, Verses 246-252 156

Explanation 157

An Introduction to the above Group of Verses157

Explanations159

Conclusion 160

Explanation 162

Notes163

Section 33, Saul's Victory over Goliath 164

Verse 249 in Deep 164

Traditions164

Explanation 166

Darbatu Aliyin Youmal Khandaq 167

Explanation 168

Notes169