- Quran Juz 2 – Sayaqulu
Summary
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• The second Juz starts with the mention of change in the Qiblah (direction for prayer) from Masjid Aqsa to the holy Kaba; it was a challenge for the Sahaba because they were following Prophet Muhammed ﷺ in the prayer in Masjid Qiblatain, and the changes took right during the prayer.
• Few Jews taunted Muslims on this change. They were told that all the directions belong to Allah, but the significance likes in following the command of Allah.
• One of the wisdoms of Allah behind the change of Qiblah was let Muslims identify Muslims, and the hidden disbelievers and hypocrites.
• This incident also showcases the exaltedness of Prophet Muhammed’s ﷺ stature in the Court of Allah. He ﷺ wanted Kaba to be the prayer direction, didn’t pray to Allah for it directly, but Allah knew this condition and ordered for the change.
• Kaba is sacred and is the direction for prayer, similarly another goal for Muslims is that of attaining pleasure of Allah and gaining as many blessings (thawab) as possible. A day will come when all of it would be counted; Muslims must be competitive in this field too.
• The verse 151 of Surah Baqarah, the famous one, exists in this Juz, a response Sayyiduna Ibraheem’s (alaihissalam) dua to bring the last Messenger ﷺ from his progeny. It came into reality after about 2500 years. This also shows that there can be a delay in the acceptance of dua, so we must remain positive. Allah knows the best time for everything.
• Allah promised the previous nations to give his blessings if they remain thankful, but for us the Nation of Prophet Muhammed ﷺ, Allah not just let remain this rule but also said: “If you remember and mention me, I will remember and mention you.”
• Allah mentions the believers in the verses 153 to 157, tells them that they’ll face a new challenge after migration to Madinah, Jihad (striving for goodness) was made obligatory, and those who’ll be killed in the way of Allah must actually be considered as the living.
• Islam isn’t a mere ritual, but to propagate it one will face challenges; one would have to sacrifice his wealth and as far as life for truth. So glad tidings are for those who hastily face challenges.
• Then Allah mentions the rituals which are done during Hajj and Umrah; calls Mount Safa and Marwah as His signs.
• Allah gives many examples for people to ponder over the Only One Worthy of Worship, by inviting humanity, especially the non-Muslims to ponder over the way the universe was made, the changes of the day and the night, the movement of ships on water bodies, formation of clouds, rainfall, growth of fruits & vegetables, and calls them rations proof of the Oneness of Allah. Because who else can do all these? The deniers of Allah will regret on the Day of Judgement, but will never be able to save themselves from the Hell.
• Verses 172 & 173 mention about eatables. Allah mentions 4 absolutely forbidden things to consume: dead bodies of those permissible animals if they die a natural death, blood (which flows when the animal is cut), pork (pig’s flesh), and all those on which someone else’s other than Allah’s name was taken during the cut. However, it also mentions the consumption of those usually impermissible items on need basis, like during starvation, for medical needs etc., to save a life.
• Next verse talks about Allah’s anger on those scholars who hide Quranic teachings, and issue Fatwa as per people’s wishes. On the Judgement Day, Allah will neither talk to them nor will He reduce their punishment and take them out of Hell.
• Good deeds and their types are then mentioned.
• The ruling of Qisas and Diyyah (retribution & blood money) are then mentioned. (This is to ensure the human lives are valued, and that the killing becomes difficult to the prospective murderer).
• Next, Allah mentions the obligation of fasting during Ramadan on all psychologically sound adults, so that it generates God fearing among them. Ramadan’s exaltedness is also being mentioned, as Quran was revealed in it. Other aspects of fasting are also mentioned.
• Allah warns people from consuming people’s wealth illegally (especially Islamically), and from dragging people in false judicial proceedings.
• The wisdom behind the changes in the appearance of the moon is mentioned.
• Through the 13 Makkan years, Allah asked Muslims to be patient against all physical and psychological tortures of the disbelievers. Now, He orders to retaliate and defend.
• The purpose of Jihad is mentioned. It is to raise the Kalimah of Allah against all forms of Shaytani deceptions. Because Shaytan (as we saw in the Juz 1 summary) tricks humanity and drags into disbelief and distortions.
• The rulings of Hajj & Umrah are mentioned from verse 196. The purpose of Hajj is to bring Muslims together once a year, to them equality, despite the differences in skin color, wealth, social statuses etc.
• Two types of people are mentioned: one who speak good superficially, but when time comes, he makes an attempt on the life and wealth of people. Such will enter Hell. Other is the one who is all time ready to spend and give everything in the way of Allah. Allah is extremely kind toward such.
• Next few verses state that the actual Iman (belief) is to exchange ones life with the Pleasure of Allah, or to be ready for it. This means one must accept ALL the commands of Allah, no matter one undergoes psychological and bodily pains. Islam and Iman are not merely a ritual.
• Ayat 213 talks about division of humanity. One who followed the divine Messengers (Ambiya and Rusul), and the others who followed their wishful desires and Shaytan.
• Next verse talks about daringly facing worldly challenges to be eligible for Jannah.
• Initial training was then made to the then Muslims to refrain from imbibing alcohol and gambling.
• Support for orphans is then mentioned.
• Orders for men to remain away from menstruating wives are given, to ensure their medical safety. However, Islam gave a balanced approach, as the Jews didn’t even consider a woman impure during those days, and the Christians considered marital activities permissible during menstruation.
• Other rulings of Talaq, Iddah, Khula, and incidents of Talut etc. are mentioned.