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Virtues of Surah al-Baqara: Healing and Protection in the Qur’an’s Longest Chapter
Surah al-Baqara is the longest chapter of the Qur’an. The one who takes this surah as a companion will find endless blessings in this life and the next.
Sh. Suleiman Hani
Published: August 29, 2025 • Rabi al-Awwal 6, 1447
Updated: April 2, 2026 • Shawwal 14, 1447
38 mins • Quran
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Introduction
One night, standing underneath the vast stretch of the starry sky, Usayd ibn Ḥuḍayr found himself reciting Surah al-Baqara. His horse, tied beside him, suddenly grew agitated. When Ibn Ḥuḍayr paused his recitation, the horse fell silent. He resumed his recitation, only for the horse to again become visibly distressed. He stopped, and again so did his horse’s agitation. For one final time he tried to continue his recitation, but to no avail—his horse was unsettled and worked up, and his son, Yahya, was too close for comfort. Ibn Ḥuḍayr, fearing that the horse might trample his son, bent down and scooped him up. When he stood and looked up towards the sky, his eyes fell upon an unfathomable sight. He blinked, stared, and blinked again. He couldn’t see the sky.
The next morning, Ibn Ḥuḍayr informed the Prophet ﷺ of the strange incident. “Recite, O Ibn Ḥuḍayr!” declared the Prophet ﷺ. “Recite, O Ibn Ḥuḍayr!”
He replied, “O Allah’s Messenger ﷺ! My son, Yahya, was near the horse and I was afraid that it might trample him, so I looked towards the sky, and went to him. When I looked at the sky, I saw something like a cloud containing what looked like lamps, so I went out in order not to see it.”
The Prophet ﷺ asked, “Do you know what that was?”
“No,” replied Ibn Ḥuḍayr.
“Those were angels who came near to you for your voice,” said the Prophet ﷺ. “If you had kept on reciting till dawn, it would have remained there till morning when people would have seen it, as it would not have disappeared.”
Few terrestrial beings are worthy of such celestial visitation. It is those who recite the speech of God, who partake of its blessings and wrap themselves in its protections, who enjoy this honor. This is the power of Allah’s speech—it joins heaven and earth, such that the inhabitants of the former become the guests of the latter.
Ibn Ḥuḍayr’s encounter highlights both the spiritual impact and theological significance of reciting the Qur’an, and so it perfectly exemplifies the objective of this series of papers on the virtues of the Qur’an. The recitation of the Qur’an carries immense everyday benefit, in ways we can perceive and ways we cannot. While we will not always be graced with the visible presence of angels whenever we recite, our recitation will always bring us into contact with the unseen world. The profound impact of the Qur’an is such that it touches not just the human heart, but every level of reality. The angels could hear Ibn Ḥuḍayr’s recitation and were drawn to its beauty, manifesting as a celestial presence, described as lamps in a cloud.
This story helps demonstrate why one of the most uplifting and motivational branches of the sciences of the Qur’an (ʿulum al-Qurʾan) is the fadaʾil (virtues) of specific chapters (sing. surah) and verses (sing. ayah), as well as the general virtues of the entire Qur’an. Many Muslims may know about the verses that should be recited for spiritual healing (ruqya), or the surah that will serve as a protection in the grave, or the surahs that offer shade on the Day of Resurrection. These examples, however, hardly cover the inexhaustible virtues of Allah’s Word.
For a comprehensive introduction to the virtues (fadaʾil) of Qur’anic chapters and verses, readers are encouraged to consult the first paper in this series, on Surah al-Fatiha.
Through understanding these virtues, believers deepen their connection with Allah’s Word and transform the Qur’an into a trusted companion for both the worldly life and the Hereafter. This paper examines the authenticated virtues of Surah al-Baqara, drawing from the compilation Special Virtues of the Qur’an’s Chapters and Verses (al-Jāmiʿ al-mukhtaṣar li-faḍāʾil al-āyāt wa-l-suwar). A virtue here refers to any special trait mentioned in authentic reports, whether a unique reward for recitation, protection from harm, or the Prophet’s ﷺ particular attachment to or frequent recitation of specific passages.
Surah al-Baqara
Surah al-Baqara is the longest chapter of the Qur’an. The one who takes this surah as a companion will find increased blessings (baraka) in life, protection from evil, a healing and a cure, increased acceptance of one’s supplicatory prayers (duʿa), tranquility and peace, a source of protection and intercession in the afterlife, and a pathway to Paradise.
Surah al-Baqara, which was revealed in Medina, contains the greatest and most powerful verse to be revealed, the longest verse of the Qur’an, two verses that were revealed from beneath the Throne during the Prophet’s night journey and ascension to heaven (al-Israʾ wa al-Miʿraj), likely the final verse to be revealed, references to Allah the Almighty in over one hundred verses, numerous historical incidents and stories of the prophets, the verse to be recited when starting the first of seven circuits for minor or major pilgrimage (ʿumrah or Hajj) at the mountains of al-Safa and al-Marwa, explicit references to the tenets of faith (iman), and laws (ahkam) utilized in everyday life on an individual, family, and societal level. It is no surprise, then, that companion ʿAbdullah ibn Masʿud (d. 32/652, rA) reportedly said, “Everything has a peak and the peak of the Qur’an is al-Baqara.”
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Names of Surah al-Baqara
In his seminal work al-Taḥrīr wa-l-tanwīr, where he articulates the overarching aims (maqasid) of each chapter of the Qur’an, eminent exegete Ibn ʿAshur (d. 1393/1973) foregrounds the famous description of Surah al-Baqara as “the canopy of the Qur’an” (fusṭāṭ al-Qurʾan), a title that captures its extensive range of themes and styles, its remarkable comprehensiveness, and diversity of content. Al-Qurtubi similarly cites the saying of the hadith narrator Khalid ibn Maʿdān (d. 103/721) that Surah al-Baqara is the “canopy” (fusṭāṭ) of the Qur’an due to its magnificence, beauty, and abundance of rulings and admonitions. Al-Shawkani (d. 1250/1834) adds that this reputation stems from the surah’s extensive legal rulings (ahkam) and its distinction as the longest chapter of the Qur’an, thus encompassing a broad spectrum of guidance. A few scholars believed the surah was given this name by the Prophet ﷺ himself.
“Fusṭāṭ al-Qur’an” is just one of at least four names bestowed upon this surah:
1. Surah al-Baqara (The Chapter of the Cow): The most well-known name of the surah, derived from the narrative of the cow (al-baqara) and the Israelites in verses 67–73. This name reflects the surah’s emphasis on moral lessons and the importance of obedience to divine commands.
2. Fusṭāṭ al-Qur’an (The Canopy of the Qur’an): This term signifies the surah’s comprehensive treatment of articles of creed (ʿaqida), legal rulings (ahkam), and spiritual guidance (huda).
3. Sanām al-Qur’an (The Peak of the Qur’an): This title—taken from the famous saying of Ibn Masʿud—emphasizes the surah’s elevated status and comprehensive guidance.
4. Al-Zahraʾ (The Radiant): This name is shared with Surah Aal ʿImran. In Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, the Prophet ﷺ said: “Recite the two radiant ones: al-Baqara and Aal ʿImran…”
While these names honor the virtues of Surah al-Baqara, some scholars view certain titles, such as al-Zahraʾ and Sanām al-Qurʾan, as descriptive attributes rather than formal names. Still, like the multiple names given to Surah al-Fatiha, these appellations highlight the central place of Surah al-Baqara within the Islamic tradition, its role as a doctrinal canopy—a concept that will be explained later in this paper—and its enduring impact on the spiritual life of the Muslim community.
Themes and objectives of Surah al-Baqara
Ibn ʿAshur notes that Surah al-Baqara categorizes humanity into groups—believers, disbelievers, hypocrites, and the People of the Book—thereby illustrating the varied responses to divine guidance. Per jurist and theologian Ibn Taymiyya, this classification reflects the conditions in Medina, where believers, overt disbelievers, and hypocrites all coexisted after the Prophet’s ﷺ migration.
It is within this context of contestation that Surah al-Baqara affirms the foundational truths of Islam—what Ibn Taymiyya identifies as the surah’s establishment of three core tenets of faith (usul al-din): the oneness of Allah (tawhid), the truth of the Prophetic message, and the reality of the hereafter. Surah al-Baqara pairs this overarching theological framework with comprehensive rulings (ahkam) on worship, social conduct, family relations, financial transactions, and criminal law. It thus establishes the sound creed of submission while showing how faith is to be translated into practice—and in so doing prepares the Muslim community for carrying the divine trust, following the way of Prophet Ibrahim (as).
Given that Surah al-Baqara is rigorously historical and comparative in its approach, one of its central narrative motifs is the history of the Children of Israel. By recounting their errors and resistance to prophetic guidance, the surah warns the Muslim community against similar pitfalls. Ibn Taymiyya comments that because the Prophet ﷺ encountered Jewish tribes in Medina, Surah al-Baqara references Jews more frequently (as opposed to Surah Aal ʿImran, which more often references Christians). This historical engagement also models the Prophet’s ﷺ approach to daʿwah (inviting others to Islam), beginning with those closest to him—first the pagans who were closest to him in Mecca, then the Jews who were closest in Medina, and later the Christians addressed in Surah Aal ʿImran.
Moreover, the surah challenges objections from various opponents—disbelievers, the People of the Book, and idolaters—to the newly established Islamic law, the change of the direction of prayer (qibla), and the claim that Islam continues the pure monotheism of Ibrahim. Surah al-Baqara thus situates the Muslim community within a divine narrative of guidance and transformation, culminating in a concluding supplication that summarizes its central teachings and earnestly seeks Allah’s mercy and guidance. From its first verse to the last, the surah retains a resolute focus on the true nature of belief (iman).
Having introduced the themes and objectives of Surah al-Baqara as outlined by Ibn Taymiyya and Ibn ʿAshur, we can now better appreciate why the virtues (fadaʾil) of Surah al-Baqara are emphasized in various narrations.
Virtues of Surah al-Baqara
Abu Umāma said he heard Allah’s Messenger ﷺ say, “Recite the Qur’an, for on the Day of Resurrection it will come as an intercessor for those who recite it. Recite the two bright ones, al-Baqara and Surah Aal ʿImran, for on the Day of Resurrection they will come as two clouds or two shades, or two flocks of birds in ranks, pleading for those who recite them. Recite Surah al-Baqara, for to take recourse to it is a blessing and to give it up is a cause of grief, and magicians cannot confront it.”
This narration presents the Qur’an as an active intercessor on the Day of Judgment. Within the great symphony of divine words, Surah al-Baqara and Aal ʿImran are singled out as “the two bright ones.” Their imagery as clouds or birdlike formations in ordered ranks conjures a sense of both refuge and advocacy. These metaphors invoke Surah al-Baqara’s exalted status as the “canopy of the Qur’an.” Just as a canopy provides shelter and shade, the surah provides moral, legal, and doctrinal guidance, serving as a sanctuary for the believer in a chaotic world. On the Day of Resurrection, these verses that once shaped ethical behavior and fortified faith will become pleas on the believer’s behalf, reflecting the surah’s core ethos: those who embrace divine guidance find that guidance testifies for them when they are most in need.
Al-Nawwās ibn Samʿān (d. 50/670, rA) reported: “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, ‘The Qur’an will be brought on the Day of Resurrection, along with its companions who used to act by it, at the front being Surah al-Baqara and Aal-ʿImran.’ He [the Messenger ﷺ] likened them [the two surahs] to three things which I did not forget. He said they will be like two clouds, or two black canopies with light between them, or like two flocks of birds in ranks pleading for one who recited them.”
This second narration reinforces the eschatological dimension of the surah. Surah al-Baqara and Aal ʿImran lead the Qur’an’s “companions”—those who not only recited but acted upon it—on the Day of Judgment. This emphasizes a critical interplay between mere familiarity with the text and transformative adherence to its teachings. Both Surah al-Baqara and Aal ʿImran lay out foundational aspects of faith, law, and moral rectitude, and al-Baqara, in particular, affirms Allah’s Oneness, authenticates the Prophetic mission, and establishes criteria for navigating life’s ethical complexities. To truly engage with Surah al-Baqara, one must move beyond passive recitation. Engagement demands wrestling with its exhortations, absorbing its legal provisions, and reorienting one’s heart toward divine unity and sincere obedience. Those who do so discover that the surah becomes their advocate, a living companion that rises to defend them, symbolizing the internalization of divine guidance.
Moreover, Abu Hurayra reported that the Prophet ﷺ said, “Do not turn your households into graveyards. Indeed, the devils flee from a household that has Surah al-Baqara recited in it.” Here, the recitation of Surah al-Baqara is not depicted as a shield in the distant future, but as one now, in the present. The Qur’an sanctifies the immediate environment of the believer—a home without it is without life, dead in its silence, just as a home resuscitated by its recitation is released from the devils. The surah’s comprehensive guidance—its laws governing worship, family life, economic transactions, and ethical behavior—translates into a tangible spiritual atmosphere. When the surah is regularly recited, its words shape the tenor of everyday existence, infusing living spaces with spiritual vitality and moral clarity.
Weaving these three narrations with the themes of Surah al-Baqara reveals a cohesive spiritual, moral, and social guidance under one great canopy. This chapter asserts fundamental theological convictions by affirming Allah’s singular sovereignty and the truth of the Prophetic message (Qur’an 2:23–24), and it highlights the Qur’an’s role as guidance for the righteous (2:2). It addresses human relationships and ethical norms, encouraging kindness to parents, orphans, and the needy (2:83), as well as justice and mercy in interpersonal dealings (2:177). The surah also revisits the experiences of earlier communities, notably the Children of Israel, to warn against heedlessness and the dire consequences of rejecting divine guidance (2:40–61). Its comprehensive scope encompasses devotional acts such as prayer (2:3) and fasting (2:183), lawful commerce and the prohibition of interest (2:275), and governance of personal and family affairs (2:180–182, 2:221–242). Internalizing these teachings, as suggested by the narrations that extol the virtues of reciting and living by Surah al-Baqara, not only enriches one’s spiritual life but also shapes a believer’s social environment and eternal prospects, firmly grounding the individual and the community in divine guidance.
Surah al-Baqara, for its companion—i.e., the one who acts upon it and habitually recites it—is a source of baraka. Baraka, in the Islamic worldview, is a type of divine blessing in someone or something that increases its goodness. It can transform a small quantity into something sufficient and beneficial beyond expectation. A modest home infused with baraka may feel both ample and comforting for its inhabitants, while a more spacious home devoid of baraka could feel cramped and unsatisfying. Similarly, a vessel partially filled with water might, through the grace of baraka, quench the thirst of multiple individuals, whereas an entire container lacking such blessings might fail to meet even a single person’s needs.
Time with blessings, likewise, may yield far more meaningful work and spiritual growth than longer periods devoid of it. It may seem paradoxical that Surah al-Baqara—renowned for being the lengthiest chapter of the Qur’an—is synonymous with amplifying blessings, including the enrichment of time. From a purely empirical standpoint, the notion of baraka defies measurement, elusive to scientific examination or rational metrics. Yet, choosing not to recite Surah al-Baqara, despite the ability to do so, can lead to a loss and regret reminiscent of the hadith’s warning. In another version of the first narration presented in this section, Muʿawiya (rA) explains that the term baṭala is used as a description of magicians who engage with deceit and falsehood (bāṭil). Yet, baṭala also alludes to those ensnared by laziness and unwilling to invest sincere effort for this surah’s virtues. Thus, the surah stands as a fortress, not only against spiritual corruption but also against the laziness that prevents one from seeking divine bounty.
In a world where individuals often invest heavily in quick fixes and productivity shortcuts, the profound blessings Allah grants for sincere acts of worship can go unnoticed. Reflecting on the virtues of Surah al-Baqara reveals its profound significance: it is a reservoir of baraka, a shield of protection, and a fountain of divine reward. Two elements, in particular, underscore its elevated status: the inclusion of Ayat al-Kursi and the surah’s final two verses. Together, these passages exemplify the spiritual power and transformative potential that lie at the heart of Surah al-Baqara.
Ayat al-Kursi (The Verse of the Footstool)31
The verse (ayah) described by the Prophet ﷺ as the greatest ayah of the Qur’an, Ayat al-Kursi (the Verse of the Footstool), references the power of Allah, His names and attributes, His perfection, and His status as the One Lord deserving of all worship. This ayah is a powerful remedy for any human with an inkling of pride, reminding us of the fragility of mankind and our constant need for relief, rest, and reliance upon the Everlasting, the Ever-Living.
Ubayy ibn Kaʿb said: “Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said: ‘O Abu al-Mundhir, which verse from the Book of Allah is the greatest, according to you?’ I said: ‘Allah and His Messenger ﷺ know best.’ He again said: ‘Abu al-Mundhir, which verse from the Book of Allah is the greatest, according to you?’ I said: ‘Allah, there is no god but He, the Living, the Eternal’ [i.e., Ayat al-Kursi]. Thereupon he touched me on my chest and said: ‘Rejoice in your knowledge, O Abu al-Mundhir!’”
Commenting on this narration, Imam al-Nawawi (d. 676/1277) writes: “Scholars have stated that Ayat al-Kursi is distinguished as the greatest [verse] because it encompasses the fundamental principles of the divine names and attributes [of Allah]: divinity (uluhiyya), oneness (wahdaniyya), life (haya), knowledge (ʿilm), dominion (mulk), power (qudra), and will (irāda). These seven are the foundational principles of the divine names and attributes.”
Abu Hurayra reported: “Allah’s Messenger ﷺ assigned me to guard the charity funds of Ramadan. Then, someone began stealing from the supplies. I caught him and said, ‘I will take you to Allah’s Messenger!’… That person said [to me], ‘Please don’t take me to Allah’s Messenger ﷺ, and I will tell you some words by which Allah will benefit you. When you go to bed, recite Ayat al-Kursi, and a guardian from Allah will be [with you], protecting you throughout the night. Satan will not come near you until dawn.’ When the Prophet ﷺ heard about the incident he said to me, ‘He told you the truth, though he is a liar. It was a devil.’”
One of the many reasons that the Prophet ﷺ refers to this verse as the greatest ayah in the Qur’an may be found in the use of specific names and attributes of Allah the Almighty, since the Prophet ﷺ said: “Allah’s most magnificent name, which when used to implore Him, He responds, is found in three surahs: al-Baqara, Aal ʿImran, and Taha (meaning [Allah’s name] al-Ḥayy al-Qayyūm).” As Imam al-Ghazali (d. 505/1111) writes, these paired names are the ultimate expression of majesty, for “the meaning of al-Qayyūm is the One who exists by Himself and sustains everything else. His existence does not depend on anything, whereas the existence of all things depends on Him.”
Just as al-Fatiha, the greatest surah, must be recited in every prayer, it is recommended that the greatest verse, Ayat al-Kursi, be recited after every mandatory prayer. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Whoever reads Ayat al-Kursi at the end of [i.e., after] each mandatory prayer, nothing prevents him from entering Paradise except death.”
This powerful ayah combines for its frequent reciter a fortress and protection against evil and harm, a source of spiritual renewal upon mindful recitation, a reward of Paradise, and accepted prayers.
A brief reflection on the Kursi and the Throne (ʿArsh)
The Throne (ʿArsh) holds a central place in Islamic theology, symbolizing Allah’s supreme authority, majesty, and sovereignty. In a hadith, the Prophet ﷺ was asked about the origins of existence. He replied: “There was Allah, and nothing existed before Him, and His Throne was on the water. Then He created the heavens and the earth, and He wrote all things in the Preserved Tablet.” The Throne predates the creation of the seven heavens and sits above them, surpassing them all in vastness and magnificence.
In an authentic narration, the Prophet ﷺ said: “I have been permitted to tell you about one of the angels who carry the Throne: The distance between the lobe of his ear and his shoulder is like that of seven hundred years of travel.” This hadith not only conveys the colossal size of the Throne but also highlights the extraordinary might of the angels bearing it. These angels are entirely devoted to the worship and obedience of Allah, demonstrating their unique role in the divine order.
The significance of the Throne is further emphasized in another narration from the Prophet ﷺ, who said: “In Paradise, there are one hundred levels that Allah has prepared for the fighters who strive for the sake of Allah (mujahidin). [The distance] between each two levels is like the distance between the heavens and the earth. When you ask of Allah, ask Him for al-Firdaws, for it is in the central part of Paradise and is the highest part of Paradise. Above it is the Throne of the Most Merciful, and from it spring forth the rivers of Paradise.”
The Throne’s proximity to al-Firdaws, the highest and most honored level of Paradise, is what inspired Ibn al-Qayyim’s statement, “The Throne is the roof of creation.” In his work, Ibn Abi al-ʿIzz al-Hanafi (d. 792/1390) discusses the ʿArsh as the most significant created entity indicating Allah’s ultimate dominion. According to al-Tabari, the ʿArsh is situated above the heavens and the Kursi, establishing a hierarchical cosmology in which the ʿArsh represents the most exalted level of Allah’s power over His creation.
Thus, the ʿArsh (Throne) is referenced in many verses of the Qur’an, as in “And He is the Lord of the Great ‘Arsh (Throne)” and other verses, whereas the Kursi is a distinct creation.
According to eminent exegete Ibn Kathir (d. 774/1373), the Kursi is a vast creation that demonstrates Allah’s sovereignty and control over the entire universe. He also reports that Ibn ʿAbbas narrates: “The Kursi is the place of the Feet, and [as for] the ʿArsh (Throne)—no one knows its size except Allah, the Most High.” It was also reported from Ibn ʿAbbas: “The Kursi is the footstool, and no one can comprehend how great it is except Allah. The heavens and the earth in comparison to the Kursi are like seven coins set in a shield.” This saying of Ibn ʿAbbas aligns with the verse of the Kursi itself, since Allah says, “His (Allah’s) Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth.” Similarly, Abu Musa al-Ashʿari (rA) said: “The Kursi is the place for the two Feet, and it creaks as a saddle creaks.” Undoubtedly, these statements are expressed and accepted in a manner befitting Allah’s majesty, as “nothing resembles Him.”
On the other hand, Imam al-Tabari leans towards the interpretation that the Kursi represents Allah’s knowledge, citing a conflicting narration of Ibn ʿAbbas, where he states:
It [the Kursi] is His knowledge. This is indicated by the statement of Allah, Exalted is He: “And its preservation does not tire Him” . This affirms that it refers to His knowledge, as Allah informs us that preserving what He knows and encompasses of what is in the heavens and the earth does not burden Him. Similarly, He mentions His angels who say in their supplication: “Our Lord, You have encompassed all things in mercy and knowledge” (Qur’an 40:7). Allah, Exalted is He, thus informs us that His knowledge encompasses all things. Likewise, His statement: “His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth” (Qur’an 2:255) aligns with this meaning.
(Qur'an 2:255)
Furthermore, al-Tabari opines that the root meaning of Kursi is knowledge, and that it is for this reason that a paper containing written knowledge is called a “kurrāsa” (notebook). Similarly, scholars are referred to as “al-karāsī” because they are relied upon for knowledge and understanding.
The scholars who hold the view that the Kursi is a physical entity rather than Allah’s knowledge argue that the evidence used for the figurative position—the statement of ‘Ibn Abbas that the Kursi is knowledge—is weak and contradicts the many narrations that are authentic, both by Ibn ʿAbbas and other companions. Moreover, they assert, Allah the Exalted refers to physical characteristics of the ʿArsh. For instance, Allah says: “And eight [angels] will bear the ʿArsh (Throne) of your Lord on the Day of Resurrection,” and He says, “the Possessor or the Owner of the Throne.” Going back to a hadith mentioned previously in this paper, there is also the famous Prophetic command, “So if you ask Allah for Paradise, then ask Him for the highest degree of Paradise [al-Firdaws] because it is the central part of Paradise and the highest part of Paradise, and above it is the Throne (ʿArsh) of the Most Merciful.”
It is also reported that the Prophet ﷺ himself said: “The seven heavens compared to the Kursi are just like a ring thrown into a desert, and the size of the Throne (ʿArsh) compared to the Kursi is like the size of that desert compared to the size of that ring.” Finally, the Prophet ﷺ is reported to have mentioned that people will be resurrected for Judgment Day after being unconscious, and that they, upon gaining consciousness, will see Musa (as) standing and holding the side of the Throne.
These narrations indicate that the Throne is a physical reality, though we are unable to comprehend its essence. As such, many scholars find it difficult to reinterpret the Throne (ʿArsh) or the Kursi to indicate knowledge or sovereignty. For instance, Ibn Taymiyya held that both the Kursi and the ʿArsh are real entities, with the ʿArsh being among the greatest of Allah’s creations. Ibn Taymiyya opposed allegorizing these terms, advocating for an understanding in line with the literal meanings unless there is strong evidence to interpret otherwise. He emphasized the distinction between the two, stating that the Kursi is beneath the ʿArsh and that both are part of Allah’s created universe, but Allah Himself is above His creation in a manner that befits His majesty. Ultimately, for both groups of scholars, the understanding of these concepts is “without how” (bila kayf): we accept these concepts without understanding the “how” of their reality because our minds cannot truly grasp them.
From theology to action
Understanding the divine Throne (Kursi) and the Footstool (ʿArsh) as two of Allah’s powerful creations adds profound depth to the recitation of Ayat al-Kursi. When the believer contemplates these majestic creations, it reinforces an awareness of Allah’s immense power, sovereignty, and knowledge, which are central themes in the verse itself. This theological understanding enriches the reciter’s spiritual experience in several ways.
1. The verse states, “To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and the earth” (lahu mā fī al-samāwāti wa mā fī al-arḍ). By recognizing that both the Kursi, which extends over the heavens and the earth, and the ʿArsh, the greatest of all creations, fall under Allah’s dominion, the believer is reminded of Allah’s ultimate authority over all things. This realization helps the reciter internalize the meaning of Allah’s sovereignty in their personal life. They are not just reciting abstract words, but affirming their submission to the One who controls the entire universe, including these awe-inspiring creations.
2. The fact that Allah is beyond His creation, not confined by the limits of the Kursi or even the ʿArsh, underscores the concept of tanzīh—declaring Allah free from imperfection and beyond any resemblance to His creation. Reflecting on the immensity of the Kursi and ʿArsh should evoke in the believer a sense of profound humility and reverence, much as contemplating the vastness of the heavens and earth humbles one in the face of their Creator. This reflection fosters not only awe but also a deeper trust in Allah (tawakkul), reassuring the believer that nothing in the created world can rival His power or authority. All the while he maintains an attitude of “without how” (bila kayf), affirming these realities without delving into the “how.”
3. In numerous hadiths, the Prophet ﷺ mentioned the mercy of Allah in connection to the ‘Arsh, as in: “When Allah completed the creation, He wrote in His book with Him upon the Throne: Verily, My mercy prevails over My wrath.” Allah’s mercy encompasses all creation, including the Kursi and the ʿArsh, and reflecting on this reality through the recitation of Ayat al-Kursi allows the reciter to feel more connected to Allah’s encompassing mercy, knowing that just as His Kursi and ʿArsh symbolize power and authority, they also represent His limitless mercy available to the believer.
The last two verses of Surah al-Baqara
Al-Nuʿman ibn Bashir (d. 65/684, rA) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Allah inscribed a book two thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth, from which the last two verses of Surah al-Baqara were revealed. If they are recited for three nights in a home, no devil will come near it.”
During the Prophet’s ﷺ Night Journey (Miʿraj), it was reported by ʿAbdullah ibn ‘Umar that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was given three things: “He was given the five daily prayers, he was given the concluding verses of Surah al-Baqara [i.e., Qur’an 2:285–286], and [he was given] forgiveness of serious sins for those among his ummah who do not associate partners with Allah.” Some scholars interpret “he was given” to mean that the Prophet ﷺ directly received these verses without the mediation of Angel Gabriel (Jibril), treating it as an exceptional event. Others maintain that “he was given” in this hadith refers to the glad tidings and news of these forthcoming verses, but that the revelation (wahy) actually came down in Medina based on authentic reports.
Recited by countless Muslims worldwide every day, these concluding verses of al-Baqara are so important in Islam, that ʿAli ibn Abi Talib (rA) said, “I did not think that any reasonable person could sleep without reciting the last verses of Surah al-Baqara, and they are indeed treasures from beneath the Throne.” About this nighttime practice, the Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever reads the last two verses from Surah al-Baqara at night, they will be sufficient for him.” Interpreting the term “sufficient,” Imam al-Nawawi suggested that these verses suffice as a substitute for lengthy night prayers. Others said the verses protect against devils, and still others said they protect against harmful animals. Imam al-Nawawi concludes that these verses likely encompass all these benefits (and more). Likewise, Imam Ibn al-Qayyim opined that the verses sufficed as a protection against all forms of harm.
Synthesizing these perspectives reveals the breadth of these verses’ power: spiritual elevation, protection, and sufficiency in worship. One can readily understand why ʿAli (rA) admonished anyone who neglected to recite them before sleeping.
The story behind the final verses
Abu Hurayra reported an incident after the following verse (Qur’an 2:284) was revealed to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ: “To Allah [alone] belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the Earth. Whether you reveal what is in your hearts or conceal it, Allah will call you to account for it. He forgives whoever He wills, and punishes whoever He wills. And Allah is Most Capable of everything.”
The companions of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ considered the verses heavy (because of the indication that the believers will be accountable for what is in their hearts). They came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and sat down on their knees and said: “Messenger of Allah, we were assigned some duties which were within our power to perform, such as prayer, fasting, struggling [in the cause of Allah], charity. Then this [the above-mentioned] verse was revealed to you and it is beyond our power to live up to it.”
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Do you intend to say what the people of [the] two books [i.e., Jews and Christians] said before you: ‘We hear and disobey?’ You should rather say: ‘We hear and we obey, [we seek] Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the return.’”
And they said: “We hear and we obey, [we seek] Your forgiveness, our Lord! And to You is the return.” When the people recited it and it became easy on their tongues, then Allah revealed:
The Messenger [firmly] believes in what has been revealed to him from his Lord, and so do the believers. They [all] believe in Allah, His angels, His books, and His messengers. [They proclaim,] “We make no distinction between any of His messengers.” And they say, “We hear and obey. [We seek] Your forgiveness, our Lord! And to You [alone] is the final return.”
When they did that, Allah abrogated this verse (in terms of the ruling that one is accountable for what is in their hearts), and He revealed:
Allah does not burden a soul with more than it can bear. All good will be for its own benefit, and all evil will be to its own loss. [The believers pray,] “Our Lord! Do not punish us if we forget or make a mistake...
Our Lord! Do not place a burden on us like the one You placed on those before us…
Our Lord! Do not burden us with what we cannot bear...
Pardon us, forgive us, and have mercy on us. You are our [only] Guardian. So grant us victory over the disbelieving people.”
In the story cited above, the narration ends with an indication of Allah’s acceptance of these pleas. The acceptance of the supplicatory prayer (duʿa) at the end of this powerful surah has two potential meanings. The first is that it specifically pertains to the believers specifically referenced in the passage. Ibn Taymiyya notes a second interpretation: that this is a universally accepted duʿa for the entire ummah, although it does not guarantee that every individual is included in it. Some people may not overcome the burdens they carry, others may not be forgiven due to their turning away from Allah and Islam, and yet others may not achieve victory over the oppressors among the disbelievers. This reality does not diminish the importance of praying for one’s personal acceptance and for the general welfare of the ummah worldwide.
As Ibn Taymiyya notes, the request “do not give us a burden we cannot bear” in these verses can be understood in two ways. Some interpret it as referring to divine decree (qadr), implying that a person is not tested beyond their capacity, whether it be with unbearable poverty, illness, or emotional challenges like fear or love. This does not imply a lack of trials, but that the individual has the potential to pass those tests with the means that Allah has commanded them to seek in moments of hardship.
Other scholars interpret this burden in a legislative context, such as a commandment that may be too difficult for the ummah to implement. This latter concept is known as assigning obligations that cannot be fulfilled (taklīf bi mā lā yuṭāq), a theological and legal concept centered on whether Allah imposes duties beyond human ability.
Rooted in both Qur’anic injunctions and the principles of Islamic jurisprudence and theology, the dominant position across mainstream Sunni, Shiʿi, and rationalist (e.g., Muʿtazili) schools is that Allah does not demand the impossible from His creation, with this verse above (2:286) serving as the foundational guarantee. It is generally concluded that while Allah’s power is absolute, His perfection includes not enacting taklīf bi mā lā yuṭāq, thereby ensuring that moral responsibility remains coherent, attainable, and reflective of divine justice and mercy. In sum, the refusal of Islam’s classical tradition to accept any notion of impossible moral demands affirms a fundamental theological principle: divine law is always commensurate with human capacity.
As for the duʿa in the verse, “do not give us a burden we cannot bear,” that particular supplication is clearly accepted by Allah, and the validity of this latter interpretation as a duʿa is supported by other verses where Allah states His intent for ease (yusr) rather than hardship (ʿusr) in His legislation, such as in the context of rulings for Ramadan. Ultimately, in the realm of Islamic jurisprudence, the principle that divine law should be within human reach supports various legal maxims related to hardship and dispensation (rukhṣa).
These two verses conclude with powerful phrases of duʿa that combine the best of this life and the next. The one looking for protection throughout the night, as well as for a vast reward, cannot afford to neglect the recitation of these verses in prayer, or one’s bed, before sleeping, as well as teaching one’s family and children this precious habit, particularly at an early age. The practice of reciting these verses daily helps the believer to exemplify the mantra, “We hear and we obey.”
Conclusion
Ultimately, these narrations emphasize that engagement with Surah al-Baqara is not to be confined to intellectual comprehension or ritualistic recitation. Rather, it demands spiritual internalization and practical implementation. Approaching this surah is akin to stepping under a grand, all-encompassing canopy. Within this shelter, one finds mercy, guidance, and moral order. Over time, the surah becomes a companion—interceding when human deeds stand vulnerable to divine scrutiny—and a guardian, repelling evil forces in the here and now. Rooted in Allah’s eternal speech, Surah al-Baqara’s multifaceted guidance thus becomes both a source of immediate protection and a blueprint for eternal success, embodying the Qur’an’s transformative power in the believer’s journey toward Allah’s pleasure.
Notes
1. ^ Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, no. 5018.
2. ^ This ties into the broader discussion on whether some Qur’anic verses have greater merit than others, a topic explored in depth in Yousef Wahb’s article, “Are Some Qur’anic Verses More Meritorious than Others?” (Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research, June 7, 2024).
3. ^
The new compilation, titled in English Special Virtues of the Qur’an’s Chapters and Verses, is published on sunnah.com/virtues (accessed September 10, 2024). In compiling the virtues of certain verses and chapters of the Qur’an, I have adhered to a methodology that primarily relies on rigorously authenticated (ṣaḥīḥ) and fairly authentic (ḥasan) prophetic reports. The authentication of these reports is based on the evaluations of leading hadith scholars such as the compilers themselves, Imam al-Bukhari, Muslim, al-Tirmidhi, and al-Nasaʾi, among others. When citing narrations from collections that are not inherently ṣaḥīḥ and ḥasan, the verdicts of diverse hadith scholars were relied upon depending on the narration, such as al-Albani, Shuʿayb al-Arnāʾūṭ, and Ahmad Shakir, who have rigorously authenticated individual hadiths. Additionally, I have consulted and cross-referenced works dedicated to the topic of faḍāʾil al-āyāt wa-l-suwar (virtues of the verses and chapters) to ensure comprehensive coverage. Among the dozens of key works referenced are: Muḥammad ibn Rizq ibn Tarhūnī, Mawsūʿat faḍāʾil suwar wa āyāt al-Qurʾān (Encyclopedia of the virtues of the chapters and verses of the Qur’an) (Dār Ibn al-Qayyim, 2006); Fakhr al-Dīn ibn al-Zubayr ibn ʿAlī al-Muḥasī, al-Durar min ṣaḥīḥ faḍāʾil al-āyāt wa-l-suwar (Ministry of Information and Culture, 2004); and Ḥasan ibn ʿAlī al-Saqqāf, al-Kitāb al-jāmiʿ li-faḍāʾil suwar al-Qur’ān al-Karīm: al-Aḥādīth allatī waradat fī faḍāʾil al-suwar wa-l-āyāt (Aal al-Bayt Royal Foundation for Islamic Thought, 2007).
In cases where hadith authenticity has been disputed, I have personally conducted isnād analysis, with the support and review of scholars and researchers. This has allowed me to clarify the status of some narrations that may have been the subject of debate, particularly those that could be classified as ḥasan li-ghayrih (strengthened by other reports). While the overwhelming majority of narrations included in this work are directly attributed to the Prophet ﷺ (marfūʿ), I have also included a small number of reports from the companions (mawqūf). These reports are deemed reliable and beneficial, especially in the context of their understanding of Qur’anic virtues..
4. ^ Qur’an 2:255.
5. ^ Qur’an 2:282.
6. ^ Qur’an 2:285–86.
7. ^ Qur’an 2:281. There are various opinions regarding the last verse to be revealed. Al-Suyuti references several narrations, including Surah al-Baqara, 2:281 and 2:282. The only report mentioning a specific timeframe is related to Qur’an 2:281, where it was narrated that the Prophet ﷺ lived for nine nights after its revelation before passing away. See: Jalāl al-Dīn al-Suyūṭī, al-Itqān fī ʿulūm al-Qurʾān, ed. Markaz al-Dirāsāt al-Qurʾāniyya, 7 vols. (Mujammaʿ al-Malik Fahd li-Ṭibāʿat al-Muṣḥaf al-Sharīf, 2005), 101–3. Ibn Hajar also states, “The most correct of opinions regarding the final revelation is [2:281].” Ibn Ḥajar al-ʿAsqalānī, Fatḥ al-Bārī, 8:317.
8. ^ Such as Prophets Adam, Abraham (Ibrahim), Ishmael (Ismaʿil), Isaac (Ishaq), Jacob (Ya’qub), Moses (Musa), Aaron (Harun), David (Dawud), Solomon (Sulayman), and Jesus (ʿIsa), peace be upon them all.
9. ^ Jabir ibn ʿAbdullah reported: “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ went out to al-Safa and said, ‘We will start with that with which Allah started.’ Then he recited the verse: ‘Verily, [the hills of] al-Safa and al-Marwa are of the symbols of Allah…’ (Qur’an 2:158).” See Sunan an-Nasāʾī, no. 2970; graded ṣaḥīḥ (authentic); see footnote 3 regarding the methodology employed to grade hadiths in this paper.
10. ^ Belief in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the afterlife, and divine decree (qadr).
11. ^ Sunan al-Dārimī, no. 2179; Ṣaḥīḥ Ibn Ḥibbān, no. 786.
12. ^ Muḥammad al-Ṭāhir ibn ʿĀshūr, al-Taḥrīr wa-l-tanwīr (Dār Saḥnūn, 1997).
13. ^ Ibn ʿĀshūr, al-Taḥrīr wa-l-tanwīr, 201.
14. ^ Al-Qurṭubī, al-Jāmiʿ li-aḥkām al-Qurʾān, 148.
15. ^ See: Muḥammad ibn ʿAlī al-Shawkānī, Tuḥfat al-dhākirīn biʿiddat al-ḥiṣn wa-l-ḥaṣīn (Dār al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyya, n..d.), 399.
16. ^ Sunan al-Dārimī, no. 2179.
17. ^ Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, no. 804.
18. ^ Ibn ʿĀshūr, al-Taḥrīr wa-l-tanwīr, 201.
19. ^ Ibn Taymiyya, Majmūʿ al-fatāwā, ed. ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn Muḥammad ibn Qāsim, 37 vols. (Dār al-Wafāʾ, n.d.), 28:433. It is for this reason that Allah referenced these groups in the beginning of the surah, with four verses about believers, two about disbelievers, and thirteen about the hypocrites, mirroring the reality on the ground and emphasizing the importance of understanding these distinct spiritual states.
20. ^ Ibn Taymiyya, Majmūʿ al-fatāwā, 27:274.
21. ^ Ibn ʿĀshūr, al-Taḥrīr wa-l-tanwīr, 201–2.
22. ^ Ibn Taymiyya, al-Tafsīr al-kabīr, ed. ʿAbd al-Raḥman ʿUmayra, 7 vols. (Dār al-Kutub al-ʿIlmiyya, 2014), 130.
23. ^ Ibn Taymiyya, al-Tafsīr al-kabīr, 131.
24. ^ Ibn ʿĀshūr, al-Taḥrīr wa-l-tanwīr, 201–2.
25. ^ Ibn Taymiyya, al-Tafsīr al-kabīr, 146.
26. ^ Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, no. 804.
27. ^ Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, no. 805.
28. ^ Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, no. 780.
29. ^ Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, no. 804.
30. ^ Mūsa Shahīn Lashīn, Fatḥ al-munʿim sharḥ Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (Dār al-Shurūq, 2002).
31. ^ This refers to Surah al-Baqara, verse 255 (Qur’an 2:255).
32. ^ Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, no. 810.
33. ^ Al-Nawawī, Sharḥ al-Nawawī ‘alā Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, kitāb ṣalāt al-musāfirīn wa-qaṣrihā, bāb faḍl Sūrat al-Kahf wa Āyat al-Kursī.
34. ^ Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, no. 5010.
35. ^ Sunan Ibn Mājah, no. 3856; al-Ṭabarānī, no. 7925; al-Silsila al-ṣaḥīḥa, no. 746. This hadith has been graded ṣaḥīḥ (rigorously authentic); see footnote 3 regarding the methodology employed to grade hadiths in this paper.
36. ^ Abū Ḥāmid al-Ghazālī, Jawāhir al-Qurʾān, 3rd ed., ed. Muḥammad al-Qabbānī (Dār Iḥyāʾ al-ʿUlūm, 1990), 74.
37. ^ Sunan an-Nasāʾī al-kubrā, no. 9848; al-Ṭabarānī, no. 7532; graded ḥasan (fairly authentic). See footnote 3 regarding the methodology employed to grade hadiths in this paper.
38. ^ Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, no. 7418.
39. ^ Sunan Abū Dāwūd, no. 4727. See also Sunan Ibn Mājah, no. 193.
40. ^ Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, no. 2790.
41. ^ Ibn al-Qayyim, Zād al-maʿād, 4:203.
42. ^ Ibn Abī al-ʿIzz, Sharḥ al-ʿaqīdat al-Ṭaḥāwiyya, ed. Aḥmad Shākir (Muʾassasat al-Risālah, 1997).
43. ^ Al-Ṭabarī, Jāmiʿ al-bayān.
44. ^ Qur’an 9:129.
45. ^ See: Qur’an 7:54, 10:3, 11:7, 13:2, 23:86, 23:116, 27:26, 20:5, 25:59, 32:4, 39:75, 40:15, 57:4, 69:17, 85:15.
46. ^ See his commentary on 2:255 in Tafsīr al-Qurʾān al-ʿaẓīm, 1:310.
47. ^ Narrated by Ibn Khuzayma in al-Tawḥīd, no. 154. It was also narrated by Ibn Abi Shayba in al-ʿArsh, 21, al-Dārimī in al-Radd ʿalā al-Marīsī, ʿAbdullah b. Ahmad in al-Sunnah, and al-Ḥākim in al-Mustadrak (2/282). Al-Ḥākim graded it as ṣaḥīḥ according to the conditions of al-Bukhari and Muslim, and al-Dhahabi agreed. It was also classified as ṣaḥīḥ by al-Albani in Mukhtaṣar al-ʿUlū, 102, and Ahmad Shakir in ʿUmdat al-tafsīr (2/163). See: Ibn Khuzayma, Kitāb al-tawḥīd, ed. Muḥammad Khālid al-Sayyid (Maktabat al-Rushd, 1983); ʿUthmān ibn Saʿīd al-Dārimī, Al-Radd ʿalā al-Marīsī, ed. Ibrāhīm al-Duwaysh (Dār al-Minhāj, 2004); ʿAbdullāh ibn Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal, al-Sunnah, ed. Muḥammad ibn Saʿīd al-Qaḥṭānī (Dār al-Rāyah, 1986); Muḥammad Nāṣir al-Dīn al-Albānī, Mukhtaṣar al-ʿUlū lil-Ḥāfiẓ al-Dhahabī, ed. Ṣalāḥ al-Dīn al-Munajjid (Maktabat al-Islāmī, 1991); Aḥmad Shākir, ʿUmdat al-tafsīr ʿan al-Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Kathīr, ed. Ṣafī al-Raḥmān al-Mubārakfūrī (Dār al-Wafāʾ, 1993).
48. ^ Reported by Ibn Abi Shayba, Kitāb al-ʿArsh, (Jāmiʿ al-Kutub al-Islāmiyya), 20. Also reported in Ṣaḥīḥ Ibn Ḥibbān, no. 361.
49. ^ Qur’an 2:255.
50. ^ Narrated by Ibn Abi Shayba in al-ʿArsh (no. 60), and its isnād was classified as rigorously authenticated (ṣaḥīḥ) in Ibn Hajar’s Fatḥ (8:47) and by al-Albani in Mukhtaṣar al-ʿuluw, pp. 123–24.
51. ^ Qur’an 42:11. According to the Athari school, which emphasizes a literal affirmation of scriptural descriptions of divine attributes while firmly upholding divine transcendence, statements such as “The Kursi is the place for the two Feet” are accepted as part of the revealed tradition without inquiry into their modality (bilā kayf). Atharis caution against excessive allegorization, maintaining that while such expressions may appear anthropomorphic, they do not imply spatial limitation or corporeality. Instead, these texts are affirmed as they appear, with the understanding that Allah’s essence remains beyond human comprehension and is not confined to any physical locus. Meanwhile, Ashʿari theologians—though employing a different hermeneutical approach—similarly uphold divine transcendence (tanzīh) and reject any literalist anthropomorphic interpretation, often allowing for figurative readings as a means of emphasizing Allah’s majesty.
52. ^ Al-Ṭabarī, Jāmiʿ al-bayān (Dār al-Fikr, n.d.), 2:16.
53. ^ Al-Ṭabarī, Jāmiʿ al-bayān, 2:16.
54. ^ Qur’an 69:17.
55. ^ Qur’an 85:15.
56. ^ Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, no. 2790.
57. ^ Al-Silsila al-ṣaḥīḥa, no. 109. Graded ṣaḥīḥ (rigorously authentic); see footnote 3 regarding the methodology employed to grade hadiths in this paper.
58. ^ Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, no. 2411.
59. ^ Ibn Taymiyya, Majmūʿ al-fatāwā, 6:584. In the cited passage, Ibn Taymiyya elucidates, “The Throne (ʿArsh) is affirmed by the Qur’an, the Sunnah, and the consensus of the early generations of the ummah and its scholars. Similarly, the Footstool (Kursi) is established by the Qur’an, the Sunnah, and the consensus of the majority of the early generations. It has been reported from some of them that ‘His Kursi’ refers to His knowledge. However, this is a weak opinion, because Allah’s knowledge encompasses everything, as He said: ‘Our Lord! You have encompassed everything in mercy and knowledge’ [Qur’an 40:7]… So, if it were said that His knowledge encompasses the heavens and the earth, this meaning would not be correct, especially since Allah says: ‘And their preservation does not exhaust Him’ [Qur’an 2:255], meaning that it does not weigh Him down nor burden Him. This is more befitting and suitable [to say] about Allah’s power, not His knowledge. The transmitted reports indicate this, but the verses and hadith regarding the ʿArsh are even more numerous, clear, and mass-transmitted [mutawātir]. And some of them [i.e., scholars] have stated: ‘The Kursi is the [same as the] ʿArsh,” but the majority hold that they are two distinct entities.’”
60. ^ Imam al-Tirmidhi (d. 279/892) said: “More than one of the people of knowledge said about this hadith and other similar hadiths that discuss the attributes of Allah and the descending of the Lord, Glorified be He, every night to the lowest heaven; they said: ‘The narrations are confirmed, believed in, not imagined, and it is not to be said: How?’ Malik, Sufyan ibn ʿUyayna, and ʿAbdullah ibn al-Mubarak have been reported as saying: ‘Take these hadiths as they are “without how” (bilā kayf).’ This is the view of the people of knowledge from the Sunni orthodoxy (Ahl al-Sunnah wa-l-Jamāʿa).” See: Sunan al-Tirmidhī, no. 662.
61. ^ Qur’an 2:255.
62. ^ Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, no. 3194, and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, no. 2751.
63. ^ Sunan al-Tirmidhī, no. 2882; graded ṣaḥīḥ (rigorously authentic); see footnote 3 regarding the methodology employed to grade hadiths in this paper.
64. ^ Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, no. 173.
65. ^ This is the opinion attributed to some of the second generation of Muslims, known as “successors” (tabiʿin), including al-Hasan al-Basri, Ibn Sirin, and Mujahid; See: al-Qāḍī Abū Bakr ibn al-‘Arabī al-Mālikī, Aḥkām al-Qurʾān, 3 vols. (Dār al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyya, n.d.).
66. ^ This opinion is attributed to many scholars; See: Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd al-Hādī al-Sindī, Ḥāshiyat al-Sindī ʿalā Sunan al-Nasāʾī (Dār al-Maʿrifa, n.d.), 224; and al-Qārī, Mirqāt, 9:3772.
67. ^ Sunan al-Dārimī, no. 3289; see also al-Nawawi in al-Adhkār, 220. He attributed it to the report of Abu Bakr ibn Abi Dawud and said that this report is sound, according to the conditions of Imam al-Bukhari and Muslim.
68. ^ Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, no. 5009.
69. ^ Similarly, Ibn Hajar states: “[It] was explicitly reported by ʿAsim from ʿAlqama from Ibn Masʿud, ‘Whoever recites [the two verses at] the end of Surah al-Baqara, it will be sufficient for him instead of standing in prayer for one night.’” See Ibn Ḥajar al-ʿAsqalānī, Fatḥ al-Bārī, 8:672.
70. ^ Abū Zakariyyā Yaḥyā ibn Sharaf al-Nawawī, Sharḥ Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 11 vols. (Dār al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyya, n.d.), 6:92.
71. ^ Ibn al-Qayyim, Al-Wābil al-ṣayyib, 3rd ed., ed. Sayyid Ibrahim (Dar al-Hadith, 1991), 91.
72. ^ See Qur’an 2:285.
73. ^ Abrogation, or naskh, refers to the abrogation of a verse in terms of its recitation or ruling, where the latter is the predominant type in the opinions of most scholars of Qur’anic sciences. In this case, the hadith is referring to an abrogation of the initial ruling that people will be held accountable for what is in their hearts. For more on the topic of abrogation, see Yaqeen’s article, Abrogated Rulings in the Qur’an: Discerning their Divine Wisdom.
74. ^ Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, no. 125; Qur’an 2:286.
75. ^ Ibn Taymiyya, al-Tafsīr al-kabīr, 232.
76. ^ Ibn Taymiyya, al-Tafsīr al-kabīr, 236.
77. ^ Such as in the context of Ramadan and those for whom fasting is waived due to travel or illness: “Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.” Qur’an 2:185.
78. ^ When a particular command becomes unreasonably difficult or impossible due to circumstances beyond human control, legal scholars generally hold that the obligation is either lifted or modified to a bearable form. For instance, if standing in prayer becomes impossible due to illness, the obligation adjusts to sitting or lying down. This practical application further illustrates the centrality of human capacity in determining the scope of divine law.
- Surah al-Baqara is a source of blessing, protection, and intercession for the one who recites it regularly and lives by its teachings. On the Day of Resurrection, it will come as a cloud or shade pleading on behalf of its companion.
- Ayat al-Kursi (Qur’an 2:255) is the greatest verse in the Qur’an, affirming Allah’s divinity, oneness, life, knowledge, dominion, power, and will. Regular recitation after obligatory prayers and before sleep is linked to Allah’s protection and the promise of Paradise.
- The final two verses of Surah al-Baqara (Qur’an 2:285–86), described as treasures from beneath the Throne, provide spiritual protection and sufficiency when recited nightly. These verses affirm core beliefs, obedience to Allah, and the assurance that Allah does not burden any soul beyond its capacity.
The recitation of the Qur'an holds immense spiritual benefits, as demonstrated in the narration of Usayd ibn Hudayr. One night, as he recited Surah al-Baqara under the stars, angels descended to listen, manifesting as luminous entities in the sky. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ explained the celestial occurrence to Usayd, highlighting that the angels were drawn to the beauty of his recitation. This serves as a reminder of the celestial and divine blessings tied to the recitation of the Qur'an. It is a profound connection that transcends physical boundaries, inviting the unseen in favor of the believer.
Surah al-Baqara, being the longest chapter of the Qur'an, holds remarkable virtues. It acts as a source of blessings (baraka) in a believer’s life, offers protection against evil, helps increase the acceptance of supplications (du’a), and provides tranquility and peace. Among its numerous virtues, it stands as a shield against any form of harm and intercedes for believers in the afterlife.
The Prophet ﷺ emphasized, “Recite Surah al-Baqara, for to take recourse to it is a blessing and to give it up is a cause of grief.” On the Day of Resurrection, this chapter and Surah Aal ‘Imran will come as shades or flocks of birds pleading for those who recite them (Sahih Muslim). Such imagery reflects the chapter’s comprehensive guidance, akin to a canopy, sheltering and advocating for the believer. The chapter reiterates the oneness of Allah, affirms the truth of Prophethood, and prepares the believer to carry divine trust.
The Surah categorizes humanity into groups, affirming major tenets of faith and addressing various objections to Islamic law. Its historical narratives about the Children of Israel serve as lessons and warnings to the Muslim community against the same errors. The concluding supplication encapsulates its teachings, seeking divine guidance and mercy.
The greatest verse within this chapter, Ayat al-Kursi (The Verse of the Footstool), encapsulates the essence of monotheism. The Prophet ﷺ stated, “Whoever reads Ayat al-Kursi after each prayer will be under divine protection.” This verse emphasizes the attributes of Allah such as life, knowledge, and dominion, and highlights His ultimate authority and power.
In the context of divine creation, the Throne (ʿArsh) and the Footstool (Kursi) symbolize Allah’s power and control. It is narrated that the Throne predates the creation of heavens, and the Kursi extends over them both. This vastness is a testament to Allah’s supreme sovereignty. As stated in the Qur’an, “His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth” (Qur’an 2:255). The grand Throne and Kursi serve as a reminder of Allah’s dominion, reinforcing concepts of divine power, mercy, and justice.
The last two verses of Surah al-Baqara, revealed directly from the Throne, are imbued with immense spiritual protection. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Allah inscribed a book two thousand years before creation, from which the last two verses of Surah al-Baqara were revealed. If recited for three nights in a home, no devil will come near it” (Al-Nasai). These verses, filled with profound supplication, convey Allah’s mercy and recognize human limitations, overlaying Allah’s command with divine wisdom.
The journey through Surah al-Baqara is not solely one of intellectual pursuit but of spiritual transformation and practical application. This Surah serves as a guide to strengthen faith, ensuring that divine light is continually infused into the believer’s life. It is both a moral compass and a protective shield, offering eternal success to those who internalize its teachings. As Allah promises His guidance to those who seek it, reciting Surah al-Baqara offers a conduit of this divine grace (Qur’an 2:2).
Thus, Surah al-Baqara embodies a central place within Islamic tradition as a beacon of divine guidance, wrapped in the blessings of Allah's eternal speech. Its recitation fortifies not merely the heart but the very soul that searches for alignment with Allah’s will, embodying the transformative power of the Qur’an in the believer’s faith journey.
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What are the virtues of Surah al-Baqarah?
Surah al-Baqarah holds an unparalleled rank among the chapters of the Qur'an. The Prophet ﷺ said: 'Taking recourse to it is a blessing and abandoning it causes grief.' (Sahih Muslim) It will intercede for those who recited it on the Day of Judgment, appearing like two clouds or two flocks of birds standing in their defense. Ibn Taymiyya identified the chapter as establishing the three foundational pillars of Islamic creed: the oneness of Allah (tawḥīd), the truthfulness of the Prophet ﷺ, and the reality of the Hereafter—making it not only a source of blessing but a complete theological foundation.
Why is Ayat al-Kursi considered the greatest verse in the Qur'an?
The Prophet ﷺ confirmed that Ayat al-Kursi (Qur'an 2:255) is 'the greatest verse in the Qur'an.' (Sahih Muslim) The verse encapsulates seven foundational divine attributes in a single passage: absolute divinity, perfect oneness, eternal life, all-encompassing knowledge, unrestricted dominion, supreme power, and complete will. No slumber or sleep overtakes Allah; His Footstool extends over the heavens and the earth. Reciting it after every obligatory prayer is among the greatest acts connecting a believer to divine protection, and the Prophet ﷺ stated that whoever recites it upon sleeping will be protected by Allah through the night.
Does reciting Surah al-Baqarah protect the home from evil?
Yes. The Prophet ﷺ said: 'Do not make your homes into graves. Indeed, the devil flees from the house in which Surah al-Baqarah is recited.' (Sahih Muslim) This narration establishes that the home should be a place of living worship, not merely a dwelling. Regular recitation of the chapter creates a spiritual environment that repels satanic influence. The Prophet ﷺ further stated that whoever recites the last two verses of Surah al-Baqarah at night, they suffice him (Sahih al-Bukhari)—a narration scholars have explained to mean they provide sufficient protection and reward for the night.
What is the significance of the last two verses of Surah al-Baqarah?
The final two verses (Qur'an 2:285–286) hold extraordinary merit. The Prophet ﷺ said that whoever recites them at night will be sufficed. (Sahih al-Bukhari, no. 5009) These verses affirm the complete faith of the believers, their submission to Allah's messengers without distinction, and end with a supplication that no soul be burdened beyond its capacity—a divine reassurance. The Prophet ﷺ also reported that these verses were among the treasures granted to him from beneath the Throne of Allah on the night of his ascension (al-Isrāʾ), a distinction shared by no other verses, underscoring their unique spiritual weight.
What lessons does Surah al-Baqarah draw from the story of the Children of Israel?
A substantial portion of Surah al-Baqarah recounts the history of the Children of Israel—their covenant with Allah, their repeated violations, and their spiritual complacency—not to condemn them but to warn the Muslim community against repeating the same patterns. The surah presents their story as a mirror: communities that receive divine guidance, neglect it, and prioritize worldly interests over revealed obligations face spiritual deterioration. This historical-pedagogical function was intentional; the Qur'an addresses the Muslim community directly after each episode, calling believers to uphold their covenant with sincerity and to avoid the gradualism through which communities of faith can drift from their divine mission.
Sh. Suleiman Hani
Senior Fellow
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Hani, S. (2025). Virtues of Surah al-Baqara: Healing and Protection in the Qur’an’s Longest Chapter. Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research. https://doi.org/10.65061/XBTQ6520
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