Tafsir al-Qurtubi Vol. 2: Juz' 2: Sūrat al-Baqarah 142 - 253

The tafsīr of al-Qurṭubī is perhaps one of the most compendious of them all and is certainly among the most famous. As its title, al-Jāmi‘ li Aḥkām al-Qur’ān – The General Judgments of the Qur’an, suggests, its main focus is on the rulings and judgments to be found in the Qur’ān. However, in the course of doing that, al-Qurṭubī examines all the relevant sciences necessary, such as the ḥadīth pertaining to the āyahs , events in the sīrah, what the Companions, their Followers and other noted people of knowledge said about the āyahs , essential aspects of Arabic etymology, syntax and usage, copiously illustrated by examples, and much more. In this volume, the author continues through the second juz’ (two ḥizb s) of Sūrat al-Baqarah, stopping to examine aḥkām /judgments in greater detail including the changing of the qiblah, ḥajj, retaliation, fasting, wills and bequests, menstruation, marriage and divorce, fighting in the Way of Allah, Ṭālūt and Jālūt, and lending Allah a generous loan, a list, however, which hardly does justice to the range of subject matter and depth of treatment of this extraordinary work. Translator’s note 2. Sūrat al-Baqarah – The Cow 142 – 253 142 The fools among the people will ask, ‘What has made them turn round from the direction they used to face?’ Say, ‘Both East and West belong to Allah. He guides whoever He wills to a straight path.’ 143 In this way We have made you a middlemost community, so that you may act as witnesses against mankind and the Messenger as a witness against you. We only appointed the direction you used to face in order to know those who follow the Messenger from those who turn round on their heels. Though in truth it is a very hard thing – except for those Allah has guided. Allah would never let your faith go to waste. Allah is All-Gentle, Most Merciful to mankind. 144 We have seen you looking up into heaven, turning this way and that, so We will turn you towards a direction which will please you. Turn your face, therefore, towards the Masjid al-Ḥarām. Wherever you all are, turn your faces towards it. Those given the Book know it is the truth from their Lord. Allah is not unaware of what they do. 145 If you were to bring every Sign to those given the Book, they still would not follow your direction. You do not follow their direction. They do not follow each other’s direction. If you followed their whims and desires, after the knowledge that has come to you, you would then be one of the wrongdoers. 146 Those We have given the Book recognise it as they recognise their own sons. Yet a group of them knowingly conceal the truth. 147 The truth is from your Lord, so on no account be among the doubters. 148. Each person faces a particular direction so race each other to the good. Wherever you are, Allah will bring you all together. Truly Allah has power over all things. 149 Wherever you come from, turn your face to the Masjid al-Ḥarām. This is certainly the truth from your Lord. Allah is not unaware of what you do. 150 Wherever you come from, turn your face to the Masjid al-Ḥarām. Wherever you are, turn your faces towards it so that people will have no argument against you – except for those among them who do wrong and then you should not fear them but rather fear Me – and so that I can complete My blessing to you so that hopefully you will be guided. 151 For this We sent a Messenger to you from among you to recite Our Signs to you and purify you and teach you the Book and Wisdom and teach you things you did not know before. 152 Remember Me – I will remember you. Give thanks to Me and do not be ungrateful. 153 You who believe! seek help in steadfastness and the prayer. Allah is with the steadfast. 154 Do not say that those who are killed in the Way of Allah are dead. On the contrary, they are alive but you are not aware of it. 155 We will test you with a certain amount of fear and hunger and loss of wealth and life and fruits. But give good news to the steadfast: 156 Those who, when disaster strikes them, say, ‘We belong to Allah and to Him we will return. 157 Those are the people who will have blessings and mercy from their Lord; they are the ones who are guided. 158 Ṣafā and Marwah are among the Landmarks of Allah, so anyone who goes on ḥajj to the House or does ‘umrah incurs no wrong in going back and forth between them. If anyone spontaneously does good, Allah is All-Thankful, All-Knowing. 159 Those who hide the Clear Signs and Guidance We have sent down, after We have made it clear to people in the Book, Allah curses them, and the cursers curse them – 160 except for those who sincerely repent and put things right and make things clear. I turn towards them. I am the Ever-Returning, the Most Merciful. 161 But as for those who are unbelievers and die unbelievers, the curse of Allah is upon them and that of the angels and all mankind. 162 They will be under it for ever. The punishment will not be lightened for them. They will be granted no reprieve. 163 Your God is One God. ‘There is no god but Him, the All-Merciful, the Most Merciful. 164 In the creation of the heavens and earth, and the alternation of the night and day, and the ships which sail the seas to people’s benefit, and the water which Allah sends down from the sky – by which He brings the earth to life when it was dead and scatters about in it creatures of every kind – and the varying direction of the winds, and the clouds subservient between heaven and earth, there are Signs for people who use their intellect. 165 Some people set up equals to Allah, loving them as they should love Allah. But those who believe have greater love for Allah. If only you could see those who do wrong at the time when they see the punishment, and that truly all strength belongs to Allah, and that Allah is severe in punishment. 166 When those who were followed disown those who followed them, and they see the punishment, and the connection between them is cut, 167 those who followed will say, ‘If only we could have another chance, we would disown them just as they have disowned us.’ In that way Allah will show them their actions as a cause of anguish and remorse for them. They will never emerge from the Fire. 168 Mankind! eat what is good and lawful on the earth. And do not follow in the footsteps of Shayṭān. He truly is an outright enemy to you. 169 He only commands you to do evil and indecent acts and to say about Allah what you do not know. 170 When they are told, ‘Follow what Allah has sent down to you,’ They say, ‘We are following what we found our fathers doing.’ What, even though their fathers did not understand a thing and were not guided! 171 The likeness of those who disbelieve is that of someone who yells out to something which cannot hear it is nothing but a cry and a call. Deaf – dumb – blind. They do not use their intellect. 172 You who believe! eat of the good things We have provided for you and give thanks to Allah if you worship Him alone. 173 He has only forbidden you carrion, blood and pork and what has been consecrated to other than Allah But anyone who is forced to eat it – without desiring it or going to excess in it – commits no crime. Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful. 174 Those who conceal what Allah has sent down of the Book and sell it cheap, take nothing into their bellies but the Fire. On the Day of Rising Allah will not speak to them or purify them. They will have a painful punishment. 175 Those are the ones who have sold guidance for misguidance and forgiveness for punishment. How steadfastly they will endure the Fire! 176 That is because Allah has sent down the Book with truth and those who differ from the Book are entrenched in hostility. 177 True goodness does not lie in turning your faces to the East or to the West. Rather, those with true goodness are those who believe in Allah and the Last Day, the Angels, the Book and the Prophets, and who, despite their love for it, give away their wealth to their relatives and to orphans and the very poor, and to travellers and beggars and to set slaves free, and who establish the prayer and pay zakat; those who honour their contracts when they make them, and are steadfast in poverty and illness and in battle. Those are the people who are true. They are the people who are godfearing. 178 You who believe! retaliation is prescribed for you in the case of people killed: free man for free man, slave for slave, female for female. But if someone is absolved the thing by his brother, blood-money should be claimed with correctness and paid with good will. That is an easement and a mercy from your Lord. Anyone who goes beyond the limits after this will receive a painful punishment. 179 There is life for you in retaliation, people of intelligence, so that hopefully you will be godfearing. 180 It is prescribed for you, when death approaches one of you and if he has some goods to leave, to make a will in favour of his parents and relatives, correctly and fairly: a duty for all those who are godfearing. 181 Then if anyone alters it after hearing it, the crime is on the part of those who alter it. Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. 182 But if someone fears bias or wrongdoing on the part of the person making the will, and puts things right between the people involved, in that case he has not committed any crime. Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful. 183 You who believe! fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you – so that hopefully you will become godfearing – 184 for a specified number of days. But any of you who are ill or on a journey should fast a number of other days. For those who are able to fast [only with difficulty and do not fast], their fidyah is to feed the poor. And if someone does good of his own accord, it is better for him. But that you should fast is better for you, If you only knew. 185 The month of Ramadan is the one in which the Qur’an was sent down as guidance for mankind, with Clear Signs containing guidance and discrimination. Any of you who are resident for the month should fast it. But any of you who are ill or on a journey should fast a number of other days. Allah desires ease for you; He does not desire difficulty for you. You should complete the number of days and proclaim Allah’s greatness for the guidance He has given you so that hopefully you will be thankful. 186 If My slaves ask you about Me, I am near. I answer the call of the caller when he calls on Me. They should therefore respond to Me and believe in Me so that hopefully they will be rightly guided. 187 On the night of the fast it is lawful for you to have sexual relations with your wives. They are clothing for you and you for them. Allah knows that you have been betraying yourselves and He has turned towards you and excused you. Now you may have sexual intercourse with them and seek what Allah has written for you. Eat and drink until you can clearly discern the white thread from the black thread of the dawn, then fulfil the fast until the night appears. But do not have sexual intercourse with them while you are in retreat in the mosques. These are Allah’s limits, so do not go near them. In this way does Allah make His Signs clear to people so that hopefully they will be godfearing. 188 Do not devour one another’s property by false means nor offer it to the judges as a bribe, trying through crime to knowingly usurp a portion of other people’s property. 189 They will ask you about the crescent moons. Say, ‘They are set times for mankind and for the ḥajj.’ It is not devoutness for you to enter houses by the back. Rather devoutness is possessed by those who are godfearing. So come to houses by their doors and have fear of Allah, so that hopefully you will be successful. 190 Fight in the Way of Allah against those who fight you, but do not go beyond the limits. Allah does not love those who go beyond the limits. 191 Kill them wherever you come across them and expel them from where they expelled you. Fitnah is worse than killing. Do not fight them in the Masjid al-Ḥarām until they fight you there. But if they do fight you, then kill them. That is how the unbelievers should be repaid. 192 But if they cease, Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful. 193 Fight them until there is no more fitnah and the dīn belongs to Allah alone. If they cease, there should be no enmity towards any but wrongdoers. 194 Sacred month in return for sacred month – sacred things are subject to retaliation. So if anyone oversteps the limits against you, overstep against him the same as he did to you. But have fear of Allah. Know that Allah is with those who are godfearing. 195 Spend in the Way of Allah. Do not cast yourselves into destruction. And do good: Allah loves good-doers. 196 Perform the Ḥajj and ‘umrah for Allah. If you are forcibly prevented, make whatever sacrifice is feasible. But do not shave your heads until the sacrificial animal has reached the place of sacrifice. If any of you are ill or have a head injury, the expiation is fasting or ṣadaqah or sacrifice when you are safe and well again. Anyone who comes out of iḥrām between ‘umrah and ḥajj should make whatever sacrifice is feasible. For any one who cannot, there is three days’ fast on ḥajj. and seven on your return – that is ten in all. That is for anyone whose family does not live near the Masjid al-Ḥarām. Be fearful of Allah and know that Allah is fierce in retribution. 197 The Ḥajj takes place during certain well-known months. If anyone undertakes the obligation of ḥajj in them, there must be no sexual intercourse, no wrongdoing, nor any quarrelling during hajj. Whatever good you do, Allah knows it. Take provision; but the best provision is fearful awareness of Allah. So be fearful of Me, people of intelligence! 198 There is nothing wrong in seeking bounty from your Lord. When you pour down from ‘Arafāt, remember Allah at the Sacred Landmark. Remember Him because He has guided you, even though before this you were astray. 199 Then press on from where the people press on and ask Allah’s forgiveness. Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful. 200 When you have completed your rites, remember Allah as you used to remember your forefathers, or even more. There are some people who say, ‘Our Lord, give us good in this world.’ They will have no share in the Next World. 201 And there are others who say, ‘Our Lord, give us good in this world, and good in the Next World, and safeguard us from the punishment of the Fire.’ 202 They will have a good share from what they have earned. Allah is swift at reckoning. 203 Remember Allah on the designated days. Those who hurry on in two days have done no wrong, and those who stay another day have done no wrong – those of them who are fearful of Allah. Be fearful of Allah. And know that you will be gathered back to Him. 204 Among the people there is someone whose words about the life of this world excite your admiration, and he calls Allah to witness what is in his heart, while he is in fact the most hostile of adversaries. 205 When he leaves you, he goes about the earth corrupting it, destroying crops and animals Allah does not love corruption. 206 When he is told to be fearful of Allah, he is seized by a feeling of might which drives him to wrongdoing. Hell will be enough for him! What an evil resting-place! 207 And among the people there are some who give up everything, desiring the good pleasure of Allah. Allah is Ever-Gentle with His slaves. 208 You who believe! enter Islam totally. Do not follow in the footsteps of Shayṭān. He is an outright enemy to you. 209 If you backslide after the Clear Signs have come to you, know that Allah is Almighty, All-Wise. 210 What are they waiting for but for Allah to come to them in the shadows of the clouds, together with the angels, in which case the matter will have been settled? All matters return to Allah. 211 Ask the tribe of Israel how many Clear Signs We gave to them. If anyone alters Allah’s blessing after it has come to him, Allah is fierce in retribution. 212 To those who disbelieve, the life of this world is painted in glowing colours and they laugh at those who believe. But on the Day of Rising those who fear Allah will be over them. Allah provides for whomever He wills without any reckoning. 213 Mankind was a single community. Then Allah sent out Prophets, bringing good news and giving warning, and with them He sent down the Book with truth to decide between people regarding their differences. Only those who were given it differed about it, after the Clear Signs had come to them, envying one another. Then, by His permission, Allah guided those who believed to the truth of that about which they had differed. Allah guides whoever He wills to a straight path. 214 Or did you suppose that you would enter the Garden without facing the same as those who came before you? Poverty and illness afflicted them and they were shaken to the point that the Messenger and those who believed with him said, ‘When is Allah’s help coming?’ Be assured that Allah’s help is very near. 215 They will ask you what they should give away. Say, ‘Any wealth you give away should go to your parents and relatives and to orphans and the very poor and travellers.’ Whatever good you do, Allah knows it. 216 Fighting is prescribed for you even if it is hateful to you. It may be that you hate something when it is good for you and it may be that you love something when it is bad for you. Allah knows and you do not know. 217 They will ask you about the Sacred Month and fighting in it. Say, ‘Fighting in it is a serious matter; but barring access to the Way of Allah and rejecting Him and barring access to the Masjid al-Ḥarām and expelling its people from it are far more serious in the sight of Allah. Fitnah is worse than killing.’ They will not stop fighting you until they make you revert from your dīn, if they are able. As for any of you who revert from their dīn and die unbelievers, their actions will come to nothing in this world and the Next. They are the Companions of the Fire, remaining in it timelessly, for ever. 218 Those who believe and make hijrah and do jihād in the Way of Allah can expect Allah’s mercy. Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful. 219 They will ask you about alcoholic drinks and gambling. Say, ‘There is great wrong in both of them and also certain benefits for mankind. But the wrong in them is greater than the benefit.’ They will ask you what they should give away. Say, ‘Whatever is surplus to your needs.’ In this way Allah makes the Signs clear to you, so that hopefully you will reflect. 220 ...on this world and the Next. They will ask you about the property of orphans. Say, ‘Managing it in their best interests is best.’ If you mix your property with theirs, they are your brothers. Allah knows a squanderer from a good manager. If Allah had wanted, He could have been hard on you. Allah is Almighty, All-Wise. 221 Do not marry women of the idolaters until they believe. A slavegirl who is one of the believers is better for you than a woman of the idolaters, even though she may attract you. And do not give [your women] in marriage to men of the idolaters until they believe. A slave who is one of the believers is better for you than a man of the idolaters, even though he may attract you. Such people call you to the Fire whereas Allah calls you, with His permission, to the Garden and forgiveness. He makes His Signs clear to people so that hopefully they will pay heed. 222 They will ask you about menstruation. Say, ‘It is an impurity, so keep apart from women during menstruation and do not approach them until they have purified themselves. But once they have purified themselves, then go to them in the way that Allah has enjoined on you.’ Allah loves those who turn back from wrongdoing and He loves those who purify themselves. 223 Your women are fertile fields for you, so come to your fertile fields however you like. Send good ahead for yourselves and be fearful of Allah. Know that you are going to meet Him. And give good news to the believers. 224 Do not, by your oaths, make Allah a pretext to avoid good action and being fearful of Him and putting things right between people. Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. 225 Allah will not take you to task for careless statements in your oaths, but He will take you to task for the intention your hearts have made. Allah is Ever-Forgiving, All-Forbearing. 226 Those who swear to abstain from sexual relations with their wives can wait for a period of up to four months. If they then retract their oath, Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful. 227 If they are determined to divorce, Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. 228 Divorced women should wait by themselves for three menstrual cycles; and it is not lawful for them to conceal what Allah has created in their wombs if they believe in Allah and the Last Day. Their husbands have the right to take them back within that time, if they desire to be reconciled. Women possess rights similar to those held over them to be honoured with fairness; but men have a degree above them. Allah is Almighty, All-Wise. 229 Divorce can be pronounced two times; in which case wives may be retained with correctness and courtesy or released with good will. It is not lawful for you to keep anything you have given them unless a couple fear that they will not remain within Allah’s limits. If you fear that they will not remain within Allah’s limits, there is nothing wrong in the wife ransoming herself with some of what she received. These are Allah’s limits so do not overstep them. Those who overstep Allah’s limits are wrongdoers. 230 But if a man divorces his wife a third time, she is not lawful for him after that until she has married another husband. Then if he divorces her, there is nothing wrong in the original couple getting back together provided they think they will remain within Allah’s limits. These are Allah’s limits which he has made clear to people who know. 231 When you divorce women and they reach the end of their waiting period, then either retain them with correctness and courtesy or release them with correctness and courtesy. Do not retain them by force, thus overstepping the limits. Anyone who does that has wronged himself. Do not make a mockery of Allah’s Signs. Remember Allah’s blessing to you and the Book and Wisdom He has sent down to you to admonish you. Be fearful of Allah and know that Allah has knowledge of all things. 232 When you divorce women and they reach the end of their waiting period, do not prevent them from marrying their first husbands if they have mutually agreed to it with correctness and courtesy. This is an admonition for those of you who believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is better and purer for you. Allah knows and you do not know. 233 Mothers should nurse their children for two full years – those who wish to complete the full term of nursing. It is the duty of the fathers to feed and clothe them with correctness and courtesy – no self is charged with more than it can bear. No mother should be put under pressure in respect of her child nor any father in respect of his child. The same duty is incumbent on the heir. If the couple both wish weaning to take place after mutual agreement and consultation, there is nothing wrong in their doing that. If you wish to find wet-nurses for your children, there is nothing wrong in your doing that provided you hand over to them what you have agreed to give with correctness and courtesy. Be fearful of Allah and know that Allah sees what you do. 234 Those of you who die leaving wives behind: they should wait by themselves for four months and ten nights. When their waiting period comes to an end, you are not to blame for anything they do with themselves with correctness and courtesy. Allah is aware of what you do. 235 Nor is there anything wrong in any allusion to marriage you make to a woman, nor for any you keep to yourself. Allah knows that you will say things to them. But do not make secret arrangements with them, rather only speak with correctness and courtesy. Do not finally decide on the marriage contract until the prescribed period has come to its end. Know that Allah knows what is in your selves, so beware of Him! And know that Allah is Ever-Forgiving, All-Forbearing. 236 There is nothing wrong in your divorcing women before you have touched them or allotted a dower to them. But give them a gift – he who is wealthy according to his means and he who is less well off according to his means – a gift to be given with correctness and courtesy: a duty for all good-doers. 237 If you divorce them before you have touched them but have already allotted them a dower, they should have half the amount which you allotted, unless they forgo it or the one in charge of the marriage contract forgoes it. To forgo it is closer to taqwā. Do not forget to show generosity to one another. Allah sees what you do. 238 Safeguard the prayer – especially the middle one. Stand in obedience to Allah. 239 If you are afraid, then do the prayer on foot or mounted. But when you are safe, remember Allah in the way He taught you when previously you did not know. 240 Those of you who die leaving wives behind should make a bequest to their wives of maintenance for a year without them having to leave their homes But if they do leave you are not to blame for anything they do with themselves with correctness and courtesy. Allah is Almighty, All-Wise. 241 Divorced women should receive maintenance given with correctness and courtesy: a duty for all who are godfearing. 242 In this way Allah makes His Signs clear to you, so that hopefully you will use your intellect. 243 What do you think about those who left their homes in thousands in fear of death? Allah said to them, ‘Die!’ and then brought them back to life. Allah shows great favour to mankind, but most people are not grateful. 244 Fight in the Way of Allah. Know that Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. 245 Is there anyone who will make Allah a generous loan so that He can multiply it for him many times over? Allah both restricts and expands. And you will be returned to Him. 246 What do you think about the council of the tribe of Israel after Mūsā’s time when they said to one of their Prophets, ‘Give us a king and we will fight in the Way of Allah!’? He said, ‘Is it not possible that if fighting were prescribed for you, you would not fight?’ They said, ‘How could we not fight in the way of Allah when we have been driven from our homes and children?’ But then when fighting was prescribed for them, they turned their backs – except for a few of them. Allah knows the wrongdoers. 247 Their Prophet said to them, ‘Allah has appointed Ṭālūt to be your king.’ They said, ‘How can he have kingship over us when we have much more right to kingship than he does? He has not even got much wealth!’ He said, ‘Allah has chosen him over you and increased him greatly in knowledge and physical strength. Allah gives kingship to anyone He wills. Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing.’ 248 Their Prophet said to them, ‘The sign of his kingship is that the Ark will come to you, containing serenity from your Lord and certain relics left by the families of Mūsā and Hārūn. It will be borne by angels. There is a sign for you in that if you are believers.’ 249 When Tālūt marched out with the army, he said, ‘Allah will test you with a river. Anyone who drinks from it is not with me. But anyone who does not taste it is with me – except for him who merely scoops up a little in his hand.’ But they drank from it – except for a few of them. Then when he and those who believed with him had crossed it, they said, ‘We do not have the strength to face Jālūt and his troops today.’ But those who were sure that they were going to meet Allah said, ‘How many a small force has triumphed over a much greater one by Allah’s permission! Allah is with the steadfast. 250 When they came out against Jālūt and his troops, they said, ‘Our Lord, pour down steadfastness upon us, and make our feet firm, and help us against this unbelieving people.’ 251 And with Allah’s permission they routed them. Dāwud killed Jālūt and Allah gave him kingship and wisdom and taught him whatever He willed. If it were not for Allah’s driving some people back by means of others, the earth would have been corrupted. But Allah shows favour to all the worlds. 252 Those are Allah’s Signs which We recite to you with truth. You are indeed one of the Messengers. 253 These Messengers: We favoured some of them over others. Allah spoke directly to some of them and raised up some of them in rank. We gave Clear Signs to ‘Īsā, son of Maryam, and reinforced him with the Purest Rūḥ. If Allah had willed, those who came after them would not have fought each other after the Clear Signs came to them, but they differed. Among them there are those who believe and among them there are those who disbelieve. If Allah had willed, they would not have fought each other. But Allah does whatever He desires. Table of Contents for Āyats Glossary The __tafsīr__ of al-Qurṭubī is perhaps one of the most compendious of them all and is certainly among the most famous. As its title, __al-Jāmi‘ li Aḥkām al-Qur’ān__ – The General Judgments of the Qur’an, suggests, its main focus is on the rulings and judgments to be found in the Qur’ān. However, in the course of doing that, al-Qurṭubī examines all the relevant sciences necessary, such as the __ḥadīth__ pertaining to the __āyahs__, events in the __sīrah,__what the Companions, their Followers and other noted people of knowledge said about the __āyahs__, essential aspects of Arabic etymology, syntax and usage, copiously illustrated by examples, and much more.