2. Surah Al Baqarah

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَإِذِ ابْتَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ رَبُّهُ بِكَلِمَاتٍ فَأَتَمَّهُنَّ ...

2: 124. And remember that Abraham was tried by his Lord, with certain commands, which he fulfilled;

C123. Kalimat: literally "words" here used in the mystic sense of Allah's Will or Decree or Purpose.

This verse may be taken to be the sum of the verses following. In everything Abraham fulfilled Allah's wish:

- he purified Allah's house;

- he built the sacred refuge of the Ka’bah;

- he submitted his will to Allah's, and thus became the type of Islam.

He was promised the leadership of the world; he pleaded for his progeny, and his prayer was granted, with the limitation that if his progeny was false to Allah, Allah's promise did not reach the people who proved themselves false.

... قَالَ إِنِّي جَاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِمَامًا ...

He said: "I will make thee an Imam to the nations."

C124. Imam; the primary sense is that of being foremost: hence it may mean:

1. leader in religion;

2. leader in congregational prayer;

3. model, pattern, example;

4. a book of guidance and instruction (11:17);

5. a book of evidence or record (36:12).

Here, meaning 1 and 3 are implied.

In 9:12 the word is applied to leaders of Unbelief or Blasphemy.

... قَالَ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِي ...

He pleaded: "And also (Imams) from my offspring!"

... قَالَ لاَ يَنَالُ عَهْدِي الظَّالِمِينَ ﴿١٢٤﴾

He answered: "But my promise is not within the reach of evildoers."

وَإِذْ جَعَلْنَا الْبَيْتَ مَثَابَةً لِّلنَّاسِ وَأَمْناً ...

2: 125. Remember We made the house a place of assembly for men and a place of safety;

C125. The Ka'bah, the House of Allah. Its foundation goes back by Arab tradition to Abraham. Its fourfold character is here referred to:

1. It was the centre to which all the Arab tribes resorted for trade, for poetic contests, and for worship,

2. It was sacred territory and was respected by friend and foe alike. At certain seasons, all fighting was and is forbidden within it limits, and even arms are not allowed to be carried and no game or other thing is allowed to be killed.

Like the Cities of Refuge under the Mosaic Dispensation to which manslayers could flee (Num. 35:6) or the Sanctuaries in Mediaeval Europe, to which criminals could not be pursued. Makkah was recognized by Arab custom as inviolable for the pursuit of revenge or violence.

3. it was a place of prayer;

even today there is a Station of Abraham within the enclosure. Where Abraham was supposed to have prayed.

4. It must be held pure and sacred for all purposes.

Though the verse as a whole is expressed in the First Person Plural, the House is called "My House" to emphasize the personal relation of Allah, the One True God, to it, and repudiate the Polytheism which defiled it before it was purified again by Muhammad. (R).

... وَاتَّخِذُواْ مِن مَّقَامِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ مُصَلًّى ...

and take ye the station of Abraham as a place of prayer;

... وَعَهِدْنَا إِلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ أَن طَهِّرَا...

and We covenanted with Abraham and Isma'il, that they should sanctify

... بَيْتِيَ لِلطَّائِفِينَ وَالْعَاكِفِينَ وَالرُّكَّعِ السُّجُودِ ﴿١٢٥﴾

My House for those who compass it round, or use it as a retreat, or bow, or prostrate themselves (therein in prayer).

C126. Four rites are here enumerated, which have now acquired a technical meaning.

1. Compassing the sacred territory, or going round the Ka'bah: Tawaf.

There are special guides who take pilgrims and visitors round.

2. Retiring to the place as a spiritual retreat, for contemplation and prayer: Itikat.

3. The posture of bending the back in prayer: Ruku.

4. The posture of prostrating oneself on the ground in prayer: Sujud.

The protection of the holy territory is for all, but special cleanliness and purity is required for the sake of the devotees who undertake these rites. (R).

وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ رَبِّ اجْعَلْ هَـَذَا بَلَدًا آمِنًا...

2: 126. And remember Abraham said:

"My Lord, make this a City of Peace,

C127. The root salama in the word Islam implies (among other ideas) the idea of Peace, and therefore when Makkah is the city of Islam, it is also the City of Peace.

The same root occurs in the latter part of the name Jerusalem, the Jewish City of Peace. When the day of Jerusalem passed (see verse 134 or 141 below).

Makkah became the "New Jerusalem" - or rather the old and original "City of Peace" restored and made universal.

... وَارْزُقْ أَهْلَهُ مِنَ الثَّمَرَاتِ مَنْ آمَنَ مِنْهُم بِاللّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ...

and feed its people with fruits, such of them as believe in Allah and the Last Day."

C128. The territory of Makkah is barren and rocky, compared with, say Taif, a city 70-75 miles east of Makkah . A prayer for the prosperity of Makkah therefore includes a prayer for the good things of material life. (R).

... قَالَ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَأُمَتِّعُهُ قَلِيلاً ...

He said: "(Yea), and such as reject faith, for a while will I grant them their pleasure,

... ثُمَّ أَضْطَرُّهُ إِلَى عَذَابِ النَّارِ وَبِئْسَ الْمَصِيرُ ﴿١٢٦﴾

but will soon drive them to the torment of fire, an evil destination (indeed)!"

وَإِذْ يَرْفَعُ إِبْرَاهِيمُ الْقَوَاعِدَ مِنَ الْبَيْتِ وَإِسْمَاعِيلُ رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا...

2: 127. And remember Abraham and Isma'il raised the foundations of the House (with this prayer):

"Our Lord!

accept (this service) from us,

... إِنَّكَ أَنتَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ ﴿١٢٧﴾

for thou art the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.

رَبَّنَا وَاجْعَلْنَا مُسْلِمَيْنِ لَكَ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِنَا أُمَّةً مُّسْلِمَةً لَّكَ...

2: 128. "Our Lord!

make of us Muslims, bowing to Thy (Will), and of our progeny a people Muslim, bowing to Thy (Will),

... وَأَرِنَا مَنَاسِكَنَا وَتُبْ عَلَيْنَآ...

and show us our places for the celebration of (due) rites; and turn unto us (in mercy);

... إِنَّكَ أَنتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ ﴿١٢٨﴾

for Thou art the Oft-Returning, Most-Merciful.

رَبَّنَا وَابْعَثْ فِيهِمْ رَسُولاً مِّنْهُمْ ...

2: 129. "Our Lord! send amongst them a Messenger of their own,

... يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِكَ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ...

who shall rehearse Thy Signs to them and instruct them in Scripture and Wisdom, and sanctify them;

... إِنَّكَ أَنتَ العَزِيزُ الحَكِيمُ ﴿١٢٩﴾

for Thou art the Exalted in Might, the Wise."

C129. How beautiful this prayer is, and how aptly it comes in here in the argument!

Such Paganism or star-worship or planet-worship as there was in Abraham's time was first cleared out of Makkah by Abraham. This is the chief meaning of "sanctification" or purification in 2:125, although of course physical cleanliness is (in physical conditions) a necessary element of purification in the higher sense.

Abraham and his elder son Ismail then built the Ka'bah and established the rites and usages of the sacred city. He was thus the founder of the original Islam (which is as old as mankind) in Arabia.

As becomes a devout man, he offers and dedicates the work to Allah in humble supplication, addressing Him as the All-Hearing and the All-Knowing. He then asks for a blessing on himself and his progeny generally, both the children of his eldest-born Ismail and his younger son Isaac.

With prophetic vision he foresees that there will be corruption and backsliding in both branches of his family: Makkah will house 360 idols, and Jerusalem will become a harlot city (Ezekiel 16:15), a city of abomination.

But the light of Islam will shine, and reclaim the lost people in both branches and indeed in all the world. So he prays for Allah's mercy, addressing Him as the Oft-Returning Most Merciful.

And finally he foresees in Makkah a Prophet teaching the people as one "of their own", and in their own beautiful Arabic language; he asks for a blessing on Muhammad's ministry, appealing to the Power and Wisdom of Allah.

Other versions:

2: 124

Asad

Asad And [remember this:] when his Sustainer tried Abraham by [His] commandments and the latter fulfilled them [note 100], He said: “Behold, I shall make thee a leader of men.”

Abraham asked: “ And [will Thou make leaders] of my offspring as well?

[God] answered: “My covenant does not embrace the evildoers.” [note 101]

Yusuf Ali And remember that Abraham was tried by his Lord with certain commands which he fulfilled; He said: "I will make thee an Imam to the nations." He pleaded: "And also (Imams) from my offspring!" He answered: "But my promise is not within the reach of evil-doers."

Pickthall And (remember) when his Lord tried Abraham with (His) commands, and he fulfilled them, He said: Lo! I have appointed thee a leader for mankind. (Abraham) said: And of my offspring (will there be leaders)? He said: My covenant includeth not wrongdoers.

Transliteration Wa izibtala_ ibra_hima rabbuhu_ bi kalima_tin fa atammahunn(a), qa_la inni ja_'iluka linna_si ima_ma_(n), qa_la wa min zurriyyati, qa_la la_ yana_lu 'ahdiz za_limin(a).

[Asad’s note 100: ………….Since, however, the Quran does not specify them, it must be presumed that what is meant here is simply Abraham’s complete submission to whatever commandments he received from God.

[Asad’s note 101: This passage, read in conjunction with the two preceding verses, refutes the contention of the children of Israel that by virtue of their descent from Abraham, whom God made “a leader of men”, they are “God’s chosen people”. The Quran makes it clear that the exalted status of Abraham was not something that would automatically confer a comparable status on his physical descendants, and certainly not on the sinners among them. ]

[ Ali’s note 123 Kalimat: literally "words" here used in the mystic sense of God's Will or Decree or Purpose. This verse may be taken to be the sum of the verses following. In everything Abraham fulfilled God's wish: he purified God's house; he built the sacred refuge of the Ka'ba; he submitted his will to God's, and thus became the type of Islam. He was promised the leadership of the world; he pleaded for his progeny, and his prayer was granted, with the limitation that if his progeny was false to God, God's promise did not reach the people who proved themselves false. (2.124)]

2: 125

Asad And Lo! We made the Temple a goal to which people might repair again and again, and a sanctuary: take, then, the place whereon Abraham once stood as your place of prayer. And thus did We command Abraham and Ishmael: “Purify My Temple for those who will walk around it, and those who will abide near it in meditation, and those who will bow down and prostrate themselves [in prayer].”

Yusuf Ali Remember We made the house a place of assembly for men and a place of safety; and take ye the station of Abraham as a place of prayer; and We covenanted with Abraham and Isma`il that they should sanctify My House for those who compass it round or use it as a retreat or bow or prostrate themselves (therein in prayer).

Pickthall And when We made the House (at Mecca) a resort for mankind and a sanctuary, (saying): Take as your place of worship the place where Abraham stood (to pray). And We imposed a duty upon Abraham and Ishmael, (saying): Purify My house for those who go around and those who meditate therein and those who bow down and prostrate themselves (in worship).

Transliteration Wa iz ja'alnal baita masa_batal linna_si wa amna_(n), wattakhizu_ mim maqa_mi ibra_hima musalla_(n), wa 'ahidna_ ila_ ibra_hima wa isma_'ila an tahhira_ baitiya lit ta_'ifina wal 'a_kifina war rukka'is suju_d(i).

[Asad’s note 102: The Temple (al-bayt) – lit., “the House (of Worship) – mentioned here is the Kaba in Mecca. In other places the Quran speaks of it as “ the Ancient Temple” (al-bayt al-atiq), and frequently also as “the Inviolable House of Worship” (al-masjid al haram). Its prototype is said to have been built by Abraham as the first temple ever dedicated to the One God (see 3: 96), and which for this reason has been instituted as the direction of prayer (qiblah) for all Muslims……………]

[ Asad’s note 103: This may refer to the immediate vicinity of the Kaba or, more probably (Manar I, 461 f.), to the sacred precincts (haram) surrounding it. The word ‘amn’ (lit., “safety”) denotes in this context a sanctuary for all living beings.

Note: 104 – The seven-fold circumambulation (tawaf) of the Kaba is one of the rites of the pilgrimage and His oneness for their center.]

[ Ali’s notes:

125 The Ka'ba, the House of God. Its foundation goes back by Arab tradition to Abraham. Its fourfold character is here referred to. (1) It was the centre to which all the Arab tribes resorted for trade, for poetic contests, and for worship, (2) It was sacred territory and was respected by friend and foe alike. At certain seasons, all fighting was and is forbidden within it limits, and even arms are not allowed to be carried and no game or other thing is allowed to be killed. Like the Cities of Refuge under the Mosaic Dispensation to which manslayers could flee (Num. xxxv. 6) or the Sanctuaries in Mediaeval Europe, to which criminals could not be pursued. Mecca was recognized by Arab custom as inviolable for the pursuit of revenge or violence. (3) It was a place of prayer; even today there is a Station of Abraham within the enclosure where Abraham was supposed to have prayed. (4) It must be held pure and sacred for all purposes. (2.125)

126 Four rites are here enumerated, which have now acquired a technical meaning. (1) Compassing the sacred territory, or going round the Ka'ba: Tawaf. There are special guides who take pilgrims and visitors round. (2) Retiring to the place as a spiritual retreat, for contemplation and prayer: Itikat. (3) The posture of bending the back in prayer: Ruku. (4) The posture of prostrating oneself on the ground in prayer: Sujud. The protection of the holy territory is for all, but special cleanliness and purity is required for the sake of the devotees who undertake these rites. (2.125)]

2: 126

Asad And, lo, Abraham prayed: “ O my Sustainer! Make this a land secure, and grant its people fruitful sustenance-such of them as believe in God and the Last Day.”

[God] answered: “And whoever shall deny the truth, him will I let enjoy himself for a short while – but in the end I shall drive him to suffering through fire: and how vile a journey’s end!”

Yusuf Ali And remember Abraham said: "My Lord make this a City of Peace and feed its people with fruits such of them as believe in Allah and the Last Day." He said: "(Yea) and such as reject faith for a while will I grant them their pleasure but will soon drive them to the torment of fire an evil destination (indeed)!"

Pickthall And when Abraham prayed: My Lord! Make this a region of security and bestow upon its people fruits, such of them as believe in Allah and the Last Day, He answered: As for him who disbelieveth, I shall leave him in contentment for a while, then I shall compel him to the doom of fire--a hapless journey's end!

Transliteration Wa iz qa_la ibra_himu rabbij'al ha_za_ baladan a_minaw warzuq ahlahu_ minas samara_ti man a_mana minhum billa_hi wal yaumil a_khir(i), qa_la wa man kafara fa umatti'uhu_ qalilan summa adtarruhu_ ila_ 'aza_bin na_r(i), wa bi'sal masir(u).

[Ali’s notes: 127 The root salama in the word Islam implies (among other ideas) the idea of Peace, and therefore when Mecca is the city of Islam, it is also the City of Peace. The same root occurs in the latter part of the name Jerusalem, the Jewish City of Peace. When the day of Jerusalem passed (see verse 134 or 141 below), Mecca became the "New Jerusalem" - or rather the old and original "City of Peace" restored and made universal. (2.126)

128 The territory of Mecca is barren and rocky, compared with, say Taif, a city 70-75 miles east of Mecca. A prayer for the prosperity of Mecca therefore includes a prayer for the good things of material life. This is the literal meaning. But note that the opposition in this verse is between the fruits of the Garden for the righteous and the torments of the Fire for the evil ones - a spiritual allegory of great force and aptness. (2.126)]

2: 127

Asad And when Abraham and Ishmael were raising the foundation of the Temple, [they prayed:] “O our Sustainer! Accept Thou this from us: for, verily, Thou alone art all –hearing, all-knowing!

Yusuf Ali And remember Abraham and Isma`il raised the foundations of the House (with this prayer): "Our Lord! accept (this service) from us for thou art the All-Hearing the All-Knowing.

Pickthall And when Abraham and Ishmael were raising the foundations of the House, (Abraham prayed): Our Lord! Accept from us (this duty). Lo! Thou, only Thou, art the Hearer, the Knower.

Transliteration Wa iz yarfa'u ibra_himul qawa_'ida minal baiti wa isma_'il(u), rabbana_ taqabbal minna_, innaka antas sami'ul 'alim(u).

2: 128

Asad “O our Sustainer! Make us surrender ourselves unto Thee, and make out of our offspring a community that shall surrender itself unto Thee, and show us our ways of worship, and accept our repentance: for, verily, Thou alone are the Acceptor of Repentance, the Dispenser of Grace!

Yusuf Ali "Our Lord! make of us Muslims bowing to Thy (Will) and of our progeny a people Muslim bowing to Thy (Will) and show us our places for the celebration of (due) rites; and turn unto us (in mercy); for Thou art the Oft-Returning Most-Merciful.

Pickthall Our Lord! And make us submissive unto Thee and of our seed a nation submissive unto Thee, and show us our ways of worship, and relent toward us. Lo! Thou, only Thou, art the Relenting, the Merciful.

Transliteration Rabbana_ waj'alna_ muslimaini laka wa min zurriyyatina_ ummatam muslimatal lak(a), wa arina_ mana_sikana_ wa tub 'alaina_, innaka antat tawwa_bur rahim(u).

2: 129

Asad O our Sustainer! Raise up from the midst of our offspring an apostle fro among themselves, who shall convey unto them Thy messages, and impart unto them revelation as well as wisdom, and cause them to grow in purity: for, verily, Thou alone are Almighty, truly Wise!”

Yusuf Ali "Our Lord! send amongst them an Apostle of their own who shall rehearse Thy Signs to them and instruct them in Scripture and Wisdom and sanctify them; for Thou art the Exalted in Might the Wise."

Pickthall Our Lord! And raise up in their midst a messenger from among them who shall recite unto them Thy revelations, and shall instruct them in the Scripture and in wisdom and shall make them grow. Lo! Thou, only Thou, art the Mighty, Wise.

Transliteration Rabbana_ wab'as fihim rasu_lam minhum yatlu_ 'alaihim a_ya_tika wa yu'allimuhumul kita_ba wal hikmata wa yuzakkihim, innaka antal 'azizul hakim(u).

[ Ali’s note: 129 How beautiful this prayer is, and how aptly it comes in here in the argument! Such Paganism or star-worship or planet-worship as there was in Abraham's time was first cleared out of Mecca by Abraham. This is the chief meaning of "sanctification" or purification in ii. 125, although of course physical cleanliness is (in physical conditions) a necessary element of purification in the higher sense. Abraham and his elder son Ismail then built the Ka'ba and established the rites and usages of the sacred city. He was thus the founder of the original Islam (which is as old as mankind) in Arabia. As becomes a devout man, he offers and dedicates the work to God in humble supplication, addressing Him as the All-Hearing and the All-Knowing. He then asks for a blessing on himself and his progeny generally, both the children of his eldest-born Ismail and his younger son Isaac. With prophetic vision he foresees that there will be corruption and backsliding in both branches of his family: Mecca will house 360 idols, and Jerusalem will become a harlot city (Ezekiel xvi. 15), a city of abomination. But the light of Islam will shine, and reclaim the lost people in both branches and indeed in all the world. So he prays for God's mercy, addressing Him as the Oft-Returning Most Merciful. And finally he foresees in Mecca an Apostle teaching the people as one "of their own", and in their own beautiful Arabic language; he asks for a blessing on Muhammad's ministry, appealing to the Power and Wisdom of God. (2.129) ]

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