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2. Al-Baqarah

2:18

They are [willfully] deaf, dumb, and blind, so they will never return [to the Right Path].

2:47
Change of the Qibla

Ep.034: cited as evidence the Jews viewed themselves as the chosen people, explaining the wisdom of the qiblah change as a message directed at them.

2:58

وَإِذْ قُلْنَا ادْخُلُوا هَٰذِهِ الْقَرْيَةَ فَكُلُوا مِنْهَا حَيْثُ شِئْتُمْ رَغَدًا وَادْخُلُوا الْبَابَ سُجَّدًا وَقُولُوا حِطَّةٌ نَّغْفِرْ لَكُمْ خَطَايَاكُمْ ۚ وَسَنَزِيدُ الْمُحْسِنِينَ

And [remember] when We said, "Enter this city and eat freely from wherever you please; enter the gate with humility, saying, 'Absolve us.' We will forgive your sins and multiply the reward for the good-doers"

Crossing the Valley of Thorns

The Prophet ﷺ likened this valley to the gate the Children of Israel were commanded to enter humbly.

2:89

Although they used to pray for victory [by means of the Prophet] over the polytheists (the Arabs), when there came to them a Book from Allah which they recognized (the Quran), confirming the Scripture they had [in their hands], they rejected it.

The Prophet ﷺ's First Meeting with Six Men of the Khazraj at Aqaba

Cited to explain how the Jews of Yathrib, who had long anticipated a prophet, rejected him once he came from among the Arabs.

2:106

Whenever We abrogate a ruling or We cause it to be forgotten, We then bring forth something better than it, or [at least] something equivalent.

Change of the Qibla

This ayah is part of the Qibla-change passage of Surah al-Baqarah, revealed around the change of the direction of prayer from Jerusalem to the Ka'bah.

2:122
Change of the Qibla

Ep.034: cited alongside 2:47 as evidence the Jews viewed themselves as the chosen people, explaining the wisdom of the qiblah change as a message directed at them.

2:125

وَٱتَّخِذُوا۟ مِن مَّقَامِ إِبْرَٰهِـۧمَ مُصَلًّى

[You may] take the standing-place of Ibrahim as a site of prayer.

Hajjat al-Wada' (the Farewell Hajj)

Recited by the Prophet ﷺ after praying behind the Maqam Ibrahim during tawaf.

2:129

Our Lord, send from amongst them a messenger.

Ibrahim AS Establishes the Sacred Rites of Makkah

Ibrahim (AS)'s prayer recorded in this event's post is the same dua preserved in this ayah (Q2:129), asking Allah to send a prophet "of their own" to his descendants.

2:142

The foolish people will begin questioning, "Why have they turned away from the qibla that they were upon?"

Change of the Qibla

This ayah opens Allah's reply to the exact taunt dramatized in the post ("Why did they change the qibla?") -- Q2:142 quotes that objection before answering it.

2:143

We have made you an ummatan wasata (outstanding nation). ... We changed the qibla only to test those who followed the Prophet ﷺ versus those who rejected the Prophet ﷺ. ... Allah will never cause your faith to be wasted away.

Change of the Qibla

This ayah is part of the Qibla-change passage of Surah al-Baqarah, revealed around the change of the direction of prayer from Jerusalem to the Ka'bah.

2:144

Indeed, We see you [O Prophet] turning your face towards heaven. Now We will make you turn towards a direction [of prayer] that will please you. So from now on, turn your face in the direction of Masjid al-Haram; and wherever you are, turn your face in that direction.

Change of the Qibla

This ayah is part of the Qibla-change passage of Surah al-Baqarah, revealed around the change of the direction of prayer from Jerusalem to the Ka'bah.

2:145

Even if you were to bring every proof to the People of the Book, they won't follow your qibla; and you will not follow their qibla; and they themselves don't follow each other's qibla.

Change of the Qibla

This ayah is part of the Qibla-change passage of Surah al-Baqarah, revealed around the change of the direction of prayer from Jerusalem to the Ka'bah.

2:146

They recognize the Prophet ﷺ like they recognize their own children.

Change of the Qibla

This ayah is part of the Qibla-change passage of Surah al-Baqarah, revealed around the change of the direction of prayer from Jerusalem to the Ka'bah.

2:158

إِنَّ ٱلصَّفَا وَٱلْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَآئِرِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ فَمَنْ حَجَّ ٱلْبَيْتَ أَوِ ٱعْتَمَرَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَن يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا

Indeed, [the hills of] Safa and Marwa are among the signs of Allah. So whoever performs the Hajj or Umrah, let them walk between [the two hills].

Paganistic Practices in Pre-Islamic Arabia+1 more

This ayah affirmed that walking between Safa and Marwa remained a sign of Allah despite pagan-era idols (Isaf and Na'ila) having been placed there, described among this event's paganistic practices.

2:159
Establishment of the Suffa (Ahl al-Suffa)

Abu Hurairah RA's own words in the post cite this ayah's warning against concealing knowledge as the reason he narrated so much hadith.

2:177

Piety is not in which direction you face; real piety is to believe in Allah and the Final Day and...

Change of the Qibla

This ayah is part of the Qibla-change passage of Surah al-Baqarah, revealed around the change of the direction of prayer from Jerusalem to the Ka'bah.

2:197

Take [necessary] provisions [for the journey]

Hajjat al-Wada' (the Farewell Hajj)

General Hajj-provisioning legislation embodied in the practice of the Farewell Hajj, the DB's principal Hajj event; not claimed as the literal asbab al-nuzul.

2:207

وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَشْرِي نَفْسَهُ ابْتِغَاءَ مَرْضَاتِ اللَّهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ رَءُوفٌ بِالْعِبَادِ

And of mankind is he who would sell himself, seeking the pleasure of Allah. And Allah is full of Kindness to [His] slaves.

Suhayb al-Rumi's Hijrah to Madinah

This is the specific, well-known asbab al-nuzul: Q2:207 was revealed praising Suhayb al-Rumi RA for exactly what this event describes -- giving up his wealth to the Quraysh in exchange for safe passage to Madinah.

2:214

أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَن تَدْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَأْتِكُم مَّثَلُ الَّذِينَ خَلَوْا مِن قَبْلِكُم ۖ مَّسَّتْهُمُ الْبَأْسَاءُ وَالضَّرَّاءُ وَزُلْزِلُوا حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَ الرَّسُولُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَعَهُ مَتَىٰ نَصْرُ اللَّهِ ۗ أَلَا إِنَّ نَصْرَ اللَّهِ قَرِيبٌ

Do you think you will be admitted into Paradise without being tested like those before you? They were afflicted with suffering and adversity and were so [violently] shaken that [even] the Messenger and the believers with him cried out, "When will Allah's help come?" Indeed, Allah's help is [always] near.

Torture of the Early Muslims by the Quraysh

Cited in the lecture as an example of the trials believers before this ummah endured, paralleling the torture of the early Muslims.

2:216

Qital (fighting) has been made obligatory upon you though you hate it.

The Battle of Badr

Cited as a parallel: fighting was disliked yet obligatory, just as some believers were hesitant yet still went to Badr.

2:217

يَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلشَّهْرِ ٱلْحَرَامِ قِتَالٍۢ فِيهِ ۖ قُلْ قِتَالٌۭ فِيهِ كَبِيرٌۭ ۖ وَصَدٌّ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَكُفْرٌۢ بِهِۦ وَٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ وَإِخْرَاجُ أَهْلِهِۦ مِنْهُ أَكْبَرُ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَٱلْفِتْنَةُ أَكْبَرُ مِنَ ٱلْقَتْلِ

They ask you about the Sacred Month — about fighting therein. Say, 'Fighting therein is great [sin], but averting [people] from the Way of Allah and disbelief in Him and [preventing access to] al-Masjid al-Haram and the expulsion of its people therefrom are greater [evil] in the Sight of Allah. And fitna is greater [evil] than killing...'

Sariyya Nakhla

Revealed regarding the killing during the Sariyya Nakhla, which took place on the last day of the sacred month of Rajab.

2:219

يَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الْخَمْرِ وَالْمَيْسِرِ ۖ قُلْ فِيهِمَا إِثْمٌ كَبِيرٌ وَمَنَافِعُ لِلنَّاسِ وَإِثْمُهُمَا أَكْبَرُ مِن نَّفْعِهِمَا ۗ وَيَسْأَلُونَكَ مَاذَا يُنفِقُونَ قُلِ الْعَفْوَ ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ لَكُمُ الْآيَاتِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَفَكَّرُونَ

They ask you about gambling and drinking, tell them it has a lot of harm and some good; and the harm far outweighs the good

Revelation of the First Verse on Intoxicants and Gambling (Qur'an 2:219)

First of three revelations gradually prohibiting alcohol.

2:234
2:240
2:251

Had Allah not repelled a group of people by [the might of] another (i.e., had Allah not allowed war), corruption would have dominated the earth. But Allah is Gracious to all.

Revelation of the First Permission for Jihad (Surah al-Hajj 39-40)

Cited alongside 22:39-40 on the philosophy of why Allah permits war.

2:253

تِلْكَ الرُّسُلُ فَضَّلْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ

Those messengers — some of them We caused to exceed others.

Al-Isra wal-Mi'raj (The Night Journey and Ascension)

Cited alongside Quran 2:285 to explain that the prophets seen during al-Mi'raj are equal in the truth of their message though ranked differently amongst themselves.

2:256

لَا إِكْرَاهَ فِي الدِّينِ ۖ قَد تَّبَيَّنَ الرُّشْدُ مِنَ الْغَيِّ

There is no compulsion in religion, for the Truth stands out clearly from falsehood

The Siege and Expulsion of Banu Nadir

Revealed when Ansar who had given sons to the Banu Nadir as Jews in Jahiliyyah tried to force those now-adult sons to accept Islam rather than be expelled with the tribe.

2:260

Ya Allah, I know you can resurrect the dead, but I'd like to see how it's done so that I feel content (mafhum/paraphrase of the ayah, not a literal translation)

Al-Isra wal-Mi'raj (The Night Journey and Ascension)

Ibrahim AS's request cited in ep.023 as an analogy while explaining the wisdom of al-Isra wal-Mi'raj.

2:285

لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّن رُّسُلِهِ

We make no distinction between any of His messengers.

Al-Isra wal-Mi'raj (The Night Journey and Ascension)

Cited alongside Quran 2:253 to explain that the prophets seen during al-Mi'raj are equal in the truth of their message though ranked differently amongst themselves.