Commentary on Al-Baqarah 2:238–242 — Guard the Prayers and Final Rulings

سورۃ البقرۃ ۲۳۸–۲۴۲

حَافِظُوا عَلَى الصَّلَوَاتِ وَالصَّلَاةِ الْوُسْطَىٰ وَقُومُوا لِلَّهِ قَانِتِينَ

(Al-Baqarah 2:238) "Maintain with care the (obligatory) prayers and (in particular) the middle prayer and stand before Allah, devoutly obedient."

Ḥāfiẓū: guard and maintain. Al-Ṣalawāt: the prayers — all the prayers. ʿAlā al-ṣalawāt wa-al-ṣalāt al-wusṭā: the middle prayer — al-Wusta. Al-Wusta in Arabic means the middle. What is al-salat al-wusta? According to the majority of scholars it refers to the 'Asr prayer, because it is in the middle of the day's commerce and trade. Al-salat: prayer is also inclusive in a general sense — and as it is connected with wa-sallu (prayer) on the Prophet, peace be upon him, it includes durood (salutations) and supplications. Wa-quumu lil-Lahi qanitin: and stand before Allah in a state of complete and humble obedience — that is, to stand in the prayer in such a way that the heart is fully present, humble and prostrate.

إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ۚ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا

"Indeed, Allah confers blessing upon the Prophet, and His angels pray for him. O you who have believed, ask blessing upon him and ask peace for him." (Al-Ahzab 33:56) — Indeed Allah and His angels send salutations upon the Prophet. O believers, send salutations and peace upon him. This means it is an obligation for the believers to send durood and salaam upon the Prophet. For it is from this that Allah's mercy is sought — and it is an expression of complete subservience to Allah.

فَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ فَرِجَالًا أَوْ رُكْبَانًا ۖ فَإِذَا أَمِنتُمْ فَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ كَمَا عَلَّمَكُمْ مَّا لَمْ تَكُونُوا تَعْلَمُونَ

(Al-Baqarah 2:239) "And if you fear (an enemy), then pray on foot or riding. But when you are secure, remember Allah, as He has taught you what you did not know."

Fa-in khiftum: if you are in fear — of the enemy or of great danger. Fa-rijalan: then on foot — walking — or mounted on horses, or riding. Fa-iza amintum: when you are safe and secure. Fa-udhkuru Allaha: then remember Allah, and pray properly. Kama 'allamakum: in the way Allah taught you — as He instructed you. Ma lam takunu ta'lamun: what you did not know before.

Translation: If you are in fear (of the enemy), then pray on foot or mounted. When safety returns, perform the prayer properly in the manner Allah taught you — that which you did not previously know.

This verse establishes the importance of the congregational prayer (jama'at). Even in fear and in the midst of battle, the prayer must be performed. Negligence of prayer is never permissible.

وَالَّذِينَ يُتَوَفَّوْنَ مِنكُمْ وَيَذَرُونَ أَزْوَاجًا وَصِيَّةً لِّأَزْوَاجِهِم مَّتَاعًا إِلَى الْحَوْلِ غَيْرَ إِخْرَاجٍ ۚ فَإِنْ خَرَجْنَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِي مَا فَعَلْنَ فِي أَنفُسِهِنَّ مِن مَّعْرُوفٍ ۗ وَاللَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ

(Al-Baqarah 2:240) "And those who are taken in death among you and leave behind wives — give them a bequest: provision for one year without turning them out. But if they leave of their own accord, there is no blame upon you for what they do with themselves in an acceptable manner. And Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise."

Walladhina yutawaffawna minkum: those among you who die. Wa-yadaruna azwajan: and leave behind wives. Wasiyyatan li-azwajihim: they leave a bequest for their wives. Mata'an ila al-hawl: provision (mata') for one year. Ghayra ikhraj: without expelling them from the home. Fa-in kharajna: but if they themselves leave. Fala junaha 'alaykum: there is no blame on you. Fi ma fa'alna fi anfusihinna min ma'ruf: for what they do with themselves in an acceptable manner. Wa-Allahu 'Azizun Hakim: Allah is Mighty and Wise.

Translation: Those of you who die and leave behind wives — they are to make a bequest for their wives: provision for one year without expelling them. But if they leave on their own accord, there is no blame on you for what they do with themselves in an acceptable manner. Allah is Mighty and Wise.

This is a moral bequest from the husband's side — an ethical obligation. This is not a legal (qanuni) ruling and it is not abrogated either. If the wife follows this moral instruction, well and good. If she leaves, then no one is to be blamed. In what they do with themselves according to custom — in that they are free.

وَلِلْمُطَلَّقَاتِ مَتَاعٌ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ حَقًّا عَلَى الْمُتَّقِينَ

(Al-Baqarah 2:241) "And for divorced women is a provision according to what is acceptable — a duty upon the righteous."

Wa-lil-mutallaqati mata'un bil-ma'ruf: and for divorced women is a provision — naqad (payment) is to be given. Bil-ma'ruf: according to 'urf 'aam (general recognized custom) and the convention in the manner that people of that place use. Haqqan 'ala al-muttaqin: it is an obligatory right upon those who are God-fearing.

Translation: And for divorced women a provision (gift) is to be given according to recognized custom. This is an obligation upon the righteous.

كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ آيَاتِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ

(Al-Baqarah 2:242) "Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you might use reason."

Kazalika yubayyinu Allahu lakum ayatihi: in this way Allah clarifies for you His signs — His rulings. La'allakum ta'qilun: so that perhaps you may use your intellect — so that you understand and act with reason.

Translation: Just as Allah makes clear His rulings in this way — so that you may use your intellect (and understand).