Al-Fātiḥah & the First Half of Al-Baqarah
Al-Fātiḥah is commonly held to be the fifth Surah in the order of revelation. Understanding it is the key to comprehending the entire Qur'ān.
Al-Ḥasan al-Baṣrī said that Allah revealed 104 books from heaven and left their knowledge in four: the Torah, the Injīl, the Psalms, and the Furqān (the Qur'ān). Then He placed the knowledge of the Qur'ān in the Mufaṣṣal, and the knowledge of the Mufaṣṣal in the Fātiḥah.
So whoever knows its Tafsīr is similar to one who knows the Tafsīr of every revealed scripture.
Ibn al-Qayyim succinctly summarized the three main themes of Islam and the Qur'ān in a single sentence:
The Qur'ān was revealed to familiarize His servants with Himself
With the Path that leads to Him
With the condition of the journeyers after they reach Him
Al-Fātiḥah defines the One who is worshiped by way of three names to which all of the beautiful names and lofty divine attributes refer back to and are centered around.
The name encompassing all divine attributes of perfection
The Lord, Creator, Sustainer, and Master of all creation
The Most Merciful, whose mercy encompasses everything
"Whoever actualizes the meanings of the Fātiḥah in knowledge, awareness, action, and state of being, has achieved the most ample portion of their success and their servitude becomes the servitude of the elite."
— Ibn al-Qayyim
Containing Al-Fātiḥah in the five daily prayers
Potential reward from reciting Al-Fātiḥah in mandatory prayers daily
Every letter of Qur'ān recited carries ten good deeds
Allah initiated His Book with the Basmala to guide His servants to begin their deeds and statements with it, seeking His blessing and help
From the guidance of Allah's righteous servants in supplication is to start with glorifying Allah and praising Him, then proceed with requests
"You alone we worship" and what precedes it is for Allah. "And You alone we ask for help" and what follows is for the servant
You cannot truly worship Allah without Him helping you to do so
Al-Fātiḥah warns Muslims against two dangerous paths that lead away from truth and guidance.
The perfection of faith is achieved by dedicating worship to Allah alone and seeking help from Him alone, while avoiding the errors of those who came before.
Like the Naṣārā who neglected to seek the truth
Like the Yahūd who knew the truth but did not act upon it
Surah Al-Baqarah is the longest Surah in the Qur'ān and the first revealed in Madīnah. It would be the 87th Surah revealed, after Surah al-Muṭaffifin and before Surah al-Anfāl or Āli 'Imrān.
Its initial passages were revealed shortly after the Hijrah, but it was not finalized until the end of the Madinan period, containing both some of the earliest and final verses revealed from the Qur'ān.
It argues in favor of its possessor on the Day of Judgment
Contains the Greatest Name of Allah, by which if He is called, He responds
Contains the greatest verse in the Qur'ān
Adhering to it is a blessing, abandoning it is a cause of great regret
The Surah that exclusively contains the obligation of fasting Ramadan
Contains the last verse that was revealed from the Qur'ān
The first half addresses Banū Isrā'īl by reminding them of Allah's favors and covenant, then rebuking them for violations. The second half addresses the transfer of Allah's favor to the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ and provides essential instructions to establish itself upon truth.
In the first juz', Allah discusses the covenant given to Ādam and his offspring at the beginning of time. Immediately afterward, He brings the example of the largest previous nation led by Prophets—the Israelites—and lists many examples of their failure to fulfill the covenant.
Given to Ādam and all humanity
Their failures in upholding the covenant
To the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ
The Surah began shortly after the Hijrah, as the Muslim community in Madīnah needed guidance. Allah categorized people into three groups, with special attention to the hypocrites.
The disconnect between the hypocrite's interior and exterior is even greater than that of the disbeliever, requiring more attention and clarification through multiple parables.
"He guides by His Book those who—before its revelation—piously avoided what displeases Him. When the Book was revealed, Allah rewarded the people of righteousness by guiding them to believe in Him, as a reward for their righteousness and obedience."
— Ibn al-Qayyim
The first part of this section was directed at the Jews living around Madīnah in the time of the Prophet ﷺ. It begins by mentioning twelve commandments issued to the Israelites as part of their covenant with Allah.
Uphold covenants and agreements
Fear Allah
Believe in the seal of Messengers
Not disbelieve in him
Not sell the hereafter for this world
Have Taqwā
Not confuse falsehood with truth
Not conceal prophecies about Muhammad ﷺ
Establish the Ṣalāt
Pay the Zakāt
Practice what they command of righteousness
Seek assistance of patience and prayer
Important Note: As a general rule, what was legislated for those before us is legislated for us, so long as there is no scriptural evidence to the contrary.
Following the twelve commandments, Allah reminded the Israelites of ten enormous favors He bestowed upon them, demonstrating His care and mercy.
Deliverance from oppression and tyranny
Miraculous escape and destruction of enemies
Forgiveness after worshipping the golden calf
Divine guidance given to Mūsā
Mercy after their grave sin
Those struck dead by lightning brought back to life
Clouds shading them in the desert of Sinai
Manna and Salwa sent down
Granted entry to Jericho or Jerusalem
Miraculous provision in the wilderness
"Surely acts of disobedience lead to each other. Minor sins develop from heedlessness. Major sins lead from that. Various sorts of innovation, disbelief, and other matters develop from that."
— Al-Sa'dī
Allah mentions 32 violations of the Jews for their covenant, all contained in the first Juz'. These violations demonstrate how one sin leads to another, creating a downward spiral away from guidance.
Changing Allah's speech in the Torah, such as altering the punishment of the adulterer
Disbelief in and murder of Allah's Prophets, including Zakariyyah and Yaḥyā
Learning, teaching, and practicing magic despite its prohibition
Constant violation of oaths and pacts under false pretenses
Creating and worshipping the golden calf despite witnessing miracles
Excessive worldly voraciousness and attachment to material life
The first half of Al-Baqarah concludes with the changing of the Qiblah (verses 142-152), signifying the transfer of the covenant from the Israelites to the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ.
This momentous change represented not just a new direction for prayer, but the establishment of a new nation entrusted with carrying the message of truth to all humanity.
Seeking Allah's help is a form of worship, so why did Allah specifically mention it after mentioning worship, which already includes seeking help and more?
How does the sealing of the heart occur? Why were these specific faculties mentioned for sealing and covering?
Why did Allah reprimand Iblīs for his question, but not the angels for theirs?
How can this verse be used to refute those who claim faith but do not act accordingly?
This first day of Qur'ānic study establishes the foundation for understanding Allah's message to humanity. Al-Fātiḥah provides the key to unlock the entire Qur'ān, while the first half of Al-Baqarah demonstrates both the failures of previous nations and the path forward for the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ.
Reflect deeply on the meanings and lessons
Understand the context and connections
Implement the guidance in your daily life
Contemplating the Qur'ān: Day 1