Surah 1-2 - YasSarNal QuR'aN

Al-Baqarah (The Cow) | SOCIAL JUSTICE AND FASTINGIbn Jarīr relates on the authority of Samurah ibn Jundub who quotes the Prophetas saying: “Do not take much heed of Bilāl’s call for dawn Prayer or this whiteness;do not start the fast until dawn breaks fully.” Another version quotes the Prophet assaying: “Do not abstain from eating if you hear Bilāl calling for the dawn Prayer, orwhen you see the elongated dawn light. But begin the fast when the dawn spreadsover the horizon.” This means the light spreading in the eastern sky a short whilebefore sunrise. It is also important to recall here that Bilāl used to raise the call toprayer early to wake people up, while Ibn Umm Maktūm used to make a second callat a later time to indicate the beginning of the fast. Hence, the Prophet clarifies thepoint of starting the fast.The sūrah then instructs the Muslims not to lie with their wives when they decideto retreat in the mosques. This is a reference to a special practice known in Arabic asi`tikāf. It is an act of devotion involving a stay in the mosque for several days duringthe last ten days of the month of Ramadan, for prolonged Prayer, recitation of theQur’ān, reflection and spiritual rejuvenation. Once one decides to observe i`tikāf onewill only go home when it is necessary. The Prophet was known to observe thispractice during the last ten days of the month. To enhance their sense of devotionand enable them to concentrate their hearts and minds on the worship of God duringsuch retreat, or i`tikāf Muslims are barred from sexual intercourse with their wivesduring such period.The sūrah then links these rules and instructions directly with God, emphasizingthat: “These are the bounds set by God, so do not come near them.” (Verse 187) Althoughthe Qur’ān uses the words ‘come near’, the warning is against the violation of thesebounds. But a margin of safety has to be maintained, because man cannot always relyon his moral strength and self-control. It is far better to keep away from evil ratherthan walk into it, over-confident of resisting, and then failing to do so. Prudence isliable to develop and cultivate that very precious quality of God-fearing, one of themost fundamental goals the Qur’ān is coaching man to attain in his life: “Thus Godmakes clear His revelations to people, that they may remain God fearing.” (Verse 187)Honesty at All TimesWithin this context of fasting and abstention from food and drink, the sūrahsounds another warning, this time against usurping other people’s possessions. Theverse refers specifically to presenting false and fraudulent evidence before a judge oran arbiter in order to obtain a favourable judgement giving one the right toappropriate someone else’s property. To reinforce the sense of deterrence, thewarning follows immediately after reference to the bounds set by God and the callfor more consciousness and fear of Him.210