Surah Al Baqarah V.243-252

Escaping Death

Student of Al Huda
Have you not considered those who left their homes in many thousands, fearing death? Allāh said to them, “Die”; then He restored them to life. And Allāh is full of bounty to the people, but most of the people do not show gratitude. [Al Baqarah: 243]
This verse really made me think about ourselves. We always run and hide from things that we do not like or when we are afraid. If Allah was to tell you death was coming to you what would you do? Many of us would run or attempt to hide. You can run and you can hide but are you really hidden? Nothing in the world is hidden. Take these people in the verse they fled from their homes and all Allah had to say was “die” and they were gone. So we can run as much as we want but remember who all power in the world belongs to next time you try to do something like that.

Goodly Loan

Fasiha Memon (Group Aisha)
Who is it that would loan Allāh a goodly loan so He may multiply it for him many times over? And it is Allāh who withholds and grants abundance, and to Him you will be returned. [Al Baqarah:245]
Now you may be thinking lending Allah a loan? What is that and how do you do it? This refers to spending in the way of Allah it does not mean directly giving Allah a loan because He is free of our need. This loan means giving in His way for example to orphans and less fortunate people. In the verse it says so Allah may multiply it many times.
Depending on intention Allah can multiply a loan as much as He wants and repay it to the person either now or in the hereafter. We should give in the way of Allah because don’t we want that whatever we give is increased and given back to us if not here then even better in the hereafter where we will need something to fall back on.

We want to fight!

Student of Al Huda
Verse 246 talks about Bani Israel who were persecuted at the time by a people but Allah had not allowed them to fight so they could not. At that time they wished to Moses that they were able to fight and Moses (as) replied:
“Would you perhaps refrain from fighting if fighting was prescribed for you?” They said, “And why should we not fight in the cause of Allāh when we have been driven out from our homes and from our children?” But when fighting was prescribed for them, they turned away, except for a few of them. And Allāh is Knowing of the wrongdoers. [Al Baqarah:246]
He knew that if they had to fight they would not do it but they remained firm and asked for a king who would lead them to fight. However, as Moses (as) had guessed when fighting was prescribed from them one of them wanted to fight except a very few amount from them.
  Is this not the case of us today? Sometimes we ask Allah to grant us something but when we get it then we are forgetful and do not even use it. We should be grateful and use all that Allah has given you and when a commandment comes on your request then don’t turn away from it.

He has no money!

Ambreen Haneef (Group Khadija)
On request of Bani Israel Allah (swt) sent them Saul (Talut) as a king so that they could fight the enemy. However, upon hearing this their reply was none other than:
“How can he have kingship over us while we are more worthy of kingship than him and he has not been given any measure of wealth?” He said, “Indeed, Allāh has chosen him over you and has increased him abundantly in knowledge and stature. And Allāh gives His sovereignty to whom He wills. And Allāh is all-Encompassing [in favor] and Knowing.”[Al Baqarah:247]
This shows their guidelines for a king, he must be wealthy although one does not need wealth to know how to fight. They thought they were more worthy of kingship although Allah chose him. This verse shows us that everyone is different and everyone has been blessed with certain things that others do not have. What is one persons strength will be another persons weakness. Although Saul did not have wealth he had a powerful stature and was very tall. He was also very able to fight and would make a good leader for them due to his knowledge.

Goliath and the troops

Saba Naz (Group Fatima)
When the troops were ready to go and face the army of Goliath with Saul they were told that they would be tested by a river which would come.
“Indeed, Allāh will be testing you with a river. So whoever drinks from it is not of me, and whoever does not taste it is indeed of me, excepting one who takes [from it] in the hollow of his hand.” [Al Baqarah:249]
As you may have already imagined the stubborn persisitence of Bani Israel meant that they also drank from the river although it was clearly stated it was a test. He (Saul) crossed the river with those who were true believers and there were only a few of them. On seeing this some of the soldiers said: “There is no power for us today against Goliath and his soldiers.” [Al Baqarah:249]
  However, the true believers did not give up: “How many a small company has overcome a large company by permission of Allāh. And Allāh is with the patient.” [Al Baqarah:249]

Surah Al Baqarah V.234-242

Widow

Medihah Hussain (Group Ruqayyah)
Allah is guiding us with important commands that we all can benefit from. The beginning verses talk about widows and what their waiting period is. They must wait for four months and ten days in their iddat period. During this time we learn that no man can approach them either secretly or directly during her waiting period. It is a blessing that Allah has given this time to a woman so that she may help in getting over all that she has just gone through. It is a chance for her to settle herself and her mind.
Once her waiting period is over she may be approached for a proposal of marriage and it is not the responsibility of anyone else about what she does with herself.
And when they have fulfilled their term, then there is no blame upon you for what they do with themselves in an acceptable manner. And Allāh is [fully] Acquainted with what you do. [Al Baqarah:234]

Allahs Guidance

Fasiha Memon (Group Aisha)
I was so shocked to see that Allah has even shown us what to do if a man wants to divorce a woman who he as not consummated the marriage with. I was so amazed! Allah has not left any room for us to make assumptions or put in our own opinion. He has clearly stated everything for us and so we should follow the orders.
There are two situations that Allah has advised us in verses 236 and 237. the first situation is if a man and woman have gotten married but have not consummated the marriage and a dowry has not been fixed. The dowry is the wedding gift which is given from the man to his wife after marriage. If he had not specified to her what he was going to give her then he may divorce her but he should give her a gift to compensate her. This really was beautiful to me that even at divorce relations should not be severed.
But give them [a gift of] compensation the wealthy according to his capability and the poor according to his capability a provision according to what is acceptable, a duty upon the doers of good. [Al Baqarah:236]

Prayer and Divorce?

Saba Naz (Group Fatima)
After mentioning divorce Allah says:
Maintain with care the [obligatory] prayers and [in particular] the middle prayer and stand before Allāh, devoutly obedient. [Al Baqarah:238]
I began thinking what has this got to do with anything that was mentioned above? How is this related to divorce and why is this said in this place? For a while I was confused until the answer was mentioned in class. It is during this time (Asr prayer) when most people are into their daily routines and the most likely time that these types of things happen (divorce etc). Allah is reminding us that although you are going through something hard you must never let up your prayer and it is not an option. We get so caught up in things that we leave our prayer and think nothing of it. Here Allah is reminding us that no matter what happens your prayer should be first.
  Allah has even taught us how to pray if we are afraid of an enemy. We may pray on foot or while riding but we must not leave our prayer. At the time of the prophet (saw) people used to pray on the battlefield in congregation so there is no excuse for anyone not to pray.

Surah Al Baqarah V.229-233

Breastfeeding is for two years.

Fatima (Al Huda Student)
A woman is able to breast feed her child for up to two years of that childs life. During this time it is the responsibility of the male to provide for the mother. This maintenance includes the necessities that are required for a person such as clothing and food. This does not mean lavish trips to foreign countries and new suvs. The reason for this is mentioned in the verse:
No person is charged with more than his capacity. No mother should be harmed through her child, and no father through his child. [Al Baqarah:233]
  The father should not be burdened because of the child in having to pay for extravagance in the mothers life and the mother should not be burdened with anything beyond her limit.