QURAN | Page 6

Prophet's
companions
and
later
scholars.
A
lthoughsomenames, such as al-FŒtiúah,were used by the Prophet () in reference to a particular s´rah,they were not specifically designated by him as titles.2AllŒh
is
a
proper
name
belonging
only
to
the
one
Almighty
God,
Creator and
Sustainer of
the heavens
and
the
earth
and
all
that
is
within
them,
the Eternal and Absolute, to whom alone all worship is due.3Ar-RaúmŒn and ar-Raúeem are two names of AllŒh derived from the word "raúmah"
(mercy).
I
n
Arabic
grammar
both
are
intensive
forms
of "merciful" (i.e., extremely merciful). A complimentary and comprehensive meaning is intended by using both together.RaúmŒn is
used
only
to
describe
AllŒh,
while raúeem might be
used
to describe a person as well. The Prophet () was described in the QurÕŒn as raúeem. RaúmŒnis above the human level (i.e., intensely merciful). Since one
usually
understands
intensity
to
be
something
of
short
duration,
AllŒh describes Himself also as raúeem (i.e., continually merciful).RaúmŒnalso carries a wider meaning –merciful to all creation. Justice is
a
part
of
this
mercy.
Raúeem includes
the
concept
of
speciality –especially
and
specifically
merciful
to
the believers.
F
orgiveness
is
a
part of this mercy. (See al-Qur‹ub¥'s al-JŒmiÔu li AúkŒmil-QurÕŒn, pp. 103-107.)4When
referring
to
AllŒh
(subúŒnahu
wa
taÔŒlŒ),
the
Arabic
term
"rabb" (translated
as
"Lord")
includes
all
of
the
following
meanings:
"
owner, master, ruler, controller, sustainer, provider, guardian and caretaker."5i.e.,
repayment
and compensation
for
whatever
was
earned of good or
evil during life on this earth.

S´rah 2–al-BaqarahJuzÕ 1
2
S´rah al-Baqarah6
BismillŒhir-RaúmŒnir-Raúeem
1.Alif, LŒm, Meem.7
2.This
is the
Book
about
which
there
is no
doubt,
a
guidance
for those conscious of AllŒh8–
3.Who
believe
in
the
unseen,
establish
prayer,9and
spend
out
of what We10have provided for them,
4.And
who
believe
in
what
has
been
revealed
to
you,
[O Muúammad],and
what
was
revealed
before
you,
and
of
the Hereafter they are certain [in faith].
5.Those are upon [right] guidance from their Lord, and it is those who are the successful.
6.Indeed,
those
who
disbelieve11–it
is all
the
same
for
them whether
you
warn
them
or
do
not
warn
them –they
will
not believe.
7.AllŒh
has
set
a
seal
upon
their
hearts
and
upon
their
hearing, and
over
their
vision
is a
v
eil.12 And
for
them
is a
g
reat punishment.
6Al-Baqarah: The Cow. The name is taken from the story in verses 67-73.7These
are
among
the
fourteen
opening
letters
which
occur
in
various combinations
at the
beginning
of
twenty-nine s´rahsin
the
QurÕŒn. Although
there has
been
much
speculation
as
to
their meaning,
it
was
not, in fact, revealed by AllŒh to anyone and is known only to Him.8Literally, "those who have taqwŒ," i.e., who have piety, righteousness, fear and love of AllŒh, and who take great care to avoid His displeasure.9At its proper times and according to its specified conditions.10It
is
to
be
noted
that
the
reference
of
AllŒh
(subúŒnahu
wa
taÔŒlŒ)
to Himself as "We" in many QurÕŒnic verses is necessarily understood in the Arabic
language
to
denote
grandeur
and
power,
as
opposed
to
the
more intimate singular form "I" used in specific instances.11Literally, "cover" or "conceal" (faith or truth).12A covering preventing them from discerning guidance. This condition is a direct result of their arrogance and persistence in sin.

S´rah 2–al-BaqarahJuzÕ 1
3
8.And
of
the
people
are
some
who
say,
"We
believe
in
AllŒh and the Last Day," but they are not believers.
9.They [think to] deceive AllŒh and those who believe, but they deceive not except themselves and perceive [it] not.
10.In their hearts is disease, so AllŒh has increased their disease;13
and for them is a painful punishment because they [habitually] used to lie.
11.And
when
it
is said
to
them,
"Do
not cause
corruption on
the earth," they say, "We are but reformers."
12.Unquestionably,
it
is t
hey
who
are
the
corrupters,
but
they perceive [it] not.
13.And
when
it
is s
aid
to
them,
"Believe
as
the
people
have believed," they
say,
"Should
we
believe
as
the
foolish
have believed?" Unquestionably, it is they who are the foolish, but they know [it] not.
14.And when they meet those who believe, they say, "We believe";but
when
they
are
alone
with
their
evil
ones,
they
say, "Indeed, we are with you; we were only mockers."
15.[But]
AllŒh
mocks
them
and
prolongs
them
in
their
transgression[while] they wander blindly.
16.Those
are
the
ones
who
have
purchased
error
[in
exchange] for
guidance,
so
their
transaction
has
brought
no
profit,
nor were they guided.
17.Their
example
is that
of
one
who
kindled
a
fire,
but
when
it illuminated what was around him, AllŒh took away their light