7. Al-Baqarah, sura 21-22 (MADINAN)

21: O people! Adore your Guardian-Lord, who created you and those who came before you, so that you may have the chance to learn righteousness;

22:Who has made the earth your couch and the heavens your canopy’ and send down rain from the heavens; and by it brought forth fruits for your sustenance; then do not set up rivals to Allah, when you know.

a)

The Qur’an points out to mankind that they and their ancestors have been created by Allah , and it is He alone they should worship.

He also surrounded them with blessings, hidden and apparent. Allah’s creative power and His relation with His creation is the theme The verses particularly mention the productivity of the earth, the protective shield provided by the

heavens and the virtue of rain to activate the process of production of variety of fruits. Allah, the Creator of all mankind, the earth and the heavens The physical life is symbolized by the earth while the spiritual is symbolized by the canopy of heaven The Being Who has created and arranged for the maintenance of Hi creatures is the only One who

deserves complete and exclusive worship and obedience- and not the idols, priests or saints to whom are ascribed some of God’s qualities

It also shows that the Quran address the whole mankind and not only Muslims and God is not biased towards anyone.

Allah has showered the following bounties, blessings and rewards upon Man:1. The very creation of man himself 2. The creation of earth on which grow every kind of things for the sustenance and benefit of

mankind.3. The creation of heavens from which flow spiritual and physical blessings for allthose who seek of

these from Him.4. The sending of rain which brings the dead earth to life and causes it to produceall kinds of food

without which no creature can survive. Allah warns us from shirk

b)

After creation, Allah makes all arrangements for their survival.In response, mankind should ackmowledge his greatness by worshipping Him.

His countless blessings makes us think how much Allah loves us. We should think of Allah’s blessings we enjoy like the flat land so that we can dwell and travel on it

easily. We have no authority on rains and we can do nothing if they crops stop growing. We realize that since Allah bestows equal blessings on his creation, we should love and respect them

even if they’re not muslims. Just like the couch and canopy we pass by everyday, we also pass by the blessings of the earth anf

the heavens. Plants are being cloned but even so they are able to do so because they have fruits which are

already produced. They don’t create fruits themselves. Everything is in the control of Allah so if we worship him , he will help us. Sincere worship and obedience to Allah inculcates in us a consciousness of Allah’s presence. This

guides us to refrain from sin and evil. He realizes that it is very easy for Allah to create mankind.

Quotes:

A:

“He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor of all things, the Bestower of forms. ToHim belong the Best Names. All that is in the heavens and the earth glorify Him.And He is All-Mighty, the All-wise.” (59:23-4)

“ It is Allah Who has made for you the earth as a resting place and the sky as a canopy ….and has provided for you Sustenance of things pure and good such is Allah your Lord. So Glory to Allah the Lord of the Worlds !” (40:64)

And We have made the sky as a roof (a guarded canopy), held up even. Yet they turn away from its portenets.” (21:32)

“And if you were to ask them: Who created the heavens and the earth, and has regulated the sun and the moon (to their appointed work) ? They would say: Allah. How then are they turned away? “ (29:61)

“He has lifted it’s canopy up and smoothed it-off. “ (79:28) “… there is no god but I; therefore worship and serve Me” (21;25) “O, you who believe! Fear God as he should be feared and die not except in a state of Islam”

(3:102, al-Imran). “ Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. “ (17:23)

b-

“ Have they not pondered upon themselves? Allah created not the heavens and the earth, and that which is between them, except with truth and for a destined end. But truly many of a makind are disbelievers in the meeting with their Lord. “ (30:8)

“ Allah it is Who made for you the earth for a dwelling place and sky for a canopy.” (40:64) “Then look again and yet again, your sight will return to you confused and made dim (fatigued) “

(67:4) “How many a portent (signs) are there in the heavens and the earth, which they apss and pay

not attention to them! “ (12:105) “And those who, when they are reminded of the signs of their Lord, do not throw themselves

upon them (as if ) they are deaf and blind.” (25:73) “ Does not man remember that We created him before, while he was nothing.” ( 19:66) The Holy Prophet said, “Do you know Allah’s right on His servants. They must worship Him alone

and refrain from associating anything with Him in worship.” (Agreed)

8.Surah Al-Alaq ( 96:1-5) (MAKKI)1. Read! in the name of your Lord, who created, 2. Created man out of a clot of congealed blood: 3. Proclaim! And your Lord is most bountiful, 4. He who taught by the pen, 5. Taught man what he did not know.

These five ayaats are the very first revealation brought to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by the angel Hazrat Jibra’il while he was meditating in the cave of Hira, outside Makkah. This revelation was the beginning of the Qur’an to be continued for twenty-three years.

Theme of the passage is God and his created world. Another important theme is the origin of mankind.

• That Allah, the Omnipotent, Allah the Powerful, the Creator, the Sustainer of the universe, is the one who has created man from something which was insignificant i.e. a piece of thick coagulated blood .

• He is made of congealed blood, which is the primary state of embryo, then it assumes the form of a flesh then it gradually takes the form of human shape.

The word, alaaq also means leech like and only in recent years has it been discovered that this is the shape of a human in its early stages.

He created man from a low origin and then matured him physically, intellectually and spiritually by enabling him to read and write.• The lowly origin of man is constrasted with the high destiny offered to him through his intellect, moral and spiritual nature.

Human ability to acquire knowledge means to learn, both worldly and divine sciences so that man is able to find means of physical survival as well as take care of his intellectual and spiritual development.

It mentions God’s power to create and ensure the survival and growth of mankind.

The word iqra also means to read and the importance of knowledge is thus emphasized, particularly also by the use of the qalam (pen).

Man was initially without knowledge. Whatever knowledge he obtained, was given to him as a gift from Allah.

Further, Allah from time to time, taught knowledge of the seen and unseen through revealtions to His prophets.

it is Allah who has blessed man with the power of knowledge to probe his own being and the universe around and see the stars scattered through infinite space, the vast panorama of nature with its charm and beauty and the astonishing harmony of the seasonsand the days and nights__ manifestations of the Power and Might, and Mercy and Graceof the All-Pervading Mind.

Human ability to learn has made him superior to all other The importance and place of knowledge in Islam is evident from the

following sayings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH):

• It is the duty of every prophet to spread the Message of Allah without addition or subtraction.

It is the duty of everyone who reads and understands the Qur’an to spread its message to others.

Attaining knowledge and spreading it is an important theme of the Quran The pen has always been a powerful means for the spread of knowledge of

Divine Unity in particular and knowledge in general.

It is due to the pen that knowledge has been recorded in writing and transmitted from one person to another and from generation to generation.

The importance of Angel Jibreal is also mentioned here is a them repeated many a times in the Quran.

The link between knowledge and revelation God has revealed divine books for spiritual guidance of mankind. man is totally dependent on his creator Lord in all spheres of life and

activity.

B

Even the first word of the revelation is read. That shows us that we must not underestimate the education we are receiving since Allah himself has honoured it .

We should ponder over Allah’s greatness by realizing the fact that He created man from just a clot of blood.

The very first revelation refers to man’s evolution out of a germ cell-constrasting the simplicity of his biological origins with his moral,intellectual and spiritual potential which clearly indicated the existence of a purpose underlying the creation of life.

In our class room, it is very common to see pens lying on the floor. They are not valued but this verse clearly highlights its importance. Therefore pens and books must be respected.

If Allah had nor given man the art of the use of the pen and writing his intellectual faculties would have stagnated and would not have had the opportunity to develop and expand.

Pen should be used positively as it can play a more important role than swords in changing the world.

We should not only gain knowledge but we must implement it in all aspects of life.

We become so proud of attaining higher education and experience, yet we fail to realize it is Allah who gives man the ability to do so.

If I gain the skill of debating ,I should use it for spreading knowledge of Islam. Similarly, digital Qurans are being developed by technicians using their knowledge in the right way. Quotes:A-

The Quran says, “Are those who know equal to those who know not? “(39:9)

The Quran says, “…Nor shall they compass aught of His knowledge except as He wills.”(2:255)

“Then he made the sperm into a clot of blood next We turned the lump into bones and clothed the bones with flesh.” ( 23:14)

“ And He taught Adam all the names, then showed them to the angels, saying; tell Me the names of these, if you are truthful.” (2:31)

“Nun.By the pen and that which they write(there with) (68:1)• “He who goes forth in search of knowledge will be in Allah’s way until

here turns.” (At-Tirmizi)• The acquisition of knowledge is “an obligation upon every Muslim man

and woman” (Ibn Maja)• “Say (O Muhammad, to mankind) : Who is an enemy to jibrael! For he it

id who has revealed (this Scripture) to your heart by Allah’s leave, confirming that which was (revealed) before it, and a guidance and glad tidings to believers.” (2: 97)

B- “We have indeed created man in the best of moulds” (96:4al-Tin). The holy prophet said, “The ink of a scholar’s pen is purer than the blood of

a martyr.” “Allah makes the way to paradise easy for him who treads the path in

search of knowledge.” (Muslim) Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) is quoted to have said:

"He who learns for the sake of haughtiness, dies ignorant. He who learns only to talk, rather than to act, dies a hyprocite. He who learns for the mere sake of debating, dies irreligious. He who learns only to accumulate wealth, dies an atheist. And he who learns for the sake of action, dies a mystic." (Hadith)

...Verily, Allâh does not like such as are proud and boastful; Those who are miserly and enjoin miserliness on other men and hide what Allâh has bestowed upon them of His Bounties.... Qur'an 4:36-37

“See you not how Allah has made serviceable to you whatsoever is in the skies and whatsoever is in the earth and has lavished you with His favours both publically and privately within? Yet there are among mankind who dispute concerning Allah, without knowledge or guidance or a Scripture giving light.” (31:20)

“Or deem you that most of them hear or understand? They are but as the cattle, no but they are father astray.” (25:44)

9. Surah Zilzaal (99)( Late Makki or Madni Surah)

1. When the earth is shaken to her utmost convulsion,2. And the earth throws up her burdens,3. And man cries out: ‘What is the matter with her?’, 4. On that day will she declare her tidings: 5. For that your Lord will have given her inspiration. 6. On that day will men proceed in companies sorted out, to be

shown their deeds.7. Then shall anyone who has done an atom’s weight of good see

it! 8. And anyone who has done an atom’s weight of evil shall see it.A:

The main theme is Allahs relationship with creation

Other important themes are the temporary nature of this life, the day of judgement, hereafter and the life after death

The destruction on that day is explained in many verses and here the example of an earthquake is given to give us some idea of the supreme convulsion that will take place that day.

The destruction is one of the signs that the Holy Quran has mentioned. Other signs include:

It talks about the bewilderment that mankind will face on the day of judgement. He will not understand it is the Resurrection Day even after he wakes up after the second trumphet.

This throws light on the theme of Allah’s exalted power and mankind’s zero authority. Allah as the master of the Day of judgement is another theme mentioned here.

Another common theme is the justice on the day of judgement and presentation of man’s full record.

Nothing will be hidden that day, the Earth will tell it’s story and will spill out all it’s secrets.

A major theme of the Quran is the outcome of bad and evil deeds. Even the minor deeds will not be missed and will be awarded either with hell or heaven. B;

This place is a world of trails and will not last forever. Muslims will learn about the worthlessness of this world and

realize the value of true worlds by saying: “Nay you prefer the life of this world, but the hereafter is better and more enduring” (87:16, al-A’la).

A believers focus should be on the other life and he should not get indulged in worldly pleasures.

We spend all our life building houses yet the money and the houses don’t go anywhere.

We must not under estimate even the slightest good or bad deed One of my friends once stole a pen and when I told her to return

it she said, nobody cares about it. Yet muslims need to realize that this act was recorded and it’s recompense will definitely be given.

We must fear the Day when we will be gathered for accountability.

Humans are helpless and completely depend on Allah The way an earthquake overturns lives, so does Allah overturn

lives and fortunes of people. I always wanted my relative to come towards Islam and I still have hope.

Allah’s justice and mercy must be realized as he doesn’t even let an atom’s weight of good or bad deed go unnoticed. If we feel wronged on this Earth, we should be strong and know that Allah will not let it pass. (Murder e.g)

Quotes:A:

“A day whereon men will be like moths scattered about and the mountains will be like carded wool.” (101:4-5)

The Quran says, “ On the Day when every soul will be confronted with all the good it has done, and all the evil it has done…” (3:30)

“It will be said to him) : “Read your book. You yourself are sufficient as a reckoner against you this Day.” (17:14)

“They will say: Woe to us! Who has raised us up from our place of sleep.” (It will be said to them) : “This is what the Most

Gracious( Allah) has promised, and the Messengers spoke truth!” (36:52)

“ And when the Graves are turned upside down (Then) shall each soul know what it has sent forward and (what it has) kept back.” (82: 4-5)

“And when the Earth is flattened out and casts forth what is within it and becomes empty.” (84:4)

“ The Day that Trumpet shall be sounded and you shall come forth in crowds.” (An-Naba 18)

“They will say, “ Ah! Woe to us! What a book is this! It leaves out nothing small or great but takes account thereof! They will find that they did, placed before them. “ (18:49)

“Then he whose balance (of good deeds) will be (found heavy, will be in a life of good pleasure and satisfaction. But he whose balance (of good deed) will be (found) light, will have his home in a (bottomless) pit. “ (101:6-9)B:

• “They will say, “ Ah! Woe to us! What a book is this! It leaves out nothing small or great but takes account thereof! They will find that they did, placed before them. “ (18:49)

“…… not a soul will be dealt with unjustly in the least…..”(21:47) …… God will judge with (justice and truth)……” (40:20) “ And when they have to give by measure or weight to (other) men, give

less then due. Do they not think that they will be resurrected for reckoning) “ (83. 3-4)

“ And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion.:”(57:20) “And among his signs is this: you see the earth barren and desolate, but

when We send down rain to it, it is stirred to life and yields increase.” (41:38)

“Every should will be paid in full the (fruit of its deed and Allah knows best all they do.” (39:70)

11. Surah Baqarah 2.30–37 (Madinan)

30. Behold, your Lord said to the angels: ‘I will create a vicegerent on earth.’ They said: ‘Will You place there one who will make mischief there and shed blood?- whilst we celebrate your praises and glorify your holy (name)?’ He said: ‘I know what you do not know.’ 31. And He taught Adam the names of all things; then He placed them before the angels, and said: ‘Tell me the names of these if you are right.’ 32. They said: ‘Glory to You, of knowledge we have none, save what You have taught us: In truth it is You who are perfect in knowledge and wisdom.’ 33. He said: ‘Adam! Tell them their names.’ When he had told them, Allah said: ‘Did I not tell you that I know the secrets of heaven and earth, and I know what you reveal and what you conceal?’ 34. And behold, We said to the angels: ‘Bow down to Adam’. And they bowed down. Not so Iblis: he refused and was haughty: he was of those who reject faith. 35. We said: ‘Adam! You and your wife dwell in the Garden; and eat of the bountiful things in it as You wish. But do not approach this tree, or you will run into harm and transgression.’ 36. Then Satan made them slip from there, and got them out of what they had been in. We said: ‘Go down, with enmity between yourselves. On earth will be your dwelling-place and your means of livelihood, for a time.’ 37. Then Adam learnt from his Lord words of inspiration, and his Lord turned towards him; for He is often-returning, most merciful.

A:

One of the themes is the creation of Adam and mankind The belief of the angels- they are holy and pure and are endowed with powers

from God. They are totally obedient to Allah’s will .

Allah, the Eternal, the Absolute, One and Unique, is the Sole Creator, the Sustainer andPlanner of this immeasurably vast universe in which angels regularly celebrate His praises and glorify His name.

Man is Allah’s best creation as he alone has been blessed with the knowledge power,faculty and wisdom to explore and understand the mysteries and intricacies of theuniverse.- Man’s superiorty over other creatures due to their knowledge, the importance of attaining knowledge and free will are all important themes of the Quran.

The very first verse revealed to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) in the cave of Hira amplifies beyond doubt the significance, importance and place of knowledge in Islam

God gives knowledge to whom he wishes They highlight man’s role as a vicegerent (khalifa) who excercises the

delegated powers Superiortiy of Hazrat Adam over Iblis is mentioned elsewhere God always triumphs and has ultimate power for e.g Migration Nature of satan e.g his aggnorance in bowing to Hazrat Adam and his tempting

of mankind

It shows Allah’s grace and mercy as He teaches Adam how to pray for forgiveness

Relationship with creations One of the most common frailties or characteristic of human nature is its

inability to resist lust.

Quotes:

“ Our Lord, we have wronged our souls; if Thou forgive us not and bestow upon us Thy mercy, we shall certainly be lost.” (7:23)

“…Then We bade the angels bow down to Adam and they bowed down; not so Iblis, he refused to be those who bow down.” (7:11)

“ O Adam, dwell thou and thy wife in the Garden and enjoy( its good things) as ye wish: but approach not this tree, or ye run into harm and transgression.” (7:19)

“(Allah) said: Get ye down, with enmity between yourselfs. On earth will be your dwelling place and means of livelihood for a time.” (7:24):

He said, “ Therein you shall live , and therein you shall die, and from it you shall be brought out ( i.e resurrected).” ( 7:24)

“ And (remember) when your Lord said to the angels: “ I am going to create a man ( Adam) from dried ( sounding ) clay of altered mud.” (15:28)

“ ( Allah) said: “ Verily, you are of those allowed respite. Till the Day of time appointed.” ( 38:8)

“ And it is He Who has made you (Khala’if) generations coming after generations, replacing each other on the earth.” (6:165)(96:1-5)

“They denied (the Truth) and followed their own lusts.” (54:3) “…But righteousness is (the quality of) the one who believes in Allah, the Last

Day, the Angel, the Book, the Prophets..” (2:177) “ And we (angels) descend not except by the command of your Lord ( O

Muhammad). To Him belongs what is before us and what is behind us…” (16:64)

“Verily my mercy overcomes My wrath.” (Hadith) Know that Allah is severe in punishment and that Allah is Forgiving and

Merciful. (Surat al-Maaidah 5:98) “Verliy, we showed him the way, whether he be grateful or ungrateful.” ( 76:3) “And the man can have nothing but what he does( good or bad).” (53:39)

B-

The claim of the atheists that man is created out of nothing or that he is his own creator and master is baseless beyond any shadow of doubt.

This passage reminds mankind of their position on earth. They have to implement the law of Allah on themselves and the entire world. They have to make effort for it which includes different forms of jihad. They should also acquire knowledge of the word of Allah to maintain their

superiority over other creations.

We should remain loyal to Allah and must reject the evil ideas of Satan. Man is given a chance in life to recover the lost state of innocence through

repentence. . The Quran reminds Muslims repeatedly of this attribute of God. This passage is very important in the lives of Muslims as it is related with the

belief in the Prophets and Angels which is an article of Faith. Muslims learn to resist Satan and his evils in their daily lives as he has been

trying to trap mankind since the creation of Hazrat Adam, the first man of the world.

However, in their daily lives if they do anything wrong they must turn to him immediately for forgiveness.

Simply this passage instills the strength into the hearts of the Muslims that they are protected under God but they have to turn to him for salvation and peace in their lives.

We need to stay away from the characteristics of satan. •As man has been blessed with the rare faculty of making a choice between

good and evil,it is he alone who has to decide whether to tread the path of Allah which leads to Paradise or side with Satan who surely would beguile him to destruction.

Quotes: “And surely, We gave you authority on the earth and appointed for you

therein provisions ( for your life). Little thanks do you give.” (7:10) “Were they created of nothing or were they themselves creators? Or did they

create the heavens and the earth? No, they have no firm belief.” (52:35-6) “Say: Behold all that is in the heavens and on earth but neither signs nor

warners benefit those who believe not.” (10:101) “ If you pronounce the word aloud ( it is no matter): for Verily He knows what

is secret and what is yet more hidden.” ( 20:7) Allah commands the Holy Prophet (PBUH) to invoke Him to advance in

knowledge:“Say: O my Lord! Increase me in knowledge.” (20:114) The Holy Prophet (PBUH) reiterated it as :“Allah makes the way to Paradise

easy for him who treads the path in search of knowledge.”(Muslim).

“He who goes forth in search of knowledge will be in Allah’s way until hereturns.” (At-Tirmidhi)The acquisition of knowledge is “ an obligation upon every Muslim man and woman.” (IbnMajah)

“Except Iblish ( Satan), he was proud and was one of the disbelievers.” (38:74) “ (Allah) said ( to Iblis): “ Get out from this (Paradise), disgraced and expelled.

Whoever of them (mankind) will follow you, then surely I will fill Hell with you all.”

“ (Iblis) said: Because you have sent me astray, surely, I will sit in wait against them (human beings) on Your straight path.” (7: 16)

“ Certainly, you shall have no authority over My slaves, except those who follow you of the Ghawun ( Mushrikun and those who go astray, criminals, polytheists and evil doers).

“The holy prophet said, “ No person who has the weight of a mustard seed of arrogance in his heart shall ever enter Paradise.” ( Bukhari)

“Verly, Shaitan (Satan) is to man an open enemy!” (12:5) “If any one does evil, or wrongs his own soul, but afterwards seeks Allah’s

forgiveness, he will find Allah oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.” (4:110) “ O my Servants who have transgressed against their souls! Despair not of the

Mercy of Allah: for Allah forgives all sins: for He is Oft- Forgiving Most Merciful.” (39:53)

And who can forgive sins except Allah? (Surah Ali Imran 3:135)

(FROM here I started focusing exactly what the question asked)

Surah Al-Maida, Sura 5:11075. So also did We show Abraham the power and the laws of the heavens and the earth, so that he might have certainty. 76. When the night covered him over, he saw a star: He said: ‘This is my Lord.’ But when it set, he said: ‘I do not love things that set.’ 77. When he saw the moon rising in splendour, he said: ‘This is my Lord.’ But when the moon set, he said: ‘Unless my Lord guides me, I will surely be among those who go astray.’ 78. When he saw the sun rising in splendour, he said: ‘This is my Lord; this is the greatest.’ But when the sun set, he said: ‘O my people! I am indeed free from your giving partners to Allah.’ 79. ‘For me, I have

set my face firmly and truly towards Him who created the heavens and the earth, and never shall I give partners to Allah.’

(Oct/Nov 2009 and 0ct/Nov 2010 and 0ct/Nov 2012 )

Marking scheme:

They could also give comparisons with themes of other passages.

God and his power His relationship with Jesus Answers may talk about miracles Jesus gave as a sign of His power and to

protect his prophet. God showed his support in many ways as a demonstration that Jesus was

his prophet. Just as He helps them in their guidance for people, He also protects them

from harm,

A:

An important theme is the Day of judgment It describes the scene on the Day of judgement when Allah will ask about

the responsibility He assigned the prophets to preach His message to the people.

The ayaat recounts the miracles bestowed on him God’s favour and relationship to Mankind is another theme And the word ‘by my leave’ is repeated to emphasize Allah’s power. There is reference here to the muslim belief that Hazrat Isa was not

crucified but raised by Allah’s decree. Another aspect of the miracles of Hazrat Isa is to see them not in a physical

but spiritual context: the diseased ones who were cured when their faith in Allah was restored; the dead who came to life could be those whose souls were devoid of faith and then they become believers. B:(2) Sura 5.110

These teachings show the relationship between God and His prophet Jesus. They showhumankind the different kind of miracles God is able to perform, which show His power andmajesty, but also how He helps His creation in different ways. In this way they remindMuslims of God’s power, shown through His prophets, and how He can be there to helpthem. It reminds Muslims how God has the power to change things.