SURAH 2 – AL-BAQARAH - THE COW

VERSES 107-113

Quran Study Sessions – Session 39

August 16, 2020

Idol-worshippers and visiting Jews used to ask Muhammad for all kinds of miracles to prove his prophethood. One day a crowd went to the Prophet, and one man asked that Muhammad turn a hill into gold. Another man asked for a scripture to descend from the sky, while yet another man, named ‘Abdullah ibn Abi Umayyah, asked for a tailor-made revelation addressed to him personally. Some new believers also were beginning to ask such petty questions, as well. This passage was revealed as an answer to that type of petty questioning.

Background on Verse 107-108

From “The Meaning of the Holy Quran in Todays English” by Yahiya Emerick

Verse 107 Basic Meanings

Verse 108 Basic Meanings

A Jewish leader and poet in Medina, Ka’b ibn al Ashraf, was composing poetry to slander Muhammad and his companions and also to incite the Quraysh of Mecca to continue their attacks on the Muslims. Muhammad is counseled in this verse to be patient and calm in the face of the incitement.

Background on Verse 109

From “The Meaning of the Holy Quran in Todays English” by Yahiya Emerick

Verse 109 Basic Meaning

Verse 110 Basic Meaning

A group of Christians from Najran visited Medina to interview the Prophet and learn more about him. Some Jewish rabbis came and debated religion with them in a public forum, and their argument became so heated that the rabbis and Christians each accused the other of not understanding religion and having no basis for their positions, this passage was revealed as a comment on this event.

Background on Verse 111-113

From “The Meaning of the Holy Quran in Todays English” by Yahiya Emerick

Verse 111 Basic Meaning

Verse 112 Basic Meaning

Verse 113 Basic Meaning

Free will and faith

Animal

Angel

Free will allows man to be better than Angels or worse than animals

and everything in between0