2. Surah Al-Baqara

البقرةThe Cow · 286 ayahsتفہیم القرآن انگلش

Read Surah Al-Baqara in the Quran reader
Ayah 2:224

وَ لَا تَجْعَلُوا اللّٰهَ عُرْضَةً لِّاَیْمَانِكُمْ اَنْ تَبَرُّوْا وَ تَتَّقُوْا وَ تُصْلِحُوْا بَیْنَ النَّاسِ١ؕ وَ اللّٰهُ سَمِیْعٌ عَلِیْمٌ Open ayah 2:224 in the Quran reader

Do not use Allah's name for such oaths which are taken to keep back from virtue, piety and the welfare of mankind: 243

243. Authentic Traditions indicate that if a person takes a vow and discovers later that righteousness and common good are best served by breaking that vow then he should do so. Expiation consists in either feeding or providing clothes for ten poor people, or setting free a slave, or fasting for three days (see 5: 89) .
Ayah 2:225

لَا یُؤَاخِذُكُمُ اللّٰهُ بِاللَّغْوِ فِیْۤ اَیْمَانِكُمْ وَ لٰكِنْ یُّؤَاخِذُكُمْ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ قُلُوْبُكُمْ١ؕ وَ اللّٰهُ غَفُوْرٌ حَلِیْمٌ Open ayah 2:225 in the Quran reader

Allah hears everything you utter and knows everything. Allah does not call you to Account for unintentional and meaningless oaths, 244 but will surely take you to task for oaths taken deliberately and in earnest : Allah is Forgiving and Forbearing.

244. This refers to oaths which one utters either through habit or without any intent and purpose. The breach of such vows neither entails expiation nor makes man liable to God's reproach.
Ayah 2:226

لِلَّذِیْنَ یُؤْلُوْنَ مِنْ نِّسَآئِهِمْ تَرَبُّصُ اَرْبَعَةِ اَشْهُرٍ١ۚ فَاِنْ فَآءُوْ فَاِنَّ اللّٰهَ غَفُوْرٌ رَّحِیْمٌ Open ayah 2:226 in the Quran reader

Those who take an oath to keep apart from their wives are given four months (for a final decision) , 245 Then if they resume their relations, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. 246

245. In the legal terminology of Islam this is known as ila'. It is obvious that harmony and cordiality do not always prevail in matrimonial life. There are occasions when strains and tensions develop, leading to discord and estrangement. But the Law of God does not approve of that discord which causes a husband and wife, who are legally tied to one another in matrimony, to remain for all practical purposes alienated from one another as if they had ceased to be spouses. For this kind of abnormal discord and estrangement God has fixed a limit of four months during which the spouses are required either to settle their difference, or to break the tie of wedlock so that each becomes free to contract marriage with someone with whom a harmonious matrimonial relationship appears more likely. Since the verse mentions 'taking a vow', the Hanafi and Shafi'i jurists consider the injunction to be applicable only when a husband has taken a vow not to have sexual relations with his wife. According to them, the injunction does not apply if the husband merely forsakes sexual relations with his wife without taking any vow to that effect. The Maliki jurists are, however, of the opinion that irrespective of whether a person has taken a vow, the maximum permissible limit for abstaining from sexual relations in wedlock is four months. A statement to that effect is also attributed to Ahmad b. Hanbal. (See Ibn Rushd, Bidayat al-Mujtahid, vol. 2, pp. 98 ff. - Ed.) According to 'Ali, Ibn Abbas and Hasan al-Basri, this injunction is related to the cessation of sexual relations as a result of unpleasantness in the relationship of the spouses. It would not apply, however, if a husband were to decide to abandon sexual relations with his wife out of some beneficial consideration - say because the wife is breastfeeding - at a time when their relationship was pleasant. According to other jurists, however, any vow which prevents sexual intercourse between a husband and wife is ila', and ought not to last longer than four months irrespective of the state of the matrimonial relationship when it was taken. (See Jassas, Ahkam al-Qur'an, vol. 1, pp. 355 ff - Ed.) 246. Some jurists have interpreted this verse to signify that if the spouses break their vow and re-establish sexual relations they will not be liable to any expiation and will be pardoned by God gratuitously. However, the majority of jurists are of the opinion that they, are required to expiate. The statement that God is Oft-Forgiving and Merciful does not mean that God has forgiven them. It means rather that God will accept their expiation and will forgive them for whatever excesses they may have committed against each other.
Ayah 2:227

وَ اِنْ عَزَمُوا الطَّلَاقَ فَاِنَّ اللّٰهَ سَمِیْعٌ عَلِیْمٌ Open ayah 2:227 in the Quran reader

And if they resolve on divorce, 247 (let them remember that Allah hears everything and knows everything.

247. According to 'Uthman, Ibn Mas'ud, Zayd ibn Thabit and others the limit for the restoration of matrimonial relations is four months. The mere termination of that period proves that the husband has decided to repudiate the marriage and so divorce automatically ensues. It will be reckoned as an irrevocable (ba'in) repudiation. This means that separation between the spouses will come into force and the husband will not have the right to revoke it during the period of waiting ('iddah) . The two parties will, however, have the right to recontract marriage by mutual consent. Statements from 'Umar, 'Ali, Ibn 'Abbas, and also a statement from Ibn 'Umar, have been reported in support of this doctrine and have been accepted by the Hanafi jurists as the basis of their doctrine. Sa'id ibn al-Musayyib, Makhul, Zuhri,. and some other early jurists agree with this doctrine to the extent that divorce comes into force after four months. But they consider that the husband may revoke it during the period of waiting; and even after the lapse of that period the spouses may recontract marriage by mutual consent. However, 'A'ishah, Abu al-Darda' and the majority of the jurists of Madina are opposed to this opinion and hold that after four months the matter should be placed before the court when the judge will order the husband either to resume matrimonial relations with his wife or divorce her. Statements from 'Umar and 'Ali as well as a statement from Ibn 'Umar have come down in support of this doctrine. This opinion has been accepted by Malik and Shafi'i. (See Jassas, vol. 1, pp. 359 f. - Ed.) 248. That is, if a man has abandoned his wife on unreasonable grounds, he should not feel secure from the wrath of God for He is not unaware of the excesses that he may have committed.
Ayah 2:228

وَ الْمُطَلَّقٰتُ یَتَرَبَّصْنَ بِاَنْفُسِهِنَّ ثَلٰثَةَ قُرُوْٓءٍ١ؕ وَ لَا یَحِلُّ لَهُنَّ اَنْ یَّكْتُمْنَ مَا خَلَقَ اللّٰهُ فِیْۤ اَرْحَامِهِنَّ اِنْ كُنَّ یُؤْمِنَّ بِاللّٰهِ وَ الْیَوْمِ الْاٰخِرِ١ؕ وَ بُعُوْلَتُهُنَّ اَحَقُّ بِرَدِّهِنَّ فِیْ ذٰلِكَ اِنْ اَرَادُوْۤا اِصْلَاحًا١ؕ وَ لَهُنَّ مِثْلُ الَّذِیْ عَلَیْهِنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوْفِ١۪ وَ لِلرِّجَالِ عَلَیْهِنَّ دَرَجَةٌ١ؕ وَ اللّٰهُ عَزِیْزٌ حَكِیْمٌ۠ Open ayah 2:228 in the Quran reader

Divorced women must wait for three monthly courses. And it is not lawful for them to hide what Allah has created in their wombs, if they sincerely believe in Allah and the Last Day. Their husbands are best entitled to take 248 them back as their wives during this waiting period, if they desire reconciliation. 249

249. Jurists disagree about the legal import of this verse. According to some, as long as a woman has not completed her third menstrual period repudiation will not have the effect of irrevocable divorce. This is the view of Abu Bakr, 'Umar, 'Ali, Ibn 'Abbas, Abu Musa al-Ash'arl, Ibn Mas'ud and several distinguished Companions of the Prophet. This is also the accepted doctrine of the Hanafi jurists. On the other hand, another group of jurists is of the view that, as soon as the third monthly period of a woman begins, the husband ceases to have the right to revoke the divorce. This is the view of , 'A'ishah, Ibn 'Umar and Zayd ibn Thabit, and has been accepted by, the Shafi'i and Maliki jurists. It should be clear, however, that this injunction is applicable only when the husband has pronounced single or double divorce. In case of triple divorce, the husband ceases to have the right of revocation. (See Jassas, vol. 1. pp. 364 ff. - Ed.)
Ayah 2:229

اَلطَّلَاقُ مَرَّتٰنِ١۪ فَاِمْسَاكٌۢ بِمَعْرُوْفٍ اَوْ تَسْرِیْحٌۢ بِاِحْسَانٍ١ؕ وَ لَا یَحِلُّ لَكُمْ اَنْ تَاْخُذُوْا مِمَّاۤ اٰتَیْتُمُوْهُنَّ شَیْئًا اِلَّاۤ اَنْ یَّخَافَاۤ اَلَّا یُقِیْمَا حُدُوْدَ اللّٰهِ١ؕ فَاِنْ خِفْتُمْ اَلَّا یُقِیْمَا حُدُوْدَ اللّٰهِ١ۙ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَیْهِمَا فِیْمَا افْتَدَتْ بِهٖ١ؕ تِلْكَ حُدُوْدُ اللّٰهِ فَلَا تَعْتَدُوْهَا١ۚ وَ مَنْ یَّتَعَدَّ حُدُوْدَ اللّٰهِ فَاُولٰٓئِكَ هُمُ الظّٰلِمُوْنَ Open ayah 2:229 in the Quran reader

Divorce may be pronounced twice; then either the wife be kept honourably or parted with gracefully. 250 And it is not lawful for you to take back anything out of what you have given them. 251 There is, however, an exception to this; if you fear that they might not be able to keep within the limits imposed by Allah, there is no harm if both agree mutually that the wife should obtain divorce by giving something as compensation to the husband. 252 These are the bounds set by Allah; therefore do not violate them, for those who violate the bounds of AIIah are the tansgressors.

250. This little verse aims at the reform of a serious evil that was rampant in the social life in pre-Islamic Arabia. According to the customary law of Arabia, a person was entitled to pronounce any number of divorces upon his wife. As a result divorce was resorted to at the least provocation and annoyance. In addition, the husband often exercised his right to revoke the divorce he had pronounced with the result that the poor wife could neither live with him in happiness nor free herself to contract a fresh marriage with someone else. Here the Qur'an seeks to shut the door on this injustice. According to this verse, a man may pronounce revocable divorce upon his wife not more than twice. Should he pronounce divorce for the third time after revoking it twice, the wife will be permanently alienated from him. The appropriate procedure for divorce, according to the Qur'an and Hadith, is that a person should pronounce one divorce outside the time of the wife's menstrual period. After the first divorce he may pronounce a second in the next clear period if he wants to, though it is preferable that he should confine himself to pronouncing the first. In this case the husband retains the right to revoke the divorce at any time before the lapse of the period of waiting ('iddah) even if the period of waiting has lapsed, the couple have the right to recontract the marriage by mutual consent. If the husband, however, pronounces divorce in his wife's third clear period he has no right to revoke the divorce, and the spouses are not entitled to recontract the marriage. The pronouncing of triple divorce in one session is a highly sinful act acc~rding to the Law, and the Prophet has strongly denounced it. (See Nasii, 'Talaq', 6 - Ed.) It has even been established that 'Umar used to flog those who pronounced triple divorce in one session. Although this procedure of divorce is considered sinful, the founders of the four legal schools consider it to have legal effect, with the result that such divorce, in their view, becomes absolutely irrevocable. 251. This refers to the mahr (bridal gift) and the jewellery, clothes and so on which the husband offers as a gift to his wife, and to which he has no right of reclaim. It is, indeed, normally inconsistent with Islamic ethics that a person should reclaim anything he has made over to another by way of donation or gift. In the Hadith this disgraceful act is likened to a dog licking its own vomit. (See Bukhari, 'Hibah', 30; Nasiii, 'Hibah', 3, etc. - Ed.) In the case of a husband, in particular, it is a matter of the utmost disgrace that, at the time of saying farewell to his divorced wife he should try to dispossess her of what he had once given her out of his own goodwill. On the contrary, the morals that Islam seeks to cultivate require that at the time of parting the husband ought to present her with a farewell gift. (See verse 241 below.) 252. In the terminology of Islamic Law this is known as khul', i.e. a woman's securing the annulment of her marriage through the payment of some compensation to her husband. Whatever settlement is made between a husband and wife should come into effect. If the matter is referred to the court, however, it will investigate only whether the wife has really become too disgusted with the husband to put up with him. (For the Traditions on the basis of which the author concludes this see the commentaries on this verse in Ibn Kathir and Qurtubi, see especially the latter, vol. 2, pp. 946-8 - Ed.) Once this is determined the court is entitled to fix the amount of payment incumbent on the wife as compensation for the repudiation of her marriage, and the husband will be bound to accept that amount and divorce his wife. In general, the jurists believe that the payment, thus fixed, should not be higher than the original mahr paid by the husband. The divorce that comes into effect is irrevocable and brings separation into effect immediately. Since the woman has paid compensation, she has in effect purchased the right of repudiation and the husband, therefore, has ceased to have the right to revoke the divorce. If, however, the spouses agree to recontract marriage, they may do so. According to the majority of jurists the period of waiting under khul' is the same as under divorce. However, there are several Traditions in Abu Da'ud, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, etc., which show that the Prophet fixed the period of waiting at one menstrual period, and that 'Uthman applied this in a case which he decided. (See Ibn Kathir's commentary on the verse.)
Ayah 2:230

فَاِنْ طَلَّقَهَا فَلَا تَحِلُّ لَهٗ مِنْۢ بَعْدُ حَتّٰى تَنْكِحَ زَوْجًا غَیْرَهٗ١ؕ فَاِنْ طَلَّقَهَا فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَیْهِمَاۤ اَنْ یَّتَرَاجَعَاۤ اِنْ ظَنَّاۤ اَنْ یُّقِیْمَا حُدُوْدَ اللّٰهِ١ؕ وَ تِلْكَ حُدُوْدُ اللّٰهِ یُبَیِّنُهَا لِقَوْمٍ یَّعْلَمُوْنَ Open ayah 2:230 in the Quran reader

And if the husband divorces his wife (for the third time) , she shall not remain his lawful wife after this (absolute) divorce, unless she marries another husband and the second husband divorces her. 253 (In that case) there is no harm if they re-marry, provided that the woman and her first husband are convinced that they will be able to keep within the bounds fixed by Allah. And these are Allah's bounds, which He makes clear for the guidance of those who know (the consequences of transgression) .

253. It is known from authentic Traditions that it is totally illegitimate for a person to arrange the marriage of his divorced wife with someone else on the understanding that the latter wil divorce her to make it possible for the former husband to recontract marriage with that woman. Such trickery would in fact be an act of sheer sexual corruption and would not render the woman liable to remarriage with her former husband. According to a Tradition transmitted from 'Ali, Ibn Mas'ud, Abu Hurayrah and 'Uqbah ibn 'Amir, the Prophet pronounced his curse on those who arrange, as well as on those who agree to contract, such fictitious marriages. (See Muslim. 'Talaq', l5, 71; Nasa'i, 'Talaq', 8; Ahmad b. Hanbal, Musnad, vol. 1, P. 314 and vol. 5, p. 334; Al-Muwatta', 'Talaq', 27; Abu Da'ud. 'Talaq'. 10 - Ed.)
Ayah 2:231

وَ اِذَا طَلَّقْتُمُ النِّسَآءَ فَبَلَغْنَ اَجَلَهُنَّ فَاَمْسِكُوْهُنَّ بِمَعْرُوْفٍ اَوْ سَرِّحُوْهُنَّ بِمَعْرُوْفٍ١۪ وَّ لَا تُمْسِكُوْهُنَّ ضِرَارًا لِّتَعْتَدُوْا١ۚ وَ مَنْ یَّفْعَلْ ذٰلِكَ فَقَدْ ظَلَمَ نَفْسَهٗ١ؕ وَ لَا تَتَّخِذُوْۤا اٰیٰتِ اللّٰهِ هُزُوًا١٘ وَّ اذْكُرُوْا نِعْمَتَ اللّٰهِ عَلَیْكُمْ وَ مَاۤ اَنْزَلَ عَلَیْكُمْ مِّنَ الْكِتٰبِ وَ الْحِكْمَةِ یَعِظُكُمْ بِهٖ١ؕ وَ اتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ وَ اعْلَمُوْۤا اَنَّ اللّٰهَ بِكُلِّ شَیْءٍ عَلِیْمٌ۠ Open ayah 2:231 in the Quran reader

And when you have divorced your wives and they are about to complete their prescribed term, then either retain them gracefully or release them generously. It is transgression to retain them merely for harassment; and whoever' does that indeed wrongs his own self. 254 Do not play with Allah's Commandments, and remember that Allah has blessed you with a great favour. He admonishes you to show due respect to the Book and the Wisdom He has sent to you. 255 Fear Allah and know that He is fully aware of everything.

254. It is absolutely improper that a person should revoke the divorce he pronounced on his wife before the lapse of the period of waiting merely in order to use this revocation as a pretext to harass and torment her . God commands that if a person revokes the divorce this decision should be prompted by a sincere desire to live together amicably. Should that intention be lacking, it is better to part company in a graceful manner (see further n. 250 above) . 255. Muslims should not forget that by teaching them the Book and Wisdom, God entrusted them with the glorious task of guiding the world. They should also not forget that they were appointed the 'community, of the middle way' and appointed as witnesses to good and righteousness (see verse 143 above) . It does not become them, therefore, to indulge in sophistry and to play with the verses of the Book of God, to exploit the words of the Law to their advantage in achieving ends counter to its spirit, and to slump into injustice and other evil behaviour instead of directing the world to the Right Way.
Ayah 2:232

وَ اِذَا طَلَّقْتُمُ النِّسَآءَ فَبَلَغْنَ اَجَلَهُنَّ فَلَا تَعْضُلُوْهُنَّ اَنْ یَّنْكِحْنَ اَزْوَاجَهُنَّ اِذَا تَرَاضَوْا بَیْنَهُمْ بِالْمَعْرُوْفِ١ؕ ذٰلِكَ یُوْعَظُ بِهٖ مَنْ كَانَ مِنْكُمْ یُؤْمِنُ بِاللّٰهِ وَ الْیَوْمِ الْاٰخِرِ١ؕ ذٰلِكُمْ اَزْكٰى لَكُمْ وَ اَطْهَرُ١ؕ وَ اللّٰهُ یَعْلَمُ وَ اَنْتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُوْنَ Open ayah 2:232 in the Quran reader

When you have divorced your wives absolutely and they have completed their prescribed term, then you should not prevent them from marrying their prospective husbands, if they mutually agree to marry each other in a lawful way. 256 You are enjoined not to commit such an offence,if you sincerely believe in Allah and the Last Day. It is most decent and pure for you to desist from this; Allah knows and you do not know.

256. This is a directive to the relatives of the divorced woman. When a woman is divorced by her husband and he fails to revoke the divorce before the expiry of the waiting period, the relatives of the woman should not try to prevent the couple from re-marrying if they agree to do so. This verse may also be interpreted to mean that if a divorced woman wants to contract marriage with someone other than her former husband after the expiry of the waiting period, the former husband should not obstruct this marriage by making malicious propaganda against the woman he has forsaken. That is an admonition to every one of you who believes in Allah and the Last Day; that is a cleaner and purer way for you. For Allah knows whereas you do not know.
Ayah 2:233

وَ الْوَالِدٰتُ یُرْضِعْنَ اَوْلَادَهُنَّ حَوْلَیْنِ كَامِلَیْنِ لِمَنْ اَرَادَ اَنْ یُّتِمَّ الرَّضَاعَةَ١ؕ وَ عَلَى الْمَوْلُوْدِ لَهٗ رِزْقُهُنَّ وَ كِسْوَتُهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوْفِ١ؕ لَا تُكَلَّفُ نَفْسٌ اِلَّا وُسْعَهَا١ۚ لَا تُضَآرَّ وَالِدَةٌۢ بِوَلَدِهَا وَ لَا مَوْلُوْدٌ لَّهٗ بِوَلَدِهٖ١ۗ وَ عَلَى الْوَارِثِ مِثْلُ ذٰلِكَ١ۚ فَاِنْ اَرَادَا فِصَالًا عَنْ تَرَاضٍ مِّنْهُمَا وَ تَشَاوُرٍ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَیْهِمَا١ؕ وَ اِنْ اَرَدْتُّمْ اَنْ تَسْتَرْضِعُوْۤا اَوْلَادَكُمْ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَیْكُمْ اِذَا سَلَّمْتُمْ مَّاۤ اٰتَیْتُمْ بِالْمَعْرُوْفِ١ؕ وَ اتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ وَ اعْلَمُوْۤا اَنَّ اللّٰهَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُوْنَ بَصِیْرٌ Open ayah 2:233 in the Quran reader

The (divorced) mothers shall suckle their children for two whole years, if the fathers desire the suckling to be completed. 257 In that case the father of the child shall, in the fair known way, be responsible for their food and clothing. But none should be burdened with more than one can bear: neither the mother should be pressed unjustly (to accept unfair terms) just because she is the mother nor should the father be burdened just because he is the father. And the same responsibility for the maintenance of the mother devolves upon the father of the child and his heir. 258 There is no harm if they wean the child by mutual consent and consultation. Moreover, there is no harm if you choose to give your children a suckle by a wet nurse, provided that you pay her fairly.Fear Allah and know it well that whatever you do is in the sight of Allah.

257. This injunction applies to the condition where the couple have separated either because of divorce, or klul' (see n. 252 above) . or ' faskh (annulment) or tafriq (repudiation as a result of judicial decision) and the woman is nursing a child. 258. That is, if the father dies, whoever replaces him as the guardian of the child will be responsible for fulfilling this claim.
Ayahs 2:234–235

وَ الَّذِیْنَ یُتَوَفَّوْنَ مِنْكُمْ وَ یَذَرُوْنَ اَزْوَاجًا یَّتَرَبَّصْنَ بِاَنْفُسِهِنَّ اَرْبَعَةَ اَشْهُرٍ وَّ عَشْرًا١ۚ فَاِذَا بَلَغْنَ اَجَلَهُنَّ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَیْكُمْ فِیْمَا فَعَلْنَ فِیْۤ اَنْفُسِهِنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوْفِ١ؕ وَ اللّٰهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُوْنَ خَبِیْرٌ Open ayah 2:234 in the Quran reader

If those of you, who die, leave wives behind, they should abstain (from marriage) for four months and ten days. 259 Then when their waiting term expires, they are free to do whatever they choose for themselves, provided that it is decent; you shall not be answerable for this; Allah is fully aware of what you do.

وَ لَا جُنَاحَ عَلَیْكُمْ فِیْمَا عَرَّضْتُمْ بِهٖ مِنْ خِطْبَةِ النِّسَآءِ اَوْ اَكْنَنْتُمْ فِیْۤ اَنْفُسِكُمْ١ؕ عَلِمَ اللّٰهُ اَنَّكُمْ سَتَذْكُرُوْنَهُنَّ وَ لٰكِنْ لَّا تُوَاعِدُوْهُنَّ سِرًّا اِلَّاۤ اَنْ تَقُوْلُوْا قَوْلًا مَّعْرُوْفًا١ؕ۬ وَ لَا تَعْزِمُوْا عُقْدَةَ النِّكَاحِ حَتّٰى یَبْلُغَ الْكِتٰبُ اَجَلَهٗ١ؕ وَ اعْلَمُوْۤا اَنَّ اللّٰهَ یَعْلَمُ مَا فِیْۤ اَنْفُسِكُمْ فَاحْذَرُوْهُ١ۚ وَ اعْلَمُوْۤا اَنَّ اللّٰهَ غَفُوْرٌ حَلِیْمٌ۠ Open ayah 2:235 in the Quran reader

It is no offence if you make indirect proposal of marriage to widows during their waiting term or keep it concealed in your hearts: for Allah knows that you will naturally think of them. But be careful not to make any secret engagement. If you have to do anything, do it in an honourable way. And you should not settle anything finally about the marriage until the waiting term expires. Understand it well that Allah even knows what is hidden in your hearts; so fear Him. Also know that Allah is Lenient and Forgiving.

259. The waiting period owing to the death of the husband is obligatory even for a woman with whom consummation of marriage has not taken place. A pregnant woman, however, is exempted from this. Her waiting period expires the husband's death and the childbirth is less than the waiting period prescribed by Law. 'To observe a waiting period' does not mean merely that they should refrain from marrying, but also from self-adornment. Hence we find categorical directives in the Hadith that a widow should neither wear colourful and showy dresses and jewellery, make use of henna, kohl, and perfumes, nor set her hair in an attractive style. There is disagreement, however, as to whether the widow may go out of her house during the waiting period. 'Umar, 'UthmaAn, Ibn 'Umar, Zayd ibn Thabit, Ibn Mas'uid, Ummn Salamah, Said ibn al-Musayyib, Ibrahim al-Nakha'i, Muhammad ibn Sirin and the founders of the four legal schools are of the opinion that during the waiting period a woman should stay in the house in which her husband died. During the daytime she may go out to do necessary errands, but her residence should be her own home. On contrary, 'A'ishah, Ibn 'Abbas, 'Ali, Jabir ibn 'Abd Allah. 'Ata'. Ta'us, Hasan al-Basri. 'Umar ibn'Abd al'Aziz and the Zahiris are of the opinion that a widow may spend her waiting period wherever she likes, and may even go on journeys. (See the commentary on the verse in JassAs. vol. 1, pp. 418 f. - Ed.)
Ayah 2:236

لَا جُنَاحَ عَلَیْكُمْ اِنْ طَلَّقْتُمُ النِّسَآءَ مَا لَمْ تَمَسُّوْهُنَّ اَوْ تَفْرِضُوْا لَهُنَّ فَرِیْضَةً١ۖۚ وَّ مَتِّعُوْهُنَّ١ۚ عَلَى الْمُوْسِعِ قَدَرُهٗ وَ عَلَى الْمُقْتِرِ قَدَرُهٗ١ۚ مَتَاعًۢا بِالْمَعْرُوْفِ١ۚ حَقًّا عَلَى الْمُحْسِنِیْنَ Open ayah 2:236 in the Quran reader

It is no sin if you divorce your wives while you have not yet touched them or fixed any dower for them. In such a case, pay them something anyhow. 260 A rich man should pay fairly according to his means and a poor man according to his resources, for this is an obligation on the righteous people.

260. This sundering of the matrimonial contract after it has been concluded does cause some harm to the woman; God has ordered, therefore, that the person concerned should compensate for the loss according to his capacity.
Ayah 2:237

وَ اِنْ طَلَّقْتُمُوْهُنَّ مِنْ قَبْلِ اَنْ تَمَسُّوْهُنَّ وَ قَدْ فَرَضْتُمْ لَهُنَّ فَرِیْضَةً فَنِصْفُ مَا فَرَضْتُمْ اِلَّاۤ اَنْ یَّعْفُوْنَ اَوْ یَعْفُوَا الَّذِیْ بِیَدِهٖ عُقْدَةُ النِّكَاحِ١ؕ وَ اَنْ تَعْفُوْۤا اَقْرَبُ لِلتَّقْوٰى١ؕ وَ لَا تَنْسَوُا الْفَضْلَ بَیْنَكُمْ١ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُوْنَ بَصِیْرٌ Open ayah 2:237 in the Quran reader

In case you fixed a dower for them and then divorced them before you touched them, you should pay half of the fixed dower. But there is no harm if the woman agrees to forego it or the man, in whose hands is the marriage tie, is generous enough (to pay the dower in full) . And if you (men) act generously, it is akin to piety. Do not forget to show generosity in your dealings 261 with one another for Allah sees what you do.

261. Magnanimity in dealings is essential if human relationships are to remain sound and pleasant. If everyone were to stick strictly to his legal rights and claims, a pleasant social life would he rendered impossible.
Ayahs 2:238–239

حٰفِظُوْا عَلَى الصَّلَوٰتِ وَ الصَّلٰوةِ الْوُسْطٰى١ۗ وَ قُوْمُوْا لِلّٰهِ قٰنِتِیْنَ Open ayah 2:238 in the Quran reader

Take great care of your Prayers, 262 especially of a Prayer that has excellent qualities of Salat 263 and stand before Allah like devoted servants.

فَاِنْ خِفْتُمْ فَرِجَالًا اَوْ رُكْبَانًا١ۚ فَاِذَاۤ اَمِنْتُمْ فَاذْكُرُوا اللّٰهَ كَمَا عَلَّمَكُمْ مَّا لَمْ تَكُوْنُوْا تَعْلَمُوْنَ Open ayah 2:239 in the Quran reader

Even if you are in danger, you must offer your Prayers anyhow on foot or on horseback. And when you have peace again, remember Allah in the manner He has taught you , which you did not know before.

262. Having mentioned the laws for the guidance of human society, God rounds off this address by emphasizing Prayer, for it is Prayers which instil in man the fear of God. They inculcate the feelings of goodness and purity and the disposition to obey the ordinances of God, and foster adherence to righteousness. Without Prayer it would be impossible for men to persist in observing the laws of God, and they would likely be swept away by a current of defiance and disobedience, as happened in the case of the Jews. 263. 'Re expression al-salat al-wusta has been variously interpreted to mean the Morning, Mid-Day, Sunset or Night Prayers. But no direct statement explaining this expression has come down from the Prophet himself. All the divergent opinions are deductions made by scholars. The opinion of the majority, seems to he inclined in favour of the Afternoon ('Asr) Prayer. since it is claimed that on one occasion the Prophet alluded to this as al-salat al-wusta. The event cited in support of this inference is that during the Battle of the Ditch the Prophet once so preoccupied with the problems posed by the siege of Madina, by the polytheists, that he could not perform his 'Asr Prayer within the scheduled time. and the time of sunset drew close. On that occasion the Prophet said: 'God fill the graves and houses of these people with fire. They have caused us to our wusta (mid-most) Prayer.' This statement led people to believe that the expression 'mid-most Prayer' referred to the 'Asr Prayer. It seems more likely, however, that the Prophet meant that the cares of the battle had prevented him and his followers from performing the Prayer in an excellent way; the delay in the Prayer meant that instead of praying with equanimity, concentration and total devotion, they were forced by circumstances to pray hurriedly. The adjective wusta in addition to signifying the middle position of the subject that it qualifies, also signifies its excellence. Hence the expression could legitimately be interpreted both in the sense of the middle Prayer as well as in the sense of the Prayer which is performed at the right time and with full devotion and attention to God, a Prayer which contains all the attributes of excellence. The admonition which follows, 'stand before Allah as utterly, obedient servants', seems to indicate what was meant by the 'mid-most Prayer'.
Ayahs 2:240–242

وَ الَّذِیْنَ یُتَوَفَّوْنَ مِنْكُمْ وَ یَذَرُوْنَ اَزْوَاجًا١ۖۚ وَّصِیَّةً لِّاَزْوَاجِهِمْ مَّتَاعًا اِلَى الْحَوْلِ غَیْرَ اِخْرَاجٍ١ۚ فَاِنْ خَرَجْنَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَیْكُمْ فِیْ مَا فَعَلْنَ فِیْۤ اَنْفُسِهِنَّ مِنْ مَّعْرُوْفٍ١ؕ وَ اللّٰهُ عَزِیْزٌ حَكِیْمٌ Open ayah 2:240 in the Quran reader

Those 264 of you, who shall die and leave wives behind them, should make a will to the effect that they should be provided with a year's maintenance and should not be turned out of their homes. But if they leave their homes of their own accord, you shall not be answerable for whatever they choose for themselves in a fair way; Allah is All-Powerful, All-Wise.

وَ لِلْمُطَلَّقٰتِ مَتَاعٌۢ بِالْمَعْرُوْفِ١ؕ حَقًّا عَلَى الْمُتَّقِیْنَ Open ayah 2:241 in the Quran reader

Likewise, the divorced women should also be given something in accordance with the known fair standard. This is an obligation upon the God-fearing people.

كَذٰلِكَ یُبَیِّنُ اللّٰهُ لَكُمْ اٰیٰتِهٖ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُوْنَ۠ Open ayah 2:242 in the Quran reader

Thus Allah makes clear His commandments for you: it is expected that you will use your common sense.

264. The main discourse has already come to an end (see verse 238 an n. 262 above.) These concluding remarks are supplementary,.
Ayah 2:243

اَلَمْ تَرَ اِلَى الَّذِیْنَ خَرَجُوْا مِنْ دِیَارِهِمْ وَ هُمْ اُلُوْفٌ حَذَرَ الْمَوْتِ١۪ فَقَالَ لَهُمُ اللّٰهُ مُوْتُوْا١۫ ثُمَّ اَحْیَاهُمْ١ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَذُوْ فَضْلٍ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَ لٰكِنَّ اَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا یَشْكُرُوْنَ Open ayah 2:243 in the Quran reader

Have 265 you ever reflected upon the case of those who fled their homes for fear of death, and they were thousands in number? So Allah said to them, "Die"; then He again gave them life. 266 Indeed Allah is bountiful to mankind, but most of the people are ungrateful.

265. Here begins a fresh discourse, in which Muslims are urged to struggle and make financial sacrifices for God's cause. Moreover, they have been warned to avoid those forms of corruption which eventually led the Children of Israel into decline and degeneration. In order to appreciate this discourse it should be borne in mind that it was revealed when the Muslims had been driven out of Makka and had lived in Madina for year and a half. Exasperated by the wrongs to which the unbelievers subjected them, the Muslims had again and again asked the Prophet to permit them to fight. But when they were at long last asked to fight, some of them showed a degree of reluctance and disinclination (see verse 216 above) . Their attention is now drawn, therefore, to two incidents in the history of the Israelites from which the may learn their lesson. 266. This refers to the exodus of the Israelites. Surah 5 (see verse 20 ff.) gives some details of this incident. The Israelites had left Egypt in large numbers and were wandering in the desert, eager to find a home. But when at God's command Moses ordered them to drive the Canaanites out of Palestine and conquer that land, thes showed cowardice and refused to proceed. Eventually God let them wander about for forty years till one full generation of Israelites had died and been replaced by a new one reared in the tough conditions of desert life. It was only, then that God enabled the Israelites to overcome the Canaanites. Their former condition is described as death, whereas the later development is seen as their restoration to life.
Ayahs 2:244–245

وَ قَاتِلُوْا فِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰهِ وَ اعْلَمُوْۤا اَنَّ اللّٰهَ سَمِیْعٌ عَلِیْمٌ Open ayah 2:244 in the Quran reader

O Muslims, fight in the way of Allah and know that Allah hears everything and knows everything.

مَنْ ذَا الَّذِیْ یُقْرِضُ اللّٰهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًا فَیُضٰعِفَهٗ لَهٗۤ اَضْعَافًا كَثِیْرَةً١ؕ وَ اللّٰهُ یَقْبِضُ وَ یَبْصُۜطُ١۪ وَ اِلَیْهِ تُرْجَعُوْنَ Open ayah 2:245 in the Quran reader

Who is there among you who will lend to Allah a good loan 267 that He may return it after multiplying it manifold? Allah alone can decrease and increase (wealth) and to Him you shall all return.

267. 'Goodly loan' signifies whatever one gives to another person selflessly, and from absolutely pure motives. God describes whatever man spends in this manner as a loan made to none other than Him, and He undertakes to repay that loan and to repay it several-fold. The stipulation, however. is that the loan should be a 'goodly' one; that is, it should not he tainted with selfish designs and should be given for the sake of God, to be spent for purposes pleasing to Him They said: 'And whv would we not fight in the way of Allah when we have been torn from our homes and our children?' But when fighting was ordained for them they turned back, except a few of them. Allah is well aware of the wrong-doers.
Ayah 2:246

اَلَمْ تَرَ اِلَى الْمَلَاِ مِنْۢ بَنِیْۤ اِسْرَآءِیْلَ مِنْۢ بَعْدِ مُوْسٰى١ۘ اِذْ قَالُوْا لِنَبِیٍّ لَّهُمُ ابْعَثْ لَنَا مَلِكًا نُّقَاتِلْ فِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰهِ١ؕ قَالَ هَلْ عَسَیْتُمْ اِنْ كُتِبَ عَلَیْكُمُ الْقِتَالُ اَلَّا تُقَاتِلُوْا١ؕ قَالُوْا وَ مَا لَنَاۤ اَلَّا نُقَاتِلَ فِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰهِ وَ قَدْ اُخْرِجْنَا مِنْ دِیَارِنَا وَ اَبْنَآئِنَا١ؕ فَلَمَّا كُتِبَ عَلَیْهِمُ الْقِتَالُ تَوَلَّوْا اِلَّا قَلِیْلًا مِّنْهُمْ١ؕ وَ اللّٰهُ عَلِیْمٌۢ بِالظّٰلِمِیْنَ Open ayah 2:246 in the Quran reader

Have you also reflected upon the matter concerning the chiefs of the Israelites after (the death of) Moses? They said to their Prophet, "Appoint a king for us so that we may fight in the way of Allah." 268 The Prophet asked them, "Might it be that you will not fight, if fighting is prescribed for you?" They replied, "How can it be that we would refuse to fight in the way of Allah when we have been turned out of our homes and separated from our children?" But (in spite of this assurance) when they were enjoined to fight, they all, except a few of them, turned their backs. And Allah knows each and everyone of these transgressors.

268. This took place about a thousand years before Christ. At that time the Israelites were persecuted by the Amalekites who had deprived them of the greater part of Palestine. The Prophet Samuel, who was then ruling over the Israelites, was old. The elders of Israel, therefore, felt the need to appoint as their head someone else under whose leadership they could wage wars. By that time, however, the Israelites had become so deeply infected with Ignorance, and the customs and practices of non-Muslim nations had made such inroads into their lives that the distinction between a religious state committed to serving God and secular monarchy was lost on them. They consequently asked God to appoint a king rather than a religious ruler (khalifah) over them. The information contained in the Bible is as follows: Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. . . . Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, and said to him, 'Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways; now appoint for us a king to govern us like all the nations.' But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, 'Give us a king to govern us'. And Samuel prayed to the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, 'Hearken to the voice of the people in what they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. According to all the deeds which they have done to me, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are also doing to you . . . ' So Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking a king for him. He said, 'These will be the ways of the king who will reign over you; he will take your sons and appoint them to his chariots and to be his horsemen, and to run before his chariots. And he will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and some to plough his ground and to reap his harvest, and to make the implements of war and the equipments of his chariots. He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive orchards and give them to his servants. He will take the tenth of your grain and your vineyards and give it to his officers and to his servants. He will take you men-servants and maid-servants, and the best of your cattle and asses, and put them to his work. He will take the tenth of your flocks, and you shall be his slaves. And on that day you will cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the Lord will not answer you in that day.' But the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel, and they said. 'No! But we will have a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may govern us and go out before us and fight our battles.' And when Samuel had heard all the words of the people, he repeated them in the ears of the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, 'Hearken to their voice, and make them a king.' Samuel then said to the men of Israel, 'Go every man to his city.' (1 Samuel 7: 15; 8: 4-22.) And Samuel said to the people ? 'And when you saw that Nahash the king of Ammonites came against you, You said to me, No, but a king shall reign over us, when the Lord your God was your king. And now behold the king whom you have chosen, for whom you have asked; behold, the Lord has set a king over you. If you will fear the Lord and serve him and hearken to his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord your God, it will be well; but if you will not hearken to the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then the hand of the Lord will be against you and your king. Now therefore stand still and see this great thing, which the Lord will do before your eyes. Is it not wheat harvest today? I will call upon the Lord, that he may send thunder and rain; and you shall know and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of the Lord, in asking for yourselves a king.' So Samuel called upon the Lord, and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day; and all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel. And all the people said to Samuel, 'Pray for your servants to the Lord your God, that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for a king.' And Samuel said to the people, 'Fear not; you have done all this evil, yet do not turn aside front following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart, and do not turn aside after vain things which cannot profit or save, for they are vain. For the Lord will not cast away his people, for his great name's sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself. Moreover as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you; and I will instruct you in the good and right way?' (1 Samuel 12: 6-23) . These statements from Samuel make it clear that the demand to appoint a king was disagreeable to God and to His Prophet. It might be asked, however, why the Qur'an does not contain any denunciation of this demand of the elders of Israel. The reason is that to the purpose for which this incident has been cited the appropriateness and otherwise of the demand is irrelevant. The purpose here is to show the extent to which cowardice and self-indulgence had become part of Israelite life, and to show how the lack of moral restraint had come to characterize their conduct. It is these which ultimately led to their decline. The aim of the Qur'anic narrative is to enable Muslims to derive a lesson from this and to ensure that these weaknesses do not creep into their own lives.
Ayah 2:247

وَ قَالَ لَهُمْ نَبِیُّهُمْ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ قَدْ بَعَثَ لَكُمْ طَالُوْتَ مَلِكًا١ؕ قَالُوْۤا اَنّٰى یَكُوْنُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ عَلَیْنَا وَ نَحْنُ اَحَقُّ بِالْمُلْكِ مِنْهُ وَ لَمْ یُؤْتَ سَعَةً مِّنَ الْمَالِ١ؕ قَالَ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ اصْطَفٰىهُ عَلَیْكُمْ وَ زَادَهٗ بَسْطَةً فِی الْعِلْمِ وَ الْجِسْمِ١ؕ وَ اللّٰهُ یُؤْتِیْ مُلْكَهٗ مَنْ یَّشَآءُ١ؕ وَ اللّٰهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِیْمٌ Open ayah 2:247 in the Quran reader

Their Prophet said to them, "Allah has appointed Saul 269 to be king over you." Hearing this, they replied, "How has he been entitled to become king over us? We have a better right to kingship than he, for he does not even possess enough riches." The Prophet replied, "Allah has preferred him to you and blessed him with abundant powers of mind and body. And Allah has the power to give His kingdom to whomever He wills: Allah is All-Embracing, All-Knowing."

269. In the Bible he is called Saul. He was a thirty-year-old Benjaminite youth. 'There was not a man among the people of Israel more handsome than he; from his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people' (1 Samuel 9: 2) . He went out in search of the lost asses of his father. During this search, he passed through the house of Samuel and God informed Samuel that this was the person who had been chosen to govern the people of Israel. Samuel brought Saul to his house, took a vial of oil, poured it on his head,. kissed him and said: 'Has not the Lord anointed you to be the prince over His people of Israel? ' (1 Samuel 10: 1) . Samuel later called the people of Israel together and proclaimed Saul to be their king (1 Samuel 10: 17) . This was the second Israelite to be anointed by God's command to a position of leadership. Earlier, Aaron had been anointed as the chief priest. The third case of anointment was that of David, and the fourth that of Jesus. There is no clear statement in the Qur'an regarding the designation of Talut (the Saul of the Bible) to prophethood. The mere fact of his being appointed a ruler does not necessarily warrant considering him a Prophet as well.
Ayah 2:248

وَ قَالَ لَهُمْ نَبِیُّهُمْ اِنَّ اٰیَةَ مُلْكِهٖۤ اَنْ یَّاْتِیَكُمُ التَّابُوْتُ فِیْهِ سَكِیْنَةٌ مِّنْ رَّبِّكُمْ وَ بَقِیَّةٌ مِّمَّا تَرَكَ اٰلُ مُوْسٰى وَ اٰلُ هٰرُوْنَ تَحْمِلُهُ الْمَلٰٓئِكَةُ١ؕ اِنَّ فِیْ ذٰلِكَ لَاٰیَةً لَّكُمْ اِنْ كُنْتُمْ مُّؤْمِنِیْنَ۠ Open ayah 2:248 in the Quran reader

Their Prophet further informed them, "The sign of his appointment as king from Allah is that during his reign you will get back the Ark, wherein are the means of your peace of mind from your Lord, and which contains the sacred relics of the family of Moses and Aaron, and which is being borne at this time by the angels. 270 Herein is a great Sign for you, if you are true believers."

270. The Biblical version of this incident is different from the Qur'anic one. The former sheds light, however, on certain details of the incident. It shows that during a military engagement the pagan Philistines had captured the 'Ark of the covenant'. Terrified of the scourge and pestilence which spread wherever they carried the Ark, these pagans placed it on a cart driven by milk cows, and sent it off. (1 Samuel 5-6 - Ed.) Perhaps the Qur'an alludes to this when it mentions angels, since the cart was driverless and it was the angels who kept it in their custody and brought it to the Israelites. The Qur'anic statement, that in the Ark 'lies inward peace for you', can be understood in the light of the Biblical statements that the Israelites regarded the Ark as highly auspicious, and as an emblem of their triumph and victory. When they were deprived of it, they began to feel that they had been deprived of the mercy of God. The return of the Ark, therefore, had a highly salutary effect on them as it strengthened their sagging morale and raised their spirits. The Qur'anic mention of 'the sacred relics left behind by the house of Aaron' seems to allude to the Tablets of Law bequeathed to Moses on Mount Sinai. The Ark is also said to have contained the original copyof the Torah, which Moses himself had had transcribed and which he had himself handed over to the Levites. The Ark is also supposed to have contained a golden urn holding the manna (Hebrews 9: 2 ff - Ed.) , in order that the coming generations might recall God's benevolence to their forefathers during their wandering in the desert. The Ark also probably contained the rod of Moses which was one of the great miracles of God. (Hebrews 9: 5 mentions the rod of Aaron - Ed.)
Ayahs 2:249–250

فَلَمَّا فَصَلَ طَالُوْتُ بِالْجُنُوْدِ١ۙ قَالَ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ مُبْتَلِیْكُمْ بِنَهَرٍ١ۚ فَمَنْ شَرِبَ مِنْهُ فَلَیْسَ مِنِّیْ١ۚ وَ مَنْ لَّمْ یَطْعَمْهُ فَاِنَّهٗ مِنِّیْۤ اِلَّا مَنِ اغْتَرَفَ غُرْفَةًۢ بِیَدِهٖ١ۚ فَشَرِبُوْا مِنْهُ اِلَّا قَلِیْلًا مِّنْهُمْ١ؕ فَلَمَّا جَاوَزَهٗ هُوَ وَ الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا مَعَهٗ١ۙ قَالُوْا لَا طَاقَةَ لَنَا الْیَوْمَ بِجَالُوْتَ وَ جُنُوْدِهٖ١ؕ قَالَ الَّذِیْنَ یَظُنُّوْنَ اَنَّهُمْ مُّلٰقُوا اللّٰهِ١ۙ كَمْ مِّنْ فِئَةٍ قَلِیْلَةٍ غَلَبَتْ فِئَةً كَثِیْرَةًۢ بِاِذْنِ اللّٰهِ١ؕ وَ اللّٰهُ مَعَ الصّٰبِرِیْنَ Open ayah 2:249 in the Quran reader

And when Saul marched out with his army, he warned: "Allah is going to put you to a test by the side of a river: whoso drinks of its water shall cease to be my companion: he alone shall be~my companion who does not quench his thirst with its water: one may, however, take except a few, drank their fill of it. 271 Afterwards when Saul, and those who had believed with him, crossed the river and advanced forward, the former said to Saul, "We have no power left this day to fight against Goliath and his hosts." 272 But those who believed that one Day they shall meet Allah, declared, "lt has often been that a small host has, by Allah's grace, overcome a big host: for Allah is with those who show fortitude."

وَ لَمَّا بَرَزُوْا لِجَالُوْتَ وَ جُنُوْدِهٖ قَالُوْا رَبَّنَاۤ اَفْرِغْ عَلَیْنَا صَبْرًا وَّ ثَبِّتْ اَقْدَامَنَا وَ انْصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكٰفِرِیْنَؕ Open ayah 2:250 in the Quran reader

Accordingly, when they marched forward to fight with Goliath and his hosts, they prayed, "Our Lord, bless us with fortitude, make firm our foothold and give us victory over the unbelieving host."

271. This may refer either to the river Jordan or to some other river or stream in that region. Saul wanted to take the Israelite army across the river. He was aware, however, that there was little moral discipline and restraint left in them. Hence he hit upon this device to distinguish the worthy from the worthyless. Those who could not endure thirst even for a short while, would not be expected to remain steadfast in their confrontation with an enemy at whose hands they had already taken a beating. 272. These were presumable the people who had shown their impatience on the bank of the river. (See the preceding note - Ed.)
Ayahs 2:251–252

فَهَزَمُوْهُمْ بِاِذْنِ اللّٰهِ١ۙ۫ وَ قَتَلَ دَاوٗدُ جَالُوْتَ وَ اٰتٰىهُ اللّٰهُ الْمُلْكَ وَ الْحِكْمَةَ وَ عَلَّمَهٗ مِمَّا یَشَآءُ١ؕ وَ لَوْ لَا دَفْعُ اللّٰهِ النَّاسَ بَعْضَهُمْ بِبَعْضٍ١ۙ لَّفَسَدَتِ الْاَرْضُ وَ لٰكِنَّ اللّٰهَ ذُوْ فَضْلٍ عَلَى الْعٰلَمِیْنَ Open ayah 2:251 in the Quran reader

Consequently, by Allah's grace, they routed the unbelievers, and David killed Goliath; and Allah gave him kingship and wisdom and taught him whatever other things He willed. And if Allah had not been repelling one set of people by means of another, the earth 273 would have been filled with chaos. 274 But Allah is bountiful to the world (and so repels chaos in this way) .

تِلْكَ اٰیٰتُ اللّٰهِ نَتْلُوْهَا عَلَیْكَ بِالْحَقِّ١ؕ وَ اِنَّكَ لَمِنَ الْمُرْسَلِیْنَ Open ayah 2:252 in the Quran reader

These are Allah's revelations, which We are conveying to you accurately. And O Muhammad, most surely you are of those who have been sent as Messengers.

273. David was then in the early years of his youth. By chance he joined the army of Saul just when the mighty champion of the Philistine army had challenged the Israelite army to combat. None of the Israelites had the courage to take up the challenge. On seeing this, David took on Goliath in a duel and slew him. From then on, David could do no wrong in the eyes of the Israelites. Saul gave him the hand of his daughter in marriage and ultimately he became the ruler of the Israelites. (For details see 1 Samuel, chapters 17 and I8.) 274. This enunciates the principle according to which God treats the nations as a part of the Divine system governing the world. He allows various nations to attain power and strength within certain limits. But when any nation begins to commit wrongs and exceed reasonable limits. God brings forth another nation as a counterweight, Were the dominion of one nation or party to endure for ever, and were its capacity to perpetrate wrongs granted in perpetuity, God's earth would become full of corruption and wickedness.
Ayah 2:253

تِلْكَ الرُّسُلُ فَضَّلْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ عَلٰى بَعْضٍ١ۘ مِنْهُمْ مَّنْ كَلَّمَ اللّٰهُ وَ رَفَعَ بَعْضَهُمْ دَرَجٰتٍ١ؕ وَ اٰتَیْنَا عِیْسَى ابْنَ مَرْیَمَ الْبَیِّنٰتِ وَ اَیَّدْنٰهُ بِرُوْحِ الْقُدُسِ١ؕ وَ لَوْ شَآءَ اللّٰهُ مَا اقْتَتَلَ الَّذِیْنَ مِنْۢ بَعْدِهِمْ مِّنْۢ بَعْدِ مَا جَآءَتْهُمُ الْبَیِّنٰتُ وَ لٰكِنِ اخْتَلَفُوْا فَمِنْهُمْ مَّنْ اٰمَنَ وَ مِنْهُمْ مَّنْ كَفَرَ١ؕ وَ لَوْ شَآءَ اللّٰهُ مَا اقْتَتَلُوْا١۫ وَ لٰكِنَّ اللّٰهَ یَفْعَلُ مَا یُرِیْدُ۠ Open ayah 2:253 in the Quran reader

Of these Messengers (whom We sent for the guidance of mankind) , We raised some above the others in rank. Among them was one with whom Allah Himself had direct talks. There were others whom He raised high in rank in other ways. Likewise We gave clear signs to Jesus, son of Mary, and supported him with the Holy Spirit. Had Allah so willed the people who had seen clear signs would not have fought against one another after the Prophets. But (it was not Allah's will to prevent people forcibly from differences: so) they disagreed; then some of them accepted the Truth and others rejected it. If Allah had so willed they would have never fought against one another, but Allah does whatever He pleases (to fulfil His designs. 275

275. The main cause of the differences which arose after people had received true knowledge through the Prophets, and which were even aggravated into feuds and wars, is not that God was helpless, and lacked the power to put an end to the fighting. Had He willed so, no one would have had the power to defy the teachings of the Prophets, to take the course of disbelief and rebellion against Him, and to spread mischief and corruption in His world. But it was not His will to deprive human beings of their free-will and choice, and to compel them to follow a particular course. He has created human beings on earth in order to test them and hence endowed them with the freedom to choose from the various alternative courses of belief and action. God did not appoint the Prophets as policemen to force people to faith and obedience. He sent them, instead, with reasonable arguments and clear signs in order to invite people to righteousness. Hence the cause of all the differences and wranglings and fighting which took place was that people, in exercising the free-will granted to them by God, followed divergent courses. In short, people follow divergent ways precisely because of God's omnipotent will that men should have a choice. It would be a grave misunderstanding to hold that people follow different paths because God failed to persuade people to follow the path which He wanted them to choose.
Ayah 2:254

یٰۤاَیُّهَا الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْۤا اَنْفِقُوْا مِمَّا رَزَقْنٰكُمْ مِّنْ قَبْلِ اَنْ یَّاْتِیَ یَوْمٌ لَّا بَیْعٌ فِیْهِ وَ لَا خُلَّةٌ وَّ لَا شَفَاعَةٌ١ؕ وَ الْكٰفِرُوْنَ هُمُ الظّٰلِمُوْنَ Open ayah 2:254 in the Quran reader

O Believers, spend of the wealth We have bestowed upon you 276 (in Our way) before the Day comes when there shall be no buying and no selling: when neither friendship nor intercession will be of any avail. Those, who adopt the way of disbelief are indeed the 277 wrongdoers. '

276. This means spending in the way of God. The instruction given here is that those who have adopted the cause of the true faith should undertake financial sacrifices for its sake. 277. Here the expression 'they who disbelieve' signifies either those who refused to obey God and held their property to be clearer than God's good pleasure, or those who did not believe in the Day of which they had been warned, or those who cherished the false i11usion that in the Hereafter they would somehow be able to secure their salvation and that their association with men devoted to God would stand them in good stead for they would intercede with God on their behalf.