VERSE 1
Arabic (Hafs): الٓمٓ
Q1: What are the letters “Alif. Lam. Mim.” at the beginning of Surah Al-Baqarah?
A: These are called “Huruf al-Muqatta’at” (Disjointed Letters). They serve to draw attention to the Quran and demonstrate its inimitable nature—showing that this divine Book, though using familiar Arabic letters, is composed in a way no human can replicate.
Q2: What is the primary purpose of these disjointed letters?
A: Their primary purpose is to alert the listener that what follows is of supreme importance.
VERSE 2
Arabic (Hafs): ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْكِتَٰبُ لَا رَيْبَ ۛ فِيهِ ۛ هُدًى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ
Q3: What does “This is the Book” refer to?
A: It refers specifically to the Quran. The word “Kitab” implies something written and permanent, indicating its status as a complete, preserved code of guidance.
Q4: What does “There is no doubt about it” mean?
A: It means the Quran’s divine origin and truth are absolute and unquestionable.
Q5: Who does the Quran provide guidance for?
A: The Quran provides guidance for “the God-fearing” (Al-Muttaqun)—those who have Taqwa (God-consciousness).
Q6: What is Taqwa according to Maududi’s explanation?
A: Taqwa is the attitude of the heart that fears God’s displeasure, desires His pleasure, and is prepared to follow the truth when it comes. The Quran guides those who are sincerely seeking guidance; it does not compel.
VERSE 3
Arabic (Hafs): ٱلَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْغَيْبِ وَيُقِيمُونَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَٰهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ
Q7: What are the three main characteristics of the God-fearing mentioned in this verse?
A: (1) They believe in the unseen, (2) They establish the Prayer (Salah), and (3) They spend out of what God has provided for them.
Q8: What does “believe in the unseen” mean?
A: It means believing in realities beyond ordinary human perception—God, angels, revelation, the Last Day, and the hereafter—confirmed only through divine revelation. This is the foundation of faith (Iman).
Q9: What does “establish the Prayer” signify?
A: It signifies the regular, devoted performance of prescribed prayers, which is the practical manifestation of belief and the primary means of sustaining one’s connection with God.
Q10: What does spending “out of what We have provided” refer to?
A: It refers to Zakat (obligatory charity) and voluntary spending in God’s way. It purifies wealth and the soul, fostering social responsibility and combating greed.
VERSE 4
Arabic (Hafs): وَٱلَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ مِن قَبْلِكَ وَبِٱلْءَاخِرَةِ هُمْ يُوقِنُونَ
Q11: What revelation should the God-fearing believe in according to this verse?
A: They should believe in what has been revealed to Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)—the Quran—and in the original, uncorrupted revelations sent to previous prophets (like the Torah, Psalms, and Gospel).
Q12: What principle does belief in all revelation establish?
A: It establishes the principle of the unity of divine guidance throughout history.
Q13: What kind of faith in the Hereafter do the God-fearing have?
A: They have profound certainty (Yaqeen) in the life after death, accountability, Paradise, and Hell—a conviction that governs their entire worldview and actions, not superficial belief.
VERSE 5
Arabic (Hafs): أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ عَلَىٰ هُدًى مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ ۖ وَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ
Q14: What is said about those who possess the characteristics mentioned in verses 3-4?
A: They are upon true guidance from their Lord, and they are the successful ones.
Q15: What does “success” (Al-Falaah) mean in this context?
A: It implies deliverance from loss and the attainment of eternal prosperity, both in this world and the next.
VERSE 6
Arabic (Hafs): إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ سَوَآءٌ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَأَنذَرْتَهُمْ أَمْ لَمْ تُنذِرْهُمْ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ
Q16: Who is this verse referring to?
A: It refers to those who have deliberately rejected the truth—disbelievers whose hearts and minds are obstinately closed.
Q17: Why does warning have no effect on these people?
A: Because the issue is not a lack of information, but willful denial. They have resolved not to believe regardless of warnings.
VERSE 7
Arabic (Hafs): خَتَمَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ وَعَلَىٰ سَمْعِهِمْ ۖ وَعَلَىٰٓ أَبْصَٰرِهِمْ غِشَٰوَةٌ ۖ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ
Q18: What does it mean that “Allah has sealed their hearts and their hearing”?
A: According to Maududi, the sealing is a consequence of their own persistent, willful rejection of truth, not an arbitrary act by God. When people repeatedly choose falsehood over clear truth, their hearts become spiritually insensitive.
Q19: Is the sealing of hearts an arbitrary divine act?
A: No. It is a divine judgment that follows their own choice. When people persistently reject guidance, their capacity to perceive truth becomes impaired as a natural spiritual consequence.
Q20: What is the outcome for those whose hearts are sealed?
A: A great punishment awaits them.
SUMMARY QUESTIONS
Q21: How do verses 1-7 categorize humanity’s response to the Quran?
A: They categorize humanity into groups: (1) The successful believers (Al-Muttaqun) defined by their spiritual and moral traits, and (2) The incorrigible disbelievers whose stubbornness has rendered their hearts impervious to guidance. (A third group, the hypocrites, is introduced in subsequent verses.)
Q22: What is the overall message of these opening verses according to Tafheem?
A: These verses establish the Quran’s divine authority, define the characteristics of true believers, explain the consequence of willful rejection, and set the stage for the Quran’s comprehensive guidance for all of humanity.
Regular tafseer:
Messages from Quran 