Al-Baqarah
Main Theme
Faith, guidance, worship, law, morality, and the building of a righteous Muslim community
About Surah Al-Baqarah
Surah Al-Baqarah is the longest chapter of the Quran. It presents guidance for faith and worship, discusses the Children of Israel and earlier communities, establishes important principles of Islamic law and ethics, and teaches believers how to live with obedience, patience, justice, and trust in Allah.
Quran Reader
Showing Ayahs 1 – 20 of 286
الٓمٓ
English Meaning
Alif-Lam-Mim.
Urdu Meaning
الف، لام، میم۔
Explanation
These are among the mysterious abbreviated letters that occur at the beginning of several Quranic chapters. Their complete intended meaning is known to Allah. Their presence also reminds the reader that the Quran is divine revelation and that human knowledge has limits. The believer approaches the Quran with humility, recognizing that not every matter of revelation is explained in human terms.
ذَٰلِكَ الْكِتَابُ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ ۛ هُدًى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ
English Meaning
This is the Book in which there is no doubt, a guidance for those who are mindful of Allah.
Urdu Meaning
یہ وہ کتاب ہے جس میں کوئی شک نہیں، اور یہ اللہ سے ڈرنے اور تقویٰ اختیار کرنے والوں کے لیے ہدایت ہے۔
Explanation
The Quran is introduced as a book of certain truth and guidance. However, benefiting from its guidance requires taqwa—a sincere awareness of Allah that leads a person toward obedience and away from wrongdoing. The verse teaches that the Quran is not merely a book to be read; it is guidance to be accepted and lived.
ٱلَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْغَيْبِ وَيُقِيمُونَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَـٰهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ
English Meaning
who believe in the unseen, establish prayer, and donate from what We have provided for them,
Urdu Meaning
جو ایمان رکھتے ہیں غیب پر اور نماز قائم کرتے ہیں اور جو کچھ ہم نے انہیں دیا ہے اس میں سے خرچ کرتے ہیں۔
Explanation
The Quran is introduced as a book of certain truth and guidance. However, benefiting from its guidance requires taqwa—a sincere awareness of Allah that leads a person toward obedience and away from wrongdoing. The verse teaches that the Quran is not merely a book to be read; it is guidance to be accepted and lived.
وَٱلَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ مِن قَبْلِكَ وَبِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ هُمْ يُوقِنُونَ
English Meaning
and who believe in what has been revealed to you ˹O Prophet˺ and what was revealed before you, and have sure faith in the Hereafter.
Urdu Meaning
اور جو ایمان رکھتے ہیں اس پر بھی جو (اے نبی) آپ کی طرف نازل کیا گیا ہے، اور اس پر بھی (ایمان رکھتے ہیں) جو آپ سے پہلے نازل کیا گیا، اور آخرت پر وہ یقین رکھتے ہیں۔
Explanation
This verse describes another important quality of the righteous believers. They believe in the revelation given to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and they also believe in the divine revelations that were sent to the prophets before him. True faith therefore includes respect and belief in the genuine revelations given by Allah to earlier prophets.
أُولَٰئِكَ عَلَىٰ هُدًى مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ ۖ وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ
English Meaning
They are upon guidance from their Lord, and they are the ones who will truly succeed.
Urdu Meaning
یہی لوگ اپنے رب کی طرف سے ہدایت پر ہیں، اور یہی لوگ کامیاب ہونے والے ہیں۔
Explanation
The previous verses described the qualities of believers who sincerely respond to revelation. This verse gives the result: they are guided by their Lord and are successful. Quranic success is broader than wealth or worldly achievement; it ultimately includes living according to Allah’s guidance and attaining success in the Hereafter.
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا سَوَاءٌ عَلَيْهِمْ أَأَنذَرْتَهُمْ أَمْ لَمْ تُنذِرْهُمْ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ
English Meaning
Indeed, those who persist in disbelief—it is the same for them whether you warn them or do not warn them; they will not believe.
Urdu Meaning
بے شک جن لوگوں نے کفر اختیار کیا، ان کے لیے برابر ہے کہ آپ انہیں خبردار کریں یا نہ کریں، وہ ایمان نہیں لائیں گے۔
Explanation
This verse describes people who persist in rejection of truth despite receiving warning and guidance. It does not mean that every person who has not yet believed is permanently incapable of belief. Rather, the passage describes those who have deliberately and persistently rejected the truth, to the point that warning no longer changes their attitude.
خَتَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ وَعَلَىٰ سَمْعِهِمْ ۖ وَعَلَىٰ أَبْصَارِهِمْ غِشَاوَةٌ ۖ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ
English Meaning
Allah has sealed their hearts and hearing, and over their eyes is a covering; and for them is a tremendous punishment.
Urdu Meaning
اللہ نے ان کے دلوں اور ان کے کانوں پر مہر لگا دی ہے، اور ان کی آنکھوں پر پردہ ہے، اور ان کے لیے بڑا عذاب ہے۔
Explanation
The verse describes the spiritual consequence of persistent rejection. A person who repeatedly refuses truth can become increasingly unable or unwilling to recognize it. The imagery of a sealed heart, blocked hearing, and covered sight describes a deep spiritual condition in which a person no longer responds properly to guidance.
وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَقُولُ آمَنَّا بِاللَّهِ وَبِالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَمَا هُم بِمُؤْمِنِينَ
English Meaning
Among people are those who say, “We believe in Allah and the Last Day,” while they are not truly believers.
Urdu Meaning
اور لوگوں میں کچھ ایسے ہیں جو کہتے ہیں کہ ہم اللہ اور آخرت کے دن پر ایمان لائے، حالانکہ وہ حقیقت میں مومن نہیں ہیں۔
Explanation
The passage now introduces another category: hypocrisy. These people make a claim of faith outwardly while their inner reality does not match their words. The Quran therefore teaches that genuine faith is not simply a statement; it must be sincere and reflected in a person's beliefs, choices, and conduct.
يُخَادِعُونَ اللَّهَ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَمَا يَخْدَعُونَ إِلَّا أَنفُسَهُمْ وَمَا يَشْعُرُونَ
English Meaning
They try to deceive Allah and the believers, but they only deceive themselves, though they do not realize it.
Urdu Meaning
وہ اللہ اور اہل ایمان کو دھوکا دینے کی کوشش کرتے ہیں، حالانکہ وہ اپنے سوا کسی کو دھوکا نہیں دیتے، مگر انہیں اس کا شعور نہیں۔
Explanation
No one can actually deceive Allah, who knows what is hidden and what is apparent. The language of the verse exposes the foolishness of hypocrisy: such people may think they are protecting themselves through false claims, but their deception ultimately harms their own souls. Outward appearances cannot conceal reality from Allah.
فِي قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ فَزَادَهُمُ اللَّهُ مَرَضًا ۖ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ بِمَا كَانُوا يَكْذِبُونَ
English Meaning
There is a disease in their hearts, so Allah increases their disease, and they will have a painful punishment because of their persistent lying.
Urdu Meaning
ان کے دلوں میں ایک روگ ہے تو اللہ نے ان کے روگ میں اضافہ کردیا۔ اور ان کے لیے تو دردناک عذاب ہے بسبب اس جھوٹ کے جو وہ بول رہے تھے۔
Explanation
The “disease” mentioned here is a spiritual disease connected with hypocrisy, doubt, dishonesty, and rejection of truth. When a person knowingly continues in such behavior instead of correcting it, the condition becomes deeper. The verse warns that spiritual corruption can grow just as a physical illness can worsen when it is neglected.
وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ لَا تُفْسِدُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ قَالُوا إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ مُصْلِحُونَ
English Meaning
When they are told, “Do not spread corruption in the land,” they say, “We are only reformers.”
Urdu Meaning
اور جب ان سے کہا جاتا ہے کہ زمین میں فساد نہ پھیلاؤ، تو وہ کہتے ہیں کہ ہم تو صرف اصلاح کرنے والے ہیں۔
Explanation
One danger of hypocrisy is that a person can become so self-deceived that he considers harmful behavior to be beneficial. The verse shows the importance of examining our actions honestly rather than judging ourselves only by our intentions or claims. True reform must be consistent with Allah’s guidance and must not be used as a justification for corruption.
أَلَا إِنَّهُمْ هُمُ الْمُفْسِدُونَ وَلَٰكِن لَّا يَشْعُرُونَ
English Meaning
Surely, they are the ones spreading corruption, but they do not realize it.
Urdu Meaning
خبردار! حقیقت میں وہی فساد پھیلانے والے ہیں، لیکن انہیں اس کا شعور نہیں۔
Explanation
The Quran corrects their false self-description. They believe they are improving matters, but their actions actually produce corruption. This teaches believers to judge actions according to divine guidance rather than personal claims. Sincerity alone does not make a wrong action right.
وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ آمِنُوا كَمَا آمَنَ النَّاسُ قَالُوا أَنُؤْمِنُ كَمَا آمَنَ السُّفَهَاءُ ۗ أَلَا إِنَّهُمْ هُمُ السُّفَهَاءُ وَلَٰكِن لَّا يَعْلَمُونَ
English Meaning
When they are told, “Believe as the people have believed,” they say, “Should we believe as the foolish have believed?” Indeed, they themselves are the foolish, but they do not know.
Urdu Meaning
اور جب ان سے کہا جاتا ہے کہ جس طرح دوسرے لوگ ایمان لائے ہیں تم بھی ایمان لاؤ، تو کہتے ہیں: کیا ہم بھی ان بے وقوفوں کی طرح ایمان لے آئیں؟ خبردار! حقیقت میں وہ خود ہی بے وقوف ہیں، لیکن جانتے نہیں۔
Explanation
The hypocrites look down upon sincere believers and regard faith as foolishness. The Quran reverses their judgment: the real foolishness is to reject truth because of arrogance, social pressure, or pride. Knowledge and intelligence have little value if a person uses them to turn away from guidance.
وَإِذَا لَقُوا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا قَالُوا آمَنَّا وَإِذَا خَلَوْا إِلَىٰ شَيَاطِينِهِمْ قَالُوا إِنَّا مَعَكُمْ إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ مُسْتَهْزِئُونَ
English Meaning
When they meet the believers, they say, “We believe.” But when they are alone with their evil companions, they say, “We are with you; we were only mocking.”
Urdu Meaning
اور جب وہ اہل ایمان سے ملتے ہیں تو کہتے ہیں کہ ہم ایمان لائے، اور جب اپنے شیطان صفت ساتھیوں کے پاس اکیلے ہوتے ہیں تو کہتے ہیں کہ ہم تمہارے ساتھ ہیں، ہم تو صرف مذاق کر رہے تھے۔
Explanation
This verse reveals the double-faced nature of hypocrisy. The hypocrites change their words according to the people around them. The expression “their devils” can refer to those who encourage them in evil and misguidance. The lesson is that believers should strive for sincerity and should not change their principles simply to gain acceptance from different groups.
اللَّهُ يَسْتَهْزِئُ بِهِمْ وَيَمُدُّهُمْ فِي طُغْيَانِهِمْ يَعْمَهُونَ
English Meaning
Allah responds to their mockery and allows them to continue wandering blindly in their transgression.
Urdu Meaning
اللہ ان کے ساتھ ان کے استہزاء کا ایسا معاملہ کرتا ہے اور انہیں ان کی سرکشی میں مہلت دیتا ہے کہ وہ بھٹکتے پھرتے رہتے ہیں۔
Explanation
The wording does not mean that Allah engages in sinful mockery. Rather, it expresses divine recompense: those who mock the truth are dealt with according to the consequences of their own behavior. They are given time while they continue deeper into their transgression, until the consequences of their choices become clear.
أُولَٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ اشْتَرَوُا الضَّلَالَةَ بِالْهُدَىٰ فَمَا رَبِحَت تِّجَارَتُهُمْ وَمَا كَانُوا مُهْتَدِينَ
English Meaning
They are the ones who traded guidance for misguidance. Their trade brought no profit, nor were they rightly guided.
Urdu Meaning
یہ وہ لوگ ہیں جنہوں نے ہدایت کے بدلے گمراہی خرید لی، پس ان کی تجارت نے کوئی نفع نہ دیا اور نہ وہ ہدایت یافتہ ہوئے۔
Explanation
The Quran uses the powerful image of a business transaction. These people exchanged guidance for misguidance and therefore suffered the greatest possible loss. The verse teaches that worldly gain cannot compensate for losing spiritual guidance. A person may appear successful outwardly while making a disastrous spiritual “trade.”
مَثَلُهُمْ كَمَثَلِ الَّذِي اسْتَوْقَدَ نَارًا فَلَمَّا أَضَاءَتْ مَا حَوْلَهُ ذَهَبَ اللَّهُ بِنُورِهِمْ وَتَرَكَهُمْ فِي ظُلُمَاتٍ لَّا يُبْصِرُونَ
English Meaning
Their example is like someone who kindled a fire; when it illuminated everything around him, Allah took away their light and left them in darkness, unable to see.
Urdu Meaning
ان کی مثال اس شخص کی سی ہے جس نے آگ روشن کی، پھر جب اس نے اس کے اردگرد روشنی کر دی تو اللہ نے ان کی روشنی لے لی اور انہیں اندھیروں میں چھوڑ دیا کہ وہ دیکھ نہیں سکتے۔
Explanation
This parable illustrates the condition of hypocrisy. Light represents guidance and clarity, while darkness represents confusion and misguidance. The hypocrites had an opportunity to recognize the truth, but because of their rejection and insincerity, they lost the benefit of that light. The imagery emphasizes how serious spiritual blindness can become.
صُمٌّ بُكْمٌ عُمْيٌ فَهُمْ لَا يَرْجِعُونَ
English Meaning
They are deaf, dumb, and blind, so they will not return to the right path.
Urdu Meaning
وہ بہرے، گونگے اور اندھے ہیں، پس وہ واپس نہیں پلٹتے۔
Explanation
This is a spiritual description, not a statement that these people physically lacked hearing, speech, or sight. They had the physical ability to hear, speak, and see, but they failed to use these abilities to recognize and accept truth. Their spiritual condition prevented them from returning to guidance.
أَوْ كَصَيِّبٍ مِّنَ السَّمَاءِ فِيهِ ظُلُمَاتٌ وَرَعْدٌ وَبَرْقٌ يَجْعَلُونَ أَصَابِعَهُمْ فِي آذَانِهِم مِّنَ الصَّوَاعِقِ حَذَرَ الْمَوْتِ ۚ وَاللَّهُ مُحِيطٌ بِالْكَافِرِينَ
English Meaning
Or their example is like a rainstorm from the sky, containing darkness, thunder, and lightning. They put their fingers in their ears because of the thunderclaps, fearing death. But Allah encompasses the disbelievers.
Urdu Meaning
یا ان کی مثال آسمان سے برسنے والی ایسی بارش کی ہے جس میں اندھیرے، گرج اور بجلی ہو۔ وہ کڑک کی آواز سے موت کے خوف کے باعث اپنی انگلیاں کانوں میں ڈال لیتے ہیں، اور اللہ کافروں کو ہر طرف سے گھیرے ہوئے ہے۔
Explanation
The second parable presents another picture of spiritual fear and confusion. A powerful storm contains darkness, thunder, and lightning, and the hypocrites are portrayed as frightened people trying to protect themselves from what they cannot control. The imagery shows their unstable relationship with revelation: moments of clarity appear like lightning, but fear and rejection prevent them from confidently following the light.
يَكَادُ الْبَرْقُ يَخْطَفُ أَبْصَارَهُمْ ۖ كُلَّمَا أَضَاءَ لَهُم مَّشَوْا فِيهِ وَإِذَا أَظْلَمَ عَلَيْهِمْ قَامُوا ۚ وَلَوْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ لَذَهَبَ بِسَمْعِهِمْ وَأَبْصَارِهِمْ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
English Meaning
The lightning almost snatches away their sight. Whenever it lights the way for them, they walk in it; but when darkness falls over them, they stand still. Had Allah willed, He could have taken away their hearing and sight. Surely Allah is capable of everything.
Urdu Meaning
قریب ہے کہ بجلی ان کی نگاہیں اچک لے۔ جب بھی وہ ان کے لیے روشنی کرتی ہے تو اس میں چل پڑتے ہیں، اور جب ان پر اندھیرا چھا جاتا ہے تو کھڑے رہ جاتے ہیں۔ اور اگر اللہ چاہتا تو ان کی سماعت اور بصارت لے لیتا۔ بے شک اللہ ہر چیز پر قادر ہے۔
Explanation
The parable concludes by showing the inconsistency of the hypocrites. When conditions appear favorable, they move forward, but when difficulty or uncertainty appears, they stop. True faith requires steadiness rather than constantly changing according to circumstances. The final statement reminds the reader of Allah’s complete power over hearing, sight, life, and every other aspect of creation.