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 21 – 40 of 286
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اعْبُدُوا رَبَّكُمُ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ
English Meaning
O humanity, worship your Lord, Who created you and those before you, so that you may become mindful of Him.
Urdu Meaning
اے لوگو! اپنے اس رب کی عبادت کرو جس نے تمہیں اور تم سے پہلے لوگوں کو پیدا کیا، تاکہ تم تقویٰ اختیار کرو۔
Explanation
Allah addresses all humanity and calls them to worship Him alone. The reason is clear: He is the Creator of every generation. Worship is therefore not based merely on tradition; it is based on recognizing the One who created and sustains us. The verse connects worship with taqwa, meaning conscious awareness of Allah that leads a person to obedience and righteousness.
الَّذِي جَعَلَ لَكُمُ الْأَرْضَ فِرَاشًا وَالسَّمَاءَ بِنَاءً وَأَنْزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مَاءً فَأَخْرَجَ بِهِ مِنَ الثَّمَرَاتِ رِزْقًا لَكُمْ فَلَا تَجْعَلُوا لِلَّهِ أَنْدَادًا وَأَنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
English Meaning
Allah addresses all humanity and calls them to worship Him alone. The reason is clear: He is the Creator of every generation. Worship is therefore not based merely on tradition; it is based on recognizing the One who created and sustains us. The verse connects worship with taqwa, meaning conscious awareness of Allah that leads a person to obedience and righteousness.
Urdu Meaning
وہی ہے جس نے تمہارے لیے زمین کو رہنے کی جگہ اور آسمان کو چھت بنایا، اور آسمان سے پانی برسایا، پھر اس کے ذریعے تمہارے لیے پھلوں سے رزق پیدا کیا۔ پس جانتے بوجھتے اللہ کے لیے شریک اور برابر نہ ٹھہراؤ۔
Explanation
The verse points to several visible blessings: the earth, the sky, rain, and food. These blessings are presented as evidence of Allah's power and care. Since Allah alone provides these fundamental blessings, worship and ultimate dependence belong to Him alone.
وَإِنْ كُنْتُمْ فِي رَيْبٍ مِمَّا نَزَّلْنَا عَلَىٰ عَبْدِنَا فَأْتُوا بِسُورَةٍ مِنْ مِثْلِهِ وَادْعُوا شُهَدَاءَكُمْ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ صَادِقِينَ
English Meaning
If you are in doubt about what We have revealed to Our servant, then produce a surah like it and call upon whoever you can besides Allah, if you are truthful.
Urdu Meaning
اور اگر تمہیں اس کلام کے بارے میں شک ہے جو ہم نے اپنے بندے پر نازل کیا ہے، تو اس جیسی ایک سورت لے آؤ اور اللہ کے سوا اپنے تمام مددگاروں کو بلا لو، اگر تم سچے ہو۔
Explanation
The Quran presents a direct challenge to those who doubt its divine origin. Instead of asking people to accept the claim without evidence, the verse challenges them to produce a single surah comparable to it. This is part of the Quran's broader challenge of its inimitability. The challenge is not simply about producing similar subject matter, but about matching the Quran's revealed discourse.
فَإِنْ لَمْ تَفْعَلُوا وَلَنْ تَفْعَلُوا فَاتَّقُوا النَّارَ الَّتِي وَقُودُهَا النَّاسُ وَالْحِجَارَةُ أُعِدَّتْ لِلْكَافِرِينَ
English Meaning
But if you do not—and you will never be able to—then guard yourselves against the Fire whose fuel is people and stones, prepared for those who reject the truth.
Urdu Meaning
پھر اگر تم ایسا نہ کر سکو، اور تم ہرگز نہ کر سکو گے، تو اس آگ سے بچو جس کا ایندھن انسان اور پتھر ہیں، جو کافروں کے لیے تیار کی گئی ہے۔
Explanation
The challenge is followed by a warning. The Quran states that the opponents will not be able to meet the challenge and then calls them to protect themselves from the consequences of rejecting truth. The verse connects intellectual rejection with moral responsibility: once truth becomes clear, a person is accountable for how he responds to it.
وَبَشِّرِ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ ۖ كُلَّمَا رُزِقُوا مِنْهَا مِنْ ثَمَرَةٍ رِزْقًا ۙ قَالُوا هَٰذَا الَّذِي رُزِقْنَا مِنْ قَبْلُ ۖ وَأُتُوا بِهِ مُتَشَابِهًا ۖ وَلَهُمْ فِيهَا أَزْوَاجٌ مُطَهَّرَةٌ ۖ وَهُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ
English Meaning
Give good news to those who believe and do righteous deeds that they will have gardens beneath which rivers flow. Whenever they are given fruit from them, they will say, “This is what we were provided before,” although it will be given to them in similar appearance. They will have purified spouses there, and they will remain there forever.
Urdu Meaning
اور ان لوگوں کو خوشخبری دے دو جو ایمان لائے اور نیک اعمال کیے کہ ان کے لیے ایسے باغات ہیں جن کے نیچے نہریں بہتی ہیں۔ جب بھی انہیں وہاں کوئی پھل رزق کے طور پر دیا جائے گا، وہ کہیں گے کہ یہ تو وہی ہے جو ہمیں پہلے دیا گیا تھا، حالانکہ انہیں وہ مشابہ صورت میں دیا جائے گا۔ اور ان کے لیے وہاں پاکیزہ بیویاں ہوں گی اور وہ ہمیشہ وہاں رہیں گے۔
Explanation
After warning comes hope. The Quran repeatedly combines fear and hope so that believers neither become careless nor despair. Jannah is described through gardens, flowing rivers, provision, purified spouses, and everlasting life. The ultimate reward is not temporary; it is permanent.
إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَسْتَحْيِي أَنْ يَضْرِبَ مَثَلًا مَا بَعُوضَةً فَمَا فَوْقَهَا ۚ فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا فَيَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّهُ الْحَقُّ مِنْ رَبِّهِمْ ۖ وَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا فَيَقُولُونَ مَاذَا أَرَادَ اللَّهُ بِهَٰذَا مَثَلًا ۘ يُضِلُّ بِهِ كَثِيرًا وَيَهْدِي بِهِ كَثِيرًا ۚ وَمَا يُضِلُّ بِهِ إِلَّا الْفَاسِقِينَ
English Meaning
Surely Allah is not ashamed to present an example—even that of a mosquito or something beyond it. Those who believe know that it is the truth from their Lord, while those who reject say, “What does Allah intend by this example?” Through it He lets many go astray and guides many, but He only lets the defiantly disobedient go astray.
Urdu Meaning
بے شک اللہ اس بات سے نہیں جھجکتا کہ کوئی مثال بیان کرے، خواہ مچھر کی ہو یا اس سے بھی بڑھ کر کسی چیز کی۔ پس جو لوگ ایمان لائے وہ جانتے ہیں کہ یہ ان کے رب کی طرف سے حق ہے، اور کافر کہتے ہیں کہ اللہ نے اس مثال سے کیا مراد لی ہے؟ اللہ اس کے ذریعے بہتوں کو گمراہ کرتا ہے اور بہتوں کو ہدایت دیتا ہے، اور وہ اس کے ذریعے صرف نافرمانوں کو گمراہ کرتا ہے۔
Explanation
The Quran teaches that the value of an example does not depend on whether its subject appears large or small to humans. Even a tiny creature can demonstrate profound truths about creation and human behavior. The difference is in the attitude of the listener: believers reflect upon revelation, while arrogant rejecters use examples as excuses for criticism.
الَّذِينَ يَنْقُضُونَ عَهْدَ اللَّهِ مِنْ بَعْدِ مِيثَاقِهِ وَيَقْطَعُونَ مَا أَمَرَ اللَّهُ بِهِ أَنْ يُوصَلَ وَيُفْسِدُونَ فِي الْأَرْضِ ۚ أُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ
English Meaning
Those who break Allah's covenant after confirming it, sever what Allah has commanded to be maintained, and spread corruption in the land—they are the true losers.
Urdu Meaning
جو لوگ اللہ کے عہد کو مضبوط کرنے کے بعد توڑ دیتے ہیں، اور جن تعلقات کو اللہ نے قائم رکھنے کا حکم دیا ہے انہیں کاٹتے ہیں، اور زمین میں فساد پھیلاتے ہیں، یہی لوگ حقیقی خسارے میں ہیں۔
Explanation
This verse describes serious forms of disobedience: breaking commitments with Allah, cutting relationships and responsibilities that Allah commands people to maintain, and spreading corruption. The Quran calls such people losers because their apparent worldly gains cannot compensate for spiritual loss.
كَيْفَ تَكْفُرُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَكُنْتُمْ أَمْوَاتًا فَأَحْيَاكُمْ ۖ ثُمَّ يُمِيتُكُمْ ثُمَّ يُحْيِيكُمْ ثُمَّ إِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ
English Meaning
How can you reject Allah when you were lifeless and He gave you life? Then He will cause you to die, then bring you back to life, and then to Him you will be returned.
Urdu Meaning
تم اللہ کا انکار کیسے کرتے ہو، حالانکہ تم بے جان تھے تو اس نے تمہیں زندگی دی، پھر وہ تمہیں موت دے گا، پھر دوبارہ زندہ کرے گا، پھر اسی کی طرف تم لوٹائے جاؤ گے۔
Explanation
The verse directs attention to the stages of human existence: before earthly life, life, death, resurrection, and return to Allah. The resurrection therefore should not be considered impossible when Allah has already brought human beings into existence. The verse establishes accountability as an essential part of human existence.
هُوَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ لَكُمْ مَا فِي الْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا ثُمَّ اسْتَوَىٰ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ فَسَوَّاهُنَّ سَبْعَ سَمَاوَاتٍ ۚ وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ
English Meaning
He is the One Who created for you all that is on the earth. Then He turned to the heaven and fashioned them into seven heavens. And He has perfect knowledge of everything.
Urdu Meaning
وہی ہے جس نے زمین میں جو کچھ ہے سب تمہارے لیے پیدا کیا، پھر آسمان کی طرف توجہ فرمائی اور انہیں سات آسمان بنا دیا، اور وہ ہر چیز کو خوب جاننے والا ہے۔
Explanation
This verse reminds humanity of Allah's creative power and knowledge. The earth and heavens are not independent or uncontrolled; they are part of Allah's creation. The verse ends by emphasizing His complete knowledge, showing that the One who created the universe also knows every detail within it.
وَإِذْ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ إِنِّي جَاعِلٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ خَلِيفَةً ۖ قَالُوا أَتَجْعَلُ فِيهَا مَنْ يُفْسِدُ فِيهَا وَيَسْفِكُ الدِّمَاءَ وَنَحْنُ نُسَبِّحُ بِحَمْدِكَ وَنُقَدِّسُ لَكَ ۖ قَالَ إِنِّي أَعْلَمُ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
English Meaning
When your Lord said to the angels, “I am placing a successor on earth,” they said, “Will You place there one who will spread corruption and shed blood, while we glorify You with praise and declare Your holiness?” He said, “Surely I know what you do not know.”
Urdu Meaning
اور جب آپ کے رب نے فرشتوں سے فرمایا کہ میں زمین میں ایک خلیفہ بنانے والا ہوں، تو انہوں نے عرض کیا: کیا آپ وہاں ایسے کو مقرر کریں گے جو اس میں فساد پھیلائے اور خون بہائے، جبکہ ہم آپ کی حمد کے ساتھ تسبیح کرتے اور آپ کی پاکیزگی بیان کرتے ہیں؟ اللہ نے فرمایا: بے شک میں وہ جانتا ہوں جو تم نہیں جانتے۔
Explanation
Allah announces His plan to place humanity on earth. The angels ask about the consequences they know may occur, such as corruption and bloodshed. Allah's response teaches that His knowledge is greater than what His creation can perceive. Humanity's creation has purposes and wisdom that extend beyond what the angels mentioned.
وَعَلَّمَ آدَمَ الْأَسْمَاءَ كُلَّهَا ثُمَّ عَرَضَهُمْ عَلَى الْمَلَائِكَةِ فَقَالَ أَنْبِئُونِي بِأَسْمَاءِ هَٰؤُلَاءِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ صَادِقِينَ
English Meaning
And He taught Adam the names of all things, then presented them to the angels and said, “Tell Me the names of these, if you are truthful.”
Urdu Meaning
اور اللہ نے آدم کو تمام نام سکھائے، پھر ان چیزوں کو فرشتوں کے سامنے پیش کیا اور فرمایا: اگر تم سچے ہو تو مجھے ان کے نام بتاؤ۔
Explanation
Allah demonstrates a special knowledge given to Adam عليه السلام. The verse highlights the importance of knowledge as one of the distinguishing gifts given to humanity. It also teaches that Allah's wisdom cannot be judged from limited human or created knowledge.
قَالُوا سُبْحَانَكَ لَا عِلْمَ لَنَا إِلَّا مَا عَلَّمْتَنَا ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْعَلِيمُ الْحَكِيمُ
English Meaning
They said, “Glory be to You! We have no knowledge except what You have taught us. Surely You are the All-Knowing, All-Wise.”
Urdu Meaning
انہوں نے کہا: تو پاک ہے، ہمیں کوئی علم نہیں مگر وہ جو تو نے ہمیں سکھایا ہے۔ بے شک تو ہی سب کچھ جاننے والا، حکمت والا ہے۔
Explanation
The angels respond with humility. They immediately acknowledge that their knowledge comes from Allah. This is an important lesson for every seeker of knowledge: genuine knowledge should produce humility, not arrogance. The verse also connects Allah's perfect knowledge with His perfect wisdom.
قَالَ يَا آدَمُ أَنْبِئْهُمْ بِأَسْمَائِهِمْ ۖ فَلَمَّا أَنْبَأَهُمْ بِأَسْمَائِهِمْ قَالَ أَلَمْ أَقُلْ لَكُمْ إِنِّي أَعْلَمُ غَيْبَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَأَعْلَمُ مَا تُبْدُونَ وَمَا كُنْتُمْ تَكْتُمُونَ
English Meaning
He said, “O Adam, tell them their names.” When Adam told them their names, Allah said, “Did I not tell you that I know the unseen of the heavens and the earth, and I know what you reveal and what you conceal?”
Urdu Meaning
اللہ نے فرمایا: اے آدم! انہیں ان چیزوں کے نام بتاؤ۔ پھر جب آدم نے انہیں ان کے نام بتا دیے تو اللہ نے فرمایا: کیا میں نے تم سے نہیں کہا تھا کہ میں آسمانوں اور زمین کے غیب کو جانتا ہوں، اور جو تم ظاہر کرتے ہو اور جو تم چھپاتے ہو اسے بھی جانتا ہوں۔
Explanation
Adam's demonstration of knowledge confirms the wisdom behind Allah's decision. The verse again emphasizes Allah's knowledge of both the visible and invisible. Nothing is hidden from Him, including what His creation openly expresses and what remains concealed within them.
وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ اسْجُدُوا لِآدَمَ فَسَجَدُوا إِلَّا إِبْلِيسَ أَبَىٰ وَاسْتَكْبَرَ وَكَانَ مِنَ الْكَافِرِينَ
English Meaning
And when We said to the angels, “Prostrate before Adam,” they all prostrated except Iblis. He refused, acted arrogantly, and became one of the disbelievers.
Urdu Meaning
اور جب ہم نے فرشتوں سے کہا کہ آدم کے سامنے سجدہ کرو تو سب نے سجدہ کیا، سوائے ابلیس کے۔ اس نے انکار کیا، تکبر کیا اور کافروں میں سے ہوگیا۔
Explanation
The prostration was an act of obedience to Allah's command, not worship of Adam. Iblis refused because of arrogance. This verse establishes one of the central spiritual dangers in the Quran: kibr (pride/arrogance). Knowledge or status has no value when it causes someone to disobey Allah.
وَقُلْنَا يَا آدَمُ اسْكُنْ أَنْتَ وَزَوْجُكَ الْجَنَّةَ وَكُلَا مِنْهَا رَغَدًا حَيْثُ شِئْتُمَا وَلَا تَقْرَبَا هَٰذِهِ الشَّجَرَةَ فَتَكُونَا مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ
English Meaning
And We said, “O Adam, you and your wife dwell in Paradise and eat freely from wherever you wish, but do not approach this tree, or you will become among the wrongdoers.”
Urdu Meaning
اور ہم نے کہا: اے آدم! تم اور تمہاری بیوی جنت میں رہو اور جہاں سے چاہو فراوانی سے کھاؤ، لیکن اس درخت کے قریب نہ جانا، ورنہ تم ظالموں میں سے ہوجاؤ گے۔
Explanation
Adam and his wife were given abundant freedom and one clear restriction. The verse teaches an important principle: Allah's commands are not intended to deprive human beings of every blessing. Rather, humans are given many lawful choices along with boundaries that protect them from harm and disobedience.
فَأَزَلَّهُمَا الشَّيْطَانُ عَنْهَا فَأَخْرَجَهُمَا مِمَّا كَانَا فِيهِ ۖ وَقُلْنَا اهْبِطُوا بَعْضُكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ عَدُوٌّ ۖ وَلَكُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ مُسْتَقَرٌّ وَمَتَاعٌ إِلَىٰ حِينٍ
English Meaning
But Satan caused them both to slip and brought about their removal from the state they were in. We said, “Go down, some of you as enemies to others, and you will have a dwelling and enjoyment on earth for a time.”
Urdu Meaning
پھر شیطان نے ان دونوں کو اس مقام سے پھسلا دیا اور انہیں اس حالت سے نکلوا دیا جس میں وہ تھے۔ اور ہم نے فرمایا: تم سب نیچے اتر جاؤ، تم میں سے بعض بعض کے دشمن ہوں گے، اور تمہارے لیے زمین میں ایک مدت تک ٹھکانا اور فائدہ اٹھانا ہے۔
Explanation
Satan became the means through which Adam and his wife were tempted. Humanity's earthly life would now include struggle, responsibility, and the presence of Satan as an enemy. The verse also makes clear that earthly life is temporary; human beings will live and benefit from the earth only for an appointed period.
فَتَلَقَّىٰ آدَمُ مِنْ رَبِّهِ كَلِمَاتٍ فَتَابَ عَلَيْهِ ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ
English Meaning
Then Adam received words of repentance from his Lord, so Allah accepted his repentance. Surely He is the One who repeatedly accepts repentance, the Most Merciful.
Urdu Meaning
پھر آدم نے اپنے رب سے کچھ کلمات سیکھ لیے، تو اللہ نے اس کی توبہ قبول فرما لی۔ بے شک وہ بہت توبہ قبول کرنے والا، نہایت رحم کرنے والا ہے۔
Explanation
The story does not end with Adam's mistake. Allah taught him how to turn back, and Allah accepted his repentance. This establishes a powerful principle of Islam: when a person sincerely recognizes wrongdoing and returns to Allah, the door of repentance remains open. Allah's mercy is emphasized immediately after the mention of the mistake.
قُلْنَا اهْبِطُوا مِنْهَا جَمِيعًا ۖ فَإِمَّا يَأْتِيَنَّكُمْ مِنِّي هُدًى فَمَنْ تَبِعَ هُدَايَ فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ
English Meaning
We said, “Go down from here, all of you. When guidance comes to you from Me, whoever follows My guidance will have no fear, nor will they grieve.”
Urdu Meaning
ہم نے فرمایا: تم سب یہاں سے اتر جاؤ، پھر جب میری طرف سے تمہارے پاس ہدایت آئے تو جو میری ہدایت کی پیروی کرے گا، نہ اسے کوئی خوف ہوگا اور نہ وہ غمگین ہوگا۔
Explanation
Humanity's life on earth is not without guidance. Allah promises to send guidance, and He gives people a clear path to follow. The verse connects safety from ultimate fear and grief with following divine guidance. This is one of the central themes of the entire Quran.
وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَكَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا أُولَٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ
English Meaning
But those who reject faith and deny Our signs will be companions of the Fire; they will remain there.
Urdu Meaning
اور جن لوگوں نے کفر کیا اور ہماری آیات کو جھٹلایا، وہ آگ والے ہیں، وہ اس میں ہمیشہ رہیں گے۔
Explanation
The previous verse described the response of those who follow Allah's guidance. This verse describes the opposite response: rejection and denial. Al-Baqarah therefore presents a fundamental choice—accept divine guidance and follow it, or reject it and face its consequences.
يَا بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ اذْكُرُوا نِعْمَتِيَ الَّتِي أَنْعَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَأَوْفُوا بِعَهْدِي أُوفِ بِعَهْدِكُمْ وَإِيَّايَ فَارْهَبُونِ
English Meaning
O Children of Israel, remember My favor that I bestowed upon you, fulfill your covenant with Me, and I will fulfill My covenant with you. And fear Me alone.
Urdu Meaning
اے بنی اسرائیل! میری وہ نعمت یاد کرو جو میں نے تم پر کی، اور میرا عہد پورا کرو، میں تمہارا عہد پورا کروں گا، اور صرف مجھ ہی سے ڈرو۔
Explanation
Beginning with this verse, the Surah turns to a detailed discussion of the Children of Israel and the lessons that can be learned from their history. Allah reminds them of His favors and calls them to fulfill their covenant. The principle is broader than one historical community: receiving blessings from Allah carries a responsibility of gratitude, obedience, and faithfulness.