Sūrat al-Baqarah (Part 3)
Sūrat al-Baqarah (Part 3)
Part 3 of observations on the structure, organization, and cohesion of Sūrat al-Baqarah
This is a continuation of our series on Sūrat al-Baqarah. Please see last week’s post for Part 2.
Section [B] - Criticism of the Israelites
Structurally, Section [B] is arranged into two back-to-back ring structures.
CONNECTIONS
[B1]/[B1’] – The section begins with an address to the Israelites to believe and fulfill their pact with Allah ﷻ to be firm in their faith. However, by the end of this entire mirror structure, Allah ﷻ makes it clear that the Israelites will not believe. They have failed their pact and have denied the Messenger ﷺ, even though he “has come to them, confirming their own Scriptures.”
[B2]/[B2’] – Allah ﷻ reminds the Israelites to fear the Day of Judgment and that He will not save them from the consequences of their own deeds as He saved them from the Pharaoh’s persecution. On the other side, Allah ﷻ mentions the Israelites’ death, but emphasizes that they fear death because of what they have done. They cling to life because they know the consequences if they were to be judged.
[B3]/[B3’] – The first half shows Allah’s mercy as He mentions the Israelite’s sin of worshiping the calf, but continuously stresses His forgiveness and the possibility of repentance. However, in the second half, Allah ﷻ again brings up their worshiping of the calf, but declares that “the love of the calf was rooted in their hearts because of their disbelief.” In other words, they have given up trying to seek repentance for their crimes.
[B4]/[B4’] – The earlier section deals largely with the Jews of Moses’ time and their repeated acts of disobedience and their violation of their covenant with Allah ﷻ. Likewise, the later section focuses on the crimes of the Jews in the Messenger’s time. They are accused of very similar crimes as their ancestors. They disobey, commit acts of disbelief, and violate their covenant.
[B5] – The center aptly describes the hard hearts of those who have been transgressing in the surrounding text. Though the hearts are hard, not everyone is the same. There are still those that can turn back to Allah ﷻ and restore the life to their spiritual heart.
CONNECTIONS
[B6]/[B6’] – Both sections of the outer ring focus on doubt, mockery, and stubbornness. Instead of believing in the revelation, disbelievers ask nonsensical questions, mock instructions, or refuse to change from their religion to Islam.
[B7]/[B7’] – There is a heavy emphasis in both sections on Allah’s complete control of the heavens and the Earth, as well as His oneness.
[B8]/[B8’] – There is a contrast between the messengers being disrespected with the mosques being disrespected. Both are physical representations of Allah’s authority on Earth, and yet both are not given their due rights by the non-Muslims.
[B9]/[B9’] – Both sections deal with the claims of the Christians and the Jews. In the first instance they assert that only people of their faith with attain salvation. In the other instance, they turn on each other and claim that neither has authority to speak. Ironically, neither is correct in their assessment, and it is actually Allah ﷻ who will judge between them with justice since it is actually Islam that is the true path to salvation.
[B10] – After all the mockery, disbelief, and false claims on either side of the center, the ring’s central pivot rests on the true believers. Those who submit themselves to Allah ﷻ and do good will have their reward with their Master, they will not have anything to fear, and they will never grieve again after death.
The above analysis concludes the study of Section [B] – Criticism of the Israelites. Notice that throughout the sūrah, the centers of the structures repeatedly emphasize the themes of faith in and submission to Allah ﷻ.
And Allah ﷻ knows best
We will continue our study next week with Section [C]!