Reduce Turmoil In Your Home With Sura Baqarah
There’s an amazing way to lessen arguments, debates, sibling rivalry, chaos, stress, and all the bad juju in your house. It’s something straightforward and uncomplicated to do, though you will need to keep up with it.
The way, is to have the beautiful recitation of Surah Al-Baqarah in your home.
This pinnacle surah of the Holy Quran has been a lifesaver for me as a Muslim spouse and parent. I learned about its benefits through my studies but would often forget to implement it consistently. When I didn’t, I noticed how my home was much less tranquil, because the shayateen leave your house for a time when Surah Al-Baqarah is recited. The Prophet SAW said:
لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ سَنَامٌ وَإِنَّ سَنَامَ الْقُرْآنِ سُورَةُ الْبَقَرَةِ وَفِيهَا آيَةٌ هِيَ سَيِّدَةُ آيِ الْقُرْآنِ هِيَ آيَةُ الْكُرْسِيِّ
“For everything there is a hump (pinnacle) and the hump (pinnacle) of the Qur’an is Surah Al-Baqarah, in it there is a verse which is the master of the verses in the Qur’an. It is Ayatul-Kursi.” - Tirmidhi
Important Aspects of Surah Al-Baqarah
Surah Al-Baqarah translates into English as the Chapter of the Cow and is the second surah in sequence in the printed Qur’an.
It is the longest surah in the Qur’an and consists of 286 verses, and takes an average reciter between one and a half to two hours to read in its entirety.
It is the only surah where a portion was revealed outside the physical world. The last two verses of this surah were gifted to the Prophet SAW in the sixth Heaven during his spiritual journey of Al-Mi’raj (The Ascension).
Abdullah (b. Umar) narrated that when the Prophet SAW was taken for the Night journey, he was taken to Sidrat-ul-Muntaha, which is situated on the sixth heaven, where terminates everything that ascends from the earth and is held there, and where terminates everything that descends from above it and is held there. (It is with reference to this that) Allah said:
"When that which covers covered the lote-tree" (al-Qur'an, Iiii. 16). He (the narrator) said: (It was) gold moths. He (the narrator further) said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was given three (things): he was given five prayers, he was given the concluding verses of Surah al-Baqara, and remission of serious Sins for those among his Ummah who associate not anything with Allah.” - Muslim 173
Ayat ul Kursi which is the 255th verse of Surah Al-Baqarah was given the status of being the greatest ayah of the Quran by the Prophet SAW who said:
“O Abu' al-Mundhir, do you know the verse from the Book of Allah which, according to you, is the greatest? I said: Allah and His Apostle (ﷺ) know best. He again said: Abu'l-Mundhir, do you know the verse from the Book of Allah which, according to you, is the greatest? I said: Allah, there is no god but He, the Living, the Eternal. Thereupon he struck me on my breast and said: May knowledge be pleasant for you, O Abu'l-Mundhir!” - Muslim: 810.
Surah Al-Baqarah is the first surah that began its revelation to the Prophet SAW immediately after his migration from Makkah to Madinah. This was where the first Islamic state was laid; thus, this surah deals comprehensively with the foundation of a new ummah, the forthcoming challenges, and the blueprint of the socio-politico-economic system of Islam.
The most dominant theme of Surah Al-Baqarah is the guidelines and responsibilities of Muslims as an ummah, about all aspects of life, faith, righteousness, knowledge, marriage, divorce, parenting, finance, business transaction, military, social or community engagement, and more.
This surah shares stories highlighting some of the Prophets PBUT who Allah SWT sent to teach us His commands. It also talks about some oppressors and the implication of their choice to oppress.
Some of the stories in this surah pertain to the events of the Bani Israel in detail, so Muslims can heed history and not repeat their mistakes of rejecting the truth and occasionally manipulating the truth.
Surah Al-Baqarah also exposes the characteristics of the hypocrites who lived during the Prophet's SAW time. By understanding this surah, we can distinguish the people of today who manifest the exact characteristics of the hypocrites who claimed to be Muslims during the time of the Prophet SAW.
The Benefits of Surah Baqarah
One of the benefits of the recitation of Surah Al-Baqarah is that it chases the shayateen (devils) away from our homes. This, in turn, brings tranquility and reduces turmoil in our houses because the shayatan who inspires hatred and grudges among family members will avoid our homes at all costs.
I've noticed how my family becomes less agitated and argumentative when I instill the recitation of Surah Al-Baqarah in our life. Not to say that you'll have a blissful home all the time because it's not only the shayateen who make the nonsense happen. We also have our nafs to contend with, so it reduces the mischief caused by evil jinn, the evil eye, witchcraft, and evil whispers. The Prophet SAW said:
لاَ تَجْعَلُوا بُيُوتَكُمْ مَقَابِرَ، إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ يَنْفِرُ مِنَ الْبَيْتِ الَّذِي تُقْرَأُ فِيهِ سُورَةُ الْبَقَرَةِ
“Do not make your houses as graveyards. Satan runs away from the house in which Surah Al-Baqarah is recited.” - Muslim
He SAW also said:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَتَبَ كِتَابًا قَبْلَ أَنْ يَخْلُقَ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضَ بِأَلْفَىْ عَامٍ أَنْزَلَ مِنْهُ آيَتَيْنِ خَتَمَ بِهِمَا سُورَةَ الْبَقَرَةِ وَلاَ يُقْرَآنِ فِي دَارٍ ثَلاَثَ لَيَالٍ فَيَقْرَبُهَا شَيْطَانٌ
“Indeed, Allah wrote in a book two thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth, and He sent down two verses from it to end Surah Al-Baqarah with. If they are recited for three nights in a home, no devil shall come near it.” - Tirmidhi
The last verses of Surah Baqarah are some of the most memorized verses of The Holy Quran among Muslims and for a good reason. These two verses grant us Allah's protection against all evil throughout the night. So before sleeping, recite these verses, and by the grace of Allah, you'll be spared nightmares and evil thoughts while you're in slumber. The Prophet SAW said:
الآيَتَانِ مِنْ آخِرِ سُورَةِ الْبَقَرَةِ مَنْ قَرَأَهُمَا فِي لَيْلَةٍ كَفَتَاهُ
“Anyone who recites the two verses at the end of Surah Al-Baqarah at night, they would suffice for him.”
Other benefits of reciting Surah Al-Baqarah are that it causes immense barakah in our time, brings about overall peace of life and blessings in our days, and Allah SWT protects us from sorcerers. The Prophet SAW said:
اقْرَؤُوا سُورَةَ الْبَقَرَةِ، فَإنَّ أَخْذَهَا بَرَكَةٌ، وَتَرْكَهَا حَسْرَةٌ، وَلاَ تَسْتَطِيعُهَا الْبَطَلَةُ
“Recite Surah Al-Baqarah, for to take recourse to it is a blessing and to give it up is a cause of grief, and the magicians cannot confront it.” - Muslim
Another benefit of reciting Surah Al-Baqarah, as well as Surah Al-Imran, is that they will intercede on the Day of Judgement for us. The Prophet SAW said:
يُؤْتَى يَومَ القِيَامَةِ بِالقُرْآن وَأَهْلِهِ الَّذِينَ كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ بِهِ فِي الدُّنْيَا تُقَدِّمُهُ سُورَةُ البَقَرَةِ وآلِ عِمْرَانَ تُحَاجَّانِ عَنْ صَاحِبِهِمَا
“The Qur’an and its people who applied it, will be brought on the Day of Resurrection preceded with Surah Al-Baqarah and Surah Al-Imran arguing on behalf of those who applied them.” - Muslim
Another version of this Hadith is:
"Recite the Qur'an, for on the Day of Resurrection, it will come as an intercessor for those who recite It. Recite the two bright ones, Al-Baqara and Al-Imran, for on the Day of Resurrection, they will come as two clouds or two shades, or two flocks of birds in ranks, pleading for those who recite them. Recite Surah al-Baqara, for to take recourse to it is a blessing and to give it up is a cause of grief, and the magicians cannot confront it." - Muslim
How To Reap The Benefits of Surah Baqarah
Reading the entire Surah Al-Baqarah daily or frequently is ideal. Being the longed surah in The Holy Quran, it can take over two hours to recite if you are a slower reader like myself.
However, do not despair if the time is a put-off or you can't recite this surah due to other reasons. There are still ways we can instill this valuable habit without feeling overwhelmed, such as:
Recite Surah Al-Baqarah over three consecutive days or even a week, etc. We know it's best to recite it in one sitting, but don't let that be a deterrent. You can distribute the recitation throughout your days so you can cope.
Ask your spouse and kids to help with completing parts of the full recitation of Sura Al-Baqarah if reciting it alone is too much,
Play a recording of the recitation of Surah Al-Baqarah in your home if you find reciting the entire surah in Arabic a hardship (that's what I currently do). We know the Quranic recitation with our tongue is the first preference, but playing a recording is better than not reciting.
Read Ayatul-Kursi after every obligatory prayer or at least every morning and evening.
Read the last two verses of this surah every night before going to bed and make the intention to begin to memorize it.
It's always better to implement something than not do it at all, and after that, work towards improving by reciting it yourself one day inshallah. I play the recitation of Surah Al-Baqarah about twice a week in my home as the scholars mention that it keeps the shayateen away for three days.
Some Final Thoughts
Sometimes, I'd forget to implement the recitation of Sura Al-Baqarah, and without a doubt, I'd feel the difference in my home. So to stay consistent, I had to set a reminder on my smartphone, which helped me turn it into a routine. Alhumdulillah, I have been doing this for many years now, so I no longer need that reminder as my heart longs for it.
For non-Arabic speakers, after reciting Surah Al-Baqarah, try to read the translation and Tafseer. This helps to understand this fantastic surah of the Quran better.
Also, get your kids involved in this initiative and share the wonders of this beautiful surah with them. Explain to them why you have it playing in your home, why they should recite it, and the numerous benefits of having this recitation in our home. Inshallah, our kids can then carry on this tradition and teach it to their children.
This wasn't something that I had learned as a child, and it would have been an invaluable piece of wisdom that I would've loved to have started since having my own home.
I currently play Surah Al-Baqarah on our Smart TV on YouTube and have a playlist of my favorite qaris to hear a variety of reciters. It's also convenient to play a qari who recites faster on the days I'm short on time.
I play Sura Al-Baqarah first thing in the morning after fajr salah and before my family are all up, and the chaos begins. Alternatively, you can have it on your computer or phone, whichever is more accessible.
These are the kinds of jewels we need to share because it's life-altering and impactful. Anything that helps our homes be more tranquil and peaceful is essential to implement as our families are the core of our lives. Alhumdulillah. I am so glad to have learned about the many benefits of Surah Al-Baqarah, so please share in the comments anything more that I may have missed and spread the message to your friends and family.
Salam, I’m Zakeeya!
I believe that making our homes a safe haven for our families, as well as being a wife and mother, brings us great blessings, contentment, and benefits to society as a whole. Since 2011, I've been dedicated to assisting Muslimas in finding tranquility in their roles, taking better care of themselves, and achieving inner peace. Our journey in this world is not an easy one, but I pray the tools and guidance I offer will help you face life's challenges with more gratitude and mindfulness. Join me as I share wifehood, motherhood, homemaking, and lifestyle solutions that make life more fulfilling for you as a woman! Read more about me here.
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