Virtues and Importance of of Surah Al Baqarah

Surah Al-Baqarah was revealed in Madinah, consists of 286 Aya, 6201 words and 40 Rukus.

Surah Al-Baqarah is the second and the longest Surah of the Quran. Prophet (S.A.W.) highlighted many virtues of and some of its specific benefits.

Shaytan (Devil) will not enter the house in which Surah Al-Baqarah is recited:

It is narrated by Hazrat Abu Hurairah (R.A) that that the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) said:

"Do not turn your houses into graves. Indeed Ash-Shaitan (Devil/Satan) does not enter the house in which Surah Al Baqarah is recited." (Tirmidhi: 2877)

Ten verses from Surah Al-Baqarah:

Hazrat Abdullah bin Masud (R.A) said:

"Whoever recites ten Ayat from Surat Al-Baqarah in a night, then Shaytan will not enter his house that night. (These ten Ayat are) four from the beginning, Ayat Al-Kursi (255), the following two Aya (256-257) and the last three Aya.''

In another narration, Ibn Masud (R.A.) said:

"Then Shaytan (Devil/Satan) will not come near him or his family, nor will he be touched by anything that he dislikes. Also, if these Ayat were to be recited over a senile person, they would wake him up.'' {Reference: Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Surat Al-Baqarah)}

Protection from Black Magic & other harmful things:

In the tradition of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), he was himself once targeted by sorcerers, but he annulled their effect through the recitation of the verses of the Quran. According to various traditions, different parts of the Quran are described to have a positive effect on an individual in terms of negating and preventing the effects of witchcraft, or for general well-being and becoming a better practicing Muslim.

There is collection of Aya and short Surahs from the Quran that are to be recited as a means of protection and antidote from Black Magic, Jinn, Witchcraft, Sihr, Sorcery, Evil Eye and the like as well as other harmful thing.

There are fifty-three (53) verses to exorcise the devils and jinn. Among these 53 verses, ten (10) are from Surah Al-Baqarah. First four Verses, the Verse of Al-Kursi with two Verses following it (256 to257) and last three Verses of Surat Al-Baqarah. (Reference: Sunan Ibn Majah has mentioned it under comments of Hadith No. 3549).

Hump/High Peek of Quran:

The Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) said:

“Everything has a hump (or high peek), and the hump of the Quran is Surah Al Baqarah. If anyone recites it in his house during the night no devil will enter it for three nights; if anyone recites it in his house during the day-time no devil will enter it for three days.” (Tirmidhi: 2878)

The above Hadith shows the importance of Surah Al-Baqarah as our Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) himself stated that it is the high point of Quran and we all, as a Muslim, know the importance of Quran.

Last Two Verses of Surah Al-Baqarah:

It was narrated by Hazrat Abu Masud (R.A.) that the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) said:

“Whoever recites the last two Verses of Surat Al-Baqarah at night, that will be sufficient for him.” (Sunan Ibn Majah: 1369)

Recitation of the last two Verses of Surat Al-Baqarah being sufficient for the night, means that if a person has failed to perform Tahajjud on a certain night, let him at least recite these two Verses as they would bring as much mercy from Allah as would the prayer of Tahajjud, if it had been performed. Or else it could mean that the recitation of these two Verses is enough to ward off any trouble or calamity from him for the night. '' (Reference: Tafsir Ibn Kathir)

Will come like two clouds on the Day of Judgment:

It is narrated by Hazrat An-Nawwas bin Saman (R.A) that the Prophet (S.A.W.) said:

"The Quran shall come, and its people who acted according to it in the world. Surah Al-Baqarah and Surah Al-Imran shall be in front of it. They will come as if they are two shades between which there is illumination, or as if they are two shady clouds, or as if they are shadows of lines of birds arguing on behalf of their people." (Tirmidhi: 2883)

According to this Hadith, these two Surahs, in particular, will argue in favor of a person and defend him and get their reward for reciting them. They also have the distinction and quality that on the Day of Judgment when a person will be in extreme need of shades, the reward of reciting these two Surahs will provide shade in the form of canopy, cloud or like the wings of the birds to those who acted accordingly.

Gift of Shab-e-Meraaj (last verses of Surah Al-Baqarah):

The last verses of Surah Al-Baqarah are one of gifts bestow upon our Prophet (S.A.W.) during the Night Journey (Shab-e-Meraaj) as it is evident from Hadith:

"When the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) was taken on the Night Journey … He said: "It was moths of gold. And I was given three things: The five daily prayers, the last verses of Surah Al-Baqarah, ……”  (For complete Hadith please refer to Sunan An-Nisai: 452)

Indeed, Surah Al-Baqarah has enormous value and great rewards for us in this life and the next.