Surah Al-Baqarah is the second and the longest Surah of the Quran. The Surah was revealed in Madinah, and it consists of 286 Ayahs and 6,201 words.
There are many Hadiths about the importance and virtues of Surah Al-Baqarah. Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) highlighted them along with the Surah’s benefits in different instances.
1- Protection From Black Magic
Black magic is a proven thing. In fact, Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) himself was once targeted by sorcerers. However, he annulled the magic’s effect through the recitation of the different verses of the Quran.
There is a collection of Ayahs and short Surahs in the Quran that are to be recited as a means of protection and antidote from black magic, jinn, witchcraft, sihr, sorcery, evil eye, and other harmful things.
To be precise, there are 53 such verses in the Quran and among these 53 verses, ten (10) are from Surah Al-Baqarah, which signifies the importance of this blessed Surah. These 10 Ayahs include the first four verses of Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayat Al-Kursi (Ayah 255), Ayahs 256 and 257, and the last three verses of Surah Al-Baqarah. (Reference: Sunan Ibn Majah has mentioned it under comments of Hadith No. 3549).
2- Surah Al-Baqarah Is the Peek of The Quran
The Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) said:
“Everything has a hump (or high peak), 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 clearly shows the importance of Surah Al-Baqarah as our Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) himself stated that it is the high point of the Quran.
3- Last Two Verses Of the Surah
The Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) said:
“Whoever recites the last two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah at night, that will be sufficient for him.” (Sunan Ibn Majah: 1369)
Recitation of the last two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah is considered sufficient for the night, which 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, had it been performed. It could also 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)
4- Protection On the Day of Judgment
Prophet Muhammad (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, Surah Al-Baqarah and Surah Al-Imran, in particular, will argue in favor of a person on the Day of Judgment, defending and getting them rewards for their recitation. Also, when a person will be in extreme need of shade on that day, the reward of reciting these two Surahs will include shade in the form of a canopy, cloud, or like the wings of the birds to those who acted accordingly.
5- Gift of the Night of the Isra and Miraaj
The last verses (285-286) of Surah Baqarah are one of the gifts bestowed upon our Prophet (S.A.W.) during the Night Journey (Isra and Miraah) as it is evident from the following Hadith:
When the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) was taken on the Night Journey, he (S.A.W.) said:
"I was given three things: The five daily prayers, the last verses of Surah Al-Baqarah, and whoever of my Ummah dies without associating anything with Allah will be forgiven for Al-Muqhimat.” (Sunan An-Nisai: 452)
Indeed, Surah Al-Baqarah has enormous value and great rewards for us in this life and the next.
