بِسْمِ ٱللَّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
The Holy Quran is a miracle in itself. Sent down to an unlettered man, showing that this book was really the words from God Himself. Some verses are such as Ayatul Kursi is special than the others and the last two verses of surah al-Baqarah are one of them as well.
There are lots of benefits in reciting the Quran as there are many stories and reminders to ponder upon. Furthermore the Quran itself is a form of remedy for the body and soul.
Lets take a look at why these last two ayahs from al-Baqarah is considered special in the Hadiths below.
Hadiths regarding the last two verses from surah al-Baqarah
حَدَّثَنَا عُمَرُ بْنُ حَفْصٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي، حَدَّثَنَا الأَعْمَشُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي إِبْرَاهِيمُ، عَنْ عَلْقَمَةَ، وَعَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ، عَنْ أَبِي مَسْعُودٍ الأَنْصَارِيِّ، قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم “ الآيَتَانِ مِنْ آخِرِ سُورَةِ الْبَقَرَةِ مَنْ قَرَأَ بِهِمَا فِي لَيْلَةٍ كَفَتَاهُ ”.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “If one recites the last two verses of Surat al-Baqarah at night, it is sufficient for him (for that night).”
Sahih al-Bukhari 5040
Narrated by: Abu Mas’ud al-Ansari (RA)
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الْمُبَارَكِ الْمُخَرِّمِيُّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ آدَمَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الأَحْوَصِ، عَنْ عَمَّارِ بْنِ رُزَيْقٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عِيسَى، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ جُبَيْرٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ بَيْنَمَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَعِنْدَهُ جِبْرِيلُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ إِذْ سَمِعَ نَقِيضًا فَوْقَهُ فَرَفَعَ جِبْرِيلُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ بَصَرَهُ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ فَقَالَ هَذَا بَابٌ قَدْ فُتِحَ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مَا فُتِحَ قَطُّ . قَالَ فَنَزَلَ مِنْهُ مَلَكٌ فَأَتَى النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ أَبْشِرْ بِنُورَيْنِ أُوتِيتَهُمَا لَمْ يُؤْتَهُمَا نَبِيٌّ قَبْلَكَ فَاتِحَةِ الْكِتَابِ وَخَوَاتِيمِ سُورَةِ الْبَقَرَةِ لَمْ تَقْرَأْ حَرْفًا مِنْهُمَا إِلاَّ أُعْطِيتَهُ .
“When Jibril was with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), he heard a sound from above like a door opening. Jibril, peace be upon him, looked up toward the sky and said: ‘This is a gate in Heaven that has been opened, but it was never opened before.” He said: “An Angel came down from it and came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said: ‘Receive the glad tidings of two lights that have been given to you and were never given to any prophet before you: The Opening of the Book (al-Fatihah) and the last verses of Surat al-Baqarah. You will never recite a single letter of them but you will be granted it.'”
Source: Sunan an-Nasa’i 912
Narrated by: Ibn Abbas (RA)
أَخْبَرَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ آدَمَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مَالِكُ بْنُ مِغْوَلٍ، عَنِ الزُّبَيْرِ بْنِ عَدِيٍّ، عَنْ طَلْحَةَ بْنِ مُصَرِّفٍ، عَنْ مُرَّةَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ لَمَّا أُسْرِيَ بِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم انْتُهِيَ بِهِ إِلَى سِدْرَةِ الْمُنْتَهَى وَهِيَ فِي السَّمَاءِ السَّادِسَةِ وَإِلَيْهَا يَنْتَهِي مَا عُرِجَ بِهِ مِنْ تَحْتِهَا وَإِلَيْهَا يَنْتَهِي مَا أُهْبِطَ بِهِ مِنْ فَوْقِهَا حَتَّى يُقْبَضَ مِنْهَا قَالَ { إِذْ يَغْشَى السِّدْرَةَ مَا يَغْشَى } قَالَ فَرَاشٌ مِنْ ذَهَبٍ فَأُعْطِيَ ثَلاَثًا الصَّلَوَاتُ الْخَمْسُ وَخَوَاتِيمُ سُورَةِ الْبَقَرَةِ وَيُغْفَرُ لِمَنْ مَاتَ مِنْ أُمَّتِهِ لاَ يُشْرِكُ بِاللَّهِ شَيْئًا الْمُقْحِمَاتُ .
It was narrated that ‘Abdullah said: “When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was taken on the Night Journey, he came to Sidrah al-Muntaha, which is in the sixth heaven. That is where everything that comes up from below ends, and where everything that comes down from above, until it is taken from it. Allah says: When what covered the lote-tree did cover it! [1] He said: “It was moths of gold. And 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.” [2]
[1] an-Najm 53: 16. [2] “The sins of the worst magnitude that drag one into the Fire.” (an-Nihayah)
Sunan an-Nasa’i 451
Narrated by: ‘Abdullah (RA)
The last two verses of surah al-Baqarah and its meanings
The Messenger ˹firmly˺ believes in what has been revealed to him from his Lord, and so do the believers. They ˹all˺ believe in Allah, His angels, His Books, and His messengers. ˹They proclaim,˺ “We make no distinction between any of His messengers.” And they say, “We hear and obey. ˹We seek˺ Your forgiveness, our Lord! And to You ˹alone˺ is the final return.”
Allah does not require of any soul more than what it can afford. All good will be for its own benefit, and all evil will be to its own loss. ˹The believers pray,˺ “Our Lord! Do not punish us if we forget or make a mistake. Our Lord! Do not place a burden on us like the one you placed on those before us. Our Lord! Do not burden us with what we cannot bear. Pardon us, forgive us, and have mercy on us. You are our ˹only˺ Guardian. So grant us victory over the disbelieving people.”
Recitation of the last two verses of surah al-Baqarah
I intentionally chose the video above to help with memorization of the verses if you may wish to do so. By memorizing it, you can recite it by heart before going to bed.
Benefits of reciting the last two verses of surah al-Baqarah
According to Islamic scholars, the meaning for the phrase ‘it is sufficient for him’ after reciting the last two ayahs of surah al-Baqarah is that it is enough to replace waking up for the Tahajjud prayers. Other scholars suggest that it means that it is sufficient for overnight protection from the evils of the shaytan.
Furthermore the Hadiths above tells that it is a special gift from Allah to Prophet Muhammad’s ( ﷺ ) ummah. A gift that has never been transmitted to other prophets before him. It is described as a light or guidance for the final ummah.
In verse 285, it describes the characteristics of the believers. When reciting the verse it reminds us to believe in Allah, His angels, His books and His messengers. That would be the checklist for the true believers. You can’t leave any one out.
Finally, in ayah 286, Allah declares that He does not burden a person of more than what that individual can bear. Take comfort in that as Allah knows best of His slaves. Always ask for forgiveness and InsyaAllah, victory shall be yours.
Conclusion about the last two verses of surah al-Baqarah
There are lots of the miracles contained in the al-Quran. We should strive to recite and understand it well. Make it a daily practice if possible. I myself still have a long way to go in reading and understanding the holy book. May Allah ease our paths in finding understanding of the words in the Quran.
As always, do share this piece of article out to all of your family and friends. Remember to memorize, recite and practice the last two verses of surah al-Baqarah before going to bed. May it be one of the long lasting good deeds that rewards us well. Here in this world and in the hereafter, InsyaAllah.
