Essence of Faith and Characteristics of Pious People
God say in Verses 1-5 of Surah Al-Baqarah:
“Alif. Lam. Mim. There is no doubt that this book is a guide for the pious; Who believe in the unseen and establish the (daily) prayer; who spend out of what We have provided them; Who have faith in what has been revealed to you and others before you and have strong faith in the life hereafter. These are guided by their Lord; these surely are the prosperous.”
The word Baqarah means cow and the Surah is named Baqarah because it includes the story of the Bani Isra’il’s cow. Of course, this Surah, which is the Quran’s longest chapter, includes many diverse issues, from stories and parables to divine commandments, creation of man, his role and status in the world, etc.
Reading this Surah is like a journey through different fields in which one can learn many points and lessons through reflection and contemplation.
It is such a pity that some read this long chapter rapidly without contemplating on its sublime teachings.
The Surah begins by pointing out that the Holy Quran is a book of guidance for the pious people. One may wonder that the pious do not need guidance but it is those who have gone astray that need guidance.
The answer is that this book is guidance for those who seek to reach the status of Taqwa (God-fearing), piety and virtue.
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Another response to this question is that anyone who has the essence of Taqwa, which is submission to God, will be guided by this book.
In other words, if someone does not reach a point in which he stays away from “untruth”, he may not benefit from this book and he may even become more deviated, as God says in Verse 26 of this Surah: “God does not hesitate to set forth parables of anything even a gnat. The believers know that it is the truth from their Lord, but those who deny the truth say, ‘What does God mean by such parables?’ In fact, by such parables God misleads and guides many. However, He only misleads the evil doers.”
Hence, this book guides many people to the right path while some, who God names Fasiq (evil-doers) are misled by it.
