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Juz 2 (Surah Al Baqarah Continued)

1. Qibla (قِبلة) is related to the word for kiss (قُبلة) and literally means ‘in front of’. The word frequents the Juz, indicating the direction one should face when praying, including discussion on the changing of the Qibla from Jerusalem to Makkah 🕋. More than just a technical change, this shift also indicated a break from the past and a new identity and focal point for the nascent Muslim community. Beyond the direction of prayer, qibla also more metaphorically alludes to overall convergence of focus, mission, direction, and purpose, as can be seen from various usage in the Quran. Qibla is also closely connected to community identity. In fact fellow believers are called ‘Ahl-al-Qibla’ those who face the same direction.

2. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un (Arabic: إِنَّا ِلِلَّٰهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ) is used when someone passes away, but sometimes yet the meaning is broader. The common translation ‘From God we come and to Him we will return’ doesn’t capture the full meaning. There are no verbs to start with, whereas the translations often includes the future tense ‘will.’ Literally we should translate this phrase as ‘We are God’s, and we are to him Returners’. Perhaps a better translation would be ‘we are in a constant state of returning.’ The statement reminds me of a flowing river heading towards a waterfall. The waterfall would represent death, but the statement encompasses the broader journey as the water flows towards the ocean. 🌊

3. yanqaliboo ينقلبوا — this is translated as ‘turn back on their heels.’ The root is ق ل ب from which heart (qalb قلب ♥️) also comes. The common meaning is to turn or flip, given the heart is constantly moving, and metaphorically ‘flips’. The word for inqilab (اِنقلاب) in modern Arabic means revolution!

4. The use of passive verbs versus active ones are quite interesting in the Quran and demonstrate the Adab (manners) one should use when speaking about God. Often passive verbs will be used when speaking about harm, punishment, or something bad occurring. Subtleties and nuance in language lead to a high levels of refinement and intentionality.

5. Wajh وجه — literally means face. Like in English, this word has quite a few nonliteral meanings in Arabic like وِجهة النظر meaning opinion. There is also a connection between between the direction we ‘face’ and qibla, both themes found in this surah that are connected to identity and community. In the Quran the statement ‘wajh Allah’ literally means ‘Face of God’ brings out a lot of theological debate in how to interpret it in a way that is not anthropomorphic (giving God human-like characteristics) given that is strictly forbidden in Islam.

6. Masjid al Haraam مَسْجِد الحرام: one may be confused why the sanctuary around the kaba, the Prophet’s mosque as well as Masjid al Aqsa in Jerusalem are all three called ‘Haraam’. Haraam in common language means ‘forbidden,’ but these three places are encouraged to visit, not forbidden! The word Haram (from which the Harem also comes) is connected to sacred or protected. When blood is haraam, it means that due to the sacredness of it, it should not be spilt. In addition to spaces, time can also be sacred (haraam), as we see from the Shahr-al-Haram (the sacred months) in which fighting is prohibited.

7. Zakat زَكَاة- is one of the 5 pillars of Islam and often translated as alms-giving, the obligatory 2.5% of wealth that is paid in charity to the poor, and other ‘zakatable’ causes. The root letters (ز ك و) given insight into a deeper understanding of how Zakat also purified and even grows one’s wealth. (See graphic for related words).

8. Fadl فَضْل (as in Fadl Allah) is often translated as bounty, but literally means ‘extra,’ giving the indication that it is not something we deserve or are owed. This is mentioned in regard to a couple who are contemplating divorce. God reminds them to not forget the ‘Fadl’ between each other. Often times in times of conflict one can become very tit for tat, focusing on contracts, obligations, and rights. However, in any relationship, whether it be with God or a spouse, there is so much more. Ironically, fadl is also the word for animal dung! You may need to think about that connection for a bit 😁.

9. Ruoos- (رُءُوس) is plural of ‘head.’ In this juz it is used technically in financial jargon to indicate the upfront capital one places in an investment (versus derived profits, which are ربح).

10. Hikmah حِكْمَة is used multiple times in the juz. It is commonly known as ‘wisdom.’ Hakeem is the word for someone who practices traditional medicine, lol at the emphasis wisdom was given in curing the body holistically! Looking at the root, it is closely connected to ‘Hukm’ ) حُكْم. A ruler is thus called Haakim (حاكم), perhaps the connection alludes to the need for wisdom in deriving rulings and more generally ruling over others.