Al-Baqarah 2:2
The Cow · Medinan · Juz 1 · Page 2
The Qur’an
ذَٰلِكَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبُ لَا رَيۡبَۛ فِيهِۛ هُدࣰى لِّلۡمُتَّقِينَ ٢
This is the Scripture whereof there is no doubt, a guidance unto those who ward off (evil).
Translation: Marmaduke Pickthall
Meaning
This is the Book, the Qur’an, in which there is no doubt. It guides those who want to guard themselves against evil.
Insight
Elmalılı reminds us that when ‘al-Kitab’ (the Book) is said, only the Qur’an is meant. Among Muslims ‘the Book’ means the Qur’an, while the hadith are called ‘sunnah’.
Reflect
How does approaching the Qur’an as a ‘guide’ change the way you read it?
This short note is based on Elmalılı Hamdi Yazır’s Turkish commentary and has not yet been reviewed by a scholar.
Elmalılı’s commentary
An English translation of Elmalılı’s full commentary is coming soon. Read the original Turkish ›