Question

In the following Hadith, which specific verses of Surah Baqarah are referred to (i.e., where does it start from)?

عن عبدالله بن مسعود: لَمّا أُسْرِيَ برَسولِ اللهِ ﷺ، انْتُهي به إلى سِدْرَةِ المُنْتَهى، وهي في السَّماءِ السّادِسَةِ،

إلَيْها يَنْتَهِي ما يُعْرَجُ به مِنَ الأرْضِ فيُقْبَضُ مِنْها، وإلَيْها يَنْتَهِي ما يُهْبَطُ به مِن فَوْقِها فيُقْبَضُ مِنْها،

قالَ: إِذْ يَغْشى (النَّجْمُ) السِّدْرَةَ ما يَغْشى [النجم: ١٦]، قالَ: فَراشٌ مِن ذَهَبٍ،

قالَ: فَأُعْطِيَ رَسولُ اللهِ ﷺ ثَلاثًا: أُعْطِيَ الصَّلَواتِ الخَمْسَ، وأُعْطِيَ خَواتِيمَ سُورَةِ البَقَرَةِ،

وغُفِرَ لِمَن لَمْ يُشْرِكْ باللَّهِ مِن أُمَّتِهِ شيئًا، المُقْحِماتُ.

(Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 279; Also see: Mirqat, Hadith: 5865)

Answer

‘Allamahs: Turbishti, Tibi, Ibn Kathir, Ibn Malak, Suyuti, and Mulla ‘Ali Qari (rahimahumullah) all were of the opinion that the Ayahs referred to in the Hadith were the last two Ayahs of Surah Baqarah starting from Ayah 285 (i.e., Amanar Rasulu…) till the end.

(Al-Muyassar, Hadith: 4443, Sharhut Tibi ‘Ala Mishkatil Masabih, Hadith: 5865, Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse: 285, Sharhu Masabihis Sunnah of Ibn Malak, Hadith: 4850, Ad-Durrul Manthur, Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse: 285, Mirqat, Hadith: 5865)

Summarised Translation

Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (radiyallahu ‘anhu) has said: ‘When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was taken (for the night journey) during the M’iraj, he reached the Sidratul Muntaha (the lote tree which marks the end of the seventh heaven, the beginning of) which is in the sixth heaven; it is there where everything that ascends from the Earth (such as one’s deeds, etc.) terminates and is held and it is there where everything that descends from above (such as certain rulings or divine instruction – wahy – etc.) terminates and is held (until further instruction is given). (It is in reference to this tree that) the Ayah (of Surah Najm) was revealed: “When the lote tree was covered with what covered it”.

Ibn Mas’ud (radiyallahu ‘anhu) explained (it to mean): Golden flying insects (like moths or butterflies).

He (continued and) said: ‘Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was then granted three things. He was granted the five (daily) prayers, the concluding verses of Surah Baqarah, and (Along with that, he was promised that) all those from his Ummah (followers) who refrained from ascribing partners to Allah Ta’ala would be forgiven for their Major sins [if they repent, or Allah wills so].

And Allah Ta’ala knows best.

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar