Living Quran

Surah Al-Baqarah (The Cow)

Al-Baqarah means "The Cow," named after the account of the cow that the Israelites were commanded to sacrifice, related in the surah.

Al-Baqarah is the second and longest surah of the Quran, comprising 286 ayahs. It is a Medinan surah, revealed over an extended period after the Prophet Muhammad's migration to Medina, and much of it addresses the newly formed Muslim community there. As the opening of the mushaf after Al-Fatihah, it begins with the disjointed letters "Alif-Lam-Mim" and lays out a broad framework of faith and practice. The surah describes categories of people in relation to guidance (the believers, the disbelievers, and the hypocrites), recounts the creation of Adam, and recalls at length the experiences of the Children of Israel, including the episode of the cow that gives the surah its name. It moves through the change of the qiblah toward the Kaaba, and covers a wide range of legislative and moral guidance concerning worship, community life, family matters, and dealings between people. It closes with a well-known supplication and affirmation of faith in its final ayahs.
Surah number
2
Revelation
Medinan
Ayahs
286
Arabic
البقرة

Read Surah Al-Baqarah online — full Arabic text with the Pickthall English translation.

Main themes

  • Categories of humanity: believers, disbelievers, and hypocrites
  • The story of Adam and humanity's role as stewards on earth
  • The history and lessons of the Children of Israel, including the cow
  • The change of the qiblah toward the Kaaba in Mecca
  • Foundational guidance on worship, community, and social dealings
  • Faith, patience, and reliance on God (tawakkul)

Why this surah matters

Al-Baqarah holds a prominent place as the longest surah and the first extended chapter after Al-Fatihah, making it foundational to how the Quran is arranged and studied. It contains the Ayat al-Kursi (verse 255), traditionally regarded by many Muslims as among the greatest verses of the Quran. The surah's final two ayahs are also widely cherished, and many Muslims traditionally recite them at night. In tradition, reciting Al-Baqarah in the home is associated with blessing and protection. Because of its breadth, it is often treated as a comprehensive introduction to the themes and guidance developed across the rest of the Quran.

Frequently asked questions

Why is it called "The Cow"?

The name refers to an episode in which the Children of Israel were commanded to sacrifice a cow. The surah relates the story and their questioning around the command, and this account gives the chapter its name.

Is Al-Baqarah Meccan or Medinan?

It is a Medinan surah, meaning its revelation is associated with the period after the Prophet Muhammad's migration to Medina. Much of its content addresses the emerging Muslim community there.

What is Ayat al-Kursi?

Ayat al-Kursi is verse 255 of Al-Baqarah, describing God's sovereignty and knowledge. It is traditionally held in high esteem by many Muslims, though its text is not reproduced here.

Read Surah Al-Baqarah

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