The Book That Guides - Surah Al-Baqarah 2:2

Explanation:

Page one of the Qur’an ends with a Dua for guidance and page two begins by showing the way to achieve that guidance. It is through following the revelation of Allah, the Qur’an. Sadly, for many Muslims the Qur’an has become a souvenir on their highest bookshelf, or something just read for blessings without understanding or intention to practice its teachings.

Thus the purpose of the Qur’an is lost on many of us. We should ponder over whether we are using the Qur’an as a book of guidance or as something else. If the latter is true, we need to change our attitude towards Allah’s book and give it its due right.

In this verse, Allah also states that the guidance of the Qur’an can only benefit those who have Taqwa. Taqwa is often described as fear of Allah but that is only part of its meaning. Taqwa means to be aware of Allah at all times and striving to please Him and avoid His Anger, so a better translation for Taqwa would be God-Consciousness.

Thus Taqwa is a necessary component to understanding the Qur’an and fasting properly is one of the ways of achieving Taqwa. Thus fasting is linked to understanding the Qur’an in this manner: Fasting leads to increase in Taqwa and an increase in Taqwa leads to deeper understanding of the Qur’an.


To summarize:

1. Guidance is from Allah and is found in His Revelation
2. The more Taqwa you have, the deeper your understanding of the Qur’an will be
3. Fasting correctly leads to an increase in Taqwa.


Source: Verse of the Day Collection by Abu Muawiyah Ismail Kamdar