Surah 2 (Al-Baqarah)
Overview
Surah 2, Al-Baqarah (The Heifer), serves as a comprehensive constitution for the Muslim community. In this translation by Rashad Khalifa, the text asserts the Quran's infallibility as a guide for the righteous. It covers the history of Adam, the Israelites (Children of Israel), and the transition of the covenant from the Jews to the Muslims (symbolized by the change of the Qiblah/direction of prayer). The text outlines the 'Five Pillars' including Contact Prayers (Salat), Obligatory Charity (Zakat), Fasting (Ramadan), and Pilgrimage (Hajj). Theologically, it vehemently defends the absolute oneness of God, rejecting the Christian concept of God having a son. It establishes a legal framework for marriage, divorce, commerce (banning usury), and warfare. The narrative posits that salvation is transactional—based on belief plus earned righteousness—and accuses Jews and Christians of distorting their scriptures. Uniquely to Khalifa's translation, verse 30 refers to Adam as a 'temporary god' (representative), a significant deviation from standard Islamic translation, reflecting Khalifa's specific theological nuances.
Key Figures
- GOD (Allah)
- Adam
- Moses
- Abraham
- Jesus, son of Mary
- Satan (Iblis)
- Gabriel
- Saul (Taloot)
- David
- Goliath (Jaloot)
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
Strict Unitarian Monotheism (Tawhid)
Assertion
God is absolutely One, without partners, sons, or equals. He is the sole Creator and Sustainer.
Evidence from Text
"They said, 'GOD has begotten a son!' Be He glorified; never! To Him belongs everything in the heavens and the earth..." (2:116)
Evangelical Comparison
While Evangelicalism affirms one God revealed in three persons (Trinity), Surah 2 explicitly rejects any division or multiplication within the Godhead. Specifically, verse 2:116 attacks the core Christian claim of Jesus being the Son of God. The text presents a God who is transcendent and sovereign but relates to humanity through law and revelation rather than incarnation. This creates a fundamental theological gap regarding the nature of God and the person of Jesus.
Transactional Soteriology
Assertion
Salvation is attained through a combination of belief and 'earning' righteousness through works and adherence to law.
Evidence from Text
"GOD never burdens a soul beyond its means: to its credit is what it earns, and against it is what it commits." (2:286)
Evangelical Comparison
Evangelicalism teaches justification by faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9), where Christ's righteousness is imputed to the believer. Surah 2 presents a system where the human soul 'earns' credit through obedience (Salat, Zakat, Fasting) and incurs debt through sin. While God is described as Merciful, His mercy is often contingent on repentance and reform (2:160), rather than a guaranteed status based on a finished atonement.
Prophetic Continuity and Supersession
Assertion
Muhammad is the final messenger confirming previous scriptures; however, previous communities (Jews/Christians) corrupted their texts.
Evidence from Text
"We have sent down to you such clear revelations, and only the wicked will reject them." (2:99); "...woe to those who distort the scripture with their own hands..." (2:79)
Evangelical Comparison
The text claims to confirm the Torah and Gospel but simultaneously undermines their authority by accusing their custodians of distortion (tahrif). It positions the Quran as the corrective and final authority. This violates Sola Scriptura, which holds the Bible as the sufficient and infallible rule of faith. The text demands belief in 'what was revealed to you [Muhammad]' (2:4) as a condition of righteousness.
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap
The fundamental incompatibility lies in the mechanism of salvation and the nature of God. Surah 2 establishes a legalistic framework where human beings must 'earn' their way into God's favor through specific rituals (Salat, Hajj) and social laws. This is the antithesis of the Evangelical doctrine of Sola Gratia (Grace Alone). Furthermore, the text's Christology is explicitly polemical against Christianity; by reducing Jesus to a messenger and denying His Sonship (2:116), it removes the possibility of a divine atonement. Without the God-Man to mediate, the adherent is left to bear the burden of their own sin (2:286), hoping for mercy without the assurance of a paid ransom.
Friction Points
Sola Scriptura
Claims the Bible is corrupted (2:75, 79) and supersedes it with the Quran.
Sola Fide
Salvation is contingent on 'earning' credit through works and rituals (2:286).
Christology (Atonement)
Denies the necessity of redemption through Christ; claims God forgives simply by will/repentance without satisfaction of justice.
Theology Proper (Trinity)
Explicit denial of God having a son (2:116); strict Unitarianism.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"Believer (Mu'min)"
In This Text
One who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the Quran, and performs Islamic duties (Salat/Zakat).
In Evangelicalism
One who trusts in the finished work of Jesus Christ for salvation.
"Spirit (Ruh)"
In This Text
The Angel Gabriel (often interpreted as the Holy Spirit supporting Jesus in 2:87, 2:253).
In Evangelicalism
The Third Person of the Trinity, God Himself.
"Messiah/Christ"
In This Text
A title for Jesus as a messenger, without implication of divinity.
In Evangelicalism
The Anointed One, Son of God, King of Kings.
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: Avoidance of Hellfire and entry into Gardens (Paradise) through belief and righteous living.
How Attained: By belief in God/Last Day, observance of the Five Pillars (Salat, Zakat, etc.), and moral behavior. It is a transaction: 'Who would lend GOD a loan of righteousness?' (2:245).
Basis of Assurance: There is no absolute assurance. One hopes for mercy based on the balance of their deeds. 'God forgives whomever He wills, and punishes whomever He wills' (2:284).
Comparison to Sola Fide: Directly opposed. Surah 2:25 states those who 'believe AND lead a righteous life' are rewarded. James 2 is often cited by Muslims, but the Quranic context makes works the *basis* of merit, not just the fruit of faith.
Mandates & Requirements
Explicit Commands
- Observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) (2:43, 2:110)
- Give the obligatory charity (Zakat) (2:43, 2:110)
- Fast during the month of Ramadan (2:183-185)
- Perform Hajj and Umrah if able (2:196)
- Do not eat pork, blood, or carrion (2:173)
- Do not charge usury/interest (2:275)
- Retaliation in murder cases (Qisas) is decreed (2:178)
- Write down loan agreements (2:282)
Implicit Obligations
- Believe in the unseen (2:3)
- Accept Muhammad as a messenger confirming previous scripture
- Defend the community against aggression (2:190)
- Maintain family structures through specific marriage/divorce protocols
Ritual Requirements
- Turning the face toward the Sacred Masjid (Mecca) during prayer (2:144)
- Washing/Purification implied (2:222 mentions God loves those who are clean)
- Animal sacrifice during Hajj (2:196)
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- In Surah 2:286, it says a soul gets credit for what it earns. How do you know when you have earned enough credit to guarantee Paradise?
- Surah 2:253 mentions that some messengers are raised in rank above others, and Jesus was supported by the Holy Spirit. Why is Jesus singled out for this specific support in the text?
- The text mentions in 2:37 that Adam received words from God and was redeemed. What were those words, and how does that relate to Jesus being called the 'Word of God' in other scriptures?
- Surah 2:124 says God's covenant does not include transgressors. Since we all sin (transgress), how can anyone remain in the covenant without a perfect sacrifice?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
The Heifer (Al-Baqarah)
The Israelites were commanded to sacrifice a heifer to expose a murder and find purification. This points to the necessity of a sacrificial substitute to deal with sin and death.
Adam's Redemption via 'Words'
Adam was not redeemed by his own works, but by receiving 'words' from God. Jesus is the Eternal Word of God who brings redemption.
The Hardened Heart
The text admits the human problem is a hard heart that law cannot fix. We need a heart transplant, which is the promise of the New Covenant.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
The believer is under the constant pressure of 'earning' credit (2:286). There is no assurance of salvation, only the hope that good deeds outweigh bad ones. This creates a spiritual treadmill of anxiety.
The text claims to confirm the Bible (2:41, 2:89) but contradicts its core message (Divinity of Christ). The believer must constantly suppress this contradiction by assuming the Bible is corrupted, despite historical evidence.
God is depicted as the Master/King (2:107) to be obeyed, not a Father to be known intimately. The denial of Sonship (2:116) removes the familial aspect of the believer's relationship with God.
+ Epistemology
Knowledge Source: Revelation (The Quran) serves as the primary source, supported by 'signs' in nature and history.
Verification Method: The 'Inimitability Challenge': Adherents are told that if they doubt the text, they should try to produce a chapter like it (2:23).
Evangelical Contrast: Biblical epistemology relies on the historical resurrection of Christ and the self-authenticating witness of the Spirit through the closed canon of Scripture (1 Corinthians 15, 2 Timothy 3:16). The Quran relies on its own literary excellence and the assertion of Muhammad's prophethood as proof.
+ Textual Criticism
Dating: Medinan period (approx. 622-624 AD).
Authorship: Attributed to Muhammad (via revelation from Gabriel).
Textual Issues: Khalifa's translation is unique; he translates 'Salat' as 'Contact Prayers' and inserts parenthetical explanations. Verse 2:30 translates 'Khalifa' as 'temporary god' (representative), which is a highly unorthodox translation compared to standard 'vicegerent' or 'successor'.