Recitation of Sura 2 (Al-Baqara) of the Qurʾan

Imam Muhammad Nabeel of the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center recites verses 130 to 133 of the second sura or chapter of the Qurʾan. Referred to as Sura al-Baqara or The Opener, this chapter is about Abraham’s devotion to God.

Listen to the recitation of these verses from Sura 2 here or visit the Arts of Islamic Cultures gallery to see it in calligraphic form.

English Translation

Who but a fool would forsake the religion of Abraham? We have chosen him in this world and he will rank among the righteous in the Hereafter. His Lord said to him, “Devote yourself to Me.” Abraham replied, “I devote myself to the Lord of the Universe,” and commanded his sons to do the same, as did Jacob: “My sons, God has chosen [your] religion for you, so make sure you devote yourselves to Him, to your dying moment.” Were you [Jews] there to see when death came upon Jacob? When he said to his sons, “What will you worship after I am gone?” they replied, “We shall worship your God and the God of your fathers, Abraham, Ishmael, and Isaac, one single God: we devote ourselves to Him.”

Image

Unknown artist, folio from a Qurʾan​ manuscript, Abbasid Caliphate, 750–800. Ink, watercolor, and gold on parchment. Bequest of Mrs. Edward Jackson Holmes.