Recitation 343.3

أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
ألسلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
Dear Quran Lovers,
Let us look into the explanation of the final phrases in verse 197 of surah 2 Al-Baqoroh (synopsis of Islam):
أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم
(197) (After commanding the Muslimin who are performing the Hajj or the 'Umrah not to behave in an obscene manner, and not to do sinful things and not to take up a quarrel or have an arguement with others, Allah s.w.t.say, "And whatever good thing you do, Allah s.w.t. know it." which means that Allah s.w.t. is commanding the Muslimin to do good things and that He/Allah s.w.t. know the good thing they do and will reward them handsomely in the Hereafter.
"Thus, provide yourselves", Al-'Aufi narrated from Ibnu Abbas that there were many people leaving their families for Hajj without bringing with them any provision/food, water and so forth. They said, "We are performing the Hajj at the BaitulLoh/House of Allah. It is unlikely that Allah do not feed us, His guests. Then Allah revealed this verse asking them to provide themselves with sufficient provisions so that they would not be looked down by others for asking or for begging for food and drink.
"Thus, provide yourselves. Truly, the best provision is the Taqwa", Al-Bukhori narrated from Ibnu Abbas said, "At that time, the Yemenies were performing the Hajj, but they did not bring any provision. They said, "We are those who Taqwa/fear Allah and devoted to Him". Allah s.w.t. revealed this verse, "Thus provide yourselves (with food and drink). Truly the best provision is the Taqwa".
"Thus, Taqwa/fear Me and be devoted to Me O Men of intelligence" means fear My/Allah's punishment for those who oppose Me/Allah and those who do not obey My commands O Men of intelligence.)
(198) (to be continued).
Until we meet again in the next session, see you all Quran Lovers soon.
والسلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
Abdul Hamid Mohd Yusof.