Qur'an 2-4

Qur'an 2:4 is the fourth verse of Surah Al-Baqarah, and it reads:

وَالَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ وَمَا أُنزِلَ مِن قَبْلِكَ وَبِالْآخِرَةِ هُمْ يُؤْمِنُونَ

Transliteration: Wa alladhīna yū’minūna bimā unzila ilayka wamā unzila min qablik wabil-ākhirati hum yū’minūn.

Translation: And who believe in what has been revealed to you (Prophet Muhammad) and what was revealed before you, and of the Hereafter they are certain.

Explanation:

This verse continues to describe the qualities of the muttaqīn (the pious or God-conscious), who were introduced in the previous verses. It further emphasizes that these individuals not only believe in the unseen and practice faithful actions like prayer and charity, but they also exhibit certain beliefs that set them apart:

1. Belief in What Was Revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) (وَمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ):

This refers to the Qur'an, the divine revelation sent to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Belief in the Qur'an is foundational for every Muslim, and it involves recognizing that the Qur'an is the final and complete revelation from Allah, offering guidance for all aspects of life.

2. Belief in What Was Revealed Before (وَمَا أُنزِلَ مِن قَبْلِكَ):

This refers to the earlier scriptures revealed to previous prophets, such as the Torah (to Moses), the Psalms (to David), the Gospel (to Jesus), and others. Belief in all the previous revelations is a key tenet of faith in Islam, acknowledging that Allah has consistently sent guidance through His prophets throughout history.
The Qur'an teaches that all these books were revelations from the same source — Allah — and that they contained guidance that was in harmony with the final message brought by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

3. Belief in the Hereafter (وَبِالْآخِرَةِ هُمْ يُؤْمِنُونَ):

Belief in the Hereafter refers to belief in the Day of Judgment, life after death, and the final consequences of human actions — either reward in Paradise or punishment in Hell. This is an essential part of Islamic faith, as the Hereafter is considered the ultimate reality, and it provides the moral and spiritual framework for all human actions.
The muttaqīn are not only aware of this belief, but they are certain (yū’minūn — they have full faith and certainty) about the reality of the Hereafter, recognizing it as a key part of their worldview.

Significance of the Verse:

This verse emphasizes the comprehensive nature of faith in Islam. To be truly faithful, a believer must:

Believe in the Qur'an as the final revelation,
Respect and accept the previous scriptures and the prophets who brought them (Moses, Jesus, etc.),
Believe with certainty in the life after death and the ultimate accountability before Allah.

These three elements — belief in the Qur'an, belief in the earlier scriptures, and belief in the Hereafter — are all fundamental to the Islamic concept of complete faith.

Connection to the Previous Verses:

In Qur'an 2:1-2, the Qur'an is presented as the source of guidance for the muttaqīn (the righteous).
In Qur'an 2:3-4, the qualities of these muttaqīn are further outlined. They believe in the unseen, establish regular prayer, give charity, and now, believe in the revealed books and the Hereafter.

This verse serves as a reminder that true faith in Islam is not limited to belief in just the Qur'an or the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), but it also includes belief in the entire chain of divine revelations and the ultimate reality of the afterlife. It shows that Islam sees itself as the completion and continuation of the monotheistic faiths revealed to earlier prophets.

Theological Implications:

Islamic Inclusivity: This verse demonstrates the continuity between Islam and the Abrahamic faiths. Muslims are required to believe in the earlier prophets and scriptures, not as separate or conflicting religions, but as part of one unified divine message.
Certainty in the Afterlife: The verse emphasizes the certainty of the Hereafter, reinforcing the Islamic view that this world is not the final stage of human existence — there is an eternal life that follows, where everyone will be judged according to their deeds.

Conclusion:

Qur'an 2:4 describes the complete and holistic nature of the muttaqīn's faith: belief in the Qur'an, belief in all the previous scriptures, and belief in the Hereafter. These are the essential components that distinguish the truly pious, and they provide a full framework for a Muslim's worldview, guiding them to live in accordance with divine guidance.