This surah contains 286 verses, 40 rukoo’s, 6121 words, 25500 letters. [Khazen]
The second surah of the Quran, the largest in length, revealed over several years in the Madinan life of the Prophet (sa), Surat al-Baqarah is special in many ways. Surat al-Baqarah can be regarded as its first chapter. In this surah, Allah (swt) introduces us to the Quran, and tells us about three different types of people - those who will benefit from the guidance of the Quran, those who won’t, and those who are only pretending to be people of the Quran. The rest of the surah is a beautiful blend of history, life lessons, and instructions.
There are several hadith that inform us of different virtues of this surah. Let us look at some of them.
Protection Against Devils
The Prophet (sa) said that Shaytan flees from a house where Surat al-Baqarah is recited. (Muslim 780) He also said that magicians cannot confront this surah. (Muslim 804)
He also pointed out the virtues of some specific ayat or sections of this surah.
He said, for example, “If somebody recited the last two verses of Surat al-Baqarah at night, that will be sufficient for him.” (Bukhari 5009)
Many of us know the virtues of Ayat al-Kursi, which is a part of this blessed surah. If you recite it when you go to bed, you will be guarded from Shaytan until dawn. (Bukhari 5010)
Angels come down to listen to it
A miraculous incident once happened to a Companion named Usayd ibn Hudayr.
“That while he was reciting Surat Al-Baqarah at night, and his horse was tied beside him, the horse was suddenly startled and troubled. When he stopped reciting, the horse became quiet, and when he started again, the horse was startled again. Then he stopped reciting and the horse became quiet too. He started reciting again and the horse was startled and troubled once again.
“Usayd said narrating this incident, ’I was afraid lest it should trample (my son) Yahya. I stood near (the horse) and saw something like a canopy over my head with what seemed to be lamps in it, rising up in the sky till it disappeared.’
“The next morning Usayd informed the Prophet of the incident.
“The Prophet (sa) said, ‘Do you know what that was?’
“Ibn Hudair replied, ‘No.’
“The Prophet (sa) said, ‘Those were Angels who came near to you for your voice and if you had kept on reciting till dawn, it would have remained there till morning when people would have seen it as it would not have disappeared.’” (Bukhari 5018, Muslim 796)
Your Shade and Supporter on the Day of Judgment
On the Day of Judgment, different people and things will come and testify for or against you. Among them is the Quran. The Prophet (sa) said, “On the Day of Resurrection, the Qur’an and those who acted according to it will be brought, with Surat al-Baqarah and AIi ‘Imran preceding them.” (Muslim 805)
He also said,
“Recite the Qur’an, for on the Day of Resurrection it will come as an intercessor for those who recite It. Recite the Two Bright Ones, al-Baqarah and Surah Al ‘Imran, for on the Day of Resurrection they will come as two clouds or two shades, or two flocks of birds in ranks, pleading for those who recite them. Recite Surah al-Baqara, for to take recourse to it is a blessing and to give it up is a cause of grief, and the magicians cannot confront it.” (Muslim 804)
Surat al-Baqarah starts off by telling us what the Quran is, how we must approach it, and what qualifications we need to benefit from it.