Brief Tafseer: Juz 2 (Baqarah 142 to 252)

Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Raheem

Ibadah, worship is what is done according to the commands of Allah, whether internal or external. It is what pleases Allah.
Objecting to Allah commands and wisdom goes against the essence of servitude.
If people can criticize Allah, then who are we to feel any offense when someone insults us.
We should not let someone's toxicity effect us even if we are 100% right. However we must check ourselves and see if we are following the commandments of Allah. If we are, then continue with confidence.
When there are changes in life, from ease to hardship, then know they are shades of tests and trials.
No matter what happens, what must remain a constant is our servitude to Allah.
The believers should fear Allah instead of fearing people, because who we fear is who we are inclined towards.
Eyes that weep with the fear of Allah will not enter the Hellfire.
The believers are commanded to remember Allah abundantly because the dhikr of Allah is the best thing we can do. Dhikr gives a believer strength to do what he couldn't; and the best form of dhikr is salah.
We should learn the Quran, teach it to others, recite it and purify ourselves with its teachings and guidance; as this is what our Prophet ﷺ did.
The believers have been commanded to remember Allah as much as we can.
Sabr is something we need throughout our lives, and it is achieved by a shift in thinking,

everyone will be tested with trials, some of these trials will be fear of an enemy, fear of what the future holds, a disease, hunger, poverty, or loss of life. There will also be loss of fruit of labor.
those who are patient will have immeasurable amount of reward
losing something does not mean it ceases to exist, no it is preserved with Him.
being patient only brings good
sabr is in the person's response, what and how they sat at the time the disaster falls, and when they recall the memories

Remembering the Hereafter often makes this life bearable
Say Alhumdulillah and Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un when devastated as this brings along reward.
Self-compassion is important, but self-pity prevents a person from being patient, stops them from reaping the rewards of patience.
The love of a creation whether an idol or person if it exceeds beyond proper bounds and grows more than a person has for Allah then this becomes shirk.

we need to look into our hearts, who is it that we think of the most?
when a person loves someone, they give them preference over everything.
love shows in our speech, actions, and lifestyle.
those who love Allah are pleased with His decree, they like to speak to Him, strive to do what He likes.

We will regret those who we worshiped because they will abandon us on the Day of Judgment.
Spending any amount of time with the Quran is excellent, however we should focus on learning and understanding it.
We should ask Allah for lawful provision. However, if a person is forced to eat something unlawful, then they are allowed to, but they must not indulge.
Thankfulness is innate, is is expressive and in action. Be thankful in the heart, and say Alhumdulillah.
True righteousness is to have correct belief, to do good to creation, give wealth to relatives despite loving it and wanting it for themselves, giving to orphans, needy, and travelers. A mark of a righteous person is that they fulfill their commitments.
Patience is the foundation of good deeds, if one is not patient it is easy to give up.
The understanding behind harsh punishments is to look at the greater good.
Those who are righteous make their wills, and justly conduct the wills of others.

Fasting is a very virtuous form of worship which forgives past sins and develops taqwa.
When you call upon Allah, no matter where you are, He responds.
Sins become a barrier between a servant and His Lord, so if we want our du'as to be accepted, we should respond to Allah's commands.
We should adopt the correct manner to do things rather than believe in superstitions.
When people get greedy for this world, they neglect the Hereafter.
The most disliked in the sight of Allah is one who is ruthless, argumentative.

Allah tests His Messengers and His believing servants, and sometimes these tests and trials may go on for a long time.

when a trail feels too long, then remind yourself relief is near
when their is a trial, especially in deen then stay firm in your relationship with Allah.
every trial is a blessing for a believer because every loss can be an expiation of sins
your salvation may lie in what you dislike (the trial)
sakina is contentment that Allah gives to His believers in the face of trials, this station cannot be reached on our own, it is given by Allah

Guard your duty to Allah and He will guard you. Always give your duty to Allah significant importance.

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Notes from tafseer with Ustadha Taimiyyah Zubair

The Momin's Journey