Transliteration:( Laisal birra an tuwalloo wujoohakum qibalal mashriqi walmaghribi wa laakinnal birra man aamana billaahi wal yawmil aakhiri wal malaaa 'ikati wal kitaabi wan nabiyyeena wa aatalmaala 'alaa hubbihee zawilqurbaa walyataa maa walmasaakeena wabnas sabeeli wassaaa'ileena wa firriqaabi wa aqaamas salaata wa aataz zakaata walmoofoona bi ahdihim izaa 'aahadoo wasaabireena fil baasaaa'i waddarraaa'i wa heenal baas; ulaaa'ikal lazeena sadaqoo wa ulaaa 'ika humul muttaqoon )
376. If Allah is addressing the Muslims in this verse, then it would mean that it is not sufficient just to face the direction of the Ka'bah when reading Salaah, having correct beliefs is just as important. From this we learn that every follower of the Qibla is not a believer, among them some are apostates as well e.g. the defamers of the Holy Prophet ﷺand his noble Companionsetc. When Imam Abu Hanifa (on whom be peace) had said: "I do not regard the followers of Qibla as infidels", he meant those followers whose hearts are a seat of correct beliefs, and not merely those who just face the Qibla to offer prayers. This issue is dealt with in Sharah Figh Akbar. However, if the verse is addressed to the Yahud and the Nasara, the meaning would be now the eastern and western parts of Baitul Muqaddas - Mosque in Jerusalem - is no longer the Qibla as it used to be. Your salvation now lies in becoming Muslims and offering your Prayers facing the Ka'bah.
377. From this verse we learn that Faith has priority over action. The order is to believe, than to do good deeds, because the base takes root before the branches. Faith is the base. Actions or good deeds are its branches. In the chapter of faith, the first is to believe in Allah.
378. ‘Imaan Mufassil’ taught to the children has its origin in this verse as well as other verses
379. By "dear wealth" is meant to give wealth in the path of Allah which is dear to oneself, during one's lifetime, when one is still healthy and in need of that wealth. Says Allah Almighty:"You shall never attain good unless you spend your favourite things" (S3:V92). In the distribution of wealth, relatives should be given priority.
380. From this one learns that if a wealthy traveller away from home is stranded due to unforeseen circumstances, he can become a recipient of Zakaat and other forms of charity. If this verse only meant destitute traveller, than this, is covered in the word 'The needy' It should be remembered that by the wayfarer is meant that person who is in a state of travelling, and not the one who became resident in another place.
381. From this verse emerge two issues:
1. Although begging is not always permissible. But to give alms to the beggar is allowed. Says the Holy Prophet ﷺ“Except one who asks at the Mosque."
2. It is not necessary to investigate about a person's poverty. Even if the person was wealthy and you had given him Zakhat thinking he is a beggar and later he turns out to be wealthy, your zakaat is discharged.
382. The establishment of the institution of Salaah has greater excellence than mereperformance of it. By this is meant offering Salaah regularly, correctly and with a degree of sincerity and humility.
383. The word 'give wealth' entails more types of expenditure than just Zakaat because a specific command for discharging one's Zakaat is discussed separately.
384. This verse refers to all types of just and permissible promises, whether, to one's Creator, to the Holy Prophet to one’s Religious Guide, to one's wife at the time of marriage or with anyone else, provided that these were just and lawful promises To fulfil an unlawful promise is forbidden.
385. This word means a crusade or war. In the context of the verse it refers to participating in a holy war against the infidels for which steadfastness will be rewarded, while terminating war between Muslims will be rewarded.
386. The word 'The god fearing' indicates that only those people are true to their beliefs and word, whose deeds are good.
The tafsir of Surah Baqarah verse 176 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Baqarah ayat 174 which provides the complete commentary from verse 174 through 176.
(2:177) Righteousness does not consist in turning your faces towards the east or towards the west;[175] true righteousness consists in believing in Allah and the Last Day, the angels, the Book and the Prophets, and in giving away one’s property in love of Him to one’s kinsmen, the orphans, the poor and the wayfarer, and to those who ask for help, and in freeing the necks of slaves, and in establishing Prayer and dispensing the Zakah. True righteousness is attained by those who are faithful to their promise once they have made it and by those who remain steadfast in adversity and affliction and at the time of battle (between Truth and falsehood). Such are the truthful ones; such are the God-fearing.
175. Turning one’s face towards the east or the west is mentioned here only by way of illustration. The actual purpose of the verse is to emphasize that the observance of certain outward religious rites, the performance of certain formal religious acts out of conformism, and the manifestation of certain familiar forms of piety do not constitute that essential righteousness which alone carries weight with God and earns His recognition and approval.
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