Muslim duty 178-179 The law of retaliation 180-182 The law concerning bequests 183-185 The law concerning fasting 186-187 The fast of Ramadan 188-202 The pilgrimage to Mecca and war for the faith 203-206 Hypocrites and true believers contrasted 207-208 Exhortation to a hearty acceptance of Islam 209 The doom of infidels pronounced 210-212 The Jews reproached 213 Suffering to be patiently endured 214-242 Sundry laws relating to alms giving, war, wine, orphans etc. 243-253 The duty of warring in defence of religion enjoined by precept, and illustrated by the history of former prophets 255 The Throne Verse 256-257 Lā ikrāhā fid deen - Do not force anyone to become Muslim, for Islam is plain and clear, and its proofs and evidence are plain and clear. Therefore, there is no need to force anyone to embrace Islam. 258-260 The doctrine of the resurrection illustrated 261-274 Exhortation and encouragement to alms giving 275-277 Usury forbidden 278-283 Debts in Islam including the longest verse in the Quran 284-286 The three verses of Paradise. Theme and subject matter 1-7 God-fearing rewarded, Unbelievers reproved Following the muqatta'at, Al-Baqara begins with the declaration that the Quran is free of doubt and contains guidance for those who possess taqwa. Taqwā is grammatically linked to the triliteral root w-q-y evoking wariness, a sense of care and protection. These people, known as God-fearing (muttaqin), are defined as those who believe in al-ghaib (Unseen, ghayb, lit. “absent”), offer salah, spend zakat from what is provided to them, believe in Muhammad's prophethood and that of the other prophets, and the books revealed to them. There follows a description of the kafirs and munafiqs. The first of these verses uses the word kafir to describe one who conceals the truth, and Muhammad is advised that they will not believe despite his efforts because God has sealed their hearts and hearing, and covered their eyes (so that they will not be able to see, hear, or comprehend guidance), and that they will be punished with a great torment. Next is a detailed description of munafiqs, defined here as those who say they believe in God and the Last Judgment, but do not actually believe in them. It is said that they try to deceive God and the mumins (believers) but they deceive themselves without perception, that in their hearts is a disease which God increases, and that they will be punished with a