Verse 207 of al-Baqarah Surah which has been mentioned in al-Ghadir supplication as well, is known as Laylat al-Mabit or Shera verse was revealed to describe the altruism and sacrifice made by Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) on Laylat al-Mabit.
Verse 207 of al-Baqarah Surah refers the sacrifice Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) made to protect the holy prophet’s life by sleeping in his bed. This verse praises those who are willing to sacrifice their own lives to obtain God’s satisfaction.
Verse 207 of al-Baqarah Surah:
وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَشْرِي نَفْسَهُ ابْتِغَاءَ مَرْضَاتِ اللَّهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ رَءُوفٌ بِالْعِبَادِ
“And there is the type of man who gives his life to earn the pleasure of Allah: And Allah is full of kindness to (His) devotees.”
In the passage of al-Ghadir supplication, we read:
When the holy prophet(pace be upon him and his family) asked and ordered you to sleep in his bed to protect him with your life, you accepted his command obediently and were ready to be assassinated; thus God expressed His gratitude to you by mentioning your magnificent deed in His holy book: “And there is the type of man(like Ali ibn Abi Talib) who gives his life to earn the pleasure of Allah: And Allah is full of kindness to (His) devotees.” Verse 207 of al-Baqarah Surah
Verse 207 of al-Baqarah Surah is among the Alawi verses of the holy Quran which implies a great virtue of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him). This verse is also known as Shera( a business transaction) since the exchanging of one’s life for gaining the pleasure of God has been pointed out.
Referring to the sacrifice Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) made on Laylat al-Mabit, on Ghadir day, Imam al-Hadi( peace be upon him) stated:
Imam al-Sajjad (peace be upon him), referring to this verse and recalling the event of Laylat al-Mabit, stated:
“This verse was revealed in honor of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) when he slept in the bed of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family).” (2)
Imam al-Baqir (peace be upon him) also noted the devotion and self-sacrifice of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him):
“This verse was revealed in honor of Ali bin Abi Talib (peace be upon him) when he sacrificed his life for the sake of Allah and His Messenger; on the same night the pagans of Quraysh were pursuing the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) and he lay on his side in the Prophet’s bed [to save his life].” (3)
Ibn Abbas also recounted the event of Laylat al-Mabit and explained the occasion of this verse’s revelation:
“Ali bin Abi Talib (peace be upon him) slept in the bed of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) on the night the Prophet fled from the polytheists so that the Quraysh would be misled. Therefore, the verse “And there is the type of man(like Ali ibn Abi Talib) who gives his life to earn the pleasure of Allah: And Allah is full of kindness to (His) devotees.” was revealed in honor of Ali bin Abi Talib (peace be upon him).” (4)
- Tafsir Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), Vol. 2, p. 108; Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 97, p. 367.
- Tafsir Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), Vol. 2, p. 108; Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 19, p. 54 / Al-Amali by al-Tusi, p. 446 / Nur al-Thaqalayn / Al-Burhan / Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 36, p. 42.
- Tafsir Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), Vol. 2, p. 108; Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 19, p. 78 / Al-Ayyashi, Vol. 1, p. 1.
- Tafsir Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), Vol. 2, p. 110; Al-Amali by al-Tusi, p252
