Surah Al-Baqara Last 2 Verses — Transliteration & Tajweed Guide
Verses 285 and 286 of Surah Al-Baqara are among the most recited, most memorised, and most beloved verses in the entire Quran. Known as the “two lights” (Al-Khawātim), they conclude the longest chapter of the Quran with a declaration of faith, six heartfelt supplications, and one of the most comforting statements in all of scripture. This guide gives you the Arabic text, English transliteration, translation, detailed Tajweed notes, and a step-by-step memorisation plan.
Why Are These Two Verses So Special?
Surah Al-Baqara is the longest surah in the Quran — 286 verses spanning over 40 pages in a standard Mushaf. Its final two verses carry a unique weight among scholars and practitioners alike.
A hadith narrated by Ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) in both Sahih Al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim records that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“Whoever recites the last two verses of Surah Al-Baqara at night, they will suffice him.”
— Sahih Al-Bukhari (5009) and Sahih Muslim (808)
Scholars interpret “suffice him” to mean protection from harm, from Shaytan, and from other dangers of the night. These verses are widely recited before sleep, in daily prayers, and as a form of remembrance (dhikr). Memorising them is one of the most rewarding goals a Muslim can set.
Verse 285 — Āmana r-Rasūlu (The Messenger's Belief)
ءَامَنَ ٱلرَّسُولُ بِمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِ مِن رَّبِّهِۦ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ۚ كُلٌّ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَمَلَٰٓئِكَتِهِۦ وَكُتُبِهِۦ وَرُسُلِهِۦ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍۢ مِّن رُّسُلِهِۦ ۚ وَقَالُوا۟ سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا ۖ غُفْرَانَكَ رَبَّنَا وَإِلَيْكَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ ﴿٢٨٥﴾
Transliteration
Āmana r-rasūlu bimā unzila ilayhi mir-rabbihī wal-mu'minūn. Kullun āmana billāhi wa malā'ikatihī wa kutubihī wa rusulih. Lā nufarriqu bayna ahadim-mir-rusulih. Wa qālū sami'nā wa ata'nā. Ghufrānaka rabbanā wa ilaykal-masīr.
Translation
The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and so have the believers. All of them have believed in Allah and His angels and His books and His messengers, saying: “We make no distinction between any of His messengers.” And they say: “We hear and we obey. [We seek] Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the final destination.”
Tajweed & Pronunciation Notes
Āmana r-rasūlu: The alif in “Āmana” carries a natural prolongation (Madd Tabī'ī) — hold the “aa” sound for 2 counts. The lam-lam at the join of “ar-rasūlu” merges (Idgham Shamsī) — the first lam disappears into the second.
Mir-rabbihī: The nun in “min” merges with the following ra (Idgham Bila Ghunnah) — no nasal sound, just a clean ra. Hold the kasra on “rabbihī” for a natural 2 counts.
Wal-mu'minūn: The meem here carries a slight nasal sound (Ghunnah) at the join — hold your lips together for 2 counts before releasing the “mu'minūn.”
Lā nufarriqu: The lam in “lā” is a light lam — keep it forward in the mouth. The double ra in “nufarriqu” is emphatic (Tafkheem) because it has a fatha — pronounce it with a full, heavy quality.
Sami'nā wa ata'nā: Both phrases end with a long ā sound (Madd Tabī'ī) — hold each “nā” for 2 counts. The 'ayn in “ata'nā” is a deep throat consonant — press the back of the throat gently without blocking airflow.
Ghufrānaka rabbanā: The alif in “Ghufrānaka” is a 2-count prolongation. The double ba in “rabbanā” carries a nasal hum (Ghunnah) for 2 counts before releasing — this is Idgham with Ghunnah.
Verse 286 — Lā Yukallif (The Six Supplications)
Verse 286 is one of the most extraordinary verses in the Quran. It opens with a declaration of divine mercy, then turns into a series of six direct supplications (du'as) addressed to Allah — each beginning with the word “Rabbanā” (Our Lord). This structure means the verse functions both as theological statement and as personal prayer.
لَا يُكَلِّفُ ٱللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا ۚ لَهَا مَا كَسَبَتْ وَعَلَيْهَا مَا ٱكْتَسَبَتْ ۗ رَبَّنَا لَا تُؤَاخِذْنَآ إِن نَّسِينَآ أَوْ أَخْطَأْنَا ۚ رَبَّنَا وَلَا تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْنَآ إِصْرًۭا كَمَا حَمَلْتَهُۥ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِنَا ۚ رَبَّنَا وَلَا تُحَمِّلْنَا مَا لَا طَاقَةَ لَنَا بِهِۦ ۖ وَٱعْفُ عَنَّا وَٱغْفِرْ لَنَا وَٱرْحَمْنَآ ۚ أَنتَ مَوْلَىٰنَا فَٱنصُرْنَا عَلَى ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ ﴿٢٨٦﴾
Transliteration
Lā yukalliful-lāhu nafsan illā wus'ahā. Lahā mā kasabat wa 'alayhā mak-tasabat. Rabbanā lā tu'ākhidhnā in nasīnā aw akhtā'nā. Rabbanā wa lā tahmil 'alaynā isran kamā hamaltahū 'alal-ladhīna min qablinā. Rabbanā wa lā tuhammilnā mā lā tāqata lanā bih. Wa'fu 'annā waghfir lanā warhamnā. Anta mawlānā fansurnā 'alal-qawmil-kāfirīn.
Translation
Allah does not burden a soul beyond that which it can bear. It will have the consequence of what good it has earned, and it will bear the consequence of what evil it has earned. “Our Lord, do not impose blame upon us if we have forgotten or erred. Our Lord, and lay not upon us a burden like that which You laid upon those before us. Our Lord, and burden us not with that which we have no ability to bear. And pardon us; and forgive us; and have mercy upon us. You are our protector, so give us victory over the disbelieving people.”
The Six Supplications — Segment by Segment
1. Forgiveness for forgetfulness and error
Rabbanā lā tu'ākhidhnā in nasīnā aw akhtā'nā
“Our Lord, do not hold us accountable if we forget or make a mistake.”
2. Relief from the burdens of previous nations
Rabbanā wa lā tahmil 'alaynā isran kamā hamaltahū 'alal-ladhīna min qablinā
“Our Lord, do not place upon us a burden like that of those before us.”
3. Protection from unbearable trials
Rabbanā wa lā tuhammilnā mā lā tāqata lanā bih
“Our Lord, burden us not with that which we cannot bear.”
4. Pardon
Wa'fu 'annā
“And pardon us.”
5. Forgiveness
Waghfir lanā
“And forgive us.”
6. Mercy and victory
Warhamnā. Anta mawlānā fansurnā 'alal-qawmil-kāfirīn
“And have mercy upon us. You are our protector — give us victory.”
Tajweed & Pronunciation Notes
Lā yukalliful-lāhu: The double lam in “yukallif” is a geminated (shaddah) consonant — hold it slightly longer than a single letter. The lam in “Allāh” (lām al-jalāla) is heavy (Tafkheem) because of the preceding fatha — give it a full, resonant quality.
Wus'ahā: The waw here is a consonant, not a vowel. Start from the lips. The alif at the end (hā) carries a natural 2-count prolongation.
Rabbanā (each occurrence): The double ba has a shaddah — hold the closure of the lips for 2 counts (Ghunnah) before releasing. Each “Rabbanā” ends with a 2-count madd.
Tu'ākhidhnā: The hamza (glottal stop) before “ākhidh” should be clear — a clean stop at the throat before the long ā. The dhal (dh) is a dental fricative, like the “th” in “this.”
In nasīnā aw akhtā'nā: The nun of “in” merges into the following “nasīnā” with a 2-count Ghunnah (Idgham Ma'a Ghunnah). The waw in “aw” is a short connector — do not prolong it. The hamza in “akhtā'nā” is a clear glottal stop.
Wa'fu 'annā waghfir lanā warhamnā: These three short phrases are often recited with a slight pause between each for clarity. Each “nā” ending is a 2-count madd. The ra in “warhamnā” is heavy (fatha) — give it a full sound before the meem.
Fansurnā 'alal-qawmil-kāfirīn: The nun at the end of “fansurnā” connects to the 'ayn — make sure the 'ayn is clear, not swallowed. The lam in “al-kāfirīn” is a shamsī lam — it merges into the kaf, so there is no separate “l” sound. End on a 6-count madd (Madd 'Ārid Lis-Sukūn) if stopping here, since this is the end of the surah.
Key Tajweed Rules in These Verses
These two verses contain a rich variety of Tajweed rules. Here are the most important ones to understand before you start reciting. For a complete reference, see our full Tajweed Rules Guide.
Ghunnah (Nasalisation)
Applies to meem and nun with shaddah. Hold a nasal hum for 2 counts. In these verses, every “Rabbanā” contains a ghunnah on the double ba.
Madd Tabī'ī (Natural Prolongation)
The most common rule in these verses — any long vowel (ā, ī, ū) is held for 2 counts. Watch for every “nā” ending, “lāhu”, “wus'ahā”, and “masīr.”
Idgham (Merging)
Occurs when a tanwin or sukūn nun meets certain letters. In “mir-rabbihī”, the nun merges into the ra without a nasal sound (Idgham Bila Ghunnah). In “in nasīnā”, the nun merges with a 2-count nasal (Idgham Ma'a Ghunnah).
Tafkheem (Emphasis)
The lām al-jalāla in “Allāh” is heavy when preceded by a fatha or damma — give it a full, round quality. Also applies to the ra letters that carry a fatha.
Madd 'Ārid Lis-Sukūn (Stopping Prolongation)
At the end of verse 286 (the end of the surah), “al-kāfirīn” receives a stopping prolongation of 2, 4, or 6 counts. Most reciters use 6 counts when making a complete stop at the end of a surah.
7-Day Memorisation Plan
Whether you are memorising for the first time or trying to make your recitation more accurate, this plan will help you master both verses within a week. Use the transliteration system and our colour-coded reader to follow along as you practise.
Day 1 — Listen and Read
Use the Listen button in the Quran reader to hear verse 285 recited by a professional reciter. Follow along with the transliteration. Read it aloud 10 times without trying to memorise. Let your tongue and ear get familiar with the sounds first.
Day 2 — Memorise Verse 285 in Segments
Break verse 285 into 4 segments: (1) Āmana r-rasūlu … wal-mu'minūn, (2) Kullun āmana … wa rusulih, (3) Lā nufarriqu … wa ata'nā, (4) Ghufrānaka rabbanā wa ilaykal-masīr. Memorise each segment 10 times, then chain them together.
Day 3 — Read and Understand Verse 286
Read verse 286 aloud 10 times. Identify the 6 supplications listed above. Read the translation of each one and reflect on its meaning. Understanding what you are saying is one of the most powerful memorisation aids.
Days 4–5 — Memorise Verse 286
Work through verse 286 using the 6 supplications as natural break points. Memorise each supplication separately (repeat 10 times), then chain them. By the end of Day 5, aim to recite all 6 supplications without looking.
Days 6–7 — Combine and Consolidate
Recite both verses together from memory, 5 times at the start and 5 times at the end of each day. Recite them in your Witr or Tahajjud prayers at night — applying them in salah is the surest way to lock them in permanently.
For more memorisation strategies, see our guide on Tajweed for Beginners and how correct Arabic pronunciation makes memorisation easier.
Find These Verses in the Quran Reader
Surah Al-Baqara begins on page 7 of the Tajweed transliteration reader. The last two verses (285–286) fall near the end of the surah, close to page 102. Open the reader directly to follow the colour-coded text as you recite.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the last 2 verses of Surah Al-Baqara?
The last two verses are verse 285 (beginning “Āmana r-rasūlu”) and verse 286 (beginning “Lā yukalliful-lāhu nafsan”). Together they are called the Khawātim Al-Baqara — the “two lights.” Verse 285 is a declaration of the Prophet's faith and the believers' creed. Verse 286 contains the famous statement about Allah not burdening a soul beyond its capacity, followed by six heartfelt supplications.
What is the virtue of reciting the last 2 verses of Al-Baqara?
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said in a hadith recorded in Sahih Al-Bukhari (5009) and Sahih Muslim (808): “Whoever recites the last two verses of Surah Al-Baqara at night, they will suffice him.” Scholars interpret this to mean they provide spiritual protection from harm, from Shaytan, and serve as a sufficient act of worship for that night. These verses are widely recited before sleep and after the night prayer.
How long does it take to memorise the last 2 verses of Al-Baqara?
Most beginners can memorise verse 285 in 1–2 days with focused practice. Verse 286 is longer and contains six supplications — plan for 3–5 days to learn it solidly. Using the colour-coded transliteration and repeating each segment 10 times per session is an effective method. Reciting the verses in your daily prayers, once memorised, will reinforce them quickly through repetition.
Can I recite these verses using transliteration?
Yes. Using transliteration allows you to learn the sounds of the Arabic text before or alongside learning the Arabic script. The colour-coded Tajweed system on this site highlights exactly where to apply nasalisation, prolongation, and other rules, so you can recite with greater accuracy even before you can read Arabic fluently. Over time, learning to read the Arabic text directly is recommended.
What does “Lā yukalliful-lāhu nafsan illā wus'ahā” mean?
It means “Allah does not burden a soul beyond that which it can bear.” This is the opening of verse 286 and one of the most beloved statements in the Quran. It is a reminder of Allah's mercy and justice — every person is tested only according to their own capacity. This verse is a source of comfort for Muslims facing difficulty, and is frequently cited in Islamic counselling and spiritual guidance.
Follow along with the colour-coded text as you recite
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