The Pilgrimage
Al-Ḥajj
الحَجّ
LEARNING POINTS
Judgment Day is truly tough.
Allah, Who created the universe, can easily bring everyone back to life for judgment.
Hajj is a good reminder of Judgment Day.
The faithful will be rewarded in Paradise and the wicked will be punished in Hell.
The idols are very pathetic and cannot help their worshippers or even themselves.
The idol-worshippers should learn from the fate of destroyed peoples.
In Islam, all acts of worship and sacrifice are assigned by Allah.
Only Allah deserves to be worshipped.
After 15 years of attacks by the Makkan idol-worshippers, this surah gives permission to the Muslims to fight back in self-defence.
It is important to stand up for the truth and protect one's rights.
Allah will always support those who have faith in Him.
Allah is very Generous and Kind to people, yet many of them are ungrateful to Him.
The believers are told that they can achieve success through prayer and good deeds.
HORRORS OF JUDGMENT DAY
1O humanity! Keep your Lord in mind, because the 'violent' earthquake at the Hour 'of Judgment' is a horrible thing. 2The Day you see it, every nursing mother will abandon what she is nursing, and every pregnant woman will have a mis-carriage. And you will see people as if 'they were' drunk, even though they will not be drunk, but the punishment of Al-lah is indeed terrifying.
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ ٱتَّقُواْ رَبَّكُمۡۚ إِنَّ زَلۡزَلَةَ ٱلسَّاعَةِ شَيۡءٌ عَظِيمٞ 1يَوۡمَ تَرَوۡنَهَا تَذۡهَلُ كُلُّ مُرۡضِعَةٍ عَمَّآ أَرۡضَعَتۡ وَتَضَعُ كُلُّ ذَاتِ حَمۡلٍ حَمۡلَهَا وَتَرَى ٱلنَّاسَ سُكَٰرَىٰ وَمَا هُم بِسُكَٰرَىٰ وَلَٰكِنَّ عَذَابَ ٱللَّهِ شَدِيد2
DENYING ALLAH'S POWER
3Still there are some who argue about Allah without knowledge, and follow every wicked devil. 4It has been written for such devils that whoever takes them as guides will be tricked and led by them into the punishment of the blazing Fire.
وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يُجَٰدِلُ فِي ٱللَّهِ بِغَيۡرِ عِلۡمٖ وَيَتَّبِعُ كُلَّ شَيۡطَٰنٖ مَّرِيدٖ 3كُتِبَ عَلَيۡهِ أَنَّهُۥ مَن تَوَلَّاهُ فَأَنَّهُۥ يُضِلُّهُۥ وَيَهۡدِيهِ إِلَىٰ عَذَابِ ٱلسَّعِيرِ4
ALLAH'S POWER TO CREATE
5O humanity! If you are in doubt about life after death. then know that' We actually created you' from dust, then from a human seed, , then 'developed you into' a tiny thing hanging 'in the womb, then a lluump of flesh-fully formed or un-formed- just to show you 'Our creative power.'Then' We settle whatever 'em-bryo We want in the womb for a set time, then bring you out as infants, so that you can mature. Some of you may' die 'young', while others are left to reach the weakest stage of old age so that they may know nothing after having known much. And you see the earth lifeless, but as soon as We send down rain upon it, it begins to stir 'to life' and grow, produc-ing every type of beautiful plant. 6That is because Allah 'alone' is the Truth, He 'alone' gives life to the dead, and He 'alone' has power over all things. 7And definitely the Hour 'of Judgment' is com-ing, there is no doubt about it. And Allah will surely bring those in the graves back to life.
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِن كُنتُمۡ فِي رَيۡبٖ مِّنَ ٱلۡبَعۡثِ فَإِنَّا خَلَقۡنَٰكُم مِّن تُرَابٖ ثُمَّ مِن نُّطۡفَةٖ ثُمَّ مِنۡ عَلَقَةٖ ثُمَّ مِن مُّضۡغَةٖ مُّخَلَّقَةٖ وَغَيۡرِ مُخَلَّقَةٖ لِّنُبَيِّنَ لَكُمۡۚ وَنُقِرُّ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡحَامِ مَا نَشَآءُ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٖ مُّسَمّٗى ثُمَّ نُخۡرِجُكُمۡ طِفۡلٗا ثُمَّ لِتَبۡلُغُوٓاْ أَشُدَّكُمۡۖ وَمِنكُم مَّن يُتَوَفَّىٰ وَمِنكُم مَّن يُرَدُّ إِلَىٰٓ أَرۡذَلِ ٱلۡعُمُرِ لِكَيۡلَا يَعۡلَمَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ عِلۡمٖ شَيۡٔٗاۚ وَتَرَى ٱلۡأَرۡضَ هَامِدَةٗ فَإِذَآ أَنزَلۡنَا عَلَيۡهَا ٱلۡمَآءَ ٱهۡتَزَّتۡ وَرَبَتۡ وَأَنۢبَتَتۡ مِن كُلِّ زَوۡجِۢ بَهِيج 5ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلۡحَقُّ وَأَنَّهُۥ يُحۡيِ ٱلۡمَوۡتَىٰ وَأَنَّهُۥ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيۡءٖ قَدِير 6وَأَنَّ ٱلسَّاعَةَ ءَاتِيَةٞ لَّا رَيۡبَ فِيهَا وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَبۡعَثُ مَن فِي ٱلۡقُبُورِ7
PUNISHMENT OF THE WICKED
8Still there are some who argue about Allah without knowledge, guidance, or a guiding book, 9turning away arrogant-ly to distract 'others' from Allah's Way. They will suffer disgrace in this world, and on Judgment Day We will make them taste the punishment of burning. 10They will be told, 'This is because of what you have done. And Allah is never unjust to 'His' creation.”
وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يُجَٰدِلُ فِي ٱللَّهِ بِغَيۡرِ عِلۡمٖ وَلَا هُدٗى وَلَا كِتَٰبٖ مُّنِير 8ثَانِيَ عِطۡفِهِۦ لِيُضِلَّ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِۖ لَهُۥ فِي ٱلدُّنۡيَا خِزۡيٞۖ وَنُذِيقُهُۥ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِ عَذَابَ ٱلۡحَرِيقِ 9ذَٰلِكَ بِمَا قَدَّمَتۡ يَدَاكَ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَيۡسَ بِظَلَّٰمٖ لِّلۡعَبِيدِ10
BACKGROUND STORY
According to Ibn 'Abbas (R.A.), verse 11 describes some people who visited Madinah and accepted Islam. Later, if they were blessed with sons and their horses gave birth, they would say, 'This is such a good religion,' and then they would stick to it. However, if they were not blessed with sons and their horses didn't give birth, they would say, 'This is such a bad religion,' and then they would leave it. {Imam Al-Bukhari}
THE UNFAITHFUL
11And there are some who worship Allah on the edge 'of faith'. If they are blessed with something good, they are satisfied with it. But if they are hit with a test, they fall into disbelief, losing this life and the Next. That is really the biggest loss. 12They call besides Allah things that cannot harm or benefit them. That is truly the farthest one can stray. 13They call upon those whose worship leads to harm, not benefit. What evil guardians and what evil partners!
وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يَعۡبُدُ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ حَرۡفٖۖ فَإِنۡ أَصَابَهُۥ خَيۡرٌ ٱطۡمَأَنَّ بِهِۦۖ وَإِنۡ أَصَابَتۡهُ فِتۡنَةٌ ٱنقَلَبَ عَلَىٰ وَجۡهِهِۦ خَسِرَ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَٱلۡأٓخِرَةَۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلۡخُسۡرَانُ ٱلۡمُبِينُ 11يَدۡعُواْ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا يَضُرُّهُۥ وَمَا لَا يَنفَعُهُۥۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلضَّلَٰلُ ٱلۡبَعِيدُ 12يَدۡعُواْ لَمَن ضَرُّهُۥٓ أَقۡرَبُ مِن نَّفۡعِهِۦۚ لَبِئۡسَ ٱلۡمَوۡلَىٰ وَلَبِئۡسَ ٱلۡعَشِير13
REWARD OF THE FAITHFUL
14Indeed, Allah will enter those who be-lieve and do good into Gardens, under which rivers flow. Surely Allah does what He wants.
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُدۡخِلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ جَنَّٰتٖ تَجۡرِي مِن تَحۡتِهَا ٱلۡأَنۡهَٰرُۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَفۡعَلُ مَا يُرِيدُ14
A CHALLENGE TO THE DENIERS
15Whoever thinks that Allah will not help His Prophet in this world and the Next Life, let them stretch out a rope to the ceiling and hang themselves, then let them see if this will do away with the cause of their rage.?
مَن كَانَ يَظُنُّ أَن لَّن يَنصُرَهُ ٱللَّهُ فِي ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ فَلۡيَمۡدُدۡ بِسَبَبٍ إِلَى ٱلسَّمَآءِ ثُمَّ لۡيَقۡطَعۡ فَلۡيَنظُرۡ هَلۡ يُذۡهِبَنَّ كَيۡدُهُۥ مَا يَغِيظُ15
Verse 15: Meaning no matter what the deniers do, Allah will never stop supporting His Prophet
ALLAH IS THE ONLY GUIDE & JUDGE
16And so We revealed this 'Quran' as clear verses. But Allah guides only whoever He wants. 17Surely Allah will judge between the believers, Jews, star-worshippers, Christians, fire-worshippers, and the idol-worshippers on Judgment Day. Allah is certainly a Witness over all things.
وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَنزَلۡنَٰهُ ءَايَٰتِۢ بَيِّنَٰتٖ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَهۡدِي مَن يُرِيدُ 16إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَٱلَّذِينَ هَادُواْ وَٱلصَّٰبِِٔينَ وَٱلنَّصَٰرَىٰ وَٱلۡمَجُوسَ وَٱلَّذِينَ أَشۡرَكُوٓاْ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَفۡصِلُ بَيۡنَهُمۡ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيۡءٖ شَهِيدٌ17
SUBMISSION TO ALLAH
18Do you not see that to Allah submits everythingin the heavens and everything on the earth, and the sun, moon, stars, mountains, trees, and all living creatures, as well as many humans-but many deserve to be punished. And whoever Allah puts to shame, no one can honour:. Surely Allah does what He wants.
أَلَمۡ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَسۡجُدُۤ لَهُۥۤ مَن فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَن فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَٱلشَّمۡسُ وَٱلۡقَمَرُ وَٱلنُّجُومُ وَٱلۡجِبَالُ وَٱلشَّجَرُ وَٱلدَّوَآبُّ وَكَثِيرٞ مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِۖ وَكَثِيرٌ حَقَّ عَلَيۡهِ ٱلۡعَذَابُۗ وَمَن يُهِنِ ٱللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُۥ مِن مُّكۡرِمٍۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَفۡعَلُ مَا يَشَآءُ18
THE DISBELIEVERS & BELIEVERS
19These are two opposing groups that disagree about their Lord: as for those who disbelieve, clothes 'of Fire will be cut out for them and boiling water will he poured over their heads, 20melting whatever is in their bellies, along with their skin. 21And on top of that, iron hammers are waiting for them. 22Whenever they try to escape from the horrible suffering in Hell, they will be forced back into it. 'And they will be told, 'Taste the punishment of burning!' 23But Allah will certainly enter those who believe and do good into Gardens, under which rivers flow, where they will be decorated with bracelets of gold and pearls, and their clothes will be from silk. 24This 'is' because they have been guided to the good word 'of faith' and they have been guided to the Praised Path.
هَٰذَانِ خَصۡمَانِ ٱخۡتَصَمُواْ فِي رَبِّهِمۡۖ فَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ قُطِّعَتۡ لَهُمۡ ثِيَابٞ مِّن نَّارٖ يُصَبُّ مِن فَوۡقِ رُءُوسِهِمُ ٱلۡحَمِيمُ 19يُصۡهَرُ بِهِۦ مَا فِي بُطُونِهِمۡ وَٱلۡجُلُودُ 20وَلَهُم مَّقَٰمِعُ مِنۡ حَدِيد 21كُلَّمَآ أَرَادُوٓاْ أَن يَخۡرُجُواْ مِنۡهَا مِنۡ غَمٍّ أُعِيدُواْ فِيهَا وَذُوقُواْ عَذَابَ ٱلۡحَرِيقِ 22إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُدۡخِلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ جَنَّٰتٖ تَجۡرِي مِن تَحۡتِهَا ٱلۡأَنۡهَٰرُ يُحَلَّوۡنَ فِيهَا مِنۡ أَسَاوِرَ مِن ذَهَبٖ وَلُؤۡلُؤٗاۖ وَلِبَاسُهُمۡ فِيهَا حَرِير 23وَهُدُوٓاْ إِلَى ٱلطَّيِّبِ مِنَ ٱلۡقَوۡلِ وَهُدُوٓاْ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطِ ٱلۡحَمِيدِ24
Verse 19: That there is only One God to worship and that Muhammad is His Prophet.
BACKGROUND STORY
Verse 25 was revealed when the idol-worshippers of Makkah refused to let the Prophet (ﷺ) and his companions visit the Ka'bah for 'umrah, even though the Muslims had come all the way from Madinah. According to the peace agreement that was later signed, the Muslims had to go back to Madinah and then come back the next year for 'umrah, as mentioned in Surah 48. {Imam Al-Qurtubi}
DISRESPECTING THE KA'BAH
25Surely, those who disbelieve and prevent 'others' from the Way of Allah and from the Holy Mosque-which We have made 'as a safe place' for all people, both locals and visitorsWe will make them taste a painful punishment. And the same is true for anyone who intends to disrespect it by doing wrong in it.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ وَيَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡمَسۡجِدِ ٱلۡحَرَامِ ٱلَّذِي جَعَلۡنَٰهُ لِلنَّاسِ سَوَآءً ٱلۡعَٰكِفُ فِيهِ وَٱلۡبَادِۚ وَمَن يُرِدۡ فِيهِ بِإِلۡحَادِۢ بِظُلۡمٖ نُّذِقۡهُ مِنۡ عَذَابٍ أَلِيم25
Verse 25: The Holy Mosque is in Makkah.
BACKGROUND STORY
After Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.) raised the foundations of the Ka'bah, along with his son Isma'il (A.S.), he was told to call all people to Hajj. He said, "But my voice can't go that far." Allah replied, "You make the call, and We will make it reach everyone." So Ibrahim (A.S.) went up a mountain close to the Ka'bah and declared, "O people! Allah is commanding you to make Hajj to this Sacred House, so you should come." As a result, people have started to visit the Ka'bah from the time of Ibrahim (A.S.) till today. {Imam Al-Qurtubi & Imam At-Tabari}
HAJJ TO THE KA'BAH
26And 'remember' when We assigned to Ibrahim the site of the House, 'saying,' 'Do not make anything equal to Me in worship' and purify My House for those who circle 'the Ka'bah', stand, kneel, and bow down 'in ṣalāh'. 27Call people to hajj. They will come to you on foot and on every skinny camel from every dis-tant path, 28SO they can get the bene-its 'waiting' for them and mention the Name of Allah during certain days over the animal offerings He has provided for them. So eat from their meat and feed the poor who are badly in need. 29Then let them clean themselves up,° take care of their pledges,' and circle the Ancient House.
وَإِذۡ بَوَّأۡنَا لِإِبۡرَٰهِيمَ مَكَانَ ٱلۡبَيۡتِ أَن لَّا تُشۡرِكۡ بِي شَيۡٔٗا وَطَهِّرۡ بَيۡتِيَ لِلطَّآئِفِينَ وَٱلۡقَآئِمِينَ وَٱلرُّكَّعِ ٱلسُّجُودِ 26وَأَذِّن فِي ٱلنَّاسِ بِٱلۡحَجِّ يَأۡتُوكَ رِجَالٗا وَعَلَىٰ كُلِّ ضَامِرٖ يَأۡتِينَ مِن كُلِّ فَجٍّ عَمِيقٖ 27لِّيَشۡهَدُواْ مَنَٰفِعَ لَهُمۡ وَيَذۡكُرُواْ ٱسۡمَ ٱللَّهِ فِيٓ أَيَّامٖ مَّعۡلُومَٰتٍ عَلَىٰ مَا رَزَقَهُم مِّنۢ بَهِيمَةِ ٱلۡأَنۡعَٰمِۖ فَكُلُواْ مِنۡهَا وَأَطۡعِمُواْ ٱلۡبَآئِسَ ٱلۡفَقِيرَ 28ثُمَّ لۡيَقۡضُواْ تَفَثَهُمۡ وَلۡيُوفُواْ نُذُورَهُمۡ وَلۡيَطَّوَّفُواْ بِٱلۡبَيۡتِ ٱلۡعَتِيقِ29
HAJJ TO THE KA'BAH
26And 'remember' when We assigned to Ibrahim the site of the House, 'saying,' 'Do not make anything equal to Me in worship' and purify My House for those who circle 'the Ka'bah', stand, kneel, and bow down 'in ṣalāh'. 27Call people to hajj. They will come to you on foot and on every skinny camel from every dis-tant path, 28SO they can get the bene-its 'waiting' for them and mention the Name of Allah during certain days over the animal offerings He has provided for them. So eat from their meat and feed the poor who are badly in need. 29Then let them clean themselves up,° take care of their pledges,' and circle the Ancient House.
وَإِذۡ بَوَّأۡنَا لِإِبۡرَٰهِيمَ مَكَانَ ٱلۡبَيۡتِ أَن لَّا تُشۡرِكۡ بِي شَيۡٔٗا وَطَهِّرۡ بَيۡتِيَ لِلطَّآئِفِينَ وَٱلۡقَآئِمِينَ وَٱلرُّكَّعِ ٱلسُّجُودِ 26وَأَذِّن فِي ٱلنَّاسِ بِٱلۡحَجِّ يَأۡتُوكَ رِجَالٗا وَعَلَىٰ كُلِّ ضَامِرٖ يَأۡتِينَ مِن كُلِّ فَجٍّ عَمِيقٖ 27لِّيَشۡهَدُواْ مَنَٰفِعَ لَهُمۡ وَيَذۡكُرُواْ ٱسۡمَ ٱللَّهِ فِيٓ أَيَّامٖ مَّعۡلُومَٰتٍ عَلَىٰ مَا رَزَقَهُم مِّنۢ بَهِيمَةِ ٱلۡأَنۡعَٰمِۖ فَكُلُواْ مِنۡهَا وَأَطۡعِمُواْ ٱلۡبَآئِسَ ٱلۡفَقِيرَ 28ثُمَّ لۡيَقۡضُواْ تَفَثَهُمۡ وَلۡيُوفُواْ نُذُورَهُمۡ وَلۡيَطَّوَّفُواْ بِٱلۡبَيۡتِ ٱلۡعَتِيقِ29
Verse 28: For example, doing haj, getting one's sins forgiven, meeting Muslims from other countries, and doing business.
SINCERE FAITH IN ALLAH
30So it is. And whoever honours Allah's orders, it is best for them in the sight of their Lord. The meat of cattle has been allowed for you, except what has 'al-ready' been mentioned to you. So avoid the filth of idol-worship, and avoid saying what is untrue. 31Be faithful only to Allah, making none equal to Him. Who-ever makes others equal to Allah is like someone who has fallen from the sky and is either snatched away by birds or Swept by the wind to a faraway place. 32So it is. And whoever honours the symbols of Allah, this proves they have faithful hearts. 33You can benefit from animal offerings for a certain tiime, then their place of sacrifice is at the Ancient House.
ذَٰلِكَۖ وَمَن يُعَظِّمۡ حُرُمَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ فَهُوَ خَيۡرٞ لَّهُۥ عِندَ رَبِّهِۦۗ وَأُحِلَّتۡ لَكُمُ ٱلۡأَنۡعَٰمُ إِلَّا مَا يُتۡلَىٰ عَلَيۡكُمۡۖ فَٱجۡتَنِبُواْ ٱلرِّجۡسَ مِنَ ٱلۡأَوۡثَٰنِ وَٱجۡتَنِبُواْ قَوۡلَ ٱلزُّورِ 30حُنَفَآءَ لِلَّهِ غَيۡرَ مُشۡرِكِينَ بِهِۦۚ وَمَن يُشۡرِكۡ بِٱللَّهِ فَكَأَنَّمَا خَرَّ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ فَتَخۡطَفُهُ ٱلطَّيۡرُ أَوۡ تَهۡوِي بِهِ ٱلرِّيحُ فِي مَكَانٖ سَحِيقٖ 31ذَٰلِكَۖ وَمَن يُعَظِّمۡ شَعَٰٓئِرَ ٱللَّهِ فَإِنَّهَا مِن تَقۡوَى ٱلۡقُلُوبِ 32لَكُمۡ فِيهَا مَنَٰفِعُ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٖ مُّسَمّٗى ثُمَّ مَحِلُّهَآ إِلَى ٱلۡبَيۡتِ ٱلۡعَتِيقِ33
GOOD NEWS FOR THE HUMBLE
34We assigned an act of sacrifice to ev-ery community so they can mention the Name of Allah over the animal offerings He has provided for them. Your God is only One God, so submit yourselves to Him alone. And give good news O Prophet' to the humble: 35those whose hearts shake when Allah is mentioned, who are patient with whatever happens to them, and who keep up şalah and do-nate from what We have provided for them.
وَلِكُلِّ أُمَّةٖ جَعَلۡنَا مَنسَكٗا لِّيَذۡكُرُواْ ٱسۡمَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَىٰ مَا رَزَقَهُم مِّنۢ بَهِيمَةِ ٱلۡأَنۡعَٰمِۗ فَإِلَٰهُكُمۡ إِلَٰهٞ وَٰحِدٞ فَلَهُۥٓ أَسۡلِمُواْۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلۡمُخۡبِتِينَ 34ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ ٱللَّهُ وَجِلَتۡ قُلُوبُهُمۡ وَٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ عَلَىٰ مَآ أَصَابَهُمۡ وَٱلۡمُقِيمِي ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَمِمَّا رَزَقۡنَٰهُمۡ يُنفِقُونَ35
WORDS OF WISDOM
According to verse 37, one of the lessons of Hajj is to have taqwa, which means to keep Allah in mind concerning His rights and the rights of the people. In other words, acts of worship (such as Hajj, fasting, and prayers) should make us better Muslims when we deal with Allah and those around us. Otherwise, what is the point of making Hajj, fasting, and praying while cheating, lying, and abusing others? The Prophet (ﷺ) said that on Judgment Day some people will be broke after losing their good deeds to the people they abused. {Imam Muslim}
SIDE STORY
Amin lived next to a small shop, where he used to buy his groceries. Most of the time, Amin didn't have enough money to pay for all the groceries that he took. The shop owner kept a notebook with the names of people like Amin and how much they owed him. One day, the shop owner heard that Amin had gone for Hajj, even though he should have paid his debt before he left to Makkah. Two weeks later, Amin came back from Hajj, went straight to the shop, and told the shop owner to open the page that had his name on it because something had to change. The man was very excited because he thought he was finally going to get his money. With a proud look on his face, Amin ordered, "You need to change my name from 'Amin' to 'Hajj Amin!'"
PURPOSE OF ANIMAL OFFERINGS
36We have made camel 'and cattle' of-ferings among the symbols of Allah, in which there are many benefits for you. So mention the Name of Allah over them when they are lined up for sacrifice', Once they have fallen 'lifeless' on their sides, you can eat from their meat, and feed the needy-those who beg and those who do not. And so We have put these animals' at your service so you may give thanks. 37Their meat and blood do not reach Allah. Rather, it is your sin-cere faith that reaches Him. In this way, He has put them at your service in order for you to praise the greatness of Allah for what He has guided you to. And give good news to those who do good.
وَٱلۡبُدۡنَ جَعَلۡنَٰهَا لَكُم مِّن شَعَٰٓئِرِ ٱللَّهِ لَكُمۡ فِيهَا خَيۡرٞۖ فَٱذۡكُرُواْ ٱسۡمَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيۡهَا صَوَآفَّۖ فَإِذَا وَجَبَتۡ جُنُوبُهَا فَكُلُواْ مِنۡهَا وَأَطۡعِمُواْ ٱلۡقَانِعَ وَٱلۡمُعۡتَرَّۚ كَذَٰلِكَ سَخَّرۡنَٰهَا لَكُمۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَشۡكُرُونَ 36لَن يَنَالَ ٱللَّهَ لُحُومُهَا وَلَا دِمَآؤُهَا وَلَٰكِن يَنَالُهُ ٱلتَّقۡوَىٰ مِنكُمۡۚ كَذَٰلِكَ سَخَّرَهَا لَكُمۡ لِتُكَبِّرُواْ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَىٰكُمۡۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ37
BACKGROUND STORY
For over 13 years, Muslims were not allowed to fight back against the abuse of the Makkan idol-worshippers. Many Muslims were tortured and starved for years, and some were even killed. The Makkans tried to kill the Prophet (ﷺ) after the death of his wife Khadijah (R.A.) and his uncle Abu Talib. When things got worse for the small Muslim community in Makkah, they moved with the Prophet (ﷺ) to Madinah.
Even though they moved over 400 km away, the idol-worshippers didn't leave them alone. Eventually, verses 38-40 were revealed, giving permission to the believers to fight back in self-defence. {Imam Ibn Kathir & Imam Al-Qurtubi}
PERMISSION TO FIGHT IN SELF-DEFENCE
38Indeed, Allah defends those who be-lieve. Surely Allah does not like every un-grateful traitor. 39Those who have been under attack are now given permission 'to fight back' because they have been wronged. And Allah has the power to help them 'win', 40'They are' the ones who have been driven out of their homes for no reason other than saying: 'Our Lord is Allah.' If Allah did not use some people to stop the abuse of others, de-struction would have definitely reached holy places, churches, temples, as well as mosques in which Allah's Name is of-ten mentioned. Allah will certainly help those who stand up for Him. Surely Allah is Powerful and Almighty. 41If such peo-ple were established in the land by Us, they would keep up salah, pay zakah, en-courage what is good, and forbid what is evil. And the result of 'all' things is with Allah 'alone'.
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُدَٰفِعُ عَنِ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ خَوَّانٖ كَفُورٍ 38أُذِنَ لِلَّذِينَ يُقَٰتَلُونَ بِأَنَّهُمۡ ظُلِمُواْۚ وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ نَصۡرِهِمۡ لَقَدِير 39ٱلَّذِينَ أُخۡرِجُواْ مِن دِيَٰرِهِم بِغَيۡرِ حَقٍّ إِلَّآ أَن يَقُولُواْ رَبُّنَا ٱللَّهُۗ وَلَوۡلَا دَفۡعُ ٱللَّهِ ٱلنَّاسَ بَعۡضَهُم بِبَعۡضٖ لَّهُدِّمَتۡ صَوَٰمِعُ وَبِيَعٞ وَصَلَوَٰتٞ وَمَسَٰجِدُ يُذۡكَرُ فِيهَا ٱسۡمُ ٱللَّهِ كَثِيرٗاۗ وَلَيَنصُرَنَّ ٱللَّهُ مَن يَنصُرُهُۥٓۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَقَوِيٌّ عَزِيزٌ 40ٱلَّذِينَ إِن مَّكَّنَّٰهُمۡ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ أَقَامُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَوُاْ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَأَمَرُواْ بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِ وَنَهَوۡاْ عَنِ ٱلۡمُنكَرِۗ وَلِلَّهِ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡأُمُورِ41
WARNING TO MAKKAN IDOL-WORSHIPPERS
42If they deny you 'O Prophet', so did the people of Nuh before them, as well as 'Ad and Thamud, 43the people of Ibra-him, the people of Lut, 44and the people of Madian. And Musa was denied too. But I delayed 'the end of the disbe-lievers until their set time' then took them. And how severe was My response! 45There are many societies that We have destroyed for doing wrong, leavin8 them totally ruined. There are also many abandoned wells and mighty castles! 46Have they not travelled throughout the land so their hearts can understand and their ears can listen? In fact, it is not the eyes that are blind, but the hearts in the chests that go blind. 47They chal-lenge you o to speed up the punishment. And Allah will never fail in His promise. But a day with your Lord is like a thousand of your years. 48There are many societies whose punishment I delayed while they were doing Wrong, then took them 'by surprise'. And to Me is the final return.
وَإِن يُكَذِّبُوكَ فَقَدۡ كَذَّبَتۡ قَبۡلَهُمۡ قَوۡمُ نُوحٖ وَعَادٞ وَثَمُودُ 42وَقَوۡمُ إِبۡرَٰهِيمَ وَقَوۡمُ لُوطٖ 43٤٣ وَأَصۡحَٰبُ مَدۡيَنَۖ وَكُذِّبَ مُوسَىٰۖ فَأَمۡلَيۡتُ لِلۡكَٰفِرِينَ ثُمَّ أَخَذۡتُهُمۡۖ فَكَيۡفَ كَانَ نَكِيرِ 44فَكَأَيِّن مِّن قَرۡيَةٍ أَهۡلَكۡنَٰهَا وَهِيَ ظَالِمَةٞ فَهِيَ خَاوِيَةٌ عَلَىٰ عُرُوشِهَا وَبِئۡرٖ مُّعَطَّلَةٖ وَقَصۡرٖ مَّشِيدٍ 45أَفَلَمۡ يَسِيرُواْ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَتَكُونَ لَهُمۡ قُلُوبٞ يَعۡقِلُونَ بِهَآ أَوۡ ءَاذَانٞ يَسۡمَعُونَ بِهَاۖ فَإِنَّهَا لَا تَعۡمَى ٱلۡأَبۡصَٰرُ وَلَٰكِن تَعۡمَى ٱلۡقُلُوبُ ٱلَّتِي فِي ٱلصُّدُورِ 46وَيَسۡتَعۡجِلُونَكَ بِٱلۡعَذَابِ وَلَن يُخۡلِفَ ٱللَّهُ وَعۡدَهُۥۚ وَإِنَّ يَوۡمًا عِندَ رَبِّكَ كَأَلۡفِ سَنَةٖ مِّمَّا تَعُدُّونَ 47وَكَأَيِّن مِّن قَرۡيَةٍ أَمۡلَيۡتُ لَهَا وَهِيَ ظَالِمَةٞ ثُمَّ أَخَذۡتُهَا وَإِلَيَّ ٱلۡمَصِيرُ48
ADVICE TO THE PROPHET
49Say, 'O humanity! I am only sent to you with a clear warning. 50So those who believe and do good will have forgiveness and generous resources. 51But those who work hard to challenge Our revela-tions, they will be the people of Hell.'
قُلۡ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّمَآ أَنَا۠ لَكُمۡ نَذِيرٞ مُّبِين 49فَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ لَهُم مَّغۡفِرَةٞ وَرِزۡقٞ كَرِيمٞ 50وَٱلَّذِينَ سَعَوۡاْ فِيٓ ءَايَٰتِنَا مُعَٰجِزِينَ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ أَصۡحَٰبُ ٱلۡجَحِيمِ51
SATANS EFFECT
52'O Prophet!' Whenever We sent a mes-senger or a prophet before you and he recited 'Our revelations', Satan would af-fect people's understanding of his rec-itation. But 'eventually' Allah would re-move Satan's impact. Then Allah would confirm His revelations. And Allah has perfect knowledge and wisdom. 53In this way, He will make Satan's effect a test for those 'hypo crites' with sick hearts and those 'disbelievers' with hard hearts. Surely those doing wrong have gone too far in opposition 'to the truth. 54Also so that those gifted with knowledge would know that this revelation' is the truth from your Lord, so they have faith in it, and their hearts would submit humbly to it. Allah definitely guides the believers to the Straight Path. 55Yet the disbelievers will continue to be in doubt about this 'revelation' until the Hour 'of Judgment' takes them by surprise or the punish-ment of a destructive Day hits them.
وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ مِن رَّسُولٖ وَلَا نَبِيٍّ إِلَّآ إِذَا تَمَنَّىٰٓ أَلۡقَى ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنُ فِيٓ أُمۡنِيَّتِهِۦ فَيَنسَخُ ٱللَّهُ مَا يُلۡقِي ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنُ ثُمَّ يُحۡكِمُ ٱللَّهُ ءَايَٰتِهِۦۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيم 52لِّيَجۡعَلَ مَا يُلۡقِي ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنُ فِتۡنَةٗ لِّلَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٞ وَٱلۡقَاسِيَةِ قُلُوبُهُمۡۗ وَإِنَّ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ لَفِي شِقَاقِۢ بَعِيدٖ 53وَلِيَعۡلَمَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡعِلۡمَ أَنَّهُ ٱلۡحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ فَيُؤۡمِنُواْ بِهِۦ فَتُخۡبِتَ لَهُۥ قُلُوبُهُمۡۗ وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَهَادِ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٖ مُّسۡتَقِيمٖ 54وَلَا يَزَالُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ فِي مِرۡيَةٖ مِّنۡهُ حَتَّىٰ تَأۡتِيَهُمُ ٱلسَّاعَةُ بَغۡتَةً أَوۡ يَأۡتِيَهُمۡ عَذَابُ يَوۡمٍ عَقِيمٍ55
JUSTICE ON JUDGMENT DAY
56All authority on that Day is for Allah 'alone'10 He will judge between all. So those who believe and do good will be in the Gardens of Enjoyment. 57But those who disbelieve and deny Our revelations, they will suffer a humiliating pun-ishment. 58As for those who emigrate in the cause of Allah and then die or lose their life, Allah will definitely provide them with good resources. Surely Alah is the Best Provider. 59He will certain-ly enter them into a place they will be pleased with. Allah is truly full of knowl-edge and patience.
ٱلۡمُلۡكُ يَوۡمَئِذٖ لِّلَّهِ يَحۡكُمُ بَيۡنَهُمۡۚ فَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ فِي جَنَّٰتِ ٱلنَّعِيمِ 56وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ وَكَذَّبُواْ بَِٔايَٰتِنَا فَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ لَهُمۡ عَذَابٞ مُّهِينٞ 57وَٱلَّذِينَ هَاجَرُواْ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ثُمَّ قُتِلُوٓاْ أَوۡ مَاتُواْ لَيَرۡزُقَنَّهُمُ ٱللَّهُ رِزۡقًا حَسَنٗاۚ وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَهُوَ خَيۡرُ ٱلرَّٰزِقِينَ 58لَيُدۡخِلَنَّهُم مُّدۡخَلٗا يَرۡضَوۡنَهُۥۚ وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَعَلِيمٌ حَلِيمٞ59
Verse 56: Allah gives authority to some people in this world, but on Judgment Day no one will have any authority except Him.
ALLAH'S JUSTICE
60So it is. And those who respond to harm in a similar way and then are wronged again, Allah will certainly help them. Surely Allah is willing to excuse and forgive.
ذَٰلِكَۖ وَمَنۡ عَاقَبَ بِمِثۡلِ مَا عُوقِبَ بِهِۦ ثُمَّ بُغِيَ عَلَيۡهِ لَيَنصُرَنَّهُ ٱللَّهُۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَعَفُوٌّ غَفُور60
ALLAH'S POWER
61That is because Allah 'is the One Who' enters the night into the day, and the day into the night. Surely Allah hears and sees 'everything'. 62That is because Allah alone' is the Truth and whatever 'gods' they call besides Him are false, and Allah 'alone' is truly the Most High and Great. 63Do you not see that Allah sends down rain from the sky, then the earth becomes green? Allah really knows the smallest details and is fully Aware. 64Whatever is in the heavens and what-ever is on the earth belongs to Him. Surely Allah is not in need and He deserves all praise.
ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُولِجُ ٱلَّيۡلَ فِي ٱلنَّهَارِ وَيُولِجُ ٱلنَّهَارَ فِي ٱلَّيۡلِ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَمِيعُۢ بَصِير 61ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلۡحَقُّ وَأَنَّ مَا يَدۡعُونَ مِن دُونِهِۦ هُوَ ٱلۡبَٰطِلُ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلۡعَلِيُّ ٱلۡكَبِيرُ 62أَلَمۡ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ أَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءٗ فَتُصۡبِحُ ٱلۡأَرۡضُ مُخۡضَرَّةًۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَطِيفٌ خَبِير 63لَّهُۥ مَا فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِۚ وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَهُوَ ٱلۡغَنِيُّ ٱلۡحَمِيدُ64
ALLAH'S KINDNESS
65Do you not see that Allah has put ev-erything in the earth at your service, as well as the ships 'that' sail through the sea by His command? He keeps the sky from falling down on the earth, unless He allows it to happen. Allah is really Kind and Merciful to humanity. 66And He is the One Who gave you life, then causes you to die, and then will bring you back to life. But humankind is truly ungrateful.
أَلَمۡ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَخَّرَ لَكُم مَّا فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَٱلۡفُلۡكَ تَجۡرِي فِي ٱلۡبَحۡرِ بِأَمۡرِهِۦ وَيُمۡسِكُ ٱلسَّمَآءَ أَن تَقَعَ عَلَى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ إِلَّا بِإِذۡنِهِۦٓۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِٱلنَّاسِ لَرَءُوفٞ رَّحِيمٞ 65وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِيٓ أَحۡيَاكُمۡ ثُمَّ يُمِيتُكُمۡ ثُمَّ يُحۡيِيكُمۡۗ إِنَّ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ لَكَفُورٞ66
ONE MESSAGE, DIFFERENT LAWS
67We assigned a code of life to every faith-community to follow. So do not let them argue with you 'O Prophet' about this matter. And invite all to your Lord; you are truly on the Right Way. 68But if they keep arguing with you, then say, 'Allah knows best what you do.' 69Allah will judge between all of you on Judg-ment Day about your differences. 70Do you not know that Allah fully knows ev-erything in the heavens and the earth? Surely it is a all 'written' in a Book. That is really easy for Allah.
لِّكُلِّ أُمَّةٖ جَعَلۡنَا مَنسَكًا هُمۡ نَاسِكُوهُۖ فَلَا يُنَٰزِعُنَّكَ فِي ٱلۡأَمۡرِۚ وَٱدۡعُ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَۖ إِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ هُدٗى مُّسۡتَقِيم 67وَإِن جَٰدَلُوكَ فَقُلِ ٱللَّهُ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ 68ٱللَّهُ يَحۡكُمُ بَيۡنَكُمۡ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِ فِيمَا كُنتُمۡ فِيهِ تَخۡتَلِفُونَ 69أَلَمۡ تَعۡلَمۡ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعۡلَمُ مَا فِي ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِۚ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ فِي كِتَٰبٍۚ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ يَسِير70
Verse 67: All prophets came with the same message: have faith in one God and do good. But each faith-community had their own law.
Verse 68: The Muslim code of life is called Shari'ah; the law that covers all aspects of our relationship with Allah and our relationship with other people.
ALLAH OR FALSE GODS?
71Still, those 'Makkans' worship besides Allah things that He has not approved and they know nothing about. Those doing wrong will have no helper 'on Judgment Day'. 72Whenever Our clear revelations are recited to them, you 'O Prophet' can clearly see how annoyed the disbelievers' faces are, as if they are going to attack those who recite Our revelations to them. Say, 'Shall I tell you about some-thing far more annoying than that? It is the Fire, which Allah has threatened the disbelievers with. What an evil destina-tion!'
وَيَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَمۡ يُنَزِّلۡ بِهِۦ سُلۡطَٰنٗا وَمَا لَيۡسَ لَهُم بِهِۦ عِلۡمٞۗ وَمَا لِلظَّٰلِمِينَ مِن نَّصِير 71وَإِذَا تُتۡلَىٰ عَلَيۡهِمۡ ءَايَٰتُنَا بَيِّنَٰتٖ تَعۡرِفُ فِي وُجُوهِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ ٱلۡمُنكَرَۖ يَكَادُونَ يَسۡطُونَ بِٱلَّذِينَ يَتۡلُونَ عَلَيۡهِمۡ ءَايَٰتِنَاۗ قُلۡ أَفَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِشَرّٖ مِّن ذَٰلِكُمُۚ ٱلنَّارُ وَعَدَهَا ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْۖ وَبِئۡسَ ٱلۡمَصِيرُ72
THE FLY CHALLENGE
73O humanity! A lesson is given, so listen to it carefully: those 'idols' you call besides Allah cannot create 'something as little as' a fly, even if they all came tOgether to do it. In fact, if a fly steals something from those gods, they could not even get it back. How pathetic are those who call and those who are called! 74They have not shown Allah the respect He deserves. Indeed, Allah is Powerful and Almighty.
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ ضُرِبَ مَثَلٞ فَٱسۡتَمِعُواْ لَهُۥٓۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ تَدۡعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ لَن يَخۡلُقُواْ ذُبَابٗا وَلَوِ ٱجۡتَمَعُواْ لَهُۥۖ وَإِن يَسۡلُبۡهُمُ ٱلذُّبَابُ شَيۡٔٗا لَّا يَسۡتَنقِذُوهُ مِنۡهُۚ ضَعُفَ ٱلطَّالِبُ وَٱلۡمَطۡلُوبُ 73مَا قَدَرُواْ ٱللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدۡرِهِۦٓۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَقَوِيٌّ عَزِيزٌ74
Verse 73: Meaning some of the food offered to those idols.
ALLAH'S WISDOM
75Allah selects messengers from both angels and people. Surely Allah hears and sees 'everything'. 76He knows what is ahead of them and what is behind them. And 'all' matters will be returned to Allah for judgment'.
ٱللَّهُ يَصۡطَفِي مِنَ ٱلۡمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ رُسُلٗا وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَمِيعُۢ بَصِيرٞ 75يَعۡلَمُ مَا بَيۡنَ أَيۡدِيهِمۡ وَمَا خَلۡفَهُمۡۚ وَإِلَى ٱللَّهِ تُرۡجَعُ ٱلۡأُمُورُ76
ADVICE TO THE FAITHFUL
77O believers! Bow and kneel down, worship your Lord, and do what is' good So you may be successful. 78Make sacri-fices in the cause of Allah in the way He deserves. He is the One Who chose you, and did not make things difficult for you in the religion-the way of your fore-father Ibrahim. 'It is Allah' Who called 'Muslims'14 'in the' earlier Books' and in this 'Quran', so that the Messen-ger will be a witness over you, and you will be witnesses over humanity. So pray Şalah, pay zakah, and hold on to Allah. He 'alone' is your Guardian. What an ex-cellent Protector, and what an excellent Helper!
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱرۡكَعُواْ وَٱسۡجُدُواْۤ وَٱعۡبُدُواْ رَبَّكُمۡ وَٱفۡعَلُواْ ٱلۡخَيۡرَ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تُفۡلِحُونَ 77وَجَٰهِدُواْ فِي ٱللَّهِ حَقَّ جِهَادِهِۦۚ هُوَ ٱجۡتَبَىٰكُمۡ وَمَا جَعَلَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ فِي ٱلدِّينِ مِنۡ حَرَجٖۚ مِّلَّةَ أَبِيكُمۡ إِبۡرَٰهِيمَۚ هُوَ سَمَّىٰكُمُ ٱلۡمُسۡلِمِينَ مِن قَبۡلُ وَفِي هَٰذَا لِيَكُونَ ٱلرَّسُولُ شَهِيدًا عَلَيۡكُمۡ وَتَكُونُواْ شُهَدَآءَ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِۚ فَأَقِيمُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُواْ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَٱعۡتَصِمُواْ بِٱللَّهِ هُوَ مَوۡلَىٰكُمۡۖ فَنِعۡمَ ٱلۡمَوۡلَىٰ وَنِعۡمَ ٱلنَّصِيرُ78
Verse 78: Muslim means someone who submits to Allah.