Surah-22 351 SURAH-22 AL-HAJJ Surah Al-Hajj, The Pilgrimage derives its name from its verse 27 which relates to the Proclamation of Pilgrimage (to Allah s House at Makkah) made to mankind by Prophet Abraham. Opinion is divided about the period of its revelation. According to some authorities it was revealed during the last years of Prophet s life at Makkah, while others ascribe it to Prophet s Madinan period. Since the Surah contains characteristics of the revelations of both the Makkan and Madinan period, it seems that its some parts were revealed at Makkah and some were revealed at Madinah. According to Syed Abul Aly Maududi, verses 1-24 were revealed at Makkah during the last stage of Prophet s life there, while verses 25-78 were revealed at Madinah after his migration to that city during first stage of his life there. As the major part of the Surah was revealed at Madinah, it may be called a Madni Surah. The Surah opens with presentation of a terrible scene of the Doomsday and then it warns those who doubt their resurrection after their death by reminding them how they have been created and how their life cycle goes. God Who revives the dead earth, He would definitely revive the dead men. Verses 26-38 deal with call to Pilgrimage, rites of Pilgrimage and the ritual of animal sacrifice. The verses 39-40 provide permission to Muslims to fight those who were oppressing and persecuting them. This permission was given to the Prophet and his followers either during migration or soon after the migration to Madinah. Taking advantage of this permission, the Muslims defended themselves against the attacks of the Makkan pagans in the wars of Badr and Uhud and against the invasion of the confederates. The verse 41 highlights the obligation of the believers to establish worship, pay Zakat, enjoin good and forbid wrong if Allah gives them power in the land. In a way this verse lays down the fundamental principles of the policy of an Islamic state. The closing verses of this Surah give formally the followers of Muhammad the name of Muslim and prescribe for them the religion of Abraham (Al-Islam) as their religion. And then motivate them to wage Jihad, offer prayer and give Zakat.
Surah-22 352 Lesson-198 : The Hour is sure In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. 1. O mankind! Fear your Lord. Surely, the shock of the Hour (i.e the Doomsday) would be a terrible thing. 2. The Day you shall see it, every nursing mother will forget her nursling and every pregnant woman will lay down her burden and you will see mankind as if drunken though they will not be drunk, but in fact the torment of Allah will be horrible. 3. Yet among mankind is he who argues about Allah without knowledge and he follows every rebellious devil. 4. For him (i.e. devil) it is decreed that whosoever takes him as his friend, he verily will mislead him and drive him to the torment of the burning Fire. 5. O mankind! If you are in doubt about your resurrection (after your death), then (remember that) We verily created you (at the first time) from dust, then from a drop (of semen), then from a clot, then from a little lump of flesh, partly formed and partly unformed, that We may manifest to you (Our power). And We cause whom We wish to remain in the wombs for a fixed time, then We bring you forth as infants, then (We nourish you) that you reach your age of full strength (youth). And among you there is one who dies young and among you there is one who is brought back to the miserable old age so that he knows nothing after having lot of knowledge (in his prime age). And you see the earth barren, but when We send down water on it, it stirs (to life) and swells and puts forth every type of lovely growth (i.e. vegetation). 352
Surah-22 353 6. This is because Allah, He is the Truth, and verily it is He Who gives life to the dead and it is He Who has power over everything. 7. And because the Hour (of Doom) is sure to come, there is no doubt about it; and certainly Allah will resurrect those who are in the graves. 8. Among mankind is he who disputes about Allah without having knowledge or guidance or a scripture giving light. 9. Turning his neck in pride to beguile men from the way of Allah. For him there is disgrace in the life of this world, and on the Day of Resurrection We shall make him taste the torment of burning Fire. 10. Saying: This is because of that which your own hands have sent forth, and surely Allah is not unjust to His slaves. 11. And among mankind is he who worships Allah standing on the verge (of faith and doubt). If good befalls him, he is content with it; but if a trial befalls him, he turns back on his face (to disbelief). He loses both this world and the Hereafter. That is the clear loss indeed. 12. He calls besides Allah to that which can neither harm him nor benefit him. That is straying far away (from the right path). 13. He calls unto him whose harm is nearer than his benefit. What an evil patron and what an evil friend (he chooses)! 14. Verily, Allah will admit those who believe and do good deeds to Gardens (of Paradise) beneath which rivers flow. Surely, Allah does what He intends. 353
Surah-22 354 Lesson-199 : Unto Allah prostrates 15. Whosoever thinks that Allah will not help him (Muhammad) in the world and the Hereafter, let him stretch out a rope to the sky, then cut it (i.e. hang himself). Then let him see whether his device removes that at which he was enraged. 16. And thus have We revealed it (the Quran) as clear revelations, and verily Allah gives guidance to whom He wants. 17. Verily, as for those who believe and those who are Jews and the Sabeans and the Christians and the Magians and those who associate partners (to Allah); surely, Allah will judge between them on the day of Resurrection. Certainly Allah is witness over every thing. 18. Do you not see that unto Allah prostrates whoever is in the heavens and whoever is in the earth, and the sun, and the moon, and the stars, and the mountains, and the trees, and the animals, and many of mankind. But there are many on whom punishment has become justified. And he whom Allah disgraces, there is none to give him honour. Allah does what He wants. 19. These (the disbelievers and the believers) are two opponents who dispute about their Lord. Then as for those who disbelieve, garments of fire will be cut out for them. Boiling water will be poured down on their heads. 20. With it will be melted every thing which is in their bellies as well as their skins. 21. And for them there are whips of iron (to punish them). 22. Whenever, in anguish, they try to get out from it, they will be driven back to it, and it will be said: Taste the torment of burning. 354
Surah-22 355 23. Surely, Allah will admit those who believe and do good deeds to Gardens (Paradise) underneath which rivers flow, wherein they will be made to wear bracelets of gold and pearls, and their garment therein will be silk. 24. And they were guided (in the world) to adopt gentle speech, and they were guided unto the path of Him Who is Praiseworthy. 25. Verily, those who disbelieve and hinder others from the way of Allah and from the Sacred Mosque (of Makkah) which We have made for mankind an equal place (of worship) whether they are dwellers therein or visitors. And whosoever seeks disbelief wrongfully, him We shall make to taste a painful torment. Lesson-200 : Pilgrimage and sacrifice 26. And (remember) when We showed to Abraham the site of the Sacred House (Kaabah at Makkah), saying: Ascribe you nothing as partner to Me and purify My House for those who make circumambulation around it and those who stand up (for prayer) and those who bow and make prostration. 27. And make a proclamation of Pilgrimage (Hajj) to mankind; they will come to you on foot and on every lean (or smart) camel, coming from remote hill-paths. 28. That they may witness things here that are of benefit to them and mention the name of Allah on appointed days (10 th to 13 th day of Dhul Hajja) over the cattle which He has provided to them. Then eat their meat themselves and feed therewith the poor having hard time. 29. Then let them complete prescribed acts (of cleanliness), and perform their vows, and go around the Ancient House (Kaabah). 30. This (is the prescribed duty of Hajj). And whoever honours the sacred things of Allah, it will be better for him in the sight of his Lord. And the cattle are lawful for you (to eat) except that which has been mentioned to you. So shun the filth of idols and shun false speech. 355
Surah-22 356 31. Be devoted to Allah alone, not associating partners to Him. And whoever associates partners to Allah, it is as if he had fallen from the sky, then the birds had snatched him or the wind had thrown him to a far-off place. 32. That is the commandment. And whosoever honours the symbols of Allah, then this (action) is truly from the piety of the hearts. 33. In them (the cattle dedicated for sacrifice) are benefits for you till an appointed time, then they are brought for sacrifice to the Ancient House. 34. And for every nation We have prescribed a way for sacrifice so that they may mention the name of Allah over the cattle that He has given them for food. And (remember that) your God is one God, so you must submit to Him alone. And give glad tidings (O Muhammad) to the humble ones. 35. Those whose hearts fear when Allah is mentioned, and who endure with patience whatever may befall them and who establish prayer and who spend out of that which We have given them. 36. And the camels, We have appointed them for you among the symbols of Allah, therein is much good for you. So mention the name of Allah over them when they are drawn up in lines. Then, when they fall down on their sides, eat thereof and feed the contented (who does not beg) and the beggar. Thus We have subjected these animals to you that you may give thanks (to Us). 37. Their meat and their blood does not reach Allah, but it is the piety from you which reaches Him. Thus has He made them subject to you, that you may magnify Allah for the guidance He has given you. And give glad tidings (O Muhammad) to those who do good. 38. Surely, Allah defends those who believe (against their enemies). Certainly Allah does not love anyone who is treacherous, ungrateful. 356
Surah-22 357 Lesson-201 : Sanction for war 39. Permission to fight is given to those (i.e. the believers) against whom war is being fought because they have been wronged; and surely Allah is Able to grant them victory. 40. Those (are the ones) who have been unjustly expelled from their homes only because they said: "Our Lord is Allah". And if Allah had not expelled some (group of) people by means of others, monasteries and churches and synagogues and mosques, wherein the name of Allah is often mentioned, would have been certainly demolished. And Allah surely helps him who helps Allah (in His cause). Verily, Allah is Strong, All-Mighty. 41. Those who, if We give them power in the land, establish prayer (Salat) and pay obligatory charity (Zakat) and enjoin good and forbid evil. And with Allah is the end of all matters. 42. If they deny you (O Muhammad), so were denied (Our messengers) before them by the people of Noah and Aad and Thamud; 43. And people of Abraham and people of Lot. 44. And dwellers of Madyan. And Moses was also denied. But I gave respite to all those disbelievers for a while, then I seized them; and how terrible was My punishment. 45. How many a township have We destroyed while it was wrong-doers, so that it lies in ruins with its fallen roofs, and abundant wells and deserted palaces. 46. Have they not traveled in the land, and have they hearts wherewith to understand and ears wherewith to hear? Certainly it is not the eyes that grow blind, but it is the hearts, which are in the breasts that become blind. 357
Surah-22 358 47. And they ask you to hasten the (promised) torment; and Allah fails not His promise. And verily, a day with your Lord is equal to a thousand years of what you calculate. 48. And there are many a township whom did I give respite though it was wrong-doer. Then (ultimately) I seized it, and unto Me is the return. 49. Say (O Muhammad): O mankind! I am only a plain warner (who has been sent) to you. 50. So those who believe and do good deeds, for them is forgiveness and a rich provision. 51. But those who strive against Our revelations to frustrate them, such are the dwellers of the flaming Fire. Lesson-202 : Prophets and Satan 52. Never have We sent a messenger or a prophet before you (O Muhammad) but when he desired, Satan threw some doubt in his desires. However, Allah abrogates that which Satan throws, then Allah confirms His revelations. And Allah is Knower, Wise. 53. That He may make what is thrown by Satan a trial for those in whose hearts there is a disease and whose hearts are hardened. And verily, the wrong-doers are in extreme opposition (to Allah and His messenger). 54. And that those who have been given knowledge may know that it is the truth from your Lord, so that they may believe therein and their hearts may humbly submit to it. And verily, Allah is the guide of those who believe unto a straight path. 55. And those who disbelieve will not cease to be in doubt about it until the Hour (of Doom) comes upon them suddenly or there comes to them the torment of the Disastrous Day. 56. The sovereignty on that Day will be that of Allah. He will judge between them. So those who believed and did good deeds will be in the Gardens of Delight (i.e. Paradise). 358
Surah-22 359 57. And those who disbelieved and denied Our revelations, they are such who will have a humiliating torment. 58. Those who migrated in the cause of Allah and afterwords they were killed or they died, Allah will certainly provide for them a good sustenance. And verily, it is Allah Who is the Best of all who provide sustenance. 59. Surely, He will make them enter a place (Paradise) with which they will be well pleased. And verily, Allah in Knower, Forbearing. 60. That is so. And he who retaliates with the like of that which he was made to suffer and then has again been wronged, Allah will certainly help him. Verily, Allah is Indulgent, Forgiving. 61. That is because Allah makes the night to pass into the day and He makes the day to pass into the night, and because Allah is Hearer, Seer. 62. That is because Allah is He Who is the Truth, and that which they invoke besides Him, it is the falsehood; and because Allah, He is the High, the Great. 63. Do you not see that Allah sends down water from the sky, so the earth becomes green? Verily, Allah is Subtile, Aware. 64. To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. And verily Allah, He is Self-sufficient, Praise worthy. 65. Do you not see that Allah has subjected to you all that is in the earth, and the ships that sail through the sea by His command? And He withholds the heavens that it may not fall down on the earth except by His permission. Verily, Allah is for mankind, Full of Pity, Merciful. 359
Surah-22 360 66. And He it is Who gave you life, then He will cause you to die, and then He will give you life again. Verily, man is indeed ungrateful. Lesson-203 : False gods and a fly 67. For every nation We have prescribed the rites of worship which they are to perform, so let them not dispute with you in the matter but you keep inviting them to your Lord. Verily, you indeed are on the right guidance. 68. And if they argue with you, say: Allah knows best what you do. 69. Allah will judge between you on the Day of Resurrection concerning the matter in which you differ. 70. Do you not know that Allah has knowledge of all that is in the heavens and the earth? Certainly all of this is written in the Book. Verily, it is easy for Allah. 71. And they worship besides Allah that for which He has revealed no sanction and of which they have no knowledge. And for wrongdoers there is no helper. 72. And when Our clear revelations are recited to them, you will notice a denial in the faces of those who disbelieve. They are nearly ready to assault those who recite Our revelations unto them. Say: Should I tell you of some thing worse than that? The fire! Allah has promised it to those who disbelieve. What an evil destination it will be? 73. O mankind! A similitude is coined, so listen to it attentively. Verily, those on whom you call besides Allah, can never create a fly though they combine together for it. And if a fly snatches away something from them, they cannot even get it back from her. How weak are (both) the seeker and the sought. 360
Surah-22 361 74. They do not pay Allah that respect which is due to Him. Truly Allah is Strong. All Mighty. 75. Allah chooses messengers from angels and from the human beings. Verily, Allah is Hearer, Seer. 76. He knows all that is before them and all that is behind them, and to Allah all matters return (for decision). 77. O you who believe! Bow down and make prostration and worship your Lord and do good so that you may attain success. 78. And strive in the way of Allah as you ought to strive. He has chosen you and has not laid upon you any hardship in the (matters of) religion. It is the religion of your father Abraham. He has named you Muslims before (i.e. in the previous Scriptures) and in this (Quran), that the messenger (Muhammad) may be a witness over you and you may be witnesses over mankind. So establish prayer (Salat) and give obligatory charity (Zakat) and hold fast to Allah. He is your Patron. What an excellent Patron and what an excellent Helper is He? 361