022 Al-Hajj

On the Day when you see it, every nursing mother will abandon her baby, and every pregnant woman will miscarry. You will see people as though they are drunk, while they are not drunk, but the punishment of Allah is severe.

There are some people who dispute concerning Allah without knowledge, and they follow every rebellious devil.

It has been decreed that whoever takes him as an ally, he will misguide him and lead him to the punishment of the Blazing Fire.

O people, if you are in doubt concerning the Resurrection, then We surely created you[1] from dust, then from a drop of sperm[2], then from a clot[3], then from a lump of flesh[4] – formed or unformed[5] – so that We may make it clear to you [Our power]. We settle in the wombs whatever We will for an appointed term. Then We bring you out as infants, then [We nurture you] so that you may reach your maturity. Then some of you die, while others are left to reach decrepit old age so that they may know nothing after having knowledge. You see the land lifeless, then as soon as We send down rain on it, it stirs and swells to life and brings forth every type of pleasant plant.

Translation notes: [1] i.e., Your father, Adam. [2] Nutfah: zygote, which is resulted from the union of male and female gametes (sperm and egg). [3] ‘Alaqah: a clinging clot, which resembles a leech. [4] Mudghah: a chewed piece of meat. [5] i.e., formed ending into a healthy embryo, or defective ending in miscarriage.

That is because Allah is the Truth; He alone gives life to the dead, and He is the Most Capable of all things.

The Hour is certainly coming; there is no doubt about it, and Allah will surely resurrect those who are in the graves.

There are some people who argue about Allah without knowledge, guidance or an enlightening scripture.

They turn their faces away [in arrogance] to lead people away from Allah’s way. For them there will be disgrace in this world, and on the Day of Resurrection We will make them taste the punishment of the burning fire.

“This is because of what your hands have sent forth, and Allah is not unjust to His slaves.”

There are some people who worship Allah on the edge [of faith][6]: if something good comes to them, they are content; but if they are afflicted with a trial, they turn back[7], thus losing both this world and the Hereafter. That is the evident loss.

Translation notes: [6] i.e., with uncertainty, hypocrisy, or heedlessness. [7] lit., they tumble on their faces, i.e., turn back to disbelief.

They invoke besides Allah what can neither harm nor benefit them. That is the farthest misguidance.

They invoke those whose harm is more likely than their benefit. What a terrible protector and what a terrible associate!

Allah will surely admit those who believe and do righteous deeds to gardens under which rivers flow. Allah surely does what He wills.

Whoever thinks that Allah will never help His Prophet in this world and the Hereafter, let him stretch out a rope to the ceiling and strangle himself, then let him see if his effort can remove what enrages him[8].

Translation notes: [8] i.e., Allah will never stop supporting His Prophet (ﷺ), no matter what the disbelievers do.

This is how We sent down this [Qur’an] as clear verses, and Allah guides whom He wills.

Indeed, those who believe, those who are Jews, the Sabians, the Christians, the Magians[9] and those who associate partners with Allah – Allah will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection; Allah is Witness over all things.

Translation notes: [9] i.e., Zoroastrians; fire-worshippers.

Do you not see that to Allah prostrate[10] all those who are in the heavens and all those on earth: the sun, the moon, the stars, the mountains, the trees, the moving creatures, and many humans? But there are many to whom the punishment has become due[11]. Whoever Allah disgraces, none can honor him. Allah surely does what He wills.

Translation notes: [10] i.e., all things submit to Allah's Will. [11] Because they did not submit to Allah's Will.

These are two opponents[12] who are in dispute about their Lord. As for the disbelievers, garments of Fire will be tailored for them, and scalding water will be poured over their heads,

Translation notes: [12] i.e., the believers and the disbelievers.

melting all that is in their bellies and their skins.

And for [striking] them there will be maces of iron.

Every time, in their anguish, they try to get out of it, they will be forced back into it, “Taste the burning punishment!”

Allah will surely admit those who believe and do righteous deeds to gardens under which rivers flow. They will be adorned with bracelets of gold and pearls, and their garments will be of silk.

They were guided to the best of words[13] and they were guided to the praiseworthy path[14].

Translation notes: [13] i.e., the testimony of faith, extolling and praising Allah. [14] i.e., Islam.

As for those who disbelieve and prevent people from Allah’s way and from the Sacred Mosque[15] – which We have made for all people, residents and visitors alike – and whoever intends to deviate therein[16] by evildoing, We will cause him to taste a painful punishment.

Translation notes: [15] In Makkah. [16] As the Sacred Mosque is unique, so mere intention of sin therein is sufficient to bring Allah's punishment.

And [remember] when We showed to Abraham the site of the House [Ka‘bah], “Do not associate anything with Me, and purify My House for those who circumambulate it, and those who stand up in prayer, and those who bow and prostrate.

And proclaim the pilgrimage to all people; they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel from every distant pathway,

so that they may attain benefits[17], and pronounce Allah’s name during the appointed days over the sacrificial animals[18] that He has provided for them; then eat from it and feed the desperately poor.

Translation notes: [17] Spiritual benefits such as getting rewards and forgiveness of sins, as well as worldly benefits such as witnessing the unity of Muslims, trading and etc. [18] An‘ām: such as camels, cattle, sheep and goats.

Then let them complete their rites, fulfill their vows, and circumambulate the Ancient House [Ka‘bah].”

Such [is the pilgrimage]; whoever honors the sacred rituals of Allah, it is best for him with his Lord. All sacrificial animals have been made lawful for you except what is recited to you[19]. So shun the impurity of idolatry and shun the words of falsehood.

Translation notes: [19] See 5:3.

Be exclusively devoted to Allah, associating no partners with Him. Whoever associates partners with Allah, it is as if he has fallen from the sky and has been snatched away by birds or swept away by the wind to a far-off place.

This is so. And whoever honors the rituals of Allah, it is from the piety of the hearts.

There are benefits for you in these [sacrificial animals] for an appointed term[20], then their place of sacrifice is near the Ancient House[21].

Translation notes: [20] Such as milking and riding them until the time of sacrifice. [21] i.e., within the precincts of the Haram, which includes Mina.

For every community We ordained rites of sacrifice[22] so that they may mention the name of Allah over the sacrificial animals that He has provided for them. Your God is One God, so submit to Him alone, and give glad tidings to the humble,

Translation notes: [22] Rites of sacrifice have always been part of Allah's religion.

those whose hearts are filled with awe when Allah is mentioned, and those who patiently endure whatever may befall them, and who establish prayer and spend out of what We have provided for them.

We have ordained the sacrificial camels [and cattle] among the rituals of Allah, in which there is much good for you. So mention the name of Allah over them when they are lined up, then when they fall down on their sides, eat of them and feed those [poor] who do not beg and those who do. Thus We have made them subservient to you, so that you may be grateful.

It is neither their flesh nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is your piety that reaches Him. This is how He has subjected them to you, so that you may proclaim Allah’s greatness for having guided you. And give glad tidings to those who do good.

Indeed, Allah defends those who believe, and Allah does not like every treacherous and ungrateful.

Permission [to fight] is given to those who are attacked[23] because they were oppressed, and Allah is indeed Most Capable of granting them victory,

Translation notes: [23] it is referring to the Prophet's Companions.

those who have been driven out of their homes for no reason other than they say, “Our Lord is Allah.” If Allah were not to repel some people by means of others, there would have been demolished monasteries, churches, synagogues and mosques wherein the name of Allah is often mentioned. Allah surely helps those who stand up for His cause. Indeed, Allah is All-Powerful, All-Mighty.

It is those who, if We give them power in the land, they establish prayer and give zakah, and enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong. And to Allah belongs the outcome of all matters.

If they reject you [O Prophet], the people of Noah, ‘Ād and Thamūd before them also rejected [their prophets],

as did the people of Abraham and the people of Lot,

and the people of Midian. And Moses was [also] rejected. But I gave respite to the disbelievers, then I seized them. How severe was My response!

How many towns We have destroyed for their persistent wrongdoing, leaving them in total ruin[24]; their wells abandoned and their lofty palaces deserted!

Translation notes: [24] Lit., "fallen upon its roofs," i.e., after the roofs of their buildings had caved in, the walls collapsed over them.

Have they not traveled through the land so that their hearts might understand and their ears might listen? It is not the eyes that turn blind, but it is the hearts within the breasts that turn blind.

They ask you to hasten the punishment, but Allah will not fail in His promise. A single day with your Lord is like one thousand years by your count.

How many towns did I give respite when they were wrongdoers, and then I seized them. And to Me is the final return.

Say, “O people, I am only sent to you as a clear warner.

Those who believe and do righteous deeds will have forgiveness and a generous provision.

But those who strive to discredit Our verses[25], they are the people of the Blazing Fire.”

Translation notes: [25] In order to defeat the Prophet (ﷺ).

We did not send any messenger or prophet before you except that when he recited, Satan would cast into it [some misunderstanding]. But Allah would abolish what Satan casts, then Allah would confirm His verses[26], for Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

Translation notes: [26] By clarifying those misunderstood issues, thus removing thereby any doubt.

[That is] so that He may make what Satan casts a trial for those [hypocrites] whose hearts are sick[27] and those [disbelievers] whose hearts are hardened, for indeed the wrongdoers are in extreme dissension.

Translation notes: [27] See footnote 2:10.

And so that those who were given knowledge may know that this [Qur’an] is the truth from your Lord, so they may believe in it and their hearts may become humbled to it. Allah surely guides those who believe to the straight path.

Yet the disbelievers will persist in doubt about it until the Hour comes upon them suddenly or there comes upon them the punishment of a barren Day[28].

Translation notes: [28] The Day of Resurrection is described here as ‘aqīm (barren), for it will terminate all forms of life on earth and no new day will be born thereafter.

The sovereignty on that Day belongs to Allah[29]; He will judge between them, then those who believed and did righteous deeds will be in the Gardens of Bliss.

Translation notes: [29] Allah gives authority to some of His slaves in this world, but in the Hereafter none will have any authority except Him.

But those who disbelieve and reject Our verses, for them there will be a humiliating punishment.

As for those who emigrate in the cause of Allah and are killed or died, Allah will surely give them a goodly provision. Indeed, Allah is the Best of Providers.

He will surely admit them to a place that they will be pleased with, and Allah is surely All-Knowing, Most Forbearing.

That is[30] so. Whoever retaliates against an aggressive act with its like and is wronged again, Allah will surely help him. Indeed, Allah is Ever-Pardoning, All-Forgiving[31].

Translation notes: [30] i.e., Allah's admitting of the Companions into Paradise. [31] In spite of His ability to take revenge, the verse contains a suggestion that the believers pardon and forgive as well.

That is[32] because it is Allah Who causes the night to merge into the day, and causes the day to merge into the night. And Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing.

Translation notes: [32] i.e., Allah's capability to give assistance or victory to the oppressed.

That is[33] because it is Allah Who is the Truth and whatever they invoke besides Him is falsehood, and it is Allah Who is the Most High, the Most Great.

Translation notes: [33] i.e., Allah's merging of the night into the day and the day into the night.

Do you not see that Allah sends down rain from the sky whereupon the earth becomes green? Indeed, Allah is Most Subtle, All-Aware[34].

Translation notes: [34] Of His creation and of the needs of His creatures.

To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth, and indeed it is Allah Who is the Self-Sufficient, the Praiseworthy.

Do you not see that Allah has subjected to you all that is on the earth and the ships that sail through the sea by His command? He holds the sky from falling down on the earth except by His permission. Indeed, Allah is Ever Gracious and Most Merciful to people.

It is He Who gave you life, then will cause you to die, then He will bring you back to life. Indeed, man is ever ungrateful.

For every community We ordained ways[35] of worship which they follow, so do not let them dispute with you [O Prophet] in this matter. But call them to your Lord, for you are indeed on the straight guidance.

Translation notes: [35] All prophets came with the same message of worshiping only One God, doing good and shunning evil; nonetheless, each faith-community had their own law.

And if they argue with you, say, “Allah knows best what you are doing.”

Allah will judge between you on the Day of Resurrection concerning that over which you used to differ.

Do you not know that Allah knows all that is in heaven and on earth? That is all [written] in a Record[36]. This is indeed easy for Allah.

Translation notes: [36] i.e., the Preserved Tablet (al-Lawh al-Mahfūz).

Yet they worship other than Allah that for which He has not sent down any authority, and of which they have no knowledge. The wrongdoers will have no helper.

When Our verses are recited to them clearly, you notice disgust on the faces of the disbelievers, as if they are about to attack those who recite Our verses to them. Say, “Shall I inform you of something worse than what you feel at present[37]? It is the Fire! Allah has promised it to those who disbelieve; what a terrible destination!

Translation notes: [37] i.e., worse than the rage you feel against the believers who recite Allah's verses or your threats against them.

O people, a similitude is set forth, so listen to it: those whom you invoke besides Allah can never create even a fly, even if they all come together for that. And if a fly snatches something away from them, they cannot retrieve it. How feeble is the invoker as well as the invoked[38]!

Translation notes: [38] i.e., How feeble are the seekers of the fly and how feeble is the fly!

They have not revered Allah the reverence He deserves[39]. Indeed, Allah is All-Powerful, All-Mighty.

Translation notes: [39] Because they worshiped others besides Him Almighty.

Allah chooses messengers from the angels and from mankind. Indeed, Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing.

He knows all that is ahead of them and all that is behind them[40], and to Allah returns all matters.

Translation notes: [40] Allah's knowledge encompasses every aspect of His creations in the past, present and future.

O you who believe, bow down and prostrate, worship Your Lord and do good, so that you may succeed.

Strive in the cause of Allah in a due manner. He has chosen you and has not imposed upon you any hardship in religion – the faith of your father Abraham. He named you as Muslims earlier and in this [Qur’an] so that the Messenger might be a witness over you and you might be witnesses over mankind. So establish prayer, give zakah, and hold fast to Allah, for He is your Protector; what an excellent Protector and an excellent Helper!