۞ يَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلْأَهِلَّةِ ۖ قُلْ هِىَ مَوَٰقِيتُ لِلنَّاسِ وَٱلْحَجِّ ۗ وَلَيْسَ ٱلْبِرُّ بِأَن تَأْتُوا۟ ٱلْبُيُوتَ مِن ظُهُورِهَا وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱلْبِرَّ مَنِ ٱتَّقَىٰ ۗ وَأْتُوا۟ ٱلْبُيُوتَ مِنْ أَبْوَٰبِهَا ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ 189
Translations
They ask you, [O Muḥammad], about the crescent moons. Say, "They are measurements of time for the people and for ḥajj [pilgrimage]." And it is not righteousness to enter houses from the back, but righteousness is [in] one who fears Allāh. And enter houses from their doors. And fear Allāh that you may succeed.
Transliteration
Yas'alunaka anil-ahillah. Qul hiya mawaqitu lin-nasi wal-hajj. Wa laysa al-birru bi-an ta'tu al-buyuta min zuhurihaa wa laakin al-birra mani ittaqaa. Wa'tu al-buyuta min abwabihaa wa ittaqullaha la'allakum tuflichun.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the wisdom behind the lunar months (ahillah) and their role as appointed times for people's worldly affairs and the pilgrimage. It then transitions to clarify that true virtue (birr) does not consist of entering houses from their rear (a pre-Islamic custom), but rather true piety comes from fearing Allah and following proper conduct. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi note that this ayah refutes an ignorant practice while establishing that piety is rooted in taqwa (God-consciousness).
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in Medina in response to questions from the Companions about the lunar phases and their significance. The second part addresses a pre-Islamic Arabian custom where people believed it was part of piety to enter houses from the back during certain occasions. The ayah corrects this misunderstanding while affirming the true foundation of piety.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Taqwa (piety) is here,' pointing to the heart, as narrated in Tirmidhi. Additionally, Bukhari records that the Prophet discouraged superstitious practices, emphasizing that proper conduct rooted in God-consciousness is the measure of virtue.
Themes
Key Lesson
True virtue is not found in blind adherence to cultural customs or outward appearances, but in sincere God-consciousness and proper obedience to Allah's guidance. Muslims should evaluate practices by their alignment with Islamic principles rather than tradition alone, ensuring that all actions—even the most mundane—are guided by taqwa and divine awareness.
Related Ayahs
كَيْفَ تَكْفُرُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَكُنتُمْ أَمْوَٰتًا فَأَحْيَـٰكُمْ ۖ ثُمَّ يُمِيتُكُمْ ثُمَّ يُحْيِيكُمْ ثُمَّ إِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ
How can you disbelieve in Allāh when you were lifeless and He brought you to life; then He will cause you to die, then He will bring you [back] to life, and then to Him you will be returned.
وَلَقَدْ أَنزَلْنَآ إِلَيْكَ ءَايَـٰتٍۭ بَيِّنَـٰتٍ ۖ وَمَا يَكْفُرُ بِهَآ إِلَّا ٱلْفَـٰسِقُونَ
And We have certainly revealed to you verses [which are] clear proofs, and no one would deny them except the defiantly disobedient.
أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ عَلَىٰ هُدًى مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ ۖ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ
Those are upon [right] guidance from their Lord, and it is those who are the successful.
ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ نَزَّلَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ بِٱلْحَقِّ ۗ وَإِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱخْتَلَفُوا۟ فِى ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ لَفِى شِقَاقٍۭ بَعِيدٍ
That is [deserved by them] because Allāh has sent down the Book in truth. And indeed, those who differ over the Book are in extreme dissension.