ٱلْحَجُّ أَشْهُرٌ مَّعْلُومَـٰتٌ ۚ فَمَن فَرَضَ فِيهِنَّ ٱلْحَجَّ فَلَا رَفَثَ وَلَا فُسُوقَ وَلَا جِدَالَ فِى ٱلْحَجِّ ۗ وَمَا تَفْعَلُوا۟ مِنْ خَيْرٍ يَعْلَمْهُ ٱللَّهُ ۗ وَتَزَوَّدُوا۟ فَإِنَّ خَيْرَ ٱلزَّادِ ٱلتَّقْوَىٰ ۚ وَٱتَّقُونِ يَـٰٓأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ 197
Translations
Ḥajj is [during] well-known months, so whoever has made ḥajj obligatory upon himself therein [by entering the state of iḥrām], there is [to be for him] no sexual relations and no disobedience and no disputing during ḥajj. And whatever good you do - Allāh knows it. And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is fear of Allāh. And fear Me, O you of understanding.
Transliteration
Al-hajju ashhurun ma'lumaat; faman faraza fihinna al-hajja fala rafatha wa la fusooqa wa la jidala fi al-hajj; wa ma taf'alu min khayrin ya'lamhu Allah; wa tazawwadu fa-inna khayra al-zadi al-taqwa; wa ittaqun ya ulul-albab
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes the months of Hajj (Shawwal, Dhul-Qi'dah, and the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah) and sets the spiritual and behavioral standards for pilgrims who have committed to performing Hajj. Those in the state of ihram must abstain from three categories of prohibited conduct: rafath (sexual relations and lustful talk), fusooq (disobedience and transgressions), and jidal (disputes and arguments). Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir emphasize that these prohibitions reflect the sanctity of the pilgrimage and purify the soul, culminating in the reminder that all good deeds are witnessed by Allah, and that taqwa (God-consciousness) is the greatest provision one can carry.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in Madinah during the second year of the Hijra, establishing the regulations for Hajj after it became obligatory. It comes within the context of Surah Al-Baqarah's discussion of fundamental Islamic practices and rules, addressing the Muslim community's need for clear guidance on pilgrimage conduct as the Ummah grew in the Islamic state.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (1773): Narrated Ibn Abbas - The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 'There is no Hajj for one who commits Rafath (sexual relations or obscenity) or Fusooq (disobedience) or Jidal (disputation) during Hajj.' Additionally, Jami' at-Tirmidhi reports the Prophet's instruction that pilgrims should maintain taqwa and avoid quarreling during the pilgrimage.
Themes
Key Lesson
Hajj is not merely a physical journey but a profound spiritual transformation requiring inner purification through God-consciousness and moral discipline. The ayah teaches that true provision for any endeavor—spiritual or material—is taqwa (piety), and that every action is witnessed by Allah, making sincere intention and righteous conduct the foundation of acceptable worship.
Related Ayahs
وَيَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلْمَحِيضِ ۖ قُلْ هُوَ أَذًى فَٱعْتَزِلُوا۟ ٱلنِّسَآءَ فِى ٱلْمَحِيضِ ۖ وَلَا تَقْرَبُوهُنَّ حَتَّىٰ يَطْهُرْنَ ۖ فَإِذَا تَطَهَّرْنَ فَأْتُوهُنَّ مِنْ حَيْثُ أَمَرَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلتَّوَّٰبِينَ وَيُحِبُّ ٱلْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ
And they ask you about menstruation. Say, "It is harm, so keep away from wives during menstruation. And do not approach them until they are pure. And when they have purified themselves, then come to them from where Allāh has ordained for you. Indeed, Allāh loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves."
زُيِّنَ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَيَسْخَرُونَ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ۘ وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوْا۟ فَوْقَهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَرْزُقُ مَن يَشَآءُ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ
Beautified for those who disbelieve is the life of this world, and they ridicule those who believe. But those who fear Allāh are above them on the Day of Resurrection. And Allāh gives provision to whom He wills without account.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ وَأَقَامُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَوُا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ لَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ
Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds and establish prayer and give zakāh will have their reward with their Lord, and there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.
مَثَلُهُمْ كَمَثَلِ ٱلَّذِى ٱسْتَوْقَدَ نَارًا فَلَمَّآ أَضَآءَتْ مَا حَوْلَهُۥ ذَهَبَ ٱللَّهُ بِنُورِهِمْ وَتَرَكَهُمْ فِى ظُلُمَـٰتٍ لَّا يُبْصِرُونَ
Their example is that of one who kindled a fire, but when it illuminated what was around him, Allāh took away their light and left them in darkness [so] they could not see.