ثُمَّ أَفِيضُوا۟ مِنْ حَيْثُ أَفَاضَ ٱلنَّاسُ وَٱسْتَغْفِرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ 199
Translations
Then depart from the place from where [all] the people depart and ask forgiveness of Allāh. Indeed, Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.
Transliteration
Thumma afeedu min haysu afada al-nasu wasta-ghfiru Allah. Inna Allah ghafurun raheem.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the pilgrims to depart from Arafat and proceed to Muzdalifah, following the example set by the people (referring to the righteous predecessors and the Prophet's practice). The instruction to seek forgiveness emphasizes that the Hajj is a spiritual journey requiring repentance and humility before Allah. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note that this verse establishes the Sunnah of following the Prophet's guidance in the ritual while maintaining consciousness of Allah's mercy and forgiveness throughout the pilgrimage.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the Hajj legislation in Surah Al-Baqarah, revealed in Madinah. It addresses a pre-Islamic practice where some tribes would not depart from Arafat with others, considering it beneath them. The verse corrects this custom by enjoining all pilgrims to follow the established practice while seeking Allah's forgiveness, thus establishing uniformity and spiritual humility in the hajj ritual.
Related Hadiths
Jabir ibn Abdullah reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said during his farewell pilgrimage: 'Learn your hajj rites from me' (Sahih Muslim). Also relevant is the hadith about the Prophet's action at Arafat and Muzdalifah, establishing the Sunnah of ifadah (flowing/departing together) mentioned in various collections including Sunan Abu Dawud.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that true worship combines outward obedience to divine commands with sincere inner repentance and humility. In our modern context, it teaches that following established spiritual practices while maintaining consciousness of Allah's mercy creates both communal unity and personal spiritual transformation.
Related Ayahs
وَٱتَّقُوا۟ يَوْمًا لَّا تَجْزِى نَفْسٌ عَن نَّفْسٍ شَيْـًٔا وَلَا يُقْبَلُ مِنْهَا عَدْلٌ وَلَا تَنفَعُهَا شَفَـٰعَةٌ وَلَا هُمْ يُنصَرُونَ
And fear a Day when no soul will suffice for another soul at all, and no compensation will be accepted from it, nor will any intercession benefit it, nor will they be aided.
لَآ إِكْرَاهَ فِى ٱلدِّينِ ۖ قَد تَّبَيَّنَ ٱلرُّشْدُ مِنَ ٱلْغَىِّ ۚ فَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِٱلطَّـٰغُوتِ وَيُؤْمِنۢ بِٱللَّهِ فَقَدِ ٱسْتَمْسَكَ بِٱلْعُرْوَةِ ٱلْوُثْقَىٰ لَا ٱنفِصَامَ لَهَا ۗ وَٱللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion. The right course has become distinct from the wrong. So whoever disbelieves in ṭāghūt and believes in Allāh has grasped the most trustworthy handhold with no break in it. And Allāh is Hearing and Knowing.
وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ لَوْلَا يُكَلِّمُنَا ٱللَّهُ أَوْ تَأْتِينَآ ءَايَةٌ ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِم مِّثْلَ قَوْلِهِمْ ۘ تَشَـٰبَهَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ ۗ قَدْ بَيَّنَّا ٱلْـَٔايَـٰتِ لِقَوْمٍ يُوقِنُونَ
Those who do not know say, "Why does Allāh not speak to us or there come to us a sign?" Thus spoke those before them like their words. Their hearts resemble each other. We have shown clearly the signs to a people who are certain [in faith].
ٱلَّذِينَ ءَاتَيْنَـٰهُمُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ يَتْلُونَهُۥ حَقَّ تِلَاوَتِهِۦٓ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِۦ ۗ وَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِهِۦ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْخَـٰسِرُونَ
Those to whom We have given the Book recite it with its true recital. They [are the ones who] believe in it. And whoever disbelieves in it - it is they who are the losers.