وَإِذْ بَوَّأْنَا لِإِبْرَٰهِيمَ مَكَانَ ٱلْبَيْتِ أَن لَّا تُشْرِكْ بِى شَيْـًٔا وَطَهِّرْ بَيْتِىَ لِلطَّآئِفِينَ وَٱلْقَآئِمِينَ وَٱلرُّكَّعِ ٱلسُّجُودِ 26
Translations
And [mention, O Muḥammad], when We designated for Abraham the site of the House, [saying], "Do not associate anything with Me and purify My House for those who perform ṭawāf and those who stand [in prayer] and those who bow and prostrate.
Transliteration
Wa-idh bawwa'na li-Ibrahim makana al-bayti an la tushrик bi-ya shay'an wa-tahhir bayti li-al-ta'ifin wa-al-qa'imin wa-al-rukka' al-sujud
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how Allah established the location of the Ka'bah for Prophet Ibrahim and commanded him to keep it free from polytheism and to purify it for those who circumambulate it, stand in prayer, bow, and prostrate. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this verse establishes the Ka'bah as a sanctuary dedicated exclusively to the worship of Allah alone, with Ibrahim entrusted as the builder and custodian of this sacred House. The purification mentioned encompasses both physical cleanliness and spiritual purity from shirk (associating partners with Allah).
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Hajj (a Medinan surah) and appears within a passage discussing the virtues and sanctity of the Ka'bah and the pilgrimage. It recalls the historical moment when Allah commanded Ibrahim to construct the House of Allah and establish the rites of Hajj, connecting the ancient prophetic legacy to the religious obligations of the Muslim community.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said regarding the Ka'bah: 'Verily, this House is the House of Allah' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi). Additionally, Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet forbade certain acts inside the Ka'bah to maintain its sanctity and purity (Sahih Bukhari).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that places of worship must be preserved with utmost sanctity and dedication to Allah alone, free from any form of shirk, and that both physical and spiritual purity are essential in approaching the Divine. For modern readers, it emphasizes that sincere devotion requires complete commitment to monotheism and conscious purification of the heart and actions.
Related Ayahs
۞ ذَٰلِكَ وَمَنْ عَاقَبَ بِمِثْلِ مَا عُوقِبَ بِهِۦ ثُمَّ بُغِىَ عَلَيْهِ لَيَنصُرَنَّهُ ٱللَّهُ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَعَفُوٌّ غَفُورٌ
That [is so]. And whoever responds [to injustice] with the equivalent of that with which he was harmed and then is tyrannized - Allāh will surely aid him. Indeed, Allāh is Pardoning and Forgiving.
وَٱلْبُدْنَ جَعَلْنَـٰهَا لَكُم مِّن شَعَـٰٓئِرِ ٱللَّهِ لَكُمْ فِيهَا خَيْرٌ ۖ فَٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱسْمَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْهَا صَوَآفَّ ۖ فَإِذَا وَجَبَتْ جُنُوبُهَا فَكُلُوا۟ مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا۟ ٱلْقَانِعَ وَٱلْمُعْتَرَّ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ سَخَّرْنَـٰهَا لَكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
And the camels and cattle We have appointed for you as among the symbols [i.e., rites] of Allāh; for you therein is good. So mention the name of Allāh upon them when lined up [for sacrifice]; and when they are [lifeless] on their sides, then eat from them and feed the needy [who does not seek aid] and the beggar. Thus have We subjected them to you that you may be grateful.
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُدْخِلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ جَنَّـٰتٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ يُحَلَّوْنَ فِيهَا مِنْ أَسَاوِرَ مِن ذَهَبٍ وَلُؤْلُؤًا ۖ وَلِبَاسُهُمْ فِيهَا حَرِيرٌ
Indeed, Allāh will admit those who believe and do righteous deeds to gardens beneath which rivers flow. They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and pearl, and their garments therein will be silk.
ذَٰلِكَ بِمَا قَدَّمَتْ يَدَاكَ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَيْسَ بِظَلَّـٰمٍ لِّلْعَبِيدِ
"That is for what your hands have put forth and because Allāh is not ever unjust to [His] servants."