وَأَذِّن فِى ٱلنَّاسِ بِٱلْحَجِّ يَأْتُوكَ رِجَالًا وَعَلَىٰ كُلِّ ضَامِرٍ يَأْتِينَ مِن كُلِّ فَجٍّ عَمِيقٍ 27
Translations
And proclaim to the people the ḥajj [pilgrimage]; they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every distant pass -
Transliteration
Wa-adhin fi al-nasi bi-al-hajji ya'tuka rijalan wa-ala kulli damirin ya'tina min kulli fajjin amiq
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah records Allah's command to Prophet Ibrahim to announce the pilgrimage (Hajj) to all people, and that they would come to him on foot and on every lean camel from every distant, rugged path. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as referring to Ibrahim's call to pilgrimage, which continues to echo through the ages—the subsequent performance of Hajj by millions fulfills this divine command. The 'lean camels' (damir) symbolize animals weakened by the arduous journey, emphasizing the immense effort and sacrifice pilgrims undertake to respond to this call.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Medinan Surah Al-Hajj and is part of the passage describing the establishment of the Hajj pilgrimage. It contextualizes Hajj as an ancient institution initiated by Prophet Ibrahim, connecting the early Islamic practice to the Abrahamic tradition and establishing its spiritual and historical significance.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari 1597: 'Aisha asked the Prophet, 'O Messenger of Allah, is Hajj obligatory?' He replied, 'Yes, it is obligatory for everyone who has the means.' Also, Muslim 1218: The Prophet said, 'Whoever performs Hajj for Allah's pleasure and does not utter obscene words or commit sin during Hajj, he returns as pure and sinless as a newborn child.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that Hajj is not merely a ritual but a profound spiritual call that transcends time and geography, uniting believers across centuries in response to Allah's command. The imagery of people traveling from distant lands emphasizes that true devotion requires effort, sacrifice, and commitment to answering Allah's call, regardless of the hardship involved.
Related Ayahs
وَٱلَّذِينَ هَاجَرُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ثُمَّ قُتِلُوٓا۟ أَوْ مَاتُوا۟ لَيَرْزُقَنَّهُمُ ٱللَّهُ رِزْقًا حَسَنًا ۚ وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَهُوَ خَيْرُ ٱلرَّٰزِقِينَ
And those who emigrated for the cause of Allāh and then were killed or died - Allāh will surely provide for them a good provision. And indeed, it is Allāh who is the best of providers.
وَلِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ جَعَلْنَا مَنسَكًا لِّيَذْكُرُوا۟ ٱسْمَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَىٰ مَا رَزَقَهُم مِّنۢ بَهِيمَةِ ٱلْأَنْعَـٰمِ ۗ فَإِلَـٰهُكُمْ إِلَـٰهٌ وَٰحِدٌ فَلَهُۥٓ أَسْلِمُوا۟ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلْمُخْبِتِينَ
And for every [religious] community We have appointed a rite [of sacrifice] that they may mention the name of Allāh over what He has provided for them of [sacrificial] animals. For your god is one God, so to Him submit. And, [O Muḥammad], give good tidings to the humble [before their Lord]
ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ ٱللَّهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ عَلَىٰ مَآ أَصَابَهُمْ وَٱلْمُقِيمِى ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَـٰهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ
Who, when Allāh is mentioned, their hearts are fearful, and [to] the patient over what has afflicted them, and the establishers of prayer and those who spend from what We have provided them.
وَلَهُم مَّقَـٰمِعُ مِنْ حَدِيدٍ
And for [striking] them are maces of iron.