ثُمَّ لْيَقْضُوا۟ تَفَثَهُمْ وَلْيُوفُوا۟ نُذُورَهُمْ وَلْيَطَّوَّفُوا۟ بِٱلْبَيْتِ ٱلْعَتِيقِ 29
Translations
Then let them end their untidiness and fulfill their vows and perform ṭawāf around the ancient House."
Transliteration
Thumma liyaqḍū tafathahum wa-liyūfū nuzūrahum wa-liyaṭṭawwafū bil-bayti al-'atīq
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands pilgrims to complete their state of ihram by removing its restrictions (tafath), fulfill their vows made to Allah, and perform tawaf (circumambulation) around the ancient House of Allah (the Ka'bah). Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir explain that tafath refers to grooming and removing ihram after completing the major rites, which represents the final stages of the Hajj pilgrimage where one returns to normal life while maintaining spiritual consciousness.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Hajj (revealed in Medina) and appears in the section detailing the rituals and obligations of Hajj. It comes after verses describing the benefits and purposes of pilgrimage, providing specific instructions for pilgrims during the final phases of their sacred journey.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari 1843: Narrated 'Aisha - The Prophet (ﷺ) performed Tawaf around the Ka'bah and the Safa and Marwa as the last thing he did at Mecca. Also relevant: The hadith in Sahih Muslim regarding the Prophet's final tawaf (Tawaf al-Wada') before departing Mecca.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds pilgrims that Hajj is not merely external rituals but a comprehensive spiritual journey that concludes with intentional recommitment to one's vows with Allah. For modern believers, it teaches that fulfilling promises made to Allah and maintaining consciousness of Him extends beyond the pilgrimage into everyday life.
Related Ayahs
مَن كَانَ يَظُنُّ أَن لَّن يَنصُرَهُ ٱللَّهُ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ فَلْيَمْدُدْ بِسَبَبٍ إِلَى ٱلسَّمَآءِ ثُمَّ لْيَقْطَعْ فَلْيَنظُرْ هَلْ يُذْهِبَنَّ كَيْدُهُۥ مَا يَغِيظُ
Whoever should think that Allāh will not support him [i.e., Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ)] in this world and the Hereafter - let him extend a rope to the ceiling, then cut off [his breath], and let him see: will his effort remove that which enrages [him]?
لِّكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ جَعَلْنَا مَنسَكًا هُمْ نَاسِكُوهُ ۖ فَلَا يُنَـٰزِعُنَّكَ فِى ٱلْأَمْرِ ۚ وَٱدْعُ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ ۖ إِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ هُدًى مُّسْتَقِيمٍ
For every [religious] community We have appointed rites which they perform. So, [O Muḥammad], let them [i.e., the disbelievers] not contend with you over the matter but invite [them] to your Lord. Indeed, you are upon straight guidance.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَٱلَّذِينَ هَادُوا۟ وَٱلصَّـٰبِـِٔينَ وَٱلنَّصَـٰرَىٰ وَٱلْمَجُوسَ وَٱلَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُوٓا۟ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَفْصِلُ بَيْنَهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ شَهِيدٌ
Indeed, those who have believed and those who were Jews and the Sabeans and the Christians and the Magians and those who associated with Allāh - Allāh will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection. Indeed Allāh is, over all things, Witness.
ثَانِىَ عِطْفِهِۦ لِيُضِلَّ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ لَهُۥ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا خِزْىٌ ۖ وَنُذِيقُهُۥ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ عَذَابَ ٱلْحَرِيقِ
Twisting his neck [in arrogance] to mislead [people] from the way of Allāh. For him in the world is disgrace, and We will make him taste on the Day of Resurrection the punishment of the Burning Fire [while it is said],