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
وَإِذْ بَوَّأْنَا لِإِبْرَٰهِيمَ مَكَانَ ٱلْبَيْتِ أَن لَّا تُشْرِكْ بِى شَيْـًٔا وَطَهِّرْ بَيْتِىَ لِلطَّآئِفِينَ وَٱلْقَآئِمِينَ وَٱلرُّكَّعِ ٱلسُّجُودِ
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.
ٱلَّذِينَ أُخْرِجُوا۟ مِن دِيَـٰرِهِم بِغَيْرِ حَقٍّ إِلَّآ أَن يَقُولُوا۟ رَبُّنَا ٱللَّهُ ۗ وَلَوْلَا دَفْعُ ٱللَّهِ ٱلنَّاسَ بَعْضَهُم بِبَعْضٍ لَّهُدِّمَتْ صَوَٰمِعُ وَبِيَعٌ وَصَلَوَٰتٌ وَمَسَـٰجِدُ يُذْكَرُ فِيهَا ٱسْمُ ٱللَّهِ كَثِيرًا ۗ وَلَيَنصُرَنَّ ٱللَّهُ مَن يَنصُرُهُۥٓ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَقَوِىٌّ عَزِيزٌ
[They are] those who have been evicted from their homes without right - only because they say, "Our Lord is Allāh." And were it not that Allāh checks the people, some by means of others, there would have been demolished monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques in which the name of Allāh is much mentioned [i.e., praised]. And Allāh will surely support those who support Him [i.e., His cause]. Indeed, Allāh is Powerful and Exalted in Might.
أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَخَّرَ لَكُم مَّا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱلْفُلْكَ تَجْرِى فِى ٱلْبَحْرِ بِأَمْرِهِۦ وَيُمْسِكُ ٱلسَّمَآءَ أَن تَقَعَ عَلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِۦٓ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِٱلنَّاسِ لَرَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ
Do you not see that Allāh has subjected to you whatever is on the earth and the ships which run through the sea by His command? And He restrains the sky from falling upon the earth, unless by His permission. Indeed Allāh, to the people, is Kind and Merciful.
مَا قَدَرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِۦٓ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَقَوِىٌّ عَزِيزٌ
They have not appraised Allāh with true appraisal. Indeed, Allāh is Powerful and Exalted in Might.