لَكُمْ فِيهَا مَنَـٰفِعُ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى ثُمَّ مَحِلُّهَآ إِلَى ٱلْبَيْتِ ٱلْعَتِيقِ 33
Translations
For you therein [i.e., the animals marked for sacrifice] are benefits for a specified term; then their place of sacrifice is at the ancient House.
Transliteration
Lakum fihā manāfi'u ilā ajalin musammān thumma maḥilluhā ilā al-bayti al-'atīq
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the sacrificial animals (hadī) designated for the pilgrimage, stating that they provide benefits to the pilgrims for a specified period until they reach the Sacred House (Ka'bah) for slaughter. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi explain that the 'benefits' include riding, milk, and wool from these animals during the journey, after which they must be offered as sacrifice at the appointed time. The phrase 'the Ancient House' (al-bayti al-'atīq) refers to the Ka'bah, emphasizing that the final destination and purpose of these animals is their consecration and sacrifice in fulfillment of the pilgrimage rites.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within Surah Al-Hajj's detailed discussion of the pilgrimage obligations and the sacrificial animals designated for Hajj (Qurbānī). It was revealed in Medina during the period when the rules of Hajj were being established for the Muslim community, providing specific guidance on the treatment and ultimate purpose of sacrificial animals in the Hajj ritual.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (1713) and Sahih Muslim (1318) record that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said regarding sacrificial animals: 'The best of sacrifices are the fattest and most valuable,' emphasizing the importance of offering the best animals. Additionally, Jami' at-Tirmidhi (1497) relates that pilgrims were permitted to ride and use the milk of sacrificial animals during the Hajj journey until they reached Mina.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that Allah permits the use of worldly resources and blessings for our legitimate needs, but ultimately all such blessings are directed toward divine worship and remembrance. For modern believers, it reminds us that temporary worldly benefits should never eclipse our primary purpose of drawing closer to Allah and fulfilling our religious obligations with sincerity and complete submission.
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.
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُدْخِلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ جَنَّـٰتٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَفْعَلُ مَا يُرِيدُ
Indeed, Allāh will admit those who believe and do righteous deeds to gardens beneath which rivers flow. Indeed, Allāh does what He intends.
وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ ءَايَـٰتٍۭ بَيِّنَـٰتٍ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَهْدِى مَن يُرِيدُ
And thus have We sent it [i.e., the Qur’ān] down as verses of clear evidence and because Allāh guides whom He intends.
أُذِنَ لِلَّذِينَ يُقَـٰتَلُونَ بِأَنَّهُمْ ظُلِمُوا۟ ۚ وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ نَصْرِهِمْ لَقَدِيرٌ
Permission [to fight] has been given to those who are being fought, because they were wronged. And indeed, Allāh is competent to give them victory.