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
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.
وَإِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَـٰتُنَا بَيِّنَـٰتٍ تَعْرِفُ فِى وُجُوهِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ ٱلْمُنكَرَ ۖ يَكَادُونَ يَسْطُونَ بِٱلَّذِينَ يَتْلُونَ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَـٰتِنَا ۗ قُلْ أَفَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِشَرٍّ مِّن ذَٰلِكُمُ ۗ ٱلنَّارُ وَعَدَهَا ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ ۖ وَبِئْسَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ
And when Our verses are recited to them as clear evidences, you recognize in the faces of those who disbelieve disapproval. They are almost on the verge of assaulting those who recite to them Our verses. Say, "Then shall I inform you of [what is] worse than that? [It is] the Fire which Allāh has promised those who disbelieve, and wretched is the destination."
وَيَسْتَعْجِلُونَكَ بِٱلْعَذَابِ وَلَن يُخْلِفَ ٱللَّهُ وَعْدَهُۥ ۚ وَإِنَّ يَوْمًا عِندَ رَبِّكَ كَأَلْفِ سَنَةٍ مِّمَّا تَعُدُّونَ
And they urge you to hasten the punishment. But Allāh will never fail in His promise. And indeed, a day with your Lord is like a thousand years of those which you count.
۞ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُدَٰفِعُ عَنِ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ خَوَّانٍ كَفُورٍ
Indeed, Allāh defends those who have believed. Indeed, Allāh does not like everyone treacherous and ungrateful.