۞ جَعَلَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْكَعْبَةَ ٱلْبَيْتَ ٱلْحَرَامَ قِيَـٰمًا لِّلنَّاسِ وَٱلشَّهْرَ ٱلْحَرَامَ وَٱلْهَدْىَ وَٱلْقَلَـٰٓئِدَ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ لِتَعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمٌ 97
Translations
Allāh has made the Kaʿbah, the Sacred House, standing for the people and [has sanctified] the sacred months and the sacrificial animals and the garlands [by which they are identified]. That is so you may know that Allāh knows what is in the heavens and what is in the earth and that Allāh is Knowing of all things.
Transliteration
Ja'ala Allahu al-Ka'bata al-Bayta al-Harāma qiyāman li-n-nāsi wa-sh-shahara al-harāma wa-al-hadya wa-al-qalā'ida. Dhālika li-ta'lamū anna Allāha ya'lamu mā fī as-samāwāti wa-mā fī al-ardi wa-anna Allāha bi-kulli shay'in 'alīm.
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah has established the Ka'bah (the Sacred House) as a standing institution for mankind, along with the sacred months, the sacrificial animals, and the garlands that mark them. This establishment serves as a sign that Allah's knowledge encompasses all that exists in the heavens and earth, demonstrating His complete and absolute wisdom. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that these sanctified symbols (al-sha'ā'ir) are means by which people recognize Allah's divine authority and the order He has established for human conduct and worship.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Ma'idah (revealed in the Medinan period) and contextually follows verses establishing laws about hunting and sacred rites. It addresses the broader theme of the hajj pilgrimage and the sanctity of the Sacred House and months, which were ordained since the time of Prophet Ibrahim. The ayah emphasizes that these institutions are not arbitrary but serve a profound purpose in reminding humanity of Allah's omniscience and supreme authority.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'Verily, the Sacred House (Ka'bah), the sacred month, and the sacred rites are all sacrosanct.' (Sunan An-Nasa'i) Additionally, in Sahih Muslim, the Prophet emphasized the sanctity of the sacred months in his farewell sermon, noting that time had been restored to its original form as it was at creation.
Themes
Key Lesson
The establishment of sacred symbols and times by Allah serves as a constant reminder that all aspects of existence are governed by divine wisdom and purpose. By honoring these sanctified institutions, believers demonstrate their recognition of Allah's supreme knowledge and their commitment to living according to the divine order He has established for humanity.
Related Ayahs
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَقْتُلُوا۟ ٱلصَّيْدَ وَأَنتُمْ حُرُمٌ ۚ وَمَن قَتَلَهُۥ مِنكُم مُّتَعَمِّدًا فَجَزَآءٌ مِّثْلُ مَا قَتَلَ مِنَ ٱلنَّعَمِ يَحْكُمُ بِهِۦ ذَوَا عَدْلٍ مِّنكُمْ هَدْيًۢا بَـٰلِغَ ٱلْكَعْبَةِ أَوْ كَفَّـٰرَةٌ طَعَامُ مَسَـٰكِينَ أَوْ عَدْلُ ذَٰلِكَ صِيَامًا لِّيَذُوقَ وَبَالَ أَمْرِهِۦ ۗ عَفَا ٱللَّهُ عَمَّا سَلَفَ ۚ وَمَنْ عَادَ فَيَنتَقِمُ ٱللَّهُ مِنْهُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَزِيزٌ ذُو ٱنتِقَامٍ
O you who have believed, do not kill game while you are in the state of iḥrām. And whoever of you kills it intentionally - the penalty is an equivalent from sacrificial animals to what he killed, as judged by two just men among you as an offering [to Allāh] delivered to the Kaʿbah, or an expiation: the feeding of needy people or the equivalent of that in fasting, that he may taste the consequence of his matter [i.e., deed]. Allāh has pardoned what is past; but whoever returns [to violation], then Allāh will take retribution from him. And Allāh is Exalted in Might and Owner of Retribution.
مَّا عَلَى ٱلرَّسُولِ إِلَّا ٱلْبَلَـٰغُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تُبْدُونَ وَمَا تَكْتُمُونَ
Not upon the Messenger is [responsibility] except [for] notification. And Allāh knows whatever you reveal and whatever you conceal.
قُلْ أَتَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا يَمْلِكُ لَكُمْ ضَرًّا وَلَا نَفْعًا ۚ وَٱللَّهُ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ
Say, "Do you worship besides Allāh that which holds for you no [power of] harm or benefit while it is Allāh who is the Hearing, the Knowing?"
قَالُوا۟ نُرِيدُ أَن نَّأْكُلَ مِنْهَا وَتَطْمَئِنَّ قُلُوبُنَا وَنَعْلَمَ أَن قَدْ صَدَقْتَنَا وَنَكُونَ عَلَيْهَا مِنَ ٱلشَّـٰهِدِينَ
They said, "We wish to eat from it and let our hearts be reassured and know that you have been truthful to us and be among its witnesses."