۞ 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
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.
قَالَ رَجُلَانِ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَخَافُونَ أَنْعَمَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمَا ٱدْخُلُوا۟ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْبَابَ فَإِذَا دَخَلْتُمُوهُ فَإِنَّكُمْ غَـٰلِبُونَ ۚ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَتَوَكَّلُوٓا۟ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
Said two men from those who feared [to disobey] upon whom Allāh had bestowed favor, "Enter upon them through the gate, for when you have entered it, you will be predominant. And upon Allāh rely, if you should be believers."
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ شَهَـٰدَةُ بَيْنِكُمْ إِذَا حَضَرَ أَحَدَكُمُ ٱلْمَوْتُ حِينَ ٱلْوَصِيَّةِ ٱثْنَانِ ذَوَا عَدْلٍ مِّنكُمْ أَوْ ءَاخَرَانِ مِنْ غَيْرِكُمْ إِنْ أَنتُمْ ضَرَبْتُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَأَصَـٰبَتْكُم مُّصِيبَةُ ٱلْمَوْتِ ۚ تَحْبِسُونَهُمَا مِنۢ بَعْدِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ فَيُقْسِمَانِ بِٱللَّهِ إِنِ ٱرْتَبْتُمْ لَا نَشْتَرِى بِهِۦ ثَمَنًا وَلَوْ كَانَ ذَا قُرْبَىٰ ۙ وَلَا نَكْتُمُ شَهَـٰدَةَ ٱللَّهِ إِنَّآ إِذًا لَّمِنَ ٱلْـَٔاثِمِينَ
O you who have believed, testimony [should be taken] among you when death approaches one of you at the time of bequest - [that of] two just men from among you or two others from outside if you are traveling through the land and the disaster of death should strike you. Detain them after the prayer and let them both swear by Allāh if you doubt [their testimony, saying], "We will not exchange it [i.e., our oath] for a price [i.e., worldly gain], even if he should be a near relative, and we will not withhold the testimony of [i.e., ordained by] Allāh. Indeed, we would then be of the sinful."
وَٱذْكُرُوا۟ نِعْمَةَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَمِيثَـٰقَهُ ٱلَّذِى وَاثَقَكُم بِهِۦٓ إِذْ قُلْتُمْ سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا ۖ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ
And remember the favor of Allāh upon you and His covenant with which He bound you when you said, "We hear and we obey"; and fear Allāh. Indeed, Allāh is Knowing of that within the breasts.