۞ 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
لَّقَدْ كَفَرَ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ثَالِثُ ثَلَـٰثَةٍ ۘ وَمَا مِنْ إِلَـٰهٍ إِلَّآ إِلَـٰهٌ وَٰحِدٌ ۚ وَإِن لَّمْ يَنتَهُوا۟ عَمَّا يَقُولُونَ لَيَمَسَّنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِنْهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
They have certainly disbelieved who say, "Allāh is the third of three." And there is no god except one God. And if they do not desist from what they are saying, there will surely afflict the disbelievers among them a painful punishment.
يَهْدِى بِهِ ٱللَّهُ مَنِ ٱتَّبَعَ رِضْوَٰنَهُۥ سُبُلَ ٱلسَّلَـٰمِ وَيُخْرِجُهُم مِّنَ ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتِ إِلَى ٱلنُّورِ بِإِذْنِهِۦ وَيَهْدِيهِمْ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ
By which Allāh guides those who pursue His pleasure to the ways of peace and brings them out from darknesses into the light, by His permission, and guides them to a straight path.
ذَٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰٓ أَن يَأْتُوا۟ بِٱلشَّهَـٰدَةِ عَلَىٰ وَجْهِهَآ أَوْ يَخَافُوٓا۟ أَن تُرَدَّ أَيْمَـٰنٌۢ بَعْدَ أَيْمَـٰنِهِمْ ۗ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱسْمَعُوا۟ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلْفَـٰسِقِينَ
That is more likely that they will give testimony according to its [true] objective, or [at least] they would fear that [other] oaths might be taken after their oaths. And fear Allāh and listen [i.e., obey Him]; and Allāh does not guide the defiantly disobedient people.
وَلْيَحْكُمْ أَهْلُ ٱلْإِنجِيلِ بِمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ فِيهِ ۚ وَمَن لَّمْ يَحْكُم بِمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْفَـٰسِقُونَ
And let the People of the Gospel judge by what Allāh has revealed therein. And whoever does not judge by what Allāh has revealed - then it is those who are the defiantly disobedient.