۞ 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
أُحِلَّ لَكُمْ صَيْدُ ٱلْبَحْرِ وَطَعَامُهُۥ مَتَـٰعًا لَّكُمْ وَلِلسَّيَّارَةِ ۖ وَحُرِّمَ عَلَيْكُمْ صَيْدُ ٱلْبَرِّ مَا دُمْتُمْ حُرُمًا ۗ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِىٓ إِلَيْهِ تُحْشَرُونَ
Lawful to you is game from the sea and its food as provision for you and the travelers, but forbidden to you is game from the land as long as you are in the state of iḥrām. And fear Allāh to whom you will be gathered.
وَلَوْ كَانُوا۟ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلنَّبِىِّ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِ مَا ٱتَّخَذُوهُمْ أَوْلِيَآءَ وَلَـٰكِنَّ كَثِيرًا مِّنْهُمْ فَـٰسِقُونَ
And if they had believed in Allāh and the Prophet and in what was revealed to him, they would not have taken them as allies; but many of them are defiantly disobedient.
وَمَن يَتَوَلَّ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ فَإِنَّ حِزْبَ ٱللَّهِ هُمُ ٱلْغَـٰلِبُونَ
And whoever is an ally of Allāh and His Messenger and those who have believed - indeed, the party of Allāh - they will be the predominant.
وَإِذَا جَآءُوكُمْ قَالُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا وَقَد دَّخَلُوا۟ بِٱلْكُفْرِ وَهُمْ قَدْ خَرَجُوا۟ بِهِۦ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَكْتُمُونَ
And when they come to you, they say, "We believe." But they have entered with disbelief [in their hearts], and they have certainly left with it. And Allāh is most knowing of what they were concealing.