I seek refuge in God from Satan the rejected
[2:125] We have rendered the shrine (the Ka`aba) a focal point for the people, and a safe sanctuary. You may use Abraham's shrine as a prayer house. We commissioned Abraham and Ismail: "You shall purify My house for those who visit, those who live there, and those who bow and prostrate."
(sub-title) Hajj Pilgrimage
[2:158] The knolls of Safa and Marwah are among the rites decreed by GOD. Anyone who observes Hajj or `Umrah commits no error by traversing the distance between them. If one volunteers more righteous works, then GOD is Appreciative, Omniscient.
[2:189] They ask you about the phases of the moon! Say, "They provide a timing
device for the people, and determine the time of Hajj." It is not righteous
to beat around the bush;* righteousness is attained by upholding the commandments
and by being straightforward. You shall observe GOD, that you may succeed.
Footnote: *2:189 The literal Quranic idiom says: "Do not enter the homes
through the back doors." The question about the phases of the moon is an
example of beating around the bush; there were bad ulterior motives behind this
question.
[2:196] You shall observe the complete rites of Hajj and`Umrah for GOD. If you
are prevented, you shall send an offering, and do not resume cutting your hair
until your offering has reached its destination. If you are ill, or suffering
a head injury (and you must cut your hair), you shall expiate by fasting, or giving
to charity, or some other form of worship. During the normal Hajj, if you break
the state of Ihraam (sanctity) between `Umrah and Hajj, you shall expiate by offering
an animal sacrifice. If you cannot afford it, you shall fast three days during
Hajj and seven when you return home - this completes ten - provided you do not
live at the Sacred Masjid. You shall observe GOD, and know that GOD is strict
in enforcing retribution.
Footnote: *2:196 See the details of Hajj and `Umrah in Appendix
15.
[2:197] Hajj shall be observed in the specified months.* Whoever sets out to observe
Hajj shall refrain from sexual intercourse, misconduct, and arguments throughout
Hajj. Whatever good you do, GOD is fully aware thereof. As you prepare your provisions
for the journey, the best provision is righteousness. You shall observe Me, O
you who possess intelligence.
Footnote: *2:197 Hajj can be observed any time during the Sacred Months: Zul-Hijjah,
Muharram, Safar, and Rabi I. Local governments restrict Hajj to a few days for
their own convenience. See 9:37
[2:198-201] You commit no error by seeking provisions from your Lord (through commerce). When you file from `Arafaat, you shall commemorate GOD at the Sacred Location (of Muzdalifah). You shall commemorate Him for guiding you; before this, you had gone astray. You shall file together, with the rest of the people who file, and ask GOD for forgiveness. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful. Once you complete your rites, you shall continue to commemorate GOD as you commemorate your own parents, or even better. Some people would say, "Our Lord, give us of this world," while having no share in the Hereafter. Others would say, "Our Lord, grant us righteousness in this world, and righteousness in the Hereafter, and spare us the retribution of Hell."
[2:203] You shall commemorate GOD for a number of days (in Mena); whoever hastens to do this in two days commits no sin, and whoever stays longer commits no sin, so long as righteousness is maintained. You shall observe GOD, and know that before Him you will be gathered.
[3:96-97] The most important shrine established for the people is the one in Becca;* a blessed beacon for all the people. In it are clear signs: the station of Abraham. Anyone who enters it shall be granted safe passage. The people owe it to GOD that they shall observe Hajj to this shrine, when they can afford it. As for those who disbelieve, GOD does not need anyone.
[5:1-2] O you who believe, you shall fulfill your covenants. Permitted for
you to eat are the livestock, except those specifically prohibited herein. You
shall not permit hunting throughout Hajj pilgrimage. GOD decrees whatever He
wills. O you who believe, do not violate the rites instituted by GOD, nor the
Sacred Months, nor the animals to be offered, nor the garlands marking them,
nor the people who head for the Sacred Shrine (Ka`bah) seeking blessings from
their Lord and approval. Once you complete the pilgrimage, you may hunt.* Do
not be provoked into aggression by your hatred of people who once prevented
you from going to the Sacred Masjid. You shall cooperate in matters of righteousness
and piety; do not cooperate in matters that are sinful and evil. You shall observe
GOD. GOD is strict in enforcing retribution.
Footnote: *5:2 Hunting and the cutting of plants are forbidden during pilgrimage
for the conservation of natural resources. With thousands of pilgrims converging
on Mecca, if hunting were permitted, the land would quickly be stripped of its
natural resources. Animal offerings are made part of the pilgrimage to provide
for the converging pilgrims, as well as the local population, and to replenish
any depleted supplies. See 2:196.
[5:94-95] O you who believe, GOD will test you with some game within reach of your hands and your arrows (during pilgrimage). GOD thus distinguishes those among you who observe Him in their privacy. Those who transgress after this have incurred a painful retribution. O you who believe, do not kill any game during pilgrimage. Anyone who kills any game on purpose, his fine shall be a number of livestock animals that is equivalent to the game animals he killed. The judgment shall be set by two equitable people among you. They shall make sure that the offerings reach the Ka`bah. Otherwise, he may expiate by feeding poor people, or by an equivalent fast to atone for his offense. GOD has pardoned past offenses. But if anyone returns to such an offense, GOD will avenge it. GOD is Almighty, Avenger.
[5:96-97] All fish of the sea are made lawful for you to eat. During pilgrimage,
this may provide for you during your journey. You shall not hunt throughout the
pilgrimage. You shall reverence GOD, before whom you will be summoned. GOD has
appointed the Ka`bah, the Sacred Masjid,* to be a sanctuary for the people, and
also the Sacred Months, the offerings (to the Sacred Masjid), and the garlands
marking them. You should know that GOD knows everything in the heavens and the
earth, and that GOD is Omniscient.
*5:97 The idol-worshiping Muslims have instituted two ``Sacred Masjids'' by
consecrating the Prophet's tomb. The Quran talks only about one Sacred Masjid.
[9:36] The count of months, as far as GOD is concerned, is twelve.* This has been
GOD's law, since the day He created the heavens and the earth. Four of them are
sacred. This is the perfect religion; you shall not wrong your souls (by fighting)
during the Sacred Months. However, you may declare all-out war against the idol
worshipers (even during the Sacred Months), when they declare all-out war against
you, and know that GOD is on the side of the righteous.
Footnote: *9:36 The word ``month'' is mentioned in the Quran 12 times, and
``day'' 365 times.
[9:37] Altering the Sacred Months is a sign of excessive disbelief; it augments
the straying of those who have disbelieved. They alternate the Sacred Months and
the regular months, while preserving the number of months consecrated by GOD.
They thus violate what GOD has consecrated. Their evil works are adorned in their
eyes. GOD does not guide the disbelieving people.
Footnote: *9:37 The Sacred Months according to the corrupted Muslim World
are Rajab, Zul-Qe`dah, Zul-Hijjah, and Muharram (7th, 11th, 12th and 1st months
of the Islamic Calendar). A careful study of the Quran, however, reveals that
they should be Zul-Hijjah, Muharram, Safar, and Rabi I (12th, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd
months). See Appendix 15.
[22:26-27] We appointed Abraham to establish the Shrine: "You shall not idolize
any other god beside Me, and purify My shrine for those who visit it, those who
live near it, and those who bow and prostrate. "And proclaim that the people
shall observe Hajj pilgrimage.* They will come to you walking or riding on various
exhausted (means of transportation). They will come from the farthest locations."
Footnote: *22:26-27 Abraham was the original messenger of Submission (Islam).
See 22:78 and App. 9.
[22:28-30] They may seek commercial benefits, and they shall commemorate GOD's name during the specified days for providing them with livestock. "Eat therefrom and feed the despondent and the poor." They shall complete their obligations, fulfill their vows, and visit the ancient shrine. Those who reverence the rites decreed by GOD have deserved a good reward at their Lord. All livestock is made lawful for your food, except for those specifically prohibited for you. You shall avoid the abomination of idol worship, and avoid bearing false witness.
[22:33] The (livestock) provide you with many benefits for a period, before being donated to the ancient shrine.
[22:36] The animal offerings are among the rites decreed by GOD for your own
good.* You shall mention GOD's name on them while they are standing in line.
Once they are offered for sacrifice, you shall eat therefrom and feed the poor
and the needy. This is why we subdued them for you, that you may show your appreciation.
Footnote: *22:36 Animal offerings from the pilgrims conserve the resources
at the pilgrimage site. Note that almost 2,000,000 pilgrims converge on Mecca
during pilgrimage.
[22:37] Neither their meat, nor their blood reaches GOD. What reaches Him is your righteousness. He has subdued them for you, that you may show your appreciation by glorifying GOD for guiding you. Give good news to the charitable.
[48:27] GOD has fulfilled His messenger's truthful vision: "You will enter the Sacred Masjid, GOD willing, perfectly secure, and you will cut your hair or shorten it (as you fulfill the pilgrimage rituals) there. You will not have any fear. Since He knew what you did not know, He has coupled this with an immediate victory."