22: The Pilgrimage (Al-Hajj)
Revealed at Makkah
This chapter is called The Pilgrimage because the proclamation of pilgrimage, originally made by Abraham, was now repeated by the Holy Prophet and addressed to the whole world. It opens with the prophecy of a terrible calamity, which is a preliminary to the triumph of truth. Then it asserts the certainty of Divine help for the believers and their consequent triumph. As their triumph would involve the conquest of Makkah, the chapter then deals with the topics of the Sacred House, the pilgrimage and sacrifice. The subject of fighting is then introduced, requiring sacrifices to be made. Then it tells us that, despite opposition, the faithful would be established in the land, but as Allah’s dealing with the opponents is merciful their punishment would be withheld for a while. At the end it declares that polytheism would be uprooted. This chapter was revealed in the late period at Makkah.
Section 1 (Verses 22:1–22:10): The Judgment
22:1
یٰۤاَیُّہَا النَّاسُ اتَّقُوۡا رَبَّکُمۡ ۚ اِنَّ زَلۡزَلَۃَ السَّاعَۃِ شَیۡءٌ عَظِیۡمٌ ﴿۱﴾
O people, keep your duty to your Lord; surely the shock of the Hour is a grievous thing.
In the Quran, al-sā‘ah or the Hour does not necessarily imply the day of Judgment. It often implies the time of judgment in this life, the time when the threatened doom overtakes a people, and this seems to be the significance here. Some consider that a severe shaking of the earth is meant as a sign of the approach of the great judgment, but even in that case it might imply any terrible calamity, such as a great war.
22:2
یَوۡمَ تَرَوۡنَہَا تَذۡہَلُ کُلُّ مُرۡضِعَۃٍ عَمَّاۤ اَرۡضَعَتۡ وَ تَضَعُ کُلُّ ذَاتِ حَمۡلٍ حَمۡلَہَا وَ تَرَی النَّاسَ سُکٰرٰی وَ مَا ہُمۡ بِسُکٰرٰی وَ لٰکِنَّ عَذَابَ اللّٰہِ شَدِیۡدٌ ﴿۲﴾
The day you see it, every woman giving suck will forget her suckling and every pregnant one will lay down her burden, and you will see people as drunken, yet they will not be drunken, but the punishment of Allah will be severe.
22:3
وَ مِنَ النَّاسِ مَنۡ یُّجَادِلُ فِی اللّٰہِ بِغَیۡرِ عِلۡمٍ وَّ یَتَّبِعُ کُلَّ شَیۡطٰنٍ مَّرِیۡدٍ ۙ﴿۳﴾
And some people dispute about Allah without knowledge, and follow every rebellious devil —
The devil here is, as frequently in the Quran, the devil in human form.
22:4
کُتِبَ عَلَیۡہِ اَنَّہٗ مَنۡ تَوَلَّاہُ فَاَنَّہٗ یُضِلُّہٗ وَ یَہۡدِیۡہِ اِلٰی عَذَابِ السَّعِیۡرِ ﴿۴﴾
For him it is written that whoever takes him for a friend, he will lead him astray and conduct him to the punishment of the burning Fire.
22:5
یٰۤاَیُّہَا النَّاسُ اِنۡ کُنۡتُمۡ فِیۡ رَیۡبٍ مِّنَ الۡبَعۡثِ فَاِنَّا خَلَقۡنٰکُمۡ مِّنۡ تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ مِنۡ نُّطۡفَۃٍ ثُمَّ مِنۡ عَلَقَۃٍ ثُمَّ مِنۡ مُّضۡغَۃٍ مُّخَلَّقَۃٍ وَّ غَیۡرِ مُخَلَّقَۃٍ لِّنُبَیِّنَ لَکُمۡ ؕ وَ نُقِرُّ فِی الۡاَرۡحَامِ مَا نَشَآءُ اِلٰۤی اَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّی ثُمَّ نُخۡرِجُکُمۡ طِفۡلًا ثُمَّ لِتَبۡلُغُوۡۤا اَشُدَّکُمۡ ۚ وَ مِنۡکُمۡ مَّنۡ یُّتَوَفّٰی وَ مِنۡکُمۡ مَّنۡ یُّرَدُّ اِلٰۤی اَرۡذَلِ الۡعُمُرِ لِکَیۡلَا یَعۡلَمَ مِنۡۢ بَعۡدِ عِلۡمٍ شَیۡئًا ؕ وَ تَرَی الۡاَرۡضَ ہَامِدَۃً فَاِذَاۤ اَنۡزَلۡنَا عَلَیۡہَا الۡمَآءَ اہۡتَزَّتۡ وَ رَبَتۡ وَ اَنۡۢبَتَتۡ مِنۡ کُلِّ زَوۡجٍۭ بَہِیۡجٍ ﴿۵﴾
O people, if you are in doubt about the Resurrection, then surely We created you from dust, then from a small life-germ, then from a clot, then from a lump of flesh, complete in make and incomplete, that We may make clear to you. And We cause what We please to remain in the wombs till an appointed time, then We bring you forth as babies, then that you may attain your maturity. And some of you are caused to die, while some of you are brought back to the worst part of life, knowing nothing after having knowledge. And you see the earth barren, but when We send down water upon it, it stirs and swells and brings forth a beautiful (growth) of every kind.
The word ba‘th (raising, or as “resurrection” here) is used in three senses in the Quran: (1) the raising of the dead to life according to their good or evil deeds on the Judgment day; (2) the raising of the spiritually dead to life by the prophets; and (3) the raising up of prophets by Allah for the guidance of mankind. The word as used here may include the denial of all these three cases. The argument contained in this and the following verses is equally applicable to all, but it most prominently refers to the spiritual resurrection of the dead.
22:6
ذٰلِکَ بِاَنَّ اللّٰہَ ہُوَ الۡحَقُّ وَ اَنَّہٗ یُحۡیِ الۡمَوۡتٰی وَ اَنَّہٗ عَلٰی کُلِّ شَیۡءٍ قَدِیۡرٌ ۙ﴿۶﴾
That is because Allah, He is the Truth, and He gives life to the dead, and He is Powerful over all things,
22:7
وَّ اَنَّ السَّاعَۃَ اٰتِیَۃٌ لَّا رَیۡبَ فِیۡہَا ۙ وَ اَنَّ اللّٰہَ یَبۡعَثُ مَنۡ فِی الۡقُبُوۡرِ ﴿۷﴾
and the Hour is coming, there is no doubt about it; and Allah will raise up those who are in the graves.
Compare 35:22: “Surely Allah makes whom He pleases hear, and you cannot make those hear who are in the graves”. The significance is that even the incorrigible will be raised to a spiritual life.
22:8
وَ مِنَ النَّاسِ مَنۡ یُّجَادِلُ فِی اللّٰہِ بِغَیۡرِ عِلۡمٍ وَّ لَا ہُدًی وَّ لَا کِتٰبٍ مُّنِیۡرٍ ۙ﴿۸﴾
And some people dispute about Allah without knowledge, and without guidance, and without an illuminating Book,
22:9
ثَانِیَ عِطۡفِہٖ لِیُضِلَّ عَنۡ سَبِیۡلِ اللّٰہِ ؕ لَہٗ فِی الدُّنۡیَا خِزۡیٌ وَّ نُذِیۡقُہٗ یَوۡمَ الۡقِیٰمَۃِ عَذَابَ الۡحَرِیۡقِ ﴿۹﴾
(such a person) turning away haughtily to lead (others) astray from the way of Allah. For him is disgrace in this world, and on the day of Resurrection We shall make him taste the punishment of burning.
22:10
ذٰلِکَ بِمَا قَدَّمَتۡ یَدٰکَ وَ اَنَّ اللّٰہَ لَیۡسَ بِظَلَّامٍ لِّلۡعَبِیۡدِ ﴿٪۱۰﴾
This is for what your two hands have sent ahead, and Allah is not in the least unjust to the servants.
Section 2 (Verses 22:11–22:22): Certainty of Divine Help
22:11
وَ مِنَ النَّاسِ مَنۡ یَّعۡبُدُ اللّٰہَ عَلٰی حَرۡفٍ ۚ فَاِنۡ اَصَابَہٗ خَیۡرُۨ اطۡمَاَنَّ بِہٖ ۚ وَ اِنۡ اَصَابَتۡہُ فِتۡنَۃُۨ انۡقَلَبَ عَلٰی وَجۡہِہٖ ۟ۚ خَسِرَ الدُّنۡیَا وَ الۡاٰخِرَۃَ ؕ ذٰلِکَ ہُوَ الۡخُسۡرَانُ الۡمُبِیۡنُ ﴿۱۱﴾
And some people serve Allah, (standing) on the verge, so if good befalls such a one he is satisfied with it, but if a trial afflicts him he turns back headlong. He loses this world and the Hereafter. That is a manifest loss.
This expression indicates the attitude of a man who wavers, being ready to quit the faith on any pretence.
22:12
یَدۡعُوۡا مِنۡ دُوۡنِ اللّٰہِ مَا لَا یَضُرُّہٗ وَ مَا لَا یَنۡفَعُہٗ ؕ ذٰلِکَ ہُوَ الضَّلٰلُ الۡبَعِیۡدُ ﴿ۚ۱۲﴾
He calls besides Allah on something which cannot harm him, nor benefit him; that is straying far.
22:13
یَدۡعُوۡا لَمَنۡ ضَرُّہٗۤ اَقۡرَبُ مِنۡ نَّفۡعِہٖ ؕ لَبِئۡسَ الۡمَوۡلٰی وَ لَبِئۡسَ الۡعَشِیۡرُ ﴿۱۳﴾
He calls on him whose harm is nearer than his benefit. Certainly an evil guardian and an evil associate!
22:14
اِنَّ اللّٰہَ یُدۡخِلُ الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا وَ عَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ جَنّٰتٍ تَجۡرِیۡ مِنۡ تَحۡتِہَا الۡاَنۡہٰرُ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ یَفۡعَلُ مَا یُرِیۡدُ ﴿۱۴﴾
Surely Allah will make those who believe and do good deeds enter Gardens in which rivers flow. Allah indeed does what He pleases.
22:15
مَنۡ کَانَ یَظُنُّ اَنۡ لَّنۡ یَّنۡصُرَہُ اللّٰہُ فِی الدُّنۡیَا وَ الۡاٰخِرَۃِ فَلۡیَمۡدُدۡ بِسَبَبٍ اِلَی السَّمَآءِ ثُمَّ لۡیَقۡطَعۡ فَلۡیَنۡظُرۡ ہَلۡ یُذۡہِبَنَّ کَیۡدُہٗ مَا یَغِیۡظُ ﴿۱۵﴾
Whoever thinks that Allah will not assist him in this life and the Hereafter, let him raise (himself) by some means to the heaven, then let him cut (it) off, then let him see if his plan will take away what he is enraged at.
The prophecies of the final triumph of the Truth and of the coming of Divine assistance to the Holy Prophet were repeatedly declared in the Quran, and the disbelievers were enraged at this. They are told that the Divine assistance must come, and that they should leave no stone unturned in their struggle against it, insomuch that, if they could, they should rise to heaven and cut off all heavenly or Divine assistance from the Prophet. Or, the meaning may be that they may carry their anger to the greatest possible extreme and be driven to the utmost desperation, yet they will be unable to stop the coming of Divine help to the Prophet.
22:16
وَ کَذٰلِکَ اَنۡزَلۡنٰہُ اٰیٰتٍۭ بَیِّنٰتٍ ۙ وَّ اَنَّ اللّٰہَ یَہۡدِیۡ مَنۡ یُّرِیۡدُ ﴿۱۶﴾
And thus have We revealed it, clear arguments, and Allah guides whom He will.
22:17
اِنَّ الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا وَ الَّذِیۡنَ ہَادُوۡا وَ الصّٰبِئِیۡنَ وَ النَّصٰرٰی وَ الۡمَجُوۡسَ وَ الَّذِیۡنَ اَشۡرَکُوۡۤا ٭ۖ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ یَفۡصِلُ بَیۡنَہُمۡ یَوۡمَ الۡقِیٰمَۃِ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ عَلٰی کُلِّ شَیۡءٍ شَہِیۡدٌ ﴿۱۷﴾
Those who believe and those who are Jews and the Sabians and the Christians and the Magians and those who set up partners (with Allah) — surely Allah will decide between them on the day of Resurrection. Surely Allah is Witness over all things.
It is implied that differences in religious beliefs do not call for punishment in this life; these will be decided on the day of Judgment. Punishment in this life is brought upon those who work mischief and transgress all limits in doing evil.
22:18
اَلَمۡ تَرَ اَنَّ اللّٰہَ یَسۡجُدُ لَہٗ مَنۡ فِی السَّمٰوٰتِ وَ مَنۡ فِی الۡاَرۡضِ وَ الشَّمۡسُ وَ الۡقَمَرُ وَ النُّجُوۡمُ وَ الۡجِبَالُ وَ الشَّجَرُ وَ الدَّوَآبُّ وَ کَثِیۡرٌ مِّنَ النَّاسِ ؕ وَ کَثِیۡرٌ حَقَّ عَلَیۡہِ الۡعَذَابُ ؕ وَ مَنۡ یُّہِنِ اللّٰہُ فَمَا لَہٗ مِنۡ مُّکۡرِمٍ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ یَفۡعَلُ مَا یَشَآءُ ﴿ؕٛ۱۸﴾
Do you not see that to Allah makes submission whoever is in the heavens and whoever is in the earth, and the sun and the moon and the stars, and the mountains and the trees, and the animals and many of the people? And many there are to whom punishment is due. And he whom Allah disgraces, none can give him honour. Surely Allah does what He pleases.
22:19
ہٰذٰنِ خَصۡمٰنِ اخۡتَصَمُوۡا فِیۡ رَبِّہِمۡ ۫ فَالَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡا قُطِّعَتۡ لَہُمۡ ثِیَابٌ مِّنۡ نَّارٍ ؕ یُصَبُّ مِنۡ فَوۡقِ رُءُوۡسِہِمُ الۡحَمِیۡمُ ﴿ۚ۱۹﴾
These are two adversaries who dispute about their Lord. So those who disbelieve, for them are cut out garments of fire. Boiling water will be poured out over their heads.
22:20
یُصۡہَرُ بِہٖ مَا فِیۡ بُطُوۡنِہِمۡ وَ الۡجُلُوۡدُ ﴿ؕ۲۰﴾
With it will be melted what is in their bellies and (their) skins as well.
22:22
کُلَّمَاۤ اَرَادُوۡۤا اَنۡ یَّخۡرُجُوۡا مِنۡہَا مِنۡ غَمٍّ اُعِیۡدُوۡا فِیۡہَا ٭ وَ ذُوۡقُوۡا عَذَابَ الۡحَرِیۡقِ ﴿٪۲۲﴾
Whenever they desire to go out from it, from grief, they are turned back into it, and (it is said): Taste the punishment of burning.
Min ghamm-in (“from grief”) explains min-hā (“from it”), and thus explains the nature of the punishment in this and the previous verse. It is a grief which will constantly burn their souls so as to melt them.
Section 3 (Verses 22:23–22:25): Believers are Triumphant
22:23
اِنَّ اللّٰہَ یُدۡخِلُ الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا وَ عَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ جَنّٰتٍ تَجۡرِیۡ مِنۡ تَحۡتِہَا الۡاَنۡہٰرُ یُحَلَّوۡنَ فِیۡہَا مِنۡ اَسَاوِرَ مِنۡ ذَہَبٍ وَّ لُؤۡلُؤًا ؕ وَ لِبَاسُہُمۡ فِیۡہَا حَرِیۡرٌ ﴿۲۳﴾
Surely Allah will make those who believe and do good deeds enter Gardens in which rivers flow — they are adorned therein with bracelets of gold and (with) pearls. And their garments therein are of silk.
The following incident, mentioned by Baihaqi, shows that the companions of the Prophet understood these prophecies in another sense too: “The bracelets of Kisra, the Persian monarch, were brought to Umar, and he made Surāqa ibn Mālik to wear them, on which he praised the Almighty”. The reason for Umar making Surāqa wear the bracelets is also given by the same authority in another report, according to which the Holy Prophet had said to Surāqa: “How will you feel when you wear the bracelets of Kisra?”
22:24
وَ ہُدُوۡۤا اِلٰی الطَّیِّبِ مِنَ الۡقَوۡلِ ۚۖ وَ ہُدُوۡۤا اِلَی صِرَاطِ الۡحَمِیۡدِ ﴿۲۴﴾
And they are guided to pure words, and they are guided to the path of the Praised One.
22:25
اِنَّ الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡا وَ یَصُدُّوۡنَ عَنۡ سَبِیۡلِ اللّٰہِ وَ الۡمَسۡجِدِ الۡحَرَامِ الَّذِیۡ جَعَلۡنٰہُ لِلنَّاسِ سَوَآءَۨ الۡعَاکِفُ فِیۡہِ وَ الۡبَادِ ؕ وَ مَنۡ یُّرِدۡ فِیۡہِ بِاِلۡحَادٍۭ بِظُلۡمٍ نُّذِقۡہُ مِنۡ عَذَابٍ اَلِیۡمٍ ﴿٪۲۵﴾
Those who disbelieve and hinder (people) from Allah’s way and from the Sacred Mosque, which We have made equally for all people, (for) the dweller in it and the visitor. And whoever inclines to wrong in it, unjustly, We shall make him taste of painful punishment.
The two may respectively signify the dweller in Makkah and the dweller in the desert, or one who dwells in it constantly and one who comes to it occasionally. The disbelievers, being then in possession of the Sacred Mosque, prevented Muslims from using it. They are told that this state of things will be brought to an end, for it must be open to all visitors, and that could only be brought about by Muslims being made masters of it.
Section 4 (Verses 22:26–22:33): Pilgrimage
22:26
وَ اِذۡ بَوَّاۡنَا لِاِبۡرٰہِیۡمَ مَکَانَ الۡبَیۡتِ اَنۡ لَّا تُشۡرِکۡ بِیۡ شَیۡئًا وَّ طَہِّرۡ بَیۡتِیَ لِلطَّآئِفِیۡنَ وَ الۡقَآئِمِیۡنَ وَ الرُّکَّعِ السُّجُوۡدِ ﴿۲۶﴾
And when We pointed to Abraham the place of the House, saying: Do not set up any partner with Me, and purify My House for those who make circuits and stand to pray and bow and prostrate themselves.
22:27
وَ اَذِّنۡ فِی النَّاسِ بِالۡحَجِّ یَاۡتُوۡکَ رِجَالًا وَّ عَلٰی کُلِّ ضَامِرٍ یَّاۡتِیۡنَ مِنۡ کُلِّ فَجٍّ عَمِیۡقٍ ﴿ۙ۲۷﴾
And proclaim to mankind the Pilgrimage: they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, coming from every remote path,
The words are addressed to the Holy Prophet, and contain a mighty prophecy that Makkah will become the centre to which people will come for pilgrimage. It was announced just at the time when the Holy Prophet was being driven away from Makkah by his enemies. Just when Makkah seemed to have lost every chance of becoming a Muslim centre, and when Muslims themselves were in danger of being entirely destroyed, a mighty prophecy is announced in the most forcible words that Islam will spread to all countries of the world, and Makkah will become the universal centre to which pilgrims from all nations will come.
22:28
لِّیَشۡہَدُوۡا مَنَافِعَ لَہُمۡ وَ یَذۡکُرُوا اسۡمَ اللّٰہِ فِیۡۤ اَیَّامٍ مَّعۡلُوۡمٰتٍ عَلٰی مَا رَزَقَہُمۡ مِّنۡۢ بَہِیۡمَۃِ الۡاَنۡعَامِ ۚ فَکُلُوۡا مِنۡہَا وَ اَطۡعِمُوا الۡبَآئِسَ الۡفَقِیۡرَ ﴿۫۲۸﴾
that they may witness benefits (provided) for them, and mention the name of Allah on appointed days over the cattle quadrupeds that He has given them; then eat of them and feed the distressed one, the needy.
The subject of sacrifice is one that is specially related to the pilgrimage, because every pilgrim must sacrifice an animal. Thus it is the lesson of sacrifice that is taught in pilgrimage. The act of the pilgrim finds an echo throughout the Muslim world, for every Muslim who can afford is required to sacrifice an animal on this occasion, and this subject is discussed in the next section.
22:29
ثُمَّ لۡیَقۡضُوۡا تَفَثَہُمۡ وَ لۡیُوۡفُوۡا نُذُوۡرَہُمۡ وَ لۡیَطَّوَّفُوۡا بِالۡبَیۡتِ الۡعَتِیۡقِ ﴿۲۹﴾
Then let them accomplish their needful acts of cleansing, and let them fulfil their vows and go round the Ancient House.
The mention of the Ka‘bah as the Ancient House, here and in v. 33, shows that it is so old that it came to be known throughout Arabia by that name, thus pointing to its very remote antiquity; see 2:125.
22:30
ذٰلِکَ ٭ وَ مَنۡ یُّعَظِّمۡ حُرُمٰتِ اللّٰہِ فَہُوَ خَیۡرٌ لَّہٗ عِنۡدَ رَبِّہٖ ؕ وَ اُحِلَّتۡ لَکُمُ الۡاَنۡعَامُ اِلَّا مَا یُتۡلٰی عَلَیۡکُمۡ فَاجۡتَنِبُوا الرِّجۡسَ مِنَ الۡاَوۡثَانِ وَ اجۡتَنِبُوۡا قَوۡلَ الزُّوۡرِ ﴿ۙ۳۰﴾
That (shall be so). And whoever respects the sacred ordinances of Allah, it is good for him with his Lord. And the cattle are made lawful for you, except what is recited to you, so shun the filth of the idols and shun false words,
22:31
حُنَفَآءَ لِلّٰہِ غَیۡرَ مُشۡرِکِیۡنَ بِہٖ ؕ وَ مَنۡ یُّشۡرِکۡ بِاللّٰہِ فَکَاَنَّمَا خَرَّ مِنَ السَّمَآءِ فَتَخۡطَفُہُ الطَّیۡرُ اَوۡ تَہۡوِیۡ بِہِ الرِّیۡحُ فِیۡ مَکَانٍ سَحِیۡقٍ ﴿۳۱﴾
being upright for Allah, not setting up partners with Him. And whoever sets up partners with Allah, it is as if he had fallen from on high, then the birds had snatched him away, or the wind had carried him off to a distant place.
22:32
ذٰلِکَ ٭ وَ مَنۡ یُّعَظِّمۡ شَعَآئِرَ اللّٰہِ فَاِنَّہَا مِنۡ تَقۡوَی الۡقُلُوۡبِ ﴿۳۲﴾
That (shall be so). And whoever respects the ordinances of Allah, this is surely from the piety of hearts.
22:33
لَکُمۡ فِیۡہَا مَنَافِعُ اِلٰۤی اَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّی ثُمَّ مَحِلُّہَاۤ اِلَی الۡبَیۡتِ الۡعَتِیۡقِ ﴿٪۳۳﴾
In them are benefits for you for a term appointed, then their place of sacrifice is the Ancient House.
Section 5 (Verses 22:34–22:38): Sacrifices
22:34
وَ لِکُلِّ اُمَّۃٍ جَعَلۡنَا مَنۡسَکًا لِّیَذۡکُرُوا اسۡمَ اللّٰہِ عَلٰی مَا رَزَقَہُمۡ مِّنۡۢ بَہِیۡمَۃِ الۡاَنۡعَامِ ؕ فَاِلٰـہُکُمۡ اِلٰہٌ وَّاحِدٌ فَلَہٗۤ اَسۡلِمُوۡا ؕ وَ بَشِّرِ الۡمُخۡبِتِیۡنَ ﴿ۙ۳۴﴾
And for every nation We appointed acts of devotion that they might mention the name of Allah on the cattle quadrupeds that He has given them. So your God is One God, therefore to Him should you submit. And give good news to the humble,
The principle of sacrifice is one which is accepted in one form or another by all nations of the world; but it has a deeper meaning in Islam. The outward act is still there but it no more conveys the meaning attached to it in ancient religions, viz., that of appeasing an offended Deity, or that of serving as an atonement for sins. It signifies the sacrifice of the sacrificer himself, and becomes thus an outward symbol of his readiness to lay down his life, if required, and to sacrifice all his interests and desires in the cause of Truth. Hence it is that words introducing the subject of sacrifice are immediately followed by an injunction to submit oneself entirely to Allah, Who is the one God, i.e., the only Being Who deserves to be made the true object of one’s love.
22:35
الَّذِیۡنَ اِذَا ذُکِرَ اللّٰہُ وَجِلَتۡ قُلُوۡبُہُمۡ وَ الصّٰبِرِیۡنَ عَلٰی مَاۤ اَصَابَہُمۡ وَ الۡمُقِیۡمِی الصَّلٰوۃِ ۙ وَ مِمَّا رَزَقۡنٰہُمۡ یُنۡفِقُوۡنَ ﴿۳۵﴾
whose hearts tremble when Allah is mentioned, and who are patient in their afflictions, and who keep up prayer, and spend (on good works) out of what We have given them.
It is by the mention of Allah’s name that an animal is sacrificed, and the meaning underlying it is that their own hearts should tremble at the mention of that name. Thus they should bear in mind, when sacrificing an animal over which they hold control, how much more necessary it is that they should lay down their lives in the way of Allah, Who holds control over all. Hence a verse speaking of sacrifices is immediately followed by one which requires the exercise of great patience and endurance under hard trials by the faithful.
22:36
وَ الۡبُدۡنَ جَعَلۡنٰہَا لَکُمۡ مِّنۡ شَعَآئِرِ اللّٰہِ لَکُمۡ فِیۡہَا خَیۡرٌ ٭ۖ فَاذۡکُرُوا اسۡمَ اللّٰہِ عَلَیۡہَا صَوَآفَّ ۚ فَاِذَا وَجَبَتۡ جُنُوۡبُہَا فَکُلُوۡا مِنۡہَا وَ اَطۡعِمُوا الۡقَانِعَ وَ الۡمُعۡتَرَّ ؕ کَذٰلِکَ سَخَّرۡنٰہَا لَکُمۡ لَعَلَّکُمۡ تَشۡکُرُوۡنَ ﴿۳۶﴾
And the camels, We have made them from among the signs appointed by Allah for you — in them there is much good for you. So mention the name of Allah on them standing in a row. Then when they fall down on their sides, eat of them and feed the contented one and the beggar. Thus have We made them subservient to you that you may be grateful.
The camels which are brought for sacrifice to Makkah by the pilgrims are here stated to be only outward signs of the true religion of Allah, that religion being no other than the religion of entire submission to Allah and of laying down all one has, even one’s life, in the way of Allah.
22:37
لَنۡ یَّنَالَ اللّٰہَ لُحُوۡمُہَا وَ لَا دِمَآؤُہَا وَ لٰکِنۡ یَّنَالُہُ التَّقۡوٰی مِنۡکُمۡ ؕ کَذٰلِکَ سَخَّرَہَا لَکُمۡ لِتُکَبِّرُوا اللّٰہَ عَلٰی مَا ہَدٰىکُمۡ ؕ وَ بَشِّرِ الۡمُحۡسِنِیۡنَ ﴿۳۷﴾
Not their flesh, nor their blood, reaches Allah, but to Him is acceptable the observance of duty on your part. Thus has He made them subservient to you, that you may magnify Allah for guiding you aright. And give good news to those who do good (to others).
It is not the outward act of sacrifice which is acceptable, but the deep meaning of sacrifice which underlies it. The idea of atonement is quite foreign to Islamic sacrifice. It is the righteous whom Islam requires to sacrifice, as hinted at in the words: to Him is acceptable the observance of duty on your part.
22:38
اِنَّ اللّٰہَ یُدٰفِعُ عَنِ الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ لَا یُحِبُّ کُلَّ خَوَّانٍ کَفُوۡرٍ ﴿٪۳۸﴾
Surely Allah defends those who believe. Surely Allah does not love anyone who is unfaithful, ungrateful.
A new subject is now introduced, the subject of fighting in the way of Allah. This sheds light upon the connection which exists between the two subjects. After dealing with the subject of sacrifice theoretically, the Muslim has in fact been prepared to bring into practice the theory of the sacrifice. Hence he is told that the time is near when he will be required to lay down his very life in the defence of Truth, which the opponents were striving to exterminate. Therefore, the subject of fighting in the cause of Truth is a fitting sequel to the subject of sacrifice, as casting further light upon the inner meaning of sacrifice, and also requiring that doctrine to be carried into practice.
Section 6 (Verses 22:39–22:48): Believers Permitted to Fight
22:39
اُذِنَ لِلَّذِیۡنَ یُقٰتَلُوۡنَ بِاَنَّہُمۡ ظُلِمُوۡا ؕ وَ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ عَلٰی نَصۡرِہِمۡ لَقَدِیۡرُۨ ﴿ۙ۳۹﴾
Permission (to fight) is given to those on whom war is made, because they are oppressed. And surely Allah is Able to assist them —
This is the earliest permission given to the Muslims to fight. The words in which the permission is granted show clearly that war was first made on the Muslims by their opponents; and secondly, that the Muslims had already suffered great oppression at the hands of their persecutors. The words of the next verse, those who are driven from their homes, may refer to the emigration to Abyssinia, or to the exodus to Madinah, which commenced soon afterwards.
22:40
الَّذِیۡنَ اُخۡرِجُوۡا مِنۡ دِیَارِہِمۡ بِغَیۡرِ حَقٍّ اِلَّاۤ اَنۡ یَّقُوۡلُوۡا رَبُّنَا اللّٰہُ ؕ وَ لَوۡ لَا دَفۡعُ اللّٰہِ النَّاسَ بَعۡضَہُمۡ بِبَعۡضٍ لَّہُدِّمَتۡ صَوَامِعُ وَ بِیَعٌ وَّ صَلَوٰتٌ وَّ مَسٰجِدُ یُذۡکَرُ فِیۡہَا اسۡمُ اللّٰہِ کَثِیۡرًا ؕ وَ لَیَنۡصُرَنَّ اللّٰہُ مَنۡ یَّنۡصُرُہٗ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ لَقَوِیٌّ عَزِیۡزٌ ﴿۴۰﴾
Those who are driven from their homes without a just cause except that they say: Our Lord is Allah. And if Allah did not repel some people by others, surely cloisters and churches and syna-gogues, and mosques in which Allah’s name is much remembered, would have been pulled down. And surely Allah will help him who helps Him. Surely Allah is Strong, Mighty.
The religious freedom established by Islam has not yet been surpassed by the most civilized and tolerant of nations. It deserves to be noted that the lives of Muslims are to be sacrificed not only to stop their own persecution by their opponents and to save their own mosques, but to save churches, synagogues and cloisters as well — in fact, to establish perfect religious freedom. Mosques, though they are the places where the name of Allah is remembered most of all, are mentioned after churches and synagogues. Early Muslims closely followed these directions, and every commander of an army had express orders to respect all houses of worship, and even the cloisters of monks, along with their inmates.
22:41
اَلَّذِیۡنَ اِنۡ مَّکَّنّٰہُمۡ فِی الۡاَرۡضِ اَقَامُوا الصَّلٰوۃَ وَ اٰتَوُا الزَّکٰوۃَ وَ اَمَرُوۡا بِالۡمَعۡرُوۡفِ وَ نَہَوۡا عَنِ الۡمُنۡکَرِ ؕ وَ لِلّٰہِ عَاقِبَۃُ الۡاُمُوۡرِ ﴿۴۱﴾
Those who, if We establish them in the land, will keep up prayer and give the due charity and enjoin good and forbid evil. And Allah’s is the end of (all) affairs.
22:42
وَ اِنۡ یُّکَذِّبُوۡکَ فَقَدۡ کَذَّبَتۡ قَبۡلَہُمۡ قَوۡمُ نُوۡحٍ وَّ عَادٌ وَّ ثَمُوۡدُ ﴿ۙ۴۲﴾
And if they reject you, already before them did the people of Noah and Ād and Thamūd reject (prophets),
22:43
وَ قَوۡمُ اِبۡرٰہِیۡمَ وَ قَوۡمُ لُوۡطٍ ﴿ۙ۴۳﴾
and the people of Abraham and the people of Lot,
22:44
وَّ اَصۡحٰبُ مَدۡیَنَ ۚ وَ کُذِّبَ مُوۡسٰی فَاَمۡلَیۡتُ لِلۡکٰفِرِیۡنَ ثُمَّ اَخَذۡتُہُمۡ ۚ فَکَیۡفَ کَانَ نَکِیۡرِ ﴿۴۴﴾
and the dwellers of Midian. And Moses (too) was rejected. But I gave respite to the disbelievers, then I seized them; so how (severe) was My disapproval!
22:45
فَکَاَیِّنۡ مِّنۡ قَرۡیَۃٍ اَہۡلَکۡنٰہَا وَ ہِیَ ظَالِمَۃٌ فَہِیَ خَاوِیَۃٌ عَلٰی عُرُوۡشِہَا وَ بِئۡرٍ مُّعَطَّلَۃٍ وَّ قَصۡرٍ مَّشِیۡدٍ ﴿۴۵﴾
How many a town We destroyed while it was unjust, so it is fallen down upon its roofs; and (how many) a deserted well and palace raised high!
22:46
اَفَلَمۡ یَسِیۡرُوۡا فِی الۡاَرۡضِ فَتَکُوۡنَ لَہُمۡ قُلُوۡبٌ یَّعۡقِلُوۡنَ بِہَاۤ اَوۡ اٰذَانٌ یَّسۡمَعُوۡنَ بِہَا ۚ فَاِنَّہَا لَا تَعۡمَی الۡاَبۡصَارُ وَ لٰکِنۡ تَعۡمَی الۡقُلُوۡبُ الَّتِیۡ فِی الصُّدُوۡرِ ﴿۴۶﴾
Have they not travelled in the land so that they should have hearts with which to understand, or ears with which to hear? For surely it is not the eyes that are blind, but blind are the hearts which are in the breasts.
The Quran very often speaks of the blind, the deaf and the dead, meaning thereby the spiritually blind, deaf and dead, as it has plainly stated here.
22:47
وَ یَسۡتَعۡجِلُوۡنَکَ بِالۡعَذَابِ وَ لَنۡ یُّخۡلِفَ اللّٰہُ وَعۡدَہٗ ؕ وَ اِنَّ یَوۡمًا عِنۡدَ رَبِّکَ کَاَلۡفِ سَنَۃٍ مِّمَّا تَعُدُّوۡنَ ﴿۴۷﴾
And they ask you to hasten on the punishment, and Allah by no means fails in His promise. And surely a day with your Lord is like a thousand years as you count.
Those spoken of here are undoubtedly the opponents of Truth who were to come later, and who have been allowed to oppose the advance of Islam for a thousand years. The set-back which Islam was to receive for a thousand years is again spoken of in 32:5.
22:48
وَ کَاَیِّنۡ مِّنۡ قَرۡیَۃٍ اَمۡلَیۡتُ لَہَا وَ ہِیَ ظَالِمَۃٌ ثُمَّ اَخَذۡتُہَا ۚ وَ اِلَیَّ الۡمَصِیۡرُ ﴿٪۴۸﴾
And how many a town to which I gave respite while it was unjust, then I seized it! And to Me is the return.
Section 7 (Verses 22:49–22:57): Opposition to the Prophet
22:49
قُلۡ یٰۤاَیُّہَا النَّاسُ اِنَّمَاۤ اَنَا لَکُمۡ نَذِیۡرٌ مُّبِیۡنٌ ﴿ۚ۴۹﴾
Say: O people, I am only a plain warner to you.
22:50
فَالَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا وَ عَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ لَہُمۡ مَّغۡفِرَۃٌ وَّ رِزۡقٌ کَرِیۡمٌ ﴿۵۰﴾
So those who believe and do good, for them is forgiveness and an honourable sustenance.
22:51
وَ الَّذِیۡنَ سَعَوۡا فِیۡۤ اٰیٰتِنَا مُعٰجِزِیۡنَ اُولٰٓئِکَ اَصۡحٰبُ الۡجَحِیۡمِ ﴿۵۱﴾
And those who strive to oppose Our messages, they are the inmates of the flaming Fire.
22:52
وَ مَاۤ اَرۡسَلۡنَا مِنۡ قَبۡلِکَ مِنۡ رَّسُوۡلٍ وَّ لَا نَبِیٍّ اِلَّاۤ اِذَا تَمَنّٰۤی اَلۡقَی الشَّیۡطٰنُ فِیۡۤ اُمۡنِیَّتِہٖ ۚ فَیَنۡسَخُ اللّٰہُ مَا یُلۡقِی الشَّیۡطٰنُ ثُمَّ یُحۡکِمُ اللّٰہُ اٰیٰتِہٖ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ عَلِیۡمٌ حَکِیۡمٌ ﴿ۙ۵۲﴾
And We never sent a messenger or a prophet before you but when he desired, the devil made a suggestion in regard to his desire; but Allah annuls what the devil casts, then does Allah establish His messages. And Allah is Knowing, Wise —
A false story is mentioned in connection with this verse, according to which the Holy Prophet on one occasion recognized that the idols worshipped by the Arabs could intercede with God on their behalf. See 53:21 footnote. This story has been rejected by all sound and reliable commentators. The words of this verse do not, and cannot, mean that when a prophet recites a revelation, the devil introduces his own words into his recitation. What every prophet desires is the establishing of the Truth that is revealed to him, and it is with this desire of every prophet that the devil interferes, instigating people, making suggestions to them, as stated here, to oppose the Truth. That this is the true meaning is also shown by the context, which deals with the establishing of the Truth and the desire of the opponents of Truth to annihilate it.
22:53
لِّیَجۡعَلَ مَا یُلۡقِی الشَّیۡطٰنُ فِتۡنَۃً لِّلَّذِیۡنَ فِیۡ قُلُوۡبِہِمۡ مَّرَضٌ وَّ الۡقَاسِیَۃِ قُلُوۡبُہُمۡ ؕ وَ اِنَّ الظّٰلِمِیۡنَ لَفِیۡ شِقَاقٍۭ بَعِیۡدٍ ﴿ۙ۵۳﴾
that He may make what the devil casts a trial for those in whose hearts is a disease and the hard-hearted. And surely the wrongdoers are in severe opposition,
The devil’s strivings against the Prophet become a trial for the weak, who are unable to endure the severe persecutions of their enemies.
22:54
وَّ لِیَعۡلَمَ الَّذِیۡنَ اُوۡتُوا الۡعِلۡمَ اَنَّہُ الۡحَقُّ مِنۡ رَّبِّکَ فَیُؤۡمِنُوۡا بِہٖ فَتُخۡبِتَ لَہٗ قُلُوۡبُہُمۡ ؕ وَ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ لَہَادِ الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡۤا اِلٰی صِرَاطٍ مُّسۡتَقِیۡمٍ ﴿۵۴﴾
and that those who have been given knowledge may know that it is the Truth from your Lord, so they should believe in it that their hearts may be lowly before Him. And surely Allah is the Guide of those who believe, into a right path.
22:55
وَ لَا یَزَالُ الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡا فِیۡ مِرۡیَۃٍ مِّنۡہُ حَتّٰی تَاۡتِیَہُمُ السَّاعَۃُ بَغۡتَۃً اَوۡ یَاۡتِیَہُمۡ عَذَابُ یَوۡمٍ عَقِیۡمٍ ﴿۵۵﴾
And those who disbelieve will not cease to be in doubt concerning it, until the Hour overtakes them suddenly, or the punishment of a destructive day comes to them.
22:56
اَلۡمُلۡکُ یَوۡمَئِذٍ لِّلّٰہِ ؕ یَحۡکُمُ بَیۡنَہُمۡ ؕ فَالَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا وَ عَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ فِیۡ جَنّٰتِ النَّعِیۡمِ ﴿۵۶﴾
The kingdom on that day is Allah’s. He will judge between them. So those who believe and do good will be in Gardens of bliss.
22:57
وَ الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡا وَ کَذَّبُوۡا بِاٰیٰتِنَا فَاُولٰٓئِکَ لَہُمۡ عَذَابٌ مُّہِیۡنٌ ﴿٪۵۷﴾
And those who disbelieve and reject Our messages, for them is a humiliating punishment.
Section 8 (Verses 22:58–22:64): The Faithful shall be Established
22:58
وَ الَّذِیۡنَ ہَاجَرُوۡا فِیۡ سَبِیۡلِ اللّٰہِ ثُمَّ قُتِلُوۡۤا اَوۡ مَاتُوۡا لَیَرۡزُقَنَّہُمُ اللّٰہُ رِزۡقًا حَسَنًا ؕ وَ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ لَہُوَ خَیۡرُ الرّٰزِقِیۡنَ ﴿۵۸﴾
And those who flee in Allah’s way and are then slain or die, Allah will certainly grant them a goodly sustenance. And surely Allah is the Best of providers.
A flight of the faithful to Abyssinia had already taken place, and on the occasion of the flight to Madinah the Holy Prophet, with Abu Bakr and Ali, were the last men to depart from Makkah. A true and generous leader of men, he waited to see his faithful followers depart before he left, so that their safety might be ensured. If he had left his followers behind him, they would have encountered a very hard fate at the hands of an exasperated enemy. The reference to some being slain after their flight is clearly prophetical.
22:59
لَیُدۡخِلَنَّہُمۡ مُّدۡخَلًا یَّرۡضَوۡنَہٗ ؕ وَ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ لَعَلِیۡمٌ حَلِیۡمٌ ﴿۵۹﴾
He will certainly make them enter a place which they are pleased with. And surely Allah is Knowing, Forbearing.
22:60
ذٰلِکَ ۚ وَ مَنۡ عَاقَبَ بِمِثۡلِ مَا عُوۡقِبَ بِہٖ ثُمَّ بُغِیَ عَلَیۡہِ لَیَنۡصُرَنَّہُ اللّٰہُ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ لَعَفُوٌّ غَفُوۡرٌ ﴿۶۰﴾
That (is so). And whoever retaliates with the like of what he is afflicted with, and he is oppressed, Allah will certainly help him. Surely Allah is Pardoning, Forgiving.
This verse permits Muslims, who were long persecuted and oppressed, to punish their persecutors, but at the same time recommends pardon and forgiveness by referring to those two attributes of the Divine Being in the concluding words of the verse.
22:61
ذٰلِکَ بِاَنَّ اللّٰہَ یُوۡلِجُ الَّیۡلَ فِی النَّہَارِ وَ یُوۡلِجُ النَّہَارَ فِی الَّیۡلِ وَ اَنَّ اللّٰہَ سَمِیۡعٌۢ بَصِیۡرٌ ﴿۶۱﴾
That is because Allah makes the night to pass into the day and makes the day to pass into the night, and because Allah is Hearing, Seeing.
Apparently the succession of the day and the night refers here to the turn of fortune hinted at in the previous verse, because an oppressed community could not punish its persecutors unless it gained mastery over them. The same is indicated in the two attributes of the Divine Being with which the verse is closed. The verses that follow contain hints to the same effect.
22:62
ذٰلِکَ بِاَنَّ اللّٰہَ ہُوَ الۡحَقُّ وَ اَنَّ مَا یَدۡعُوۡنَ مِنۡ دُوۡنِہٖ ہُوَ الۡبَاطِلُ وَ اَنَّ اللّٰہَ ہُوَ الۡعَلِیُّ الۡکَبِیۡرُ ﴿۶۲﴾
That is because Allah is the Truth, and what they call upon besides Him — that is the falsehood, and because Allah — He is the High, the Great.
22:63
اَلَمۡ تَرَ اَنَّ اللّٰہَ اَنۡزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَآءِ مَآءً ۫ فَتُصۡبِحُ الۡاَرۡضُ مُخۡضَرَّۃً ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ لَطِیۡفٌ خَبِیۡرٌ ﴿ۚ۶۳﴾
Do you not see that Allah sends down water from the cloud, then the earth becomes green? Surely Allah is Knower of subtleties, Aware.
22:64
لَہٗ مَا فِی السَّمٰوٰتِ وَ مَا فِی الۡاَرۡضِ ؕ وَ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ لَہُوَ الۡغَنِیُّ الۡحَمِیۡدُ ﴿٪۶۴﴾
To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth. And surely Allah — He is the Self-Sufficient, the Praised.
Section 9 (Verses 22:65–22:72): Divine Mercy in Dealing with People
22:65
اَلَمۡ تَرَ اَنَّ اللّٰہَ سَخَّرَ لَکُمۡ مَّا فِی الۡاَرۡضِ وَ الۡفُلۡکَ تَجۡرِیۡ فِی الۡبَحۡرِ بِاَمۡرِہٖ ؕ وَ یُمۡسِکُ السَّمَآءَ اَنۡ تَقَعَ عَلَی الۡاَرۡضِ اِلَّا بِاِذۡنِہٖ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ بِالنَّاسِ لَرَءُوۡفٌ رَّحِیۡمٌ ﴿۶۵﴾
Do you not see that Allah has made subservient to you all that is in the earth, and the ships gliding in the sea by His command? And He withholds the heaven from falling on the earth except with His permission. Surely Allah is Compassionate, Merciful to mankind.
The first part of the verse gives a promise of victory to the Muslims, while the latter part warns the opponents that Allah withholds the punishment from them for a time, for He is Compassionate and Merciful to people. The withholding of the heaven means the withholding of the punishment, which the opponents were told would come down upon them from heaven.
22:66
وَ ہُوَ الَّذِیۡۤ اَحۡیَاکُمۡ ۫ ثُمَّ یُمِیۡتُکُمۡ ثُمَّ یُحۡیِیۡکُمۡ ؕ اِنَّ الۡاِنۡسَانَ لَکَفُوۡرٌ ﴿۶۶﴾
And He it is Who brings you to life, then He causes you to die, then He will bring you to life. Surely man is ungrateful.
22:67
لِکُلِّ اُمَّۃٍ جَعَلۡنَا مَنۡسَکًا ہُمۡ نَاسِکُوۡہُ فَلَا یُنَازِعُنَّکَ فِی الۡاَمۡرِ وَ ادۡعُ اِلٰی رَبِّکَ ؕ اِنَّکَ لَعَلٰی ہُدًی مُّسۡتَقِیۡمٍ ﴿۶۷﴾
To every nation We appointed acts of devotion, which they observe, so do not let them dispute with you in the matter, and call (them) to your Lord. Surely you are on a right guidance.
The principle that all nations were given spiritual light is reiterated throughout the Quran.
22:68
وَ اِنۡ جٰدَلُوۡکَ فَقُلِ اللّٰہُ اَعۡلَمُ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُوۡنَ ﴿۶۸﴾
And if they argue with you, say: Allah best knows what you do.
22:69
اَللّٰہُ یَحۡکُمُ بَیۡنَکُمۡ یَوۡمَ الۡقِیٰمَۃِ فِیۡمَا کُنۡتُمۡ فِیۡہِ تَخۡتَلِفُوۡنَ ﴿۶۹﴾
Allah will judge between you on the day of Resurrection in that in which you differ.
22:70
اَلَمۡ تَعۡلَمۡ اَنَّ اللّٰہَ یَعۡلَمُ مَا فِی السَّمَآءِ وَ الۡاَرۡضِ ؕ اِنَّ ذٰلِکَ فِیۡ کِتٰبٍ ؕ اِنَّ ذٰلِکَ عَلَی اللّٰہِ یَسِیۡرٌ ﴿۷۰﴾
Do you not know that Allah knows what is in the heaven and the earth? Surely this is in a book. That is surely easy to Allah.
22:71
وَ یَعۡبُدُوۡنَ مِنۡ دُوۡنِ اللّٰہِ مَا لَمۡ یُنَزِّلۡ بِہٖ سُلۡطٰنًا وَّ مَا لَیۡسَ لَہُمۡ بِہٖ عِلۡمٌ ؕ وَ مَا لِلظّٰلِمِیۡنَ مِنۡ نَّصِیۡرٍ ﴿۷۱﴾
And they serve besides Allah that for which He has not sent any authority, and of which they have no knowledge. And for the unjust there is no helper.
22:72
وَ اِذَا تُتۡلٰی عَلَیۡہِمۡ اٰیٰتُنَا بَیِّنٰتٍ تَعۡرِفُ فِیۡ وُجُوۡہِ الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوا الۡمُنۡکَرَ ؕ یَکَادُوۡنَ یَسۡطُوۡنَ بِالَّذِیۡنَ یَتۡلُوۡنَ عَلَیۡہِمۡ اٰیٰتِنَا ؕ قُلۡ اَفَاُنَبِّئُکُمۡ بِشَرٍّ مِّنۡ ذٰلِکُمۡ ؕ اَلنَّارُ ؕ وَعَدَہَا اللّٰہُ الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡا ؕ وَ بِئۡسَ الۡمَصِیۡرُ ﴿٪۷۲﴾
And when Our clear messages are recited to them, you will notice a denial on the faces of those who disbelieve — they almost attack those who recite to them Our messages. Say: Shall I inform you of what is worse than this? The Fire. Allah has promised it to those who disbelieve. And evil is the destination.
Section 10 (Verses 22:73–22:78): Polytheism will be Uprooted
22:73
یٰۤاَیُّہَا النَّاسُ ضُرِبَ مَثَلٌ فَاسۡتَمِعُوۡا لَہٗ ؕ اِنَّ الَّذِیۡنَ تَدۡعُوۡنَ مِنۡ دُوۡنِ اللّٰہِ لَنۡ یَّخۡلُقُوۡا ذُبَابًا وَّ لَوِ اجۡتَمَعُوۡا لَہٗ ؕ وَ اِنۡ یَّسۡلُبۡہُمُ الذُّبَابُ شَیۡئًا لَّا یَسۡتَنۡقِذُوۡہُ مِنۡہُ ؕ ضَعُفَ الطَّالِبُ وَ الۡمَطۡلُوۡبُ ﴿۷۳﴾
O people, a parable is set forth, so listen to it. Surely those whom you call upon besides Allah cannot create a fly, though they should all gather for it. And if the fly carry off anything from them, they cannot take it back from it. Weak are (both) the invoker and the invoked.
The verse, while truly describing the inability of false gods to create the lowest form of life or to exercise the least control over creation, contains a clear prophecy that the false deities will be removed from the Sacred House, and that both the worshippers and the worshipped will be helpless.
22:74
مَا قَدَرُوا اللّٰہَ حَقَّ قَدۡرِہٖ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ لَقَوِیٌّ عَزِیۡزٌ ﴿۷۴﴾
They do not estimate Allah with His due estimation. Surely Allah is Strong, Mighty.
22:75
اَللّٰہُ یَصۡطَفِیۡ مِنَ الۡمَلٰٓئِکَۃِ رُسُلًا وَّ مِنَ النَّاسِ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ سَمِیۡعٌۢ بَصِیۡرٌ ﴿ۚ۷۵﴾
Allah chooses messengers from angels and from mankind. Surely Allah is Hearing, Seeing.
22:76
یَعۡلَمُ مَا بَیۡنَ اَیۡدِیۡہِمۡ وَ مَا خَلۡفَہُمۡ ؕ وَ اِلَی اللّٰہِ تُرۡجَعُ الۡاُمُوۡرُ ﴿۷۶﴾
He knows what is before them and what is behind them. And to Allah are all affairs returned.
22:77
الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوا ارۡکَعُوۡا وَ اسۡجُدُوۡا وَ اعۡبُدُوۡا رَبَّکُمۡ وَ افۡعَلُوا الۡخَیۡرَ لَعَلَّکُمۡ تُفۡلِحُوۡنَ ﴿ۚٛ۷۷﴾
O you who believe, bow down and prostrate yourselves and serve your Lord, and do good that you may succeed.
22:78
وَ جَاہِدُوۡا فِی اللّٰہِ حَقَّ جِہَادِہٖ ؕ ہُوَ اجۡتَبٰىکُمۡ وَ مَا جَعَلَ عَلَیۡکُمۡ فِی الدِّیۡنِ مِنۡ حَرَجٍ ؕ مِلَّۃَ اَبِیۡکُمۡ اِبۡرٰہِیۡمَ ؕ ہُوَ سَمّٰىکُمُ الۡمُسۡلِمِیۡنَ ۬ۙ مِنۡ قَبۡلُ وَ فِیۡ ہٰذَا لِیَکُوۡنَ الرَّسُوۡلُ شَہِیۡدًا عَلَیۡکُمۡ وَ تَکُوۡنُوۡا شُہَدَآءَ عَلَی النَّاسِ ۚۖ فَاَقِیۡمُوا الصَّلٰوۃَ وَ اٰتُوا الزَّکٰوۃَ وَ اعۡتَصِمُوۡا بِاللّٰہِ ؕ ہُوَ مَوۡلٰىکُمۡ ۚ فَنِعۡمَ الۡمَوۡلٰی وَ نِعۡمَ النَّصِیۡرُ ﴿٪۷۸﴾
And strive hard for Allah with due striving. He has chosen you and has not laid upon you any hardship in religion — the faith of your father Abraham. He named you Muslims before and in this, that the Messenger may be a bearer of witness to you, and you may be bearers of witness to the people; so keep up prayer and give the due charity and hold fast to Allah. He is your Protector; excellent the Protector and excellent the Helper!
The reference in before is to the revelation of Abraham, who prayed that from among his descendants there should arise a nation of Muslims (2:128), and in this to the Quran. The root-word of Islām and Muslim is salm or silm, both signifying peace, and a Muslim is therefore one who leads a life of peace, peace with God, which means complete submission to His will, and peace with man, which means that he causes no injury to any person, as a saying of the Holy Prophet has it (Bukhari, 2:3).