In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
The Summary of Tafsir al-Tabari,
Abridged by Dr. 'Aqil ibn Salim al-Shammari.
Surah al-Baqarah.
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
"They ask you about the new moons..."
“They ask thee, (O Muhammad), of new moons, say: They are fixed seasons for mankind and for the pilgrimage. It is not righteousness that ye go to houses by the backs thereof (as do the idolaters at certain seasons), but the righteous man is he who wardeth off (evil). So go to houses by the gates thereof, and observe your duty to Allah, that ye may be successful.” (2:189)
“They ask thee, (O Muhammad), of new moons, say: They are fixed seasons for mankind and for the pilgrimage. It is not righteousness that ye go to houses by the backs thereof (as do the idolaters at certain seasons), but the righteous man is he who wardeth off (evil). So go to houses by the gates thereof, and observe your duty to Allah, that ye may be successful.” (2:189)
“They ask thee, (O Muhammad), of new moons, say: They are fixed seasons for mankind and for the pilgrimage. It is not righteousness that ye go to houses by the backs thereof (as do the idolaters at certain seasons), but the righteous man is he who wardeth off (evil). So go to houses by the gates thereof, and observe your duty to Allah, that ye may be successful.” (2:189)
“They ask thee, (O Muhammad), of new moons, say: They are fixed seasons for mankind and for the pilgrimage. It is not righteousness that ye go to houses by the backs thereof (as do the idolaters at certain seasons), but the righteous man is he who wardeth off (evil). So go to houses by the gates thereof, and observe your duty to Allah, that ye may be successful.” (2:189)
"...and fear Allah that you may succeed."
They ask you, O Muhammad, about the new moons,
Their waning, their disappearing at the end of the month,
Their fullness, their waxing, and their changing phases;
And what the wisdom is behind making the moon different from the sun,
Which remains perpetual, in a single state that does not change.
Say, O Muhammad:
Your Lord made them different
So that He might make the crescents a means of marking time for you and for the rest of mankind in their livelihoods,
By which you monitor the due dates of your debts,
The expiration of the terms of those you hire,
The ending of the waiting periods ('iddah) of your women,
And the times of your fasting and breaking of the fast.
He also made it a marker of time for your Hajj,
Through which you know the due time for your rites and pilgrimage.
Now, whenever they entered the state of ihram, they would not enter their homes through their doors,
But rather from their backs.
So Allah revealed:
"Righteousness, O people, is not
That you enter homes from their backs while in the state of ihram;
But righteousness is that of one who fears Allah,"
Fearing Him and avoiding what He has forbidden,
And obeying Him by fulfilling the obligatory duties He enjoined upon him.
And fear Allah, O people,
Beware of Him and stand in awe of Him,
By obeying Him in the obligatory duties He commanded you to perform,
And by abstaining from what He forbade you,
So that you may succeed and attain what you seek from Him,
And thereby attain an eternal dwelling in His gardens and everlasting bliss in His bounty.
“Fight in the way of Allah against those who fight against you, but begin not hostilities. Lo! Allah loveth not aggressors.” (2:190)
"...and do not transgress..."
"...indeed, Allah does not like transgressors."
Fight, O believers,
In obedience to Me and in defense of the religion I have legislated for you;
And call to it those who have turned away from it and shown arrogance,
Until they turn back in penitence to My obedience,
Or pay the jizya while feeling subdued,
If they are of the People of the Book.
Fight, then, the people of disbelief,
To the exclusion of those who do not engage in fighting,
Such as their women and their children.
And do not transgress by killing a child or a woman,
Nor anyone who pays you the jizya from the People of the Two Books or the Zoroastrians.
Indeed, Allah does not love those who exceed His bounds,
Deeming lawful what Allah has forbidden.
"And kill them wherever you overtake them..."
“And slay them wherever ye find them, and drive them out of the places whence they drove you out, for persecution is worse than slaughter. And fight not with them at the Inviolable Place of Worship until they first attack you there, but if they attack you (there) then slay them. Such is the reward of disbelievers.” (2:191)
“And slay them wherever ye find them, and drive them out of the places whence they drove you out, for persecution is worse than slaughter. And fight not with them at the Inviolable Place of Worship until they first attack you there, but if they attack you (there) then slay them. Such is the reward of disbelievers.” (2:191)
“And slay them wherever ye find them, and drive them out of the places whence they drove you out, for persecution is worse than slaughter. And fight not with them at the Inviolable Place of Worship until they first attack you there, but if they attack you (there) then slay them. Such is the reward of disbelievers.” (2:191)
"...until they fight you therein."
"So if they fight you, kill them;"
"Such is the recompense of the disbelievers."
“But if they desist, then lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.” (2:192)
Do not initiate fighting against the polytheists near the Sacred Mosque, O believers,
Until they initiate it against you.
But if they attack you first, then kill them,
For Allah has made the retribution of the disbelievers for their disbelief
Death in this world and prolonged disgrace in the Hereafter.
This was subsequently abrogated by His saying:
"And fight them until there is no fitnah..."
But if the disbelievers cease fighting you and disbelieving in Allah, and repent,
Then indeed, Allah is Forgiving of the sins of those among them who believe,
Merciful to him in his Hereafter by granting him His reward.
“And fight them until persecution is no more, and religion is for Allah. But if they desist, then let there be no hostility except against wrong-doers.” (2:193)
“And fight them until persecution is no more, and religion is for Allah. But if they desist, then let there be no hostility except against wrong-doers.” (2:193)
And fight the polytheists who fight you until there is no more polytheism with Allah,
And worship is dedicated solely to Allah alone.
But if those who fight you among the disbelievers desist,
And embrace your religion,
Then refrain from hostilities against them,
For there should be no aggression except against the wrongdoers,
Namely, those who associate partners with Allah.
"The sacred month is for the sacred month, and for [all] violations is legal retribution."
“The forbidden month for the forbidden month, and forbidden things in retaliation. And one who attacketh you, attack him in like manner as he attacked you. Observe your duty to Allah, and know that Allah is with those who ward off (evil).” (2:194)
“The forbidden month for the forbidden month, and forbidden things in retaliation. And one who attacketh you, attack him in like manner as he attacked you. Observe your duty to Allah, and know that Allah is with those who ward off (evil).” (2:194)
The sacred month is Dhu al-Qa'dah,
In which the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him,
Set out to perform the 'Umrah of al-Hudaybiyyah,
Whereupon the polytheists of Makkah barred him from the House.
The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, concluded a treaty with them
On the condition that he would return the following year,
Enter Makkah, and stay for three days.
When the following year arrived,
He and his Companions went forth to perform 'Umrah in Dhu al-Qa'dah,
And the people of Makkah evacuated the town for him,
Until the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, entered it,
Accomplished his purpose therein, completed his 'Umrah,
Stayed for three days, and then departed.
Thus, the sacred month of Dhu al-Qa'dah,
In which Allah brought you into His Sanctuary,
To His House, despite the resentment of the Quraysh polytheists,
Was in exchange for the sacred month in which the Quraysh polytheists barred you the previous year.
And your entering the Sanctuary in this state of ihram of yours,
In this sacred month of yours,
Is legal retribution for what you were prevented from like it during your past year.
So whoever transgresses against you in the Sanctuary and fights you,
Retaliate against him by fighting,
Commensurate with his transgression against you by fighting you,
For I have ordained that violations require equal retribution.
And this verse has been abrogated
By Allah's permission to His Prophet to fight the people of the Sanctuary,
Initiating the fight in the Sanctuary,
And by His saying:
"And fight the polytheists collectively..."
And fear Allah, O believers, with regard to His sanctities,
Lest you violate them
And exceed what He has demarcated and bounded for you.
And know that Allah loves those who are mindful of Him,
Who fear Him by carrying out His obligatory duties
And avoiding what He has forbidden.
“Spend your wealth for the cause of Allah, and be not cast by your own hands to ruin; and do good. Lo! Allah loveth the beneficent.” (2:195)
“Spend your wealth for the cause of Allah, and be not cast by your own hands to ruin; and do good. Lo! Allah loveth the beneficent.” (2:195)
“Spend your wealth for the cause of Allah, and be not cast by your own hands to ruin; and do good. Lo! Allah loveth the beneficent.” (2:195)
And spend to uphold and honor the religion I have legislated for you,
By waging jihad against your enemy.
And do not abandon spending therein,
Lest you perish by incurring My punishment.
And excel in doing good, O believers,
In performing the obligatory duties I have enjoined upon you,
For indeed, I love those who excel in that regard.
"And complete the Hajj and 'Umrah for Allah..."
“Perform the pilgrimage and the visit (to Makka) for Allah. And if ye are prevented, then send such gifts as can be obtained with ease, and shave not your heads until the gifts have reached their destination. And whoever among you is sick or hath an ailment of the head must pay a ransom of fasting or almsgiving or offering. And if ye are in safety, then whosoever contenteth himself with the visit for the pilgrimage (shall give) such gifts as can be had with ease. And whosoever cannot find (such gifts), then a fast of three days while on the pilgrimage, and of seven when ye have returned; that is, ten in all. That is for him whoso folk are not present at the Inviolable Place of Worship. Observe your duty to Allah, and know that Allah is severe in punishment.” (2:196)
"...and do not shave your heads..."
“Perform the pilgrimage and the visit (to Makka) for Allah. And if ye are prevented, then send such gifts as can be obtained with ease, and shave not your heads until the gifts have reached their destination. And whoever among you is sick or hath an ailment of the head must pay a ransom of fasting or almsgiving or offering. And if ye are in safety, then whosoever contenteth himself with the visit for the pilgrimage (shall give) such gifts as can be had with ease. And whosoever cannot find (such gifts), then a fast of three days while on the pilgrimage, and of seven when ye have returned; that is, ten in all. That is for him whoso folk are not present at the Inviolable Place of Worship. Observe your duty to Allah, and know that Allah is severe in punishment.” (2:196)
"And whoever among you is ill..."
"...or has an ailment of the head..."
“Perform the pilgrimage and the visit (to Makka) for Allah. And if ye are prevented, then send such gifts as can be obtained with ease, and shave not your heads until the gifts have reached their destination. And whoever among you is sick or hath an ailment of the head must pay a ransom of fasting or almsgiving or offering. And if ye are in safety, then whosoever contenteth himself with the visit for the pilgrimage (shall give) such gifts as can be had with ease. And whosoever cannot find (such gifts), then a fast of three days while on the pilgrimage, and of seven when ye have returned; that is, ten in all. That is for him whoso folk are not present at the Inviolable Place of Worship. Observe your duty to Allah, and know that Allah is severe in punishment.” (2:196)
“Perform the pilgrimage and the visit (to Makka) for Allah. And if ye are prevented, then send such gifts as can be obtained with ease, and shave not your heads until the gifts have reached their destination. And whoever among you is sick or hath an ailment of the head must pay a ransom of fasting or almsgiving or offering. And if ye are in safety, then whosoever contenteth himself with the visit for the pilgrimage (shall give) such gifts as can be had with ease. And whosoever cannot find (such gifts), then a fast of three days while on the pilgrimage, and of seven when ye have returned; that is, ten in all. That is for him whoso folk are not present at the Inviolable Place of Worship. Observe your duty to Allah, and know that Allah is severe in punishment.” (2:196)
“Perform the pilgrimage and the visit (to Makka) for Allah. And if ye are prevented, then send such gifts as can be obtained with ease, and shave not your heads until the gifts have reached their destination. And whoever among you is sick or hath an ailment of the head must pay a ransom of fasting or almsgiving or offering. And if ye are in safety, then whosoever contenteth himself with the visit for the pilgrimage (shall give) such gifts as can be had with ease. And whosoever cannot find (such gifts), then a fast of three days while on the pilgrimage, and of seven when ye have returned; that is, ten in all. That is for him whoso folk are not present at the Inviolable Place of Worship. Observe your duty to Allah, and know that Allah is severe in punishment.” (2:196)
“Perform the pilgrimage and the visit (to Makka) for Allah. And if ye are prevented, then send such gifts as can be obtained with ease, and shave not your heads until the gifts have reached their destination. And whoever among you is sick or hath an ailment of the head must pay a ransom of fasting or almsgiving or offering. And if ye are in safety, then whosoever contenteth himself with the visit for the pilgrimage (shall give) such gifts as can be had with ease. And whosoever cannot find (such gifts), then a fast of three days while on the pilgrimage, and of seven when ye have returned; that is, ten in all. That is for him whoso folk are not present at the Inviolable Place of Worship. Observe your duty to Allah, and know that Allah is severe in punishment.” (2:196)
"...and seven when you return."
"Those are ten complete [days]."
“Perform the pilgrimage and the visit (to Makka) for Allah. And if ye are prevented, then send such gifts as can be obtained with ease, and shave not your heads until the gifts have reached their destination. And whoever among you is sick or hath an ailment of the head must pay a ransom of fasting or almsgiving or offering. And if ye are in safety, then whosoever contenteth himself with the visit for the pilgrimage (shall give) such gifts as can be had with ease. And whosoever cannot find (such gifts), then a fast of three days while on the pilgrimage, and of seven when ye have returned; that is, ten in all. That is for him whoso folk are not present at the Inviolable Place of Worship. Observe your duty to Allah, and know that Allah is severe in punishment.” (2:196)
"And fear Allah, and know that Allah is severe in penalty."
And complete the Hajj with all its rites,
And complete the 'Umrah within its proper bounds,
Once you have entered into both of them.
But if an obstacle detains you from completing that,
Due to illness, a fracture, or fear of an enemy,
Then it is incumbent upon you, if you wish to exit your ihram,
To offer whatever sacrifice is easily obtainable, which is a sheep.
And do not exit your state of ihram if you are prevented,
Until the sacrificial animal reaches the place where the impediment occurred,
Which is the time it becomes lawful to slaughter or sacrifice it, whether within the Sanctuary or outside it.
Unless one of you is compelled by necessity to shave it,
Either due to an illness or an affliction of his head such as lice or the like;
In that case, he may shave it there out of the necessity that befell him,
Even if the sacrificial animal has not reached its designated place.
Consequently, for shaving his head, he incurs an expiation of fasting, charity, or sacrifice.
Then when you are secure and your fear of your enemy or your illness has departed,
Whoever performs Tamattu'—having exited his ihram due to being prevented—by performing an 'Umrah,
Must offer whatever sacrificial animal is easily obtainable.
But whoever does not find one must fast three days during his Hajj,
And seven days when he returns to his family.
Those are ten days that you are obligated to complete in fasting.
And this Tamattu' of combining 'Umrah with Hajj
Is for those whose families are not residents of the Sacred Mosque from among those who dwell around it,
Between whom and it lies a distance short of that which permits shortening the prayers.
And fear Allah by obeying Him,
And be certain that He—exalted is His mention—
Is severe in His retribution toward whoever violates His prohibitions and engages in acts of disobedience to Him.
"Hajj is [during] well-known months."
"So whoever has made Hajj obligatory upon himself therein..."
“The pilgrimage is (in) the well-known months, and whoever is minded to perform the pilgrimage therein (let him remember that) there is (to be) no lewdness nor abuse nor angry conversation on the pilgrimage. And whatsoever good ye do Allah knoweth it. So make provision for yourselves (Hereafter); for the best provision is to ward off evil. Therefore keep your duty unto Me, O men of understanding.” (2:197)
“The pilgrimage is (in) the well-known months, and whoever is minded to perform the pilgrimage therein (let him remember that) there is (to be) no lewdness nor abuse nor angry conversation on the pilgrimage. And whatsoever good ye do Allah knoweth it. So make provision for yourselves (Hereafter); for the best provision is to ward off evil. Therefore keep your duty unto Me, O men of understanding.” (2:197)
“The pilgrimage is (in) the well-known months, and whoever is minded to perform the pilgrimage therein (let him remember that) there is (to be) no lewdness nor abuse nor angry conversation on the pilgrimage. And whatsoever good ye do Allah knoweth it. So make provision for yourselves (Hereafter); for the best provision is to ward off evil. Therefore keep your duty unto Me, O men of understanding.” (2:197)
“The pilgrimage is (in) the well-known months, and whoever is minded to perform the pilgrimage therein (let him remember that) there is (to be) no lewdness nor abuse nor angry conversation on the pilgrimage. And whatsoever good ye do Allah knoweth it. So make provision for yourselves (Hereafter); for the best provision is to ward off evil. Therefore keep your duty unto Me, O men of understanding.” (2:197)
The appointed time for your pilgrimage, O people,
Consists of well-known months,
Which are two months and part of a third:
Namely Shawwal, Dhu al-Qa'dah,
And ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah.
So whoever obligates Hajj upon himself therein,
By resolving to perform all that Allah has made obligatory upon the pilgrim,
And abstaining from what Allah has commanded him to abandon,
Shall not engage in obscenity around women,
Neither speaking explicitly to them of intercourse nor having intercourse with them,
Nor commit wicked transgression by doing what Allah forbade him while in ihram,
Such as hunting game, cutting hair, trimming nails,
Or any other act that Allah has forbidden him from doing while in the state of ihram.
For all dispute concerning the Hajj and its timing has been abolished,
And its observance and time have been established upon a single unified schedule,
With agreed-upon rites devoid of disparity,
Containing neither dispute nor contention.
Perform, O believers, what I have commanded you during your Hajj,
That you may thereby merit an abundant reward.
For whatever good you do,
I am fully aware of it and keep a complete reckoning of it all,
So that I may grant you its reward in full.
And take provisions from your sustenance sufficient to convey you
To the completion of your rites.
For there is no piety before Allah in abandoning the taking of provisions
And begging from people,
Nor in squandering your provisions and letting them spoil.
Rather, true piety lies in fearing your Lord,
By avoiding what He forbade you during your journey for Hajj,
And performing what He commanded you to do.
That indeed is the best of provisions,
So take provision from it.
And fear Me, O people of intellect and understanding,
By performing My obligatory duties;
And fear My punishment by avoiding My prohibitions
Which I have forbidden to you,
So that you may thereby be saved from My wrath.
“It is no sin for you that ye seek the bounty of your Lord (by trading). But, when ye press on in the multitude from 'Arafat, remember Allah by the sacred monument. Remember Him as He hath guided you, although before ye were of those astray.” (2:198)
"...bounty from your Lord."
“It is no sin for you that ye seek the bounty of your Lord (by trading). But, when ye press on in the multitude from 'Arafat, remember Allah by the sacred monument. Remember Him as He hath guided you, although before ye were of those astray.” (2:198)
“It is no sin for you that ye seek the bounty of your Lord (by trading). But, when ye press on in the multitude from 'Arafat, remember Allah by the sacred monument. Remember Him as He hath guided you, although before ye were of those astray.” (2:198)
"And remember Him, as He has guided you..."
“It is no sin for you that ye seek the bounty of your Lord (by trading). But, when ye press on in the multitude from 'Arafat, remember Allah by the sacred monument. Remember Him as He hath guided you, although before ye were of those astray.” (2:198)
"...among the astray."
There is no blame upon you, O believers,
In seeking bounty from your Lord.
So when you depart from 'Arafah toward where you began,
Remember Allah with prayer and supplication
At the Sacred Landmark (al-Mash'ar al-Haram),
Which is the area between the two mountains of Muzdalifah,
Extending from the mountain passes of 'Arafah to Muhassir.
And remember Allah, O believers,
at the Sacred Monument (al-Mash'ar al-Haram),
by praising Him
and expressing gratitude for having guided you
to the ways of Ibrahim, after polytheism and blindness,
just as He guided you with knowledge,
until He rescued you from the Fire through it,
after you had been on the very brink of it,
whereas before that you were truly among the astray.
Then depart from where the people depart,
and ask forgiveness of Allah;
indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
Quraysh used not to depart from 'Arafah;
rather, they would depart only from Muzdalifah,
which is the Sacred Monument,
because they considered themselves the people of the Sanctuary.
So Allah commanded them to depart from wherever the rest of the Arabs departed,
thus abolishing the innovations that Quraysh had introduced for the people.
This is an instance of an earlier mention that is intended to come later,
and a later mention intended to come earlier,
for the intended meaning is:
“The pilgrimage is (in) the well-known months, and whoever is minded to perform the pilgrimage therein (let him remember that) there is (to be) no lewdness nor abuse nor angry conversation on the pilgrimage. And whatsoever good ye do Allah knoweth it. So make provision for yourselves (Hereafter); for the best provision is to ward off evil. Therefore keep your duty unto Me, O men of understanding.” (2:197)
“The pilgrimage is (in) the well-known months, and whoever is minded to perform the pilgrimage therein (let him remember that) there is (to be) no lewdness nor abuse nor angry conversation on the pilgrimage. And whatsoever good ye do Allah knoweth it. So make provision for yourselves (Hereafter); for the best provision is to ward off evil. Therefore keep your duty unto Me, O men of understanding.” (2:197)
“Then hasten onward from the place whence the multitude hasteneth onward, and ask forgiveness of Allah. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.” (2:199)
"And ask forgiveness of Allah; indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful."
“The pilgrimage is (in) the well-known months, and whoever is minded to perform the pilgrimage therein (let him remember that) there is (to be) no lewdness nor abuse nor angry conversation on the pilgrimage. And whatsoever good ye do Allah knoweth it. So make provision for yourselves (Hereafter); for the best provision is to ward off evil. Therefore keep your duty unto Me, O men of understanding.” (2:197)
And al-Dahhak said:
"Then depart, meaning: return back to Mina
from where My close friend Ibrahim departed at the Sacred Monument,
and ask Me for forgiveness of your sins,
for I am Forgiving of them and Merciful toward you."
And when you have completed your rites,
“And when ye have completed your devotions, then remember Allah as ye remember your fathers or with a more lively remembrance. But of mankind is he who saith: "Our Lord! Give unto us in the world," and he hath no portion in the Hereafter.” (2:200)
or with even greater remembrance.
“And when ye have completed your devotions, then remember Allah as ye remember your fathers or with a more lively remembrance. But of mankind is he who saith: "Our Lord! Give unto us in the world," and he hath no portion in the Hereafter.” (2:200)
“And when ye have completed your devotions, then remember Allah as ye remember your fathers or with a more lively remembrance. But of mankind is he who saith: "Our Lord! Give unto us in the world," and he hath no portion in the Hereafter.” (2:200)
So when you have concluded your Hajj,
and slaughtered your sacrificial offerings,
remember Allah by proclaiming His greatness (takbir),
and maintain it just as children maintain
the frequent remembrance of their fathers,
through submission to Him,
and entreating Him earnestly, directing all their needs to Him,
just as a child entreats his father,
or a young boy appeals to his mother and father,
or even more intensely than that,
since whatever blessing has touched them and their fathers
is entirely from Him, and He is its true Guardian.
And do not be like those who traded the Hereafter for the life of this world,
asking their Lord for nothing but its fleeting pleasures,
having no share in Allah’s reward,
nor any portion in His Gardens.
“And of them (also) is he who saith: "Our Lord! Give unto us in the world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and guard us from the doom of Fire."” (2:201)
“And of them (also) is he who saith: "Our Lord! Give unto us in the world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and guard us from the doom of Fire."” (2:201)
"and good in the Hereafter,
and protect us from the punishment of the Fire."
And among them are those who ask their Lord for goodness in this world,
consisting of well-being in body, livelihood, and provision,
as well as beneficial knowledge and righteous worship;
and they ask their Lord for Paradise in the Hereafter,
praying, "Avert from us the torment of the Fire."
"Those will have a share of what they have earned,
and Allah is swift in reckoning."
Those who supplicate, saying:
“And of them (also) is he who saith: "Our Lord! Give unto us in the world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and guard us from the doom of Fire."” (2:201)
"and good in the Hereafter,
and protect us from the punishment of the Fire,"
will have an abundant share and blessing from their Hajj and rites,
as well as a generous reward for the deeds they have earned.
And Allah encompasses the deeds of both groups:
those whose only petition is:
"Our Lord, give us in this world,"
and those whose petition is:
“And of them (also) is he who saith: "Our Lord! Give unto us in the world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and guard us from the doom of Fire."” (2:201)
"and good in the Hereafter,
and protect us from the punishment of the Fire."
He will swiftly account for them,
because He enumerates the deeds of His servants
without the counting of fingers,
and without hesitation or deliberation,
unlike the feeble and powerless among creation.
This is the summary from the Tafsir of al-Tabari.