The Pilgrimage (al-Hajj) 2

6 minutes • 1159 words

³² Whoever venerates the sacraments of Allah—it is from the piety of the hearts.

³³ In them are benefits for you until a certain time. Then their place is by the Ancient House.

³⁴ We have appointed a rite for every nation, that they may commemorate Allah’s name over the livestock He has provided for them.

³⁵ Those whose hearts tremble when Allah is mentioned, and those who endure what has befallen them, and those who perform the prayer and spend from what We have provided for them.

³⁶ We have made the animal offerings emblems of Allah for you. In them is goodness for you.

So pronounce Allah’s name upon them as they line up. Then, when they have fallen on their sides, eat of them and feed the contented and the beggar. Thus We have subjected them to you, that you may be thankful.

³⁷ Neither their flesh, nor their blood, ever reaches Allah. What reaches Him is the righteousness from you. Thus He subdued them to you, that you may glorify Allah for guiding you. And give good news to the charitable.

³⁸ Allah defends those who believe. Allah does not love any ungrateful traitor.

³⁹ Permission is given to those who are fought against.

⁴⁰ Those who were unjustly evicted from their homes, merely for saying, “Our Lord is Allah.”

Were it not that Allah repels people by means of others: monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques—where the name of Allah is mentioned much—would have been demolished. Allah supports whoever supports Him.

⁴¹ Those who, when We empower them in the land, observe the prayer, and give regular charity, and command what is right, and forbid what is wrong. To Allah belongs the outcome of events.

⁴² If they deny you—before them the people of Noah, and Aad, and Thamood also denied.

⁴³ The people of Abraham, and the people of Lot.

⁴⁴ The inhabitants of Median. And Moses was denied. Then I reprieved those who disbelieved, but then I seized them. So how was My rejection?

⁴⁵ How many a town have We destroyed while it was doing wrong? They lie in ruins; with stilled wells, and lofty mansions.

⁴⁶ Have they not journeyed in the land, and had minds to reason with, or ears to listen with? It is not the eyes that go blind, but it is the hearts, within the chests, that go blind.

⁴⁷ They ask you to hasten the punishment.

But Allah never breaks His promise. A day with your Lord is like a thousand years of your count.

How many a town have I reprieved, although it was unjust? Then I seized it. To Me is the destination.
Say, “O people, I am only a plain warner toyou.”
Those who believe and work righteousness—for them is forgiveness and a generous provision.
But those who strive against Our revelations—these are the inmates of Hell.
We never sent a messenger before you, or a prophet, but when he had a desire Satan interfered in his wishes. But Allah nullifies what Satan interjects, and Allah affirms His revelations.
In order to make Satan’s suggestions a trial for those whose hearts are diseased, and those whose hearts are hardened. The wrongdoers are in profound discord.

And so that those endowed with knowledge may know that it is the truth from your Lord, and so believe in it, and their hearts soften to it. Allah guides those who believe to a straight path.

Those who disbelieve will continue to be hesitant about it, until the Hour comes upon them suddenly, or there comes to them the torment of a desolate Day.
Sovereignty on that Day belongs to Allah; He will judge between them. Those who believe and do good deeds will be in the Gardens of Bliss.
But those who disbelieve and reject Our revelations—these will have a humiliating punishment.
Those who emigrate in Allah’s cause, then get killed, or die, Allah will provide them with fine provisions.
He will admit them an admittance that will please them. Allah is Knowing and Clement.
That is so! Whoever retaliates similarly to the affliction he was made to suffer, and then he is wronged again, Allah will definitely assist him. Allah is Pardoning and Forgiving.
That is because Allah merges the night into the day, and He merges the day into the night, and because Allah is Hearing and Seeing.
That is because Allah is the Reality, and what they invoke besides Him is vanity, and because Allah is the Sublime, the Grand.
Do you not see that Allah sends down water from the sky, and the land becomes green?
To Him belongs everything in the heavens and everything on earth. Allah is the Rich, the Praised.
Do you not see that Allah made everything on earth subservient to you? How the ships sail at sea by His command? That He holds up the sky lest it falls on earth—except by His permission?
And it is He who gives you life, then makes you die, then revives you.
For every congregation We have appointed acts of devotion, which they observe. So do not let them dispute with you in this matter.

And invite to your Lord; you are upon a straight guidance.

But if they dispute with you, say, “Allah is fully aware of what you do.”
Allah will judge between you on the Day of Resurrection regarding what you disagree about.
Do you not know that Allah knows everything in the heavens and the earth? This is in a book. That is easy for Allah.
Yet they worship, besides Allah, things for which He sent down no warrant, and what they have no knowledge of. There is no savior for the transgressors.
And when Our Clear Verses are recited to them, you will recognize disgust on the faces of those who disbelieve. They nearly assault those who recite to them Our Verses.

Say, “Shall I inform you of something worse than that? The Fire! Allah has promised it to those who disbelieve. And what a wretched outcome!”

O people! Listen to a parable: Those you invoke besides Allah will never create a fly, even if they banded together for that purpose. And if the fly steals anything from them, they cannot recover it from it. Weak are the pursuer and the pursued.
They do not value Allah as He should be valued.
Allah chooses messengers from among:

the angels, and
the people.

He knows what is before them, and what is behind them. To Allah all matters are referred.
And strive for Allah, with the striving due to Him. He has chosen you, and has not burdened you in religion—the faith of your father Abraham. It is he who named you Muslims before, and in this.

So that the Messenger may be a witness over you, and you may be witnesses over the people. So pray regularly, and give regular charity, and cleave to Allah.