ثُمَّ أَفِيضُوا۟ مِنْ حَيْثُ أَفَاضَ ٱلنَّاسُ وَٱسْتَغْفِرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ 199
Translations
Then depart from the place from where [all] the people depart and ask forgiveness of Allāh. Indeed, Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.
Transliteration
Thumma afeedu min haysu afada al-nasu wasta-ghfiru Allah. Inna Allah ghafurun raheem.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the pilgrims to depart from Arafat and proceed to Muzdalifah, following the example set by the people (referring to the righteous predecessors and the Prophet's practice). The instruction to seek forgiveness emphasizes that the Hajj is a spiritual journey requiring repentance and humility before Allah. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note that this verse establishes the Sunnah of following the Prophet's guidance in the ritual while maintaining consciousness of Allah's mercy and forgiveness throughout the pilgrimage.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the Hajj legislation in Surah Al-Baqarah, revealed in Madinah. It addresses a pre-Islamic practice where some tribes would not depart from Arafat with others, considering it beneath them. The verse corrects this custom by enjoining all pilgrims to follow the established practice while seeking Allah's forgiveness, thus establishing uniformity and spiritual humility in the hajj ritual.
Related Hadiths
Jabir ibn Abdullah reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said during his farewell pilgrimage: 'Learn your hajj rites from me' (Sahih Muslim). Also relevant is the hadith about the Prophet's action at Arafat and Muzdalifah, establishing the Sunnah of ifadah (flowing/departing together) mentioned in various collections including Sunan Abu Dawud.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that true worship combines outward obedience to divine commands with sincere inner repentance and humility. In our modern context, it teaches that following established spiritual practices while maintaining consciousness of Allah's mercy creates both communal unity and personal spiritual transformation.