إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَيَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلْنَـٰهُ لِلنَّاسِ سَوَآءً ٱلْعَـٰكِفُ فِيهِ وَٱلْبَادِ ۚ وَمَن يُرِدْ فِيهِ بِإِلْحَادٍۭ بِظُلْمٍ نُّذِقْهُ مِنْ عَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ 25
Translations
Indeed, those who have disbelieved and avert [people] from the way of Allāh and [from] al-Masjid al-Ḥarām, which We made for the people - equal are the resident therein and one from outside - and [also] whoever intends [a deed] therein of deviation [in religion] by wrongdoing - We will make him taste of a painful punishment.
Transliteration
Inna alladhīna kafarū wa-yaṣiddūna ʿan sabīli -llāhi wa-al-masjidi al-ḥarāmi alladhī jaʿalnāhu li-l-nāsi sawāʾan al-ʿākifu fīhi wa-al-bād; wa-man yurīd fīhi bi-il-ḥād bi-ẓulm nudhīqhu min ʿadhāb alīm.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah condemns those who disbelieve and obstruct others from the path of Allah and from the Sacred Mosque (Al-Masjid Al-Haram), which Allah established as a sanctuary for all people equally—whether they dwell there permanently or visit temporarily. The verse concludes with a stern warning that whoever intends to commit wrongdoing or corruption in the Sacred Mosque will be punished with severe torment. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that 'al-ilhād bi-ẓulm' (intentional wrongdoing) refers to acts of disbelief, polytheism, or violence within the sacred precinct.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Hajj is primarily Medinan and addresses the trials faced by early Muslims, including Meccan opposition to pilgrimage. This ayah specifically addresses the Quraysh's attempts to prevent Muslims from accessing the Sacred Mosque and their obstruction of the path to Allah, reflecting the historical conflict over access to the Ka'bah during the early Islamic period.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever enters the Sacred Mosque is secure' (related thematically). Additionally, the hadith in Sahih Muslim regarding the sanctity of Makkah: 'Verily, this town was made sacred by Allah on the day He created the heavens and the earth.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that the House of Allah belongs to all believers regardless of their status or origin, and that protecting access to places of worship is essential to faith. It serves as a reminder that attempting to obstruct others from worshipping Allah or spreading His message will incur divine punishment, emphasizing the paramount importance of preserving religious freedom and the sanctity of sacred spaces.