وَأَذِّن فِى ٱلنَّاسِ بِٱلْحَجِّ يَأْتُوكَ رِجَالًا وَعَلَىٰ كُلِّ ضَامِرٍ يَأْتِينَ مِن كُلِّ فَجٍّ عَمِيقٍ 27
Translations
And proclaim to the people the ḥajj [pilgrimage]; they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every distant pass -
Transliteration
Wa-adhin fi al-nasi bi-al-hajji ya'tuka rijalan wa-ala kulli damirin ya'tina min kulli fajjin amiq
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah records Allah's command to Prophet Ibrahim to announce the pilgrimage (Hajj) to all people, and that they would come to him on foot and on every lean camel from every distant, rugged path. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as referring to Ibrahim's call to pilgrimage, which continues to echo through the ages—the subsequent performance of Hajj by millions fulfills this divine command. The 'lean camels' (damir) symbolize animals weakened by the arduous journey, emphasizing the immense effort and sacrifice pilgrims undertake to respond to this call.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Medinan Surah Al-Hajj and is part of the passage describing the establishment of the Hajj pilgrimage. It contextualizes Hajj as an ancient institution initiated by Prophet Ibrahim, connecting the early Islamic practice to the Abrahamic tradition and establishing its spiritual and historical significance.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari 1597: 'Aisha asked the Prophet, 'O Messenger of Allah, is Hajj obligatory?' He replied, 'Yes, it is obligatory for everyone who has the means.' Also, Muslim 1218: The Prophet said, 'Whoever performs Hajj for Allah's pleasure and does not utter obscene words or commit sin during Hajj, he returns as pure and sinless as a newborn child.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that Hajj is not merely a ritual but a profound spiritual call that transcends time and geography, uniting believers across centuries in response to Allah's command. The imagery of people traveling from distant lands emphasizes that true devotion requires effort, sacrifice, and commitment to answering Allah's call, regardless of the hardship involved.
Related Ayahs
وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَكَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ
And they who disbelieved and denied Our signs - for those there will be a humiliating punishment.
كُلَّمَآ أَرَادُوٓا۟ أَن يَخْرُجُوا۟ مِنْهَا مِنْ غَمٍّ أُعِيدُوا۟ فِيهَا وَذُوقُوا۟ عَذَابَ ٱلْحَرِيقِ
Every time they want to get out of it [i.e., Hellfire] from anguish, they will be returned to it, and [it will be said], "Taste the punishment of the Burning Fire!"
لَكُمْ فِيهَا مَنَـٰفِعُ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى ثُمَّ مَحِلُّهَآ إِلَى ٱلْبَيْتِ ٱلْعَتِيقِ
For you therein [i.e., the animals marked for sacrifice] are benefits for a specified term; then their place of sacrifice is at the ancient House.
أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَسْجُدُ لَهُۥ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱلشَّمْسُ وَٱلْقَمَرُ وَٱلنُّجُومُ وَٱلْجِبَالُ وَٱلشَّجَرُ وَٱلدَّوَآبُّ وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِ ۖ وَكَثِيرٌ حَقَّ عَلَيْهِ ٱلْعَذَابُ ۗ وَمَن يُهِنِ ٱللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُۥ مِن مُّكْرِمٍ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَفْعَلُ مَا يَشَآءُ ۩
Do you not see [i.e., know] that to Allāh prostrates whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth and the sun, the moon, the stars, the mountains, the trees, the moving creatures and many of the people? But upon many the punishment has been justified. And he whom Allāh humiliates - for him there is no bestower of honor. Indeed, Allāh does what He wills.