ثُمَّ لْيَقْضُوا۟ تَفَثَهُمْ وَلْيُوفُوا۟ نُذُورَهُمْ وَلْيَطَّوَّفُوا۟ بِٱلْبَيْتِ ٱلْعَتِيقِ 29
Translations
Then let them end their untidiness and fulfill their vows and perform ṭawāf around the ancient House."
Transliteration
Thumma liyaqḍū tafathahum wa-liyūfū nuzūrahum wa-liyaṭṭawwafū bil-bayti al-'atīq
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands pilgrims to complete their state of ihram by removing its restrictions (tafath), fulfill their vows made to Allah, and perform tawaf (circumambulation) around the ancient House of Allah (the Ka'bah). Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir explain that tafath refers to grooming and removing ihram after completing the major rites, which represents the final stages of the Hajj pilgrimage where one returns to normal life while maintaining spiritual consciousness.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Hajj (revealed in Medina) and appears in the section detailing the rituals and obligations of Hajj. It comes after verses describing the benefits and purposes of pilgrimage, providing specific instructions for pilgrims during the final phases of their sacred journey.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari 1843: Narrated 'Aisha - The Prophet (ﷺ) performed Tawaf around the Ka'bah and the Safa and Marwa as the last thing he did at Mecca. Also relevant: The hadith in Sahih Muslim regarding the Prophet's final tawaf (Tawaf al-Wada') before departing Mecca.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds pilgrims that Hajj is not merely external rituals but a comprehensive spiritual journey that concludes with intentional recommitment to one's vows with Allah. For modern believers, it teaches that fulfilling promises made to Allah and maintaining consciousness of Him extends beyond the pilgrimage into everyday life.
Related Ayahs
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُدْخِلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ جَنَّـٰتٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَفْعَلُ مَا يُرِيدُ
Indeed, Allāh will admit those who believe and do righteous deeds to gardens beneath which rivers flow. Indeed, Allāh does what He intends.
أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَخَّرَ لَكُم مَّا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱلْفُلْكَ تَجْرِى فِى ٱلْبَحْرِ بِأَمْرِهِۦ وَيُمْسِكُ ٱلسَّمَآءَ أَن تَقَعَ عَلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِۦٓ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِٱلنَّاسِ لَرَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ
Do you not see that Allāh has subjected to you whatever is on the earth and the ships which run through the sea by His command? And He restrains the sky from falling upon the earth, unless by His permission. Indeed Allāh, to the people, is Kind and Merciful.
مَن كَانَ يَظُنُّ أَن لَّن يَنصُرَهُ ٱللَّهُ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ فَلْيَمْدُدْ بِسَبَبٍ إِلَى ٱلسَّمَآءِ ثُمَّ لْيَقْطَعْ فَلْيَنظُرْ هَلْ يُذْهِبَنَّ كَيْدُهُۥ مَا يَغِيظُ
Whoever should think that Allāh will not support him [i.e., Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ)] in this world and the Hereafter - let him extend a rope to the ceiling, then cut off [his breath], and let him see: will his effort remove that which enrages [him]?
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ ٱتَّقُوا۟ رَبَّكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ زَلْزَلَةَ ٱلسَّاعَةِ شَىْءٌ عَظِيمٌ
O mankind, fear your Lord. Indeed, the convulsion of the [final] Hour is a terrible thing.