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
وَإِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَـٰتُنَا بَيِّنَـٰتٍ تَعْرِفُ فِى وُجُوهِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ ٱلْمُنكَرَ ۖ يَكَادُونَ يَسْطُونَ بِٱلَّذِينَ يَتْلُونَ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَـٰتِنَا ۗ قُلْ أَفَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِشَرٍّ مِّن ذَٰلِكُمُ ۗ ٱلنَّارُ وَعَدَهَا ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ ۖ وَبِئْسَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ
And when Our verses are recited to them as clear evidences, you recognize in the faces of those who disbelieve disapproval. They are almost on the verge of assaulting those who recite to them Our verses. Say, "Then shall I inform you of [what is] worse than that? [It is] the Fire which Allāh has promised those who disbelieve, and wretched is the destination."
لَّهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَهُوَ ٱلْغَنِىُّ ٱلْحَمِيدُ
To Him belongs what is in the heavens and what is on the earth. And indeed, Allāh is the Free of need, the Praiseworthy.
۞ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُدَٰفِعُ عَنِ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ خَوَّانٍ كَفُورٍ
Indeed, Allāh defends those who have believed. Indeed, Allāh does not like everyone treacherous and ungrateful.
ثَانِىَ عِطْفِهِۦ لِيُضِلَّ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ لَهُۥ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا خِزْىٌ ۖ وَنُذِيقُهُۥ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ عَذَابَ ٱلْحَرِيقِ
Twisting his neck [in arrogance] to mislead [people] from the way of Allāh. For him in the world is disgrace, and We will make him taste on the Day of Resurrection the punishment of the Burning Fire [while it is said],