لَكُمْ فِيهَا مَنَـٰفِعُ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى ثُمَّ مَحِلُّهَآ إِلَى ٱلْبَيْتِ ٱلْعَتِيقِ 33
Translations
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.
Transliteration
Lakum fihā manāfi'u ilā ajalin musammān thumma maḥilluhā ilā al-bayti al-'atīq
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the sacrificial animals (hadī) designated for the pilgrimage, stating that they provide benefits to the pilgrims for a specified period until they reach the Sacred House (Ka'bah) for slaughter. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi explain that the 'benefits' include riding, milk, and wool from these animals during the journey, after which they must be offered as sacrifice at the appointed time. The phrase 'the Ancient House' (al-bayti al-'atīq) refers to the Ka'bah, emphasizing that the final destination and purpose of these animals is their consecration and sacrifice in fulfillment of the pilgrimage rites.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within Surah Al-Hajj's detailed discussion of the pilgrimage obligations and the sacrificial animals designated for Hajj (Qurbānī). It was revealed in Medina during the period when the rules of Hajj were being established for the Muslim community, providing specific guidance on the treatment and ultimate purpose of sacrificial animals in the Hajj ritual.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (1713) and Sahih Muslim (1318) record that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said regarding sacrificial animals: 'The best of sacrifices are the fattest and most valuable,' emphasizing the importance of offering the best animals. Additionally, Jami' at-Tirmidhi (1497) relates that pilgrims were permitted to ride and use the milk of sacrificial animals during the Hajj journey until they reached Mina.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that Allah permits the use of worldly resources and blessings for our legitimate needs, but ultimately all such blessings are directed toward divine worship and remembrance. For modern believers, it reminds us that temporary worldly benefits should never eclipse our primary purpose of drawing closer to Allah and fulfilling our religious obligations with sincerity and complete submission.
Related Ayahs
يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ ۗ وَإِلَى ٱللَّهِ تُرْجَعُ ٱلْأُمُورُ
He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them. And to Allāh will be returned [all] matters.
وَٱلْبُدْنَ جَعَلْنَـٰهَا لَكُم مِّن شَعَـٰٓئِرِ ٱللَّهِ لَكُمْ فِيهَا خَيْرٌ ۖ فَٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱسْمَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْهَا صَوَآفَّ ۖ فَإِذَا وَجَبَتْ جُنُوبُهَا فَكُلُوا۟ مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا۟ ٱلْقَانِعَ وَٱلْمُعْتَرَّ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ سَخَّرْنَـٰهَا لَكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
And the camels and cattle We have appointed for you as among the symbols [i.e., rites] of Allāh; for you therein is good. So mention the name of Allāh upon them when lined up [for sacrifice]; and when they are [lifeless] on their sides, then eat from them and feed the needy [who does not seek aid] and the beggar. Thus have We subjected them to you that you may be grateful.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱرْكَعُوا۟ وَٱسْجُدُوا۟ وَٱعْبُدُوا۟ رَبَّكُمْ وَٱفْعَلُوا۟ ٱلْخَيْرَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ ۩
O you who have believed, bow and prostrate and worship your Lord and do good - that you may succeed.
أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ أَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَتُصْبِحُ ٱلْأَرْضُ مُخْضَرَّةً ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَطِيفٌ خَبِيرٌ
Do you not see that Allāh has sent down rain from the sky and the earth becomes green? Indeed, Allāh is Subtle and Aware.