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 36
Translations
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.
Transliteration
Wal-budna ja'alnaha lakum min sha'a'iri-llahi lakum fiha khair. Fadhkuru isma-llahi 'alayha swāff. Fa-idha wajabat junūbuhā fakū min-hā wa-at'imū-l-qāni'a wa-l-mu'tarra. Kadhālika sakhkharnāhā lakum la'allakum tashkurūn.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah instructs believers regarding the ritual sacrifice (al-hady/al-udhhiyyah) performed during Hajj, establishing that sacrificial animals are among the sacred rites (sha'a'ir) of Allah with great benefit for the community. Believers are commanded to mention Allah's name over the animals while they stand in rows (sawaff), and once they fall on their sides in death, Muslims should eat from the meat and distribute it to the poor (al-qa'ni') and those who ask (al-mu'tarr). Ibn Kathir emphasizes that this commandment reflects Allah's wisdom in combining spiritual devotion with material provision and social welfare, while Al-Qurtubi notes that the distribution of meat fulfills both personal sustenance and communal obligation, making gratitude (shukr) the ultimate purpose.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in Medina during the discussion of Hajj rites in Surah Al-Hajj, which addresses the pillars of pilgrimage and their spiritual significance. The context follows verses establishing the sanctity of the Sacred House (Ka'bah) and precedes further rulings on Hajj observance. The revelation came to regulate and dignify the pre-Islamic practice of animal sacrifice by imbuing it with Islamic theological meaning and social justice principles.
Related Hadiths
Jabir ibn Abdullah reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'For every hair of the sacrificial animal, you receive a reward' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, the Prophet (ﷺ) commanded: 'Eat, store, and give in charity' regarding the meat of sacrifice (Sahih Muslim 1971), establishing the threefold distribution principle referenced in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that Islamic worship is not divorced from social responsibility—the ritual of sacrifice simultaneously honors Allah and serves the community by feeding the poor and needy. Modern believers should recognize that spiritual acts carry inherent obligations toward others, and true gratitude to Allah manifests through generosity and remembrance of His name in all our actions.