يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِنَّمَا ٱلْمُشْرِكُونَ نَجَسٌ فَلَا يَقْرَبُوا۟ ٱلْمَسْجِدَ ٱلْحَرَامَ بَعْدَ عَامِهِمْ هَـٰذَا ۚ وَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ عَيْلَةً فَسَوْفَ يُغْنِيكُمُ ٱللَّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِۦٓ إِن شَآءَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ 28
Translations
O you who have believed, indeed the polytheists are unclean, so let them not approach al-Masjid al-Ḥarām after this, their [final] year. And if you fear privation, Allāh will enrich you from His bounty if He wills. Indeed, Allāh is Knowing and Wise.
Transliteration
Ya ayyuha alladhina amanu inna al-mushrikun najasun fala yaqrabu al-masjid al-haram baada aamihim hadha wa-in khiftum aylatan fasawf yughniyakum Allah min fadlihi in shaa inna Allah alimun hakimun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah prohibits polytheists (mushrikun) from approaching the Sacred Mosque (Al-Masjid al-Haram) after the year of revelation, declaring them spiritually impure (najis). The impurity mentioned refers to spiritual/moral uncleanliness from shirk (polytheism) rather than physical impurity, as classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir explain. The verse assures believers that despite economic concerns about losing trade from pilgrims, Allah will provide abundantly from His grace, emphasizing faith over worldly anxieties.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the 9th year of Hijrah (Ramadan 9 AH) as part of the broader directive regarding the pilgrimage season and the final breaking of pagan influence in Mecca. Surah At-Tawbah addresses the transition period when Muslims had gained strength, and this verse specifically pertains to the policy of restricting the Sacred Mosque to believers only, marking a significant shift in the relationship between Islam and pre-Islamic practices.
Related Hadiths
Ibn Abbas reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'No two religions shall remain in the land of the Arabs' (Sunan Abu Dawud). Additionally, 'Umar ibn al-Khattab reported that the Messenger forbade mushrikun from entering the Sacred Mosque (Sahih Muslim and Sunan Abu Dawud).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to prioritize spiritual integrity and religious principles over material gain, trusting that Allah's provision transcends worldly concerns; it also emphasizes that true purity comes from monotheistic faith, not merely physical cleanliness.