Sura 22, The Pilgrimage (Al-Hajj)
In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
[22:1] O people, you shall reverence your Lord, for the quaking of
the Hour is something horrendous.
[22:2] The day you witness it, even a nursing mother will discard
her infant, and a pregnant woman will abort her fetus. You will
see the people staggering, as if they are intoxicated, even though
they are not intoxicated. This is because GOD's retribution is so
awesome.
[22:3] Among the people, there are those who argue about GOD
without knowledge, and follow every rebellious devil.
[22:4] It is decreed that anyone who allies himself with him, he
will mislead him and guide him to the agony of Hell.
Where Did We Come From?
[22:5] O people, if you have any doubt about resurrection,
(remember that) we created you from dust, and subsequently from a
tiny drop, which turns into a hanging (embryo), then it becomes a
fetus that is given life or deemed lifeless. We thus clarify
things for you. We settle in the wombs whatever we will for a
predetermined period.* We then bring you out as infants, then you
reach maturity. While some of you die young, others live to the
worst age, only to find out that no more knowledge can be attained
beyond a certain limit. Also, you look at a land that is dead,
then as soon as we shower it with water, it vibrates with life and
grows all kinds of beautiful plants.
Footnote
[22:6] This proves that GOD is the Truth, and that He revives the
dead, and that He is Omnipotent.
[22:7] And that the Hour is coming, no doubt about it, and that
GOD resurrects those who are in the graves.
A Common Occurrence
[22:8] Among the people there is the one who argues about GOD
without knowledge, and without guidance, and without an
enlightening scripture.
[22:9] Arrogantly he strives to divert the people from the path of
GOD. He thus incurs humiliation in this life, and we commit him on
the Day of Resurrection to the agony of burning.
[22:10] This is what your hands have sent ahead for you. GOD is
never unjust towards the people.
Fair Weather Friends
[22:11] Among the people there is the one who worships GOD
conditionally. If things go his way, he is content. But if some
adversity befalls him, he makes an about-face. Thus, he loses both
this life and the Hereafter. Such is the real loss.
[22:12] He idolizes beside GOD what possesses no power to harm him
or benefit him; such is the real straying.
[22:13] He idolizes what is more apt to harm him than benefit him.
What a miserable lord! What a miserable companion!
[22:14] GOD admits those who believe and lead a righteous life
into gardens with flowing streams. Everything is in accordance
with GOD's will.
Happiness Now, and Forever
[22:15] If anyone thinks that GOD cannot support him in this life
and in the Hereafter, let him turn completely to (his creator in)
heaven, and sever (his dependence on anyone else). He will then
see that this plan eliminates anything that bothers him.
[22:16] We have thus revealed clear revelations herein, then GOD
guides whoever wills (to be guided).
God: The Only Judge
[22:17] Those who believe, those who are Jewish, the converts, the
Christians, the Zoroastrians, and the idol worshipers, GOD is the
One who will judge among them on the Day of Resurrection. GOD
witnesses all things.
[22:18] Do you not realize that to GOD prostrates everyone in the
heavens and the earth, and the sun, and the moon, and the stars,
and the mountains, and the trees, and the animals, and many
people? Many others among the people are committed to doom.
Whomever GOD shames, none will honor him. Everything is in
accordance with GOD's will.
How Terrible is Hell!*
[22:19] Here are two parties feuding with regard to their Lord. As
for those who disbelieve, they will have clothes of fire tailored
for them. Hellish liquid will be poured on top of their heads.
Footnote
[22:20] It will cause their insides to melt, as well as their
skins.
[22:21] They will be confined in iron pots.
[22:22] Whenever they try to exit such misery, they will be forced
back in: "Taste the agony of burning."
The Bliss of Heaven
[22:23] GOD will admit those who believe and lead a righteous life
into gardens with flowing streams. They will be adorned therein
with bracelets of gold, and pearls, and their garments therein
will be silk.
[22:24] They have been guided to the good words; they have been
guided in the path of the Most Praised.
[22:25] Surely, those who disbelieve and repulse others from the
path of GOD, and from the Sacred Masjid that we designated for all
the people - be they natives or visitors - and seek to pollute it
and corrupt it, we will afflict them with painful retribution.
Pilgrimage, Like All Duties in Islam, Decreed Through Abraham*
[22:26] We appointed Abraham to establish the Shrine: "You shall
not idolize any other god beside Me, and purify My shrine for
those who visit it, those who live near it, and those who bow and
prostrate.
Footnote
[22:27] "And proclaim that the people shall observe Hajj
pilgrimage.* They will come to you walking or riding on various
exhausted (means of transportation). They will come from the
farthest locations."
Footnote
[22:28] They may seek commercial benefits, and they shall
commemorate GOD's name during the specified days for providing
them with livestock. "Eat therefrom and feed the despondent and
the poor."
[22:29] They shall complete their obligations, fulfill their vows,
and visit the ancient shrine.
[22:30] Those who reverence the rites decreed by GOD have deserved
a good reward at their Lord. All livestock is made lawful for your
food, except for those specifically prohibited for you. You shall
avoid the abomination of idol worship, and avoid bearing false
witness.
[22:31] You shall maintain your devotion absolutely to GOD alone.
Anyone who sets up any idol beside GOD is like one who fell from
the sky, then gets snatched up by vultures, or blown away by the
wind into a deep ravine.
[22:32] Indeed, those who reverence the rites decreed by GOD
demonstrate the righteousness of their hearts.
Livestock Offerings During Pilgrimage*
[22:33] The (livestock) provide you with many benefits for a
period, before being donated to the ancient shrine.
Footnote
[22:34] For each congregation we have decreed rites whereby they
commemorate the name of GOD for providing them with the livestock.
Your god is one and the same god; you shall all submit to Him.
Give good news to the obedient.
[22:35] They are the ones whose hearts tremble upon mentioning
GOD, they steadfastly persevere during adversity, they observe the
Contact Prayers (Salat), and from our provisions to them, they
give to charity.
[22:36] The animal offerings are among the rites decreed by GOD
for your own good.* You shall mention GOD's name on them while
they are standing in line. Once they are offered for sacrifice,
you shall eat therefrom and feed the poor and the needy. This is
why we subdued them for you, that you may show your appreciation.
Footnote
[22:37] Neither their meat, nor their blood reaches GOD. What
reaches Him is your righteousness. He has subdued them for you,
that you may show your appreciation by glorifying GOD for guiding
you. Give good news to the charitable.
God Defends the Believers
[22:38] GOD defends those who believe. GOD does not love any
betrayer, unappreciative.
Synagogues, Churches, and Masjids
[22:39] Permission is granted to those who are being persecuted,
since injustice has befallen them, and GOD is certainly able to
support them.
[22:40] They were evicted from their homes unjustly, for no reason
other than saying, "Our Lord is GOD." If it were not for GOD's
supporting of some people against others, monasteries, churches,
synagogues, and masjids - where the name of GOD is commemorated
frequently - would have been destroyed. Absolutely, GOD supports
those who support Him. GOD is Powerful, Almighty.
[22:41] They are those who, if we appointed them as rulers on
earth, they would establish the Contact Prayers (Salat) and the
obligatory charity (Zakat), and would advocate righteousness and
forbid evil. GOD is the ultimate ruler.
[22:42] If they reject you, the people of Noah, `Aad, and Thamoud
have also disbelieved before them.
[22:43] Also the people of Abraham, and the people of Lot.
[22:44] And the dwellers of Midyan. Moses was also rejected. I led
all those people on, then I called them to account; how
(devastating) was My requital!
[22:45] Many a community we have annihilated because of their
wickedness. They ended up in ruins, stilled wells, and great empty
mansions.
[22:46] Did they not roam the earth, then use their minds to
understand, and use their ears to hear? Indeed, the real blindness
is not the blindness of the eyes, but the blindness of the hearts
inside the chests.
[22:47] They challenge you to bring retribution, and GOD never
fails to fulfill His prophecy. A day of your Lord is like a
thousand of your years.
[22:48] Many a community in the past committed evil, and I led
them on for awhile, then I punished them. To Me is the ultimate
destiny.
God's Messenger of the Covenant
[22:49] Say, "O people, I have been sent to you as a profound
warner."*
Footnote
[22:50] Those who believe and lead a righteous life have deserved
forgiveness and a generous recompense.
[22:51] As for those who strive to challenge our revelations, they
incur Hell.
The System*
[22:52] We did not send before you any messenger, nor a prophet,
without having the devil interfere in his wishes. GOD then
nullifies what the devil has done. GOD perfects His revelations.
GOD is Omniscient, Most Wise.*
Footnote
The Hypocrites Drop Out
[22:53] He thus sets up the devil's scheme as a test for those who
harbor doubts in their hearts, and those whose hearts are
hardened. The wicked must remain with the opposition.
[22:54] Those who are blessed with knowledge will recognize the
truth from your Lord, then believe in it, and their hearts will
readily accept it. Most assuredly, GOD guides the believers in the
right path.
[22:55] As for those who disbelieve, they will continue to harbor
doubts until the Hour comes to them suddenly, or until the
retribution of a terrible day comes to them.
Satan's Temporary Kingship
[22:56] All sovereignty on that day belongs to GOD, and He will
judge among them. As for those who believe and lead a righteous
life, they have deserved the gardens of bliss.
[22:57] While those who disbelieved and rejected our revelations
have incurred a shameful retribution.
Striving in the Cause of God
[22:58] Those who emigrate for the sake of GOD, then get killed,
or die, GOD will surely shower them with good provisions. GOD is
certainly the best Provider.
[22:59] Most assuredly, He will admit them an admittance that will
please them. GOD is Omniscient, Clement.
Divine Help for the Oppressed
[22:60] It is decreed that if one avenges an injustice that was
inflicted upon him, equitably, then he is persecuted because of
this, GOD will surely support him. GOD is Pardoner, Forgiving.
God's Omnipotence
[22:61] It is a fact that GOD merges the night into the day, and
merges the day into the night, and that GOD is Hearer, Seer.
[22:62] It is a fact that GOD is the Truth, while the setting up
of any idols beside Him constitutes a falsehood, and that GOD is
the Most High, the Supreme.
[22:63] Do you not see that GOD sends down from the sky water that
turns the land green? GOD is Sublime, Cognizant.
[22:64] To Him belongs everything in the heavens and everything on
earth. Absolutely, GOD is the Most Rich, Most Praiseworthy.
[22:65] Do you not see that GOD has committed in your service
everything on earth? The ships run in the ocean by His command. He
prevents the heavenly bodies from crashing onto the earth, except
in accordance with His command. GOD is Most Kind towards the
people, Most Merciful.
[22:66] He is the One who granted you life, then He puts you to
death, then He brings you back to life. Surely, the human being is
unappreciative.
[22:67] For each congregation, we have decreed a set of rites that
they must uphold. Therefore, they should not dispute with you. You
shall continue to invite everyone to your Lord. Most assuredly,
you are on the right path.
[22:68] If they argue with you, then say, "GOD is fully aware of
everything you do."
[22:69] GOD will judge among you on the Day of Resurrection
regarding all your disputes.
[22:70] Do you not realize that GOD knows everything in the
heavens and everything on earth? All this is recorded in a record.
This is easy for GOD to do.
[22:71] Yet, they idolize beside GOD idols wherein He placed no
power, and they know nothing about them. The transgressors have no
helper.
Violence & Belligerence: Signs of Disbelief
[22:72] When our revelations are recited to them, clearly, you
recognize wickedness on the faces of those who disbelieve. They
almost attack those who recite our revelations to them. Say,
"Shall I inform you of something much worse? Hell is promised by
GOD for those who disbelieve; what a miserable destiny."
Can They Create a Fly?
[22:73] O people, here is a parable that you must ponder
carefully: the idols you set up beside GOD can never create a fly,
even if they banded together to do so. Furthermore, if the fly
steals anything from them, they cannot recover it; weak is the
pursuer and the pursued.
[22:74] They do not value GOD as He should be valued. GOD is the
Most Powerful, the Almighty.
[22:75] GOD chooses from among the angels messengers, as well as
from among the people. GOD is Hearer, Seer.
[22:76] He knows their past and their future. To GOD belongs the
ultimate control of all matters.
[22:77] O you who believe, you shall bow, prostrate, worship your
Lord, and work righteousness, that you may succeed.
Abraham: Original Messenger of Islam*
[22:78] You shall strive for the cause of GOD as you should strive
for His cause. He has chosen you and has placed no hardship on you
in practicing your religion - the religion of your father Abraham.
He is the one who named you "Submitters" originally. Thus, the
messenger shall serve as a witness among you, and you shall serve
as witnesses among the people. Therefore, you shall observe the
Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat),
and hold fast to GOD; He is your Lord, the best Lord and the best
Supporter.
Footnote
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