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HAJJ IN QUR'AN
( Sura Baqra, Ayas 124 to 203 )
English translation by Shaikh Muhammad Sarwar (Long Island, New York)

" When his Lord tested Abraham's faith, (by His words) and he satisfied the test, He said, "I am appointing you as the leader of mankind." Abraham asked, "Will this leadership also continue through my descendants?" The Lord replied, "The unjust do not have the right to exercise My authority." (2:124)

We made the house (in Mecca) as a place of refuge and sanctuary for men. Adopt the place where Abraham stood as a place for prayer. We advised Abraham and Ishmael to keep My house clean for the pilgrims, the worshippers and for
those who bow down and prostrate themselves in worship. (2:125)

When Abraham prayed to the Lord saying ,"Lord, make this town a place of security and provide those in the town who believe in God and the Day of Judgement, with plenty," God replied, "I shall allow those who hide the truth to enjoy themselves for a while. Then I shall drive them into the torment of hell fire, a terrible destination!" (2:126)

While Abraham and Ishmael were raising the foundation of the house, they prayed, "Lord, accept our labor. You are All-hearing and All-knowing (2:127).
Lord, make us good Muslims (one who submits himself to God) and from our descendants make a good Muslim nation. Teach us the rules of worship and accept our repentance; You are All-forgiving and All-merciful. (2:128)

Lord, send to them (our descendants) a Messenger of their own who will recite to them Your revelations, teach them the Book, give them wisdom, and purify them. You alone are the Majestic and the Most Wise." (2:129)

No one turns away from Abraham's Tradition except one who makes a fool of himself. To Abraham We have granted distinction in this world and in the life hereafter he will be among the righteous ones (2:130).

When God commanded Abraham to submit, he replied, "I have submitted myself to the Will of the Lord of the universe." (2:131)

Abraham left this legacy to his sons and, in turn, so did Jacob saying, "God has chosen this religion for you. You must not leave this world unless you are a Muslim (submitted to the will of the Lord of the Universe)." (2:132)

Were you (believers) there when death approached Jacob? When he asked his sons, "Whom will you worship after my death?" They replied, "We will worship your Lord, the Lord of your fathers, Abraham, Ishmael, and Isaac. He is the
only Lord, and to Him we have submitted ourselves." (2:133)

That nation (children of Abraham) is gone. They have reaped what they sowed, and the same applies to you. You are not responsible for their deeds. (2:134)

The Jews and the Christians have asked the Muslims to accept their faith to have the right guidance. (Muhammad) tell them, "We would rather follow the upright religion of Abraham who was not a pagan" (2:135). (Muslims), say, "We believe in God and what He has revealed to us and to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, and their descendants, and what was revealed to Moses, Jesus, and the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction among them and to God we have submitted ourselves." (2:136)

If they have faith in all that you believe, they will have the right guidance, but if they turn away, it would be for no reason other than their own malice. God is a Sufficient defender for you against them; He is All-hearing and All-knowing. (2:137)

Say, "Belief in God and following the guidance of Islam are God's means of purification for us. Islam is the baptism of God. No one is a better baptize than He and we Muslims worship Him." (2:138) (Muhammad), ask the People of the Book, "Why should you argue with us about God, Who is our Lord as well as yours, when we are sincere in our belief in God? (2:139).

Everyone will be responsible for his own deeds. Do you (People of the Book) claim that Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, and their descendants were Jews or Christians?" Ask them, "Who possesses greater knowledge, you or God? Who is more unjust than one who refuses to testify to the truth that God has given to him?" God is not unaware of what you do. (2:140)

That nation is gone, they have reaped what they sowed and the same applies to you. You are not responsible for their deeds. (2:141)

Fools will soon say, "What has made them (Muslims) change the direction to which they had been facing during their prayers (the qibla) ?"

(Muhammad), tell them, "Both the East and West belong to God and He guides (whomever He wants), to the right direction." (2:142)

We have made you (true Muslims) a moderate nation so that you could be an example for all people and the Prophet an example for you.

The direction which you had been facing during your prayers (the qibla) was only made in order that We would know who would follow the Messenger and who would turn away.

It was a hard test but not for those to whom God has given guidance. God did not want to make your previous prayers worthless; God is Compassionate and All-merciful. (2:143)

We certainly saw you (Muhammad) often turn your face to the sky, so We shall instruct you to face a qibla that you will like.

(Muhammad) during prayer, turn your face towards the Sacred Mosque (in Makkah). Muslims, also, wherever you are, during your prayers, turn your faces towards the Sacred Mosque.

The People of the Book certainly know that this command (to change the qibla) is truly from their Lord. God is not unaware of what they do. (2:144)

Even if you were to bring all kinds of authoritative proof to the People of the Book, they still would not accept your qibla, nor would you accept theirs, nor would they accept each others.

Were you to follow their desires after all the knowledge that has come to you, you would certainly have been one of the unjust. (2:145)

Those to whom We have given the Book (Bible), know you (Muhammad) just as a well as they know their sons. It is certain that some of them deliberately hide the truth. (2:146)

Never doubt that the essence of truth comes from your Lord (2:147).

Every one pursues his goal. Compete with each other in performing good deeds. Wherever you are, God will bring you all together. God has power over all things. (2:148) (Muhammad), wherever you go, turn your face towards the Sacred Mosque (in Mecca).

This is the truth from your Lord who is not unaware of what you do (2:149). (Muhammad) wherever you go, turn your face to the Sacred Mosque and Muslims, wherever you are, turn your faces in the same direction so that no group of people, except the unjust among them, would have any reason against you and so that I may establish My commandments for your people to have proper guidance. (The unjust may criticize you) but do not fear them, fear only Me. (2:150)

As We have sent a Messenger from your own people to show you evidence about Me, to purify you from sins, to teach you the Book, give you wisdom and instruct you in that which you did not know, (2:151) therefore, remember Me and I shall remember you. Thank Me and do not hide the truth about Me. (2:152)

Believers, help yourselves (in your affairs) through patience and prayer; God is with those who have patience. (2:153)

Do not consider those who are slain for the cause of God to be dead. They are alive but you are unaware of them (2:154).

We shall test you through fear, hunger, loss of life, property, and crops . (Muhammad), give glad news to the people who have patience (2:155) and in difficulty say, "We are the servants of God and to Him we shall all return" (2:156).

It is they who will receive blessings and mercy from God and who follow the right guidance. (2:157)

Safa and Marwah (names of two places in Mecca) are reminders of God. It is no sin for one who visits the Sacred House (in Mecca) to walk seven times between (Safa and Marwah.) Whoever willingly does a good deed in obedience to God, will find God All-knowing and Fully Appreciative. (2:158)

Those who hide the authoritative proofs and the guidance that We have revealed, after it has been made clear for the People of the Book, will be condemned by God and those who have the right to condemn (2:159).

However, I shall accept the repentance of those of them who repent for their sins, reform their manners, and preach the truth; I am All-forgiving and All-merciful. (2:160)

Those who deny My existence and die with such attitude will be subject to the condemnation of God, the angels, and all people (2:161).

They will live condemned forever, will have no relief from the torment, and no attention will be paid to them. (2:162)

Our Lord is the only Lord. There is no God but He, the Beneficent and Merciful. (2:163)

The creation of the heavens and the earth, the alternation of nights and days, the ships that sail in the sea for the benefit of the people, the water that God sends from the sky to revive the dead earth where He has scattered all kinds of animals, the winds of all directions, and the clouds rendered for service between the sky and the earth are all evidence (of His existence) for those who use their reason. (2:164)

Some people consider certain things equal to God and love them just as one should love God. However, the strongest of the believers' love is their love of God. Had the unjust been able to reflect about their condition, when facing the torment, they would have had no doubt that to God belongs All-power and that He is stern in His retribution. (2:165)

When the leaders see the torment and lose all their resources, they will denounce their followers (2:166).

The followers will say, "Had we had the chance we also would have denounced our leaders." That is how God will show them their regrettable deeds. They will not be able to escape from hell fire. (2:167)

People, eat of the good and lawful things on earth. Do not follow the footsteps of Satan; he is clearly your enemy (2:168).

He tries to make you do evil and shameful things and speak against God without knowledge. (2:169)

When some people are asked to follow the revelations of God, they say, "We would rather follow what our fathers have followed," even though their fathers had no understanding and could not find the true guidance (2:170).

Preaching to unbelievers is like talking to someone who cannot hear anything except yells and shouts. They are deaf, dumb, and blind; they have no understanding. (2:171)

Believers, eat from the good things that We have given you and give thanks to God if you worship only Him (2:172).

God has forbidden you to eat that which has not been properly slaughtered, blood, pork, and the flesh of any animal which has not been consecrated with a mention of the Name of God. However, in an emergency, without the intention of transgression or repeating transgression, one will not be considered to have committed a sin. God is All-forgiving and All-merciful. (2:173)

Those who receive some small gain by hiding the Books which God has revealed, have, in fact, filled up their stomachs with fire. God will not speak with them on the Day of Judgment, nor will He purify them; instead, they will face a painful torment (2:174).

They have exchanged guidance for error and forgiveness for torment. What makes them seek the fire so earnestly (for they are doomed to be punished)? (2:175)

God has revealed the Book in all Truth and those who dispute it are filled with malice which has taken them far away from the truth. (2:176)

Righteousness is not determined by facing East or West during prayer. Righteousness consists of the belief in God, the Day of Judgment, the angels, the Books of God, His Prophets; to give money for the love of God to relatives, orphans, the destitute, and those who are on a journey and in urgent need of money, beggars; to set free slaves and to be steadfast in prayer, to pay the religious tax (zakat) to fulfill one's promises, and to exercise patience in poverty, in distress, and in times of war. Such people who do these are truly righteous and pious. (2:177)

Believers, in case of murder, the death penalty is the sanctioned retaliation: a free man for a free man, a slave for a slave, and a female for a female. However, if the convicted person receives pardon from the aggrieved party, the prescribed rules of compensation must be followed accordingly. This is a merciful alteration from your Lord. Whoever transgresses against it
will face a painful punishment. (2:178)

People of understanding, the law of the death penalty as retaliation grants you life so that perhaps you will have fear of God. (2:179)

If one of you facing death can leave a legacy, he should bequeath it to his parents and relatives, according to the law. This is the duty of the pious (2:180).

Whoever intentionally changes the will of a deceased person, he has committed a sin. God is All-hearing and All-knowing. (2:181)

One who is afraid of the testator's deviations and sin and settles the matter among the parties involved, he has not committed a sin. God is All-forgiving and All-merciful. (2:182)

Believers, fasting has been made mandatory for you as it was made mandatory for the people before you, so that you may have fear of God (2:183).

Fasting is only for a certain number of days. One who is sick or on a journey has to fast the same number of days at another time. Those who can afford a redemption should feed a poor person. Good deeds performed on one's own initiative will be rewarded. However, fasting is better and will be rewarded. Would that you knew this! (2:184)

The month of Ramadan is the month in which the Qur'an was revealed; a guide for the people, the most authoritative of all guidance and a criteria to discern right from wrong. Anyone of you who knows that the month of Ramadan has begun, he must start to fast. Those who are sick or on a journey have to fast the same number of days at another time. God does not impose any hardship upon you. He wants you to have comfort so that you may complete the fast, glorify God for His having given you guidance, and that, perhaps, you would give Him thanks. (2:185) (Muhammad), if any of My servants ask you
about Me, tell them that the Lord says, "I am near; I accept the prayers of those who pray." Let My servants answer My call and believe in Me so that perhaps they may know the right direction. (2:186)

It is made lawful for you, during the nights of fasting, to have carnal relations with your wives. They are your garments and you are their garments. God knew that you were deceiving yourselves. He relented towards you and forgave you. Now it is lawful for you to have carnal relations with your wives and follow what God has commanded. Eat and drink until the white streak
of dawn becomes distinguishable from darkness. Complete your fast, starting from dawn to dusk. It is not lawful to have carnal relations with your wives during i'tikaf in the mosque. Such are the limits of the laws of God. Do not come close to transgressing them. Thus has God explained His evidence to men so that perhaps they will have fear of God. (2:187)

Do not use your property among yourselves in illegal ways and then deliberately bribe the rulers with your property so that you may wrongly acquire the property of others. (2:188) (Muhammad), they ask you about the different phases of the moon. Tell them that they are there to indicate to people the phases of time and the pilgrimage season. It is not a righteous act to enter houses from the back. Righteousness is to be pious and enter the houses from the front door. Have fear of God so that perhaps you will have lasting happiness. (2:189)

Fight for the cause of God, those who fight you, but do not transgress, for God does not love the transgressors (2:190).

Slay them wherever you may catch them and expel them from the place from which they expelled you. The sin of disbelief in God is greater than committing murder. Do not fight them in the vicinity of the Sacred Mosque in Mecca unless they start to fight. Then slay them for it is the recompense that the disbelievers deserve (2:191). If they give up disbelief and fighting, God is All-forgiving and All-merciful. (2:192)

Fight them so that there will be no disbelief in God and God's religion will become dominant. If they change their behavior, there would be no hostility against anyone except the unjust. (2:193)

It is because of their disrespect of a sacred month that you are also allowed to retaliate against them in a sacred month. If any one transgresses against you, you also may retaliate against them to an equal extent. Have fear of God and know that He supports the pious. (2:194)

Give money for the cause of God but do not push yourselves into perdition. Do good; God loves the people who do good deeds. (2:195)

Complete the hajj and umrah (two parts of the rituals of pilgrimage to Makka ) in obedience to God. If you are prevented from completing the duty of hajj, offer whatever sacrifice is possible and do not shave your heads before the sacrificial animal is delivered to the prescribed place. If one of you is ill or is suffering because of some ailment in your head, you must redeem the shaving of the head by fasting, or paying money, or offering a sheep as a sacrifice. When all is well with you and you want to complete the umrah in the hajj season, offer whatever sacrifice is possible. If you do not find an animal, you have to fast for three days during the days of the pilgrimage rituals and seven days at home to complete the required ten fasting days.
This rule is for those who live beyond (a distance of twelve miles from) the Sacred Mosque in Mecca. Have fear of God and know that He is stern in His retribution. (2:196)

The months of the hajj (pilgrimage) season are well known. Whoever undertakes to complete the hajj rituals, must know that, after commencing the acts of Hajj, he is not allowed to have carnal relations or to lie or to swear by the Name of God. God knows all your good deeds. Supply yourselves for the journey. The best supply is piety. People of understanding have fear of Me. (2:197)

It is not a sin if you try to make a profit out of the bounty of your Lord (by trading during hajj).

When you leave Arafah, commemorate the name of your Lord in Mash'ar, the sacred reminder of God. Commemorate His name as He has given you guidance while prior to that you had been in error (2:198). Then leave Mash'ar as the rest of the people do and ask forgiveness from God; He is All-forgiving and All-merciful. (2:199)

After you complete the acts of your Hajj, also commemorate God, just as you would remember your father, or even more earnestly. Some people say, "Lord, give us what we want in this life," but in the life hereafter they have no beneficial share (2:200).

Others pray, "Lord, give us good things both in this life as well as in the life hereafter and save us from the torment of fire" (2:201).

They will have their share of the reward for their deeds. God's reckoning is swift. (2:202)

Commemorate (the names of) God in the prescribed days. For one who observes piety, it is not a sin to be hasty or tardy during the two days. Have fear of God and know that before Him you will all be raised after death. (2:203) "

Mecca in Sura Al.Nah'l Ayas 91-92

I am commanded to worship the Lord of this town ( Mecca) which He has made sacred. To Him belong all things. I am commanded to be a Muslim (27:91) and recite the Quran. Whoever seeks guidance (from it) will find it for his own
soul. Say to whoever goes astray, "I am only a warner" (27:92).

Say, "It is only He who deserves all praise. He will soon show you His signs and you will recognize them. Your Lord is not unaware of what you do. (27:93)

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