283. The months of Hajj are Shawwal, Zil- Qa’adah and Zil-Hijjah, which are the 10th, 11th and 12th months of the Lunar year. It is necessary to gather in the grounds of Arafaat on the 9th of Zil-Hijjah which is called “Wuquf-e-Arafaat” (Stay of Arafaat), and this is the most important rite of the Hajj. The Ahram (garment) of the Hajj is put on during the months of Hajj only.

284. When a man puts on the Ahram (garment) of Hajj, then certain restrictions are imposed on him, e.g. he should abstain from indulging in sexual talk or act. Accordingly, during this period not only any sexual intercourse with his wife is prohibited but any talk or thought about such matters is also prohibited. Obscene conversations also are strictly forbidden. All acts of wickedness are bad in themselves. But in the state of Ahram (during the Hajj) committing them is a very serious sin. Similarly quarrels and wranglings are also bad but during this period their seriousness increases.

By mentioning the prohibition of these evil acts the purpose is to impress that the Hajj is not a fair that the people should gather here for pastime or business nor is it a religious “yatra” where a man can wash his sins by performing certain rites but that it is an attendance in the presence of Allah. Accordingly in the state of Ahram during the Hajj, when the pilgrim calls out ‘’Labbaik”, it only signifies that “O Allah! I am at your service”. Therefore, for this attendance it is necessary to make special efforts to keep away from sins and to be conscious of being in a peculiar state so that a deep impression is created on his mind and heart and when he returns from the Hajj he should have been benefited from the bounty of purification and be spiritually rich.

285. In the age of darkness (Jahiliya), it was considered an act against religion if some provision was taken on journey to the Hajj. In this verse this concept is refuted and it is impressed that to exhibit poverty is not a commendable thing.

What is commendable is that a man does not seek help from others for his sustenance and that he fears Allah and performs good acts. “The best of the provisions” is righteousness, good conduct and fearing Allah. This points to the attempt at preparing man for his journey to the Hereafter for which the best provision is righteousness and good conduct.

286. When a slave tries to earn his livelihood, remaining within the bounds prescribed by Allah, then he seeks the bounty of his Lord. Therefore, during the journey for Hajj there is nothing wrong in deriving benefit from trade or commerce, provided he makes efforts to be righteous, as was explained above. If the main purpose of performing the Hajj is kept before our eyes and strictly followed in a righteous way there is no objection to gain some trade benefits by the way, without compromising the principle.

287. Arafaat is the name of an open ground which is situated at a distance of twelve miles from Makka in the south-east. It falls on the way to Taif. To stay in this ground on the 9th of Zil Hijja is the most important rite of the Hajj pilgrimage. There is a hillock in this maidan, which is called “Jabalur- Rehmah”, at the foot of which the Prophet (Peace be upon him) had once offered prayers.

288. That is: in Muzdalifa which falls between Arafaat and Mina. When pilgrims return from Arafaat, they stay at night in Muzdalifa.

289. In Muzdalifa the two prayers (Salat), Maghrib (Sunset) and Isha (Night) are offered together. And the prayer of Morning (Salat-e-Fajr) is offered before sunrise. For remembering Allah, these prayers are also performed along with calling loudly “Labbaik” and reciting the holy name of Allah.

290. Quraish considered themselves as keepers (Mujavir) of the House of Ka’aba and on this ground they had fixed for themselves the distinction of not attending at Arafaat during the Hajj. So they used to go up to Muzdalifa and return from there. Quran did away with this distinction and placed everybody on equal footing and commanded that as others go up to Arafaat the Quraish should also go there and return from there

It may be mentioned that the rites of the Hajj, including that of the attendance at Arafaat were being performed since the days of the prophet Ibrahim. But the idolaters of Makka made some change in the pre-Islamic days (Jahiliya) Quran brought them back on the same practice which was followed by the Prophet Ibrahim and did away with all the distinctions that were based on falsehood.

291. In the pre-Islamic days (Jahiliya) during Dawatul Qur’an 91 S.2 S.2 92 V V VVVV Dawatul Qur’an the stay in Mina, gatherings for poetry reciting used to be held. Poets and speakers used to sing the praises of their forefathers and recite their adventures with pride. Quran commanded to stop this useless activity and to make more and more efforts to remember Allah and recite His praises.

292. Points to the people who are influenced by the material benefits and worldly gains. If they get an opportunity to perform Hajj, there also they pray for getting more wealth and property in this world and completely forget the Hereafter. They do not care for the salvation in the next world. This mentality changes the great worship of Hajj into a source of material gains and on account of this way of thinking this type of person is deprived of the great benefits that accrue from Hajj.

293. This refers to those persons whose viewpoint about this world is not unbalanced and those who seek the good of this world and also of the next world. For a thing of this world to be good for a person depends on the fact whether it assists him in his success in the Hereafter. For this reason, the men of faith pray to Allah for granting them only those things which would be really good and beneficial for them in the final run. Besides, men of faith always pray to Allah for guarding them against the torment of Hell, since the main concern of a man should be of salvation in the Hereafter.

294. Refers to the days of stay in Mina, which are known as the Days of Tashreeque. They fall on the 11th, l2th, and l3th, of Zil- Hijja. Mina is three to four miles away from Makkah. Here on the 10th of Zil-Hijja small pieces of stones are thrown at the Satan (symbol). Sacrifice is also offered here. The days of Tashreeque are also spent in Mina and small pebbles are thrown at the Satan (symbol) daily. At the time of throwing pebbles at Satan (symbol), Allah is remembered and curses are uttered against Satan.

295. That is: permission is given to return from Mina on 12th of Zil-Hijja after throwing stones at the Satan (symbol). or to stay in Mina up to 13th of Zil-Hijja. In the event of staying in Mina on the13th, it will be necessary to throw pebbles at the Satan (symbol).

296. Points to the fact that the gathering at the Hajj is a reminder of the gathering on the Day of Judgment, when all the people will be gathered before Allah.

297. Refers to the selfish persons who are champion talkers and use flowery language to hide their inability to do good acts. When they talk about the problems of this world, their speech is very attractive and they call Allah as their witness to mean that what they are saying is not for their selfish ends, but it is for the public good and that they are not the enemies of Islam although in their hearts they carry jealousy and enmity for Islam and they are its deadly enemies.

298. That is: In your presence they talk very charmingly but when they go away from you their only efforts are directed to acting corruptly in this world. They oppose the call to come towards Allah. The reform of the world and the establishment of peace and justice therein is dependent upon His obedience, which they oppose.

This statement of Quran is amply borne out by the destruction that was caused as a consequence of the big wars and international conflicts. When power and authority come into the hands of those who turn away from the Guidance provided by Allah, then they work for the destruction of the world, although at every step they put up pleasing theories to justify their actions.

299. In the foregoing, mention was made of selfish people. Here is mentioned the case of sincere men of Faith, who have made the pleasure of Allah the main aim and purpose of their life and for Him they are ever ready to sacrifice everything.

300. Here the Muslims are advised that if they want to become true believers in Allah, then they should adopt the policy of complete submission and devotion to Him and to bring their entire life under the suzerainty of Islam without any reservation. To accept only those matters of religion which do not clash with their material interests is the method of the hypocrites and selfish persons. True and sincere believers in Allah follow the way of completely surrendering to the will of Allah and in all matters and problems they consider themselves obedient to the laws of Islam. Therefore, if you accept Islam, then accept it completely and follow it sincerely. Other wise accepting only a few instructions of Islam and rejecting others would not entitle you to be counted among the loyal slaves of Allah nor from this kind of attitude peace, order and just system can be established in the world and this kind of behavior will result in mischief and corruption.

301. That is: Those persons who practise Islam as well as methods of disbelief and have divided their lives between the two are the followers of the devil.

302. That is : Even after these clear instructions and guidance you continue to follow the policy of self-aggrandisement in the garb of following Islam or you continue to conspire with men of disbelief, then remember that you will not be able to escape Allah’s grip, as He is All-Powerful. He has not sent down His religion so that people make it a plaything but He has sent his Guidance with the set purpose of making a distinction in respect of the consequences for those who follow His right path and those who turn away ‘from it. This is the clear demand of the fact of His being the Wisest of all.

303. That is: Even after these clear in- structions and Guidance if the people do not follow the path of Islam, but continue to follow in the footsteps of Satan, then do not think that they are waiting for any other argument but that they are waiting for Allah and his angels appearing before them. But such a time will be the time of the Final Judgment. Only that faith and belief will be accepted as right and sincere which was adopted on seeing, hearing and understanding the clear signs of Allah. Allah wants that man should use his intelligence and should accept the truth on the basis of sound argument. But those who want to accept the faith or truth only after seeing the facts with their physical eyes then they have to wait for the Doomsday. But that time will be the time of the Final Judgment and not of the test.