9780199535958

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The Quran 2: 194
worship ab is devoted to God. If they cease hostilities, there can
be no [further] hostility, except towards aggressors. 194 A sacred
month for a sacred month: violation of sanctity [calls for] fair retribution.
So if anyone commits aggression against you, attack him as
he attacked you, but be mindful of God, and know that He is with
those who are mindful of Him. 195 Spend in God’s cause: do not
contribute to your destruction with your own hands, c but do good,
for God loves those who do good.
196 Complete the pilgrimages, major and minor, for the sake of
God. If you are prevented [from doing so], then [send] whatever
offering for sacrifice you can afford, and do not shave your heads d
until the offering has reached the place of sacrifice. If any of you is
ill, or has an ailment of the scalp, he should compensate by fasting,
or feeding the poor, or offering sacrifice. When you are in safety,
anyone wishing to take a break e between the minor pilgrimage and
the major one must make whatever offering he can afford. If he
lacks the means, he should fast for three days during the pilgrimage,
and seven days on his return, making ten days in all. This
applies to those whose household is not near the Sacred Mosque.
Always be mindful of God, and be aware that He is stern in His
retribution.
197 The pilgrimage takes place during the prescribed months.
There should be no indecent speech, misbehaviour, or quarrelling
for anyone undertaking the pilgrimage – whatever good you do, God
is well aware of it. Provide well for yourselves: the best provision
is to be mindful of God – always be mindful of Me, you who have
understanding – 198 but it is no offence to seek some bounty from
your Lord. f When you surge down from Arafat remember God at
the sacred place. g Remember Him: He has guided you. Before that
a Worship at the sacred mosque.
b Cf. 8: 39 and note e to 2: 191 above.
c If they are not prepared to pay for what it takes to defend themselves, then they will
bring ruin on themselves. The verse is also understood generally to outlaw suicide and
other forms of self-harm.
d Shaving the head or cutting the hair is one of the rites performed by male pilgrims
after most of the other rites have been completed.
e This means breaking the restrictions of ihram (consecration) termed tamattu.
f It is lawful to trade while on pilgrimage.
g This is one of the sites of the pilgrimage between Arafat and Mina – a plain called
Muzdalifa.