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a journey on earth, how much more important to provide for the final journey into the future world? The best of such
provisions is right conduct, which is the same as the fear of God. (2.197)
2:198 - It is no crime in you if ye seek of the bounty of your Lord (during Pilgrimage). Then when ye
pour down from (Mount) Arafat celebrate the praises of Allah at the Sacred Monument and
celebrate His praises as He has directed you even though before this ye went astray.
219220221
219 Legitimate trade is allowed, in the interests both of the honest trader, who can thus meet his own expenses, and of the
generality of pilgrims, who would otherwise be greatly inconvenienced for the necessaries of life. But the profit must
be sought as from the "bounty of God". There should be no profiteering, or trade "tricks". Good honest trade is a form
of service to the community, and therefore to God. (2.198)
220 About midway between Arafat and Mina (see n. 217 to ii. 197) is a place called Muzdalifa where the Holy Apostle
offered up a long prayer. It has thus become a Sacred Monument and pilgrims are directed to follow that example on
their return. A special reason for this is given in the note following. (2.198)
221 Certain arrogant tribes living in Mecca used not to go to Arafat with the crowd but to stop short at Muzdalifa. They are
rebuked for their arrogance and told that they must perform all the rites like the rest of the pilgrims. There is equality
in Islam. (2.198)
2:199 - Then pass on at a quick pace from the place whence it is usual for the multitude so to do
and ask for Allah's forgiveness. For Allah is Oft Forgiving Most Merciful. 222
222 See the last note. Towards the end of the Pilgrimage the crowd is very great, and if any people loitered after Arafat, it
would cause great confusion and inconvenience. The pace has therefore to be quick for every one, a very salutary
regulation. Every member of the crowd must think of the comfort and convenience of the whole mass. (2.199)
2:200 - So when ye have accomplished your holy rites celebrate the praises of Allah as ye used to
celebrate the praises of your fathers yea with far more heart and soul. There are men who
say: "Our Lord! give us (thy bounties) in this world!" but they will have no portion in the
hereafter. 223224
223 After the Pilgrimage, in Pagan times, the pilgrims used to gather in assemblies in which the praises of ancestors were
sung. As the whole of the pilgrimage rites were spiritualised in Islam, so this aftermath of the pilgrimage was also
spiritualised. It was recommended for pilgrims to stay on two or three days after the pilgrimage, but they must use
them in prayer and praise to God. See ii. 203 below. (2.200)
224 If you hasten to get all the good things of the world, and only think of them and pray for them, you would lose the
higher things of the future. The proper Muslim attitude is neither to renounce this would nor to be so engrossed in it
as to forget the spiritual future. (2.200)
2:203 - Celebrate the praises of Allah during the Appointed Days but if anyone hastens to leave in
two days there is no blame on him and if anyone stays on there is no blame on him if his aim
is to do right. Then fear Allah and know that ye will surely be gathered unto Him. 226
226 The Appointed Days: the three days after the tenth, when the pilgrims stay on in the Valley of Mina for prayer and
praise. They are the days of Tashriq (see ii. 200, n. 223). It is optional for pilgrims to leave on the second or third
day. (2.203)
3:96 - The first House (of worship) appointed for men was that at Bakka full of blessing and of
guidance for all kinds of beings: 422423
422 Bakka: same as Makkah, perhaps an older name. The foundation of the Ka'ba goes back to Abraham. (3.96)
423 'Alamin: all the worlds (i. 2. ii), all kinds of beings; all nations (iii. 42): all creatures (iii. 97), (3.96)
3:97 - In it are signs manifest; (for example) the Station of Abraham; whoever enters it attains
security; pilgrimage thereto is a duty men owe to Allah those who can afford the journey; but if
any deny faith Allah stands not in need of any of his creatures. 424425
424 Station of Abraham: see ii. 125 and n. 125. (3.97)
425 See reference in last note. (3.97)
5:1 - O ye who believe! fulfil (all) obligations. Lawful unto you (for food) are all four-footed animals
with the exceptions named: but animals of the chase are forbidden while ye are in the Sacred
Precincts or in pilgrim garb: for Allah doth command according to His Will and Plan.
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682 This line has been justly admired for its terseness and comprehensiveness. Obligations: 'uqud the Arabic word implies
so many things that a whole chapter of Commentary can be written on it. First, there are the divine obligations that
arise from our spiritual nature and our relation to Allah. He created us and implanted in us the faculty of knowledge
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