22. The Pilgrimage

O mankind! fear your Lord! for the convulsion of theHour (of Judgment) will be a thing terrible!

The Day ye shall see it, every mother giving suckshall forget her suckling- babe, and every pregnant female shall drop herload (unformed): thou shalt see mankind as in a drunken riot, yet not drunk:but dreadful will be the Wrath of Allah.

And yet among men there are such as dispute aboutAllah, without knowledge, and follow every evil one obstinate in rebellion!

About the (Evil One) it is decreed that whoever turnsto him for friendship, him will he lead astray, and he will guide him to thePenalty of the Fire.

O mankind! if ye have a doubt about the Resurrection,(consider) that We created you out of dust, then out of sperm, then out of aleech-like clot, then out of a morsel of flesh, partly formed and partlyunformed, in order that We may manifest (our power) to you; and We causewhom We will to rest in the wombs for an appointed term, then do We bringyou out as babes, then (foster you) that ye may reach your age of fullstrength; and some of you are called to die, and some are sent back to thefeeblest old age, so that they know nothing after having known (much), and(further), thou seest the earth barren and lifeless, but when We pour downrain on it, it is stirred (to life), it swells, and it puts forth every kindof beautiful growth (in pairs).

This is so, because Allah is the Reality: it is HeWho gives life to the dead, and it is He Who has power over all things.

And verily the Hour will come: there can be no doubtabout it, or about (the fact) that Allah will raise up all who are in thegraves.

Yet there is among men such a one as disputes aboutAllah, without Knowledge, without Guidance, and without a Book ofEnlightenment,-

(Disdainfully) bending his side, in order to lead(men) astray from the Path of Allah. for him there is disgrace in this life,and on the Day of Judgment We shall make him taste the Penalty of burning(Fire).

(It will be said): “This is because of the deedswhich thy hands sent forth, for verily Allah is not unjust to His servants.

There are among men some who serve Allah, as it were,on the verge: if good befalls them, they are, therewith, well content; butif a trial comes to them, they turn on their faces: they lose both thisworld and the Hereafter: that is loss for all to see!

They call on such deities, besides Allah, as canneither hurt nor profit them: that is straying far indeed (from the Way)!

(Perhaps) they call on one whose hurt is nearer thanhis profit: evil, indeed, is the patron, and evil the companion (or help)!

Verily Allah will admit those who believe and workrighteous deeds, to Gardens, beneath which rivers flow: for Allah carriesout all that He plans.

If any think that Allah will not help him (HisMessenger. in this world and the Hereafter, let him stretch out a rope tothe ceiling and cut (himself) off: then let him see whether his plan willremove that which enrages (him)!

Thus have We sent down Clear Sings; and verily Allahdoth guide whom He will!

Those who believe (in the Qur’an), those who followthe Jewish (scriptures), and the Sabians, Christians, Magians, andPolytheists,- Allah will judge between them on the Day of Judgment: forAllah is witness of all things.

Seest thou not that to Allah bow down in worship allthings that are in the heavens and on earth,- the sun, the moon, the stars;the hills, the trees, the animals; and a great number among mankind? But agreat number are (also) such as are fit for Punishment: and such as Allahshall disgrace,- None can raise to honour: for Allah carries out all that Hewills.

These two antagonists dispute with each other abouttheir Lord: But those who deny (their Lord),- for them will be cut out agarment of Fire: over their heads will be poured out boiling water.

With it will be scalded what is within their bodies,as well as (their) skins.

In addition there will be maces of iron (to punish)them.

Every time they wish to get away therefrom, fromanguish, they will be forced back therein, and (it will be said), “Taste yethe Penalty of Burning!”

Allah will admit those who believe and work righteousdeeds, to Gardens beneath which rivers flow: they shall be adorned thereinwith bracelets of gold and pearls; and their garments there will be of silk.

For they have been guided (in this life) to thepurest of speeches; they have been guided to the Path of Him Who is Worthyof (all) Praise.

As to those who have rejected ((Allah)), and wouldkeep back (men) from the Way of Allah, and from the Sacred Mosque, which Wehave made (open) to (all) men – equal is the dweller there and the visitorfrom the country – and any whose purpose therein is profanity or wrong-doing- them will We cause to taste of a most Grievous Penalty.

Behold! We gave the site, to Abraham, of the (Sacred)House, (saying): “Associate not anything (in worship) with Me; and sanctifyMy House for those who compass it round, or stand up, or bow, or prostratethemselves (therein in prayer).

“And proclaim the Pilgrimage among men: they willcome to thee on foot and (mounted) on every kind of camel, lean on accountof journeys through deep and distant mountain highways;

“That they may witness the benefits (provided) forthem, and celebrate the name of Allah, through the Days appointed, over thecattle which He has provided for them (for sacrifice): then eat ye thereofand feed the distressed ones in want.

“Then let them complete the rites prescribed forthem, perform their vows, and (again) circumambulate the Ancient House.”

Such (is the Pilgrimage): whoever honours the sacredrites of Allah, for him it is good in the Sight of his Lord. Lawful to you(for food in Pilgrimage) are cattle, except those mentioned to you (asexception): but shun the abomination of idols, and shun the word that isfalse,-

Being true in faith to Allah, and never assigningpartners to Him: if anyone assigns partners to Allah, is as if he had fallenfrom heaven and been snatched up by birds, or the wind had swooped (like abird on its prey) and thrown him into a far- distant place.

Such (is his state): and whoever holds in honour thesymbols of Allah, (in the sacrifice of animals), such (honour) should cometruly from piety of heart.

In them ye have benefits for a term appointed: in theend their place of sacrifice is near the Ancient House.

To every people did We appoint rites (of sacrifice),that they might celebrate the name of Allah over the sustenance He gave themfrom animals (fit for food). But your Allah is One Allah. submit then yourwills to Him (in Islam): and give thou the good news to those who humblethemselves,-

To those whose hearts when Allah is mentioned, arefilled with fear, who show patient perseverance over their afflictions, keepup regular prayer, and spend (in charity) out of what We have bestowed uponthem.

The sacrificial camels we have made for you as amongthe symbols from Allah. in them is (much) good for you: then pronounce thename of Allah over them as they line up (for sacrifice): when they are downon their sides (after slaughter), eat ye thereof, and feed such as (beg notbut) live in contentment, and such as beg with due humility: thus have Wemade animals subject to you, that ye may be grateful.

It is not their meat nor their blood, that reachesAllah. it is your piety that reaches Him: He has thus made them subject toyou, that ye may glorify Allah for His Guidance to you and proclaim the goodnews to all who do right.

Verily Allah will defend (from ill) those whobelieve: verily, Allah loveth not any that is a traitor to faith, or showingratitude.

To those against whom war is made, permission isgiven (to fight), because they are wronged;- and verily, Allah is mostpowerful for their aid;-

(They are) those who have been expelled from theirhomes in defiance of right,- (for no cause) except that they say, “our Lordis Allah.. Did not Allah check one set of people by means of another, therewould surely have been pulled down monasteries, churches, synagogues, andmosques, in which the name of Allah is commemorated in abundant measure.Allah will certainly aid those who aid his (cause);- for verily Allah isfull of Strength, Exalted in Might, (able to enforce His Will).

(They are) those who, if We establish them in theland, establish regular prayer and give regular charity, enjoin the rightand forbid wrong: with Allah rests the end (and decision) of (all) affairs.

If they treat thy (mission) as false, so did thepeoples before them (with their prophets),- the People of Noah, and ‘Ad andThamud;

Those of Abraham and Lut;

And the Companions of the Madyan People; and Moseswas rejected (in the same way). But I granted respite to the Unbelievers,and (only) after that did I punish them: but how (terrible) was my rejection(of them)!

How many populations have We destroyed, which weregiven to wrong- doing? They tumbled down on their roofs. And how many wellsare lying idle and neglected, and castles lofty and well-built?

Do they not travel through the land, so that theirhearts (and minds) may thus learn wisdom and their ears may thus learn tohear? Truly it is not their eyes that are blind, but their hearts which arein their breasts.

Yet they ask thee to hasten on the Punishment! ButAllah will not fail in His Promise. Verily a Day in the sight of thy Lord islike a thousand years of your reckoning.

And to how many populations did I give respite, whichwere given to wrong-doing? in the end I punished them. To me is thedestination (of all).

Say: “O men! I am (sent) to you only to give a ClearWarning:

“Those who believe and work righteousness, for themis forgiveness and a sustenance most generous.

“But those who strive against Our Signs, to frustratethem,- they will be Companions of the Fire.”

Never did We send an apostle or a prophet beforethee, but, when he framed a desire, Satan threw some (vanity) into hisdesire: but Allah will cancel anything (vain) that Satan throws in, andAllah will confirm (and establish) His Signs: for Allah is full of Knowledgeand Wisdom:

That He may make the suggestions thrown in by Satan,but a trial for those in whose hearts is a disease and who are hardened ofheart: verily the wrong-doers are in a schism far (from the Truth):

And that those on whom knowledge has been bestowedmay learn that the (Qur’an) is the Truth from thy Lord, and that they maybelieve therein, and their hearts may be made humbly (open) to it: forverily Allah is the Guide of those who believe, to the Straight Way.

Those who reject Faith will not cease to be in doubtconcerning (Revelation) until the Hour (of Judgment) comes suddenly uponthem, or there comes to them the Penalty of a Day of Disaster.

On that Day of Dominion will be that of Allah. Hewill judge between them: so those who believe and work righteous deeds willbe in Gardens of Delight.

And for those who reject Faith and deny our Signs,there will be a humiliating Punishment.

Those who leave their homes in the cause of Allah,and are then slain or die,- On them will Allah bestow verily a goodlyProvision: Truly Allah is He Who bestows the best provision.

Verily He will admit them to a place with which theyshall be well pleased: for Allah is All-Knowing, Most Forbearing.

That (is so). And if one has retaliated to no greaterextent than the injury he received, and is again set upon inordinately,Allah will help him: for Allah is One that blots out (sins) and forgives(again and again).

That is because Allah merges night into day, and Hemerges day into night, and verily it is Allah Who hears and sees (allthings).

That is because Allah – He is the Reality; and thosebesides Him whom they invoke,- they are but vain Falsehood: verily Allah isHe, Most High, Most Great.

Seest thou not that Allah sends down rain from thesky, and forthwith the earth becomes clothed with green? for Allah is He Whounderstands the finest mysteries, and is well-acquainted (with them).

To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and onearth: for verily Allah,- He is free of all wants, Worthy of all Praise.

Seest thou not that Allah has made subject to you(men) all that is on the earth, and the ships that sail through the sea byHis Command? He withholds the sky (rain) from failing on the earth except byHis leave: for Allah is Most Kind and Most Merciful to man.

It is He Who gave you life, will cause you to die,and will again give you life: Truly man is a most ungrateful creature!

To every People have We appointed rites andceremonies which they must follow: let them not then dispute with thee onthe matter, but do thou invite (them) to thy Lord: for thou art assuredly onthe Right Way.

If they do wrangle with thee, say, “(Allah) knowsbest what it is ye are doing.”

“(Allah) will judge between you on the Day ofJudgment concerning the matters in which ye differ.”

Knowest thou not that Allah knows all that is inheaven and on earth? Indeed it is all in a Record, and that is easy forAllah.

Yet they worship, besides Allah, things for which noauthority has been sent down to them, and of which they have (really) noknowledge: for those that do wrong there is no helper.

When Our Clear Signs are rehearsed to them, thou wiltnotice a denial on the faces of the Unbelievers! they nearly attack withviolence those who rehearse Our Signs to them. Say, “Shall I tell you ofsomething (far) worse than these Signs? It is the Fire (of Hell)! Allah haspromised it to the Unbelievers! and evil is that destination!”

O men! Here is a parable set forth! listen to it!Those on whom, besides Allah, ye call, cannot create (even) a fly, if theyall met together for the purpose! and if the fly should snatch away anythingfrom them, they would have no power to release it from the fly. Feeble arethose who petition and those whom they petition!

No just estimate have they made of Allah. for Allahis He Who is strong and able to Carry out His Will.

Allah chooses messengers from angels and from men forAllah is He Who hears and sees (all things).

He knows what is before them and what is behind them:and to Allah go back all questions (for decision).

O ye who believe! bow down, prostrate yourselves, andadore your Lord; and do good; that ye may prosper.

And strive in His cause as yeought to strive, (with sincerity and under discipline). He has chosen you,and has imposed no difficulties on you in religion; it is the cult of yourfather Abraham. It is He Who has named you Muslims, both before and in this(Revelation); that the Messenger may be a witness for you, and ye bewitnesses for mankind! So establish regular Prayer, give regular Charity,and hold fast to Allah. He is your Protector – the Best to protect and theBest to help!