Sura al-Hajj
22
Introduction of Surah
al-Hajj is the 22nd sura of the Qur’an, which means ‘The Pilgrimage’. The chapter derives its name from verses 26–37, which is a reference to God Almighty’s instructions about the ritual Pilgrimage and the mandatory rulings related to it. It belongs to the Medinan period and comprises 78 verses, 2,291 words, 5,075 letters, and 10 segments. It is the 103rd sura in chronological order, revealed after Sura al-Nur.
The sura begins with a warning of the terrors of the Day of Judgement. Then the chapter describes God Almighty’s power of creation, as evidence for the Day of Resurrection. The chapter then describes the biological genesis of humankind, detailing the stages of embryonic development in the mother’s womb. The development of an embryo is discussed from the emergence of a zygote, which becomes a clinging mass, all the way till the birth of an infant. This chapter describes the stages of the development of a human being as a sign of God Almighty’s divine power and decree. The chapter describes the growth of a human being from infancy till old-age.
The chapter then details the traits and characteristics of those who are righteous and those who are evil. The chapter continues to state that the actual purpose of performing the ritual Pilgrimage (al-Hajj), which was introduced by Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham [peace be upon him]), is to achieve God-consciousness of the heart. The sura urges believers to abstain from worship that is half-hearted as it leads to a loss in both this world and in the hereafter. The chapter proceeds to discuss the believers, the Jews, the Sabaean’s, the Christians, the Magians, and the Polytheists. God Almighty states that the final judgement between all these groups will occur on the Day of Resurrection.
The chapter outlines the reasons God Almighty awarded permission to the Muslims to fight back against the violent persecution by the Meccan polytheists. God Almighty had previously not permitted Muslims to respond to the violence of the Meccan polytheists despite 15 years of persecution. However, this chapter states that God Almighty permitted Muslims to fight back in ‘self-defence’. The chapter emphasises specific instructions for Muslims to follow. The chapter condemns acts of aggression, violence, acts of destruction and sabotage. In this context, the chapter describes the significance of honouring the sanctity of places of worship; which include Churches, Synagogues, Temples, and Mosques; as God Almighty’s name is proclaimed frequently in all these sacred places. The chapter also outlines the nature of the relationship Islam must assume with other religions and the rightful place Islam must take in the broader history.
This chapter also outlines many virtues believers must acquire, reflecting the
Divine Attributes of God Almighty. Here God Almighty is urging believers to adopt
certain virtues which include; justice, forgiveness, and benevolence. Furthermore,
God Almighty describes the alternation of cycles in the atmosphere and climate.
The formation and regulation of the heavens, earth, clouds, rains, vegetation, and
the emergence of day and night, are all described as a means to demonstrate the
signs of God Almighty’s power over everything.
This chapter continues by condemning polytheism and the belief in idols as they
are incapable of rendering an origin to anything. Idols are not able to bring even
the minutest of things into existence, let alone match the magnitude of God Almighty’s
divine power of creation of the entire universe. The chapter closes by urging believers
to worship their Lord Almighty by establishing regular prayer, fasting, offering
charity, being righteous and striving for the truth. God Almighty prefaces the command
to worship Him by stating He does not approve of any difficulty and hardship in
the practice of this religion.
Read More
Show Less
In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the All-Merciful
22:2. On the Day you see it, every breastfeeding mother will think no more of (her baby) that she was suckling. And every pregnant woman will miscarry her burden. And you will think people are drunk, though they will not be drunk. But Allah’s punishment will be that severe.
يوم ترونها تذهل كل مرضعة عما أرضعت وتضع كل ذات حمل حملها وترى الناس سكارى وما هم بسكارى ولكن عذاب الله شديد
(al-Hajj, 22 : 2)
22:5. O people! If you are in doubt about the Resurrection, then (remember that) We (initially) created you from dust (i.e. your chemical genesis was from the extract of clay).* Then (your biological genesis was) from a fertilised egg (i.e. a zygote**). Then, from a clinging mass (i.e. an embryo).*** And then from a lump of flesh looking chewed (i.e. the foetus in the early stages of its development), partly shaped and partly unshaped (having some parts recognisable and others unrecognisable), so that We may manifest (Our power) to you. And We cause whom We are pleased to stay in the wombs till a specified term. Then We bring you out as an infant. Then (We rear you) so that you may attain maturity. And among you, some are caused to die (before old age). And among you, some are brought back to the most senile age so that he knows nothing after (having possessed) some knowledge. Likewise, you see the earth completely sterile (appearing lifeless), yet when We shower water upon it, it stirs (with freshness), swells (with fertility) and produces all kinds of beautiful pairs of plants.
* Dust comprises minerals, metals, salts and other chemical elements such as calcium, sodium, phosphorus, potassium, silicon, chlorine, iodine, fluorine, magnesium, zinc, sulphur, iron, etc. These and other clay elements also form a balanced diet essential for nourishment. The animals whose meat and milk we consume graze upon vegetation. The grains, vegetables and fruits that constitute our diet benefit from the soil they grow in and absorb all its chemicals.
** In Arabic, the word ‘al-nutfa’ is mentioned, and it refers to a zygote, which is a mixture of male and female gametes. It is the new single cell formed after the union of a sperm and ovum.
*** The word ‘alaqa’ in this verse describes the human embryo from days 7–24, which clings to the endometrium of the uterus in the same way that a leech clings to the skin. Just as the leech derives blood from the host, the human embryo derives blood from the decidua or pregnant endometrium. It is remarkable how much the embryo of 23–24 days resembles a leech. No microscopes were available in the 7th century, so none would have known that the human embryo at this stage was clinging to the endometrium and had a leech-like appearance.
