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.