Translation of the meanings of surah Al-Hajj (1)

(1) (1) O mankind, fear your Lord. Indeed, the convulsion of the [final] Hour is a terrible thing.

(2) (2) On the Day you see it every nursing mother will be distracted from that [child] she was nursing, and every pregnant woman will abort her pregnancy, and you will see the people [appearing] intoxicated while they are not intoxicated; but the punishment of Allāh is severe.

(3) (3) And of the people is he who disputes about Allāh without knowledge and follows every rebellious devil.

(4) (4) It has been decreed for him [i.e., every devil] that whoever turns to him - he will misguide him and will lead him to the punishment of the Blaze.

(5) (5) O people, if you should be in doubt about the Resurrection, then [consider that] indeed, We created you from dust, then from a sperm-drop, then from a clinging clot, and then from a lump of flesh, formed and unformed[915] - that We may show you.[916] And We settle in the wombs whom We will for a specified term, then We bring you out as a child, and then [We develop you] that you may reach your [time of] maturity. And among you is he who is taken in [early] death, and among you is he who is returned to the most decrepit [old] age so that he knows, after [once having] knowledge, nothing. And you see the earth barren, but when We send down upon it rain, it quivers and swells and grows [something] of every beautiful kind.

[915]- That which is incomplete. This may include what is aborted at that stage. [916]- Our power and creative ability.

(6) (6) That is because Allāh is the True Reality and because He gives life to the dead and because He is over all things competent

(7) (7) And [that they may know] that the Hour is coming - no doubt about it - and that Allāh will resurrect those in the graves.

(8) (8) And of the people is he who disputes about Allāh without knowledge or guidance or an enlightening book [from Him],

(9) (9) Twisting his neck [in arrogance] to mislead [people] from the way of Allāh. For him in the world is disgrace, and We will make him taste on the Day of Resurrection the punishment of the Burning Fire [while it is said],

(10) (10) "That is for what your hands have put forth and because Allāh is not ever unjust to [His] servants."

(11) (11) And of the people is he who worships Allāh on an edge.[917] If he is touched by good, he is reassured by it; but if he is struck by trial, he turns on his face [to unbelief]. He has lost [this] world and the Hereafter. That is what is the manifest loss.

[917]- At the edge of his religion, so to speak, i.e., with uncertainty, hypocrisy or heedlessness.

(12) (12) He invokes instead of Allāh that which neither harms him nor benefits him. That is what is the extreme error.

(13) (13) He invokes one whose harm is closer than his benefit - how wretched the protector and how wretched the associate.

(14) (14) Indeed, Allāh will admit those who believe and do righteous deeds to gardens beneath which rivers flow. Indeed, Allāh does what He intends.

(15) (15) Whoever should think that Allāh will not support him [i.e., Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ)] in this world and the Hereafter - let him extend a rope to the ceiling, then cut off [his breath],[918] and let him see: will his effort remove that which enrages [him]?

[918]- i.e., strangle himself.

(16) (16) And thus have We sent it [i.e., the Qur’ān] down as verses of clear evidence and because Allāh guides whom He intends.

(17) (17) Indeed, those who have believed and those who were Jews and the Sabeans and the Christians and the Magians and those who associated with Allāh - Allāh will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection. Indeed Allāh is, over all things, Witness.[919]

[919]- See footnote of 4:79.

(18) (18) Do you not see [i.e., know] that to Allāh prostrates whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth and the sun, the moon, the stars, the mountains, the trees, the moving creatures and many of the people? But upon many the punishment has been justified.[920] And he whom Allāh humiliates - for him there is no bestower of honor. Indeed, Allāh does what He wills.

[920]- And therefore decreed.

(19) (19) These[921] are two adversaries who have disputed over their Lord. But those who disbelieved will have cut out for them garments of fire. Poured upon their heads will be scalding water

[921]- i.e., the believers and the disbelievers.

(20) (20) By which is melted that within their bellies and [their] skins.

(21) (21) And for [striking] them are maces of iron.

(22) (22) Every time they want to get out of it [i.e., Hellfire] from anguish, they will be returned to it, and [it will be said], "Taste the punishment of the Burning Fire!"

(23) (23) Indeed, Allāh will admit those who believe and do righteous deeds to gardens beneath which rivers flow. They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and pearl, and their garments therein will be silk.

(24) (24) And they had been guided [in worldly life] to good speech, and they were guided to the path of the Praiseworthy.

(25) (25) Indeed, those who have disbelieved and avert [people] from the way of Allāh and [from] al-Masjid al-Ḥarām, which We made for the people - equal are the resident therein and one from outside - and [also] whoever intends [a deed] therein[922] of deviation [in religion] by wrongdoing - We will make him taste of a painful punishment.

[922]- Whether inside its boundaries or intending from afar to do evil therein. The Ḥaram is unique in that the mere intention of sin therein (whether or not it is actually carried out) is sufficient to bring punishment from Allāh.

(26) (26) And [mention, O Muḥammad], when We designated for Abraham the site of the House, [saying], "Do not associate anything with Me and purify My House for those who perform ṭawāf[923] and those who stand [in prayer] and those who bow and prostrate.

[923]- See footnote to 2:125.

(27) (27) And proclaim to the people the ḥajj [pilgrimage]; they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every distant pass -

(28) (28) That they may witness [i.e., attend] benefits for themselves and mention the name of Allāh on known [i.e., specific] days over what He has provided for them of [sacrificial] animals.[924] So eat of them and feed the miserable and poor.

[924]- Al-anʿām: camels, cattle, sheep and goats.

(29) (29) Then let them end their untidiness and fulfill their vows and perform ṭawāf around the ancient House."

(30) (30) That [has been commanded], and whoever honors the sacred ordinances of Allāh - it is best for him in the sight of his Lord. And permitted to you are the grazing livestock, except what is recited to you.[925] So avoid the uncleanliness of idols and avoid false statement,

[925]- See 5:3.

(31) (31) Inclining [only] to Allāh, not associating [anything] with Him. And he who associates with Allāh - it is as though he had fallen from the sky and was snatched by the birds or the wind carried him down into a remote place.

(32) (32) That [is so]. And whoever honors the symbols [i.e., rites] of Allāh - indeed, it is from the piety of hearts.

(33) (33) For you therein [i.e., the animals marked for sacrifice] are benefits for a specified term;[926] then their place of sacrifice is at the ancient House.[927]

[926]- i.e., they may be milked or ridden (in the case of camels) before the time of slaughter. [927]- i.e., within the boundaries of the Ḥaram, which includes Minā.

(34) (34) And for every [religious] community We have appointed a rite [of sacrifice][928] that they may mention the name of Allāh over what He has provided for them of [sacrificial] animals. For your god is one God, so to Him submit. And, [O Muḥammad], give good tidings to the humble [before their Lord]

[928]- i.e., the right of sacrifice has always been a part of Allāh's revealed religion.

(35) (35) Who, when Allāh is mentioned, their hearts are fearful, and [to] the patient over what has afflicted them, and the establishers of prayer and those who spend from what We have provided them.

(36) (36) And the camels and cattle We have appointed for you as among the symbols [i.e., rites] of Allāh; for you therein is good. So mention the name of Allāh upon them when lined up [for sacrifice]; and when they are [lifeless] on their sides, then eat from them and feed the needy [who does not seek aid] and the beggar. Thus have We subjected them to you that you may be grateful.

(37) (37) Their meat will not reach Allāh, nor will their blood, but what reaches Him is piety from you. Thus have We subjected them to you that you may glorify Allāh for that [to] which He has guided you; and give good tidings to the doers of good.