Surah 22 Al-Hajj The Pilgrimage

[Author's note] This is the 22nd Surah of the Qur'an. It has

78 verses. As usual this Surah embraces concepts and
Commands in a beautiful diversity. The Qur'an maintains a
unique literary style that wherever we open the Book, we
feel instantly connected. In my humble opinion, cover to
cover reading with understanding of the Book of God twice in
a whole lifetime enables us to enjoy its grandeur whenever
and wherever we open it. Revisiting the Book for reference
and consultation must go along regularly throughout life for
our own good.
Pilgrimage to the Sacred Masjid of Makkah has been
ordained for all humanity with its prime objective being to
seek solutions of all human conflicts and attain universal
unity. HAJJ does in fact mean determination for a noble
cause.
With the Glorious Name of Allah, the Instant and the
Sustaining Source of all Mercy and Kindness.
22:1 O Mankind! Be mindful of your Sustainer so that you
may journey through life in blissful honor and security. (If you
failed to bring the house of humanity to order), the Hour will
quake the earth with awesome wars.
22:2 On the Day when you behold it (wars of such intensity
that) even a nursing mother would forget her infant, and the
pregnant would abort her fetus. And it will seem to you that
all mankind is drunk, although they will not be drunk. But the
Divine Requital is a tremendous thing.
22:3 And yet, among people are those who argue about
Allah without attaining knowledge, and follow every
rebellious satanic force.
22:4 For the rebellious desire it has been decreed that
whoever befriends it, verily, it will mislead him and guide
him to the retribution of the Flame.
22:5 O Mankind! If you are in doubt that humanity will one
day stand at its feet, and that you will be resurrected back to

life after death, consider the process of your own evolution.

We have created you in stages: From dust, then from male
and female gametes, then from a zygote, then from an
embryo, shapely and first shapeless. We thus clearly explain
things for you. The embryo and then the fetus stay in the
womb until an appointed term according to Our Laws. Then
We bring you forth as infants and carry you to maturity.
While some of you die young, others live to the feeblest old
age so that they know nothing after knowing much.
(Resurgence of humanity can take place just as) you, O
Prophet, see a dry barren land, but when We send down
water on it, it vibrates with life and grows all kinds of
beautiful plants.
[Recapturing the earlier stages of evolution, We initiated life
from inorganic matter, the clay, then hydrated clay. Through
it We brought forth the single life cell, the unicellular
organism. Then We created the male and the female cells.
Thus procreation came into play. Male and female gametes
join, a clot, a little lump of flesh, turning into the embryo that
hangs in the womb. The embryo is partly formed and partly
unformed, until it becomes the fetus and then assumes the
final evident proportions. (For the origin of life on the planet
and creation of the human being, herein are given some
important references for the research minded reader: 4:1,
6:2, 6:38, 6:99, 7:11, 11:6, 11:61, 15:26, 21:30, 23:12-14,
24:45, 25:54, 30:20, 31:28, 32:7-9, 35:11, 36:77, 39:6,
40:64-67, 51:49, 53:45, 55:14, 71:14, 76:2-3, 86:5-7, 96:12)].
22:6 All this happens because Allah alone is the Ultimate
Truth and He alone revives the dead and because He has
Supreme Control over all things and events.
22:7 And know that the Hour is bound to come, beyond any
doubt, and that Allah will indeed resurrect all who are in their
graves. (And He will raise humanity onto their feet, just as
He will raise the dead from their state of disintegration
whether in graves or in the oceans, in ashes, their scattered
pieces sprayed about, or in the bellies of the fish and the
birds).

22:8 And yet, among people are those who argue about
Allah without attaining knowledge, guidance and without any
light-giving Revelation. (22:3).
22:9 Turning away in pride to divert people from the Path of
Allah. Disgrace is in store for them in this world, and on the
Day of Resurrection We will make them taste the doom of
burning.
22:10 Saying, This is what you sent before with your own
hands, for Allah is no oppressor of His servants.
22:11 And among people there is the one who serves Allah
conditionally. If things go his way, he is content. But if some
adversity touches him he turns on his face. (4:143). Thus he
loses both, in this life and the life to come. That is the sheer
loss.
22:12 He calls on, instead of Allah, that which neither can
harm him nor benefit him. This is indeed the utmost one can
go astray.
22:13 He calls unto him whose harm is nearer than his
benefits; verily, an evil master, and an evil follower.
22:14 Verily, Allah will admit those who have attained belief
and fulfill the needs of others, into Gardens beneath which
rivers flow. This is Allahs Intention, and so shall it be done.
22:15 If anyone thinks that Allah cannot help him in this
world and in the life to come, let him reach out unto the
heaven by any other means and thus try to make headway.
And then let him see whether his approach will dispel the
cause of his anguish.
22:16 And thus We have revealed the Qur'an in simple and
plain verses. Allah Guides him who seeks Guidance.
22:17 And verily, as for those who have attained faith in this
Divine Revelation, and those who follow the Jewish faith, and
the agnostics, and the Christians, and the Zoroastrians and
the idolaters, verily, Allah will decide between them when
the Ultimate Truth will become manifest to them as humanity
rises to its feet, and finally on the Day of Resurrection.
Behold, Allah is Witness over all things and events. (2:136,

11:121, 22:55-56).
22:18 Don't you see that all things and beings in the
heavens and in the earth, the sun and the moon, and the
stars and the mountains, and the trees, and the animals, and
a great many human beings pay adoration to Allah? And
there are a great many human beings who make themselves
worthy of Requital. And those whom the Divine Law shall
disgrace, none can raise them to honor. For, Allah carries out
all actions according to His Laws.
22:19 There are two contrary kinds of man who contend
about their Sustainer. Those who are bent upon denying the
Truth will have garments of flames they cut out for
themselves, and burning despair will they cause to be
poured on their top priorities. (104:6-7).
22:20 Causing all their inner arsenal and their exterior
proclamations to melt away to naught.
22:21 Time is coming to restrain the criminals in rods and
chains. (21:39, 57:25).
22:22 Whenever, in their anguish, they try to come out of it,
they shall be returned to it, Taste the doom of burning.
22:23 Whereas, behold, Allah will admit those who have
attained belief and helped others, into the Gardens with
rivers flowing beneath. Therein (like royals) they will be
adorned with bracelets of gold and pearls, and where silk will
be their garment. (18:31).
22:24 For they were willing to be guided towards the best
concepts and the best ways of expression. Thus they were
guided onto the path that leads to the Praised One. (QAUL
includes concept and expression).
22:25 Verily, those who reject the Truth and bar people from
the Path of Allah, and from the Center of Divine Ideology, the
Sacred Masjid, must know that We have appointed it for all
mankind alike. This is the Inviolable House of worship and
security for the locals as well as the visitors (2:125).
Whoever seeks to relegate it from Ideology to ritualism,
directly or through side cannels, We will make him taste an
awful doom. (Zulm = Relegation from the rightful place).

22:26 Behold! We pointed the site of the Sacred House

(Kabah) to Abraham, saying, Associate none with Me, and
keep My House clean of human dogmas for those whose
Divine Ideology of Monotheism will revolve around this
Center for all mankind. Train the visitors to stand up for
Truth, and bow to and prostrate before Divine Commands.
(2:125, 2:197, 3:95-97, 22:28-29).
22:27 And announce to mankind the duty of Pilgrimage.
They will come to you on foot, and on every kind of fast
mount, coming from every far-away point on earth.
22:28 So that they might see with their own eyes and
experience what benefits the Divine System holds for them
(in addition to uniting them in the common bond of
humanity). And they shall commemorate Allahs Name
collectively during the specified days of Hajj; and over the
livestock He has bestowed upon them. Then host one
another with the livestock (to make the Congregation selfsufficient in the food resource). Eat and feed the distressed
poor (regardless of whether they are in the congregation or
elsewhere).
22:29 As they host one another, they shall consult to clean
out their societies of individual and collective vices. And,
design ways to fulfill their obligations as human beings. Then
they shall walk around the Ancient House in their resolve.
22:30 All this is the purpose of Hajj. Whoever will honor
these Directives and Limitations, it will be well for him in the
Sight of his Lord. The livestock here is lawful food for you
except for those already prohibited (2:173, 5:3, 6:145,
16:115). You shall avoid idol worship in any form, and
abstain from bearing false witness. Avoid all things that bring
your progress to a standstill. Lying, bearing false witness and
flamboyant behavior are specifically forbidden at this
congregation to prevent nullification of the grand objective
(Rijs, Awthan, Zoor encompass all the stated meanings).
22:31 Turn to Allah alone, associating none with Him. For
whoever ascribes partners to Allah, it is as if he has fallen
from the sky and the birds snatch him or the wind blows him
to far-off places.

22:32 Such is his state. And anyone who honors the symbols
set up by Allah must know that mere honoring these symbols
is of no value without righteousness of the heart.
22:33 (The livestock during Hajj are a symbol of devotion to
God.) In them are benefits for you. They carry you and your
loads and their only place for sacrifice or donation is this
Ancient House.
22:34 And to every community We have ordained rites that
they might extol the Name of Allah over the sustenance He
gave them from the livestock. But your God is the One and
Only God. Therefore, submit to Him alone (22:67). And give
glad news to all those who are humble.
22:35 The truly humble are those whose hearts tremble with
awe whenever Allah is mentioned (8:2). And they steadfastly
bear whatever ill befalls them. And they constantly strive to
establish and consolidate the Divine System and spend the
wealth that We have given them, on their fellow human
beings.
22:36 And the camels! We have appointed them among the
symbols (of obedience) to Allah; in them is much good for
you. (They carry you and your loads and then help you host
one another). So mention Allahs Name over them when they
are drawn up in lines (for sacrifice). And after they have
fallen to the ground lifeless, eat from their flesh, and feed
the contented poor who beg not as well as the poor who ask.
Remember that Allah has subjected these animals to you so
that you may be practically grateful.
22:37 Neither their meat nor their blood reaches Allah. What
reaches Him is your sincere devotion. He has thus subjected
them to you that you manifestly establish the Greatness of
Allah in the land for everyone to behold (the objective of
Hajj). And to see how magnificent the Guidance is that He
has bestowed upon you (2:185). And (O Prophet) give glad
news to all benefactors of humanity.
22:38 Verily, Allah will defend the community of true
believers. Behold, Allah does not love those who betray the
Divine System ordained in this Book and thus show

ingratitude for the magnificent Guidance they have received.

(Hence, His Promise to defend will not apply to such people).
22:39 Permission to fight is granted to those against whom
war is wrongfully waged. And Allah is indeed Most Powerful
for their aid.
22:40 Those who have been evicted from their homes
unjustly, for no reason other than saying, "Our Lord is Allah!"
For, if Allah had not enabled people to defend themselves
against one another, monasteries, and churches, and
synagogues, and masjids, where the Name of Allah is oft
mentioned, would surely have been destroyed. And Allah will
certainly help those who help Him. For, Allah is Mighty,
Powerful.
22:41 Those who, if We give them power in the land,
establish Salat - the Divine System - set up the Just
Economic Order of Zakat (in which wealth circulates freely to
nourish every member of the society, and the basic needs of
all individuals are taken care of). Their rule ensures that the
Divine Moral Values are promoted, and what the Quran
forbids, is discouraged. And in their governance all affairs
are decided according to Allah's decrees (in the Qur'an 5:44).
22:42 (This is the framework of the Constitution that would
finally take effect.) If they deny you (O Prophet), so did,
before them, the people of Noah, Aad, and Thamud.
22:43 As did the people of Abraham, and the people of Lot.
22:44 And the dwellers of Midyan. And Moses was also
denied (by Egyptians). And I gave the rejecters a period of
respite, but then I took them to task. And how awesome was
My denial of them!
22:45 And how many a township have We (Our Law of
Requital) annihilated, for they oppressed people and violated
human rights! And now they lie deserted, with their roofs
caved in! And how many a well lies abandoned, and how
many a castle in ruins that once stood high!
22:46 Have they never journeyed about the earth, letting
their hearts gain wisdom, and causing their ears to hear?
Indeed, it is not their eyes that become blind, but blind

become their hearts that are in the breasts.

22:47 And so (O Prophet) they challenge you to hasten the
doom, but Allah never fails to fulfill His Promise. A day of
your Lord is like a thousand of your years. (32:5, 70:40).
(Before your Lord, is the eternal Now. He is Above temporal
and spatial bounds).
22:48 (As you sow, so shall you reap, is a rock-solid Law, as
evidenced by the history of the rise and fall of nations.) How
many communities have gone before whom I gave respite
although they were transgressors, but then My Law of
Requital seized them. For with Me is the end of all journeys.
22:49 Say, "O Mankind! I am but a plain Warner to you."
22:50 And know that communities who attain belief and
augment the human potential, shall be granted the
protection of forgiveness and a most excellent provision (in
both worlds).
22:51 Whereas those who strive against Our Messages
seeking to defeat their purpose, they are destined to face
the Insurmountable Barrier.
22:52 Yet whenever We sent any Messenger or Prophet
before you, satanic people tried to confound the central aims
of the Message in his very life-time. But Allah rendered null
and void all the aspirations they had. And Allah makes His
Messages clear in and by themselves, for Allah is All
Knowing, Wise. (Satanic people then tried to alter his
teachings after he passed on. Allah, then, sent another
Messenger to restore the purity of His Messages 6:113. Until
the Final Message was revealed and Allah Himself
guaranteed its preservation.)
22:53 (Allah allows) these satanic people to advance their
aspirations so that He might make this conspiracy a test for
people and distinguish (the true believers in the Divine
Revelation) from those who have a disease in their hearts.
Verily, those who relegate the Divine Revelation in favor of
human aspirations create great schism and sectarianism.
(Zulm = Relegation from the rightful place). (2:53).
22:54 Those who are blessed with true knowledge, will

recognize your Lords Truth, accept it, and then settle it in

their hearts and humbly submit to Him. Surely, Allah alone is
the Guide of those who truly believe, to the Straight Path.
(5:48, 15:19).
22:55 And those who disbelieve in the Divine Word (by
failing to sort out the human aspirations), will remain in
suspense until the Hour befalls them suddenly, or there
comes to them the doom of a disastrous day.
22:56 On that Day all Dominion will visibly belong to Allah,
and His Law and His Judgment will prevail in the human
society as well (through this Divine writ). Then those who
believe in this Divine Revelation and contribute to the
advancement of the society, will be in the Gardens of
Delight, in this world and in the Hereafter.
22:57 Whereas for those who are bent upon denying the
Truth and belie Our Messages, there shall be a humiliating
suffering in store.
22:58 And as for those who forsake the domain of evil in the
Cause of Allah and are then slain or die, Allah will most
certainly provide them a goodly sustenance. For, verily,
Allah, He alone is the Best of providers.
22:59 Allah, the Knower, the Clement, will admit them to a
place they will love.
22:60 Thus shall it be. As for him who responds to
aggression only to the extent of the attack that was leveled
against him, and is then again treacherously attacked, Allah
will certainly help him. For Allah is Mild, Forgiving. (22:39).
22:61 This is because just as Allah merges the night into the
day and merges the day into the night, (likewise, there are
Divine Laws for fluctuation of peoples fortunes) - And
because Allah is Hearer, Seer.
22:62 Thus it is Allah! He is the Ultimate Truth. That on
whom they call instead of Him is sheer Falsehood, and
because Allah, He alone is the High, the Great.
22:63 Have you not seen how Allah sends down water from
the sky and then the earth becomes green? Verily, Allah is

Unfathomable, Aware.
22:64 Unto Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all
that is in the earth. And, verily, Allah is the Self-Sufficient
Absolute, the Owner of Praise.
22:65 Have you not realized how Allah has made everything
in the earth subservient to you? And the ships run upon the
sea by His Command, and He holds back the celestial bodies
and high atmosphere from coming down on to the earth
except in accordance with His Law. Verily, Allah is
Compassionate, Merciful to people.
22:66 And He it is Who gives you the gift of life, then He will
cause you to die, and will then give you life again. Yet,
ungrateful is man (not using the gift of life to its maximum
potential).
22:67 We have let every community hold some rites that
they observe (as a diversity of humanity 49:13). So, let them
not involve you in their arguments, just call them to your
Lord (2:177). For, behold, you (O Prophet) are indeed on the
Right Way.
22:68 And if they argue with you, say, Allah is best Aware of
what you do.
22:69 Allah will judge among you regarding all your
differences when humanity stands up to its feet, and finally
on the Day of Resurrection. (2:213, 22:17, 22:56).
22:70 Do you not know that Allah is fully Aware of all that is
in the High and the Low? All that, behold, is in the Divine
Database. Verily, all this is easy for Allah.
22:71 And yet, they (who, seeing His Dominion of the
Universe, claim to believe in Him, often) idolize instead of
Allah that wherein He has placed no power, and they know
nothing about them about them. (They blindly follow their
ancestors' ways 10:39). There is no helper for those who
relegate the reality to conjecture.
22:72 And when Our Messages are conveyed to them in all
clarity, you can notice a denial in the faces of those who are
bent upon rejecting the Truth. They would almost attack

those who convey Our Messages to them. Say, Shall I, then,

tell you something worse than what you feel now? The Fire!
Allah has promised it for those who are bent upon denying
the Truth. How miserable a journeys end!
22:73 "O Mankind! Here is an example for you to listen and
ponder! Behold, those beings you invoke instead of Allah,
cannot create as much as a fly, even if they were to join all
their forces to do so. And if a fly robs them of anything, they
cannot get it back from it. Weak indeed is the seeker and
weak indeed the sought.
22:74 They esteem not Allah as He must be esteemed. In
fact, Allah is the One, Mighty, All Powerful. (6:92, 39:67).
22:75 (In His Almightiness) Allah chooses Message-bearers
from among the angels as well as from among mankind.
Behold, Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing.
22:76 He knows all that is of the past, the present and the
future. For, to Allah all things return (and go back to Him as
their Source).
22:77 O You who have chosen to be graced with belief! Bow
down and prostrate yourselves, and serve your Lord. And do
good for the community so that you may achieve a blissful
prosperity.
22:78 Strive hard in Allahs Cause, with all the striving that is
due to Him. It is He Who has elected you to carry the
Message and has placed no hardship in religion, the creed of
your father Abraham (2:143, 2:288). It is He Who has named
you Muslims in the bygone days and now in this Revelation.
That the Messenger may be a witness for you, and you be
witnesses for all mankind! (You shall be the watchers over
peoples that no community oppresses the other). So,
establish the Divine System and set up the Just Economic
Order, and hold fast unto Allah. He is your Lord Supreme,
and how excellent is this Giver of support!