Juz 17: Al-Anbiyāʾ and Al-Ḥajj
Section 16 of 18 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
16. Ibrahim and the Proclamation of Hajj
The discourse shifts to the foundation of the Hajj rituals, centered around Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and the construction of the Ka'bah. This narrative connects the pure monotheistic worship established by Ibrahim (peace be upon him) to the practices enjoined upon the Muslim community.
In verse 26, Allah (swt) states:
وَإِذْ بَوَّأْنَا لِإِبْرَاهِيمَ مَكَانَ الْبَيْتِ أَن لَّا تُشْرِكْ بِي شَيْئًا وَطَهِّرْ بَيْتِيَ لِلطَّائِفِينَ وَالْقَائِمِينَ وَالرُّكَّعِ السُّجُودِ
“And (remember) when We pointed out for Ibrahim the place of the House (saying): Do not associate anything with Me as My partner, and purify My House for those who make ṭawāf (circumambulation), and those who stand (in prayer), and those who bow down and prostrate themselves.”
This verse recalls Allah's command to Ibrahim (peace be upon him) regarding the establishment of the Ka'bah. The primary instruction was theological – to maintain absolute monotheism without associating any partners with Allah (swt). The second command was to purify the House physically and spiritually for various forms of worship: circumambulation (ṭawāf), standing (qiyām), bowing (rukūʿ), and prostration (sujūd).
This established the Ka'bah as the central point of worship, embodying the principle of tawhid (Divine Oneness) that transcends all theological divisions mentioned in the previous section.
The next verse contains the divine instruction to proclaim the Hajj to humanity:
وَأَذِّن فِي النَّاسِ بِالْحَجِّ يَأْتُوكَ رِجَالًا وَعَلَىٰ كُلِّ ضَامِرٍ يَأْتِينَ مِن كُلِّ فَجٍّ عَمِيقٍ
“And announce among people about (the obligation of) Hajj, so that they should come to you on foot, and on every camel turned lean, coming from every remote path.”
This verse describes the divine command given to Ibrahim (peace be upon him) to announce the obligation of Hajj to humanity. According to classical narrations, Ibrahim (peace be upon him) stood on Mount Abu Qubais near the Ka'bah and made this proclamation. Though it might have seemed that no one would hear his call in the barren desert, Allah (swt) caused this message to reach people's hearts across generations, such that even today Muslims feel a subliminal calling to visit the House of Allah.
The verse describes pilgrims coming "on foot, and on every camel turned lean," indicating the arduous journey that pilgrims would undert