Transliteration:( Yaaa aiyuhal lazeena aamanoo laa tuhilloo sha'aaa 'iral laahi wa lash Shahral Haraama wa lal hadya wa lal qalaaa'ida wa laa aaammeenal Baital Haraama yabtaghoona fadlam mir Rabbihim wa ridwaanaa; wa izaa halaltum fastaadoo; wa laa yajrimannakum shana aanu qawmin an saddookum 'anil Masjidil-Haraami an ta'tadoo; wa ta'aawanoo 'alalbirri wattaqwaa; wa laa ta'aawanoo 'alal ismi wal'udwaan; wattaqul laah; innal laaha shadeedul 'iqaab )
“O you who believe! Do not violate the symbols of Allah [4], nor (the sanctity of) the sacred months [5], nor the sacrificial animals, nor those marked with garlands [6], nor those going to the Sacred House, seeking the bounty and pleasure of their Lord [7]. And when you take off the pilgrim's garb, then you may hunt [8]. And let not the enmity of those who prevented you from the Sacred Mosque incite you to commit transgression [9]. And help one another in righteousness and piety, but do not help one another in sin and transgression [10]. And fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is severe in punishment [11].”
(Kanzul Imaan Translation)
One learns from “symbols of Allah” that anything which has religious connection should be shown great reverence. Allah Almighty says:
“And whosoever respects the sign of Allah then it is from the piety of the heart” (S22:32).
The Sacred Ka‘aba, the shrines of the saints, the Holy Qur’an, etc., are all included among the symbols of Allah. In fact, any object connected with the pious saints of Allah is part of these symbols.
When the blessed feet of Hazrat Hajirah (peace be upon her) touched the hills of Safa and Marwa, they immediately became symbols of Allah. Allah says:
“No doubt. Safa and Marwa are among the symbols of Allah.” (S2:158)
The four sacred months are Rajab, Zil-Qaidah, Zil-Hajj, and Muharram. Even in the Days of Ignorance, these months were held in esteem, and Islam has also accorded them great respect. Initially, waging war in these months was forbidden, but now there is no time restriction regarding Jihad. Nevertheless, their respect is upheld for all times.
It was the practice of the Arabs to place colourful objects or garlands on the necks of sacrificial animals to make them known to the people and to prevent interference with them.
This refers to those going to the Sacred Ka‘bah seeking the bounty and pleasure of their Lord.
Reason for Revelation:
Once, Shuraih ibn Hind came to meet the Holy Prophet ﷺ in Madina. When leaving the sacred city, he drove away the sheep and cattle of the people with him. The Muslims were deeply saddened by this act. The following year, when he came to Makkah for Hajj with sacrificial animals, the Companions wanted to seize his animals in revenge, but the Prophet ﷺ stopped them. This verse was revealed in support of the Prophet’s decision, teaching that one should not violate any religious law for revenge.
This is a command regarding permission: once a pilgrim takes off the Ihram (pilgrim's garb), hunting is permitted. This permission is so binding that rejecting it would amount to disbelief, as hunting after Ihram is permissible but not obligatory. Rejecting an absolute and binding command is considered apostasy, whether the command is compulsory (Fard), obligatory (Wajib), or commendable (Mustahab).
The disbelievers of Makkah prevented the Prophet ﷺ from performing Umrah during the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, but he did not tell the Muslims to stop them from approaching the Ka‘bah in retaliation. Now, due to their apostasy, disbelievers are prohibited from entering the Ka‘bah, as Allah says:
“The associates are altogether unclean, then let them not approach the sacred Masjid.” (S9:28)
Two points arise from this:
It is permissible to seek help from those other than Allah.
Collective aid—whether financial, physical, or spiritual—is commendable if done for lawful purposes.
Helping someone commit sin is itself sinful. Acts like stealing, burglary, or hiding stolen goods are criminal and sinful. On the other hand, assisting someone in a pious act, encouraging righteousness, and providing help are rewarded by Allah.
The tafsir of Surah Maidah verse 2 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Maidah ayat 1 which provides the complete commentary from verse 1 through 2.
(5:2) Believers! Neither desecrate the symbols of (devotion to) Allah,[5] nor the holy month, nor the animals of offering, nor the animals wearing collars indicating they are for sacrifice, nor ill-treat those who have set out for the Holy House seeking from their Lord His bounty and good pleasure.[6] But once you are free from Pilgrimage obligations, you are free to hunt.[7] Do not let your wrath against the people who have barred you from the Holy Mosque move you to commit undue transgressions;[8] rather, help one another in acts of righteousness and piety, and do not help one another in sin and transgression. Fear Allah. Surely Allah is severe in retribution.
5. Whatever characteristically represents either a particular doctrine, creed, way of thought or conduct is recognized as its symbol. For example, official flags, uniforms of the armed forces, coins, notes and stamps are symbols used by governments so that their subjects – in fact all those who live within their sphere of influence – treat them with proper respect. Cathedrals, altars and crosses are symbols of Christianity. A special bunch of hair on the head, a special kind of bead-rosary and the temple are symbols of Hinduism. A turban, bracelet and Kirpan (a special dagger kept by the Sikhs) are symbols of the Sikh religion. The hammer and sickle are the symbols of Communism. The swastika has been the symbol of Aryan racialism. The followers of these ideologies are required to treat these symbols with respect. If a man insults any symbol associated with a particular ideology it is regarded as an act of hostility; and if the person concerned is himself a follower of that ideology then that insult is considered tantamount to an abandonment of, and a revolt against it.
The expression ‘sha’a’ir Allah’ refers to all those rites which, in opposition to polytheism and outright disbelief and atheism, are the characteristic symbols of an exclusive devotion to God. Muslims are required to respect these symbols, regardless of the people among whom they are found, provided their underlying spirit is one of godliness and that they have not been tainted by either polytheistic or pagan associations. Hence, whenever a Muslim encounters something in either the creed or practice of a non-Muslim, which embodies any element of devotion and service to the One True God, he will identify himself with it and show respect to the symbols which represent it. For this true element in their religious life constitutes the point of agreement between them and the Muslims. The point of dispute is not that they serve God, but that they associate others in that service.
It should be recalled that this directive to treat the symbols of God with due respect was given at a time when a state of belligerency existed between the Muslims and the polytheists of Arabia, and Makka was under the occupation of the latter. Polytheistic tribes from all over Arabia used to visit the Ka’bah for Pilgrimage, and the routes of many of these tribes were within the reach-of the Muslims if they decided to attack. It was in such circumstances that the Muslims were told that, even though those people were polytheists, they should not be molested if they were proceeding towards the ‘House of God’; that they should not be attacked during the months of Pilgrimage; and that the animals which they were carrying for sacrificial offering should not be touched. The element of godliness which persisted in their otherwise distorted religious life deserved to be respected.
6. Following a general directive that the symbols of God should be treated with proper respect a few such symbols are mentioned specifically lest war fever lead even to the desecration of religious rites and symbols. The enumeration of these particular symbols does not mean that respect is due to these alone.
7. Ihram is also one of the symbols of God and violation of any of the prohibitions which should be observed in that state is an act of sacrilege. The prohibition of hunting while in the state of ihram is mentioned in connection with the desecration of the symbols of God. When ihram is over, the prohibitions become void, and one is permitted to hunt.
8. The unbelievers had prevented the Muslims from visiting the Ka’bah. In fact, in violation of the ancient usage of Arabia they had even deprived them of their right to make Pilgrimage. As a result, the Muslims felt inclined to prevent the pagan tribes from making their pilgrimage by not letting them pass along the routes to Makka which lay close to the Islamic domains, and to attack their trading caravans during the time of Pilgrimage (Hajj). God prevented them from carrying out this plan through the revelation.
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