Taking provisions to Makkah

Ikrimah said: People used to come to Makkah without provisions for the journey, then this verse was revealed: "And take provision, for indeed the best provision is God-consciousness (taqwa)." [Al-Baqarah: 197]

Abd al-Malik said: I asked al-Sha'bi about the saying of Allah Almighty: "And take provision, for indeed the best provision is God-consciousness (taqwa)." He said: It means food, and food was scarce in those days. I said: What food? He said: Sawiq (barley meal) and dates.

Sa'id bin Jubayr said: What is meant by the verse of the Qur'an, "And take provision", is dry bread and sawiq (barley meal).

Al-Sha'bi said: When the people of Yemen came for Hajj, they would not bring provisions until they reached such-and-such a mountain pass; then this verse was revealed: "And take provision, for indeed the best provision is God-consciousness (taqwa)."

Mujahid said: People would not bring provisions on their Hajj until this verse was revealed: "And take provision, for indeed the best provision is God-consciousness (taqwa)." Then they began to bring food with them.