Surah Al-Hajj (22) — Ayah 67

(Ayah 67) ➊ { لِكُلِّ اُمَّةٍ جَعَلْنَا مَنْسَكًا هُمْ نَاسِكُوْهُ: ’’ مَنْسَكًا ‘‘ ’’ نَسَكَ يَنْسُكُ ‘‘} (n, k) is from the masdar mimee, meaning worship, sacrifice, the way of worship or the way of sacrifice, or it is a ظرف (adverb of place), meaning the place of worship or sacrifice. {’’نَسْكٌ‘‘} and {’’نُسُكٌ‘‘} mean worship, slaughter. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) led the Eid al-Adha prayer, then turned to the people and said: [ إِنَّ أَوَّلَ نُسُكِنَا فِيْ يَوْمِنَا هٰذَا أَنْ نَّبْدَأَ بِالصَّلَاةِ ثُمَّ نَرْجِعَ فَنَنْحَرَ ] [ بخاري، العیدین، باب استقبال الإمام الناس في خطبۃ العید : ۹۷۶، عن البراء رضی اللہ عنہ ] "The first act of worship on our day is that we pray, then return and offer the sacrifice." Here, the prayer is called {’’ نُسُكٌ ‘‘}. The phrase {’’ لِكُلِّ اُمَّةٍ جَعَلْنَا مَنْسَكًا ‘‘} has also appeared earlier in verse (34), where its meaning is taken as the way of sacrifice, because at the end of the verse there is mention of taking the name of Allah over the domesticated cattle given by Allah, i.e., slaughtering them.

➋ From the context of the verses, it is understood that when the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), by the command of Allah, made changes in some of the rites of Hajj, just as some of the commands prescribed for previous communities were abrogated and some were changed, the disbelievers of Makkah, who claimed to be followers of the religion of Ibrahim, and the Jews and Christians, all began to dispute. In response, Allah said that the original religion is one, which is Tawheed (monotheism), but for every era, We prescribed a way of worship according to the circumstances and needs of that time, according to which they worshipped. In which some things were different from each other, just as for the community of Musa (peace be upon him) there was the Torah, and for the community of Isa (peace be upon him) there was the Torah along with the Gospel. Now, until the Day of Judgment, all people of the world are the community of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), and their code of life is the Noble Qur'an. Allah has said elsewhere: « لِكُلٍّ جَعَلْنَا مِنْكُمْ شِرْعَةً وَّ مِنْهَاجًا » [ المائدۃ : ۴۸ ] "For each of you We have appointed a law and a way."

➌ { فَلَا يُنَازِعُنَّكَ فِي الْاَمْرِ … :} That is, if Allah changes the way of worship in the time of a later Prophet, then the duty of the servants is to accept it wholeheartedly, not to start disputing with the Prophet about it. Allah told the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that these people should never dispute with you in this matter, meaning you also should not dispute with them nor give them an opportunity to dispute, and you should keep inviting towards your Lord and be certain that you are indeed upon the straight path. In Surah Al-Jathiyah, He said: «ثُمَّ جَعَلْنٰكَ عَلٰى شَرِيْعَةٍ مِّنَ الْاَمْرِ فَاتَّبِعْهَا وَ لَا تَتَّبِعْ اَهْوَآءَ الَّذِيْنَ لَا يَعْلَمُوْنَ » [ الجاثیۃ : ۱۸ ] "Then We put you on a clear way of the matter (of religion), so follow it and do not follow the desires of those who do not know."

67. 1. That is, in every era We prescribed a law for the people, which in some matters was different from one another, just as the Torah was the law for the community of Musa (عليه السلام), the Gospel was the law for the community of Isa (عليه السلام), and now the Quran is the law and code of life for the community of Muhammad.

67. 2. That is, the religion and law which Allah has granted you is also according to the aforementioned principle; those who followed the previous laws should now believe in your ﷺ law, and not dispute with you ﷺ in this matter.

67. 3. That is, do not care about their disputes, but continue to invite them to your Lord, because now only you ﷺ are on the straight path, meaning the previous laws have been abrogated.

67. For every community We have appointed a way of worship [96] which they observe. So let them not dispute with you concerning this matter [97]. And invite to your Lord. Surely, you are on the straight path.

[96]
The Meaning of "Mansak" and the Difference Between "Mansak" and "Minhaj":

Although the word "mansak" has become specifically associated with the rites, rules, and performance of Hajj, and "manasik al-Hajj" refers to the places, rules, and methods of performing the acts and pillars of Hajj, and "nusuk" refers to the sacrifice offered during Hajj, this word is broad enough in meaning to apply to the method of performing all acts of worship. This word is more specific than "minhaj." The meaning of "minhaj" includes the method of performing all legal rulings, and this method is also prescribed by Allah alone, while "mansak" applies only to the method of worship.
[97] The method of worship has been different for every prophet and his community, and the requirements of the time have also been taken into consideration. And since this method is also from Allah alone, no one has the right to argue or dispute with you about it. Because, in this era, the method being revealed to you ﷺ is the correct and true one.