Surah An-Naml (27) — Ayah 91

(Ayah 91) ➊ {اِنَّمَاۤ اُمِرْتُ اَنْ اَعْبُدَ رَبَّ هٰذِهِ الْبَلْدَةِ …:} In this verse, there is a reproach to the Quraysh of Makkah: You people who live in this city, which Allah has made sacred and a place of safety, where no one is killed, no one is wronged, hunting is not permitted, nor is cutting its trees allowed, and because of this you are reaping countless benefits. Due to being the custodians of Allah’s House, your honor and prestige are established throughout the world. Nowhere else in Arabia are people’s lives and wealth safe; people are snatched from their homes, their wealth is looted, but because of the House of Allah, you enjoy this blessing in Makkah, and abundant provision reaches you from all sides. In winter, your trade caravans go to Yemen, and in summer, to Syria. Because of the respect for the Ka‘bah, no one dares to rob them. You also admit that all this is because of the Lord of this House, not because of the idols you worship. It was your duty to obey the Lord of this city, who gave you food in hunger and security in fear. He said: «{ فَلْيَعْبُدُوْا رَبَّ هٰذَا الْبَيْتِ (3) الَّذِيْۤ اَطْعَمَهُمْ مِّنْ جُوْعٍ وَّ اٰمَنَهُمْ مِّنْ خَوْفٍ }» [ القریش : ۳، ۴ ] “So they should worship the Lord of this House, who fed them against hunger and secured them against fear.” He said, tell them: If you, being ungrateful for these blessings, worship others besides Allah, that is your choice, but I have only been commanded to obey the Lord of this House, who has made it sacred. Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said on the day of the conquest of Makkah: [ إِنَّ هٰذَا الْبَلَدَ حَرَّمَهُ اللّٰهُ، لَا يُعْضَدُ شَوْكُهُ، وَلَا يُنَفَّرُ صَيْدُهُ وَلَا يَلْتَقِطُ لُقَطَتَهُ إِلَّا مَنْ عَرَّفَهَا ] [ بخاري، الحج، باب فضل الحرم … : ۱۵۸۷ ] “Allah has made this city a sanctuary; its thorny trees are not to be cut, its game is not to be frightened, and nothing dropped in it is to be picked up except by one who announces it.”
➋ { وَ لَهٗ كُلُّ شَيْءٍ:} This word was said so that no one would think that Allah’s worship is only because He is the Lord of the city of Makkah; therefore, it was also said that He is the Owner of everything, and for this reason I have been commanded to obey Him.
➌ { وَ اُمِرْتُ اَنْ اَكُوْنَ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِيْنَ:} For its explanation, see Surah Al-An‘am (161 to 163).

91-1. By this is meant the city of Makkah. It is mentioned specifically because the Ka'bah is located in it, and it was also the most beloved to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. "Sanctified" means that shedding blood, committing injustice, hunting, cutting trees, and even breaking a thorn are prohibited in it (Bukhari, Kitab al-Jana'iz).

91. (Say, O Prophet:) I have only been commanded to obey the Lord of this city (Makkah), Who has made it sacred [101] and to Whom belongs everything. And I have been commanded to be among those who submit.

[101]
The Benefits Attained by the Quraysh Due to the Sanctuary of Makkah:

Allah Almighty mentioned His ownership of Makkah because, up until the time of the revelation of this Surah, the center of the call to Islam and its propagation was only Makkah. Worship and obedience to Allah are also necessary for you in this regard, as He is the One who has made this city honorable. O Quraysh of Makkah! You are the ones who are reaping countless benefits from this. The whole world, especially due to your custodianship of this House, respects and honors you. It is because of this honor granted by Allah that your lives and wealth are safe from the bandits and robbers of Arabia, and especially, no one dares to loot your trade caravans. Furthermore, if you grant someone a travel permit, people do not harm him either. So, who has placed this respect for you and the awe and honor of this House in the hearts of the bandits and robbers of Arabia? This is certainly not the achievement of your deities. Therefore, I am only commanded to obey that Lord and remain subservient to Him, and to convey this message of Allah to you people.