سُوْرَةُ المَآئِدَةِ
Surah Al-Maaida (5) — Ayah 97
۞ جَعَلَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْكَعْبَةَ ٱلْبَيْتَ ٱلْحَرَامَ قِيَـٰمًا لِّلنَّاسِ وَٱلشَّهْرَ ٱلْحَرَامَ وَٱلْهَدْىَ وَٱلْقَلَـٰٓئِدَ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ لِتَعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمٌ ﴿97﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Allâh has made the Ka‘bah, the Sacred House, an asylum of security and benefits (e.g.Hajj and ‘Umrah) for mankind, and also the Sacred Month and the animals of offerings and the garlanded (people or animals marked with the garlands on their necks made from the outer part of the stem of the Makkah trees for their security), that you may know that Allâh has knowledge of all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth, and that Allâh is the All-Knower of each and everything.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
۞ جَعَلَ
jaʿala
Has (been) made
ٱللَّهُ
l-lahu
(by) Allah
ٱلْكَعْبَةَ
l-kaʿbata
the Kabah
ٱلْبَيْتَ
l-bayta
the House
ٱلْحَرَامَ
l-ḥarāma
the Sacred
قِيَـٰمًۭا
qiyāman
an establishment
لِّلنَّاسِ
lilnnāsi
for mankind
وَٱلشَّهْرَ
wal-shahra
and the month(s)
ٱلْحَرَامَ
l-ḥarāma
[the] sacred
وَٱلْهَدْىَ
wal-hadya
and the (animals) for offering
وَٱلْقَلَـٰٓئِدَ ۚ
wal-qalāida
and the garlands
ذَٰلِكَ
dhālika
That (is)
لِتَعْلَمُوٓا۟
litaʿlamū
so that you may know
أَنَّ
anna
that
ٱللَّهَ
l-laha
Allah
يَعْلَمُ
yaʿlamu
knows
مَا
mā
what
فِى
fī
(is) in
ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ
l-samāwāti
the heavens
وَمَا
wamā
and what
فِى
fī
(is) in
ٱلْأَرْضِ
l-arḍi
the earth
وَأَنَّ
wa-anna
and that
ٱللَّهَ
l-laha
Allah
بِكُلِّ
bikulli
of every
شَىْءٍ
shayin
thing
عَلِيمٌ
ʿalīmun
(is) All-Knowing
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
(Ayah 97) ➊ {جَعَلَ اللّٰهُ الْكَعْبَةَ الْبَيْتَ الْحَرَامَ …:} In the above verse, hunting was made forbidden for the pilgrim in the state of Ihram, and now in this verse, it is explained that just as Allah has made the Haram (Sanctuary) a means of safety for wild animals and birds, in the same way, He has made it a place of safety for people as well and a means of attaining worldly and hereafter happiness. (Kabir) See Surah Al-Imran (97), Surah Al-Qasas (57), and Surah Al-Baqarah (125). That is, the livelihood (provision) of the people of Makkah depends on the fact that people from far and wide come here with the intention of Hajj and trade and bring all kinds of necessities with them, from which the people of Makkah earn their sustenance, and people, upon reaching here, find peace and security, to the extent that even in the time of ignorance, no one would say anything to the killer of his father or son within the Haram, and in terms of worship and reward, this is the best place. In short! All these things are the cause of people’s stay. (Kabir, Fath al-Qadeer) The Ka'bah is a means for people to remain, because near the Day of Judgment, when an Abyssinian will demolish the Ka'bah, then very soon after that the Day of Judgment will come. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "The Ka'bah will be demolished by an Abyssinian with thin legs." [ بخاری، الحج، باب ہدم الکعبۃ : ۱۵۹۶۔ مسلم : ۲۹۰۹ ]
➋ {وَ الشَّهْرَ الْحَرَامَ:} The sacred months are four: Dhu al-Qa'dah, Dhu al-Hijjah, Muharram, and Rajab. In these four months, people would travel and trade in peace and gather the necessities for the whole year, so in this respect, these months are also, as it were, a means for people’s lives to continue.
➌ {وَ الْهَدْيَ وَ الْقَلَآىِٕدَ:} Their being a cause for people’s stay is in the sense that the meat of the Hady (sacrificial animals) is distributed among the poor of Makkah, and if someone would take Hady and garlanded animals, all of Arabia would respect him. The purpose was to mention the greatness of the Ka'bah, and along with it, these things were also mentioned because they are also related to the House of Allah. (Kabir)
➍ {ذٰلِكَ لِتَعْلَمُوْۤا اَنَّ اللّٰهَ … :} {’’ ذٰلِكَ ‘‘} (This) means that Allah making these things a cause for people’s stay is so that you may know that Allah knows the details of all matters and He has issued these rulings for the benefit and stay of people according to His knowledge. «وَ اَنَّ اللّٰهَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيْمٌ » That is, Allah knows all the details of the heavens and the earth, and He knows very well in what lies your religious and economic well-being and in what it does not.
➋ {وَ الشَّهْرَ الْحَرَامَ:} The sacred months are four: Dhu al-Qa'dah, Dhu al-Hijjah, Muharram, and Rajab. In these four months, people would travel and trade in peace and gather the necessities for the whole year, so in this respect, these months are also, as it were, a means for people’s lives to continue.
➌ {وَ الْهَدْيَ وَ الْقَلَآىِٕدَ:} Their being a cause for people’s stay is in the sense that the meat of the Hady (sacrificial animals) is distributed among the poor of Makkah, and if someone would take Hady and garlanded animals, all of Arabia would respect him. The purpose was to mention the greatness of the Ka'bah, and along with it, these things were also mentioned because they are also related to the House of Allah. (Kabir)
➍ {ذٰلِكَ لِتَعْلَمُوْۤا اَنَّ اللّٰهَ … :} {’’ ذٰلِكَ ‘‘} (This) means that Allah making these things a cause for people’s stay is so that you may know that Allah knows the details of all matters and He has issued these rulings for the benefit and stay of people according to His knowledge. «وَ اَنَّ اللّٰهَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيْمٌ » That is, Allah knows all the details of the heavens and the earth, and He knows very well in what lies your religious and economic well-being and in what it does not.
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
97. 1. The Ka'bah is called al-bayt al-haram because hunting, cutting trees, etc. are forbidden within its boundaries. Similarly, even if one encountered the killer of one's father there, no harm was to be done to him. It has been declared qiyaman lil-nas (a means of subsistence and maintenance for people), which means that through it, the administration of the people of Makkah is properly maintained and it is also a means of providing for their needs. In the same way, the sacred months (Rajab, Dhu al-Hijjah, and Muharram) and the animals going to the Haram are also sources from which the people of Makkah used to obtain the aforementioned benefits.
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
97. Allah has made the Ka‘bah, the Sacred House [145], a means of stability and security for the people, as well as the sacred months, the sacrificial animals, and the animals marked with garlands [146], so that you may know that Allah knows whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth, and that Allah is Knowing of all things [147].
[145] In this verse, three different meanings of ﴿قِيَاماً للنَّاسِ﴾ can be taken, and all three are correct.
(1) By ﴿الناس﴾, all people of that era, those before and after, and all until the Day of Judgment are meant. In this case, the meaning would be that the existence of the Ka'bah is the cause for the stability and survival of the entire world, and the world will exist only as long as the House of Allah and the creatures who honor it exist. When Allah wills for this world to end, at that time the House of Allah will be lifted, just as this building was the first to be constructed on this earth. Imam Bukhari has preferred this meaning and, under this very verse, has brought the following hadith:
Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah ؓ says that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said that (near the Day of Judgment) a small-shinned (insignificant) Abyssinian will destroy the Ka'bah [بخاري۔ كتاب المناسك۔ باب قول الله تعالىٰ : __QUR_2__]
From this hadith, another point is also incidentally understood: before this, no matter how strong or powerful an enemy may be, he will not succeed in his evil intentions to demolish the Ka'bah. And just as Allah humiliated and defeated the People of the Elephant (Abraha), likewise He will destroy every person, nation, or government that attempts the reprehensible act of demolishing the Ka'bah.
(2) By ﴿الناس﴾, only the people of Arabia are meant, who used to travel freely during the sacred months, especially when they were accompanied by animals with sacrificial collars for the purpose of sacrifice. Because all the tribes of Arabia respected such animals, and all this was due to the sanctity of the Ka'bah. Those performing Hajj and 'Umrah and the trade caravans would travel with great peace of mind for a third of the year. In this way, the Ka'bah was the support for the social and economic life of the entire country.
(3) By ﴿الناس﴾, the people of Makkah and its surroundings are meant. In this case, the meaning would be that in this barren valley, the existence of the Ka'bah is the means of livelihood for the people of Makkah and all those around it. In exchange for providing accommodation, food, and transportation services to those coming from the farthest corners of the world for Hajj and 'Umrah, these people receive so much income that they can live for the whole year, and even much more than that. They also receive many other social and political benefits.
[146] For sacrificial and collared animals, see the footnote number 7 of verse 2 of Surah Al-Ma'idah.
[147]
Shari'ah Rulings Are Based on People's Interests:
That is, He is well aware of the needs and interests of the creatures living in this barren valley. By declaring His House a sacred region and making it a center for all the Muslims of the world, He has provided for all their needs, so that all kinds of provisions for food are brought there in abundance. If one reflects only on this point, it becomes clear that every command of Allah is based on the interests of mankind, whether those interests are religious or worldly. Furthermore, this matter is not limited to this region alone, but He is fully aware of the conditions, needs, and interests of all people, and He commands accordingly.
[145] In this verse, three different meanings of ﴿قِيَاماً للنَّاسِ﴾ can be taken, and all three are correct.
(1) By ﴿الناس﴾, all people of that era, those before and after, and all until the Day of Judgment are meant. In this case, the meaning would be that the existence of the Ka'bah is the cause for the stability and survival of the entire world, and the world will exist only as long as the House of Allah and the creatures who honor it exist. When Allah wills for this world to end, at that time the House of Allah will be lifted, just as this building was the first to be constructed on this earth. Imam Bukhari has preferred this meaning and, under this very verse, has brought the following hadith:
Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah ؓ says that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said that (near the Day of Judgment) a small-shinned (insignificant) Abyssinian will destroy the Ka'bah [بخاري۔ كتاب المناسك۔ باب قول الله تعالىٰ : __QUR_2__]
From this hadith, another point is also incidentally understood: before this, no matter how strong or powerful an enemy may be, he will not succeed in his evil intentions to demolish the Ka'bah. And just as Allah humiliated and defeated the People of the Elephant (Abraha), likewise He will destroy every person, nation, or government that attempts the reprehensible act of demolishing the Ka'bah.
(2) By ﴿الناس﴾, only the people of Arabia are meant, who used to travel freely during the sacred months, especially when they were accompanied by animals with sacrificial collars for the purpose of sacrifice. Because all the tribes of Arabia respected such animals, and all this was due to the sanctity of the Ka'bah. Those performing Hajj and 'Umrah and the trade caravans would travel with great peace of mind for a third of the year. In this way, the Ka'bah was the support for the social and economic life of the entire country.
(3) By ﴿الناس﴾, the people of Makkah and its surroundings are meant. In this case, the meaning would be that in this barren valley, the existence of the Ka'bah is the means of livelihood for the people of Makkah and all those around it. In exchange for providing accommodation, food, and transportation services to those coming from the farthest corners of the world for Hajj and 'Umrah, these people receive so much income that they can live for the whole year, and even much more than that. They also receive many other social and political benefits.
[146] For sacrificial and collared animals, see the footnote number 7 of verse 2 of Surah Al-Ma'idah.
[147]
Shari'ah Rulings Are Based on People's Interests:
That is, He is well aware of the needs and interests of the creatures living in this barren valley. By declaring His House a sacred region and making it a center for all the Muslims of the world, He has provided for all their needs, so that all kinds of provisions for food are brought there in abundance. If one reflects only on this point, it becomes clear that every command of Allah is based on the interests of mankind, whether those interests are religious or worldly. Furthermore, this matter is not limited to this region alone, but He is fully aware of the conditions, needs, and interests of all people, and He commands accordingly.
