Surah Al-Hajj (22) — Ayah 32

See the exegesis of (Ayah 30){ ذٰلِكَ وَ مَنْ يُّعَظِّمْ شَعَآىِٕرَ اللّٰهِ …:’’ ذٰلِكَ ‘‘}. {’’ شَعَآىِٕرَ ‘‘ ’’شَعِيْرَةٌ‘‘} is the plural, the active participle meaning {’’ مُشْعِرَةٌ ‘‘}, from which there is awareness of something (signs), that is, those things which Allah Almighty has appointed to make one aware of His greatness. Whoever honors them, it is due to the piety of hearts, meaning, whoever has fear of Allah in his heart will surely honor them. Everything whose visitation Allah has commanded, or in which Allah Almighty has commanded any act of Hajj, is included in {’’شعائر الله‘‘}. The sacrificial animals are also included in {’’شعائر الله‘‘}, as He said: «{ وَ الْبُدْنَ جَعَلْنٰهَا لَكُمْ مِّنْ شَعَآىِٕرِ اللّٰهِ }» [ الحج : ۳۶ ] “And the large sacrificial animals, We have made them for you among the signs of Allah.” Honoring them means not causing them any harm as they come, buying valuable animals and not buying defective ones, putting a good covering on them, feeding and watering them well, and adorning them, as is evident from putting collars around their necks, not riding them except out of necessity, as will be mentioned in the hadith ahead, and after sacrifice, giving away their coverings, etc., in charity. Although the honoring of {’’شعائر الله‘‘} has already been mentioned in the honoring of {’’ حُرُمٰتِ اللّٰهِ ‘‘}, the meaning of {’’ حُرُمٰتِ ‘‘ } is broad and general, while {’’ شَعَآىِٕرَ ‘‘} is specific, so to emphasize the honoring of {’’شعائر الله‘‘}, it has been mentioned again separately.