Surah Al-Maaida (5) — Ayah 2

(Ayah 2) ➊ {لَا تُحِلُّوْا شَعَآىِٕرَ اللّٰهِ : ”شَعَآىِٕرَ“ } is the plural of {’’ شَعِيْرَةٌ‘‘}, which is from {’’ فَعِيْلَةٌ ‘‘} meaning {’’ مُفْعَلَةٌ ‘‘}, that is, anything that has been marked or appointed as a sign. The intended meaning is those things that have a special connection with Allah Almighty and are honored due to this special connection. Some have kept it general, meaning all commands and prohibitions of Allah are included, while others have taken it to mean things related to Hajj and Umrah. The meaning of { ”لَا تُحِلُّوْا“ } is that do not abandon them and do not disrespect them.

➋ {وَ لَا الشَّهْرَ الْحَرَامَ:} It is narrated from Abu Bakrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said during the Farewell Hajj: "There are twelve months in the year, of which four are sacred; three are consecutive: Dhu al-Qa'dah, Dhu al-Hijjah, and Muharram, and one is Rajab of Mudar, which is between Jumada al-Akhirah and Sha'ban." [ بخاری، التفسیر، باب قولہ : «إن عدة الشهور…… » :۴۶۶۲ ] The meaning is that do not violate their sanctity by fighting during these months. For details, see Surah Tawbah (36).

➌ {وَ لَا الْهَدْيَ وَ لَا الْقَلَآىِٕدَ:} { ”الْهَدْيَ“ } refers to such an animal that the pilgrim would take along to sacrifice in the Haram. A small wound would be made on the right hump of camels and blood would be smeared; this was called Ish'ar, and a shoe or strap would be hung around its neck. { ”الْقَلَآىِٕدَ“ } is the plural of {’’ قِلاَدَةٌ ‘‘}, which refers to the strap or rope, etc., that was tied around the neck of the sacrificial animal as a sign. Small animals were not marked with Ish'ar. The meaning of { ”الْقَلَآىِٕدَ“ } is literally "straps," but what is meant are the animals around whose necks the strap was tied. Although all these things have already been mentioned under { ”شَعَآىِٕرَ اللّٰهِ“ }, they are mentioned separately here for further emphasis on their respect.

➍ {وَ لَاۤ آٰمِّيْنَ الْبَيْتَ الْحَرَامَ …… :} means those people who are heading towards Masjid al-Haram. "The bounty of the Lord" refers to sustenance earned through trade, etc., and "Allah's pleasure" refers to Hajj or Umrah performed for the sake of reward. Some have taken "bounty" to mean reward itself, i.e., they are going to Makkah to seek reward and Allah's pleasure. If, under this, polytheists are also included, then the meaning would be that they too, in their assumption, go to seek Allah's pleasure, so do not harm them. However, this ruling is abrogated by Surah Tawbah, Ayah (28). Now, polytheists are not allowed to enter the boundaries of the Haram. (Ibn Kathir, Qurtubi)

➎ {وَ اِذَا حَلَلْتُمْ فَاصْطَادُوْا :} means hunt after taking off Ihram. This command is for clarification of permissibility, i.e., now hunting is allowed; it does not mean that hunting is now obligatory, because it was not obligatory even before Ihram. (Ibn Kathir)

➏ {وَ لَا يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ ……:} means that although these polytheists prevented you from entering Masjid al-Haram in 6 AH and before, do not, out of enmity for them, exceed the limits in retaliation.

➐ {وَ تَعَاوَنُوْا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَ التَّقْوٰى ……:} Every kind of good deed is called {’’ الْبِرِّ ‘‘} and refraining from evil is called {”التَّقْوٰى“}. A principle has been established for cooperation and non-cooperation, by which evil can be prevented in Islamic society. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or oppressed." A man said, "O Messenger of Allah! I will help him if he is oppressed, but if he is an oppressor, how should I help him?" He replied, "In that case, your help is to stop him from oppression." [ بخاری، الإکراہ، باب یمین الرجل…… : ۶۹۵۲۔ مسلم : ۲۵۸۴ ]