Surah Al Baqarah Tafseer

The Command to complete Hajj and Umrah

Allah says;

وَأَتِمُّواْ الْحَجَّ وَالْعُمْرَةَ لِلّهِ

And complete Hajj and Umrah for Allah.

After Allah mentioned the rulings for fasting and Jihad, he explained the rituals by commanding the Muslims to complete Hajj and Umrah,

meaning, to finish the rituals of Hajj and Umrah after one starts them.

This is why Allah said afterwards:

فَإِنْ أُحْصِرْتُمْ

But if you are prevented,

meaning, if your way to the House is obstructed, and you are prevented from finishing it.

This is why the scholars agree that starting the acts of Hajj and Umrah requires one to finish them.

As for Makhul, he said,

"Complete, means to start them from the Miqat (areas the Prophet designated to assume Ihram from)."

Abdur-Razzaq said that Az-Zuhri said:

"We were told that Umar commented on:

وَأَتِمُّواْ الْحَجَّ وَالْعُمْرَةَ لِلّهِ

(And complete Hajj and Umrah for Allah),

"Complete Hajj and Umrah means performing each of them separately, and to perform Umrah outside of the months of Hajj, for Allah the Exalted says:

الْحَجُّ أَشْهُرٌ مَّعْلُومَاتٌ

(The Hajj (pilgrimage) is (in) the well-known (lunar year) months)," (2:197).

As-Suddi said,

وَأَتِمُّواْ الْحَجَّ وَالْعُمْرَةَ لِلّهِ

(And complete Hajj and Umrah for Allah) means,

"Maintain the performance of Hajj and Umrah."

Ibn Abbas was reported to have said,

"Hajj is Arafat, while Umrah is Tawaf."

Al-Amash related that Ibrahim said that Alqamah commented on Allah's statement:

وَأَتِمُّواْ الْحَجَّ وَالْعُمْرَةَ لِلّهِ

(And complete Hajj and Umrah for Allah),

"Abdullah (Ibn Mas`ud) recited it this way:

`Complete Hajj and Umrah to the House, so that one does not exceed the area of the House during the Umrah'."

Ibrahim then said, "I mentioned this statement to Sa`id bin Jubayr and he said;

`Ibn Abbas also said that."'

Sufyan reported that Ibrahim said that Alqamah said regarding the Ayah,

"Perform the Hajj and Umrah to the House."

Ath-Thawri reported that Ibrahim read (the Ayah),

"Perform the Hajj and Umrah to the House."

If One is prevented while in Route, He slaughters the Sacrifice, shaves his Head and ends Ihram

Allah's statement:

فَإِنْ أُحْصِرْتُمْ فَمَا اسْتَيْسَرَ مِنَ الْهَدْيِ

But if you are prevented, sacrifice a Hady (animals for sacrifice) such as you can afford,

was revealed in the sixth year of Hijrah, the year of the treaty of Al-Hudaybiyyah when the polytheists prevented Allah's Messenger from reaching the House.

Allah revealed Surah Al-Fath then, and allowed the Muslims to slaughter any Hady (animals for sacrifice) they had. They had seventy camels with them for that purpose.

They were also permitted to shave their heads and end their Ihram.

When the Prophet commanded them to shave their heads and end the state of Ihram, they did not obey him, as they were awaiting that order to be abrogated. When they saw that the Prophet went out after shaving his head, they imitated him. Some of them did not shave, but only shortened their hair. This is why the Prophet said:

رَحِمَ اللهُ الْمُحَلِّقِين

May Allah award His mercy to those who shaved.

They said, "What about those who shortened the hair?"

He said in the third time, "And to those who shortened."

Every seven among them shared one camel for their sacrifice. They were one thousand and four hundred Companions and were camping in the area of Al-Hudaybiyyah, outside the Sacred Area. It was also reported that they were within the boundaries of the Sacred Area. Allah knows best.

Being prevented from the House (Hasr) includes more than just being sick, fearing an enemy or getting lost on the way to Makkah.

Imam Ahmad reported that Al-Hajjaj bin Amr Al-Ansari said that he heard Allah's Messenger saying:

مَنْ كُسِرَ أَوْ عَرِجَ فَقَدْ حَلَّ وَعَلَيْهِ حَجَّةٌ أُخْرَى

Whoever suffered a broken bone or a limb, will have ended his Ihram and has to perform Hajj again.

He said, "I mentioned that to Ibn Abbas and Abu Hurayrah and they both said, `He (Al-Hajjaj) has said the truth'."

This Hadith is also reported in the Four Collections.

In the version of Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah, the Prophet said,

"Whoever limped, had a broken bone or became ill..."

Ibn Abu Hatim also recorded it and said,

"It was reported that Ibn Mas`ud, Ibn Az-Zubayr, Alqamah, Sa`id bin Musayyib, Urwah bin Az-Zubayr, Mujahid, An-Nakhai, Ata and Muqatil bin Hayyan said that;

being prevented (Hasr) entails an enemy, an illness or a fracture."

Ath-Thawri also said,

"Being prevented entails everything that harms the person."

It is reported in the Two Sahihs that Aishah said that;

Allah's Messenger went to Dubaah bint Az-Zubayr bin Abdul-Muttalib who said, "O Messenger of Allah! I intend to perform Hajj but I am ill."

He said, "Perform Hajj and make the condition:`My place is where You prevent (or halt) me."

Muslim recorded similarly from Ibn Abbas.

So saying such a condition for Hajj is allowed is based on this Hadith.

Allah's statement:

فَمَا اسْتَيْسَرَ مِنَ الْهَدْيِ

(...sacrifice a Hady such as you can afford),

includes a sheep also, as Imam Malik reported that Ali bin Abu Talib used to say.

Ibn Abbas said,

"The Hady includes eight types of animals:

camels,

cows,

goats and

sheep."

Abdur-Razzaq reported that Ibn Abbas said about what Allah said:

فَمَا اسْتَيْسَرَ مِنَ الْهَدْيِ

(...sacrifice a Hady such as you can afford),

"As much as one could afford."

Al-Awfi said that Ibn Abbas said,

"If one can afford it, then camels, otherwise cows, or sheep."

Hisham bin Urwah quoted his father:

فَمَا اسْتَيْسَرَ مِنَ الْهَدْيِ

(...sacrifice a Hady (animal, i.e., a sheep, a cow, or a camel),

such as you can afford, `Depending on the price.'

The proof that sacrificing only a sheep is allowed in the case of being prevented from continuing the rites, is that Allah has required sacrificing whatever is available as a Hady, and the Hady is any type of cattle; be it camels, cows or sheep. This is the opinion of Ibn Abbas the cousin of Allah's Messenger and the scholar of Tafsir.

It is reported in the Two Sahihs that Aishah, the Mother of the believers, said,

"The Prophet once offered some sheep as Hady."

Allah's statement:

وَلَا تَحْلِقُواْ رُوُوسَكُمْ حَتَّى يَبْلُغَ الْهَدْيُ مَحِلَّهُ

and do not shave your heads until the Hady reaches the place of sacrifice,

is a continuation of His statement:

وَأَتِمُّواْ الْحَجَّ وَالْعُمْرَةَ لِلّهِ

(And complete, the Hajj and Umrah for Allah.) and is not dependent upon:

فَإِنْ أُحْصِرْتُمْ فَمَا اسْتَيْسَرَ مِنَ الْهَدْيِ

(But if you are prevented, then sacrifice a Hady) as Ibn Jarir has erroneously claimed.

When the Prophet and his Companions were prevented from entering the Sacred House during the Al-Hudaybiyyah year by the polytheists from Quraysh, they shaved their heads and sacrificed their Hady outside the Haram (Sacred) area.

In normal circumstances, and when one can safely reach the House, he is not allowed to shave his head until:

حَتَّى يَبْلُغَ الْهَدْيُ مَحِلَّهُ

(.. .and do not shave your heads until the Hady reaches the place of sacrifice), and then he ends the rituals of Hajj or Umrah, or both if he had assumed Ihram for both.

It is recorded in the Two Sahihs that Hafsah said,

"O Allah's Messenger! What is wrong with the people, they have finished their Ihram for Umrah but you have not?" The Prophet said,

إنِّي لَبَّدْتُ رَأْسِي وَقَلَّدْتُ هَدْيِي فَلَ أَحِلُّ حَتَّى أَنْحَر

I matted my hair and I have garlanded my Hady (animals for sacrifice), so I will not finish my Ihram till I offer the sacrifice.

Whoever shaved his Head during Ihram, will have to pay the Fidyah

Allah said:

فَمَن كَانَ مِنكُم مَّرِيضاً أَوْ بِهِ أَذًى مِّن رَّأْسِهِ فَفِدْيَةٌ مِّن صِيَامٍ أَوْ صَدَقَةٍ أَوْ نُسُكٍ

And whosoever of you is ill or has an ailment on his scalp (necessitating shaving), he must pay a Fidyah.

Al-Bukhari reported that Abdur-Rahman bin Asbahani said that he heard Abdullah bin Ma`qil saying that;

he sat with Ka`b bin Ujrah in the mosque of Kufah (in Iraq). He then asked him about the Fidyah of the fasting.

Ka`b said, "This was revealed concerning my case especially, but it is also for you in general.

I was carried to Allah's Messenger and the lice were falling in great numbers on my face. The Prophet said:

مَا كُنْتُ أُرَى أَنَّ الْجَهْدَ بلَغَ بكَ هذَا أمَا تَجِدُ شَاة

I never thought that your ailment (or struggle) had reached to such an extent as I see. Can you afford a sheep (for sacrifice)?'

I replied in the negative.

He then said:

صُمْ ثَلَثَةَ أَيَّامٍ أَوْ أَطْعِمْ سِتَّةَ مَسَاكِينَ لِكُلِّ مِسْكِينٍ نِصْفُ صَاعٍ مِنْ طَعَامٍ وَاحْلِقْ رَأْسَك

Fast for three days or feed six poor persons, each with half a Sa` of food (1 Sa` = 3 kilograms approx) and shave your head.

So this is a general judgment derived from a specific case.

Imam Ahmad recorded that Ka`b bin Ujrah said,

"Allah's Messenger came by while I was igniting the fire under a pot and while the lice were falling down my head or my eyelids. He said:

يُوْذِيكَ هَوَامُّ رَأْسِك

Do these lice in your head bother you?

I said, `Yes.'

He said:

فَاحْلِقْهُ وَصُمْ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ أَوْ أَطْعِمْ سِتَّةَ مَسَاكِينَ أَوِ انْسُكْ نَسِيكَة

Shave it, then fast three days, or feed six poor people, or sacrifice an animal.

Ayub (one of the narrators of the Hadith) commented,

"I do not know which alternative was stated first."

The wording of the Qur'an begins with the easiest then the more difficult options:

"Pay a Fidyah of fasting (three days), feeding (six poor persons) or sacrificing (an animal)."

Meanwhile, the Prophet advised Ka`b with the more rewarding option first, that is, sacrificing a sheep, then feeding six poor persons, then fasting three days.

Each Text is suitable in its place and context, all the thanks and praises are due to Allah.

Tamattu During Hajj

Allah said:

فَإِذَا أَمِنتُمْ فَمَن تَمَتَّعَ بِالْعُمْرَةِ إِلَى الْحَجِّ فَمَا اسْتَيْسَرَ مِنَ الْهَدْيِ

Then if you are in safety and whosoever performs the Umrah (in the months of Hajj), before (performing) the Hajj, he must slaughter a Hady such as he can afford,

That is, when you are able to complete the rites, so whoever among you connects his Umrah with Hajj having the same Ihram for both, or,

first assuming Ihram for Umrah, and then assuming Ihram for Hajj when finished the Umrah, this is the more specific type of Tamattu which is well-known among the discussion of the scholars whereas in general there are two types of Tamattu, as the authentic Hadiths prove, since among the narrators are those who said, "Allah's Messenger performed Tamattu, and others who said, "Qarin" but there is no difference between them over the Hady.

So Allah said,

فَإِذَا أَمِنتُمْ فَمَن تَمَتَّعَ بِالْعُمْرَةِ إِلَى الْحَجِّ فَمَا اسْتَيْسَرَ مِنَ الْهَدْيِ

(Then if you are in safety and whosoever performs the Umrah (in the months of Hajj), before (performing) the Hajj (i.e., Hajj At-Tamattu and Al-Qiran, he must slaughter a Hady such as he can afford),

means let him sacrifice whatever Hady is available to him, the least of which is a sheep. One is also allowed to sacrifice a cow because the Prophet slaughtered cows on behalf of his wives.

Al-Awzai reported that Abu Hurayrah narrated that Allah's Messenger slaughtered cows on behalf of his wives when they were performing Tamattu.

This was reported by Abu Bakr bin Marduwyah.

This last Hadith proves that Tamattu is legislated.

It is reported in the Two Sahihs that Imran bin Husayn said,

"We performed Hajj At-Tamattu in the lifetime of Allah's Messenger and then the Qur'an was revealed (regarding Hajj At-Tamattu). Nothing was revealed to forbid it, nor did he (the Prophet) forbid it until he died. And somebody said what he wished (regarding Hajj At-Tamattu) according to his own opinion."

Al-Bukhari said that Imran was talking about Umar.

It is reported in an authentic narration that;

Umar used to discourage the people from performing Tamattu.

He used to say, "If we refer to Allah's Book, we should complete it,"

meaning:

فَمَن تَمَتَّعَ بِالْعُمْرَةِ إِلَى الْحَجِّ فَمَا اسْتَيْسَرَ مِنَ الْهَدْيِ

(...whosoever performs the Umrah (in the months of Hajj), before (performing) the Hajj, he must slaughter a Hady such as he can afford.

However Umar did not say that Tamattu is unlawful. He only prevented them so that the people would increase their trips to the House for Hajj (during the months of Hajj) and Umrah (throughout the year), as he himself has stated.

Whoever performs Tamattu` should fast Ten Days if He does not have a Hady

Allah said:

فَمَن لَّمْ يَجِدْ فَصِيَامُ ثَلثَةِ أَيَّامٍ فِي الْحَجِّ وَسَبْعَةٍ إِذَا رَجَعْتُمْ تِلْكَ عَشَرَةٌ كَامِلَةٌ

but if he cannot (afford it), he should fast three days during the Hajj and seven days after his return (to his home), making ten days in all.

This Ayah means:

"Those who do not find a Hady, let them fast three days during the Hajj season."

Al-Awfi said that Ibn Abbas said,

"If one does not have a Hady, he should fast three days during Hajj, before Arafah day. If the day of Arafah was the third day, then his fast is complete. He should also fast seven days when he gets back home."

Abu Ishaq reported from Wabarah from Ibn Umar who said,

"One fasts one day before the day of Tarwiyah, the day of Tarwiyah (eighth day of Dhul-Hijjah) and then Arafah day (the ninth day of the month of Dhul-Hijjah)."

The same statement was reported by Jafar bin Muhammad from his father from Ali.

If one did not fast these three days or at least some of them before `Id day (the tenth day of Dhul-Hijjah), he is allowed to fast during the Tashriq days (11-12-13th day of Dhul-Hijjah). `

Al-Bukhari has reported that Aishah and Ibn Umar said,

"Fasting the days of Tashriq was only allowed for those who did not find the Hady,"

Sufyan related that Jafar bin Muhammad narrated that his father said that Ali said,

"Whoever did not fast the three days during the Hajj, should fast them during the days of Tashriq."

This is also the position taken by Ubayd bin Umayr Al-Laythi, Ikrimah, Al-Hasan Al-Basri and Urwah bin Az-Zubayr, referring to the general meaning of Allah's statement:

فَصِيَامُ ثَلثَةِ أَيَّامٍ فِي الْحَجِّ

(...fast three days during the Hajj...).

As for what Muslim reported that Qutaybah Al-Hudhali said that Allah's Messenger said:

أَيَّامُ التَّشْرِيقِ أَيَّامُ أَكْلٍ وَشُرْبٍ وَذِكْرِ اللهِ عَزَّ وَجَل

The days of Tashriq are days of eating and drinking and remembering Allah the Exalted.

This narration is general in meaning while what Aishah and Ibn Umar narrated is specific.

Allah said:

وَسَبْعَةٍ إِذَا رَجَعْتُمْ

and seven days after his return.

There are two opinions regarding the meaning of this Ayah.

First, it means `when you return to the camping areas'.

The second, upon going back home.

Abdur-Razzaq reported that Salim narrated that he heard Ibn Umar saying:

فَمَن لَّمْ يَجِدْ فَصِيَامُ ثَلثَةِ أَيَّامٍ فِي الْحَجِّ وَسَبْعَةٍ إِذَا رَجَعْتُمْ

"(...but if he cannot (afford it), he should fast three days during the Hajj and seven days after his return), means when he goes back to his family."

The same opinion was reported from Sa`id bin Jubayr, Abu Al-Aliyah, Mujahid, Ata, Ikrimah, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, Imam Az-Zuhri and Ar-Rabi bin Anas.

Al-Bukhari reported that Salim bin Abdullah narrated that Ibn Umar said,

"During the Farewell Hajj of Allah's Messenger, he performed Tamattu with Umrah and Hajj. He drove a Hady along with him from Dhul-Hulayfah. Allah's Messenger started by assuming Ihram for Umrah, and then for Hajj. And the people, too, performed the Umrah and Hajj along with the Prophet.

Some of them brought the Hady and drove it along with them, while the others did not. So, when the Prophet arrived at Makkah, he said to the people:

مَنْ كَانَ مِنْكُم أَهْدَى فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَحِلُّ مِنْ شَيْءٍ حَرُمَ مِنْهُ حَتَّى يَقْضِيَ حَجَّهُ

Whoever among you has driven the Hady, should not finish his Ihram till he completes his Hajj.

وَمَنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ مِنْكُمْ أَهْدَى فَلْيَطُفْ بالْبَيْتِ وبالصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةِ وَلْيُقَصِّرْ وَلْيَحْلِلْ ثُمَّ لْيُهِلَّ بِالْحَجِّ

And whoever among you has not (driven) the Hady with him, he should perform Tawaf of the Ka`bah and between As-Safa and Al-Marwah. Then, he should shave or cut his hair short and finish his Ihram, and should later assume Ihram for Hajj; (but he must offer a Hady (sacrifice)).

فَمَنْ لَمْ يجَدْ هَدْيًا فَلْيَصُمْ ثَلَثَةَ أَيَّامٍ فِي الْحَجِّ وَسَبْعةً إِذَا رَجَعَ إِلى أَهْلِه

And if anyone cannot afford a Hady, he should fast for three days during the Hajj and seven days when he returns home.

He then mentioned the rest of the Hadith, which is reported in the Two Sahihs.

Allah said:

تِلْكَ عَشَرَةٌ كَامِلَةٌ

making ten days in all.

to emphasize the ruling we mentioned above.

This method is common in the Arabic language, for they would say, `I have seen with my eyes, heard with my ears and written with my hand,' to emphasize such facts.

Similarly, Allah said:

وَلَا طَايِرٍ يَطِيرُ بِجَنَاحَيْهِ

nor a bird that flies with its two wings. (6:38)

and,

وَلَا تَخُطُّهُ بِيَمِينِكَ

nor did you write any book (whatsoever) with your right hand. (29:48)

and,

وَوَعَدْنَا مُوسَى ثَلَـثِينَ لَيْلَةً وَأَتْمَمْنَاهَا بِعَشْرٍ فَتَمَّ مِيقَـتُ رَبِّهِ أَرْبَعِينَ لَيْلَةً

And We appointed for Musa thirty nights and added (to the period) ten (more), and he completed the term, appointed by his Lord, of forty nights. (7:142)

It was also said that;

the meaning of "ten days in all" emphasizes the order to fast for ten days, not less than that.

The Residents of Makkah do not perform Tamattu"

Allah said:

ذَلِكَ لِمَن لَّمْ يَكُنْ أَهْلُهُ حَاضِرِي الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ

This is for him whose family is not present at Al-Masjid Al-Haram (i.e., non-resident of Makkah).

This Ayah concerns the residents of the area of the Haram, for they do not perform Tamattu.

Abdur-Razzaq reported that Tawus said,

"Tamattu is for the people, those whose families are not residing in the Haram area (Makkah), not for the residents of Makkah. Hence Allah's Statement:

ذَلِكَ لِمَن لَّمْ يَكُنْ أَهْلُهُ حَاضِرِي الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ

(This is for him whose family is not present at Al-Masjid Al-Haram (i.e., non-resident of Makkah).

Abdur-Razzaq then said,

"I was also told that Ibn Abbas said similar to Tawus."

Allah said:

وَاتَّقُواْ اللّهَ

and fear Allah,

meaning, in what He has commanded you and what He prohibited for you.

He then said:

وَاعْلَمُواْ أَنَّ اللّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ

and know that Allah is severe in punishment.

for those who defy His command and commit what He has prohibited