22. [al-Hajj, Medina 103]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَالْبُدْنَ جَعَلْنَاهَا لَكُم مِّن شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ لَكُمْ فِيهَا خَيْرٌ...

22: 36. The sacrificial camels we have made for you as among the Symbols from Allah:

in them is (much) good for you:

...فَاذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهَا صَوَافَّ...

then pronounce the name of Allah over them as they line up (for sacrifice):

C2813. See n. 2808 to 22:33 above.

What was expressed in general terms is applied here more particularly to camels, the most precious and useful animals of Arabia, whose mode of slaughter for sacrifice is different from that of smaller animals:

the special word for such sacrifice is Nahr (108:2).

...فَإِذَا وَجَبَتْ جُنُوبُهَا فَكُلُوا مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا الْقَانِعَ وَالْمُعْتَرَّ...

when they are down on their sides (after slaughter), eat ye thereof, and feed such as (beg not but) live in contentment, and such as beg with due humility:

C2814. There are ethics in begging, as in charity. No approval is given to arrogant and insolent begging, though the relief of distress of all kinds, deserved and undeserved, is included in charity.

But those who beg with humility and those who receive gifts with gratitude and contentment are both mentioned for special attention.

Charity should not be given for show, or to get rid of importunate demands. It should find out real needs and meet them.

...كَذَلِكَ سَخَّرْنَاهَا لَكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ ﴿٣٦﴾

thus have we made animals subject to you, that ye may be grateful.

لَن يَنَالَ اللَّهَ لُحُومُهَا وَلَا دِمَاؤُهَا وَلَكِن يَنَالُهُ التَّقْوَى مِنكُمْ...

22: 37. It is not their meat nor their blood, that reaches Allah:

it is your piety that reaches Him:

...كَذَلِكَ سَخَّرَهَا لَكُمْ لِتُكَبِّرُوا اللَّهَ عَلَى مَا هَدَاكُمْ...

He has thus made them subject to you, that ye may glorify Allah for His guidance to you:

C2815. The essence of sacrifice has been explained in n. 2810.

No one should suppose that meat or blood is acceptable to the One True God. It was a Pagan fancy that Allah could be appeased by blood sacrifice. But Allah does accept the offering of our hearts, and as a symbol of such offer, some visible institution is necessary.

He has given us power over the brute creation, and permitted us to eat meat, but only if we pronounce His name at the solemn act of taking life, for without this solemn invocation, we are apt to forget the sacredness of life.

By the invocation we are reminded that wanton cruelty is not in our thoughts, but only the need of food. Now if we further deny the greater part of the food (some theologians fix the proportion at three-quarters or two-thirds) for the sake of our poorer brethren in solemn assembly in the precincts of the Haram (sacred territory), our symbolic act finds practical expression in benevolence, and that is the virtue sought to be taught.

We should be grateful to Allah for His guidance in this matter, in which many Peoples have gone wrong, and we should proclaim the true doctrine so that virtue and charity may increase among men.

...وَبَشِّرِ الْمُحْسِنِينَ ﴿٣٧﴾

and proclaim the Good News to all who do right.

Other Versions:

22:37