Sura-22 [Al Hajj madina 103]

The Quranic text and Ali’s version

وَلِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ جَعَلْنَا مَنسَكًا...

22:34. To every people did We appoint rites (of sacrifice),

...لِيَذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللَّهِ عَلَى مَا رَزَقَهُم مِّن بَهِيمَةِ الْأَنْعَامِ...

that they might celebrate the name of Allah over the sustenance He gave them from animals (fit for food),

C2810. This is the true end of sacrifice, not propitiation of higher powers, for Allah is One, and He does not delight in flesh or blood (22:37), but a symbol of thanksgiving to Allah by sharing meat with fellow-men.

The solemn pronouncement of Allah's name over the sacrifice is an essential part of the rite.

...فَإِلَهُكُمْ إِلَهٌ وَاحِدٌ فَلَهُ أَسْلِمُوا...

but your Allah is one Allah:

submit then your wills to Him (in Islam)

...وَبَشِّرِ الْمُخْبِتِينَ ﴿٣٤﴾

wabashshiri almukhbiteena

and give thou the Good News to those who humble themselves --

C2811. The good news: i.e. the Message of Allah, that He will accept in us the sacrifice of self for the benefit of our fellow-men.

الَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ اللَّهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ...

Allatheena itha thukira Allahu wajilat quloobuhum

22:35. - To those whose hearts, when Allah is mentioned, are filled with fear,

...وَالصَّابِرِينَ عَلَى مَا أَصَابَهُمْ...

waalssabireena AAala ma asabahum

- who show patient perseverance over their afflictions,

...وَالْمُقِيمِي الصَّلَاةِ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ ﴿٣٥﴾

waalmuqeemee alssalati wamimma razaqnahum yunfiqoona

- keep up regular prayer,

- and spend (in charity) out of what we have bestowed upon them.

C2812. Some qualities of Allah's devotees are mentioned here, in ascending order: ]]

1. Humility before Allah makes them receptive, and prepares them to listen to Allah's Message;

2. fear of Allah, which is akin to love, touches their heart, and penetrates through their inmost being;

3. they are not afraid of anything in mortal life; they take their trials patiently, and they go on in a course of righteousness with constancy;

4. their prayer now is not a matter of form, but a real communion with Allah, with a sense of confidence such as a faithful servant feels in the presence of a kind and loving master;

5. and gratitude to Allah, as shown by practical acts of charity to all fellow-creatures.

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.

Other versions

22:34

(22:35)

all whose hearts tremble with awe whenever God is mentioned, and all who patiently bear whatever ill befalls them, and all who are constant in prayer and spend on others out of what We provide for them as sustenance. 51