Surah Al-Hajj · 22:34

Rites of Sacrifice have been prescribed for every Nation in the World

Allah tells us that sacrifice and shedding blood in the Name of Allah has been prescribed for all nations. `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas said,

وَلِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ جَعَلْنَا مَنسَكًا

(And for every nation We have appointed religious ceremonies,) "Festivals." `Ikrimah said, "Sacrifices."

وَلِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ جَعَلْنَا مَنسَكًا

(And for every nation We have appointed religious ceremonies,) Zayd bin Aslam said, "This means Makkah; Allah did not appoint religious ceremonies anywhere else for any nation."

لِّيَذْكُرُواْ اسْمَ اللَّهِ عَلَى مَا رَزَقَهُمْ مِّن بَهِيمَةِ الاٌّنْعَـمِ

(that they may mention the Name of Allah over the beast of cattle that He has given them for food.) It was recorded in the Two Sahihs that Anas said, "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ brought two fat, horned rams; he said Bismillah and Allahu Akbar, then he put his foot on their necks.

فَإِلَـهُكُمْ إِلَـهٌ وَحِدٌ فَلَهُ أَسْلِمُواْ

(And your God is One God, so you must submit to Him Alone.) Your God is One, even though the Laws of the Prophets may vary and may abrogate one another. All of the Prophets called mankind to worship Allah Alone with no partner or associate.

وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلاَّ نُوحِى إِلَيْهِ أَنَّهُ لا إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ أَنَاْ فَاعْبُدُونِ

(And We did not send any Messenger before you but We revealed to him (saying): None has the right to be worshipped but I, so worship Me.) 21:25. Allah says:

فَلَهُ أَسْلِمُواْ

(so you must submit to Him Alone.) meaning, submit to His commands and obey Him in all sincerity.

وَبَشِّرِ الْمُخْبِتِينَ

(And give glad tidings to the Mukhbitin.) Mujahid said about Mukhbitin, "Those who find contentment in their faith." Ath-Thawri said, "Those who find contentment in their faith and who accept the decree of Allah and submit to Him." It is better to interpret it by what comes next, which is:

الَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ اللَّهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ

(Whose hearts are filled with fear when Allah is mentioned,) meaning, their hearts fear Him.

وَالصَّـبِرِينَ عَلَى مَآ أَصَابَهُمْ

(and the patient who bear whatever may befall them) meaning, of afflictions.

وَالْمُقِيمِى الصَّلَوةِ

(and who perform the Salah,) they fulfill the duties which Allah has enjoined upon them, the duty of performing the obligatory prayers.

وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَـهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ

(and who spend out of what We have provided for them.) the good provision which Allah has given them. They spend on their families and servants, and on the poor and needy; they treat people kindly while remaining within the limits set by Allah. This is in contrast to the hypocrites, who are the opposite of all this, as we have discussed in the Tafsir of Surah Bara'ah; to Allah be praise and blessings.