and Mujahid and Sa'id ibn al-Musayyib.

A group of scholars said that it is the Day of Sacrifice. It is narrated from Yahya ibn al-Jazzar that he said: Ali, may Allah ennoble his face, went out on the Day of Sacrifice riding a white mule, intending the cemetery. A man came to him, took hold of his mount’s bridle, and asked him about the Day of the Greater Pilgrimage. He replied, “It is this day of yours; let her go.” This was also narrated from Abd Allah ibn Abi Awfa and al-Mughirah ibn Shu'bah. It was likewise the view of al-Sha'bi, al-Nakha'i, Sa'id ibn Jubayr, and al-Suddi.

Ibn Jurayj narrated from Mujahid: “The Day of the Greater Pilgrimage refers to the entire period of the pilgrimage—the days of Mina.” Sufyan al-Thawri would say: “The Day of the Greater Pilgrimage is all the days of Mina,” just as one speaks of the Day of Siffin, the Day of the Camel, and the Day of Bu'ath. What is meant is the period and the time, because these wars lasted for many days.

Abd Allah ibn al-Harith ibn Nawfal said: “The Day of the Greater Pilgrimage is the day on which the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, performed the pilgrimage.” This was also the view of Ibn Sirin, because on that day the pilgrimage of the Muslims coincided with the festival of the Jews, Christians, and polytheists, 152/b and this had not occurred before it or after it.

They also differed concerning the Greater Pilgrimage. Mujahid said: “The Greater Pilgrimage is qiran (the combined Hajj and umrah pilgrimage), while the Lesser Pilgrimage is ifrad (Hajj performed on its own).”

Al-Zuhri, al-Sha'bi, and Ata said: “The Greater Pilgrimage is Hajj, and the Lesser Pilgrimage is umrah.” It was called the lesser pilgrimage because its rites are fewer.

His statement, exalted is He, “Allah and His Messenger are free of all obligation to the polytheists,” means: His Messenger too is free of all obligation to the polytheists. Ya'qub recited “and His Messenger” with the lām in the accusative, meaning: Allah and His Messenger are free of all obligation. “So if you repent”—that is, if you return from your disbelief and devote yourselves sincerely to tawhid (monotheism)—“then it is better for you. But if you turn away,” turning away from faith, “then know that you cannot escape Allah. And give glad tidings to those who disbelieve of a painful punishment.”

“Except for those polytheists with whom you have made a treaty and who have not failed you in anything or supported anyone against you; fulfill your treaty with them to the end of its term. Indeed, Allah loves those who fear Him.” (4)

“Except for those polytheists with whom you have made a treaty”: this is an exception from His statement, “A declaration of disavowal from Allah and His Messenger to those polytheists with whom you have made a treaty”—that is, except for the treaty of those polytheists with whom you made a treaty. They were Banu Damrah, a clan of Kinana. Allah, exalted is He, commanded His Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, to fulfill their treaty until its term expired. Nine months of their term still remained, and the reason was