(32–33) “That is so. Whoever honors the sacred rites of Allah—indeed, such honor springs from the piety of the hearts. In them you have benefits until an appointed time; then their place of sacrifice is at the Ancient House.”

That is, what We have mentioned to you concerning the veneration of His sacred ordinances and rites. The rites are the outward symbols of the religion, including all acts of worship, as Allah Most High says: “Indeed, al-Safā and al-Marwa are among the rites of Allah.” They also include the sacrificial animals and offerings brought to the House. It has already been explained that honoring them means venerating them, duly observing them, and performing them as perfectly as the servant is able. Among these rites are the sacrificial animals: honoring them means selecting those that are fine and well-fattened, ensuring that they are sound in every respect. Thus, honoring the rites of Allah springs from the piety of the hearts. Whoever honors them demonstrates his piety and the soundness of his faith, for honoring them follows from honoring and venerating Allah.

“In them”—that is, [in] the sacrificial animals—“you have benefits until an appointed time.” This refers to sacrificial animals being driven to the sanctuary, such as camels and the like. Their owners may benefit from them by riding them, milking them, and similar uses that do not harm them, “until an appointed time”—a fixed and specified time—namely, when they are slaughtered after reaching their place of sacrifice, the Ancient House. This means the entire sanctuary, including Minā and elsewhere. Once they have been slaughtered, their owners may eat from them, give some away as gifts, and feed the destitute poor.