(198–202) “There is no blame upon you for seeking bounty from your Lord. When you depart from Arafat, remember Allah at the Sacred Monument. Remember Him as He has guided you, for before this you were surely among those astray. * Then depart from where the people depart, and seek Allah’s forgiveness. Indeed, Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful. * When you have completed your rites, remember Allah as you remember your forefathers—or with even greater remembrance. Some people say, ‘Our Lord, give us in this world,’ but they will have no share in the Hereafter. * Others say, ‘Our Lord, grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.’ * Those will have a share of what they have earned, and Allah is swift in reckoning.”
After commanding people to fear Him, Allah, Most High, informs them that there is no blame in seeking Allah’s bounty by earning a livelihood during the Hajj season or at other times, provided that this does not distract them from what is obligatory, that their intended purpose is Hajj, and that their earnings are lawful and attributed to Allah’s bounty—not to their own skill while fixating on the means and forgetting the One who brings about the results. That, indeed, is precisely where blame lies.
His words, “When you depart from Arafat, remember Allah at the Sacred Monument,” indicate several matters:
First, standing at Arafat. It was already well known that this is one of the pillars of Hajj, for departure from Arafat can only occur after standing there.
Second, the command to remember Allah at the Sacred Monument, which is Muzdalifah. This too was well known: one spends the eve of the Day of Sacrifice there, then, after the dawn prayer, stands at Muzdalifah supplicating until daylight has fully broken. Performing the obligatory and voluntary prayers there is also included in remembering Allah at that place.
Third, standing at Muzdalifah comes after standing at Arafat, as indicated by the sequence and the particle fa (“then”).
Fourth and fifth, Arafat and Muzdalifah are both among the sacred sites of Hajj where its rites are intended to be performed and openly observed.
Sixth, Muzdalifah lies within the Sacred Precinct, as indicated by its designation as “the Sacred Monument.”
Seventh, Arafat lies outside the Sacred Precinct, as understood from the fact that this qualification is attached to “Muzdalifah.”
“Remember Him as He has guided you, for before this you were surely among those astray.” That is: remember Allah, Most High, for having graciously guided you after you had been astray and taught you what you did not know. This is among the greatest blessings, and it must be met with gratitude and by remembering the Bestower of the blessing with both heart and tongue.
“Then depart from where the people depart.” That is: then depart from Muzdalifah as the people have departed from the time of Abraham (peace be upon him) until the present day. The purpose of this departure was well known to them: stoning the pillars, slaughtering the sacrificial animals, performing circumambulation and the ritual walk between Safā and Marwah, spending the nights at Minā during the Days of Tashrīq, and completing the remaining rites.
Since [this] departure is intended to accomplish what has been mentioned, and those are the final rites, Allah, Most High, commanded people upon completing them to seek His forgiveness and remember Him abundantly. Seeking forgiveness is for the shortcomings that occur in the servant’s performance of worship and for his failure to perform it properly. Remembering Allah is an expression of gratitude to Him for blessing the servant with success in performing this tremendous act of worship and for granting him this immense favor.
This is how the servant should be whenever he completes an act of worship: he should seek Allah’s forgiveness for his shortcomings and thank Him for enabling him to perform it. He should not be like one who believes that he has perfected the worship, regards it as a favor he has conferred upon his Lord, and thinks it entitles him to a lofty rank and station. Such a person deserves abhorrence and the rejection of his deed, whereas ⦗93⦘ the former deserves acceptance and success in performing further deeds.
Allah, Most High, then describes the different conditions of people. All of them ask Him for what they seek and ask Him to ward off what would harm them, but their aims differ. Some say, “Our Lord, give us in this world.” That is, they ask Him for worldly things that satisfy their desires, but they will have no share in the Hereafter because they have no desire for it and have confined their aspirations to this world. Others supplicate to Allah for what will benefit them in both abodes and acknowledge their utter need of Him in the essential affairs of their religion and worldly lives.
Each of these two groups will have a share according to what they have earned and done. Allah, Most High, will recompense them according to their deeds, aspirations, and intentions—a recompense ranging between justice and grace, for which He deserves the most perfect and complete praise. This verse indicates that Allah answers the prayer of everyone who supplicates—whether Muslim, disbeliever, or sinner. His answering someone’s prayer, however, does not prove that He loves that person or has drawn him near, except when the request concerns the Hereafter or an essential matter of religion.
The good sought in this world includes everything that benefits and delights the servant: wholesome, abundant, and lawful provision; a righteous wife; a child who brings joy to the eyes; comfort; beneficial knowledge; righteous deeds; and other such beloved and permissible things.
The good of the Hereafter consists of being saved from punishment in the grave, at the standing on the Day of Judgment, and in the Fire; attaining Allah’s pleasure; winning everlasting bliss; and drawing near to the Most Merciful Lord. This supplication is therefore the most comprehensive and perfect of all supplications and the one most deserving to be preferred. For this reason, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) frequently made this supplication and encouraged others to do so.