and prayer, circumambulation, umrah, and Hajj. Circumambulation is tied only to a particular place. He then follows this with matters connected to the House: going between the two hills and the affirmation that there is no blame in doing so. This answers the Ansār’s pre-Islamic aversion to going between them because they had dedicated their pilgrimage to Manāt, and also answers those who had refrained from going between them.

The mention of going between the hills comes after the acts of worship connected to the House—indeed, those involving hearts, bodies, and wealth as well—and after the command to seek help through patience and prayer, without which religion cannot be upheld. This served as an introduction to jihad, which is founded upon patience, for it completes the requirements connected to the House. Since the adherents of the various religions do not disagree concerning it, the House can only be upheld through jihad in its defence. He mentions patience in fulfilling what He has prescribed and enduring what He has decreed, and explains His favour to this community in the glad tidings given to the patient. It has been granted what no previous community was granted, making this one of its distinctive qualities and religious hallmarks, like the acts of worship connected to the House.

For this reason, He pairs Hajj with jihad, since both come within Allah’s cause. Jihad is the foremost activity in Allah’s cause, according to explicit textual evidence and scholarly consensus. Hajj likewise comes within it, according to the sounder view, as he said:

“Hajj is part of Allah’s cause.”

By condemning those who conceal knowledge, He makes clear that this is known to the People of the Book. He then mentions that He accepts no religion other than this.

At its beginning, He says:

“So do not set up rivals to Allah.”

And in its midst:

“Yet among people are those who take others besides Allah as rivals.”

The first is a general prohibition, while the second is a specific prohibition. He mentions this after mentioning the House, to deter people from turning to