The exegesis of Verses 198 and 199 of Surah Al-Baqarah opens a gateway towards a profound understanding of Divine Mercy and Forgiveness within the rites of Hajj, a worship that, like a polished mirror, manifests unity and equality against arrogance and tyranny. These verses, articulated eloquently and structured coherently, on one hand repel doubts regarding the forgiveness of previous sins, and on the other, by emphasising brotherhood and equality in worship, pave a path towards reforming individual and societal perspectives. In this treatise, relying on meticulous analysis of the lectures, efforts have been made to elucidate the concepts of these verses with a lofty and scholarly language, while benefiting from literary metaphors and allusions, tailored for specialised audiences and academic milieus. The structure of this work, with systematic subdivisions and supplementary explanations, is arranged so as to respond both to the internal queries of pilgrims to the Kaaba and as an invitation to reflection on contemporary social and jurisprudential issues.
لَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ جُنَاحٌ أَنْ تَبْتَغُوا فَضْلًا مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ ۚ فَإِذَا أَفَضْتُمْ مِنْ عَرَفَاتٍ فَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ عِنْدَ الْمَشْعَرِ الْحَرَامِ ۖ وَاذْكُرُوهُ كَمَا هَدَاكُمْ وَإِنْ كُنْتُمْ مِنْ قَبْلِهِ لَمِنَ الضَّالِّينَ
Translation: There is no blame upon you for seeking bounty from your Lord. So when you depart from Arafat, remember Allah at the Sacred Monument, and remember Him as He guided you; indeed, you were before that among the astray.
This phrase functions as a key that unlocks the doubts residing in the minds of pilgrims. A pilgrim, whose past is laden with sin and misguidance, harbours the question whether Divine Mercy will encompass him. God, by this expression, anticipates such doubt and, through the refutation of a predetermined objection, assures that prior sins, no matter how grave or severe, shall be forgiven under the vast canopy of His Mercy. This response not only grants the pilgrim tranquillity but, like an invigorating breeze, strengthens his faith in Divine Forgiveness.
The jurisprudential principle "الإِسْلَامُ يَجُبُّ مَا قَبْلَهُ" (Islam erases what came before it) is manifested in this verse. This principle, like a pure flowing current, dissolves and cleanses previous sins committed before embracing Islam, provided these sins are not of the nature of rights of others or legal consequences. This fundamental rule not only affirms the pilgrims spiritual transformation but also attests to the depth of Divine Mercy that obliterates even the gravest of prior sins.
Divine Mercy in this verse, like an infinite ocean, encompasses all, from the Prophets to ordinary humans. This inclusiveness testifies to the truth that no one lies outside the scope of Divine Mercy. Even the Prophets, themselves embodiments of guidance, are referenced in verses such as "أَلَمْ يَجِدْكَ يَتِيمًا فَآوَىٰ" (Did He not find you an orphan and give refuge?), directing attention to their past to reveal that Divine Mercy envelops all.
Verse 198 of Surah Al-Baqarah, with its emphasis on Divine Mercy and Forgiveness, facilitates the pilgrims journey towards the Sacred Monument with a serene heart and firm faith. By dispelling doubts regarding the forgiveness of past sins and affirming the principle "الإِسْلَامُ يَجُبُّ مَا قَبْلَهُ", this verse becomes a prism casting the light of Divine Mercy onto every facet of the pilgrims existence.
ثُمَّ أَفِيضُوا مِنْ حَيْثُ أَفَاضَ النَّاسُ وَاسْتَغْفِرُوا اللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ
Translation: Then depart from where the people depart and ask forgiveness of Allah. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
The phrase "مِنْ حَيْثُ أَفَاضَ النَّاسُ", like a breeze that sweeps away the dust of arrogance, emphasises equality and brotherhood in Hajj. Some pilgrims, due to tribal affiliations or social status, sought to distinguish themselves by departing from a different point. However, this verse, in a decisive tone, negates such distinction and calls all to move uniformly with the masses. This command acts as a mirror placing humility and equality against tyranny and selfishness.
The difference between "أَفَضْتُمْ" in verse 198 and "أَفِيضُوا مِنْ حَيْثُ أَفَاضَ النَّاسُ" in verse 199 illustrates the evolutionary course of Hajj. "أَفَضْتُمْ" refers to a collective and spiritual movement from Arafat, while "أَفِيضُوا مِنْ حَيْثُ أَفَاضَ النَّاسُ" stresses conformity with ordinary people. This difference acts as a staircase guiding the pilgrim from a spiritual rank to the pinnacle of social equality.
Hajj, like a sea, dissolves all differences. Within this worship, there is no distinction among caliphs, imams, or ordinary people. Even its circumambulation and prayers are performed without an imam, as if God has willed that in this ritual every individual be their own imam. This characteristic transforms Hajj into a symbol of unity and equality within Islam.
Verse 199 of Surah Al-Baqarah, by stressing equality and brotherhood, presents Hajj as a ritual in which arrogance and tyranny have no place. This verse summons pilgrims to humility and movement alongside the masses, so that the spirit of unity and equality may be embodied in this worship.
Contrary to Hajj, in certain acts of worship such as congregational prayer, signs of arrogance and self-exaltation are observed. The status of the first row or the position of the imam sometimes fuels satanic temptations and distances individuals from sincerity. These distinctions, like dust upon the mirror of worship, prevent the manifestation of purity.
The mihrab, as a symbol of distinction in worship, sometimes turns into a place for ostentation. This position, which should be a locus for closeness to God, may become a field for competition and arrogance. Hajj, however, by removing such distinctions, guides the pilgrim towards sincerity and humility.
Religious knowledge, like a clear spring, must flow continuously into production of science and research, rather than being confined merely to performing routine acts of worship. Scholars, instead of focusing on worship duties that others can also perform, should engage in research and deepen religious knowledge. This reevaluation, like a fresh breeze, transforms religious knowledge from stagnation to dynamism.
The critique of arrogance in worship and the call for reevaluation of religious scholarly duties turns this section into a summons for reforming religious and scientific perspectives. Hajj, as an unparalleled model, demonstrates how worship can be cleansed from all forms of arrogance.
The levels of Divine Forgiveness, like a staircase toward boundless mercy, manifest in three stages: concealment (satr), forgiveness (ghufran), and pardon (afw). Concealment acts like a cloth covering sins; forgiveness like a sturdy helmet hiding sins from view; and pardon like a breeze transforming evils into virtues, representing the highest rank of forgiveness. Verse 199, by emphasising "وَاسْتَغْفِرُوا اللَّهَ", refers to the stage of forgiveness and Divine Mercy which reaches its zenith
