Pilgrimage

P

erform the pilgrimage and visit the Sacred House for God’s sake. If you are prevented, send such offerings as you can afford, and do not shave your heads until the offerings have reached their destination. But if any of you is ill or suffers from an ailment of the head, he must pay a ransom, either by fasting or by almsgiving or by offering a sacrifice. In peacetime if any of you combines the visit with the pilgrimage, he must make such offerings as he can afford; but if he lacks the means, let him fast three days during the pilgrimage and seven when he has returned; that is, ten days in all. That is incumbent on one whose family are not present at the Holy Mosque. Have fear of God: know that He is stern in retribution. Make the pilgrimage in the appointed months. Whoever intends to perform it in those months must abstain from sexual intercourse, obscene language and acrimonious disputes while on pilgrimage. God is aware of whatever good you do. Provide yourselves well; the best provision is piety. Fear Me, then, you that are endowed with understanding. It is no offence for you to seek the bounty of your Lord by trading. When you press on from Arafat, remember God as you approach the Sacred Monument. Remember Him who gave you guidance when you were in error. Then press on from where the pilgrims go out, and implore the forgiveness of God. He is forgiving and merciful. And when you have fulfilled your holy rites, remember God as you remember your fathers or yet more devoutly. There are• some who say: “Lord, give us abundance in this world.” These shall have no share in the world to come. But there are others who say: “Lord, give us what is good both in this world and in the next, and save us from the doom of Hell.” These shall have a share of the reward. Swift is the reckoning of God. Remember God during the appointed days. He that departs on the second day incurs no sin, nor does he who stays longer, if he truly fears God. Have fear of God, then, and know that you shall be gathered before Him. (2:196-203)