God's system is based on freedom of faith and expression. God's system recommends an egalitarian republic, and a federally secular system that allows multiple jurisdictions for different religious or non-religious groups. See 58:12 and 60:8-9.

Umra is the visitation of Kaba during the months other than the four restricted months.

Haj should be performed in the beginning of the restricted months: Zil Hijja, Muharram, Safar, and Rabi Awwal (2:189). Thus, Haj can be performed four times a year. Limiting Haj to once a year on a specific day, as traditionalists do, rather than four months, has created negative consequences such as inadequate service, hotels, dirt and chaos. See 9:37.

Lit., "and religion belongs to God [alone]" - i.e., until God can be worshipped without fear of persecution, and none is compelled to bow down in awe before another human being. (See also 22:40.) The term din is in this context more suitably translated as "worship" inasmuch as it comprises here both the doctrinal and the moral aspects of religion: that is to say, man's faith as well as the obligations arising from that faith.

This is a free rendering of the phrase "the sacred month for the sacred month", which is interpreted by all commentators in the sense given above. The "sacred months" during which, according to ancient Arab custom, all fighting was deemed utterly wrong, were the first, seventh, ; eleventh and twelfth months of the lunar calendar.

Thus, although the believers are enjoined to fight back whenever they are attacked, the concluding words of the above verse make it clear that they must, when fighting, abstain from all atrocities, including the killing of non-combatants.

Le., "you might bring about your own destruction by withholding your personal and material contribution to this common effort".

The Mecca pilgrimage (hajj) takes place once a year, in the month of Dhu '1-Hijjah, whereas a pious visit (`umrah) may be performed at any time. In both hajj and `umrah, the pilgrims are required to walk seven times around the Ka`bah and seven times between As-Safa and AI-Marwah (see notes 127 and 128 above); in the course of the hajj, they must, in addition, attend the gathering on the plain of 'Arafat on the 9th of Dhu '1-Hijjah (see note 182 below). irrespective of whether they are performing a full hajj or only an `umrah, the pilgrims must refrain from cutting or even trimming the hair on their heads from the time they enter the state of pilgrimage (ihram) until the end of the pilgrimage, respectively the pious visit. As mentioned in the sequence, persons who are ill or suffer from an ailment which necessitates the cutting or shaving of one's hair are exempted from this prohibition.

Lit., "until the offering has reached its destination" - i.e., in time or in place; according to Razi, the time of sacrifice is meant here, namely, the conclusion of the pilgrimage, when those who participate in the hajj are expected-provided they can afford it-to sacrifice a sheep, a goat, or the like; and to distribute most of its flesh in charity.

The expression idha amantum (lit., "when you are safe") refers here to safety both from external dangers (e.g., war) and from illness, and is, therefore, best rendered as "hale and secure" - the implication being that the person concerned is in a position, and intends, to participate in the pilgrimage.

This relates to an interruption, for the sake of personal comfort, of the state of pilgrimage (ihram) during the time intervening between the completion of an `umrah and the performance of the hajj (cf. Manar11, 222). The pilgrim who takes advantage of this facility is obliged to sacrifice an animal (see note 175 above) at the termination of the pilgrimage or, alternatively, to fast for ten days.

Lit., "whose people are not present at the Inviolable House of Worship" -i.e., do not permanently reside there: for, obviously, the inhabitants of Mecca cannot remain permanently in the state of ihram.

This refers not merely to a possible violation of the sanctity of the pilgrimage but also, in a more general way, to all deliberate violations of God's ordinances.

Lit., "in the well-known months". Since the haji culminates in one particular month (namely, Dhu 'I-Hijjah), the plural apparently refers to its annual recurrence. It should, however, be noted that some commentators understand it as referring to the last three months of the lunar year.

I.e., by trading while in the state of ihram. Muhammad `Abduh points out (in ManarII, 231) that the endeavour "to obtain any bounty from your Sustainer" implies God-consciousness and, therefore, constitutes a kind of worship-provided, of course, that this endeavour does not conflict with any other, more prominent religious requirement.

The gathering of all pilgrims on the plain of `Arafat, east of Mecca , takes place on the 9th of Dhu '1-Hijjah and constitutes the climax of the pilgrimage. The pilgrims are required to remain until sunset on that plain, below the hillock known as Jabal ar-Rahmah ("the Mount of Grace") - a symbolic act meant to bring to mind that ultimate gathering on Resurrection Day, when every soul will await God's judgment. Immediately after sunset, the multitudes of pilgrims move back in the direction of Mecca, stopping overnight at a place called Muzdalifah, the "holy place" referred to in the next clause of this sentence.

Lit., "and remember Him as He has guided you, although before that you had indeed been among those who go astray".

Lit., "surge onward in multitudes whence the people surge onward in multitudes": thus the pilgrims are called upon to submerge their individualities, at that supreme moment of the pilgrimage, in the consciousness of belonging to a community of people who are all equal before God, with no barrier of race or class or social status separating one person from another.

Most of the commentators see in this passage a reference to the custom of the pre-Islamic Arabs to extol, on the occasion of various gatherings, the greatness and the supposed virtues of their ancestors. Some of the earliest Islamic scholars, however- e.g., Ad-Dahhak, Ar-Rabi and Abu Muslim - are of the opinion that what is meant here are actual fathers (or, by implication, both parents), whom a child usually considers to be the embodiment of all that is good and powerful (see Razis commentary on this verse).

No compulsion or coercion in religion 2:256. Lillah = For God's sake alone. Zulm = Displace something from its rightful place = Replace good with evil = Oppression = Relegation of the truth = Exploitation = Violation of human rights = Doing wrong to oneself or others

Temporary cessation of hostilities provides a cooling off period and it can avert war. There should be at least four months upon which mankind should agree as peacetime. History and Tafseers (expositions of the Qur'an) report the four Months of Peacetime as the first, the seventh, the eleventh and the twelfth month of the Lunar Calendar. However, the Qur'an being the Ultimate authority specifies them differently. The four Months of Security at the time in Arabia were consecutive, beginning with Zil-Hajjah, the 12th Lunar Month. Mankind may agree upon any four consecutive months in the changing times. 9:5, 9:36

You might throw yourselves into destruction by withholding contributions to this noble cause

Hajj is the annual Convention in a specified time while 'Umrah is a visit to the Masjid of Makkah any time during the year. Both have a sublime objective as the Qur'an explains, although Muslims have reduced them into mere rituals similar to the Days of Ignorance. There is no mention of kissing the black-stone in Ka'bah, any "holiness" about the Zam Zam water, or that of throwing rocks at the three pillars signifying Satan. See footnote to Surah 105. The Noble Objective of the Pilgrimage is to arrange regular and intermittent international conferences in Makkah. Delegates from all over the world would get together there and devise ways to make the world a better place to live. Halqirras = Relief of burden = Idiom for relief - 'Imams' Jurjani, Hasan Basari, Shehristani

Sexual intimacy, breach of discipline and argumentation would hamper mutual consultation in a focused, amicable environment. Ample provision is meant to avoid asking for help, but rather being able to help others. The Central authority, any time in the Divinely ordained four Months of Peacetime should decide upon and announce the exact dates of Hajj. The current practice of "performing" the ritualistic pilgrimage only in Zilhajjah, the 12th lunar month, finds no authority in the Qur'an. 2:194, 9:1-6. Ulil albaab =Those who possess understanding, is obviously a common gender

He does not forsake the Hereafter for this world, and this world for the Hereafter. 28:77

Actions get their imprints stamped upon the human 'self' in this very life

See the details of Hajj and `Umrah in Appendix 15.

Hajj can be observed any time during the Sacred Months: Zul Hijjah, Muharram, Safar, and Rabi I. Local governments restrict Hajj to a few daysfor their own convenience. See 9:37.