In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Beneficent
All this (is ordained by God). Whoever honors God’s sanctities, it will be better for him with his Lord. All kinds of cattle have been made lawful to you, except for what is specified to you (as forbidden). Shun, then, the loathsome evil of idolatrous beliefs and practices; and shun every word that is untrue.
Be true to God, turning away from all that is false, associating no partners with Him. For he who associates partners with God is like one who is hurling down from the skies; whereupon he is snatched by the birds, or blown away by the wind to a far-off place. (The Pilgrimage, Al-Haj: 22: 30-31)
The building of the Sacred House in Makkah and the basis on which it was founded have been discussed in commentary on the relevant verses over the last couple of weeks. It was God who ordered His friend, Abraham (peace be upon him), to raise this House making the belief in God’s oneness its solid foundation. He further ordered Abraham to purify it of all idolatry, and to proclaim to mankind the duty of offering the pilgrimage to the House, where they mention God’s name, not the names of false deities, over what they sacrifice of cattle He provides for them. They are to eat of it and to feed the needy and the poor in praise of God’s name, not the name of any one else. This means that it is a sanctified House where God’s sanctities are respected. Paramount among these are the belief in God’s oneness, the opening of the House to worshipers who walk around it, stand before it in prayer, and bow and prostrate themselves to God, in addition to the prevention of bloodshed, the honoring of covenants and treaties, and the maintenance of peace.
“All this (is ordained by God). Whoever honors God’s sanctities, it will be better for him with his Lord. All kinds of cattle have been made lawful to you, except for what is specified to you (as forbidden). Shun, then, the loathsome evil of idolatrous beliefs and practices; and shun every word that is untrue. Be true to God, turning away from all that is false, associating no partners with Him. For he who associates partners with God is like one who is hurling down from the skies; whereupon he is snatched by the birds, or blown away by the wind to a far-off place.”
Honoring God’s sanctities gives a keen, watchful sense lest one should violate them. In God’s measure, this is better for us. It is better in the realm of conscience and feelings, and better in this life generally. A watchful conscience is one which wants to remain pure, untainted. A community where God’s sanctities are inviolable ensures a life of peace where people are secure, fearing no aggression or persecution, reassured of their comfort and safety.
The idolaters in Makkah used to consider as sacred certain animals, such as a slit-ear she-camel, a she-camel let loose for pasture, idol sacrifices for twin-births in animals, and stallion-camel freed from work. They falsely attributed sanctity for such animals, while they violated God’s clear sanctities. Therefore, the Surah makes clear at this juncture that all cattle are lawful to eat, except for those specified to be forbidden, such as carrion, blood, the flesh of swine and any animal at the slaughter of which any name other than God is invoked: “All kinds of cattle have been made lawful to you, except for what is specified to you (as forbidden).” This has been made clear so that none other than God’s sanctities are acknowledged, none enacts any legislation except God, and no one exercises judgment according to any law other than that of God.
While all cattle are made lawful, the Surah gives an order to steer away from the abomination of venerating idols. The idolaters used to slaughter their animals at these idols, when they are evil. Associating partners with God is also evil that contaminates people’s hearts and consciences in the same way as an impurity contaminates a garment or a place. Since the association of partners with God is an act of fabricating falsehood against Him, the Surah warns against saying anything untrue: “Shun, then, the loathsome evil of idolatrous beliefs and practices; and shun every word that is untrue.”
The Qur’anic statement magnifies the offense of fabricating falsehood, putting it at a bar with associating partners with God. A Hadith related by Imam Ahmad states: “One day, the Prophet offered dawn prayers. When he stood up to leave, he said: ‘Perjury is equal to associating partners with God.’ He then recited this verse.”
What God wants of all people is that they should steer away from all types of associating partners with Him, and to steer away from saying anything untrue. They must maintain in absolute purity their belief in God’s oneness: “Be true to God, turning away from all that is false, associating no partners with Him.” The Surah then paints a violent scene showing a person who slips away from the pure concept of God’s oneness, falling into the depth of associating partners with Him. He is totally lost, as though he has never come to life. “For he who associates partners with God is like one who is hurling down from the skies; whereupon he is snatched by the birds, or blown away by the wind to a far-off place.”
In this scene we see a person falling from a great height, so as to be “hurling down from the skies.” In no time, he breaks into pieces, and is “snatched by the birds.” Alternatively, he may be blown away by the wind and then thrown away into a bottomless depth. We note here the rapid and violent movement, with scenes shown in quick succession and then disappearing completely.
It is a very true picture and an apt description of one who associates partners with God. He falls from the sublime height of faith to land where he is totally lost, as he deprives himself of the firm basis of belief in God’s oneness. He is also deprived of the haven to which he could have returned safely. Hence, he is snatched away by his desires, like one who is snatched by birds of prey. False beliefs and myths throw him off course, just like storms might do. How could he avoid any such fate when he has abandoned the most firm bond and the solid foundation that provides him with a firm link with the world around him?
