Surah Baqarah ayat 158 Tafsir Quran 2:158

﴿۞ إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ ۖ فَمَنْ حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ أَوِ اعْتَمَرَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَن يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا ۚ وَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ شَاكِرٌ عَلِيمٌ﴾
[ البقرة: 158]

2:158 Indeed, as-Safa and al-Marwah are among the symbols of Allah. So whoever makes Hajj to the House or performs 'umrah - there is no blame upon him for walking between them. And whoever volunteers good - then indeed, Allah is appreciative and Knowing.

Truly Safā and Marwa two mountains near Mecca are among the waymarks sha‘ā’ir plural of sha‘īra of God the ritual ceremonies of His religion so whoever makes the Pilgrimage to the House or the Visitation that is whoever prepares to perform the Pilgrimage hajj or the Visitation ‘umra the original sense of both terms hajja and i‘tamara is ‘to aim for’ and ‘to visit’ respectively; he would not be at fault it would not be a sin if he circumambulates them the original tā’ of yatatawwafa ‘circumambulate’ has been assimilated with the tā’ by pacing quickly sa‘y between them seven times this was revealed when the Muslims were averse to this circumambulation because the pagan Arabs used to circumambulate them and there was an idol atop each mountain which they used to stroke. It is reported from Ibn ‘Abbās that this pacing between the two is not obligatory based on the fact that when no sin can be incurred the context implies free choice. Al-Shāfi‘ī and others however considered it to be a pillar of the Pilgrimage rituals. The Prophet made clear its obligatory aspect when he said that ‘God has prescribed for you the pacing sa‘y’ as reported by al-Bayhaqī and others; and he the Prophet also said ‘Begin with what God has begun’ meaning al-Safā as reported by Muslim; and whoever volunteers tatawwa‘a a variant reading is yattawa‘ the ta’ here being assimilated good that is any good deed such as circumambulation or other that is not obligatory on him; God is Grateful for such a deed and rewards that person for it Knowing it.

Behold, the mounts of Safa and Marwa in Macca, long-time objects of superstition to the idolaters, are in fact territorial divinities. Therefore, he who goes on AL-Hajj (pilgrimage) to the Sacred Mosque or on the minor Hajj, the ‘Umra, incurs no blame to go round in procession, and he who offers of his own accord to perform this virtuous rite shall find Allah responsive to pious actions. Indeed, Allah acknowledges what is esteemed a worthy deed; He is Alimun

The Meaning of "it is not a sin" in the Ayah Imam Ahmad reported that `Urwah said that he asked `A'ishah about what Allah stated: إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَآئِرِ اللَّهِ فَمَنْ حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ أَوِ اعْتَمَرَ فَلاَ جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَن يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا ( Verily, As-Safa and Al-Marwah (two mountains in Makkah ) are of the symbols of Allah.
So it is not a sin on him who performs Hajj or `Umrah ( pilgrimage ) of the House ( the Ka`bah at Makkah ) to perform the going ( Tawaf ) between them ( As-Safa and Al-Marwah ).) "By Allah! It is not a sin if someone did not perform Tawaf around them." `A'ishah said, "Worst is that which you said, O my nephew! If this is the meaning of it, it should have read, `It is not a sin if one did not perform Tawaf around them.' Rather, the Ayah was revealed regarding the Ansar, who before Islam, used to assume Ihlal ( or Ihram for Hajj ) in the area of Mushallal for their idol Manat that they used to worship.
Those who assumed Ihlal for Manat, used to hesitate to perform Tawaf ( going ) between Mounts As-Safa and Al-Marwah.
So they ( during the Islamic era ) asked Allah's Messenger ﷺ about it, saying, `O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! During the time of Jahiliyyah, we used to hesitate to perform Tawaf between As-Safa and Al-Marwah.' Allah then revealed: إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَآئِرِ اللَّهِ فَمَنْ حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ أَوِ اعْتَمَرَ فَلاَ جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَن يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا ( Verily, As-Safa and Al-Marwah are of the symbols of Allah.
So it is not a sin on him who performs Hajj or `Umrah of the House to perform the going (Tawaf ) between them.)" `A'ishah then said, " Allah's Messenger ﷺ has made it the Sunnah to perform Tawaf between them ( As-Safa and Al-Marwah ), and thus, no one should abandon performing Tawaf between them." This Hadith is reported in the Sahihayn. In another narration, Imam Az-Zuhri reported that `Urwah said: Later on I ( `Urwah ) told Abu Bakr bin `Abdur-Rahman bin Al-Harith bin Hisham ( of `A'ishah's statement ) and he said, "I have not heard of such information.
However, I heard learned men saying that all the people, except those whom `A'ishah mentioned, said, `Our Tawaf between these two hills is a practice of Jahiliyyah.
' Some others among the Ansar said, `We were commanded to perform Tawaf of the Ka`bah, but not between As-Safa and Al-Marwah.' So Allah revealed: إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَآئِرِ اللَّهِ ( Verily, As-Safa and Al-Marwah are of the symbols of Allah. )" Abu Bakr bin `Abdur-Rahman then said, "It seems that this verse was revealed concerning the two groups." Al-Bukhari collected a similar narration by Anas. Ash-Sha`bi said, "Isaf ( an idol ) was on As-Safa while Na'ilah ( an idol ) was on Al-Marwah, and they used to touch ( or kiss ) them.
After Islam came, they were hesitant about performing Tawaf between them.
Thereafter, the Ayah ( 2:158 above ) was revealed." The Wisdom behind legislating Sa`i between As-Safa and Al-Marwah Muslim recorded a long Hadith in his Sahih from Jabir, in which Allah's Messenger ﷺ finished the Tawaf around the House, and then went back to the Rukn ( pillar, i.e., the Black Stone ) and kissed it.
He then went out from the door near As-Safa while reciting: إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَآئِرِ اللَّهِ ( Verily, As-Safa and Al-Marwah are of the symbols of Allah. ) The Prophet then said, ( I start with what Allah has commanded me to start with meaning start the Sa`i (i.e., fast walking ) from the As-Safa).
In another narration of An-Nasa'i, the Prophet said, ( Start with what Allah has started with (i.e., As-Safa ).) Imam Ahmad reported that Habibah bint Abu Tajrah said, "I saw Allah's Messenger ﷺ performing Tawaf between As-Safa and Al-Marwah, while the people were in front of him and he was behind them walking in Sa`i.
I saw his garment twisted around his knees because of the fast walking in Sa`i ( he was performing ) and he was reciting:
«اسْعَوْا فَإِنَّ اللهَ كَتَبَ عَلَيْكُمُ السَّعْي»
. ( Perform Sa`i, for Allah has prescribed Sa`i on you. )"' This Hadith was used as a proof for the fact that Sa`i is a Rukn of Hajj.
It was also said that Sa`i is Wajib, and not a Rukn of Hajj and that if one does not perform it by mistake or by intention, he could expiate the shortcoming with Damm.
Allah has stated that Tawaf between As-Safa and Al-Marwah is among the symbols of Allah, meaning, among the acts that Allah legislated during the Hajj for Prophet Ibrahim. Earlier we mentioned the Hadith by Ibn `Abbas that the origin of Tawaf comes from the Tawaf of Hajar ( Prophet Ibrahim's wife ), between As-Safa and Al-Marwah seeking water for her son ( Isma`il ) Ibrahim had left them in Makkah, where there was no habitation for her.
When Hajar feared that her son would die, she stood up and begged Allah for His help and kept going back and forth in that blessed area between As-Safa and Al-Marwah.
She was humble, fearful, frightened and meek before Allah.
Allah answered her prayers, relieved her of her loneliness, ended her dilemma and made the well of Zamzam bring forth its water for her, which is:
«طَعَامُ طُعْمٍ،وَشِفَاءُ سُقْم»
( A tasty (or nutritional ) food and a remedy for the illness.) Therefore, whoever performs Sa`i between As-Safa and Al-Marwah should remember his meekness, humbleness and need for Allah to guide his heart, lead his affairs to success and forgive his sins.
He should also want Allah to eliminate his shortcomings and errors and to guide him to the straight path.
He should ask Allah to keep him firm on this path until he meets death, and to change his situation from that of sin and errors to that of perfection and being forgiven, --- the same providence which was provided to Hajar. Allah then states: وَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًا ( And whoever does good voluntarily. ) It was said that the Ayah describes performing Tawaf more than seven times, it was also said that it refers to voluntary `Umrah or Hajj.
It was also said that it means volunteering to do good works in general, as Ar-Razi has stated.
The third opinion was attributed to Al-Hasan Al-Basri.
Allah knows best. Allah states: فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ شَاكِرٌ عَلِيمٌ ( ...then verily, Allah is All-Recognizer, All-Knower. ) meaning, Allah's reward is immense for the little deed, and He knows about the sufficiency of the reward.
Hence, He will not award insufficient rewards to anyone.
Indeed: إِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يَظْلِمُ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ وَإِن تَكُ حَسَنَةً يُضَـعِفْهَا وَيُؤْتِ مِن لَّدُنْهُ أَجْراً عَظِيماً ( Surely, Allah wrongs not even of the weight of an atom, but if there is any good (done ), He doubles it, and gives from Him a great reward.) ( 4:40 )

(2:158) Indeed Safa and Marwah are among the emblems of Allah: it is, therefore, no sin for him, who performs Hajj or `Umrah *157 to the House of AIIah, to run between the two hills; *158 and Allah knows and appreciates him who does any good with a willing heart. *159

Indeed, as-Safa and al-Marwah are among the meaning

*157).
The pilgrimage to the Ka'bah along with a set of other rites on certain fixed dates of Dhu al-Hijjah is known as hajj.
Pilgrimage at other times is known as 'Umrah.

*158).
Safa and Marwah are the names of two hillocks near the Holy Mosque in Makka.
To run between these two hillocks was among the rites which God had taught Abraham in connection with hajj.
Later, when Pagan Ignorance prevailed in Makka and the neighbouring regions, altars were built for Isaf at Safa and for Nai'lah at Marwah, and people began to circumambulate them.
After the advent of the Prophet, when the light of Islam had spread to the people of Arabia, Muslims came to doubt whether running between Safa and Marwah was one of the original rites of Pilgrimage or was merely an invidious religious innovation of the Age of Ignorance.
If it was in fact such, they feared they might be committing an act of polytheism.

Moreover, we learn from a Tradition transmitted from 'A'ishah that even in pre-Islamic times the oeople of Madina were not favourably disposed to this practice.
Although they believed in al-Manat they did not believe in Isaf and Nai'lah.
For these reasons, it was necessary, at the time of the change of the qiblah, to dispel popular misconceptions about this rite.
It seemed necessary to tell people that running between these two hillocks was part of the original rites of Pilgrimage and that the sanctity, of Safa and Marwah, far from being an invidious innovation of the people of the Age of Ignorance, stemmed from the revealed Law of God.

*159).
It is best that one should perform this ritual obligation with wholehearted devotion.
But if devotion is lacking one is not thereby exempt from fulfilling one's obligation.
One must perform this ritual if only out of a sense of duty.

 

The Meaning of "it is not a sin" in the Ayah Imam Ahmad reported that `Urwah said that he asked `A'ishah about what Allah stated: إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَآئِرِ اللَّهِ فَمَنْ حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ أَوِ اعْتَمَرَ فَلاَ جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَن يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا ( Verily, As-Safa and Al-Marwah (two mountains in Makkah ) are of the symbols of Allah.
So it is not a sin on him who performs Hajj or `Umrah ( pilgrimage ) of the House ( the Ka`bah at Makkah ) to perform the going ( Tawaf ) between them ( As-Safa and Al-Marwah ).) "By Allah! It is not a sin if someone did not perform Tawaf around them." `A'ishah said, "Worst is that which you said, O my nephew! If this is the meaning of it, it should have read, `It is not a sin if one did not perform Tawaf around them.' Rather, the Ayah was revealed regarding the Ansar, who before Islam, used to assume Ihlal ( or Ihram for Hajj ) in the area of Mushallal for their idol Manat that they used to worship.
Those who assumed Ihlal for Manat, used to hesitate to perform Tawaf ( going ) between Mounts As-Safa and Al-Marwah.
So they ( during the Islamic era ) asked Allah's Messenger ﷺ about it, saying, `O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! During the time of Jahiliyyah, we used to hesitate to perform Tawaf between As-Safa and Al-Marwah.' Allah then revealed: إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَآئِرِ اللَّهِ فَمَنْ حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ أَوِ اعْتَمَرَ فَلاَ جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَن يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا ( Verily, As-Safa and Al-Marwah are of the symbols of Allah.
So it is not a sin on him who performs Hajj or `Umrah of the House to perform the going (Tawaf ) between them.)" `A'ishah then said, " Allah's Messenger ﷺ has made it the Sunnah to perform Tawaf between them ( As-Safa and Al-Marwah ), and thus, no one should abandon performing Tawaf between them." This Hadith is reported in the Sahihayn. In another narration, Imam Az-Zuhri reported that `Urwah said: Later on I ( `Urwah ) told Abu Bakr bin `Abdur-Rahman bin Al-Harith bin Hisham ( of `A'ishah's statement ) and he said, "I have not heard of such information.
However, I heard learned men saying that all the people, except those whom `A'ishah mentioned, said, `Our Tawaf between these two hills is a practice of Jahiliyyah.
' Some others among the Ansar said, `We were commanded to perform Tawaf of the Ka`bah, but not between As-Safa and Al-Marwah.' So Allah revealed: إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَآئِرِ اللَّهِ ( Verily, As-Safa and Al-Marwah are of the symbols of Allah. )" Abu Bakr bin `Abdur-Rahman then said, "It seems that this verse was revealed concerning the two groups." Al-Bukhari collected a similar narration by Anas. Ash-Sha`bi said, "Isaf ( an idol ) was on As-Safa while Na'ilah ( an idol ) was on Al-Marwah, and they used to touch ( or kiss ) them.
After Islam came, they were hesitant about performing Tawaf between them.
Thereafter, the Ayah ( 2:158 above ) was revealed." The Wisdom behind legislating Sa`i between As-Safa and Al-Marwah Muslim recorded a long Hadith in his Sahih from Jabir, in which Allah's Messenger ﷺ finished the Tawaf around the House, and then went back to the Rukn ( pillar, i.e., the Black Stone ) and kissed it.
He then went out from the door near As-Safa while reciting: إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَآئِرِ اللَّهِ ( Verily, As-Safa and Al-Marwah are of the symbols of Allah. ) The Prophet then said, ( I start with what Allah has commanded me to start with meaning start the Sa`i (i.e., fast walking ) from the As-Safa).
In another narration of An-Nasa'i, the Prophet said, ( Start with what Allah has started with (i.e., As-Safa ).) Imam Ahmad reported that Habibah bint Abu Tajrah said, "I saw Allah's Messenger ﷺ performing Tawaf between As-Safa and Al-Marwah, while the people were in front of him and he was behind them walking in Sa`i.
I saw his garment twisted around his knees because of the fast walking in Sa`i ( he was performing ) and he was reciting: «اسْعَوْا فَإِنَّ اللهَ كَتَبَ عَلَيْكُمُ السَّعْي». ( Perform Sa`i, for Allah has prescribed Sa`i on you. )"' This Hadith was used as a proof for the fact that Sa`i is a Rukn of Hajj.
It was also said that Sa`i is Wajib, and not a Rukn of Hajj and that if one does not perform it by mistake or by intention, he could expiate the shortcoming with Damm.
Allah has stated that Tawaf between As-Safa and Al-Marwah is among the symbols of Allah, meaning, among the acts that Allah legislated during the Hajj for Prophet Ibrahim. Earlier we mentioned the Hadith by Ibn `Abbas that the origin of Tawaf comes from the Tawaf of Hajar ( Prophet Ibrahim's wife ), between As-Safa and Al-Marwah seeking water for her son ( Isma`il ) Ibrahim had left them in Makkah, where there was no habitation for her.
When Hajar feared that her son would die, she stood up and begged Allah for His help and kept going back and forth in that blessed area between As-Safa and Al-Marwah.
She was humble, fearful, frightened and meek before Allah.
Allah answered her prayers, relieved her of her loneliness, ended her dilemma and made the well of Zamzam bring forth its water for her, which is: «طَعَامُ طُعْمٍ،وَشِفَاءُ سُقْم» ( A tasty (or nutritional ) food and a remedy for the illness.) Therefore, whoever performs Sa`i between As-Safa and Al-Marwah should remember his meekness, humbleness and need for Allah to guide his heart, lead his affairs to success and forgive his sins.
He should also want Allah to eliminate his shortcomings and errors and to guide him to the straight path.
He should ask Allah to keep him firm on this path until he meets death, and to change his situation from that of sin and errors to that of perfection and being forgiven, --- the same providence which was provided to Hajar. Allah then states: وَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًا ( And whoever does good voluntarily. ) It was said that the Ayah describes performing Tawaf more than seven times, it was also said that it refers to voluntary `Umrah or Hajj.
It was also said that it means volunteering to do good works in general, as Ar-Razi has stated.
The third opinion was attributed to Al-Hasan Al-Basri.
Allah knows best. Allah states: فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ شَاكِرٌ عَلِيمٌ ( ...then verily, Allah is All-Recognizer, All-Knower. ) meaning, Allah's reward is immense for the little deed, and He knows about the sufficiency of the reward.
Hence, He will not award insufficient rewards to anyone.
Indeed: إِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يَظْلِمُ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ وَإِن تَكُ حَسَنَةً يُضَـعِفْهَا وَيُؤْتِ مِن لَّدُنْهُ أَجْراً عَظِيماً ( Surely, Allah wrongs not even of the weight of an atom, but if there is any good (done ), He doubles it, and gives from Him a great reward.) ( 4:40 )

Allah then mentions the believers’ dislike of going between al-Safa and al-Marwah in front of the idols which were placed there, saying: ( Lo! Al-Safa and al-Marwah ) going around al-Safa and al-Marwah ( are among the rites of Allah ) among the rites of pilgrimage that Allah, Exalted is He, has commanded. ( It is therefore no sin ) one commits no transgression ( for him who is on pilgrimage to the House or visiteth it, to go around them (as the pagan custom is ). And he who doeth good of his own accord) and whoever performs extra works other than this obligation of going between al-Safa and al-Marwah, ( Lo! Allah is Responsive ) accepts such works, ( Aware ) of your intentions; it is also said that this means: Allah accepts the smallest of your works and His reward is abundant.

Verily! As-Safa and Al-Marwah (two mountains in Makkah) are of the Symbols of Allah. So it is not a sin on him who perform Hajj or 'Umrah (pilgrimage) of the House (the Ka'bah at Makkah) to perform the going (Tawaf) between them (As-Safa and Al-Marwah). And whoever does good voluntarily, then verily, Allah is All-Recogniser, All-Knower.

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