196- AND COMPLETE THE HAJJ AND OMRAH FOR ALLAH, BUT IF YOU ARE PREVENTED, THEN OFFER WHAT YOU CAN OF SACRIFICE, BUT DO NOT SHAVE YOUR HEAD UNTIL THE OFFERING REACHS IT’S DESTINATION.  WHOEVER IS SICK OR SUFFERS FROM AN AILMENT OF HIS HEAD (NECESSITATES SHAVING SOONER); THEY THEN OFFER A RANSOM OF EITHER FASTING, CHARITY OR SACRIFICE.  WHEN YOU ARE SAFE AND IN PEACE, THOSE WHO WISH TO HAVE A BREAK OF IHRAM BETWEEN OMRAH AND HAJJ, THEY MUST MAKE WHATEVER SACRIFICE POSSIBLE, BUT FOR THOSE WHO CAN NOT AFFORD IT, THEY SHOULD FAST THREE DAYS DURING HAJJ THEN SEVEN WHEN YOU RETURN, THESE ARE TOTAL OF TEN.  THIS APPLIES TO THOSE WHO’S FAMILIES DO NOT LIVE BY THE SITE OF THE SACRED MOSQUE.  AND GUARD YOURSELVES FROM ALLAH’S DISPLEASURE, FOR ALLAH IS STERN IN PUNISHMENT.

Allah the Highest commands us to complete the rites of the Hajj and Omrah for the cause of Allah the Highest only, as all kinds of worship should be.  Never should they be done for any earthly gain including reputation.

This Ayah was sent down when the Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him and the Muslims went on Omrah, and they stopped at Hudaibya, and prevented from performing Omrah.  The Muslims were already in Ihram when they were prevented.  Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him made the agreement of Hudaibya them, one of it’s terms was that the Muslims do not enter Makah for Omrah that year, but go for Omrah the year after.  In such instance, the Muslims were considered to having been prevented from going to Omrah by hostile action, and this Ayah was sent down carrying the rule for such situation.

Allah’s command is to do as if one completed the Omrah, and shave the head, or cut it.  One should also sacrifice an animal, either a sheep per person, or camel or cow for up to 7 individuals.

When the Muslims were prevented from doing the Omrah, they were very upset and some wanted to fight.  They were also upset by the terms of the treaty.  When this Ayah was sent down, Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him commanded the Muslims to sacrifice their animals then shave their heads, but very few responded.  He went into his tent and spoke to his wife Om Salama who accompanied him.  She advised him to go out, not to speak to any one, sacrifice his offering then shave his head.  When Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him did that, the Muslims followed his example.  (B: Hajj; 127 & M: Hajj; 316-318)

There is a license for the person who is in Ihram, who suffers from an ailment requiring him or her to shave their head before time, and then they should shave their head and ransom it by sacrifice, fasting 3 days, or feeding 6 poor.  A Muslim man called Kaab Ibn Agza said: “I went to the prophet while the fleas were scattered over my face, he said: ‘I see that you are distressed, can you afford a sheep?’ he said: “No”.  Allah’s messenger said: “Fast three days or feed six poor, give every one half a Saa (measure) of food”.  (B: Tafseer Sorah 2; 32 & M: Hajj; 80 & D: Manasek; 42)

One should normally go to Omrah, then Hajj.  If one is to break his Ihram between Omrah and Hajj (called Tamato), then he should sacrifice a sheep.  For those who can not afford the sacrifice, they should fast 10 days, 3 during Hajj time, and seven when they return home.  The three during Hajj time should be before and not including the Day of Arafat. 

The above rule does not apply to the residents of Makah. They may break Ihram without a sacrifice or fast.  This is the meaning of “THIS APPLIES TO THOSE WHO’S FAMILIES DO NOT LIVE BY THE SITE OF THE SACRED MOSQUE”

At the end of the Ayah Allah the Highest warns us about disobeying him and commands us to observe piety and righteousness.  There is no time where one should observe piety and righteousness more than the times of Omrah and Hajj.

B: Bukhari   M: Muslim    Mal: Malek   A: Ahmed   D: Abu Dawood     

 Da: Daremy       Ma: Ibn Magah            N: Nesae          T: Termezi