The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 1) — Page 320
CH. 2 for which see note on 2:27. AL-BAQARAH J (quarrelling) is derived from Jus. They say Jus i. e. he twisted the rope. Ju means, his dispute or quarrel became intensified. means, he disputed or quarrelled with him. Thus J means, dispute or quarrel, or the use of strong and hot words (Aqrab). (furnish yourselves) and (provision) are both derived from 3); with, as the central root letter. They sayi. e. the man prepared a provision for himself for a journey, etc. means, he took for himself a provision. ale means, he took from the caliph a letter of introduction to his governor so that the latter might afford him his assistance as and when required. J means, any provision, etc. taken when proceeding on PT. 2 these are necessary conditions for the completion of Pilgrimage, which would be like a soulless body if one indulged in such things while Another purpose undertaking it. underlying these injunctions is that a person should abstain from them particularly during the period of Pilgrimage so that it might become easy for him to shun these things at other times as well. The three vices selected are typical of what should be scrupulously avoided in a religious gathering like that at the Pilgrimage. sex. (fusuq) فسوق (rafath) stands for all foul, immodest and lewd talk as well as acts relating to stands for transgression against the laws of God and disobedience of lawful authority, whether spiritual or temporal. And Jus (jidāl) stands for disputes and quarrels with a journey travellers, companions and neighbours. (Aqrab). The word is used of extra store meant for future use (Mufradāt). Commentary: The clause the months of the Hajj are well known is intended to hint that, in the matter of the time of Pilgrimage, the Quran gives no new commandment. The established custom is the right one, being rightly retained by the Arabs from the days of Abraham and Ishmael. The three lunar months during which one may formally undertake the Pilgrimage and enter into the state of Iḥrām are Shawwal, Dhul-Qa'dah and the first ten days of Dhul-Ḥijjah (Bukhārī). The clause, there is to be no foul talk, nor any transgression nor any quarrelling during the Pilgrimage, does not mean that such acts are permissible at other times but that 320 CO- The clause, And furnish yourselves with necessary provisions, does not only refer to the preparation which one makes for an ordinary journey which is necessary in its own way, but also to the preparation which one has to make for a spiritual journey. In this sense the clause would signify "provide yourselves with piety and righteousness;" and in order to emphasize the latter kind of provision, the Quran fittingly adds, and surely the best provision is righteousness. But ordinary provision is also necessary; for, if a man does not take necessary provisions with him, he will be certainly put to great inconvenience and hardship on the way and will have to beg of others for help and both these things are