The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 1) — Page 322
CH. 2 200. Then pour AL-BAQARAH PT. 2 ثُمَّ أَفِيضُوا مِنْ حَيْثُ أَفَاضَ النَّاسُ forth from وَاسْتَغْفِرُوا اللهَ إِنَّ اللهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ and seek forgiveness from where the people pour forth, Allah; surely, Allah is Most Forgiving, Merciful. 206 But trade should not interfere with the acts of worship and devotion prescribed in Pilgrimage. Says God, but when you pour forth from 'Arafat, remember Him as He has guided you. The Holy Prophet used to pass his time in prayer and meditation at Mash'arul-Haram and the Faithful are warned that trade or any other worldly occupation should not make them forget the real object of Pilgrimage. The word (pour forth, lit. overflow) also has a metaphorical meaning, i. e. when you return from 'Arafāt, you should not return empty-handed but should return like to overflowing with spiritual knowledge and blessings. vessel a full The reader will note that be (Arafāt) and (Mash'arul- Haram) are both attributive names which have now come to be used as proper ones. They are used to draw the attention of the pilgrim to the fact that Hajj should be a source of knowledge and spiritual realization to him and not a mere outward rite, a mere shell, with no inner soul. The word 'Arafāt also hints that it should be a means of mutual introduction and recognition for Muslims coming from different parts of the world. 206. Important Words: (ask forgiveness) is derived from for which see 2:59. 322 would thus mean, he asked God for in all its senses, i. e. covering up of sins, forgiveness, protection against stumbling, protection against punishment of sins, etc. is not confined to verbal asking for forgiveness only, but extends to, and includes, practical change for the better on the part of him who asks for forgiveness. He should ask for pardon both by word and deed (Mufradāt). Commentary: a The word (then) in the clause, then pour forth from where the people pour forth, has given rise to of divergence opinion among commentators. If it means "then", it must needs be taken to indicate sequence or order and the clause would thus signify: "after you have as) عرفات from مشعر الحرام returned to mentioned in the preceding verse), you should return (from aŵs to (is) from where the people return". But this is obviously superfluous, as nobody has ever differed about proceeding to and returning from with the people. A difference only with regard to existed proceeding to and returning from be; for, whereas the Quraish and the Kinānah, known as Hums, stopped short at Mash'arul-Harām, a place within (the Sacred Territory) and did not go up to 'Arafāt which is