The profound meaning of verse 37 of Surah Al-Hajj
Bismillāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate.
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O Allah, send blessings upon our master Muhammad,
the Opener of what was closed,
the Seal of what came before,
the Helper of the Truth by the Truth,
and the Guide to Your straight path.
And upon his family,
according to his immense worth and the greatness of his rank.
Allah تعالى said:
“Say: If you truly love Allah, then follow me;
Allah will love you and forgive your sins.
For Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
(Sūrat Āl ʿImrān, 3:31)
“Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example for whoever hopes in Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah often.”
(Surah Al-Aḥzāb, 33:21)
“Take what the Messenger gives you, and refrain from what he forbids you.”
(Surah Al-Ḥashr, 59:7)
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Words of our master Shaykh Aḥmad Tijānī (may Allah sanctify his precious secret)
“Every opening, every light, and every spiritual elevation
are attained only through sincere following of the Beloved ﷺ.”
“All goodness lies in following the Sunnah, and all evil lies in whatever diverges from the Sunnah.“
“Every path that does not lead to following the Prophet ﷺ is a path of perdition.“
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The Deeper Meaning of Verse 37 of Surah Al-Hajj
“Neither their meat nor their blood reaches Allah, but what reaches Him from you is piety (taqwā).”
(Surah Al-Hajj, 22:37)
A Great Principle of the Religion
This noble verse was revealed concerning the sacrifices offered for Allah during pilgrimage and ritual slaughter. Here, Allah teaches that it is neither the outward forms nor the external appearances of deeds that bring a servant in close to Him, but rather sincerity, piety, and the truthfulness of the heart.
Allah Looks at the Hearts
Allah is free of all need. He is not in need of meat, blood, or outward displays of worship. What truly ascends to Him is sincerity, reverential fear of Him, pure intention, obedience, and faithful adherence to the Sunnah.
The Outer Sacrifice and the Inner SacrificeT
The believer does not merely seek to perform an outward act of worship. He also strives to sacrifice his pride, ostentation, desires, and everything that distances him from Allah.
A Deed Can Become Immense Through Sincerity
The true value of deeds depends upon the taqwā that accompanies them. A small act performed with sincerity may surpass mountains of deeds devoid of inner truth and sincerity.
Spiritual Reflection
This verse calls the servant to purify his intention, his heart, and his relationship with Allah. For what reaches Allah is not the outward form of actions, but the inner truth that carries them.
“An action without sincerity is like a body without a soul.”
And Allah knows best.
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O Allah, send blessings upon our master Muhammad,
the Opener of what was closed,
the Seal of what came before,
the Helper of the Truth by the Truth,
and the Guide to Your straight path.
And upon his family,
according to his immense worth and the greatness of his rank.
⸻
The poor servant in Allah and disciple of Shaykh Aḥmad Tijānī
(may Allah sanctify his precious secret),
Mohammed El Mansour El Mohieddine Tidjani