The Month of Ḥajj is now upon us and there’s so much to consider. I will share a short reflection on this passage of the Qur’ān which is likewise named after the Month of Ḥajj. Allāh says,
وَإِذْ بَوَّأْنَا لِإِبْرَٰهِيمَ مَكَانَ ٱلْبَيْتِ أَن لَّا تُشْرِكْ بِى شَيْـًۭٔا وَطَهِّرْ بَيْتِىَ لِلطَّآئِفِينَ وَٱلْقَآئِمِينَ وَٱلرُّكَّعِ ٱلسُّجُودِ
“And remember when We assigned to Abraham the site of the House, saying, ‘Do not associate anything with Me and purify My House for those who circle It, those who stand in prayer, as well as those who bow and prostrate’.” – Sūrah al-Ḥajj v. 25
Imam al-Shawkānī, may Allāh have mercy on him, says regarding the verse, “And remember when We assigned to Abraham the site of the House”,
“It is said: ‘I gave so-and-so a dwelling” (بَوَّأْتُهُ مَنزِلًا) and ‘I provided a dwelling for so-and-so’ (بَوَّأْتُ لَهُ), just as one says ‘I enabled you” (مَكَّنْتُكَ) and ‘I enabled something for you’ (مَكَّنْتُ لَكَ).”
