Tafsir of Al-Hajj 22:29

"Then let them end their untidiness" Qada' al-tafath (ending the untidiness) refers to: trimming the mustache, clipping the nails, plucking the underarm hair, and shaving the pubic area. Al-tafath is filth; thus, the meaning is to complete the removal of this filth.

"And let them fulfill their vows" It is read as li-yuwaffu (with a shadda on the fa'). This refers to the obligations of their Hajj, or the acts of righteousness they may have vowed to perform during their Hajj.

"And let them perform Tawaf" This refers to the Tawaf al-Ifadah (the Tawaf of pouring forth), which is the Tawaf al-Ziyarah (Tawaf of Visitation). It is one of the pillars of Hajj, through which the final state of tahallul (exiting the state of Ihram) is achieved. It is also said to refer to the Tawaf al-Sadr (the farewell Tawaf).

"The Ancient House" Al-'Atiq means the old, because it is the first house established for mankind, according to al-Hasan.

According to Qatadah: It was "freed" (u'tiqa) from the tyrants; how many a tyrant marched toward it to destroy it, but Allah prevented him.

According to Mujahid: It was never owned by anyone.

Also from him: It was "freed" from the Flood.

It is also said: It means a noble house, derived from the expression "the noble ('itaq) of horses and birds."

If you ask: "But al-Hajjaj gained power over it and was not prevented?" I say: He did not intend to attack the House itself; rather, Ibn al-Zubayr had fortified himself within it, so he used stratagems to force him out and then rebuilt it. When Abrahah intended to attack the House itself, [Allah] did to him what He did.

"That [is so]. And whoever honors the sacred ordinances of Allah - it is best for him in the sight of his Lord. And permitted to you are the grazing livestock, except what is recited to you. So avoid the impurity of idols and avoid false statement. [Being] inclining toward Allah, not associating anything with Him. And he who associates with Allah - it is as though he had fallen from the sky and was snatched by the birds or the wind carried him down into a remote place."