Tafsir of Al-Hajj 22:77

"O you who have believed..."

Remembrance (dhikr) holds a status that no other act of obedience possesses. This Surah contains indications of that. Therefore, He first called the believers to prayer, which is pure remembrance, then to worship other than prayer, such as fasting, pilgrimage, and military expeditions, then He generalized by urging all other good deeds.

It is said: When people first embraced Islam, they would prostrate without bowing and bow without prostrating. Thus, they were commanded that their prayer should consist of both bowing and prostration.

It is also said: The meaning of "and worship your Lord" is: intend by your bowing and prostration the Countenance of Allah.

Regarding His saying, "and do good," Ibn Abbas said: It means maintaining ties of kinship and noble character.

"That you may succeed": That is, do all of this while you are hoping for success and aspiring to it, not being certain [of it], and do not rely [solely] upon your deeds.

Uqbah ibn Amir (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I asked, "O Messenger of Allah, are there two prostrations in Surah al-Hajj?" He replied: "Yes, and if you do not perform them, do not recite them."

Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) said: "Surah al-Hajj has been favored with two prostrations." Al-Shafi'i (may Allah be pleased with him) used this as evidence, holding that there are two prostrations in Surah al-Hajj. Abu Hanifah and his companions (may Allah be pleased with them) do not see in it except one prostration, because they argue: "Prostration was coupled with bowing, which indicates that it is a prostration of prayer, not a prostration of recitation."

"And strive for Allah with the striving due to Him. He has chosen you and has not placed upon you in the religion any difficulty. [It is] the religion of your father, Abraham. He [Allah] named you 'Muslims' before [in former scriptures] and in this [revelation] that the Messenger may be a witness over you and you may be witnesses over the people. So establish prayer, give zakah, and hold fast to Allah; He is your protector; and excellent is the protector, and excellent is the helper."