Surah Al-Hajj
Chapter 22 · Verse 37 · Revealed in Madinah
“Their meat will not reach Allah, nor will their blood, but what reaches Him is piety from you. Thus have We subjected them to you that you may glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and give good tidings to the doers of good.”
Translation: Saheeh International
Listen to recitation
Mishary Rashid Alafasy
Reflection — Ibn Kathir
The Goal of the Udhiyyah (Sacrifice) according to Allah is the Sincerity and Taqwa of His Servant
Allah says: this sacrifice is prescribed for you so that you will remember Him at the time of slaughter, for He is the Creator and Provider. Nothing of its flesh or blood reaches Him, for He has no need of anything other than Himself. During the time of Jahiliyyah, when they offered sacrifices to their gods, they would put some of the meat of their sacrifices on their idols, and sprinkle the blood over them. But Allah says:
لَن يَنَالَ اللَّهَ لُحُومُهَا وَلاَ دِمَآؤُهَا
Reflection — Maarif ul Quran
The real object is not the specific rites of pilgrimage but true devotion to Allah and submission to His will which are inherent in those rites
لَن يَنَالَ اللَّـهَ لُحُومُهَا (It is neither their flesh nor their blood that reaches Allah - 22:37) It means that the sacrifice of animals is a very high form of worship, but their meat and blood do not reach Allah Ta’ ala nor are these two things the real object of sacrifice. Its real aim is to recite the name of Allah and to comply with His commands with true devotion. This rule applies to all forms of worship. For instance, the object of prayers is not just the movement of limbs, or the object of fasting is not merely a denial of food and drink. The real purpose of these rites of worship is to obey the commands of Allah Ta’ ala with all sincerity. Devoid of sincerity these rites of worship are like a body without soul. Nevertheless these forms of worship are also very important because Allah Ta’ ala has prescribed these forms for different types of worship. Allah knows best. واللہ اعلم
What does this verse bring up for you today?