Marmaduke Pickthall, The Meaning of The Glorious Koran. An Explanatory Translation (1930)

SÛRAH XXII

Al-Ḥajj, “The Pilgrimage” takes its name from vv. 26–38 relating to the pilgrimage to Mecca. This Sûrah is ascribed by some authorities to the Meccan, by others to the Madînah period. The copy of the Koran which I have followed throughout has the Madînah ascription, and, as it was copied long before the days of “higher” criticism, and was authorised for use throughout the Ottoman Empire, I retain that ascription. Vv. 11–13, 25–30, 39–41 and 58–60 were, according to all authorities, revealed at Al-Madînah. Nöldeke, the greatest of the “higher” critics, says that the ascription is justified on account of the importance of the verses in this Sûrah which must, from the nature of their contents, have been revealed at Al-Madînah, while holding that much of the Sûrah belongs to the last Meccan period.

The Pilgrimage

1. O mankind! Fear your Lord. Lo! the earthquake of the Hour (of Doom) is a tremendous thing.

2. On the day when ye behold it, every nursing mother will forget her nursling and every pregnant one will be delivered of her burden, and thou (Muhammad) wilt see mankind as drunken, yet they will not be drunken, but the Doom of Allah will be strong (upon them).

3. Among mankind is he who disputeth concerning Allah without knowledge, and followeth each, froward devil;

4. For him it is decreed that whoso taketh. him for friend, he verily will mislead him. and will guide Kim to the punishment of the Flame.