Then when you hasten on (in multitude) from 'Arafat...

Then when you hasten on (in multitude) from 'Arafat, remember Allah by the sacred Monument (Muzdalifah) , remember Him as He has guided you, although before that you were surely of those who went astray." 199. " Then hasten on from where the people hasten on, and seek forgiveness of Allah; verily Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

" Commentary: Economic Activities in Hajj Season At the Age of Ignorance, people considered trading and taking passengers or baggages to different destinations during the Hajj season unlawful (haram) and a sin. They counted the Hajj performances of those who did such activities invalid. At the season of Hajj, Muslims were naturally expecting to know whether the ordinances of that Age were still valid or they were worthless from the view of Islam.

Then, the above verse was revealed telling them: " There shall be no sin for you to seek bounty from your Lord ..." The verse under discussion announces the aforementioned ordinance of the time of ignorance, which counted bargain at the time of Hajj a sin, is incorrent. It proclaims that trade and the like activities are no problem during the season of Hajj, and it does not matter that people enjoy of the blessings of Allah and gain profit from their work 136 and activities.

As Islamic literature indicates about the philosophies of Hajj, in addition to the ethical, political and cultural philosophies, this verse points to the philosophy of economics, too. This idea says that the transportation of Muslims from different points of the world toward the Ka'bah and the formation of that great Islamic congress can be a good basis for a common movement due to economics in Islamic societies.

In this great meeting, before or after the rites of Hajj, the thoughtful Muslim minds in economics can assemble, and, with cooperation and association of each other, establish a firm foundation for the economics of the Islamic societies. They can produce, by the help of correct commercial exchanges, for example, such a strong and fixed economy that they become independent and free from want from enemies and non-Muslims.

Therefore, these trades and commercial exchanges, themselves, are among the means of strengthening the Islamic nations against the enemies of Islam. The reason is that no nation will have complete independence without having a powerful economy.