The verse commences with...

The verse commences with: ``There is no blame on the pilgrims, if they seek the bounty of their Lord by trading or a business deal, during pilgrimage, but the profit must be sought legitimately, and from the bounty of God. There should be no profiteering through trade tricks.'' In the Pagan Era, every sort of trade and bargain, and carriage or transport of goods, was declared unlawful and counted as a sin during pilgrimage.

The verse nullified that custom null, because good and honest trade is a form of service to the community and therefore to God. Then once again the verse directs our attention to the chief rites of HAJJ; saying: ``When you decamp from ARAFAT, then remember Allah in MASHAR-AL-HAR?M.'' About midway between the plain of ARAF?T and Mina is a place called MUZDALIFE, which has become a sacred monument, and famed as MASHAR-AL-HAR?M.

MASHAR is from the root word, `SHOW-UP' which means intelligence and common sense - or wit and understanding. In the tenth day of the month ZELHAJJEH, the pilgrims of the house of God, who have performed all the rites of HAJJ so far, encamp on that plain which is covered with fine sands, and they stay there for the night, in praying and celebrating the praise of God. That field and scenery there, is an example of the Dooms Day!

On that extensive bed of fine sands and soft gravels, under the bright flickering stars of Arabian nights, several of millions of pilgrims, all in their white Garbs, stay awake in prayer or in meditation with deep reflection on some religious theme. [ 220 ] This opens many secret and mysterious windows in the hearts and souls, from which springs out intelligence and understanding in the minds of the devotee. And here is called MASHAAR to mean wit, intelligence or common sense. VERSE NO.

199 The rites of pilgrimage are mentioned one after another, till the verse No. 199 tells us: ``Then decamp from where the people decamp'' (i.e. from MASHAAR to MINA) According to Islamic traditions, certain arrogant tribes who lived in Mecca, claimed some special advantage for themselves - they did not go to ARAFAT with the crowd of pilgrims, and only stayed in MOZDALIFA for a short interval.

The verse here rebukes them with such fineness saying: ``Then decamp (GO COLLECTIVELY) from where (OTHER) people decamp, and pray for God's forgiveness...'' It implies that there is equal and equality in Islam, and all of you must perform all the rites simultaneously and in crowd; like the rest of the pilgrims.