Surah 22:0
The story of Abraham setting up the pilgrimage (al-ḥajj) in this sūra is one of the key passages that form the basis of the Muslim belief that Abraham entered Arabia. This sūra also provides extensive commentary on the use of animals as part of the pilgrimage rituals. Warnings about Judgment Day and details about rewards and punishments form a large part of this sūra. The sūra responds to people who dispute about God with arguments about the Creator’s presence and power. The two criteria of admittance into heaven (the “Gardens”) are stated repeatedly in this sūra: belief and righteous deeds. This sūra also contains one of the two quranic passages that many Muslim commentators have associated with the story known as the “satanic verses” (see explanations at 22.52 and 53.19). In 22.52, Satan is able to cast recitations into the minds of messengers and prophets. Seemingly out of line with much of the content in this sūra, three additional passages refer to conflict. One passage tells of people who keep others from the way of Allah and the sacred mosque, while another promises “victory in the world” to the messenger. The third passage is famous for permitting “believers” to fight.
- from The Quran with Christian Commentary: A Guide to Understanding the Scripture of Islam