Question

Was the following verse revealed during the Farewell Hajj of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam):

“This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.”

(Surah Maidah, Verse: 3)

Please provide commentary for this verse as well.

Answer

This verse was indeed revealed during the Farewell Hajj of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).

(Refer: Tafsir ibn Kathir, Surah Maidah, Verse: 3, and Sahih Bukari with Fathul Bari, Hadith: 45)

Allah Ta’ala has perfected the Din of Islam by bestowing this Ummah with a complete way of life.

‘Allamah Tibi (rahimahullah) has elaborated on this, mentioning that Allah Ta’ala has provided all of the necessary requirements [via the Quran and Sunnah], enabling a Muslim to ascertain what is required from him at every given moment; every permissible or impermissible endeavor has either been determined [by the ‘Ulama] or the foundations to ascertain them have been laid.

‘Allamah Ibn Kathir (rahimahullah), after echoing similar sentiments has added that Allah Ta’ala, In establishing justice and balance in every instruction or prohibition, has made the Muslims completely independent in their creed and “completed his favor upon them”.

‘Allamah Ibn Kathir (rahimahullah) has further added, and explained the last portion of the verse as follows:

“As this is the only perfect Din, which Allah Ta’ala has praised and selected for his bondsmen, and in doing so, He has sent them the choicest of His messengers, bestowed them with the noblest of His books, the Muslims should be pleased and delighted to follow this Din.”

(Sharhut Tibi ‘Ala Mishkatil Masabih, Hadith: 1368, and Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Surah Maidah, Verse: 3; Also see: Mirqat, Hadith: 1368)

And Allah Ta’ala knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Farhan Shariff

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar