Exegesis of the Verse in Surat al-Ma'idah (Allah has made the Ka'bah, the Sacred House, a standing for the people, and the Sacred Month)

Question:
We begin this session with the exegesis of the noble verse in the saying of the Truthful One—Blessed and Exalted is He—in Surat al-Ma'idah. I seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the accursed: (Allah has made the Ka'bah, the Sacred House, a source of stability for the people, and the Sacred Month, and the sacrificial animals, and the garlands. That is so you may know that Allah knows what is in the heavens and what is on the earth, and that Allah is All-Knowing of every thing*).

Answer:
Answer: In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his Companions. In this noble verse from Surat al-Ma'idah, Allah the Exalted says: (Allah has made the Ka'bah, the Sacred House, a standing for the people, and the Sacred Month, and the sacrificial animals, and the garlands. That is so you may know that Allah knows what is in the heavens and what is on the earth, and that Allah is All-Knowing of every thing). Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) highlights in this noble verse the status of the House, which is the Noble Ka'bah that Ibrahim built by the command of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He). And Allah made it obligatory upon the people to perform Hajj to it. Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) said: (And for Allah, the people have the duty of Hajj to the House, for whoever is able to find a way to it). So it is a standing for the people, meaning that it is their qiblah, and that they perform Hajj to it from the corners of the earth, seeking favor from Allah and His pleasure, worshipping Allah at it. Allah (Mighty and Majestic) commanded its purification for those who circumambulate, those who devote themselves to worship, and those who bow and prostrate. So it is a house of worship and a house of tawhid (the oneness of Allah), and it is a place of return for the people. (And [remember] when We made the House a place of return for the people and a place of safety). And it is blessed. (Indeed, the first house [of worship] established for people was the one at Bakka, blessed and a guidance for the worlds). Allah highlights the status of this Ancient House that Ibrahim (peace be upon him) built by the command of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He). People gather around it from the corners of the earth, they get to know one another and form bonds, they greet one another, and their eyes are refreshed when they see the strength and multitude of the Muslims. In this are great religious and worldly benefits, and praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds. (A standing for the people) means that their interests in their livelihood and their Hereafter are established through it, and their sins are expiated when they perform Hajj. The accepted Hajj has no reward except Paradise. Whoever comes to this House without committing lewdness or doing wrong returns as if he were born on the day his mother bore him. So their religious and worldly interests are established through this. (A standing for the people). And Allah made the Sacred Month, which is the Sacred Months in which Allah forbade fighting, namely the month of Shawwal, Dhu al-Qi'dah, and ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah. Allah called it the Sacred Month because fighting is forbidden in it, and people are safe in their blood and wealth in these months. They also find rest at this Ancient House. (And the Sacred Month) is a standing for the people, just as Allah made the Ka'bah a standing for the people. When Islam came, safety spread, praise be to Allah. Did the Sacred Months remain or were they abrogated? Allah knows best about that. But Allah legislated them for the benefit of the people and the preservation of their blood and wealth, and so that they may be able to visit this House as pilgrims and those performing 'Umrah. This is from the favor of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He). (And the sacrificial animals) means what is sent to the Ancient House from livestock, as a nearness to Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) and worship of Allah. In this are benefits for the people; they eat, give charity, and benefit from their meat. (And the garlands) are what is placed on the sacrificial animals that are driven to this House so that it is known that they are sacrificial animals, and so that they are avoided and not harmed. So the garlands are a sign that these animals are not to be touched until they reach their destination, which is the Ancient House. Then He said (Mighty and Majestic): (That is so you may know that Allah knows what is in the heavens and what is on the earth). He legislated for you this great Shari'ah, and made this House and this Sacred Month a standing for your interests, and enabled you to travel to this Ancient House, so that you may know that Allah knows what is in the heavens and what is on the earth. In this is an encouragement to righteous deeds and sincerity to Allah, because Allah knows what is in the heavens and what is on the earth, and nothing of our deeds is hidden from Him. (And that Allah is All-Knowing of every thing). This is a generalization following a generalization regarding the knowledge of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He), which causes the servant to fear Allah. The Shaykh: And that Allah is All-Knowing of every thing is a generalization following a generalization regarding the knowledge of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He), which causes the servant to fear Allah and watch Him in any place he is, whether at the House or when he is far from the House in the corners of the earth, for he is within the knowledge of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He), and nothing is hidden from Allah.