وَالْبُدْنَ جَعَلْنَاهَا لَكُمْ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ لَكُمْ فِيهَا خَيْرٌ فَاذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهَا صَوَافَّ فَإِذَا وَجَبَتْ جُنُوبُهَا فَكُلُوا مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا الْقَانِعَ وَالْمُعْتَرَّ كَذَلِكَ سَخَّرْنَاهَا لَكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ ﴿۳۶﴾ لَنْ يَنَالَ اللَّهَ لُحُومُهَا وَلَا دِمَاؤُهَا وَلَكِنْ يَنَالُهُ التَّقْوَى مِنْكُمْ كَذَلِكَ سَخَّرَهَا لَكُمْ لِتُكَبِّرُوا اللَّهَ عَلَى مَا هَدَاكُمْ وَبَشِّرِ الْمُحْسِنِينَ ﴿۳۷﴾ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُدَافِعُ عَنِ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ خَوَّانٍ كَفُورٍ ﴿۳۸﴾

﴾36﴿ Walbudna ja'alnaahaa lakum min sha'aaa'iril laahi lakum feehaa khairun fazkurusmal laahi 'alaihaa sawaaff; fa izaa wajabat junoobuhaa fakuloo minhaa wa at'imul qaani'a walmu'tarr; kazaalika sakhkharnaahaa lakum la'allakum tashkuroon
﴾37﴿ Lany yanaalal laaha luhoo muhaa wa laa dimaaa'uhaa wa laakiny yanaaluhut taqwaa minkum; kazaalika sakhkharhaa lakum litukabbirul laaha 'alaa ma hadaakum; wa bashshiril muhsineen
﴾38﴿ Innal laaha yudaafi' 'anil lazeena aamanoo; innal laaha laa yuhibbu kulla khawwaanin kafoor

﴾36﴿ And the large livestock (camels) We have made for you as among the symbols of Allah; for you in them is benefit. So mention the name of Allah over them while they are standing [for sacrifice]. Then when they fall on their sides, eat from them and feed the contented [poor] and the needy [who ask]. Thus We have subjected these animals to you, so that you may be grateful
﴾37﴿ Their meat will never reach Allah, nor will their blood, but what reaches Him is your piety and sincerity. Thus, Allah has subjected these animals to you so that you may glorify Him for guiding you. And give glad tidings to the doers of good
﴾38﴿ Indeed, Allah turns back the harm of war from the believers (towards the disbelievers). Truly, Allah does not love every treacherous, ungrateful one

[36] After previously mentioning the general concept of honoring the symbols of Allah (شَعَائِرَ اللَّهِ), the verse now specifically encourages sacrificing hady (sacrificial animals) and outlines its conditions, then describes the qualities of those who observe these rulings.
In this verse, specific rulings are given for some of the symbols of Allah, namely the camels used for sacrifice.
First ruling: Since camels are from the symbols of Allah, they must be honored and respected.
Second ruling: Sacrificing them according to the Shariah method brings great reward.
Third ruling: At the time of slaughtering (nahr), the name of Allah must be mentioned (“بِسْمِ اللَّهِ”), and the camel should be in a standing position, because slaughtering camels while they are standing and tied is Sunnah.
Fourth ruling: After the animal dies and falls, you are permitted to eat from it and feed the needy.
The permission to eat from it yourself is stated to oppose the polytheists, who believed it was not permissible to eat from the hady (sacrificial animals).
Regarding “الْقَانِعَ”, Al-Qurṭubī quotes Imam Mālik saying that the “qāni‘” is a poor person who is content with little and does not ask.
The “mu‘tar” is someone who approaches or asks indirectly, sometimes through hints or gestures—whether explicitly or silently.
The meaning of “تَشْكُرُونَ” here is acting upon the rulings of sacrifice and slaughter in accordance with the Shariah, as mentioned earlier.
[37] This verse emphasizes the importance of sincerity (ikhlāṣ), which is the condition for the acceptance of any action.
It implies that any sacrifice or offering that lacks sincerity and does not follow the Sunnah, is nothing more than meat and blood—it holds no value before Allah.
The phrase “كَذَلِكَ سَخَّرَهَا” (thus We subjected them) highlights Allah’s great favor—that He has made large and strong animals submissive to weak human beings.
In the previous verse, this subjugation was also mentioned, to encourage the mention of “Bismillah” when sacrificing.
In this verse, it implies that one should say “Bismillah, Allahu Akbar” together, combining the name of Allah and declaring His greatness.
Previously, “جَعَلْنَاهَا” (We made them) was mentioned in the first-person plural, so “سَخَّرْنَاهَا” was also used in that form. But here, “لَنْ يَنَالَ اللَّهَ” (Allah will not receive) is in the third person, so “سَخَّرَهَا” is also switched to the third person for coherence.
The phrase “الْمُحْسِنِينَ” refers to those who: Perform these rulings in the best way, meaning in accordance with the Shariah, Do not mix in innovations, and Act with sincerity.
These are the ones whose deeds are accepted.
[38] From this verse until verse 58, it marks the third section of the Surah.
This section includes: – Encouragement for fighting (qitāl), along with its reasons and the qualities of the mujahidīn, – Consolation for the believers, paired with worldly warnings by recalling the destruction of past rejecting nations, – The eighth rebuke to those who hasten punishment, with another worldly warning, – Affirmation of Prophethood, along with glad tidings and threats, – Mention of the enmity of Shayṭān, who casts doubts and misconceptions, – Allah’s removal of those doubts, along with the wisdom behind both their casting and removal, – A final mixture of warning and glad tidings.
In verse 38, there is consolation for the believers: If they go on Hajj or Jihād, Allah protects their homes, families, and even their own lives—because they are friends of Allah.
As for their enemies—those who are treacherous disbelievers (خَوَّانٍ كَفُورٍ)—they are also enemies of Allah, so it is clear that Allah will protect His friends from His enemies.
“خَوَّانٍ” (treacherous) refers to someone who repeatedly betrays, especially in matters of family, wealth, or trust related to Allah’s close friends.
“كَفُورٍ” (extremely ungrateful) is someone who, despite receiving many favors from Allah, continues to deny and reject them.