"THEN FLOW DOWN FROM WHERE THE PEOPLE FLOWED, AND SEEK FORGIVENESS FROM ALLAH. CERTAINLY ALLAH IS MOST-FORGIVING, VERY-MERCIFUL." (SURAH AL-BAQARAH:199)

Part 1

This verse was revealed in a particular context. The Quraysh of Arabia being the custodians of the Ka'abah enjoyed a unique position of influence and distinction in the country. During the days of Jahiliyyah (ignorance), while everyone went to Arafat, the Quraysh would, in order to show that they were superior to and different from everyone else, stop at Muzdalifah and stay there. They said that being the custodians of the Ka'abah and care-takers of the Haram it was not proper for them to go out of the limits of the Haram. As Muzdalifah is situated within the limits of the Haram and Arafat is outside it, they would stay in Muzdalifah and come back from there without going to Arafat. In this verse Allah Ta'alah has pointed out their mistake and commanded them to go where everyone goes, i.e. Arafat, and return from there with everyone else.

Trying to distinguish oneself from everyone else and keep a distance from them is in itself an act of arrogance (Takabbur). Doing it in the days of Hajj where the garment of Ihram  and the sameness of place and purpose teaches the lesson that all human beings are equal, and that the distinction of rich and poor, learned and ignorant, big and small, doesn't exist here, is an even greater sin.

To be continued...

From Ma'ariful Quran, by Mufti Muhammad Shafi RE