Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

In Quran on several occasions the word  SHAERALLAH been used, would you please describe me the things comes under SHAERALLAH.

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Answer:

What the shaer –Allah signs in Quran

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

‘Shaaer’ is the plural of the Arabic term ‘Shaeerah’ which basically means a distinctive sign or a feature of observance. For example: a flag or a national anthem is a ‘shaeerah’ of a nation, a logo, or a stamp, or a seal is a ‘shaeerah’ of a company, etc. Thus ‘Shaaer-Allah’ would mean those things which manifest a distinctive sign or a feature of the observance of Allah’s worship.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 158:

158 Behold! Safa and Marwa are among the ‘Shaaer-Allah’ (Symbols of Allah). So if those who visit the House in the season or at other times should compass them round it is no sin in them. And if anyone obeys his own impulse to good be sure that Allah is He Who recognises and knows (all things).

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 23 Surah Hajj verses 36-37:

36 The sacrificial camels we have made for you as among the ‘Shaaer-Allah’ (Symbols of Allah): in them is (much) good for you: then pronounce the Name of Allah over them as they line up (for sacrifice): when they are down on their sides (after slaughter) eat ye thereof and feed such as (beg not but) live in contentment, and such as beg with due humility: thus have we made animals subject to you that ye may be grateful.

37 It is not their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah: it is your piety that reaches Him: He has thus made them subject to you that ye may glorify Allah for His guidance to you: and proclaim the Good News to all who do right.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 5 Surah Maidah verse 2:

2                    O ye who believe! Violate not the sanctity of the ‘Shaaer-Allah’ (Symbols of Allah).

Although there are innumerable things which come under the context of ‘Shaaer-Allah’, some amongst the most prominent are:

1. The Sacred House of Allah in Makkah
2. The Holy Kaaba
3. All the masjids or Houses of Allah.
4. The pilgrimages of Hajj and Umrah
5. Prayers
6. Fasts
7. The hills of Safa and Marwah
8. The plains of Arafah
9. The valley of Muna
10. Muzdalifah
11. The ‘Maqame-Ibraheem’ or Station of Ibraheem placed in the Sacred Mosque.
12. The sacrificial animals or ‘Hadi’, etc.

Any thing or act which symbolizes the worship or the rite of worship of the Lord Most Majestic would be included amongst the ‘Shaaer-Allah’.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan